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dr hab. Iwona Mystkowska, dr inż. Alicja Baranowska, dr Anna Rogóż-Matyszczak.

IMPACT DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

Contemporary agriculture is searching for environmentally friendly farming methods. One of them is the use of biostimulants (substances included in the group of plant protection products) in plant production. The most frequently cultivated plant in eastern Poland is a potato. The use of biostimulants in potato cultivation is justified by the increase in the size and quality of the crop and the desired chemical components (protein, minerals), as well the reduction in undesirable components, for example glycoalkaloids.

The research project “Yield and quality characteristics of consumption potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) under the conditions of using biostimulants and herbicide” addressed this very important issue, especially as research on this subject in the area of the Biała Podlaska poviat has not been carried out so far or it is fragmentary. In Poland, a potato is still eagerly eaten and holds a leading position in everyday consumption – its consumption has reached 90-100 kg in recent years per capita annually. A potato is a product recommended in the nutrition of children, adolescents and adults. It constitutes a source of essential nutrients and must meet certain quality requirements, which are determined by the chemical composition conditioned by environmental factors, agricultural pracitices procedures and genetic properties of cultivars.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MAJOR RESEARCH CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the scientific and research activities carried out at the State Higher School of Pope John Paul II in Biała Podlaska, as part of the statutory topic “Yield and quality characteristics of a consumption potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) under the conditions of using biostimulants and herbicide”, led to the publication of the results in scientific papers [R1, R2, R3, R4, R5]. The factors of the experiment in the conducted research were table potato cultivars and care treatments with the use of biostimulators performed in various environmental conditions of the Biała Podlaska poviat.

Biostimulants are most often used in foliar treatment for prophylactic or intervention purposes. Their action is to stimulate the development of leaves, stems and roots of plants, to supplement the deficiency of nutrients during the growing season caused, among others, by intensive development of plants, drought, errors observed during agricultural practices. Biostimulators enable a more effective uptake of nutrients from the substrate, and thus a better supply of nutrients to plants. An important element in potato acrocultural practices is the process of “greening” and the constant reduction in unit cultivation costs. Currently, we are struggling with clearly noticeable climate changes and the associated increasingly extreme weather conditions, which are accompanied by various stress factors for plants, such as high and low temperatures, periodic droughts, and floods. In the presence of such unfavourable conditions in plant production, the use of biostimulants is particularly justified, because their action leads to the  increase of the naturally occurring plant resistance or tolerance to a given stress factor, increasing the vigor and vitality of plants, thanks to which they can more easily survive unfavourable conditions during vegetation .The use of biostimulants improving the condition of plants and the quality of the soil environment is in line with the international trend related to the reduction of soil and water chemization and the improvement of the quality of agricultural crops. Biostimulants applied during plant vegetation should change their metabolism in such a way that they become stronger and more resistant to pathogens or adverse weather conditions. The obtained results of scientific research were presented during meetings and training courses for farmers dealing with plant production. The results of the research contribute important elements to the development of agronomy in the field of food potato production technology for food purposes and broaden the knowledge about the impact of the use of biostimulants on the quality characteristics of tubers and environmental protection.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ROLE OF THE ENTITY IN THE ACHIEVEMENT OF SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY OUTCOMES

“Yield and quality characteristics of a consumption potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) under the conditions of using biostimulants and herbicide”. As a result of three-year (2015-2017) field experiments conducted on individual farms in central-eastern Poland in the town of Międzyrzec Podlaski and the commune of Biała Podlaska, it was found that the use of biostimulants in the cultivation of a consumption potato is justified by an increase in the size and quality of the yield and the desired chemical components of tubers (protein, vitamin C, polyphenols, minerals), as well as the reduction in undesirable components (glycoalkaloids, nitrates). The conducted research showed a diversified response of varieties to the applied biostimulants and the relationship between the experimental factors and environmental conditions in the years of the conducted research.


OPIS BIBLIOGRAFICZNY i STRESZCZENIE OSIĄGNIĘĆ NAUKOWYCH

[R1] Mystkowska I. 2019. Reduction of glycoalkaloids in potato under the influence of biostimulators. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research. 17(2): 3567-3574.
The aim of this study was to determine the influence of biostimulants on the content of glycoalkaloids in leaves and tubers of three consumption potato cultivars. The experiment was set up in a split-plot arrangement in three replications. The factors studied were: I – three consumption potato cultivars: Honorata, Jelly, Tajfun, and II – five treatments of biostimulants: control reference point, biostimulant Kelpak SL®, Titanit®, GreenOk®, BrownBio Gold Cytokinins. The lowest concentration of glycoalkaloids in consumption potato leaves and tubers was found in Jelly cultivar – on average 251.1 mg/kg in leaves and 80.51 mg/kg in tubers, while the highest in Tajfun cultivar – on average 369.8 mg/kg in leaves and 109.7 mg/kg in tubers. Under the influence of all bioregulators there was a significant reduction in the content of harmful glycosides compared to the control reference point. The lowest concentration was observed under the influence of biostimulant BrownBio Gold – on average in leaves 293.5 mg/kg, in tubers 91.3 mg/kg. The lowest concentration was observed under the influence of biostimulant BrownBio Gold – on average in leaves 293.5 mg/kg, in tubers 91.3 mg/kg.

