agrophysics - lublinprojekty.ipan.lublin.pl/uploads/mat_coe/folder_coe_agrophysics… · about...

Edition: Józef Horabik, Wojciech Skierucha, Wanda Wo niak

Photographs: Agata Wo niak, Janusz Laskowski, archives of IA PAS

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Printed by: , ul Ko ciuszki 4,20-006 Lublin, PolandALF-GRAF œ

EC Centre of Excellence

Centre of Excellence for Applied Physics in Sustainable Agriculture

Polish Academy of Sciencesul. Do wiadczalna 4, 20-290 Lublin,Poland

Supervisor: Prof. Ryszard WalczakProject coordinator: Dr Andrzej St

Phone: +48 81 7445061Fax: +48 81 7445067E-mail: [email protected]

AGROPHYSICS

Contract No.:QLAM-2001-00428

Institute of Agrophysics

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EC Centre of ExcellenceAGROPHYSICS

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Introduction

Agriculture has changed dramatically in the last few decades. Its productivity increaseddue to new technologies, mechanization, increasing use of chemicals, specialization andgovernment policies favouring maximal production. Although these changes have hadmany positive effects and reduced many risks in farming, some harmful effects are stillobserved, including: topsoil depletion, groundwater contamination, decline of family farms,in living and working conditions of farmers, increasing costs of production, anddisintegration of economic and social conditions in rural communities.

A growing movement, called has emerged during the pasttwo decades that integrates three main goals: environmental health, economic profitability,and social and economic equity.

Sustainability rests on the principle that ‘we must meet the needs of the present withoutcompromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. Sustainableagriculture as an element of sustainable development can be achieved through a systemperspective, from the individual farm, to the local ecosystem, and to communities affectedby this farming system both locally and globally. A system approach also implies inter-disciplinary efforts in research and education, including biological sciences playing a crucialrole in engineering practice related to food, agricultural and biological systems.

This publication presents the research potential of the Institute of Agrophysics PAS andthe activity of the Centre of Excellence in the area of agriculture and environmentalprotection. We would like to share our knowledge and experience with scientists in the fieldof agriculture, the representatives of business enterprises and local authorities and tocontribute in the stimulation of technological development as well as innovation in theregion, country and Europe.

We invite senior and young scientists to participate in the activities of the‘AGROPHYSICS’Centre of Excellence and to join efforts promoting sustainable growth.

Prof. Ryszard Walczak

General Supervisor of the Centre

sustainable development,

The scientific activities at the Institute of Agrophysics of Polish Academy ofSciences in the field of sustainable agriculture have been recognized by EC expertsand the Institute of Agrophysics (IA PAS) has become,

the ‘Centre of Excellence for Applied Physics in SustainableAgriculture’with the acronym ‘AGROPHYSICS’ .

since March 2003 for thefollowing three years,

EC Centre of Excellence AGROPHYSICS

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Geographic location of Lublin in the heart of Europe

The neo-gothic facade of the Lublin castle

Lublin region

The Lublin region prides itself on lying at the crossroads of European history, it is alsoone of the least polluted areas of Poland. Traditional crafts, thatched houses, attractiveunpolluted villages, ancient and historic monuments and a richly miscellaneous countrysideprovide the visitor with an intriguing insight into Poland's history and traditions.

The countryside of the Lublin region is rich and varied. In the south there are the fertileLublin uplands and the Roztocze area, cut by numerous gullies. In the north-east you canfind the Podlaskie lowland covered by dense forests. The Lublin region is the largestproducer of high quality wheat, soft fruit, hop and sugar beet in Poland.

Lublin is the capital of the regionand the university centre for this partof Poland. About 90000 studentsstudy in Lublin (17% of the townpopulation) and 6000 academicteachers teach (600 professors) atits 5 universities: Maria Curie-Sklodowska Univ., the CatholicUniv., the Technical Univ., theMedical Univ. and the AgricultureUniversity.

