Browse
Recent Submissions
Item From Nutrition to Energy: Evaluating the Role of Rye (Secale cereale L.) Grain in Sustainable Food Systems and Biofuel Applications(MDPI, 2025) Berbeć, Adam Kleofas; Wyzińska, MartaRye (Secale cereale L.), a cereal with valuable agronomic and nutritional benefits, contributes to sustainable agriculture, especially in areas where more demanding crops cannot be cultivated due to the poor agronomic value of soil. This review explores rye grain quality optimization strategies through production techniques. The quality and yield of grain are under the significant impact of agronomic factors, such as variety selection, crop rotation, soil tillage, fertilization, sowing practices, chemical protection, and harvest timing. It is also under the strong influence of the chosen farm’s management strategy, like organic or conventional farming system. This review emphasizes its diverse potential utilization routes, and the importance of bioactive compounds, dietary fibers, phenolic acids, phytoestrogens, and benzoxazinoids that enhance its value as a functional food. Cereal grain with quality issues cannot be used as food for humans, however, it can still be utilized alternatively as a renewable biofuel. This review showed rye grain to have a potential to contribute to sustainable agriculture and at the same time build farms’ resilience through possible alternative utilization strategies. It can serve as both a food source and a sustainable biofuel, offering a dual-purpose solution within the circular bioeconomy.Item Signal molecules and enzymes produced by Rhizobium leguminosarum sv. trifolii strains originating from the subpolar and temperate climate zones as elements of adaptation to low temperature stress(Elsevier, 2025) Janczarek, Monika; Adamczyk, Paulina; Gałązka, Anna; Marzec-Grządziel, Anna; Wójcik, Magdalena; Polakowski, Cezary; Maciejczyk, Natalia; Bieganowski, AndrzejRhizobium leguminosarum sv. trifolii is a soil bacterium capable of establishing a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with Trifolium spp. (clover) plants. In this study, two subpopulations of Rlt strains derived from the subpolar and temperate climate zones were characterized with respect to different physiological and metabolic traits. In addition, the influence of temperature on these processes was examined. Our results indicated that all the rhizobial strains grew at pH 5–9, tolerated salinity, and were sensitive to a majority of antibiotics. Moreover, the subpolar strains proved to be more tolerant to salinity than the temperate strains. A great majority of the strains (83.8 %) produced acyl-homoserine lactones in a wide range of temperatures (10–25 ◦C). Although no difference in the frequency of this trait between the subpopulations was found, more highly efficient AHL-producers were found among the temperate strains. In terms of the production of iron-chelating compounds and phosphate solubilization, half of the studied Rlt strains exhibited these traits, but more effective isolates were identified within the temperate subpopulation. These rhizobia also synthesized high amounts of indole-3-acetic acid and exhibited ACC deaminase activity, which is important for the regulation of the plant hormone ethylene. Some differences in phenotypic profiles between the individual strains were observed. The temperature range of 20–25 ◦C was optimal, whereas lower temperatures negatively affected the production of these molecules. In addition, the Rlt population exhibited a large diversity with respect to the auxiliary genetic content and metabolic potential. In conclusion, the Rlt strains produced a large set of signal molecules and enzymes and utilized a variety of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur sources, which ensures their successful adaptation to various environments.Item Bacterial osmoprotectants - a way to survive in saline conditions and potential crop allies(Oxford Academic, 2025-05-16) Goszcz, Aleksandra; Furtak, Karolina; Stasiuk, Robert; Wójtowicz, Joanna; Musiałowski, Marcin; Schiavon, Michela; Dębiec-Andrzejewska, KlaudiaSoil salinization, affecting 6.5% of arable land, deteriorates soil properties, reduces microbiota activity, hinders plant growth, and accelerates soil erosion. Excessive salt induces physiological drought and toxicity stress in plants, causing chlorosis, ion imbalances, and enzyme disruptions. This paper discusses microorganisms’ resistance mechanisms, plant responses to salt stress and summarizes current knowledge on bacterial osmoprotectants and their functions. It also reviews emerging agrobiotechnological strategies using microbial osmoprotectants to remediate salinized soils and enhance plant growth and productivity under salt