SbornikKAVR Raciondlni pouziti hnojiv zyxwvutsrqponmlkjih THE EFFECT OF MINERAL FERTILIZATION ON THE QUALITY OF CROPS IN POLAND zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVU (Vliv mineralniho hnojeni na kvalitu plodin v Polsku) Florian Gambus, Jacek Antonkiewicz, Jerzy Wieczorek Department of Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture and Economics, Hugo Kott^taj University of Agriculture in Krakow, al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland, rrgambus@cyf-kr.edu.pl Abstract Results of studies carried out in Poland showed that increasing doses of nitrogen fertiUzation cause an increase in the protein content, a systematic increase in gluten content, and also an increase in other indicators of gluten quality. Nitrogenous fertilizers increase tuber size and cause a considerable increase in the protein content in tubers without deteriorating its biological value. An increase in nitrogen dose reduces dry matter content in tubers, worsens the quaUtative properties of edible tubers. According to the data, moderate nitrogen doses cause a smaU increase in the content of starch and vitamin C. The fundamental factor influencing the amount of yield is the intensity of mineral fertilization. Therefore, the fundamental principle in beet fertilization is to determine nitrogen dose and to adapt appropriate doses of potassium and phosphorus to it. Key words: mineral fertilizers; quality and quantity of yield; Poland Mineral fertilization is one of the most important factors which increase plant yield. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are nutrients which are taken up by plants in a relatively large amount. That is why nutrient requirements for these elements are high. The content of these nutrients in soils is varied and they ^ e constantly being depleted, hence the need to replenish their reserves through fertilization [1-2]. For this purpose, natural and organic fertilizers as well as organic waste are used [3-4]. Until now it has been assumed that approximately 50% of the increase in yield is due to the applied fertilization or 40% is due to the use of mineral fertilization, and 20% results from using organic fertilizers. This is the total increase in yields up to 60%. The remaining 40% of the increase in yield is attributed to crop protection (15%), crop raising (15%) and other factors [5]. Mineral and natural fertilization affects not only crop yields but also the quality of crop products [6]. Recently, the role and share of biological progress in this area have been systematically increasuig. 74