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Item Effect of the addition of water extract from guelder rose (Viburnum opulus) flowers on physicochemical and sensory properties of veal burgers(Elsevier, 2026) Kowalczyk, Marek; Domaradzki, Piotr; Florek, Mariusz; Materska, Małgorzata; Żółkiewski, Paweł; Skałecki, Piotr; Teter, Anna; Kaliniak-Dziura, Agnieszka; Pecio, Monika; Dmoch, Małgorzata; Poleszak, EwaThe use of plant extracts is gaining increasing popularity among both food producers and consumers. Extracts can impart health-promoting properties and improve the antioxidant properties of food products, while stabilising sensitive compounds can positively extend the shelf life of food. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of the addition of water extract from guelder rose flowers (GRE) at concentrations of 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.4% on the physicochemical properties (pH, water activity, texture, colour, lipid oxidation - TBARS, α-tocopherol content), sensory properties (beef aroma, off-odours, juiciness, tenderness, beef flavour, off-flavours) and overall quality of veal burgers stored refrigerated for 15 days. Burgers containing 0.1% and 0.4% GRE showed a significantly lower pH (on average, 5.56 in both GRE treatments vs. 5.61 in control samples) and higher purge loss after 10 days (2.39% and 2.90%, respectively, vs. 1.00% in control samples) and 15 days of storage (3.04% and 3.80%, respectively, vs. 1.22% in control samples; P < 0.05). The addition of the extract, irrespective of its concentration, slowed down lipid oxidation and significantly increased α-tocopherol retention (2.15–2.21 μg/g in GRE treatments vs. 1.83 μg/g in control samples; P < 0.05). However, at concentrations of 0.1% and 0.4%, it worsened the sensory properties while increasing the intensity of off-odours and off-tastes, thus lowering the overall quality rating (on average, 6.75 and 5.75, respectively, vs. 7.37 in control samples; P < 0.05). Among the tested GRE levels, a concentration of 0.05% was associated with the most favourable overall outcomes, without significant negative effects on water-holding capacity or sensory characteristics (P > 0.05), while improving α-tocopherol retention and reducing TBARS values. The use of water extract from guelder rose flowers at an appropriate concentration can improve the shelf life and oxidative stability of burgers without adversely affecting their water-holding capacity and sensory quality.Item Preliminary Assessment of the Neuroprotective Potential of the Above-Ground Parts of Two Carlina Species (Asteraceae)(MDPI, 2026-03-18) Mołdoch, Jarosław; Agacka-Mołdoch, Monika; Soluch, Agata; Rudkowska, Monika; Wojtunik-Kulesza, KarolinaThe aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical profile and neuroprotective potential of extracts from underground and aerial parts of two Carlina species: Carlina acaulis (CA) and Carlina vulgaris (CV). Metabolic profiling performed via UHPLC-UV-MS/MS revealed a distinct chemotaxonomic differentiation between the taxa. C. acaulis was defined as a “phenolic-acid” chemotype dominated by 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (up to 32.11 mg/g in leaves), whereas C. vulgaris was characterized as a “flavonoid” chemotype, distinguished by a unique C-glycoside signature, including carlinoside and schaftoside. A significant aspect of scientific novelty is the first-ever identification of flavonolignans (e.g., salcolin A/B and tricin derivatives) in the roots of both species. In biological assays, the extracts demonstrated a multidirectional neuroprotective mechanism. Good antioxidant properties (DPPH, FRAP assays) were confirmed, particularly in CA leaves and CV inflorescences which revealed 61% of DPPH scavenging, along with the capacity to chelate Fe(II) ions (above 60% for CA inflorescence, CV leaves and CV root), a crucial mechanism in ferroptosis prevention. Furthermore, leaf extracts of both species exhibited effective inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) exceeding 50%, showing kinetic selectivity towards BChE inhibition. These results position Carlina species as a promising source of metabolites supporting the therapy of neurodegenerative diseases.Item Temperature-dependent germination dynamics of herbicide-resistant and susceptible blackgrass (Alopecurus myosuroides) and silky windgrass (Apera spica-venti) from Poland(Nature, 2026) Marcinkowska, Katarzyna; Synowiec, Agnieszka; Łacka, Agnieszka; Wenda-Piesik, Anna; Gala-Czekaj, Dorota; Haliniarz, Małgorzata; Marczewska-Kolasa, Katarzyna; Domaradzki, Krzysztof; Podsiadło, Cezary; Pytlarz, ElżbietaHerbicide-resistant grass weeds, including blackgrass (Alopecurus myosuroides Huds.) and silky windgrass (Apera spica‑venti (L.) P.Beauv), pose an escalating challenge to sustainable cereal production in Europe. This study examined temperature‑dependent germination dynamics of herbicide‑resistant (HR) and susceptible (S) biotypes of both species collected from Polish agroecosystems. Germination was