stress. Osmoprotectants stabilize proteins, buffer redox potential, and retain water, thus alleviating osmotic stress and promoting bacteria and plants growth. Their application improves soil properties by enhancing aggregate formation, water permeability, moisture content, cation exchange capacity, and ion availability. Despite extensive literature on the function of osmoprotectants, the knowledge about their role in soil environments and agrobiotechnology applications remains limited. This paper indicates proposed research perspectives, including discovering new osmoprotectants, their correlation with soil fertilization, interactions with the soil microbiome, and plant responses. It also identifies significant knowledge gaps in these areas, highlighting the need for further studies to consolidate existing data and assess the potential of this approach to enhance soil health and crop productivity in saline environments.Item The Impact of Fresh Blueberry Addition on the Extrusion-Cooking Process, Physical Properties and Antioxidant Potential of Potato-Based Snack Pellets(MDPI, 2025-05) Combrzyński, Maciej; Soja, Jakub; Oniszczuk, Tomasz; Wojtunik-Kulesza, Karolina; Kręcisz, Magdalena; Mołdoch, Jarosław; Biernacka, BeataThe aim of the study was to develop a new generation of potato-based snack granules enriched with fresh blueberries and evaluate the extrusion-cooking process along with selected physical properties. Blueberries were added in varying amounts (10%, 20%, and 30%) as an ingredient for the semi-finished product. The analysis focused on the impact of moisture content, screw speed, and blueberry concentration on extrusion efficiency and product properties. The results showed significant effects of blueberry addition on extrusion-cooking efficiency (14.40 to 37.12 kg/h) and energy consumption (0.003 to 0.021 kWh/kg). Durability, bulk density, water absorption index (WAI) and water solubility index (WSI) were evaluated with values ranging from 95.46 to 97.61%, 345.07 to 547.37 kg/m3, 2.90 to 3.88 g/g and 8.23 to 18.52%. The incorporation of blueberries also eliminated the need for drying, reducing water consumption and energy demand. Additionally, the antioxidant potential of the blueberry-enriched samples was assessed, indicating improved health benefits (DPPH from 22.71 to 94.22%). Based on the results, the incorporation of up to 30% blueberries is recommended for optimal physical properties and enhanced antioxidant activity.Item Effect of innovative mineral-organic mixtures on enzymatic activity, ecotoxicity, and microbial communities in contaminated soil(Elsevier, 2025-05-13) Jarosz, Renata; Klimkowicz-Pawlas, Agnieszka; Biel, Karolina; Mokrzycki, Jakub; Musiałowski, Marcin; Dębiec-Andrzejewska, Klaudia; Mierzwa-Hersztek, MonikaThe sustainable use of fertilizers to enhance food production while minimizing environmental impact is a pressing global challenge. Soil regeneration is especially critical for soils poor in organic matter and contaminated with heavy metals. This study investigated the effect of mineral-organic mixtures containing zeolite composites and organic additives (lignite/leonardite) on soil enzymes activity, ecotoxicity, and microbiological properties. Various doses of zeolite composites and organic additives were tested in a two-years pot experiment using soil with elevated levels of cadmium, zinc, and lead. Soil enzymes activity (dehydrogenase, urease, phosphatase, and arylsulfatase) were quantified, and soil ecotoxicity was assessed using Microtox®, Phytotoxkit, and Ostracodtoxkit assays. Microbial abundance, diversity, and community structure were analyzed via culturable methods and DNA sequencing. Mixtures containing zeolite-vermiculite composite had the most pronounced positive effect on enzymes activity. Notably, mixture with 3 % zeolite-carbon composite and 3 % leonardite significantly enhanced urease activity after the 2nd year (111 %). Mixtures containing zeolite–vermiculite composite showed an average GMea index about 10 % higher than those with zeolite–carbon composites. The GMea index proved more sensitive than TEI in assessing total enzymes activity and soil quality. Soil microbiological studies showed that the quantity and overall structure of the microbiome remained stable after the application of mineral-organic mixtures. The dominant taxa at the phylum level were Proteobacteria (16.17–18.73 %), Planctomycetota (16.17–18.73 %), Chloroflexi (14.99–18.49 %), and Actinobacteriota (11.28–14.86 %). The mixtures did not affect the diversity of soil microorganisms, suggesting a neutral effect on the soil ecosystem. The greatest reduction in water-soluble Cd, Zn, and Pb was achieved with the mixtures containing zeolite-carbon composite and lignite. The results