Lublin received its City Charterin 1317, and after a few years thetown was encircled with brick walls,surrounding what is now known asthe old town of Lublin, undoubtedlyone of the most attractive sights inthe region. The visitors should alsosee the Gothic Royal Castle, withits late 14th century Holy TrinityChapel housing one of the finestexamples of medieval Byzantine-style poly-chromes in Europe.

Lublin became famous in 1569, when the ratified the already 200 year oldbond between Poland and its neighbour Lithuania, thereby establishing the largest empire inmainland Europe.

Lublin Union


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Institute of Agrophysics of Polish Academy of Sciences

The Institute of Agrophysics of Polish Academy of Sciences (IA PAS) was founded in1968 on the initiative of Prof. Bohdan Dobrza ski, a member of the Polish Academy ofSciences. The main research objectives of IA PAS are studies of the physical and chemicalproperties of materials and processes significant for the natural environment, sustainableagricultural production and processing of agricultural products with special attention paid tothe quality of raw materials and food products.

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Currently the Institute employs 65researchers (13 full professors and11 associate professors). The Insti-tute is authorized to confer PhD andDSc degrees (doctor and doctorhabilitatus) in agricultural science inagronomy-agrophysics. IA PAS isengaged in the founding of LublinScience and Technology Park, whichwill serve as a centre for technologytransfer from science to industry.

European scientific cooperation of IA PAS

The Institute has modern research equipmentcapable of conducting studies utilizing TDR,thermography, testing machine, microscopy,spectro-photometry, as well as chromatography.Currently over 60 scientific research institutions fromPoland and abroad cooperate with the Institute.

The Institute is placed in twobuildings, with exhibition rooms,

conference and catering facilities.

well-equipped

With itsmultidisciplinary personnel, modern re-search equipment, easily accessible fieldplots and professional laboratories theInstitute in addition to research activities, isalso an educational centre. View of the IA PAS main building

Director Prof. R. Walczak

V-Director Prof. J. Horabik

20 PHYSICS

10 CHEMISTRY 13

10 AGRICULTURE 11

8 BIOLOGY 27

7 MECHANICS (AUTHOMATICS) 14

5 MECHANICS (AGRICULTURE) 8

3 GEOGRAPHY 15

1 MATHEMATICS

1 HORTICULTURE

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65 RESEARCH WORKERS

STRUCTURE

Technician

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Organization and activity of the Institute of Agrophysics

Agrophysics is a branch of applied physics which investigates the properties ofmaterials and processes involved in the production and processing of agricultural products.In particular, it deals with the relationships between and

, with special focus on the state of the natural environmentand the quality of raw materials and food products.

soil-plant-atmosphere soil-plant-machine-agricultural products

The research activity of the Institute is organized as follows:

ORGANIZATION OF THE INSTITUTE OF AGROPHYSICS PAS

Department Head (e-mail address)

Hydro-Thermophysics of SoilEnvironment and Agricultural Materials

Aeration and Gas Exchange in SoilEnvironment and in Agricultural Materials

Mechanics of Agricultural Materials

Physical Chemistry of AgriculturalMaterials

Agrophysical Bases of Soil EnvironmentManagement

Physical Bases of the Evaluation andImprovement of Plant Materials

Prof. Ryszard [email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

Assoc. Prof. Teresa W odarczyk

Prof. Krystyna Konstankiewicz

Prof. Zofia Soko owska

rof. Jerzy LipiecP

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³Prof. Bogus aw Szot

Journals edited by IA PAS

At present, 3 European and over 20 domestic grants are being carried out in the fields ofthe quality of agricultural products, sustainable agriculture, land preservation and environmentprotection.