tested under five temperatures: constant 5, 10, 15, and 20 °C, and alternating 15/5°C. Resistance groups were evaluated using the area under the germination curve (AUC), a cumulative measure that integrates both the speed and extent of germination. In both species, temperature strongly modulated germination dynamics. Multiple‑resistant blackgrass biotypes exhibited higher germination rates at certain temperatures, suggesting distinct physiological responses among resistance types rather than uniform adaptation across temperature ranges. Conversely, multiple-resistant silky windgrass biotypes (e.g., M1235) germinated vigorously at 5 °C. Still, they declined at warmer temperatures, achieving the highest AUC at 5 °C but the lowest at 20 °C (a difference exceeding 74 units), suggesting a temperature-specific shift in dormancy release or germination physiology. Susceptible groups germinated more slowly and consistently across temperatures. These contrasting thermal responses reveal that herbicide-resistant populations can exploit different temperature niches, potentially influencing their emergence timing and competitive ability in the field. Understanding these patterns is essential for developing climate-adapted, resistance-aware weed management strategies, including optimized sowing schedules and integrated, non-chemical control measures.Item The physicochemical composition, pollutant content and associated risks for using harbour sediments as a soil amendment(Springer Nature, 2026-03-10) Baran, Agnieszka; Birch, Gavin F.; Proschogo, Nicholas; Antonio, Bernadeth; Klimkowicz-Pawlas, Agnieszka; Szarłowicz, Katarzyna; Ukalska-Jaruga, Aleksandra; Wieczorek, JerzyThe aim of this study was to assess the quality of harbour sediments for potential agricultural use. The study evaluated the granulometric composition, pH, salinity, cationic sorption capacity, total organic carbon, macronutrients, trace elements, PAHs, radionuclides and ecotoxicity of seven sediment samples collected from Sydney Harbour (Australia). The sediments had relatively low organic carbon content and Na+ ions were dominant in the sorption complex due to significant salinisation of the bottom sediments. The sediments presented a higher environmental risk due to metal/metalloid content than PAHs and radionuclides. A major problem for agricultural use of bottom sediments was contamination with metals (Zn, Pb, Cu, Hg, Ni) and salinity. Levels of the above metals were found to be above acceptable limits for bottom sediment/soil. Bottom sediment salinity was an important factor influencing ecotoxicity. There was a significant positive correlation between salinity and root growth inhibition of Sinapis alba and Sorghum saccharatum. Immobilisation/extraction of metals, removal of salinity or enrichment of sediments with organic matter may improve the potential of these harbour sediments for land application.Item Prediction of the spatial distribution of soil organic carbon content in Central European agriculturally used peatlands: a case study of the Grójec Valley, Central Poland(Springer, 2026-03-14) Pindral, Sylwia; Mendyk, Łukasz; Coblinski, João Augusto; Sykuła, Marcin; Joel, Michael Foredapwa; Glina, BartłomiejPurpose Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays a crucial role in ecosystem functioning, especially in agriculturally used grassland habitats, where organic soils often constitute a significant share. They provide a wide range of ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration and climate regulation, water cycling, and biomass production. At the same time, the grassland environment can be easily degraded by intensive agricultural practices. Understanding the spatial distribution of SOC is crucial for sustainable land management. In this study, we focus on the Grójec Valley, a grassland dominated area in central Poland, to predict the distribution of SOC. The valley is characterized by diverse land cover, including arable land, grasslands, forests, and wetlands. We aimed to use fine-scale auxiliary variables to predict the distribution of SOC content in the uppermost (0–30 cm) soil layers and compare the produced map with existing fine-scale soil maps. Materials and methods Soil samples were collected from 85 locations within the valley and analyzed for SOC content. We implemented the Digital Soil Mapping (DSM) approach using the Quantile Regression Forests (QRF) algorithm to predict SOC content within the study area. As a set of covariates, we included Sentinel-2 data-based indices and various layers produced from a digital elevation model. Results The model proved effective in predicting SOC content across the entire valley. Areas with high SOC content were associated with specific land cover types and corresponded with the organic soil contours on the soil-agricultural map. Our findings can provide important information for decision-makers and farmers about the state of soils within the studied area (which well represent the agriculturally used fen peatlands of Central Europe) to help with targeted