In four-year experiments the influence of droplet size and nozzle designs on the activity of a commercial herbicides triberenuron-rnethyl (Granstar 75 WG) and mixture of2,4 D, dicamba, and mecoprop (Aminopielik Tercet 500 SL) applied ro broadleaf weeds in spring barley was examined. The recommended and half doses were applied at 200 and 280 1 ha" and at 250-570 μm (VMD) diameter droplet sizes, using air inclusion (ID 12003), low drift (TT 11003) and conventional flat fan (11003 XR) nozzles. The results showed that smaller droplet size increased herbicide performance at constant spray volume, regardless of the droplet size range investigated. A significant interaction between the droplet size and herbicide type was observed. Generally, for triberenuron-rnethyl a performance was increased at smaller droplet size (250-270 μm), but significant increase of herbicide activity only at half dose was obtained. There were no significant interactions between droplet size and performance of mixture 2,4 D, dicamba, and mecoprop.

The obtained results showed that grain aphid (Sitobion avenae Fabr.) feeding caused an increase of the total protein content and a decrease of soluble protein level in the ears of both studied winter triticale cultivars (i.e. susceptible cultivar Grado and relatively resistant - Lasko). Moreover, the content of amino acids in soluble protein increased in Grado plants infested with the aphid, and reduced - in Lasko.

There is currently a very favorable climate for biological control of pest weeds. Moreover, biological control plays a significant role in the Integrated Plant Protection Management. Traditional methods of weed control, such as cultivation and the use of herbicides are not practical or desirable for some stands of weeds, and biological control has become an attractive strategy for control of pest weeds. Control of Rumex confertus Willd. by natural enemies that reduce its density is the good example of utilizing biological control on the European and worldwide scale. The aim of the conducted studies was to evaluate the dynamic of population of Pegomya nigritarsis Ztt. (Diptera, Anthomyiidae) on Rumex confertus Willd. and to determine the impact of pest's injuries on the growth of a plant.

From May to July in the years 1995-2000 studies on the numbers of density ofCarabidae on two fields with different cultivation systems (intensive and conventional) were performed. Including other elements like kind of a crop and weather conditions during the investigations it was possible to compile a summary numerical index ofmain factors having the influence on the occurrence of Carabidae and being in a very good correlation with the number of these insects in agroecosystems.

The most important distinctive features and some morphological and bionomie characteristic of Liriomyza huidobrensis are presented in this paper.

Multiresidue matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) technique with capillary gas chromatographic detection for determination and quantification of ten commonly used organophosphorus pesticides (chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-rnethyl. diazinon, dimethoate, fenitrothion, formothion, malathion, parathion, phosalone, pirimiphos-rnethyl) in fruits and vegetables is described. The method gave high recoveries for all spiked samples in 80-120% range. The limits of detection were from 0.01 w 0.1 mg/kg for che compounds studied and were much lower chan maximum residue levels (MRLs) allowed. The procedure was applied to the deterrninatien of ten organophosphorus pesticides in samples collected during che routine crop monitoring.

In the years 1999-2001, efficiency of plant protection products in control of early blight (Altemaria so/ani) was evaluated in two series of field experiment. There were examined four contact fungicides: propineb (Antracol 70 WP), chlorothalonil (Bravo 500 SC), mancozeb (Dithane M-45 80 WP) and zoxamide + mancozeb (Unikat 75 WG), and two with local penetrant mobility proparnocarb- hydrochloride + chlorothalonil (Tatoo C 750 SC) and metalaxyl-M + mancozeb (Ridomil Gold MZ 68 WP). In the series I propineb (Antracol 70 WP) showed the greatest efficacy in early blight control while in the series II mancozeb (Di thane M-45 80 WP) did.

In the experiment the population dynamics as well as the development of Myzocallis caryli on five hazel cultivars were investigated. In terms of host plant resistance to Myzocallis caryli the tested cultivars displayed very similar susceptibility. The obtained results show that no significant differences were found in aphid rm. In spite of this, due to the longest prereproductive time, the lowest fecundity and the smallest number of aphids per 10 leaves, Kataloński is less suitable cultivar for the aphids from all tested hazel cultivars.

In performed experiments, insoluble polyvinylpolypyrrolidone, PVPP as an additive to the extraction buffer was used for isolation of total nucleic acids from hop plants and grapevine in order to obtain templates useful for detection ofHLVd and HSVd by means ofRT-PCR. Addition of2% of PVPP to the original GTC buffer (Chomczynski and Sacchi, 1987) appeared to be the most favorable. Due to PVPP addition, the protocol of extraction of nucleic acids was simplified by shortening of isolation time and reduction of expenses. However, application of the simplified method for obtaining of templates that guaranteed full repeatability of test results was limited to the spring and early summer season.

Evaluation of palatability of 20 plant species as a food source for slugs Deroceras reticulatum (Mi.iller), Arion lusitanicus (Mabille) and Arion ruf us (Linnaeus) was performed under laboratory conditions in tests with multiple choices and without choice. Rate and degree of damage of seedlings and leaves of matured plants of herbs and winter oilseed rape were calculated. Based on conducted experiments, plant species preferred and rejected by particular slug species were defined. Plants that were preferred by all examined slug species were the following: Brassica napus, Conium maculatum and Lamium amplexicaule. Rejected plants were Polygonum nodosum and Plantago lanceolata. Slugs have showed differentiated preferences towards the remaining plant species.

Research was carried out in 2001-2002, in the Plant Breeding Station of Mikulice near Przeworsk. The occurrence of European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn.) on corn, as well as the effects of its chemical control were assessed. It was found out that in 2001, caterpillars damaged 40.5% of plants, while in 2002 - 99.3% of plants. As a result of double lambda cyhalothrin application (Karate 025 EC), high pest reduction was achieved: 91.4% in 2001 and 88.9% in 2002. Corn yields increased by 1.8 t/ha in 2001 and 4.3 r/ha in 2002 in comparison with yields in untreated fields.

The presented studies revealed the usefulness of marjoram oil, thyme oil, juniper oil and sweet flag oil in the monitoring of the occurrence of greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood). While using the examined natural essential oils on yellow sticky traps, it was found that the number of caught insects increased significantly. In relation to the control (traps without any addition of aromatic substance), the increase amounted to: 423.13%, 422.28%, 209.91% and 139.43% respectively.

The aim of trials was to determine the efficacy of three doses of herbicides in different weather conditions. There were tested two herbicide groups: hormon type herbicides and sulfonylurea herbicides. Each of the herbicide (Aminopielik Gold 530 EW, MCPA 750 SL, Duplosan Super 600 SL, Granstar 75 WG, Grody! 75 WG, Lintur 70 WG) was applied in three doses: recommended dose, 1/2 of recommended dose and 1/4 of recommended dose. The herbicides were applied in the tillering stage of spring wheat. In some cases it is possible reducing doses of herbicides but decision about choice of herbicide type and dose should be considered in connection with weather conditions before application.

In the years 1999-2001 occurrence of eriophyoid mites (Eriophyoidea) and spider mites (Tetranychidae) on wild grasses growing in Wielkopolska region was investigated. Seven species of eriophyoid mites and three of spider mites were found on 24 grass species. Eriophyoid mites infested 38% and spider mites 57% of all examined samples. The most frequent inhabited grass species by eriophyoid mites were Agropyron repens and Lolium perenne, while by spider mites Dactylis glomerata and Bromus mollis.