Chicory is a herbaceans plant, belonging to the family of Asteracae. This plant is a rich source of polysaccharides, vitamins, acids and mineral salts. The studies concerned the harmfulness of soil-borne fungi towards root chicory – a high-inulin plant, with considerable pro-health values – cultivated with the use of such cover crops as oats, tansy phacelia and spring vetch. Among the mulching plants, oats had the most positive effect on the number and healthiness of the seedlings and roots of chicory. The most harmful towards the seedlings proved to be the following: Altenaria alternata, A. cichorii, Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium irregulare, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The roots of older chicory plants were also infected by A. tenuissima, Botrytis cinerea, F.  culmorum, F. solani, Phoma cichoracearum, Phytophthora sp., Ramularia cichorii, Sclerotium rolfsii, Thielaviopsis basicola and Verticilium dahliae.

Nutritional and nutraceutical quality of sprouts is strongly affected by growth conditions. This study focused on determining the influence of breeding density on seedling growth, phenolics content and some antioxidant capacity of ready-to-eat lentil sprouts. Content of condensed tannins (ranging from 1.77 to 3.16 mg g^-1 DM) and flavonoids (ranging from 15.13 to 25.08 mg g^-1 DM) increased with the increasing density of breeding. The contents of the p-hydroxybenzoic and ferulic acids, and (+) catechin decreased with the increasing density of breeding in 3-days-old seedlings. Additionally, the level of quercetin was elevated at a higher degree in sprouts cultivated at density of 1.22 seeds per cm² and average 10.42 and 5.91 μg g^-1 DM for 3- and 4-days-old sprouts, respectively. Metal chelating ability was the highest for sprouts obtained at the lowest density: 92% and 86% for 3- and 4-days-old sprouts, respectively. Fresh mass yield and lipids preventing abilities were negatively affected by density of breeding. It can be concluded that density of breeding plays an important role in design of chemical composition and bioactivity of lentil sprouts.

The willows with high phenolic glycosides concentrations are used in herbal production. The knowledge about these metabolites are well documented, but less is known about macroelement concentration in the bark of herb willows. The aims of this study were to evaluate the content of phenolic glycosides and macroelements in the bark of Salix alba, S. daphnoides and S. purpurea originating from their natural habitats and cultivated on the two different soil types. The study was carried out in 2009 and 2010 on a 5–6 year-old plantation. All the species cultivated on the loess soil were characterized by the highest concentration of phenolic glycosides in the bark. The soil type under willow plantation determined both the content of phenolic glycosides and the content of macroelements in the bark of all the three willow species. Calcium primarily determined the difference in the chemical composition of the bark. Among the species studied, Salix alba was characterized by the highest content of K, Ca and Mg in the bark, compared to the other species studied, irrespective of the soil conditions.

Priming is one of the most common methods of improving seed quality, which many a time significantly affecting their storability. The influence of two storage temperatures on germination and vigour of hydro- and osmoprimed onion (Allium cepa L.) seeds and the incidence of seed-borne fungi was examined. Seeds cv Wolska were osmoprimed in polyethylene glycol (-1.5 MPa, 15°C, 7 days, darkness) or hydroprimed by addition of water to the seeds (500 µl of distilled water per 1 g of seeds, 20°C, 48 h, darkness). After priming seeds were dried back at 20°C and 45% RH for 48 h. The primed and non-primed onion seeds were stored in air-tight plastic containers for 6 and 12 months at 4 and 20°C. The seed germination, vigour and health tests were performed before and after storage for untreated and treated seeds at 10 and 20°C. The results showed that for maximal seed viability and germination rate after 6 and 12 months storage, both hydro- and osmoprimed seeds should to be stored at 4°C rather than 20°C. Osmopriming significantly increased seed infestation with Penicillium spp., which remained stable up to 12 months storage. The number of seeds infested with Botrytis spp. significantly decreased after priming and storage, especially at 20°C.

There has been growing interest for less utilized fruit species lately. Cornelian cherry is one of these species with significant antioxidant characteristics. In this study, several chemical properties and antioxidant characteristics of cornelian cherry fruits at four ripeness stages were evaluated. The stages were light yellow, blush, light red and dark red. Several fruit characteristics (fruit width, length, weight), total soluble solids (TSS), total titratable acidity (TA), sugar/acid ratio (TSS/TA), pH, fruit external color, total phenolic compounds (TPC), total antioxidant capacity (AOC) by trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA) and tannins were evaluated. The stages were found to be significantly different for all factors evaluated. There was an overall increase in fruit width, length, weight, TSS, and SSC/TA over time, while TA averages decreased as the fruit matured. Fruit color progressively turned to dark red as anthocyanin accumulates. TPC and TEAC averages were similar at light yellow (8033 µg gallic acid equivalent GAE · g^-1 fresh weight (fw) and 55.0 µmol trolox equivalent (TE) ·g^-1 fw) and reduced at the dark red stages (4162 µg GAE · g^-1 fw and 7.8 µmol TE · g^-1 fw). Tannin content decreased from 0.45 to 0.19% from light yellow to dark red stages.