[R2] Gugała M., Mystkowska I., Rogóż-Matyszczak A., Zarzecka K., Sikorska A. (2019). Content of the selected macro-elements in potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.) treated with biostimulators. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 17(5), 11925-11933.
The aim of the study was to assess the content of selected mineral components (phosphorus, calcium and magnesium) in consumption potato tubers. Field studies were carried out between 2015-2017 using biostimulants on an individual farm in Międzyrzec Podlaski. The influence of two factors was studied: I – cultivars: Honorata, Jelly, Tajfun, II – four variants of biostimulants application: Kelpak SL, Titanit, GreenOk, BrownBio Gold and the control option. In the presented studies the applied biostimulators increased the content of selected mineral components in tubers of the examined cultivars. The tubers of plants treated with BrunatneBio Złoto were characterised by the highest content of phosphorus, calcium and magnesium as compared to plants from the control treatment. The content of macroelements in tubers was significantly differentiated by the cultivar genotype. The highest concentration of phosphorus and calcium was found in tubers of the cultivar Tajfun, and magnesium in the cultivar Honorata. The high amount of rainfall in 2017 contributed to the increase in phosphorus, calcium and magnesium content in potato tubers. The average phosphorus content was: 3.4 g∙kg-1, calcium 0.73 g∙kg-1 and magnesium 1.36 g∙kg-1.

[R3] Mystkowska I. (2018). Content of crude and total protein in potato tubers under varying weather conditions as a result of biostimulant application. Acta Agrophysica, 25(4), 475-483.
The aim of the conducted research was to determine the influence of the kind of applied biostimulants (Kelpak SL®, Titanit®, GreenOk®, BrownBio Gold®) on the content of total and specific protein in the tubers of three consumption potato cultivars (Honorata, Jelly, Tajfun). The content of total and specific protein in potato tubers was significantly differentiated by the genotype of the cultivar. The highest content of total protein was found in tubers of Tajfun cultivar, and specific protein in tubers of Jelly cultivar. Biostimulator BrunatneBio Złoto significantly increased total and specific protein in potato tubers in comparison with the control variety. The most favourable climatic conditions for increasing total and specific protein were obtained in 2016, which was characterised by the lowest amount of precipitation recorded in the growing season and a lower air temperature than the multi-year average.

[R4] Mystkowska I. (2018). The content of iron and manganese in potato tubers treated with biostimulators and their nutritional value. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 16(5), 6633-6641.
The aim of the study was to assess the content and nutritional value of iron and manganese in consumption potato tubers in 2015-2017 using biostimulants on an individual farm in Międzyrzec Podlaski. The experiment was established using the randomised sub-block (split-plot) method. The influence of two factors was studied. The first order factor consisted of three consumption potato cultivars: Honorata, Jelly, Tajfun, and the second order five ways of biostimulants application: Kelpak SL, Titanit, GreenOk, BrownBio Gold Cytokinins, the control object was potato plants sprinkled with distilled water. Potato plants were treated three times with biostimulants (beginning of flowering, at full flowering and after flowering of plants). The high amount of rainfall in 2017 contributed to the increase in iron and manganese content in potato tubers. Tubers of plants treated with BrownBio Gold Cytokine had the highest iron and manganese contents compared to plants from the control option. Titanite decreased the content of manganese and iron in tubers. The micronutrient content in tubers was significantly differentiated by cultivar genotype. The highest concentration of manganese was found in tubers of Jelly cultivar, iron in Honorata cultivar.  The average manganese content was: 4.4 mg∙kg-1 and iron 43.5 mg∙kg-1 , which covers the requirement in 1.7 and 5.5% per day, respectively.

