Studies on the population dynamics of aphids Cinara juniperi De Geer on the shrubs of Juniperus communis L. in the urban conditions of Lublin were conducted in the years 2002–2004 in two types of sites: a street one and a park one. The first individuals of this species were most frequently observed at the turn of April and May, while the maximum population was found in the first half of May. The course of the weather conditions affected the population dynamics of aphids. Those insects were observed in much bigger numbers on the shrubs growing in the street site. The preying of C. juniperi caused browning and drying out of the needles and inhibition of the stem growth, which had an influence on lower decorative character of the examined plants.

Studies were carried out in the Department of Pomology on the area of the Agricultural and Pomological Experimental Farm in Przybroda belonging to the Agricultural University in Poznań. In the years 2005–2006, apple-tree rootstocks M9 were planted into rhizoboxes with soil taken from different orchard localities. It was found that the previous method of soil use had an essential effect on the growth and the chemical composition of the planted rootstocks. Cultivation of rootstocks in rhizoboxes showed that the growing for many years of the same species deteriorates the growth. On the other hand, a change in the grown species decreases the risk of soil fatigue.

Abstract: The antifungal activity of two fungicides, i.e. Rovral Flo 255 SC and Sportak Alpha 380 EC was determined by in vitro tests to 12 fungal species isolated from blue spruce (Picea pungens) and its cultivar Glauca. It was found that Sportak Alpha 380 EC has the highest antifungal activity and the widest range of application to all fungi under examination. Rovral Flo 255 SC has shown significantly poorer activity.

The antifungal properties of selected essential oils, i.e. lavender, mint, orange, spruce and thyme oils, were checked in vitro to fungi isolated from blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm.) and its cultivar ‘Glauca’. The degree and extent of antifungal activity for essential oils listed above were tested on the following fungi: Acremonium tubakii, Anthostomella conorum, Arthrinium state of Apiospora montagnei, Aureobasidium pullulans, Botryodiplodia rubi, Fusarium camptoceras, F. moniliforme var. lactis, Penicillium canescens, Phoma pomorum, Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii, Ulocladium consortiale and Zythiostroma pinastri. Among essential oils tested the thyme oil showed the highest antifungal activity to all fungi under examination even at the lowest concentration used. The mint, lavender and spruce oils demonstrated a medium activity. The lowest activity was found for orange oil.