The type of the applied nitrogen fertiliser plays a significant role in plant nutrition. Supplying plants with potassium in the form of chloride, sulphate or salpetre significantly modifies the chemical composition of plants, as anions accompanying potassium serve different functions. The vegetation experiment on the cultivation of red pepper cv. ‘Cyklon’ was conducted in 2005 and 2006 in a plastic tunnel in rings (V = 5 dm³) filled with mineral soil and highmoor peat (3:2). The response of plants to three potassium salts KCl, K₂SO₄ and KNO₃ was determined at two levels of nitrogen-potassium fertilization of 250 mg N and NH₄NO₃ and 300 mg K, as well as 350 mg N and 400 mg K·dm^-3 substrate, at constant levels of the other macro- and microelements. Biometric measurements of plants were taken and the volume of fruit yield was determined. It was found that the type of potassium fertilizer at the two levels of nitrogen and potassium fertilization did not have a significant effect on total and marketable yields of fruits in red pepper cv. ‘Cyklon’, plant height, total and marketable fruit numbers as well as fresh weight of a single fruit. It was shown that a higher level of nitrogen and potassium fertilization (350 N and 400 K mg dm^-3 substrate) had a positive effect on the analyzed biometric parameters of fruits, except for fresh weight of a single fruit. Results of these investigations, confirmed by other authors, critically refer to the division of vegetable crops developed by Th. Geissler and Buchner into chloride- and sulfate-loving vegetable crops.

The paper presents the results of the study on fruit and seed morphology and anatomy of some chosen species of Hydrangeaceae. Fruit micromorphology, seed shape and size, seed coat pattern, testa thickness, and endosperm cells were investigated in Hydrangea heteromalla, H. paniculata, Philadelphus californicus, P. delavayi, P. incanus, P. inodorus, P. pubescens var. verrucosus, P. tenuifolius, Deutzia compacta, D. rubens, and D. scabra. Differences of potential taxonomic significance were found in the ornamentation of the fruit and the pistil surface in the Hydrangea species. The examined seeds were characterized by reticulate primary sculpture with different size and shape of the testa cells. The protrusive secondary sculpture was observed on the Hydrangea seeds. The seeds of the Philadelphus species were characterized by the rugate secondary sculpture. The seeds of the Deutzia species had sunken secondary sculpture of different patterns and these differentiations are of systematic importance. The endosperm cell walls were very thin in the Hydrangea and Philadelphus seeds, while they were evenly thick in the Deutzia seeds. That difference may be of systematic importance. The average thickness of the two-layered testa was 3.51–11.50 µm. Its inner and outer layers thickness varied from 2.27–9.25 µm and 1.24–4.05 µm, respectively. Most of the differences were found to be significant.

The cultivation of fungi is associated with the large production of spent mushroom compost (SCM), that have great ability to degrade lignin-like pollutants. The use of SMC to clean up contaminated soil is a promising alternative to other more expensive methods. A 12-week experiment with spent mushroom composts from Agaricus bisporus (champignon) and Lentinula edodes (shiitake) was carried out to compare their ability to degrade PAHs. The degradation of PAHs by Agaricus bisporus was in the following order: anthracene, pyrene, fluoranthene, and phenanthrene (87, 85, 83 and 79% of the control). The strongest degradation by Lentinula edodes was confirmed for anthracene (86% of the control), then for phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene (78, 70 and 63% of the control, respectively). After a brief reduction of naphthalene content, a rapid increase was noted for both Lentinula edodes and Agaricus bisporus (170 and 149% of the control, respectively, at the end of the experiment).

Parsley leaves are the most valuable vegetables owing to its biological properties. They are a very rich source of vitamin C, β-carotene and mineral constituents. The study aim of the present work was to evaluate yield and quality of three cultivars of leafy parsley: ‘Amphia’, ‘Festival’ and ‘Verta’– a leaf cultivar. In the experiment conducted in 2009–2010 the yield of leaves for unit of area and an influence of conservation method (freezing, drying) for content of active compounds were determined. The raw material was harvested in two terms: in the second ten days of August and second ten days of September. The content of essential oils, flavonoids, polyphenolic acids, vitamin C, carotenoids, and chlorophyll were determined in all kinds of raw material. The yield of leaves per 1 m² was on average from 0.55 kg to 3.57 kg. Higher mass of leaves was obtained at the second term of harvest for all investigated varieties. Among the compared cultivars ‘Amphia’ produced higher yields than others (2.61 kg·m^-2). The content of biologically active compounds in the leaves of parsley significantly depended on the variety, date of harvest and method of conservation. The content of assimilate pigments and vitamin C in leaves of parsley clearly decreased under the influence of freezing and drying (in the case of vitamin C drying completely degraded the vitamin). Freezing reduced the essential oil content and polyphenolic acids in the leaves of parsley, drying increased the content of these components.

