Polish Journal of Agronomy

Impact of climate change on agriculture in Poland

Antoni Faber — 2024-08-08

Agriculture, on the one hand, emits greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change, and on the other hand, it is the sector which is most affected by the progressing climate change. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of climate change on agriculture and to identify measures adapting agriculture in Poland to changing climatic conditions. The sources of information were legal acts, reports and documents of international institutions, as well as literature on the subject. The study analysed the impact of climate change effects on the conditions of conducting and the volume of agricultural production in global, European and national terms. The analysis showed that progressive climate change and its impact on changing agricultural production conditions threaten the productivity of agriculture, and thus limit the provision of food security. The dynamics of these changes, the extensive scope of threats and the strength of their negative impact prompt adaptation measures. Adaptation measures, the implementation of which enables adaptation to the current and expected climate and its impacts, have been identified.

Agricultural resilience and agricultural sustainability – which is which?

Adam Kleofas Berbeć — 2024-10-11

Agricultural sustainability and agricultural resilience are two related concepts focus on maintaining the productivity and functionality of agricultural systems. Agricultural sustainability, a part of sustainable development, focuses on the long-term viability of agricultural practices, with conservation and efficient use of natural resources, the promotion of biodiversity and the enhancement of ecosystem services delivery to ensure the continued productivity of agricultural systems as central point of the concept. Agricultural sustainability seeks to balance the environmental goals with economic and social aspects of agricultural operations. Agricultural resilience is a narrower concept, focusing mostly on the ability of agricultural systems to withstand and recover from specific external disturbances (negative effects of climate change, market fluctuations). The interconnections between two concepts are currently underexplored.
Agricultural resilience must be seen through the lens of a specific context or challenge to which it responds. Both concepts are essential for developing agricultural systems that can thrive in the face of evolving challenges and contribute to food security, environmental protection and economic stability. Agricultural sustainability provides a foundation for resilience, while improved agricultural resilience can contribute to long-term sustainability of agricultural systems. At the same time not all sustainable agricultural systems are resilient to specific shocks and stresses, and vice-versa. The aim of the study was to identify similarities and differences between the concepts of agricultural sustainability and resilience, with particular reference to their interaction.

Effect of different doses of apple pomace to the substrate on photosynthetic efficiency and yield in common buckwheat in a model experiment

Marcin Różewicz — 2024-10-11

By-products of apple juice pressing should be used for the benefit of the environment. One way to manage them is to add them to the soil in raw or composted form as a natural fertiliser and source of organic matter. A study was therefore undertaken to test several doses of apple pomace to the substrat on photosynthetic parameters and yield of buckwheat. The experiment was conducted in a vegetation hall under controlled, automatic irrigation to 60% of the field water capacity. The model study used the cultivar Red corolla and three doses of apple pomace applied to pots in the following amounts: 0 control, 70, 140 and 210 g per pot, which corresponded to field volume: 1, 2 and 3 t·ha-1. Four photosynthetic parameters (Pn, E, Gs and Ci) were measured and the water use efficiency was determined. Chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm and PI) was also investigated. The most suitable variant for buckwheat was the using 210 g which resulted in increased photosynthesis intensity, chlorophyll fluorescence and buckwheat yield.

Preliminary studies on the allelopathic potential of two invasive species of Solidago against selected cereal weeds

Jarosław Mołdoch — 2024-10-22

The European Union is currently pursuing a policy of moving away from synthetic plant protection products to natural ones. This is reflected in the search for natural substances that can replace them in agricultural production. Many studies indicate that invasive species of Solidago have such allelopathic potential. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of extracts of two Solidago species (Solidago gigantea L. and Solidago canadensis L.) on the growth and development of cereal weeds: Chenopodium album, Papaver rhoeas and Agrostemma githago. Using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC - MS) techniques, the material (crude extract, phenolic and saponins fraction) was standardized and tested for allelopathic activity using the modified first generation biotest. The results indicate the phenolic fraction (20.04 mg/g dry weight of Solidago gigantea; 21.03 mg/g for Solidago canadensis) and saponin fraction (2.27 and 3.74 mg/g dry weight respectively). Both fractions from S. gigantea are characterized by high phytotoxicity in relation to Ch. album, causing over 90% reduction of its biomass in relation to the control. For P. rhoeas these differences are not so clear. Biomass reduction by the phenolic fraction was 20% and by the saponin fraction 50%. In the case of S. canadensis, allelopathic activity was not as pronounced and ranged from 20–40% for the saponin fraction relative to the P. rhoeas. The highest resistance to preparations made from both species of Solidago was demonstrated by A. githago.

Agronomic characteristics and economic performance of cocoa farms in Haiti

Predner Duvivier — 2024-10-22

This study aimed to describe the agronomic characteristics of the cocoa based farms, estimate their agronomic and economic performance and carry out a gender analysis. Data relating to crops economic value or food security importance, household size, farmers’ age, farm size, crop yield and farm family income were collected by focus groups or individual surveys. The results showed that,
in average, the households’ size was 4.37 people and the producers’ age, 52 years. The female headed farm size was 1.56 ha against 2.20 ha for the male headed ones. Cocoa farm yield was 562.98 kg/ha and average farm income, 622.3 USD for female headed farms against 1138.0 USD for male headed ones. Compared to male, female farmers possessed less land and earned lower farm income.