demonstrate the impact of mineral-organic additives on soil ecotoxicity, which is of significant importance from an environmental and sustainable soil management perspective. The outcomes of this study may prove to be a factor in the formulation of effective remediation strategies for contaminated soils.Item Cereal and Rapeseed Yield Forecast in Poland at Regional Level Using Machine Learning and Classical Statistical Models(MDPI, 2025) Okupska, Edyta; Gozdowski, Dariusz; Pudełko, Rafał; Wójcik-Gront, ElżbietaThis study performed in-season yield prediction, about 2–3 months before theharvest, for cereals and rapeseed at the province level in Poland for 2009–2024. Variousmodels were employed, including machine learning algorithms and multiple linear regression.The satellite-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and climaticwater balance (CWB), calculated using meteorological data, were treated as predictors ofcrop yield. The accuracy of the models was compared to identify the optimal approach.The strongest correlation coefficients with crop yield were observed for the NDVI at thebeginning of March, ranging from 0.454 for rapeseed to 0.503 for rye. Depending on thecrop, the highest R2 values were observed for different prediction models, ranging from0.654 for rapeseed based on the random forest model to 0.777 for basic cereals based onlinear regression. The random forest model was best for rapeseed yield, while for cereal, thebest prediction was observed for multiple linear regression or neural network models. Forthe studied crops, all models had mean absolute errors and root mean squared errors notexceeding 6 dt/ha, which is relatively small because it is under 20% of the mean yield. Forthe best models, in most cases, relative errors were not higher than 10% of the mean yield.The results proved that linear regression and machine learning models are characterized bysimilar predictions, likely due to the relatively small sample size (256 observations).Item The Influence of Integrated and Intensive Grain Production on the Content and Properties of Chemical Components in Rye Grain(MDPI, 2025) Buksa, Krzysztof; Sułek , Alicja; Skrzypek, MichałThe effect of integrated and intensive grain production technologies on the contentand properties of chemical components in rye (Secale cereale L.) grain of new varietiesis not known. This study aimed to examine the effect of production technology on thecontent and properties of chemical components of rye grain. Grain from four Polish ryevarieties obtained as a result of integrated and intensive production was examined. Ingeneral, the use of intensive technology resulted in receiving a 7.9% higher yield of grainwith a 3.7% higher content of starch, characterized by a higher share of amylose and lowermolar mass compared to grain cultivated using the integrated method. Moreover, grainfrom intensive production contained 0.6% more water-soluble arabinoxylan of a high molarmass but a lower content of ferulic acid, compared to grain obtained by the integratedmethod. Rye grain from intensive production contained 0.4% more protein, 0.3% moresoluble dietary fiber, and similar amounts of phytates than grain cultivated using the integratedmethod. Regardless of the production method, the hybrid varieties KWS Vinettoand KWS Bono had the highest grain yield and grain with a low content of protein, totaland soluble dietary fiber, and extractable arabinoxylan of a high molar mass but low contentof ferulic acid.Item Comparison of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties grown in organic farming conditions: lodging and plant height(The Scientific Agricultural Society of Finland, 2025) Lenartowicz, Tomasz; Bujak, Henryk; Przystalski, Marcin; Nowosad, Kamila; Jończyk, Krzysztof; Feledyn-Szewczyk, BeataLodging is one of the main factors influencing yield reduction in both organic and conventional systems. In the organic system, lodging is mainly controlled by selecting varieties with increased resistance to lodging, by regulating sowing density, or by cultivation of varieties of appropriate height. The present study aimed to compare ten varieties tested in the years 2020–2022 in organic trials in terms of plant height and resistance to lodging in two growth phases (milk and harvest). Depending on the analyzed trait, a linear or cumulative link linear mixed model was fitted on plot data. The analyses showed that variety Farmer was the most resistant to lodging in the two growth phases, whereas varieties KWS Vermont and Rubaszek were less resistant to lodging in two growth phases than Farmer, but only at the milk phase, the differences were significant. Furthermore, Radek was the tallest among the tested varieties, whereas Farmer was classified as