Solanaceae plants are a source of large number of valuable metabolites with multiple use both in vivo and in vitro conditions. Leaf explants obtained from N. tabacum ‘Samsun’ were cultivated on solidified MS medium supplemented with 3% (w/v) sucrose and enriched with different doses of extracts obtained from seedlings of the same plant cultivar or from N. tabacum ‘Havana’. The aim of experiments was to verify the effectiveness of such medium additives on callus tissue vitality, proliferation and its organogenetic response. It was ascertained a significant positive influence of all kinds of added extracts on increase of callus fresh weight and the organogenetic capability of tobacco cultures. However, the impact of seedlings devoid of roots Nicotiana extracts was significantly lower in both: stimulating of cell proliferation and shoot formation than extracts obtained from whole seedlings. The biological activity was the most effective in the case of genotype compatibility between the plant material from which the extract was derived with the object of biotest.

One of the limitations to the plant regrowth rate is the application of different kinds of natural and synthetic growth regulators. These substances when used in small doses actively influence direct transformations in plants, causing considerable changes in their growth and development. The lawn experiment was conducted from 2002 to 2004. It was done on an experimental plot in the arrangement of randomized blocks in four replications. In the investigation the mixture of the grasses called Super Gazon was used. The mixture was cultivated in combination with four mineral multiple-nutrient fertilizers with a balanced dose of nitrogen. The growth regulator, Moddus 250 SC, produced on the basis of the active substance trinexapac – ethyl (TE) by the Swiss firm Syngenta Crop Protection AG, was also applied in the experiment as an investigation factor. It was used as a spray in the quantity 0.06 cm³·m^-2. Some lawn plots were not sprayed. The measurement was done at three-day intervals when the grasses on the experimental plots where spraying was applied had 12 cm of height. The obtained results showed that trinexapac-ethyl effectively slowed down the regrowth of turfgrasses in the examined sward. The influence of the growth regulator depended also on the weather conditions during the vegetation period. The growth regulator, trinexapac–ethyl, effectively influenced the slow regrowth of turfgrasses in the sward of the Super Gazon mixture, regardless of the kind of fertilizer used or the weather conditions.

Astrophytum asterias (Zucc.) Lem. is a cactus which is among those most desired by producers and collectors all across the world and, at the same time, a species threatened with extinction in the natural environment. Micropropagation techniques can be helpful both in terms of its ex situ protection and its popularisation on the market, thus satisfying the needs of cacti breeders and collectors. Somatic embryogenesis is the most effective method of multiplication and it involves the formation of somatic embryos from vegetative cells. The medium, light conditions and type of explant demonstrate the key effect on its efficiency. Auxin 2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) is most frequently applied to embryogenesis induction. In the present study we determined the effect of its concentration and light conditions on the efficiency of Astrophytum asterias somatic embryogenesis. Seeds were placed on the modified MS medium with a reduced content of macronutrients and sucrose ½MS (pH 5.7 – before autoclaving). All the in vitro cultures were incubated in the growth room (24 ± 2°C, 16 h light/8 h dark photoperiod, the intensity of quantum irradiation: 24.3 µmol·m^-2·s^-1). After 14 days 70% of the seeds were produced of seedlings. To regenerate somatic embryos, halves of green seedlings were placed on the modified MS medium with auxin 2,4-D added at different concentrations: 5; 7 and 10 mg·dm^-3, the MS0 medium without growth regulators was our control. To verify the effect of light conditions, half of explants were incubated in the light, and half in the dark. After 10 weeks of culture, the regenerated embryos were isolated, counted and measured. They were produced on all the media types, in both light conditions. The present research confirmed a positive effect of 2,4-D and light on the number of explants forming embryoid structures and on the number of regenerating embryos. The most number of embryos per 1 explant (1.8) were obtained on the MS7 medium (7 mg·dm^-3 2,4-D) in the light conditions.

Garden dill is a popular seasoning plant used in central Europe and Asia. It is characterized by a relatively long period of seeds germination, as well as, uneven emergence of seedlings. The aim of research, conducted in the years 2009–2010, was the assessment of the effect of selected emergence improving cultivation treatments on the germination and growth of plants, as well as yield and chemical composition of dill. Two-factorial experiment was established according to randomized split-plot method, in three replications. The first factor involved post – sowing flat soil covering with the use of white polypropylene textile, transparent perforated foil, as well as 2 cm – thick sand layer and 5 cm layer of peat moss mixed with top layer of the soil. In control object post – sowing covering was not applied. The second factor consisted in irrigation. Results obtained in the experiment show that irrigation contributed to the increase in dill herb yield, on average, by 21.4%. Among cultivation treatments applied, including flat covers and mulching, the highest increase in yield was ensured by the use of polypropylene textile (86.8%). It was also shown that dill accumulated nitrates in its leaves only to a small extent. Both irrigation and introduction of flat covers from polypropylene textile and perforated foil, as well as mulching with sand and peat moss did significantly accelerate garden dill emergence.

