The harvest date is crucial for the storability of autumn apple cultivars like ’Š ampion’ and winter apples cultivars like ‘Ligol’ intended for long storage. Only apples picked at the optimum maturity stage are suitable for storage over 3 months because of better storage potential and organoleptic quality. The research was conducted in the cold storage facility and laboratory of the Department of Pomology of the Poznan University of Life Sciences between 1999 and 2006 and was designed to evaluate and determine the sum of accumulative temperatures for both cultivars. Fruits were collected every 4–5 days starting some weeks before the estimated OHD. Maturity at harvest was evaluated in terms of firmness, TSS, starch disintegration, ground colour and titrable acidity. There were 3–4 main harvests from which fruits were stored in a cold storage facility for 3 months. The storability of apples was evaluated after an equal number of days of storage respectively to their harvest date. The evaluation was based on subjective quality judgments and measurements made after storage. The air temperatures in the orchard were measured every 2 hours. The results obtained from the four loggers provided the basis for the calculation of (a) the average day temperature and (b) the cumulative temperature, for which the values of 0.0°C, 4.0°C, 5.0°C, 10.0°C, and 15.0°C were taken respectively as reference. After eight years of study the optimal value of the SAT for ’Š ampion’ was determined at 2550 degrees and for ‘Ligol’ at 2600 degrees with 0°C as the base temperature. The OHD was determined most accurately for both cultivars taking 0°C as the base temperature. The SAT method was recognized as the basis for determining the harvest date of the apple cultivar ‘Š ampion’ and ‘Ligol’.

Nowadays, the increasing tendency to use of herbs and herbal preparation is observed; however, one of the main problem is accumulation of hazardous contaminations in living organisms. In view of these facts, the analysis of toxic components including heavy metals in plants is particular importance. The contents of trace elements: Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and Ni in medicinal plants collected in the region of Lublin were determined by use of ion chromatography method. The presence of these metals in various amounts was observed in all investigated herbs, however, nickel was found only in Vitis idaeae folium (0.0410 mg g^-1) and Polygonii herba (0.0137 mg g^-1). Fe and Mn occurred in the highest amount (1.5378 mg g^-1 in Polygonii herba and 1.1040 mg g^-1 in Vitis idaeae folium, respectively). The content of zinc ranged from 0.2541 mg g^-1 (Euphrasiae herba) to 0.0264 mg g^-1 (Equiseti herba). The smallest amount of copper was noted in Urticae folium (0.0046 mg g^-1) and the highest in Crataegi inflorescentia (0.0155 mg g^-1). The extraction of selected ions to water infusion depending on time and temperature was also determined however, only iron passed into water infusion in significant concentration. The highest percentage of extraction was obtained after 10 min. at 95°C.

The study focused on characterizing the three German plum cultivars (‘Jojo’, ‘Hanita’ and ‘Katinka’) hypersensitive (oversensitiveness) and/or tolerant to Sharka to acknowledge the tree vigour, precocity, yield performances and main physico-chemical quality attributes of the fruits grown in a Serbian agro-climatic conditions. The cultivars were grafted on ‘Wangenheim Prune’ seedlings rootstock and established at a 4 × 1.5 m. The following determinations were assessed: trunk cross sectional area, yield per tree and unit area, yield efficiency, fruit and stone mass, fruit linear dimensions, flesh rate, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, aspect ratio, surface area, soluble solids and sugars content, titratable acidity, and ratio between them, respectively. The cultivar per se (genotype) behaved as the most influencing factor conditioning plum tree vigour, yield characteristics, physical attributes, soluble solids content, titratable acidity and sugar profiles. The assessment of plum chemical compositions implies the great potential of German cultivars for fresh market, fruit processing and drying. In fact, the ‘Katinka’ seems particularly suitable for fresh consumption, whereas ‘Jojo’ and ‘Hanita’ can be recommended for fresh consumption, processing and drying. Finally, all three cultivars grafted on ‘Wangenheim Prune’ seedlings can be recommended for growers in similar conditions.