mid-tall. According to Wricke’s ecovalence coefficient, Bente was the most stable, while Farmer ranked third. Therefore, varieties that are the most resistant to lodging and are the most stable in terms of height, should be promoted for cultivation.Item The Significance of Herbicide–Humin Interactions in Sustainable Agroecosystems(MDPI, 2025) Jerzykiewicz, Maria; Ćwieląg-Piasecka, Irmina; Weber, Jerzy; Ukalska-Jaruga, Aleksandra; Jamroz, Elżbieta; Kocowicz, Andrzej; Dębicka, Magdalena; Bekier, Jakub; Mielnik, Lilla; Bejger, Romualda; Banach-Szott, Magdalena; Grabusiewicz, AgnieszkaHumin, as the most stable fraction in soil organic matter, determines possibility of sustainable environmental development by influencing, among other things, the binding and migration of different chemicals in soil. The aim of this paper was to determine changes in the properties of humins after interaction with three selected active substances of herbicides differing in structure and chemical properties (pendimethalin, metazachlor, and flufenacet) and two different commercial products. In accordance with OECD 106 guidelines, humins isolated from eight different soils were saturated with herbicide compounds under study. As humin is a non-hydrolyzable organic carbon fraction, solid state research techniques (elemental analysis, NMR, FTIR, EPR, and UV-Vis) were applied. The results clearly showed that the interaction between humin and herbicides increases the concentration of oxygen-containing groups and the internal oxidation (ω) in humin. For all investigated humins, a reduction in radical concentration was observed. Radicals in humins were not completely quenched; a certain concentration of radicals with unchanged structure always remained in the samples. Other spectroscopic analyses showed no significant changes in the structure of pesticide-saturated and non-saturated humins. This suggests that sorption of the studied compounds occurs on the humins only as a result of the interaction of physical forces on the surface of the studied organic matter fraction. Thus, interaction with the studied herbicides occurs as a surface phenomenon, and the inner core remains protected by the condensed structure and/or strong binding to the clay minerals.Item Effect of Paulownia and Buckwheat Intercropping on Soil Microbial Biodiversity, Dehydrogenase Activity, and Glomalin-Related Soil Protein(MDPI, 2025) Woźniak, Małgorzata; Liszewski, Marek; Jama-Rodzeńska, Anna; Gębarowska, Elżbieta; Siebielec, Sylwia; Kaczmarek, Agata; Gałka, Bernard; Zalewski, Dariusz; Bąbelewski, PrzemysławIntercropping of trees and classical crops has been proposed as a practice to help adapt to climate change and protect soil against erosion. However, the effects of intercropping on soil biology are not sufficiently quantified. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate microbiological changes in the soil resulting from the intercropping of Paulownia and buckwheat. A field experiment, involving an intercropping and control no-tree variant, was conducted from 2019 to 2022 with a plot size of 30 m2. Buckwheat rhizosphere soil samples were collected twice in both 2021 and 2022 in order to evaluate the effects of intercropping on a range of parameters describing soil microbiome status: abundance of microorganisms, bacterial and fungal community structure (using Illumina MiSeq sequencing), dehydrogenases (DHA) activity, and total glomalin-related soil proteins (T-GRSP). In addition, the colonisation of buckwheat roots by fungi, yield, and biometric traits of the plant were determined. Next-generation sequencing showed that Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Acidobacteria were dominant in the microbiome of every variant of the experiment, regardless of the crop. In contrast, the mycobiome was dominated by fungi classified as Ascomycota and Mortierellomycota. This observation corresponded to an increase in buckwheat yield in intercropped plots. Biometric traits, namely buck wheat yield and total kernel weight per plant, showed higher values when buckwheat was intercropped with Paulownia compared to the control. DHA activity was stimulated by intercropping at the first sampling date, whereas glomalin concentration and abundance of microorganisms were not dependent on the cropping systems tested. This study shows that tree-based intercropping (TBI) systems promote a more diverse soil microbial community and function than conventional agriculture. Our results also suggest that TBI positively impacts buckwheat biometric traits, supporting its implementation in rural landscapes. The yield under intercropping cultivation amounted to 0.65 t ha−1, while in control sites it was 0.53 t ha−1. The total abundance of bacteria under intercropping