Herb and underground organs of dropwort have been used as medicinal raw materials. Decrease of natural resources of this species results in the necessity to introduce it into cultivation. In this study accumulation of biomass and phenolic compounds in underground organs of cultivated dropwort during two years of plant vegetation was evaluated. Underground organs were harvested at the end of the first year of plant vegetation and in the second year: at the beginning of vegetation, at the stage of blooming, and at the end of vegetation. Phenolics were determined by HPLC. At the end of the second year the weight of air-dry rhizomes with tuberous roots reached 188.3 g per plant and it was almost five times higher than in the first year. Underground organs of dropwort appeared to be a rich source of flavan-3-ols and gallic acid. There was no clear relation between the stage of plant development and accumulation of phenolics in these organs.

Functional food market develops dynamically all over the world although in Poland consumers knowledge in this area is insufficient. An importance of functional food mainly arises from contained bioactive substances. Funcional food includes also mushrooms which contain polisaccharides, especially β-glucans. These compounds differ in structure, water solubility, molecule size and molecular mass which determine their medicinal properties. β-glucans derived from fungi show very wide spectrum of health-supporting activity. Their antitumor, immunomodulating, antibacterial, antiviral and antioxidative properties are well documented. They have ability to lower high blood pressure, lower excessive cholesterol synthesis, and decrease blood-glucose level. Lentinula edodes and species from genus Pleurotus are regarded as main sources of β-glucans. The most important fungi derived β-glucans are lentinan, pleuran, grifolan, crestin and ganoderan.

Sterszczenie. Truskawka uprawna (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.), należąca do rodziny Rosaceae, jest najważniejszym owocem miękkim na świecie. Mikrorozmnażanie in vitro jest ważnym narzędziem do rozmnażania przez klonowanie i jest powszechnie stosowane do wywoływania odmiany somaklonalnej dla wytworzenia zmienności genetycznej. Zoptymalizowane protokoły regeneracji oraz wysoka wydajność również są ważne dla transformacji genów w celu ulepszenia nowych odmian. Dlatego celem niniejszej pracy była optymalizacja protokołu regeneracji dla odmian truskawek ‘Festival’ i ‘Rubygem’. Blaszki liściowe oraz przylistki dojrzałych wyhodowanych in vitro roślin truskawek odmian ‘Festival’ i ‘Rubygem’ (Fragaria × annanasa Duch.) wykorzystano jako źródła eksplantów. Rośliny Mc Cowns Woody zawierające witaminy wykorzystano jako pożywkę zasadową. Przetestowano również różne stężenia TDZ (Tidiazuron) (0, 1, 2, 3 i 4 mg l^-1) i IBA (kwas indolowo-3-masłowy) (0, 0,2 i 0,4 mg l^-1) oraz wpływ 15-dniowego zaciemnienia na regenerację z blaszek liściowych i przylistków. Nasze wyniki sugerowały, że przylistki, wysokie stężenie TDZ, AgNO₃ oraz zaciemnianie w pożywce hodowlanej pozytywnie wpłynęły na wywołanie regeneracji.

Abstract: Black spot caused by Diplocarpon rosae Wolf is one of the most common and dangerous disease of roses grown in the field, but recently also under covering. During the vegetation season conidia are the major source of the pathogen spread, therefore the studies aimed at finding the most efficient method to reduce spores germination were undertaken. Experiments were carried out to determine the effect of vegetable oils: corn, olive, rapeseed (canola), sunflower, soybean, and grape; vegetable oils recommended as adjuvants: Dedal 90 EC (90% vegetable oil) and Olejan 80 EC (85% rapeseed oil); and mineral oils: Atpolan 80 EC (76% mineral oil SN), Ikar 95 EC (95% SAE mineral oil), Olemix 84 EC (84% DSA mineral oil), Promanal 60 EC (60% mineral oil), and Sunspray 850 EC (85% mineral oil) used at a concentration of 1% for a one-off spray treatment of rose bushes to control the germination of D. rosae spores. Observations of the number of germinating spores were conducted 1, 7 and 14 days after the treatment. In addition, 24 hours after spraying the bushes, an assessment of the effect of the tested oils on the spores of the fungus was carried out under a scanning electron microscope. The effectiveness of the tested oils in comparison with the control depended on the oil being tested, the time of observation and the experiment. After 1 day, the effectiveness of the tested oils ranged from 6.2% (olive oil) to 90.9% (Olemix 84 EC); after 7 days, from 4.2% (Promanal 60 EC) to 99% (Olemix 84 EC and Sunspray 850 EC); and after 14 days, from 0% (Atpolan 80 EC and Olemix 84 EC) to 94.1% (Ikar 95 EC).