Organic substrata applied in greenhouse cultivations are biodegradable. Decomposition occurs during vegetation and as a waste during composting or ploughed in the field. The aim of the presented studies, conducted in the years 2008 and 2009 was to demonstrate the contents of macrocomponents in the solution from root environment of substrata and in tomato leaves. The tomato of Admiro F₁ cultivar was grown in the following substrata: 1) triticale straw, 2) triticale straw + high peat (3:1 v/v), 3) triticale straw + pine bark (3:1 v/v), 4) rockwool. Straw, cut into 2–3 cm pieces, straw with peat and bark were placed in plastic boxes (height twice as large as width). There was 15 dm³ of organic substrata and rockwool. During tomato vegetation in organic substrata there was the least of N-NO₃ at the beginning of growing (March), which could be related to biological sorption of nitrogen. In the subsequent months of cultivation the content of this nutrient was normal, according to the leaves recommended for tomato. Mean content of N-NH₄, N-NO₃, K, Ca, Mg in organic substrata did not significantly differ compared to rockwool. The EC value in organic and rockwool substrata was optimal during the whole vegetation period. The correct growth and high yield of tomato grown in organic substrata was obtained at the following mean contents in solution from root environment (mg dm^-3): N-NH₄ – 26.8, N-NO₃ – 242.8, P –78.1, K – 295.6, Ca – 315.3, Mg – 107.5.

The occurrence of fungi from the genus Trichoderma constitutes a serious problem in the culture of Agaricus bisporus leading to considerable losses. The aim of the investigations was to compare mutual interaction between some isolates of Trichoderma sp. and single-spore heterokaryotic cultures of A. bisporus on agar media and in cultivation conditions. The first stage of the study comprised assessment of growth for isolates of T. harzianum, T. agrressivum, T. atroviride and T. hamatum on PDA medium and growth of four heterokaryotic single-spore and strain Amycel 2600 A. bisporus cultures on peat-manure substrate. Moreover, the individual biotic effect (IEB) between isolates of Trichoderma and the tested A. bisporus cultures was also analysed. The second stage consisted in the evaluation of the volume of A. bisporus yield on the substrate, to which mycelia isolates of Trichoderma sp. were introduced. It was found that the analysed cultures and the cultivar strain of A. bisporus responded differently to the presence of Trichoderma sp. isolates both in terms of mycelium growth and the yield volume.

Tibouchina urvilleana is a very popular small tree or shrub known for its beautiful velvety foliage and violet-blue flowers. It can be used in the mild climate in any landscape or as an indoor container plant in cooler regions. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of mineral salt composition and growth regulators (BA and IAA) on the growth and development of Tibouchina urvilleana shoots. Shoot tips, obtained from aseptically grown shoots, were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) (full and half strength), Nitsch and Nitsch (NN) or Lloyd and McCown (WPM) media supplemented with BA at 2.5 mg·dm^-3 and IAA at 0.1 mg·dm^-3. Also, the effects of BA (1.0, 2.5, 5.0 mg·dm^-3) and IAA (0.1 or 0.5 mg·dm^-3) applied alone or in combination were investigated. Explants cultured on medium without growth substances were used as a control. The study results showed that the application of full-strength Murashige and Skoog salt mixture has a more beneficial effect on the growth of the main shoot and the induction of axillary shoots of Tibouchina urvilleana compared to ½ MS, WPM and NN salt mixtures. The number of axillary shoots increases with the increasing concentration of BA (from 1 to 5 mg∙dm^-3), but they are characterized by a smaller length. The combined application of BA and IAA does not have a significant effect on the induction of axillary shoots. The addition of IAA at a concentration of 0.5 mg∙dm^-3 to the media containing BA (1 to 5 mg∙dm^-3) has a beneficial effect on elongation growth of axillary shoots.

The knowledge of life requirements of phytopathogenic fungi allows to provide the periods of their mass occurrence on plant plantations and determine the optimal conditions for their isolation and culture on artificial media. Areas of occurrence of P. diachenii on caraway plants indicate the thermophilic nature of the fungus although there is a lack of information about research on this topic. In the present study the growth and development of one-spore cultures of six isolates of P. diachenii at the temperature: 0^oC, 4^oC, 10^oC, 16^oC, 22^oC, 28^oC, 33^oC and 38^oC on Czapek-Dox medium and also the growth and development of the same isolates in eight agar media at the temperature 25°C were examined. It was shown that the optimum temperature for the growth and sporulation of most isolates of P. diachenii and for the secretion of mature conidia from conidioma ranged 22^oC to 28^oC. Based on the nature of growth and development of P. diachenii on the examined media, Czapek-Dox and mineral ones as slightly acidic, and possibly malt extract should be recommend for isolation of the fungus from the plant tissue. PDA and Czapek-Dox media were considered the most suitable for diagnostic purposes due to the formation of characteristic macroscopic and microscopic features on these substrates. These substrates with fragments of carnation leaves should be recommended for the stimulation of fungal sporulation.