Neotyphodium and Epichloë endophytes often influence beneficially on the host plant. Thus, could be used as a biological factor enhancing grass growth and resistance to stress factors. A detailed study was made to: (i) determine the infestation of genotypes of meadow fescue and red fescue, which occur in natural grass communities, in Poland by the Neotyphodium/Epichloë endophytes, (ii) define the level of ergovaline, a toxic alkaloid produced by active associations, (iii) determine the activity of antagonistic distinguishing isolates of endophytic fungi against selected microorganisms. There were analysed 204 genotypes of meadow fescue and 171 genotypes of red fescue. Mean frequency of the infection with endophytes was 74.5% and 64.3% respectively. Ergovaline was produced by 77% of E+ meadow fescue genotypes and 80.9% of red fescue genotypes. Mean content of the alkaloid was 0.202 and 0.151 µg·g DM^-1 respectively. FpII30, FpII67, FpII77, FpII168 and FrII82 demonstrated a high ability for protection of the host grasses from all the tested pathogens. These isolates due to high antimicrobial activity and a lack of ergovaline production have a great potential for biological control of grasses.

The paper evaluated dendrometric parameters of hybrid progenies of various Abies species obtained during measurements in the spring 2010 on the research plot in Kostelec nad Černými lesy. Data were processed and compared to the measurement taken in 2004. Results show that all hybrid progenies within the plot exceeded A. alba in investigated parameters. Only two of the progenies achieved worse results in mean height – A.  koreana × (A. cilicica × A. cephalonica) and progeny of spontaneous hybrid no. 2. Considering height and diameter A. nordmanniana was evaluated as the most productive. On the contrary A. gracilis is considered unsuitable for further culture and research due to the mortality of 100%.

The incidence of natural enemies of plants triggers in them a number of defensive reactions. In spite of many studies, the role of phenolic compounds in tree-pathogen interactions, has been still ambiguous. The aim of the present study has been to analyse the tannin content in the leaves of the black cherry (Prunus serotina) infested, to a different degree, by Monilinia seaveri. The observations of the health status of the leaves were carried out on marked trees for two years. The pathogen was identified based on the material obtained from laboratory cultures. The tannin content, expressed as (+)-catechin, was determined using the vanillin method. The greatest extent of disease development was observed at the end of July. It has been found that with disease symptoms covering > 25% of the leaf area, the (+)-catechin content in the diseased leaves was significantly higher compared to the healthy ones. The obtained results thus indicate, that at the damage level exceeding approximately 25% of the leaf area, mechanisms of the induced resistance are triggered in plants, that may prevent the further development of disease.

Phenolic acids, both derivatives of benzoic and cinnamic acids, possess valuable biologically properties: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic and others. Studies of the accumulation of these compounds focused mostly on plant material, but the Basidiomycota taxon are also the rich sources of these compounds. The aim of the study was qualitative and quantitative HPLC analysis of phenolic acids and cinnamic acid in fruiting bodies of selected edible mushroom species belonging to the phylum Basidiomycota: Armillaria mellea, Boletus badius, Boletus edulis, Cantharellus cibarius, Lactarius deliciosus and Pleurotus ostreatus. The investigations revealed the presence of the following acids: protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, p-coumaric, ferulic, sinapic, vanillic and cinnamic. Both the composition and the amount of phenolic acids in these species were diverse. The total amount ranged from 6.00 mg · kg^-1 DW in A. mellea to 48.25 mg · kg^-1 DW in Boletus badius. Protocatechuic acid amounts fluctuated in the range of 1.37–21.38 mg · kg^-1 DW, with its maximum in Boletus badius. p-Hydroxybenzoic and sinapic acid dominated in Pleurotus ostreatus. Cinnamic acid levels amounted from 1.09 to 8.73 mg · kg^-1 mg DW and Boletus badius contained its highest content. The results show that edible mushrooms are a good dietary source of phenolic acids with antioxidant activity.

In the moderate climate, sweet potato plantations are relatively scarce. The plantations are established after spring frosts using well-rooted, hardened cuttings. The cuttings are obtained from the shoots grown from tubers buried in warm, humid soil or from plants growing in greenhouses. However, this method is inefficient with respect to larger plantation. The aim of the study was to estimate the potential for the production of larger numbers of uniform, well-rooted sweet potato plants by means of in vitro culturing. The study covered two cultivars – ^‘Carmen Rubin’ and ‘White Triumph’. The node explants were placed on two growth media containing the basic components of the MS medium as well as growth regulators. The first medium was supplemented with 1 mg dm^-3 gibberellin and 0.1 mg dm^-3 kinetin, while the second one – with 0.5 mg dm^-3 IAA. The induction of organogenesis and regeneration of the plants took place on the same medium, with no passage. Within 9 weeks, 4 plants were produced from each primary explants in two multiplication cycles. The properties of the plantlets depended on the cultivar, weight of the explants and composition of the medium. The average weight of the ‘Carmen Rubin’ plants was higher than that of the ‘White Triumph’ ones. Moreover, the ‘Carmen Rubin’ plants produced longer shoots and more developed root systems. The sweet potato micro-plants displayed an ability to acclimatize quickly.