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Program of the Centre of Excellence ‘AGROPHYSICS’

The main objective of the Centre is to contribute to sustainable development of theInstitute of Agrophysics in three complementary areas: basic research, education andtraining as well as technology-oriented research. The status of the Centre of Excellenceallows the Institute to receive funds from the European Union and the Polish StateCommittee for Scientific Research in order to support the innovative activities of the Institute,and to promote its research aimed at furthering the development of technologies andproducts both domestically and abroad. It is expected that scientists from the Centre will alsoreceive grants from other sources (foundations: Ford, Fulbright, DAAD, European ScienceFoundation, Polish Science Foundation etc.).Aconsiderable sum of money is expected to bereceived as remuneration for expertise commissioned by the local government, industry, etc.

The overall research, educational and promotion objectives of the Centre involve:

The research program of the Centre is focused on the following:

physical, physicochemical and biological processes of mass and energy transport in the‘soil-plant-atmosphere’ system;

physical properties of agricultural materials and the processes influencing plantproduction;

processes related to harvesting, transportation and storage of agricultural products.

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studies on various aspects of sustainable development of agricultural areas and theeffective use of agricultural-food products – this part of the Centre of Excellenceprogram is financed by the budget of the Institute ofAgrophysics;

support activities financed by EC:

organization of research workgroups, conferences, summer schools, lectures;

international cooperation: travel to other Centres in Europe to strengthen scientificlinks;

organization of international research consortia for participation of the Centre in

projects of the 6 Framework Programme;

education – training young scientists;

development of agrophysics as a scientific discipline: exchange of experience,unification of research methods and terminology.

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Organization structure of the Centre

The National Scientific Council is represented by 5 members of Polish Academy ofSciences, 27 professors and 6 associate professors.

The International Scientific Council is represented by 40 prominent scientists from allover the world who are members of the Editorial Board of the journal ‘InternationalAgrophysics’– edited and published in the Institute ofAgrophysics.

selected on the base of the Institute of Agrophysics internal organizationstructure. Each WP is headed by a person responsible for planning, organization andexecution of objectives specific for the particular WP. The tasks proposed have a commonaim – close integration with the European Research Area, which will have long term effectsof participation in successive Framework Programmes.

The Centre carries out its activities through so-called Work Packages, i.e. specializedthematic areas

DIRECTORY BOARD

INTERNATIONALADVISORY COUNCIL

Centre coordinator

NATIONAL SCIENTIFICCOUNCIL

Coordination Committee

WP

1

WP

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WP

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WP

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WP

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WP

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WP

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WP

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WP

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WP

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Secretary of the Centre

Financial Section

Industry ExtensionCoordinator

Administrative Section

Prof. Ryszard Walczak

Dr Andrzej Stêpniewski

(WP Leaders)

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Dr Andrzej Bieganowski

Emilia Bronisz

supervision of the Centre activity

Report to EC every 1/2 year

meeting every 2 months meeting every year

meeting every 2 weeks

WORK PACKAGE 1

Hydro- and thermo-physical characteristics of porous media

as parameters of mass and energy transport models

Leader: Prof. Ryszard Walczak, [email protected]


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Objectives:

promotion of European co-operation in the field ofthe determination of the hydro- and thermo-physical characteristics of porous media;

standardization and generalization of the me-thods and methodology for determining the basicphysical characteristics of porous media asparameters of equation describing mass andenergy flow in isothermal and non-isothermalconditions.

General activities:

organization of workshops, conferences andsummer schools;

formation of a group of international experts inthe field of WP1 research;

visits to European research organizations toexchange experience;

publication of related materials in the form offolders and application notes.

Deliverables and milestones for the package:

creation of unified procedures for determining thebasic characteristics describing mass and energyflow in porous materials;

better mutual recognition as well as exchange ofexperience and knowledge;

collaboration towards common participation in FP6.

Examples of research activities within WP1:

development of measurement methods for determining water and thermal soil characteris-tics;

development of algorithms (models) for estimating water and thermal characteristics of thesoil from structural parameters.

