The article analyses the condition of organic farming in Poland on the basis of the data published by the Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection, the Central Statistical Office and available literature sources. The aim of the study was to assess the condition and prospects for the development of organic produc-tion in Poland. The results of the analysis indicate that there is a growing demand for organic products among consumers, which may contribute to the development of organic farming and an in-crease in the processing of organic products. However, in recent years, a decline in the number of organic farms and the total area of organic farming has been observed. Fodder plants, cereals as well as meadows and pastures are predominant in the structure of crops. Orchards, berries and vegetable cultivation as well as industrial crops are of lesser importance. Poultry, sheep and dairy cattle are predominant in organic livestock farming, whereas goats and cattle intended for meat account for a lower percentage. Among the organic agricultural products milk and dairy products are produced in the greatest quantities.
After triticale, Tritordeum is the second cereal obtained by means of hybridization. As a new type of cereal, it can be introduced in the long term into cultivation in Polish conditions after conducting scientific research. However, it is necessary to identify its requirements regarding climate, soil conditions as well as agricultural engineering. Since this cereal has a high nutritional value, it may be successfully used in the production of food products with increased nutritional value. At the same time, the grains have a good fodder value, therefore they can also be used for the production of feed for livestock. In this work, a description of Tritordeum and an assessment of the cultivation potential of this crop in Poland are undertaken, with considerations for its nutritional and fodder value, based on the scientific literature.
Fig (Ficus carica L.) belongs to Moraceae family, is clearly of greatest importance as a source of human food and nutrition. The fig’s fruits are a good natural source of nutrients, phytochemicals, and minerals which may improve human health and nutrition. All relevant papers in English language were collected. The keywords of pharmacology, traditional medicine, phytochemistry, fig and health promoting were searched in Google Scholar, Scopus, Research Gate and PubMed. The most important pharmacological characteristics of Ficus carica are anticancer, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antiviral, antibacterial, antimutagene, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, antidiabetic, antipyretic, reproductive, antiplatelet, endocrine, immunological, dermatological, antispasmodic, hypolipidemic, nootropic, antidiarrheal, nephro- and hepato-protective and anti-warts effects. Fruits have anti-oxidative, anti-spasmodic and nephroactivity protective, branches have both anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Leaves have anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, anti-diabetic, helpato-protective, anti-angiogenic, immunomodulatory, antinematicidal effect, inhibit of osteoclastogenesis, and are used in the case of ischemia and reperfusion injuries. Latex has anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-angiogenic, antiviral and anthelmintic properties. Moreover, fig’s stem bark has anti-diabetic characteristics. The aim of this review was to go through some important studies on chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of fig. The obtained findings show potential of different parts of the fig plant as an additive in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Azotobacter spp. are soil bacteria capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen and making it available to plants. This makes them microorganisms of hight importance to the agriculture. The distribution of these bacteria is a complicated subject and is correlated with diverse factors, witch determine the presence or absence of the bacteria in a specific soil. The soil properties as soil and fertility and climate conditions affect the abundance of diazotrophs. Research material consisted of 182 soil samples taken in 2015 from agricultural land in various voivodeships. The number of Azotobacter spp. was determined based on plate method. The presented study evaluated the abundance of Azotobacter spp. in various Polish soils and confirmed the relationship between soil properties and the presence of these bacteria. The studied bacteria were present in 37% of soil samples and numbers of these bacteria varied widely, from 3 to 10801 cfu g-1 of the soil. In the case of Azotobacter spp., soil acidity was also an important factor restricting the occurrence of these bacteria in soils.
The history of using medicinal herbs and plant dates back to the ancient times. Chinese onion (Allium chinense) is famous as a plant for both food and medicinal purposes. It is widely cultivated as a vegetable and native to China. Its bulbs are commonly processed into pickles and spices. The bulb is anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, hyptensive, lithontripic, stomachic and tonic. It can be also used to prevent oral infection and tooth decay. The most important chemical constituents of the essential oil derived from Allium chinense are: dimethyl disulfide, diallyl sulfide, allyl isothiocyanate, methyl allyl disulfide, methyl propyl disulfide, α-pinene, dimethyl trisulfide, β-pinene, 1,3-dithiane, limonene, diallyl disulfide, linalool, methyl allyl trisulfide, methyl propyl trisulfide, dimethyl tetrasulfide, diallyl trisulfide, diallyl thiosulfinate, and allyl methyl tetrasulfide.