soil conservation efforts. Moreover, fine-scale maps of SOC can be useful for precision agriculture and sustainable land use planning. Conclusion This study highlights the potential of integrating digital soil mapping techniques with remote sensing data to predict SOC content at a fine spatial scale. Our results demonstrate that such an approach can effectively capture the heterogeneity of organic carbon in agriculturally used fen peatlands. These findings contribute to a better understanding of carbon dynamics in drained soils, which is essential for improving soil carbon accounting, supporting climate change mitigation strategies, and guiding sustainable land management practices across temperate regions.Item Cross-comparison of national drought monitoring products in Central Europe using a new drought impact database(Springer Nature, 2026) Luintel, Nirajan ; Bueechi, Emanuel; Poděbradská, Markéta; Trnka, Miroslav; Dolák, Lukáš; Cindrić Kalin, Ksenija ; Labudová, Lívia ; Řehoř, Jan; Lončar-Petrinjak, Ivan; Gregorič, Gregor ; Żyłowska, Katarzyna ; Dorigo, WouterMonitoring drought helps to reduce their economic and environmental impacts by enabling early warnings and better resource management planning. In Europe, there are several operational monitoring systems operating at national and regional scales. However, such monitoring systems are rarely validated, which complicates the decision-making process. Therefore, we evaluated six national drought monitoring products in Central Europe using a novel extreme event impact database compiled from national newspaper reports over the period 2000–2023. The drought monitoring indices used in the countries include the standardized precipitation index (SPI), standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI), and standardized relative soil moisture with different aggregation periods. The area under receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) is used to assess the ability of the drought indices to detect impact occurrence. Spearman correlation coefficients (r) between the severity of the drought index and the number of reported impacts are used to assess their ability to capture impact severity. The highest AUC values were obtained for the drought monitoring products of Czechia, Croatia, and Slovenia (AUC > 0.8) while the lowest values were obtained for the monitoring product of Austria (AUC < 0.7). Impact severity was best captured in Poland (for some indices r > 0.6), and worst in Slovakia, Slovenia, and Austria (r < 0.4). With an increasing aggregation period, the correlation generally decreases, while the AUC values show a non-linear pattern, peaking at an intermediate integration time of three to 6 months. The results of this study help to understand the strengths and weaknesses of drought monitoring products in each country and support the development of a common drought monitoring framework for Central Europe.Item Characterization of Fungi Communities in Organic Soybean Seeds Using DNA Sequencing: Effects of Cultivar and Location(MDPI, 2026-02) Olszak-Przybyś, Hanna; Przybyś, Marcin; Bojarszczuk, Jolanta; Księżak, JerzyOrganic soybean seeds are susceptible to colonization by numerous fungal pathogens, which can reduce their germination capacity and nutritional quality. This study evaluated fungi transmitted by seeds and their effects on selected seed quality parameters, as well as the influence of variety, location and growing season. In total, 471 fungal isolates belonging to 24 genera and 37 species were obtained from three soybean varieties (Erica, Es Commandor and Cerez PZO) cultivated at two locations during the 2022–2023 seasons. All obtained isolates were identified based on ITS sequencing, and Fusarium isolates were further characterized to the species level using TEF and RPB2 markers. Fusarium spp. was the most frequently isolated genus, accounting for 35.7% of all isolates, followed by Alternaria spp. (15.9%) and Aspergillus spp. (11.9%). Fungal frequency and species diversity differed significantly between years. Seed germination capacity was significantly lower in 2023 than in 2022 and coincided with higher fungal colonization, lower spring temperatures, and increased rainfall. A significant negative Pearson’s correlation (r = −0.58, p < 0.05) was found between fungi abundance and seed oil content, indicating a direct impact of fungal colonization on nutritional quality. These results highlight the role of environmental conditions in seed-borne pathogen communities and the need for monitoring and seed health management to ensure soybean seed quality.Item Change in the Intensity of Soil Erosion via Water in the Vistula River Basin in Future Climate: A Comparison of the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 Scenarios (2021–2050) Using the MUSLE Model(MDPI, 2026-02-01) Badora, Damian; Wawer, Rafał; Król-Badziak, Aleksandra; Bartosiewicz, Beata; Kozyra, JerzyThis study aims to assess how climate change will affect the intensity of soil erosion in the Vistula River basin by the mid-21st