Pressure chambers

TDR laboratory setup

Agrometeorological station withthermovision set

General activities:

WORK PACKAGE 2

Electrical measurements methods of porous material properties

Leader: Prof. Marek Malicki, [email protected]

Objectives:

development of the Time Domain Reflectometry method for simultaneous measurement ofsoil moisture and salinity;

adaptation of to otherporous materials used in food, storage and building industries;

improvement of existing measurement devices used to monitor soil, plants and theatmosphere by the application .

measurement methods and instruments currently used for soil

of wireless communication

organization and participation at work-shops, conferences and summer schools;

visits to European research organizationsfor the exchange of experience;

preparing the Centre to enter key researchprogrammes for the measurements ofenvironmental variability;

publication of related material in the formof folders and application notes.


10

Field installation of TDR data logger

Portable TDR soil moisture,salinity and temperature meter

TDR probe field set up


promotion of European cooperation in thefield of the electrical measurement of porousmaterial properties;

development and implementation ofmodern techniques and methods formonitoring physical and chemical propertiesof the environment.


widening the scope of the research on theselective methods for the measurement of theelectro-physical processes of porous media;

contribution in the research consortia to thesubmission of proposals in FP6;

verification, standardization and generaliza-tion of the existing conversion functions ofelectrical voltage or current in respect to thephysical properties of porous media.

WORK PACKAGE 3

Soil-plant-atmosphere aeration problems

Leader: Prof. Jan Gliñski, [email protected]

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Collection of gas samples for analysis Battery of rhizotrons

Objectives:

measurement of the macro- and microdiffusion of oxygen in soil profiles;

investigation of the influence of moisture tension and redox conditions in soils, speciallyin those of wetland regions, on the emission of the gases CO CH N O into theatmosphere;

establishing the consequences of soil anoxia in plants.

2, 4, 2


General activities:

participation of post-graduate students and young scientists in summer schools andworkshops on the techniques for measuring aeration and the rhizosphere in soils withspecial attention to their resistance to redox and gas emissions;

holding - in Poland and abroad - oxygenology seminars, with particular reference to soilaeration - an important problem in the evaluation of soil processes - and the prediction ofbiomass production and the formation and gas emissions;

joint scientific publications and the production of training manuals on methods for themeasuring and interpretation of the results of soil aeration.

widening of knowledge of the role of oxygen in soil processes and its effect on theenvironment;

international cooperation and the formation of oxygenology networks as a new disciplinein science;

presentation of measurement techniques for the rhizosphere and the aeration of the soilwith special reference to their resistance to redox and gas emissions.

presentation of the role of redox processes in the transformation of nutrients and theestimation of greenhouse gas emissions from soils of different moisture and nutrientcompositions;

production of maps of Polish soil resistance to redox conditions;

use of soils and rock materials as a 'sink' for greenhouse gases.


WORK PACKAGE 4

Control measures against topsoil degradation due to erosion

Leader: Dr Jerzy Rejman, [email protected]

Experimental site with run-off plots

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Rill network after intensive rainfall


assessment of the balance of soil erosion in small loess catchments on the basis ofa detailed soil map presenting the combined effect of water erosion and tillage transloca-tion (analyzed with GIS);

evaluation of the effectiveness of stages in soil erosion control;

assessment of antecedent soil moisture content on the generation of run-off (laboratoryexperiments with rainfall simulator and plot studies).

plant canopy

establishing of a national network for the assessmentof soil erosion;

organization of a seminar on the comparative methodsat different scales applied in the study of soil erosion(the output will be given in a publication form);

short scientific missions to foreign research units;

General activities:

Rainfall simulator


enlarging the capacity of the Centre within soilerosion;

setting up of a scientific network of leading institu-tions within the EU;

sharing of knowledge and experience;

submission of proposals to the European FP6.

Objectives:

improvement of links with outstanding scientificcentres within the EU for sustainable development ofareas susceptible to erosion;

exchange and comparison of the methods used toevaluate erosion and establish standardizedprocedures and indices;

promotion of modern methods for assessing soilerosion and the subsequent application of controlmeasures.

organization of visits to the Institute ofAgrophysics for foreign researchers;

organization of a summer school for young researchers in order to bring the methods intogeneral use through a national network (the output will be given during the proceedings atthe Conference).

increasing networking and links with outstanding centreswithin the EU, Candidate Countries and AssociatedStates (Russia) in research and development of methodsfor examining physicochemical properties of soil and plantmaterials;

increasing participation in FP6 of the EU;

featuring new disciplines in soil and plant chemistry;

attracting new researchers to investigate current soil-plant topics.