[R5] Mystkowska I. (2018). Biostimulants as a factor influencing consumption potato yield. Acta Agrophysica, 25(3), 307-315,
The aim of the research was to determine the influence of applied biostimulants on the yield of three consumption potato cultivars. The field experiment was conducted in a split-plot arrangement in three replications. The factors studied were: I – three consumption potato cultivars: Honorata, Jelly, Tajfun, II – five types of biostimulant application: control variety (without biostimulant application), biostimulant Kelpak SL®, Titanit®, GreenOk®, BrownBio Gold®. Biostimulators applied in the experiment increased yield (on average by 1.6 t-ha-1) as compared to the control plot. Under unfavourable weather conditions, adverse to potato yielding, the application of biostimulators resulted in a higher yield by 1.2 t-ha-1 than that under favourable conditions. Biostimulator BrownBio Gold had a significant influence on increasing and structure of potato tuber yield, as compared to the control object. The cultivated varieties differed in terms of yield. Jelly had the highest yield (on average 51.05 t-ha-1) and was characterised by a higher share of large tubers in the total yield than Tajfun and Honorata cultivars. The highest yields and percentages of large tubers were obtained under weather conditions observed in 2017, while in the other years yields were on average 1.1-1.2 t-ha-1 lower.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESEARCH ACTIVITY IMPACT, INCLUDING THE ACTIVITY WHOSE OUTCOMES ARE THE SUBJECT OF COMMERCIALISATION, WITH AN INDICATION OF THE RELATION BETWEEN RESEARCH ACTIVITY AND THIS IMPACT AS WELL AS THE SOCIAL GROUP BENEFITTING FROM THIS IMPACT AND THE GREATEST RESEARCH ACTIVITY IMPACT AREA

The current development of agriculture is based on a high level of chemicalisation and mechanisation of production. The high doses of mineral fertilisers and pesticides used in this system of cultivation ensure high yields, but they also pose a really great threat to the natural environment (soil, water and air pollution) and endanger human and animal health. This has created the need to look for new technologies that will ensure high yields but at the same time will be environmentally friendly. The systems that meet these requirements constitute integrated and organic production, which guarantee a safe food product while respecting environmental protection laws.

One of the most significant constraints on crop production is the progressive change in the climate resulting, amongst other things, in prolonged periods of drought. This phenomenon is posing an increasing problem for plant cultivation, particularly for consumption potatoes, which are susceptible to drought because of their shallow root system and low regeneration capacity. Drought reduces plant growth and the quality, size, as well as the number of tubers. The effects of drought depend on its duration and severity. One feasible and practical way of dealing with global warming and the phenomenon of drought is to introduce into cultivation specific treatments to prevent and alleviate stress from the beginning to the end of the tuber mass growth period and to breed new potato varieties resistant to high temperatures and drought. The research conducted in the Bialski District provides information on the application of foliar feeding of potato plants with biostimulators containing quickly absorbed nutrients which help the plant to fight drought and heat stress, diseases and pests, as well as provides knowledge on the impact of biostimulators on tuber quality characteristics. The results of the research were and are used by the socio-economic environment of the agricultural sector. Farmers from the Bialski District, cultivating consumption potato organically and conventionally, use biostimulators which have favourable effects on the yield and quality of tubers, while maintaining tuber safety to protect consumer health. The use of organic production leads to an increase in organic matter and improved conditions for plant growth and development. This is influenced by new technologies taking into account the reduction of fertilisers and plant protection products by introducing into potato production preparations improving the health and resistance of plants to stress conditions, which are biostimulants. The Central Research Centre for Cultivar Testing, Agricultural Experimental Station in Cicibor Duży, conducting cultivation of consumption potato after application of biostimulators, reported favourable effects (higher tuber yield, better healthiness) in cultivation of this plant [S3]. The results of the research were disseminated among potato planters in the Biała Podlaska municipality, who willingly apply biostimulators in plant production [S1, S2, S4, S5]. The growers after applying biostimulants obtained a higher commercial yield of potato tubers with a simultaneous reduction in the number of small tubers, which translated into economic effectiveness of their production.

DETAILED CHARACTERISTICS OF UP TO 5 PIECES OF EVIDENCE OF SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY IMPACT

[S1] Organic Farm in Sitnik, Grzegorz Zaremba, 21-500 Biała Podlaska

[S2] Farm, Piotr Bursztyński, ul Leśna 6B, Rakowiska, 21-500 Biała Podlaska

[S3] Central Research Centre for Cultivar Testing, Experimental Station for Variety Evaluation in Cicibór Duży, Cicibór Duży 80, 21-500 Biała Podlaska

[S4] Farm Maciej Pietraszuk, ZaczopkiKol. 19, 21-504 Rokitno

[S5] Farm Gabriel Demianiuk, Cicibór Duży 49, 21-500 Biała Podlaska

INFORMATION WHETHER THE IMPACT IS THE RESULT OF INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES, AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES FOR THE CREATION OF THIS IMPACT

The research is of interdisciplinary nature (it includes the following areas: agriculture and horticulture, economics and finance, health sciences). The search for new cultivation methods in plant production that will be environmentally friendly is really important not only for the protection of nature and consumer health, but also in terms of the economic effects obtained.