Large amounts of waste and by-products which are suitable for further use are generated in the food production chain. Globally, one-third of the food produced virtually becomes waste, in total 1.3 billion tonnes per year. The livestock sector is experiencing new challenges in the food and feed supply chain and waste valorization and there is a considerable diversity in animal origin food processing systems and broad knowledge base of expertise across Europe. However, due to local food production peculiarities, there is a considerable discrepancy in the waste management and processing methodology. An increasing amount of different novel feed and new functional food is available. These new products require a proper authentication and health and safety verification. Available know-how is increasing exponentially and therefore the potential for new and old bioactive component production from various currently poorly used materials is huge. Similarly, our knowledge about threats and food/feed safety is increasing. It is crucial to keep the balance between these processes. There are also several obstacles in data harmonization (data collection, used methodologies and reliability) and in data quality (lack of the comparability and completeness). The aim of the paper is to summarize the challenges in food research related to latest developments in methods.

The high toxicity, bioaccumulative and increased distribution of cadmium (Cd) in the environment, makes it the most dangerous to any biological system, including immune system in human and animals. The effect of dietary intake of Cd (8.25 mg per kg) on accumulation and distribution of this heavy metal in various tissues, and functional changes in organs of immunity (thymus, bursa of Fabricius, spleen) in 35-day-old broiler cockerels were investigated, using biochemical and immunological methods. Significant increases in the Cd concentration both in central immunocompetent organs (thymus, bursa of Fabricius) and peripheral (spleen) were established. Excessive tissue level of Cd induced the prooxidative effect of this heavy metal in the organs. It was manifested in an increase of cell membrane lipid peroxidation (the enhanced malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration) in immune system organs. The oxidative stress resulted in immunocompetent cell damage. The fall of vital dye absorptive ability of immunocyte indicated the increase in the injured cell number. This harmful effect is in accordance with T- and B (C3) – population prominent depletion, organ relative mass reduction, and growth retardation in chicks, and was established as a result of dietary Cd loading for 5 weeks of the experiment.

Vegetable processing in food industry results in significant number of by-products – peel, mark, bark, seeds still rich in bioactive compounds. The objective of this study was to investigate the stability of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity after high temperature short time (HTST) extrusion cooking of a rye and oat- based matrix with addition of apple, carrot and pumpkin by-product flour (BPF) in various amounts (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%). Extrusion was performed with co-rotating twin-screw extruder (compression ratio 8:1) at Ltd MILZU. The main drive of extruder was provided with a 7.5 HP motor (400 V, 3 HP, 50 cycles). Temperatures for extrusion zones were 125 °C /135 °C /145 °C. TPC was determined using the Folin Ciocalteu method. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by free radical 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant scavenging activity. TPC in cereal-based crispbread was 62.03 ± 0.15 mg GAE gE-1 DW before extrusion and 37.73 ± 1.96 mg GAE gE-1 DW after extrusion. Addition 20% of apple BPF increased TPC in crispbread to 193.92 ± 1.37, carrot BPF 171.36 ± 6.97 and pumpkin BPF to 195.09 ± 4.68 mg GAE gE-1 DW after extrusion. Antioxidant activity of control (20% oats, 80% rye flour blends) sample was 0.516 ± 0.192 mg TE gE-1 DW but in samples with addition of 20% by-products, it was significantly higher reaching 0.926 ± 0.05 TE gE-1 DW in samples with pumpkin by-products after extrusion.

In some regions of the world, there is a risk of limiting crop production due to the growing pressure of biotic and abiotic factors. It is mostly connected with the forecasted climatic changes. Hence, alternative methods for supporting plant growth are sought for, and among them, biostimulants can play a significant role. The three-year (2009 – 2011) field experiment with spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was conducted in Poland to assess the response of grain yield, yield components, as well as the content and uptake of N, P and K in grain to differentiated times and to a dose of seaweed (Ecklonia maxima Osbeck) biostimulant Kelpak application. Preparation was applied in a dose of 2 L haE-1 at BBCH 22 (early treatment) or in a dose of 2 L haE-1 at BBCH 31 (late treatment), as well as two times, 1.5 L haE-1 each, in both phases. The study indicated that the biostimulant had a favourable effect on the root weight, grain number per spike, thousand grain weight and seed yield in early treatment as compared with the control. Early application also had a positive effect on N and P uptake in the grain yield. Favourable response of barley to the application of biostimulant shows the usefulness of the seaweed extract in the cultivation technology of this crop.