WORK PACKAGE 5

Surface physical chemistry of soil and plant

Leader: Assoc. Prof. Grzegorz Józefaciuk, [email protected]


General activities:

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organizing seminars and invitation of scienitists fromscientific cooperation;

the young researchers' training course entitled ‘Physico-chemical and physical methods forstudying soil and plant materials. Theory and practice’ for foreign and domestic PhD andMSc students and researchers.

Budapest, Hungary and Minsk, Belarusto


introducing new approaches to the theoretical and practicalstudies of plant and soil specific surfaces;

evaluation of closer interdisciplinary links between thephysical chemistry of the soil and plants and other scientificdisciplines to broaden knowledge and develop new experi-mental techniques;

increasing understanding of physicochemical processes in thesoil to find new possibilities to protect the soil from degradation(acidification, heavy metal and organic pollution, alkalization,salinization and soil structure destruction).

Objectives:


establishing new links and improving recentlyestablished links with other institutions by organizingseminars and mutual research;

joint scientific publications;

linking theory to practice;

holding of training courses for young researcherson the physical chemistry of plant and soil;

organizing workshops.

Mercury intrusion porosimetry

Adsorption and its energy

Fractal pore structures

WORK PACKAGE 6

Relationship between soil physical characteristics and root and

shoot growth and plant water use

Leader: Prof. Jerzy Lipiec, [email protected]


Objectives:


14

to improve the methods for studying root growthand functions in relation to the soil physicalbehaviour;

to strengthen cooperation with foreign researchcentres;

to evaluate the relationship between the spatialdistribution of roots and the physical conditions ofthe soil.

better understanding of the ways in whichagriculture can be managed in an environ-mentally friendly manner;

proposals to the European FP;

introduction and use of modern methods atthe Centre's laboratory;

scientific publications of the work financed bythe program.

General activities:


evaluation of the spatial distribution of the soil strength and the water contentin relation to machinery traffic;

determining root water uptake depending on spatial distribution of the physical soil condi-tions;

assessment of the effect of the soil macro-pores on the growth of the roots and shoots of theplants and of the infiltration of water into the soil.

a workshop to compare methods for assessing the physical characteristics of the soiland crop responses;

visits of foreign scientists to the Institute ofAgrophysics PAS;

organization of a workshop and training graduate students;

participation of foreign researchers in the project.

Image analysis system

Barley root sections

WORK PACKAGE 7

Mechanics and micro-structure of agricultural plant materials

Leader: Prof. Krystyna Konstankiewicz, [email protected]


Objectives:

General activities:

15

to improve networking with centres of excellence andlaboratories in the EU and Candidate Countries;

to establish a training centre at IA PAS, ensuring access tothe latest knowledge and data available in EU laboratories;

to attract young researchers into the field of mechanicsand the study of the micro-structure of agricultural plantmaterials.


to increase understanding of the interaction between themicro- and macro- properties of agricultural plantmaterials;

presentation of the new techniques used for the investi-gation of micro- and macro-cracking;

better understanding of experimental results and consi-dering their practical application.

strengthened links with European laboratoriesthrough the sharing of experience, 3 missions to EUcountries;

one workshop and lab-training for young researchers,joint scientific publications, arrangement for participa-tion in the new proposal of the R&D project in FP6.


micro-structure and the mechanical properties of plant tissue as crucial importance inthe control and promotion of high quality of fruit, vegetables and other food products.

