In the years 2004–2006 a study was carried out based on fi eld experiments and laboratory tests, concerning the effect of iodosulfuron methyl-sodium mezosulfuron (Atlantis 04 WG) applied at 3–4 leaf stage in autumn and at full tillering stage of winter rye in spring, as well as of fl uroksypyr + 2,4-D (Aminopielik Gold 530 EW) applied in spring, on yielding and grain quality of three rye cultivars: Walet, Rostockie and Picasso. The results obtained proved that winter rye grown on black earth, which belongs to the IIa valuation class, produced a high yield regardless of cultivar, and that the herbicides applied did not have any phytotoxic effect on the growth or development of plants.  Neither the yield nor the weight of 1000 grains were signifi - cantly affected by the use of herbicides or the date of their application.  Their effect varied depending on the course of weather in the growing season. The herbicides tested did not signifi cantly affect such char acteristics as protein content, falling number, seed grading and bulk density, fl our effi ciency, volume and overbake of bread and porosity of crumb.

Rye cultivation in Poland occupies a signifi cant acreage – 2350000 ha. It is assumed that more than a half of the rye plantations require herbicide treatment. Therefore the proper selection of an effective and selective herbicide for specifi c rye variety is of paramount importance.