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Sustainable wastewater management is essential for conserving water resources and reducing environmental pollution. Traditional wastewater treatment methods primarily aim to purify water for reuse, yet they often involve high energy consumption, extensive chemical use, and loss of potentially recoverable resources, which pose sustainability challenges. With approximately 2.2 billion people worldwide currently lacking access to clean water—a number projected to exceed 3 billion by 2025—water scarcity has become an urgent issue. Traditional wastewater treatment processes handle around 330 billion cubic meters of water annually; however, they account for 3–4% of global energy consumption and produce 300 million tons of carbon emissions. This situation underscores the need for more sustainable treatment methods. Innovative wastewater treatment technologies have the potential to facilitate the reuse of approximately 50 billion cubic meters of water each year, helping to alleviate water scarcity. Additionally, energy recovery from these processes aims to achieve an annual energy savings of 20 TWh, in contrast to conventional treatment methods. This article examines recent advances in sustainable wastewater management technologies, specifically focusing on biological, physicochemical, and membrane-based processes. It discusses strategies for optimizing these processes to minimize environmental impact. Furthermore, innovative approaches, such as advanced oxidation processes and energy recovery, are explored for their potential to harness energy and recover nutrients from wastewater. The article concludes that implementing innovative strategies in sustainable wastewater management can significantly contribute to water conservation, energy savings, and a reduction in carbon footprint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field experiment was conducted during the years 2006-2008 on a very light soil in central Poland in an area particularly deficient in water. The key aim of the study was the reaction of 10 European asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) cultivars: Ravel, Rambo, Rally, Ramada, Rapsody, Cipres, Plaverd, Backlim, Grolim, Orane, grown for green spear production to surface drip irrigation. Drip irrigation of the asparagus plants had a positive effect both on summer stalks and green spears. A significant increase in the height, number and diameter of summer stalks, as well as an increase in the marketable yield, weight and number of green spears was observed for most of the cultivars. Both factors, the irrigation used and the asparagus cultivars, significantly modified the antioxidant content in asparagus spears. The Rapsody cultivar accumulated significantly more, and the Grolim cultivar significantly less, total polyphenols in asparagus spears at unirrigated plots. An inverse relationship was obtained in the Grolim cultivar with respect to the content of vitamin C, which accumulated the most of it under the irrigation conditions. The Ramada cultivar from irrigated plots contained significantly the highest amount of total carotenoids. In turn, the Cipres and Grolim cultivars from irrigated plots were characterized by the highest antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the oldest oilseed crops is sesame, which is mainly cultivated due to its valuable oleic/linolenic fatty acid ratio. The application of precise irrigation and fertilisation is crucial to ensure the continuity and productivity of sesame production, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. This study aimed to determine the effect of drip irrigation and nitrogen levels on sesame's oil and fatty acid composition. For this purpose, four nitrogen doses (N0: 0 kg ha−1, N30: 30 kg ha−1, N60: 60 kg ha−1 and N90: 90 kg ha−1) and three different irrigation water levels (I50, I75 and I100, which correspond to 50, 75 and 100% evaporation levels from the evaporation of the Class A pan) were applied. The highest oleic acid content (43.06%) was obtained for the I75N90 treatment. In the case of linoleic fatty acid, the greatest value (43.66%) was for I50N0 treatment. The effects of irrigation and nitrogen doses on oleic acid and linoleic acid content were inverse of each other. An increase in applied irrigation water increased the linoleic acid content. However, it caused a decrease in oleic acid content. Increasing the nitrogen dose increased the oleic acid content and caused a decrease in linoleic acid content. Furthermore, this study showed that the I50N60 treatment (50% Epan and a rate of 60 kg N ha−1) is the most effective for achieving high grain and oil yields in sesame cultivation. The results obtained provide practical guidance for farmers in sesame cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to assess the water needs of elderberry. The investigation included elderberry plants that had been planted in land reclamation areas more than three years earlier. The water needs were evaluated for 5 agro-climatic regions of Poland. The calculations were based on the observation of meteorological conditions in the years 1981-2010 for the period from June 1 to July 31. To determine the water needs, the plant coefficient method was applied. The Blaney-Criddle formula, which was modified for Polish conditions by Żakowicz (2010), was used to calculate the reference evapotranspiration. The plant coefficients of elderberry, adapted to the reference evapotranspiration, were adjusted to Żakowicz’s method. The rainfall deficit with the probability of occurrence: N50%, N25% and N10%, was assessed in accordance with Ostromęcki’s method. The highest water needs of elderberry occurred in central-north-west (264 mm) and central-east (262 mm) Poland, while the lowest (244 mm) in the south-east region. In June, the highest total monthly water needs (119 mm) were noted for south-west Poland, whereas the lowest (107 mm) for the south-east region. In June and July, except for the central-north-west region, an upward time trend of water needs was noted throughout Poland. In June and July, the highest value (135 mm) of rainfall deficit N50% and N25% was estimated for the central-north-west region, while the highest rainfall deficit N10% (269 mm) for central-east Poland. The results of the presented research find application in the planning of irrigation treatments for elderberry in Poland.