century. A simulation framework based on the SWAT–MUSLE model was applied, calibrated, and validated against observed streamflow data and driven by climatic forcings from the EURO-CORDEX ensemble (the RACMO22E, HIRHAM5, and RCA4 models forced by EC-EARTH GCM) under the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios. Simulations were conducted at a daily time step for the years 2021–2050 and compared to the reference period 2013–2018. The analysis included the decadal and seasonal aggregation of the sediment yield (SYLD, t ha−1 yr−1). The results indicate that, relative to the baseline value (~1.84 t ha−1 yr−1), the SYLD increases under both scenarios. In RCP 4.5, the rise culminates during 2031–2040 and then stabilizes in 2041–2050. Under RCP 8.5, a continuous upward trend is observed, with the highest values projected for 2041–2050, particularly for the HIRHAM5 realization. The largest relative increases occur in summer (JJA) and, in the final decade, also in autumn (SON); in the early horizon, autumn may locally exhibit declines that later shift to increases. The spread among RCM realizations remains significant and should be interpreted as an expression of projection uncertainty. The practical implications include prioritizing soil protection measures in sub-catchments with high LS factors and soils susceptible to water erosion, strengthening runoff and sediment control in summer, and planning maintenance of small-scale retention infrastructure. Study limitations arise from the inherent structure of the MUSLE model, bias correction procedures for climate data, and the representation of extreme events. Therefore, greater emphasis is placed on the direction and seasonality of changes rather than absolute numerical values.Item Functionally rich crop rotations increase calorie and macronutrient outputs across Europe(Springer Nature, 2026) Vico, Giulia; Costa, Alessio; Smith, Monique E.; Bowles, Timothy; Gaudin, Amélie C. M.; Watson, Christine A.; Baldoni, Guido; Berti, Antonio; Blecharczyk, Andrzej; Jończyk, Krzysztof; Mazzon, Martina; Marzadori, Claudio; Morari, Francesco; Negri, Lorenzo; Onofri, Andrea; Pasamón, José Luis Tenorio; Sandström, Boël; Santín-Montanyá, Inés; Sawińska, Zuzanna; Stalenga, Jarosław; Tei, Francesco; Topp, Cairistiona F. E.; Walker, Robin L.; Bommarco, RiccardoIncreased crop diversity in cereal-dominated rotations can enhance crop protection, nutrient use efficiency and climate change adaptation. Nevertheless, it is argued that replacing cereals in rotations diminishes food production, threatening food security. Here we compared outputs of calories and macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) for human consumption from cereal monocultures, cereal-only rotations and rotations including two or three functionally distinct crop types (cereals plus root and oil crops, legumes or ley) in 16 long-term experiments across Europe. Rotations with three functional types produced more calories and macronutrients than cereal monocultures and cereal-only rotations with forage crops used to produce milk. Carbohydrate gains depended on growing conditions and crop choice. Advantages increased over time but were lost with forage crops used for beef or biofuel. Functionally rich rotations provided macronutrient proportions closer to recommended human diets. Our analysis shows no trade-off between functionally rich rotations and food production or agricultural land expansion.Item A Comparison of the Occurrence of Bioactive Compounds in the Grain of Different Triticum Species(MDPI, 2026) Kowalska, Iwona; Yanik, Derya Koçak; Jóźwiak, Grzegorz; Kozłowska, MariolaThis review is a collection of information on bioactive compounds found in the grain of different Triticum species, both old and modern. The whole wheat grain, as well as its parts, e.g., bran, contains compounds, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, alkylresorcinols, benzoxazinoids, tocopherols, carotenoids, and others. These compounds differ in both their chemical structure and biological properties. There are significant differences in the content and composition of these compounds between Triticum species. Apart from the wheat species, there are many other factors influencing these differences, e.g., cultivars, environmental factors, growth conditions, and farming systems. The Triticum species the best researched and described in terms of the content of bioactive compounds are Triticum aestivum L., T. durum Desf., T. spelta L., T. turgidum L., T. monococcum L., T. dicoccum Schrank, T. timopheevii, and T. polonicum L.Item The Development and Condition of Selected Legume Species Depending on the Rate of Superabsorbent Application Under Conditions of Limited Irrigation(MDPI, 2026) Czopek, KatarzynaThe aim of the study was to assess the effect of superabsorbents on the condition of selected legume species grown with different watering frequencies. Three two-factor pot experiments were conducted in MICRO-CLIMA phytotrons. The objects of the study were three legume species: faba bean, pea