Many analysis of growth poles do not refer directly to development and dynamics of propulsive activities, but rather to their effects. In this paper the author concluded that essential role may be played by fast-growing and knowledge-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) while their intra-regional diversity of activity may be a reasonable proxy measure of a role played by specific town as a growth centre. Therefore the article has two main goals: methodical – determining the usefulness of the activity of fast-growing and (potentially) innovative small and medium enterprises as a designatum for the growth pole and cognitive – to capture the spatial differences in the distribution of this kind of SMEs in Podkarpackie region. The study showed strong diversification of the number of fast-growing and (potentially) innovative SMEs on the local level. All techniques of determining the level of economic development and it’s dynamics taken into consideration in the analysis testify to strong and rising position of Rzeszów as a regional growth pole. It indicates growing role of metropolisation processes in Poland even in case of peripheral, weakly urbanised region with a relatively small regional centre compared to the biggest Polish cities.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the tourism and recreational space of Lubaczowski County in Poland. The evaluation was carried out by using a multidimensional comparative analysis while taking into account tourism assets, transportation accessibility, natural environmental protection, the level of tourism infrastructure development as well as the factors contributing to an opportunity for the development of tourism via investment attractiveness (the level of infrastructure development, population relations, or the financial situation of the communes). Moreover, a questionnaire survey was carried out among the inhabitants with the aim of learning of their opinions on tourism assets and tourism infrastructure development in the commune. The study is supplemented by a comparison of the analysis results with the results of a questionnaire survey conducted among the Lubaczowski County inhabitants, which concerned the county’s attractiveness to tourists. Based on the evaluation and the questionnaire survey results, it was found that urban communes of Lubaczów and Horyniec-Zdrój had the best conditions for tourism development. These communes took the first (0.701) and the second (0.492) position in the ranking, respectively. Both communes are characterised by well-developed accommodation and catering facilities, a wealth of natural assets, and good transportation accessibility. For the better development of tourism in the county, it is necessary to take appropriate measures aimed at eliminating limitations and highlighting the strengths. To this end, it will be necessary to incorporate measures aimed at enhancing the quality of tourism infrastructure development and establishing a marketing plan that will allow tourists to learn about the tourism assets of the commune into the strategy for commune development.

The paper presents results of studies on the occurrence and economic importance of maize pests: european com borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn.) and frit fly (Oscinellafri1 L.) (conducted in 1977-2000) as well as aphids (Aphididae) and thrips iThysanopterai (in I 982-1983, I 985 and 1988-2000).