cultivation was higher compared to monoculture in 2021 at the first term of sampling (4.3 × 10 4) and in 2022 in the second term of soil sampling (4.6 × 10 4).Item Changes in soil organic carbon stocks and chemical properties in organogenic soils under long-term agricultural use in Central Europe, Poland(John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2025) Zając, Ewelina; Smreczak, Bożena; Ukalska-Jaruga, Aleksandra; Skalski, Tomasz; Oleszczuk, Ryszard; Scharenbroch, Bryant C.Organic soils, particularly peatlands, are important carbon sinks. In Europe, almost half of its area has been drained and is primarily used for agriculture as grasslands. In Poland, 86% of the drained peatland area causes problems with high carbon dioxide emissions due to organic matter oxidation. The aim of the study was to analyze changes in organic soils between 1975 and 2017 using data from 476 reference soil profiles. The results showed a significant decrease in organic soils (≥12% SOC) from 62% to 35%, and an increase in organo-mineral (6.0-12.0% SOC) and non-humose mineral soils (≤1.75% SOC) by a similar percentage. The depth of SOC rich layers also decreased significantly, with deep soils (>100 cm) dropping from 20% to 5% and shallow soils (21-50 cm) increasing from 24% to 58%. The average SOC stock loss was almost 273 Mg C·ha -1 (from 500.42 Mg C·ha -1 to 228.04 Mg C·ha -1), with the median being four times lower. A decrease in SOC stock was observed in 64% of sites, while an increase was seen in 36%. The most significant decrease in SOC stock, by 64.67% compared to 1975, occurred in organic soils (from 762.19 Mg C·ha -1 to 269.26 Mg C·ha -1). There was an increase in SOC stock in organo-mineral, humose, and non-humose mineral soils, although it was not statistically significant. Moreover, the results indicated that continuous grassland use on organic soils does not offset carbon losses from organic matter oxidation due to drainage.Item The Influence of Fusarium culmorum on the Technological Value of Winter Wheat Cultivars(2025-03-20) Aleksandrowicz, Edyta; Dziedzic, Krzysztof; Szafrańska, Anna; Podolska, GrażynaThe research hypothesis assumes that Fusarium culmorum infection affects the baking value of wheat. The aim of the research was to determine the effect of the cultivar on the rheological properties of wheat dough in response to Fusarium culmorum infection of wheat. A two-factor experiment conducted during the 2018–2020 growing seasons in Osiny, Poland, was set up using the completely randomized block design with three replications. The first factor was winter wheat cultivars (six cultivars), while the second factor was inoculation (two levels—Fusarium culmorum and distilled water—control). The immunoenzymatic ELISA method was used to determine the content of deoxynivalenol (DON) in grain. The DON content in the grain varied between cultivars. Fusarium culmorum inoculation resulted in an increase in protein, ash content, and flour water absorption, changes in dough rheological properties, and a decrease in the sedimentation index. Inoculation also caused negative changes in starch properties. The observed interaction between Fusarium culmorum inoculation and cultivars in shaping the qualitative parameters and rheological properties of the dough indicates that there are wheat cultivars less susceptible to Fusarium infection, which do not show any significant changes as a result of infection.Item Biological Activity of Monoterpene-Based Scaffolds: A Natural Toolbox for Drug Discovery(MDPI, 2025-03-27) Mołdoch, Jarosław; Agacka-Mołdoch, Monika; Jóźwiak, Grzegorz; Wojtunik-Kulesza, KarolinaOne of the most common strategies used in drug design is the molecular scaffold approach, which combines traditional medicine based on natural active compounds derived from plants with modern synthetic drug development. Designing new compounds based on natural skeletons enables extensive modifications of both bioavailability and biological activity. An excellent example of a natural molecular scaffold is the monoterpenes group, which serves as a core structure for building more complex molecules by attaching various chemical groups. Their ability to interact with biological targets, combined with structural versatility, makes them promising molecular scaffolds in pharmaceutical research and green chemistry applications. This review paper focuses on selected monoterpenes (carvacrol, carvone, citral, menthol, menthone, β-pinene, thymol, and verbenone), which are frequently used as molecular scaffolds. The newly designed derivatives exhibit various biological activities, including anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, neuroprotective, and many others.Item Influence of Production Technology Intensity on the Yield and Amino Acid Profile of the Grain Protein of Different Sowing Oat (Avena sativa L.) Cultivars(2025-03-24) Sułek, Alicja; Cacak-Pietrzak, Grażyna; Różewicz, Marcin; Nieróbca, Anna; Studnicki, Marcin; Podolska, GrażynaThe biological value of protein is mainly determined by its amino acid composition, and primarily depends on the optimal content of individual exogenous amino acids. The synthesis of these compounds in oat grain is influenced by genetic factors, habitat conditions and the agrotechnology used in cultivation. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of production technology (integrated, intensive) on the yield, content and amino acid profile of protein in the grain of hulled and naked oats. Field studies were conducted at the Agricultural Experimental Station Kępa—Pulawy, Osiny farm of IUNG—PIB (Poland) during two growing seasons (2019 and 2020). It was found that the total protein content of oat grain and its amino acid composition significantly depended on genotype and production technology. Naked oat grain was characterised by significantly higher protein content. The higher the intensity of production, the higher the content of total protein and exogenous and endogenous amino acids. Lysine was the amino acid that limited the biological value of protein in the grain of both oat cultivars. Its deficit was more frequent in grain from intensive production technology.Item Asymmetric responses of soil dissolved organic carbon and dissolved organic nitrogen to warming: A meta-analysis(Elsevier, 2025-02-25) Ren, Tianjing; Smreczak, Bożena; Ukalska-Jaruga, Aleksandra; Hassan, Waseem; Cai, AndongSoil dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) play pivotal roles in regulating soil carbon and nitrogen cycles. The global effects of experimental warming on DOC and DON concentrations and their relationship (DOC:DON) remain uncertain. This study integrates a dataset containing 321 separate DOC and 187 DON independent experiments to address the magnitude and direction of warming’s impact on DOC and DON, as well as the key driving factors. Our results indicated that while warming did not significantly affect DOC concentrations, it led to a notable increase in DON concentrations (8.84%), consequently reducing DOC:DON ratio by 10.79%. Soil moisture emerged as the most influential factor (19.0%) driving DOC responses to warming, whereas soil nitrate nitrogen was the primary driver (33.2%) of DON responses to warming. Soil ammonium nitrogen exhibited a positive linear relationship with the DOC:DON ratio, while soil nitrate nitrogen responded negatively as the DOC:DON ratio increased. Our results revealed the complex responses of carbon and nitrogen cycles to warming, including their decoupling patterns. This finding highlights the sensitivity and adaptability of soil carbon and nitrogen cycles to experimental warming, uncovers that warming could disrupt the soil carbon and nitrogen balance, potentially affecting ecosystem stability and function.Item Differential impacts of nitrogen addition on soil dissolved organic carbon in humid and non-humid regions: A global meta-analysis(Elsevier, 2025-03-01) Ren, Tianjing; Smreczak, Bożena; Ukalska-Jaruga, Aleksandra; Li, Xiaojie; Hassa, Wassem; Cai, AndongSoil dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is the most active carbon pool, providing essential carbon and energy to soil microorganisms while playing a crucial role in carbon sequestration, transport, and stabilization in soils. Nitrogen (N) addition, a key factor influencing terrestrial carbon cycling, can significantly alter soil DOC dynamics. However, the global patterns and underlying drivers of DOC responses to N addition, particularly across regions with varying aridity indices, remain unclear. This study analyzed 1132 paired observations from 103 independent studies to quantify the response pattern of DOC to N addition in humid (554 observations) and non-humid (574 observations) regions and identify the factors driving these effects. The findings revealed an asymmetrical effect of N addition on soil DOC between humid and non-humid regions, rather than on microbial biomass carbon (MBC) or soil organic carbon (SOC). Specifically, N addition significantly decreased soil DOC ( 2.49%) in humid regions, while it increased DOC (7.30%) in non-humid regions. The effect size of soil DOC decreased linearly with the ratio of MBC to SOC in humid regions but increased linearly in non-humid regions. In humid regions, soil DOC response was positively correlated with initial MBC and inversely correlated with initial soil pH, whereas the opposite trend was observed in non-humid regions. Seasonal precipitation variability was identified as a significant driver of soil