Cross-section of potato tuber

Potato cell structure

Testing machine with accousticemission setup

increasing understanding of the physical properties of granu-lar materials in order to design efficient handling and proce-ssing systems;

standardization of the terminology and measuring methodsused in order to better understand and compare the results ofdifferent, interdisciplinary laboratories;

closer collaboration with centres of excellence in EU countriesin order to ensure compatibility of approach to the subject ofthe mechanics of bulk solids.

to improve links with outstanding centres within the EU andCandidate Countries in the field of mechanics of particulate solids;

to establish a training centre at IA PAS, in order to ensure access tothe latest knowledge and data existing in EU laboratories;

standardization of terminology, measurement methods and testprocedures in the field of the mechanics of particulate solids;

implementation of European Standards for the testing of bulk solidsin order to determine the physical properties of agro- bulk materials and food powders.

WORK PACKAGE 8

Characterization of granular agro-materials and food powders for

safe and efficient storage, handling and processing and on-line

quality control

Leader: Prof. Józef Horabik, [email protected]


General activities:

16

Stand for accoustic wavesin granular materials

Particle sizing


evaluation of physical properties of granular materials and food powders important forstorage, handling and processing.


increased networking by organizing three visits to EUcountries;


a workshop for post-graduate students and industrialengineers in the field of granular mechanics;

publication of a training manual on the measurement andtest procedure methods for evaluating the mechanicalproperties of particulate solids.

Objectives:

improvement and promotion of cooperation with EU andCandidate Countries in the field of evaluation of fruit andvegetable quality;

establishing a training centre at IA PAS, ensuring accessto the newest knowledge and data existing in EUlaboratories;

unification of measurement techniques and methods ofquality estimation of fruits and vegetables;

implementation of the European Standards of physicalproperties important for the quality of fruit and vegetables.

WORK PACKAGE 9

Physical methods of evaluation of fruit and vegetable quality

Leader: Assoc. Prof. Bohdan Dobrzañski, [email protected]



General activities:


17

increased networking achieved through organizingthree missions to EU countries;


a workshop for post-graduate students and industryengineers in the field of fruit and vegetables;

publication of a training manual on methods ofmeasurement and test procedures for evaluation ofthe quality of fruit and vegetables.

physical methods of evaluation of fruit and vegetable quality important for storage,handling and processing.

better understanding of the physical properties of fruit andvegetables in order to design efficient handling and proce-ssing systems;

unification of terminology and standardization of measuringmethods for better understanding and comparison ofresults from different, interdisciplinary laboratories;

closer collaboration with outstanding centres in EUcountries to assure compatibility in approach to mechanicsof fruit and vegetables over the partners network.

Objectives:

Spectrofotometer

Dynamic and fatiguetesting machine

WORK PACKAGE 10

Applied physics in assuring good quality of grains and seeds

Leader: Prof. Bogus³aw Szot, [email protected]


Objectives:

Deliverables and milestones for thepackage:

General activities:

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two common projects to FP6;

creation of a Network on postharvestoperations of agricultural products;

introduction and application of modernphysical methods into the laboratoriesof the Centre.

mission to EU Centres in order to widenand strengthen cooperation links;

networking with potential partners for FP6participation;

lectures of visiting scholars to increaseknowledge base about physical propertiesof plant material.


introduction of novel investigation methods to Centre laboratory as well as training of thestaff;

exchange of experiences within open network of professionals in the field of physicalproperties of agricultural materials;

creation of long lasting links and improvement of knowledge flow between personsengaged in the topic.

growth of scientific potential of the Centrestaff assuring postharvest quality;

presentation of achievements and exchan-ging experience with specialists from theWest;

closer collaboration with outstandingresearch organizations in EU;

further development of measuring methodsand deepening knowledge of physicalproperties of grains and seeds.

Rapeseed harvesting

X-ray image of rape pod

Strength testing

WORK PACKAGE 11

Validation and standardization of agrophysical measuring methods

Leader: Dr Andrzej Bieganowski, [email protected]


General activities:

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Agrophysicaltesting methods

Standardizedmethods

ISO,European

anddomestic

Standards

Methodsdescribed in

textbooks andother

publications

Nonstandardized

methods

Requirementof validation

Validated

methods

Validated

methods?