The effect of post-harvest irrigation and genotype on the quality components of white asparagus spears was investigated. The field experiment was conducted in 2003-2008 on a very light soil in the Bydgoszcz region. The research was based on a two-factorial split-plot design with randomly selected sub-main blocks. The first studied factor was irrigation applied as two treatments: drip irrigation and microsprinkler irrigation. Non-irrigated plants were tested as the control. The second factor considered was genotype represented by three male cultivars of the garden asparagus: ‘Gijnlim’, ‘Ramos’ and ‘Vulkan’. The irrigation started after the harvest of the spears, while the concentrations of chemical ingredients were measured in the white spears collected in the next growing period. The level of the tested components was significantly influenced by both factors studied. The average amounts of dry matter, potassium, iron and nitrates measured in the white spears were 6.37%, 268.9 mg 100 g−1 f.m., 0.29 mg 100 g−1 f.m. and 62.1 mg kg−1 f.m., respectively. Compared to the control, both irrigation treatments considerably increased the dry matter and potassium contents. The irrigation reduced the amount of nitrates, although the microsprinkler irrigation gave better results than the drip irrigation. The highest concentrations of potassium and iron were measured in the spears of ‘Ramos’, especially in the case of drip-irrigated (potassium) and non-irrigated (iron) plants. The amount of dry matter was high in the spears of ‘Ramos’, while ‘Vulkan’ presented a low tendency to accumulate nitrates.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the combining ability of inbred lines in terms of traits important for the development of hybrid carrot cultivars with high yields and better root quality. The experimental plant material consisted of 15 inbred lines that were crossed in an incomplete diallel design to produce 34 hybrids. It was observed that the variation of general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA) and reciprocal effects (RE) were significant for all of the tested characters, except SCA for sugars. Among the tested lines, the RFO had the most positive GCA for the yield; at the some time, the RFO line had negative GCA for carotenes and dry matter content. A significant positive GCA was found for all traits, except monosaccharides and nitrates, for the 2163 line. Most of the crosses based on the RFO and 2163 lines yielded well; additionally, the hybrids based on 2163 presented high levels of quality characters. The ratio of GCA:SCA indicated that the quality traits were mainly affected by additive gene effects, but the yield was controlled more by non-additive gene effects. Heritability in a broad sense presented a higher environmental influence for yield than the quality characters of carrot roots.

According to the SRES A1B climate change scenario, by the end of the 21st century temperature in Poland will increase by 2–4°C, no increase in precipitation totals is predicted. This will rise crop irrigation needs and necessity to develop irrigation systems. Due to increase in temperature and needs of sustainable agriculture development some changes in crop growing structure will occur. An increase interest in high protein crops cultivation has been noted last years and further extension of these acreage is foreseen. Identifying the future water needs of these plants is crucial for planning and implementing sustainable agricultural production. In the study, the impact of projected air temperature changes on soybean water needs, one of the most valuable high-protein crops, in 2021–2050 in the Kuyavia region in Poland was analysed. The calculations based on meteorological data collected in 1981–2010 were considered as the reference period. Potential evapotranspiration was adopted as a measure of crop water requirements. The potential evapotranspiration was estimated using the Penman–Monteith method and crop coefficient. Based on these estimations, it was found that in the forecast years the soybean water needs will increase by 5% in the growing period (from 21 April to 10 September), and by 8% in June–August. The highest monthly soybean water needs increase (by 15%) may occur in August. The predicted climate changes and the increase in the arable crops water requirements, may contribute to an increase in the irrigated area in the Kuyavia region and necessity of rational management of water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to estimate the water needs of grapevines in central Poland in 1981-2010. Water needs were calculated by the plant coefficients, which were assumed according to the Doorenbos and Pruitt method. Reference evapotranspiration was assessed by the Blaney-Criddle’s equation, modified for Polish conditions. Rainfall deficit with the occurrence probability of normal, medium dry and very dry years was determined by the Ostromęcki’s method. Water needs of grapevines during the growing season was 434 mm. Upward time trend in the water needs both in the periods May-October and JuneAugust was estimated. Temporal variability in the water needs was significant for most of the provinces. The rainfall deficit was recorded with the occurrence probability of normal as well as medium or very dry years in the entire study area. Due to climate