Abstract: The effect of conditioning of Rosa ‘Red Berlin’ stems in solutions of polyamines: spermidine at a concentration of 1.5 and 3 mmol dm^-3, spermine at a concentration of 1 and 2 mmol dm^-3 as well as putrescine at 2 and 4 mmol dm^-3, on their post-harvest quality were investigated. Advancing senescence of the stems of Rosa ‘Red Berlin’ resulted in their reduced post-harvest quality, which is evidenced by changes in the values of the plant physiological parameters. Conditioning of the rose stems in the solution of polyamines did not significantly affected the vase life. The most stabilising effect on cytoplasmic membranes of leaf cells had spermine at a concentration of 1 mmol dm^-3. But the same polyamine applied at a twice higher concentration caused a decrease in the value of E_L in petals. The highest values of leaf relative water content were found after conditioning of the rose stems in the solution of putrescine at a concentration of 2 mmol dm^-3. The highest contents of photosynthetic pigments were noted after the application of spermidine at both concentrations. Conditioning of the rose stems in the solutions of each polyamine increased anthocyanin content in petals and had effect of the values on all analysing physiological parameters in leaves and petals.

In the period 2009–2011, a study was conducted in a greenhouse, using fertigation, to determine the photosynthetic activity of leaves and tomato fruit yield of plants grown on different substrates. The plants were grown on rockwool slabs, 15 dm³ in volume, and slabs of the same volume made of the following straw chaff: rape straw; rape straw + peat (3:1); rape straw + pine bark (3:1); triticale straw; triticale straw + peat (3:1), triticale straw + pine bark (3:1). Two tomato plants were grown on each slab, leaving 22 fruit clusters on each plant during the period from February to October. The obtained results showed that photosynthetic pigment content, chlorophyll fluorescence, rate of photosynthesis and substomatal CO₂ concentration in the leaves of tomato grown on rockwool and on rape or triticale straw chaff substrates did not differ statistically significantly. No significant differences were found in total yield of tomato fruits. Peat or pine bark addition to the rape or triticale straw substrates had no significant effect on the change in their usefulness. The substrates used differed only in the content of total phenolic compounds after tomato harvest. The substrates prepared from triticale straw and its mixture with peat and bark as well as from rape straw with bark were characterized by a higher level of phenolic compounds than the other substrates. In the opinion of the present authors, substrates of rape or triticale straw alone, and even more so with the addition of peat or pine bark are not inferior in any way to commonly used rockwool.

Parental lines are propagated in vitro in asparagus breeding. Additionally, in order to obtain super males which are needed for breeding all-male hybrids, anther culture is applied. Healthy and viable asparagus parental plants developed from in vitro culture should contain well formed storage roots. There are many factors affecting asparagus rooting. Only with the healthy explant materials, proper culture medium and growth conditions can asparagus plantlets be produced and later successfully grown in the greenhouse. In this article, obstacles and factors affecting asparagus rooting in vitro as well as trends in developing rooting technique are summarized.

One of the possibility that allow costs of soilless tomato culture to be reduced is to reuse the same growing medium. Expanded clay is classified as an inert medium, that is, chemically and biologically passive, although some studies indicate the possibility of the occurrence of exchange sorption and ion adsorption in this medium during cultivation. The aim of the study, conducted in the period 2007–2008, was to determine the usefulness of expanded clay being post-production waste in soilless tomato culture under extended cycle conditions. The study used new expanded clay (I) as the control and expanded clay being post-production waste from year-round tomato cultivation with the following experimental design: chemically sterilized material (II); material washed in water with the remains of the old root system of plants removed and additionally chemically sterilized (III); and material without any modifying treatments (IV). Expanded clay was placed in 12 dm³ poly sleeves and formed in the shape of growing slabs. Crops were grown using a drip irrigation and fertilization system with closed nutrient solution circulation, without recirculation. The nutrient solution was supplied to all plants in the same amount and with the same composition. The study found the lowest total fruit yield (15.10 kg·plant^-1) and marketable fruit yield (14.07 kg·plant^-1) of tomato grown in reused expanded clay without any modifying treatments (IV), whereas this yield was significantly higher from tomato plants grown in the material washed and additionally chemically sterilized (III). Fruits with the highest unit weight (150.8 g) were picked from plants grown in new expanded clay (I), while fruits with a significantly lower weight (138.6 g) were obtained from the treatments with the reused medium both washed and chemically sterilized (III). Fruits of tomato plants growing in reused expanded clay subjected to washing and chemical sterilization (III) contained the highest amount of dry matter (5.71%) and total sugars (3.08% fr.w.), whereas fruits of tomato grown in the new medium (I) had the highest amount of vitamin C (21.96 mg∙100 g^-1 FW), zinc (25.86 mg·kg^-1 d.w) and copper (6.10 mg·kg^-1 d.w).