Objectives:

promotion of European cooperation in the validation and

standardization of agrophysical measuring methods;

training young researchers in validation procedures;

assessment of the test methods used in the validation

and standardization of agrophysical measurements.


visits to leading centres in Europe to discuss vali-dation and standardization problems;

validation procedure workshop for agrophysicalmeasuring and test methods;

international conference on the measuring andtesting methods used in agrophysical investigations;

summary of the previous stages the Europeanagrophysics authorities will be invited to summarisethe current state and indicate future undertakings.

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increased activity in:

- developing new agrophysical methods,

- validation of the existing physical and chemicalmethods applicable to agrophysics;

standardization of the terminology and measuringmethods in order to better understand and compare theresults of the different, interdisciplinary laboratories(see other WPs);

formation of a closer association with centres of exce-llence in EU countries in order to ensure compatibility ofapproach to the different measuring and test methodsby the network partners.


participation in setting new ISO standards and assessing those already in operationwithin the field of soil physics.

Soil material collection

TDR sample holder

two proposals to FP6 prepared together with partners of the Centre;

improving quality of proposals to FP6;

better understanding of European research programmes by the whole staff of the Centre;

creation of data base on topics of research interest of each partner of the Centre.

WORK PACKAGE 12

Rules of participation in European research programmes -

increasing active participation in ERA

Leader: Dr Andrzej Stêpniewski, [email protected]


Objectives:

General activities:

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seminars in order to improve number and quality of proposals from the Centre;

lectures on specific aspects of European research programmes;

trainings of the Centre staff to increase skills in writing proposals.


distribution of information packages about current opportunities in the FP6;

training on proper preparation of proposals to FP6;

organizing meetings with National Contact Points experts;

current consultation for the staff of various aspects of FP6 participation;

participation in tuitions for trainees and brokerage events.


improvement of knowledge of European FP parti-cipation rules;

distribution of the knowledge on current calls ofEuropean FP;

improvement of proposals prepared by Centreemployees and collaborators;

encouragement to prepare more proposalsto European FP;

training and information distribution to partners ofthe Centre from the East.


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Activities of the Centre

The Centre of Excellence for Applied Physics in Sustainable Agriculture sactive in reaching the planned objectives. Some of the activities, both completed and planned, aregiven below so that future participants wishing to cooperate with the Centre could adjust theirtimetable. The Centre's future activities in the years 2004 and 2005 have not been determined yet,the detailed information on these are available from the leader of the relevant WP.

‘AGROPHYSICS’ i

Consultation on further cooperation within comingcall for proposals in FP6, presentation of WP10.

Visit to Centro Ricerche , Italy.Bonomo

Conference of Polish Agrophysical Society,‘

’, Olsztyn, Poland.Geometrical, mechanical and structural properties ofagricultural materials and products

Forming international group (Poland, Lithuania,Germany) for future cooperation in research area,WP9.

Visit to Lithuanian Agricultural University, Raudondvaris.

2 International Workshop ‘Czech University of Agriculture in Prague,

Technical Faculty, Department of Physics.

ndApplied Physics in Life

Science’,

Time

Promotion of CoE, WP1, WP2, WP3 and WP8objectives.

Actions performedType and place of activity

Organized by WP11, lectures given byrepresentatives from Polish StandardizationCommittee to the employees of IA PAS.

Workshop: ’Procedure of making new ISO standards insoil physics’, IA PAS Lublin, Poland.

May 16,2003

Training students on methods for root systemstudying in relation to soil physical conditions,WP6.

Seminar, University Maria-Sklodowska-Curie, Lublin,Poland.

May 29,2003

Lectures and presentations, WP7 and WP8.2 International Workshop for Young Scientists BioPhysSpring’ 2003, Czech University of Agriculture in Prague,Technical Faculty, Department of Physics.

nd

May 30,2003

June 25-30,2003

Sep. 18-23,2003

Sep. 25,2003

International Workshop on Soil Physical Quality,PROLAND CoE, IUNG, Pulawy, Poland.