changes, vineyards will require irrigation in the near future. This research significantly broadens and refines the knowledge about the water needs of grapevines in central Poland, which will allow the design of resource-efficient irrigation programs for grapevines in the studied region of Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this investigation was to indicate the most effective method of revitalizing degraded forest area. The different modifications of wood chips were used as a substitute for humus layer. The mites (Acari), and moss mites (Oribatida) as the bioindicators of soil succession changes were used. The study began 2 years after planting of Scots pine seedlings on the land devastated by military activity, at the former military training ground (GPS: 53.156943N, 17.986440E). The soil on this area was in the type of rusty soils and subtype of the rusty algae soils. Scots pine seedlings were planted in spring 2011, in a distance 1.5×0.8 m. In one-factor experiment four soil mulching treatments were tested: 1. uncovered soil - control (C), 2. soil mulched with wood chips (W), 3. W + mycorrhizal preparation (WM), 4. W + forest litter (WL). Three replicates of microplots arrangement was applied. Each microplot was 5 m long with 3 rows of Scots pine. Each replication covers 10 rows. Mulching with wood chips was carried out on April 12, 2012. On October 25, 2012, the wood chips on the WM microplots were inoculated with the mycorrhizal biopreparation, and on the WL microplots, a 10% addition of fresh forest litter from the ripe fresh coniferous forest was applied. After the end of the growing season of 2012, 2013 and 2014, the measurement of the plants was carried out (the height, the root neck diameter, the length of one-year increments in the last whorl, the number of one-year increments of the last whorl and the lengths of one-year increments of the last whorl). The samples for acarological tests were collected four times. In total, 40 substrate samples with a volume of 50 cm3 each were collected from each treatment. Mites extraction was carried out for 7 days in Tullgren apparatus. Mites were identified to the order, and moss mites to the species or genus, including juvenile stages. Calculated: the average density of mites, the dominance index, the species richness, the diversity of moss mites, the average number of species, and the Shannon general species diversity index. The use of soil mulching with the Scots pine wood chips did not significantly affect the growth and developmental characteristics of the Scots pine plants. After mulching with wood chips, the total number of mites increased many times, and moss mites began to dominate among micro-arthropods. Mulching treatments increased the number and the species diversity of moss mites in the substrate. The number of moss mites increased the most in wood chips without additives. The highest species diversity was observed in the wood chips with the addition of forest litter. Among moss mites Tectocepheus velatus visibly dominated in all study treatments. Oppiella nova and Scutovertex sculptus also constituted numerous mites populations. The study shows that the wood chips are very useful for use in the regeneration of the devastated and degraded forest soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Annual Set the Environment Protection / Rocznik Ochrona Środowiska is the property of Koszalin University of Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Annual Set the Environment Protection / Rocznik Ochrona Środowiska is the property of Koszalin University of Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of the study was to evaluate the nutritive quality of 21 red beet genotypes, including mono- and multigerm breeding lines and cultivars. The content of dry matter, total sugar, nitrates, betanin and vulgaxanthin in the roots was tested in beets harvested in 2011-2012. Special attention was given to new monogerm breeding lines AR79 A and AR79 B. The field experiment conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out according to standard crop management practices recommended for red beet cultivation under Polish conditions. After 4 months of storage, representative samples of 10 roots from each of 3 replications were crushed and used to determine the chemical composition of the lines and cultivars studied. Analysis of variance showed a significant influence of both the year and genotype on the nutritive value of red beet roots. In 2011, the content of dry matter, nitrates and vulgaxanthin was visibly higher than in 2012, while the levels of total sugar, betanin and the ratio of betanin to vulgaxanthin were lower in 2011. The lines and cultivars varied in the levels of all the measured chemical components. Comparing to the other genotypes, lines AR79 A and AR79 B produced moderate but satisfactory amounts of dry matter, total sugar and vulgaxanthin, while having a high level of betanin and a good betanin to vulgaxanthin ratio. Statistical differences between lines AR79 A and AR79 B in the level of betanin and the betanin to vulgaxanthin ratio were observed only in 2011. Summarizing, the new breeding lines denoted as AR79 A and AR79 B present a desirable content of the tested nutrients, and can therefore be useful in red beet breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]