The main cause of disturbances in proper nutrient uptake and distribution by plants grown in inert media is an increase of some nutrients in total ion concentration (EC) in the root environment. This phenomenon results from increased water uptake relative to nutrients and ballast ions. The aim of the present study, conducted in the period 2007–2008, was to determine changes in the nutrient contents of the root environment and leaves of tomato grown in expanded clay being post-production waste in soilless tomato culture under extended cycle conditions. The study used new expanded clay (I) as the control and expanded clay being post-production waste from year-round tomato cultivation with the following experimental design: chemically sterilized material (II); material washed in water with the remains of the old root system of plants removed and additionally chemically sterilized (III); and material without any modifying treatments (IV). Expanded clay was placed in 12 dm³ poly sleeves and formed in the shape of growing slabs. Crops were grown using a drip irrigation and fertilization system with closed nutrient solution system, without recirculation. The nutrient solution was supplied to all plants in the same amount and with the same composition. The study did not find significant differences in the content of mineral nitrogen, phosphates, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and zinc in the root environment of plants grown in new and reused expanded clay. Changes in total ion concentration (EC) in the root environment of plants during growth did not differ significantly between the investigated treatments. The adverse phenomenon of alkalization of the root environment, characteristic for new expanded clay, was not found in expanded clay being post-production waste reused as a growing medium. The study did not find significant differences in plant nutrition which might prove that expanded clay under study cannot be reused as a growing medium in plant cultivation.

A study on the influence of doses nitrogen on salt concentration, yield, biological value, and chemical composition of butterhead lettuce, kale, and leafy celery was carried out under greenhouse conditions in 2006-2008. The experiment was set up as a completely randomized design. A single experimental unit consisted of one pot with a plant. Increasing rates of nitrogen in the form of ammonium nitrate (34% N): 0.3; 0.6; 0.9; 1.2 g N·dm^-3 of growing medium, were applied in all investigations, while the other macronutrients were the same for all plants. The obtained results revealed that the salt concentration in the growing medium depended both on the rate of nitrogen and the plant grown. Significantly lower crop yield was recorded when the highest nitrogen rate was applied (1.2 g N∙dm^-3), although this relationship was shown when there was high variation in EC in particular types of medium. It was found that excessive salt concentration in the growing medium due to increasing nitrogen rates significantly reduced vitamin C content in butterhead lettuce and leafy celery. An opposite relationship was observed for kale leaves. It was found that the protein levels in the tested plants increased with an increase in nitrogen rates. As compared to the lowest rate, the increase was 32.2% for butterhead lettuce, 30.6% for kale, and 41.2% for leafy celery.

The flowers of Viola × wittrockiana Gams. emit odorous compounds. The glands found in the flowers, responsible for the production of essential oils, are most frequently distributed on the petals of the corolla. They include papillae – conical epidermal cells. The structure of the epidermis and the internal tissues of the petals of V. ×wittrockiana were examined using light, fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. Papillae were found to occur in the epidermis on both sides of all the petals (spurred, lateral and upper), but they were much longer in the adaxial epidermis. Different-sized droplets of lipid nature, which are essential oils, were present in the papillae. They were also observed on the outer surface of the walls of these cells. Moreover, in the adaxial epidermis there were areas of flattened cells with a characteristic structure, being probably secretory glands. The present study shows that differently-structured cells of both the abaxial and adaxial epidermis participate in the release of odorous compounds by the flowers of V. ×wittrockiana. These different structures may produce varied scents in terms of their quality.

Vitamin C performs many functions in the human body and is very important for its proper functioning. The main vitamin C sources in the human diet are fruits and vegetables. Changes of total content of vitamin C (Tc), L-ascorbic acid (AA) and dehydro-L-ascorbic acid (DHA) in selected fruits and vegetables during storage at 20°C until spoilage were determined. A decrease of Tc and AA contents and an increase of DHA concentration were noted. Products of high acidity such as lemon and tomato were characterized by the highest retention of vitamin C. An increase of the DHA to Tc ratio (%) was observed. On the first day of storage the DHA/Tc ratio was higher than 10% in broccoli, cucumber and banana, while on the last day – it amounted over 40% in banana and cucumber, between 20 and 40% in parsley leaves and broccoli, and below 20% in tomato, cauliflower and lemon. In order to obtain correct results of vitamin C determination in fruits and vegetables it is necessary to take DHA content into consideration.