DOC response, independent of temperature, soil properties, and N addition rates. Moreover, initial SOC content was the primary driving factor for soil DOC response in humid regions, while the N addition rates were the primary driver in non-humid regions. These findings have important implications for enhancing soil carbon pool management, improving global carbon models, and addressing climate change, particularly under varying climatic conditions.Item The Effect of Newly Developed Microbial Biopreparations on the Chemical Composition of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) Fruit Grown in an Organic Farming System(MDPI, 2025) Nakielska, Małgorzata; Feledyn-Szewczyk, Beata; Berbeć, Adam Kleofas; Ukalska-Jaruga, Aleksandra; Frąc, MagdalenaNon-chemical methods of fertilisation and protection have been gaining importance in recent years. This trend is closely linked to current European Union (EU) agricultural policy and the growing consumer awareness of the impact of nutrition on health. Newly developed biopreparations have to be tested for their agricultural efficiency alongside a quality assessment of the resulting food. The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of newly developed microbially enriched fertilisers in organic strawberry cultivation had an effect on fruit chemical composition and heavy metal accumulation. In the research, five biopreparations (K2–K6 combinations) containing selected Bacillus strains and plant extracts were tested in 2021 and 2022 on three strawberry cultivars: ‘Honeoye’, 'Rumba’, and ‘Vibrant’. After the vegetation period, the collected fruit samples were frozen, freeze-dried, and subjected to chemical analyses to determine the total carbon and nitrogen content, as well as the concentration of microelements (Mn, Fe), macroelements (Na, Mg, K, Ca, P) and heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn). The application of the tested biopreparations did not significantly impact the total carbon content of strawberry fruit. For most of the tested traits, cultivars reacted differently to the tested preparations. A higher total nitrogen content was found for treatments treated with biopreparations, especially for the ‘Vibrant’ cultivar—ranging from 15.2 g·kg−1 K2 (BacilRoots) to 16.3 g·kg−1 K3 (BacilRoots + BacilExtra) and K5 (BacilRoots + BacilExtra + BacilHumus)—being about 10–18% higher than on the control object (K1). The content of sodium, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium did not change significantly under the influence of biopreparations. The use of the K3 and K5 treatment resulted in significantly lower iron contents when compared to those of the control (strawberries sprayed with water with no biopreparations added)—respectively, by 16.1% and 17.9%. ‘Vibrant’ treated with water (control treatment) showed the highest contents of iron, copper, and zinc when compared to those treated with biopreparations. No exceedances of the permissible heavy metal content were found in the samples tested.Item Polyphenolic and Immunometric Profiling of Wheat Varieties: Impact of Organic and Conventional Farming on Allergenic and Bioactive Compounds(MDPI, 2025) Bartos, Adrian; Malik, Alicja; Feledyn-Szewczyk, Beata; Jończyk, Krzysztof; Kazimierczak, Renata; Hallmann, Ewelina; Leszczyńska, JoannaThis study investigates the impact of organic and conventional farming on the allergenic and bioactive properties of wheat. The primary aim was to assess the immunometric parameters and polyphenolic composition in four varieties of winter and four varieties of spring wheat cultivated under both farming systems. Immunometric assays focused on gluten content, the allergenic QQQPP peptide, and the panallergenic profilin Tri a 12. While gluten levels (15–20 g/kg) showed no clear dependence on farming type, organic wheat exhibited a mild yet significant increase in QQQPP-dependent immunore activity in five samples (>20 µg/g). However, all organic wheat samples demonstrated a notable reduction in profilin content (<0.6 µg/g), suggesting that the type of wheat cultivation could influence allergenic risk for individuals with wheat-related allergies. Polyphenolic profiling revealed that kaempferol, p-coumaric acid, and gallic acid were the predominant compounds, with organic wheat displaying slightly higher polyphenol levels on average. Despite these differences, the variations were insufficient to determine a superior cultivation method. These findings highlight the potential allergenic and nutritional implications of organic versus conventional wheat farming.Item Comparing Effects of Soil Amendments on Plant Growth and Microbial Activity in Metal-Contaminated Soils(MDPI, 2025-03-01) Siebielec, Sylwia; Siebielec, GrzegorzPhytostabilization