and soybean. The first factor was the superabsorbent (SAP) rate (0, 2, 4, and 6 g·kg−1 of substrate), while the second factor was the watering frequency (the subjects were watered every 1, 3, 6, and 9 days). The study showed that faba bean and pea plants were significantly taller after superabsorbent application (by 17 and 11%, respectively) and developed greater root mass. The application of SAPs at a rate of 6 g·kg−1 increased the dry weight of the underground parts of faba beans and peas (by 56.8% and 85.9%, respectively) compared to the control. The highest SAP dose reduced the Fv/Fm index in soybean and the PI index in faba bean and soybean (by 5 and 29%, respectively). The lowest SPAD index in peas was recorded in the control treatment (without SAPs) and in soybeans at the highest dose of SAPs (6 g·kg−1). In all species, the best results for growth and biomass of the aboveground parts were obtained with daily watering, which increased plant height by an average of 26.5–60.9% and the dry mass of the aboveground parts by 42.6–60.6% compared to less frequent watering. Higher values of the Fv/Fm index were observed in soybean, and higher values of the PI index were observed in faba bean, pea, and soybean in the least frequently watered treatments. In all species studied, the SPAD index was higher under conditions of the greatest water deficit (watering every 9 days) compared to plants watered every 1, 3, and 6 days.Item 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 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 Santalum Genus: phytochemical constituents, biological activities and health promoting-effects(De Gruyter, 2022) Sharifi-Rad, Javad; Quispe, Cristina; Turgumbayeva, Aknur; Mertdinç, Zehra; Tütüncü, Sena; Aydar, Elif Feyza; Özçelik, Beraat; Stępień-Warda, Anna; Staniak, Mariola; Koziróg, Anna; Otlewska, Anna; Antolak, Hubert; Sen, Surjit; Acharya, Krishnendu; Lapava, Natallia; Emamzadeh-Yazdi, Simin; Martorell, Miquel; Kumar, Manoj; Varoni, Elena Maria; Iriti, Marcello; Calina, DanielaSantalum genus belongs to the family of Santalaceae, widespread in India, Australia, Hawaii, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, and valued as traditional medicine, rituals and modern bioactivities. Sandalwood is reported to possess a plethora of bioactive compounds such as essential oil and its components (α-santalol and β-santalol), phenolic compounds and fatty acids. These bioactives play important role in contributing towards biological activities and health-promoting effects in humans. Pre-clinical and clinical studies have shown the role of sandalwood extract as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, neuroleptic, antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and anticancer activities. Safety studies on sandalwood essential oil (EO) and its extracts have proven them as a safe ingredient to be utilized in health promotion. Phytoconstituents, bioactivities and traditional uses established sandalwood as one of the innovative materials for application in the pharma, food, and biomedical industry.Item Restoring the Importance of Cereal-Grain Legume Mixtures in Low-Input Farming Systems(MDPI, 2023) Księżak, Jerzy; Staniak, Mariola; Stalenga, JarosławIn the paper, we overview the benefits of cereal-grain legume mixtures in low-input farming systems and identify the key factors affecting their agricultural performance. The review was based on the data collected from databases such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. The gathered literature covered the original research articles, reviews, book chapters, and, in a few cases, conference proceedings. The focus was on literature coming from Mediterranean countries and Central-Eastern Europe, especially from Poland. Originating from two different plant families, legumes and cereals complement each other. The legumes provide biologically fixed nitrogen for the cereals in the mixture, but also increase its pool available to the following crops. Additional benefits include, but are not limited to more efficient pathogen and weed control, supply of high-quality fodder, and improved economic efficiency. Cultivation of crops after such mixtures usually results in higher and more stable yields. The productivity of cereal-grain legume mixtures largely depends on the soil factors (soil type, pH, water availability, etc.), crop species, crop variety, and crop management. Cereal-grain legume mixtures are particularly relevant to the poor (sandy) soils which are often unsuitable for the production of the components grown as a sole crop and are often linked with low-input farming systems.