Superabsorbents are hydrophilic polymers that can absorb large amounts of water. These studies show that the use of superabsorbent may significantly reduce the negative effects of drought stress on plants. However, their use in the field cultivation has so far been minimal. The price of hydrogels has recently decreased significantly. This was the reason for starting research described in this work, in which the experimental plant was the winter wheat cultivar ‘Lucullus’ – the cereal which is the most intensively cultivated in Poland. The field experiment was conducted in the years of 2014 – 2016, in the Agricultural Experimental Station (AES) in Osiny, Poland, in 4 repetitions. TerrahydrogelAqua was evaluated in the following doses: 1) control without hydrogel, 2) 10, 3) 20 and 4) 30 kg•haE-1. Before harvesting, the plant samples were taken to determine the yield structure elements. After harvesting, grain yield at 15% moisture content was determined. The influence of hydrogel on winter wheat grain yield varied in individual years. On average, the yield of wheat grain from the treatment with a dose of 30 kg•haE-1 of hydrogel was significantly higher than from the control treatment or the treatment with a dose of 10 kg•haE-1 of hydrogel. The mean values of yield structure features, i. e. ear grain yield and weight of thousand grain were the highest at the dose of 30 kg•haE-1 of hydrogel. The effect of hydrogel on the average number of plants and ears per unit area and on the number of grains per ear was not found.

The objective of the work, carried out as part of research programme on current change of the regional climate, was to confirm the hypothesis about the increasing frequency and intensity of droughts in May and June in the region of Kujawsko-Pomorskie (central Poland) in the years 1981 – 2010. Furthermore, the aim was to confirm a significant relationship between indicators characterizing meteorological and agricultural droughts. Material for the research was the data from five meteorological measuring points located in the region. Atmospheric precipitation and air temperature in the period of high water needs of cereals and rapeseed (May–June) were used. Statistical methods widespread in climatological studies were applied, particularly the method of trends. The average multiannual totals (1981–2010) of rainfall in May–June allow ranking the region of Kujawsko-Pomorskie into the area of the lowest rainfall in Poland. The frequency of meteorological drought in May and June is 23.3–30.0% in the region. In the analysed period there were no significant changes in the frequency and intensity of these droughts with the passage of years. Rainfall shortages in cereal crops and rapeseed production range on average from -19 to -35 mm, and extend to maximum of -93 to -117 mm. The values of shortages did not show any significant changes in the years of the study. The significant dependence between the indicators of meteorological and agricultural droughts allows for determination of the rainfall shortages in crop production on the basis of the SPI values.

The aim of the article was to develop formulas, which can be used to model forecasts of production and economic effects of irrigated faba bean (Vicia faba var. minor), depending on drought severity level in a growing season. For the analysis we used data of ten-year (2005 – 2014) production effects of irrigated faba bean and indices calculated on the basis of meteorological data from the measuring point set in the vicinity of the experimental site in region of Bydgoszcz city, central Poland. Based on them, the most relevant relationships between irrigation productivity and chosen drought indices, calculated for a period of high water needs of the plant, were searched. Presented results have demonstrated that the non-irrigated faba bean yields depended significantly on drought severity level and showed very high variability in time. Irrigation contributed to a significant 49% increase in yields and their stability in the years. Due to this treatment, the coefficient of variation of the yield decreased from 55.1 to 19.6%. The production effects of irrigation depended significantly on moisture conditions over the period of high water needs of faba bean. In wet seasons, the increases in yields due to irrigation were insignificant and about three-fold lower, while in the dry periods – more than a half higher (57%) than the average increases. The results presented in the work are of great importance because they can be used to model forecasts of production, as well as to plan the development of irrigation systems in the given area.