of metals involves the inactivation of metals in the soil through the use of various materials as soil amendments, which reduces the bioavailability of metals, and then the introduction of vegetation. There are limited data comparing the effectiveness of different phytostabilization amendments under the same soil and environmental conditions. Therefore, the aim of this research was to compare the effectiveness of a range of soil amendments on reducing the extractability of metals, metal uptake by plants, microbial activity in soil and nutrient availability to plants. Eight materials potentially limiting metal availability were used in a pot experiment: two composts (CG, CM), municipal biosolids (SB), bentonite (BEN), phosphorus fertilizer (PF), amorphous iron oxide (FE), waste rock material (WR), calcium carbonate (LM); and these materials were compared with typical fertilization (NPK) and an untreated soil as the control (CTL). The following trace metal-contaminated soils were used in the pot experiment: soil taken from the area of strong dust fall from the zinc and lead smelter (soil P); soil taken from an outcrop of ore-bearing rocks near a smelter waste heap (soil H); soil artificially polluted through smelter dust spill in the 1990s (soil S). In general, the greatest yields of plants (oat and white mustard) were recorded for compost-treated soils. Changes in the solubility of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) after the application of various amendments largely reflected changes in soil pH. Biosolids caused a significant increase in extractable Zn and Cd, which was related to the decrease in soil pH, while a significant reduction in Cd extractability was observed across soils after the application of both composts, especially the compost characterized by alkaline pH. Interestingly, low extractability of Cd in the soil with the addition of another compost was observed, despite the pH decrease, as compared to the control pots. This fact proves the high sorption capacity of the compost towards Cd. The microbiological analyses revealed the highly beneficial effect of composts for dehydrogenases and nitrification activities, and for soil respiration, whereas soil amendment with iron oxide caused an increase in respiration activity across soils.Item Impact of Coal Waste Rock on Biological and Physicochemical Properties of Soils with Different Agricultural Uses(MDPI, 2025) Garbacz, Aleksandra; Nowak, Artur; Marzec-Grządziel, Anna; Przybyś, Marcin; Gałązka, Anna; Jaroszuk-Ściseł, Jolanta; Grzywaczewski, GrzegorzDuring the mining process in mines, a problem arises with the formation of coal post-mining waste, which is waste rock. It is often stored by mines on various types of land to manage the resulting spoil. However, this is not without its impact on the soil. In this study, we determined the biological and physicochemical properties of rhizosphere soils of the podzolic type, subjected to waste rock reclamation and without the influence of waste rock (control), differing in the type of agricultural use and type of plant cover: field-monocotyledonous (oat cultivation), field-dicotyledonous (buckwheat cultivation), and wasteland covered with very species-poor vegetation. Research has shown that long-term cultivation (buckwheat) contributed to the elimination (leveling out) of the microbial and biochemical differences. The addition of waste rock significantly reduced the number of microorganisms synthesizing siderophore, especially on wasteland (decreased by 1.5 log10/gDW). The abundant presence of the genera Acidocella and Acidphilum, absent in wasteland without waste rock, in the unused soil under the influence of waste rock was strongly associated with the effect of lowering the pH by waste rock in soil not used for agriculture. Increased levels of 77 types of bacteria were observed in samples from buckwheat cultivation compared to wasteland. The number of microorganisms resistant to heavy metals as well as microorganisms capable of producing specific Fe-binding ligands—siderophores—decreased under the influence of waste rock. Moreover, the dehydrogenase activity in long-term cultivation both under the influence of waste rock and without its influence was at a similar level. In contrast, an almost 100-fold decrease in dehydrogenase activity was observed in soils with oat cultivation and a more than 4-fold decrease in acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. These parameters provide an effective system for monitoring soil health, from inexpensive and fast methods to advanced and precise techniques. The results can be applied to solve the problems associated with coal mining wastes by developing methods for their use in soils with long-term agricultural use.