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 Chemical Composition, Biological Activity, and Health-Promoting Effects of Withania somnifera for Pharma-Food Industry Applications(Wiley, 2021) Sharifi-Rad, Javad; Quispe, Cristina; Ayatollahi, Seyed Abdulmajid; Kobarfard, Farzad; Staniak, Mariola; Stępień, Anna; Czopek, Katarzyna; Sen, Surjit; Acharya, Krishnendu; Matthews, Karl R.; Sener, Bilge; Devkota, Hari Prasad; Kırkın, Celale; Ozçelik, Beraat; Victoriano, Montserrat; Martorell, Miquel; Suleria, Hafiz Ansar Rasul; Alshehri, Mohammed M.; Chandran, Deepak; Kumar, Manoj; Cruz-Martins, Natalia; Cho, William C.The Withania genus comes from the Solanaceae family and includes around 23 species, spread over some areas of the Mediterranean, Asia, and East Africa. Widely used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, these plants are rich in secondary metabolites, with special emphasis on steroidal lactones, named withanolides which are used as ingredients in numerous formulations for a plethora of diseases, such as asthma, diabetes, arthritis, impotence, amnesia, hypertension, anxiety, stress, cancer, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular diseases, and many others. Among them, Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is the most widely addressed species from a pharmacological and agroindustrial point of view. In this sense, this review provides an overview of the folk uses, phytochemical composition, and biological activity, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activity of W. somnifera, although more recently other species have also been increasingly investigated. In addition, their health-promoting effects, i.e., antistress, anxiolytic, adaptogenic, antirheumatoid arthritis, chemoprotective, and cardiorespiratory-enhancing abilities, along with safety and adverse effects are also discussed.Item Weed Ecology and New Approaches for Management(MDPI, 2021) Kocira, Anna; Staniak, MariolaItem Effect of catch crops and tillage systems on some chemical properties of loess soil in a short-term monoculture of spring wheat(Polskie Towarzystwo Magnezologiczne im. prof. Juliana Aleksandrowicza (PTMag) oraz Uniwersytet Warmińsko-Mazurski w Olsztynie (UWM), 2020) Kwiatkowski, Cezary A.; Harasim, Elżbieta; Staniak, MariolaThe aim of the present study was to compare the chemical soil quality parameters in a three-year spring wheat monoculture as affected by the incorporation of biomass of selected catch crops into the soil under two tillage systems (plough tillage and no-tillage). The experiment was set up as a split-plot design with 5 replicates on 27 m2 plots. The suitability of the following catch crops plants: white mustard, lacy phacelia, and a mixture of legumes (faba bean + spring vetch), was tested relative to the control treatment. The study was conducted in Czesławice (Poland), in 2013-2015. The experiment was established on loess soil with the grain size distribution of silt loam and classified as good wheat soil complex (soil class II). Soil samples were taken using a soil sampling auger from an area of 0.20 m2 (from the 0-20 cm layer) in each plot in the spring period (before spring wheat was sown). This study hypothesized that the catch crops, in combination with conservation tillage, would result in an improvement in some soil fertility chemical indicators in a several-year monoculture of spring wheat. It was proven that, regardless of a tillage system, the catch crops (in particular the mixture of legumes and white mustard) beneficially affected the soil chemical properties (in particular the content of soil humus, organic C, P, Mg and micronutrients). Tillage systems did not cause significant differences in soil pH. The catch crops also contributed to a reduction in phenolic compounds in the soil. Tillage systems had a weaker impact on the soil chemical parameters. Despite this, plough tillage promoted more favorable soil chemical composition in spring (compared to the conservation tillage).Item Role of Environmental Factors in Legume-Rhizobium Symbiosis: A Review(MDPI, 2025) Yeremko, Liudmyla; Czopek, Katarzyna; Staniak, Mariola; Marenych, Mykola; Hanhur, VolodymyrLegumes play a pivotal role in addressing global challenges of food and nutrition security by offering a sustainable source of protein and bioactive compounds. The capacity of legumes to establish symbiotic relationships with rhizobia bacteria enables biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), reducing the dependence on chemical fertilizers while enhancing soil health. However, the efficiency of this symbiosis is significantly influenced by environmental factors, such as soil acidity, salinity, temperature, moisture content, light intensity, and nutrient availability. These factors affect key processes, including rhizobia survival, nodule formation, and nitrogenase activity, ultimately determining the growth and productivity of legumes. This review summarizes current knowledge on legume-rhizobia interactions under varying abiotic conditions. It highlights the impact of salinity and acidity in limiting nodule development, soil temperature in regulating microbial community dynamics, and moisture availability in modulating metabolic and hormonal responses during drought and waterlogging. Moreover, the role of essential nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements such as iron, molybdenum, and boron, in optimizing symbiosis is critically analyzed.