The achenes of milk thistle contain a variety of lipids, proteins and biologically active substance, which is why they are used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, as well as an ingredient of functional food and animal feed. The yield of milk thistle is determined by both agrotechnological factors (sowing date, cultivation regime, fertilization) and the health status of plants. The study was conducted over the years 2009–2011 in experimental plots located in Tomaszkowo (NE Poland). The experiment involved the following treatments: 1. N₀PK, 2. N₀PKMg, 3. N₀PKMg+microelement B, 4. N₁PK, 5. N₁PKMg, 6. N₁PKMg+B, 7. N₂PK, 8. N₂PKMg, 9. N₂PKMg+B, 10. N₃PK, 11. N₃PKMg, 12. N₃PKMg+B (where: N₀ – without nitrogen fertilization, N₁ – 40 kg ∙ ha^-1 /ammonium nitrate/, N₂ – 80 kg ∙ ha^-1, N₃ – 120 kg ∙ ha^-1, P – 40 kg ∙ ha^-1 /triple superphosphate/, K – 117 kg ∙ ha^-1 /60% potash salt/, Mg – 20 kg ∙ ha^-1 /kieserite/ before sowing, B – foliar application/Bormax/). The structure of fungal communities colonizing the stems of milk thistle was analyzed at the laboratory. Achene yield was determined after harvest. The composition of fungal communities colonizing the stems of milk thistle was affected by weather conditions, and macronutrient and B fertilization. Potential pathogens had a 50–80% share of the fungal community. The predominant species was Alternaria alternata, fungi of the genus Fusarium were identified less frequently (six species), while Rhizoctonia solani, Botrytis cinerea and Phoma spp. were encountered only sporadically. The abundance of A. alternata was lower in treatments without N fertilization and with N fertilization at 40 kg P ∙ ha^-1. In contrast to A. alternata, fungi of the genus Fusarium were less abundant in treatments with Mg and Mg+B fertilization. The yield of milk thistle achenes increased in response to increasing rates of nitrogen fertilization.

Turkey has significant walnut (Juglans regia L.) plantations most of which are seedling-grown trees. Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey has rich phenotypic diversity. In this study, walnut genotypes of the region were evaluated and considerable genetic variation in pomological and phenological characteristics was found in walnut genotypes which were of seedling origin. The study region was about 12 000 km² are between 35°54'– 39°03' N latitude and 38°45'– 39°08' E longitude. It is estimated that the region has 162 800 walnut trees. During our survey more than 3000 walnut genotypes were observed for several horticultural characteristics. Selections studied were carried out among these populations. Based on several horticultural characteristics, 158 genotypes were selected. Here, we report the several characteristics of 16 superior walnut genotypes of these 158 selections with promising yield and fruit characteristics. Among our selections we observed the ranges of 65–100% for terminal fruitfulness, 38–67 % for lateral fruitfulness, 1.98–3.15 fruits for terminal shoots, 1.36–2.25 fruits for lateral shoots, 12.6–17.5 g nut weight, 6.9–9.1 g kernel weight, 47.3–60.8% kernel ratio and 0.95–17.5 mm shell thickness. The most promising genotypes were 94 Mws 30, 95 Mws 78 and 97 Mws 103, and these selections will be used for further breeding efforts.

Pistillate flower abortion (PFA) in walnuts is defined as the drop of female flowers with or without pedicles within 10–15 days after flowering. This situation is commonly observed in some walnut cultivars causes dramatic yield losses. ‘Ş ebin’ is a popular walnut cultivar among farmers in Turkey due to the quality of its fruit, yield and ease of marketability. However, in some orchards, established with this cultivar, has a fruitlessness problem. In the present study, the effects of Aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG, the commercial brand name is ReTain) (0, 62.5 and 125 ppm doses) and AVG plus GA₃ (45, 135 and 270 ppm doses) treatments to prevent abortion in cv. ‘Ş ebin’ were investigated. The experiments were conducted in two different ecologies. The treatments were carried out just before the receptivity period of female flowers of cv. ‘Ş ebin’. The results showed that, the female flower abortion ratio of ‘Ş ebin’ walnut cultivar were 87.78% in Tokat ecology and 77.78% in Niksar ecology. The fruit set ratio by 125 ppm AVG treatment was determined to be 60.89% for Niksar and 57.56% for Tokat ecological conditions. The highest fruit set was obtained from 125 ppm AVG combined 270 ppm GA₃ treatment and this ratio was determined to be 93.89% for Niksar ecological conditions whereas it was determined to be 83.33% for Tokat ecological conditions. As a result, it was found that AVG alone or in combination with GA₃ is effective treatments in reducing female flower abortion for ‘Ş ebin’ walnut cultivar.