The present research was carried out to investigate the effects of different fertilizer treatments on grain yield and yield components of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) ‘Harenda’ cultivar. The five treatments were as follows: control (standard NPK fertilization), standard NPK fertilization plus liquid NPK (10-11-11) fertilizer, standard NPK fertilization plus liquid NPK (10-11-11) fertilizer with microelements, standard NPK fertilization plus calcium micronized suspension fertilizer, and standard NPK fertilization plus Cu, Mn, Zn, Ca micronized suspension fertilizers. The field trials were conducted in 2017 at the Experimental Site of Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation – State Research Institute in Puławy, Poland. Applications of calcium micronized suspension foliar fertilizer and a mixture of Cu, Mn, Zn, Ca micronized suspension fertilizers significantly increased grain yield of spring wheat, respectively by 44.5% and 38.6% in comparison with control (standard NPK fertilization). These fertilizer treatments also enhanced yield components of spring wheat. Moreover, micronized suspension fertilizers (Ca and the mixture of Cu, Mn, Zn, Ca) had a significant effect on ear number and thousand grain weight of spring wheat compared to control and NPK fertilizers. Liquid NPK and micronutrient-enriched NPK fertilizers had a significant effect on thousand grain weight compared to control.

Healthy seeds are essential for the optimal plant population and yield, but seed-borne pathogens, such as Fusarium spp., may reduce seed germination, quality and cause damping-off of the seedlings. Fusarium graminearum is a dominant pathogen of cereal crops and can cause significant losses of grain yield and quality. It is important to evaluate the role of alternative inoculum source in crop rotation. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of F. graminearum infection on different plant seed germination and seed infestation. The research was conducted at the Institute of Agriculture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, in 2017. Visually healthy seeds of bean (Vicia faba L.), pea (Pisum sativum L.), lupine (Lupinus angustifolius L.), soybean (Glycine max. (L.) Merr.), lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), white (Trifolium repens L.) and red (Trifolium pratense L.) clover were inoculated with 10 mL of F. graminearum suspension, adjusted to 1×106 conidia per mL. Seed infection was counted 2 and 6 days after inoculation (DAI), seed germination energy and reduction rate – after 3 DAI and germination index – 6 DAI. Results showed that all inoculated seeds were covered with typical to F. graminearum red-purple mycelium. The results of inoculated seeds with F. graminearum showed red-purple mycelium growth on the seeds (infection from 21.25 up to 100%). The results showed that germination energy decreased on pea (2.56%) and lupine (7.79%) seeds. Our results suggest that various plant seeds differently react to F. graminearum infection. The highest infection of F. graminearum was obtained on pea, lupine seeds and the least on red clover.

Conducting agricultural activity in areas facing natural constraints (ANC) affects farms’ production and economic results. ANC payments were introduced to compensate farmers for higher costs and lost income. The aim of the study is to compare the production and economic results of farms receiving ANC support with other farms. It was hypothesized that ANC farms achieve lower production and economic results than other units. The analysis is based on Polish FADN data concerning 2015. The sample included 12,105 farms, of which 4,652 (38.43%) received ANC subsidies. To describe the characteristics of the surveyed farms, positional measures were used due to strong asymmetry. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess the significance of differences in distributions. The results indicate the existence of significant differences in the production potential, production and economic efficiency of farms receiving ANC payments and ones without them. Agricultural farms receiving ANC payments are characterized by a significantly smaller area of agricultural land, a lower share of arable land in the UAA and a smaller share of leased land. They also have lower production volume, lower land and labour productivity. They achieve relatively lower incomes. Nevertheless, the payments to a small extent reduce these differences. On this basis, it can be concluded that ANC payments in Poland do not provide full compensation for differences in the production and economic results of a farm with worse agri-environmental conditions. Therefore, the impact of the CAP on the economic results of farms located in ANC is relatively small.