Lectures, seminars, presentations: WP1, WP3,WP6.

Oct. 2-4,2003

Lectures and discussion on CoE projectrealization, WP12.

June 3,2003

June 12-13,2003

Meeting of the Working Party on the Mechanicsof Particulate Solids. Presentation of WP8.

International Conference for conveying and handling ofparticulate solids, Budapest, Hungary.

May 27-30,2003

Visit to Research Institute of Soil Science andAgricultural Chemistry, Hungarian Academy of Sciences,Budapest.

May 20-June 02,

2003

Seminar on the Centre activity and lecture onsurface properties of soils and plants, WP5.Formation of a research team.

Conference on FP6 priority ‘Quality and Safety of Food’,Lublin, Pulawy, Poland.

Lectures and seminars, WP1 and WP7.

EC Centre of Execellence AGROPHYSICS

22

Aug. 2004Lectures, presentations on: ‘

’, organized by WP3,activities of WP1, WP2, WP6.

Soil-plant-atmo-sphere areation problems

Summer School, University Hohenheim, Stuttgart,Germany.

Presentation ‘ , WP3.Oxygenology in wetlands’Workshop, University of Nijmegen, Holland.

Formation of joint research groups respondingfor FP6 calls of proposals, participationin scientific activities in Europe, actions applyto all WPs.

Visits to European and Polish Scientific Centres.

Presentation for students and scientists: WP3.Workshop, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Lvov.

Presentation for students and scientists: WP3,WP5.

Workshop, Belorussia Academy of Sciences, Minsk.

Organized by WP11, presentations of IA PASlaboratories, participation of WP1, WP2.

‘Validation and standarization of testing method’ -Workshop with the representatives laboratoriesfrom different parts of Poland, IA PAS, Lublin, Poland.

Organized by WP10 - lectures, presentations,

2003-2005

2003-2005

Organization of conferences, lectures,seminars, summer schools, workshops,actions apply to all WPs.

Institute of Agrophysics PAS, Lublin, Poland.

Lectures, seminars, presentations, WP8.

Organized by WP1 in collaboration with WP2,construction of International Expert Group ofTDR users as a research network, lectures,presentations, training.

Conference:

IA PAS, Lublin,Poland.

‘Method and methodology for determina-tion of basic physical characteristics of porous mediawith application of TDR technology’,

International Conference: ‘

Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute ofHydrology and Geophysical Institute in Bratislava.

Transport of water,chemicals and energy in the soil-plant-atmosphere’,

Formation of Polish research consortium toprepare proposal to FP6, subject: Soil pollutionassessment from satellite data, concerns allWPs.

Meeting in GMES, Poland Information Centre, Space,Research Centre PAS, Warsaw, Poland.

Workshop on ‘Applied physics in assuring good qualityof grains and seeds’, IA PAS, Lublin, Poland.

‘‘

Organized by WP5, activities of WP1, WP2,WP3, WP8, WP11 - lectures, presentations,training.

Training Course for Young Research Workers‘

, IA PAS, Lublin, Poland.

Physicochemical and Physical Methodsof Studies of Soil and Plant Materials. Theoryand Practice’

Oct. 9,2003

Oct. 28,2003

Nov. 20,2003

Nov. 27-Dec. 02,

2003

Oct. 27-28,2003

Oct. 21-27,2003

Dec.13-18,2003

Feb. 2004

Sep. 29-30,2004

Sep. 29-30,2004

Workshop ‘, IA PAS, Lublin, Poland.

Characterization of granular agro-materialsand food powders’

Promotion of CoE, WP1, WP2, WP3, WP5,WP6 objectives.

Centre of Excellence for Applied Physics in Sustainable AgricultureCentre of Excellence for Applied Physics in Sustainable Agriculture

AGROPHYSICSAGROPHYSICS

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