Tomatoes reportedly have a positive response to seed priming. The present study evaluates the effects of ethanol priming on germination, seedling vigour and anti-oxidative responses of tomato seeds. Priming was achieved by exposing seeds of ‘Roma’ and ‘Nagina’ to 2, 4 and 6% aerated ethanol solutions for 24 h. Priming with low levels (2 and 4%) of ethanol improved seed germination, seedling vigour and enhanced antioxidative activity that results in better performance of tomato seeds. However, priming with 6% ethanol failed to improve seed germination and seedling development which relates to the decreased anti-oxidative activity in tomato seeds due to high ethanol level.

Bean diseases caused by different pathogens reduce important yield and quality of beans in different bean growing regions in both Turkey and the other bean producing countries. In the present study, bacterial pathogens in the species of Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. phaseolicola (Burkholder) Garden et al. and Xanthomonas axonopodis pv.  Phaseoli (Smith) Vauterin et al. causing economically important disease on bean plants growing in the commercial fields of Erzurum and Erzincan provinces located in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey has been isolated and identified. Totally thirty-six bean genotypes and two commercial cultivars commonly grown in the region have been screened for resistance to these pathogens both in greenhouse and field condition during 2001–2002. Disease severity in the field condition reduced seed quality and quantity of bean. Among the thirty-eight genotypes tested, only 36K was found to be resistant to both of the pathogens.

The fungi of phyllosphere may affect the plants health status and the yield obtained from the crop. Species composition of mycobiota infesting the plant`s phyllosphere is not only dependent on the atmospheric factors, but also on the nitrogen fertilization. The field experiment was set up in Psary near Wrocław, in the years 2007–2009. The aim of the study was to determine the species composition of the phyllospheric fungi of the purple coneflower depending on the nitrogen rate: 50 kg N·ha^-1 and 200 kg N·ha^-1. The fungi species most abundantly isolated from the coneflower phyllosphere were Cladosporium herbarum, Alternaria alternata and Cladosporium cladosporioides. The abundance of the isolated fungi taxa was significantly lower in 2008, compared to the other two years. The atmospheric conditions in 2007 encouraged development of Fusarium spp. During the three-year experiment Gibberella intricans predominated in the coneflower phyllosphere. The lower level of nitrogen (50 kg N·ha^-1) favoured the increased incidence of Cladosporium spp., Gibberella intricans, F. sporotrichioides, F. oxysporum, F. culmorum, Gibberella avenacea and Gibberella zeae.

The improvement in zucchini growth in climatic conditions of Poland can be achieved by drip irrigation of plants. The effect of drip irrigation on zucchini plants of ‘Soraya’ variety during different growth phases on size of fruits and content of L-ascorbic acid, nitrates (V) and carotenoids was estimated. In the research plants were irrigated according to different variants: irrigated during a whole cultivation, irrigated during vegetative growth till fruit sets forming and not irrigated during yielding, not irrigated during vegetative growth till fruit sets forming and irrigated during yielding, not irrigated at all (water in soil came only from precipitation). Irrigation during whole cultivation period and during intensive vegetative growth phase increased yield. Regardless the irrigation method significant values of correlation coefficient for these features were noted. The chemical analysis of zucchini fruits composition showed differentiation of marked elements depending on irrigation method used. The highest content of L-ascorbic acid was in fruits harvested from plants that were not irrigated. Establishment of optimal aquatic-air conditions through improvement in soil humidity during a whole cultivation period of zucchini plants increased content of nitrates in zucchini fruits and decreased carotenes content.

Garden cress (Lepidium sativum), a member of the Brassicaceae family, is an underutilised crop in Europe and Turkey. The dry matter content, crude protein, ascorbic acid, minerals (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, B, Cu, Na, Zn, Mn), the total phenolic content and the total antioxidant capacity of two garden cress cultivars, Izmir and Dadas, were studied. The results of mineral element analysis of both cultivars revealed that they had a high P, K, Ca, Mg and Na content. Both cultivars studied appeared to have exceptionally high levels of protein when compared with common vegetables. The mean ascorbic acid content of Dadas and Izmir cultivars were 54 and 74 mg 100 g^-1 f.w., respectively. The total phenolic content of the garden cress leaves varied from 0.573 (Dadas) to 0.774 (Izmir) mg GAE · g^-1 fw and from 6.332 (Dadas) to 7.401 (Izmir) mg GAE · g^-1 dw. Antioxidant activities by 2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical-scavenging assays for EC₅₀ were determined as 330.99 (Dadas) and 346.65 (Izmir) for fw, and 128.08 and 85.97 (Izmir) for dw, respectively. Based on the results of the experiment reported herein, they may serve as a potential dietary source of some mineral and natural phenolic antioxidants. Our results imply garden cress as potential source for alternative dietary supplements of minerals and natural phenolic antioxidants.