Peach breeding studies were initiated in 1998 to improve early cultivars for subtropical conditions and late cultivars for highland areas. 4 genotypes (RU-24, J-92, J-28 and S-6) were selected and are currently in the process of being patented. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate these promising genotypes in terms of their volatile compounds using Headspace-Solid Phase Micro Extraction Mass Spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC/MS) techniques. Volatile compounds, especially esters, are the main contributors to fruity and floral notes and pleasant fruıt flavours. Esters comprised the majority of volatile compounds in all four peach genotypes, however the composition of volatile compounds differed among genotypes. J-92 contained the most esters, while Ru-24 contained the least. Ru-24, however, contained the highest levels of lactones, aldehydes, and total acids of the four genotypes tested. The S-6 genotype contained the most total alcohols. Thus, the volatile composition and contents depended largely upon the peach genetic background. In addition to the volatile compounds, the highest fruit weight were detected in genotype Ru-24 and total soluble solids (TSS) was greatest in genotype S-6.

Endive plants were hydroponically grown in greenhouse control conditions. The aim of this investigation was to assess the biological quality of endive cultivated in three different growing media. Organic media: coconut fiber and wood fiber, were compared to rockwool, commonly used as a standard horticultural medium in greenhouse vegetable production. Three crispum leaf endive cultivars: ‘Galanti’, ‘Perceval’ and ‘Barundi’ and one latifolium leaf cultivar (escarole chicory): ‘Kethel’ were examined during the spring time. At about 10 days before harvest the plants were covered with low tunnel made from double-sided black and white foil to bleach the leaves and at 5–7 days before the end of the experiment nutrient solution was replaced by water to reduce the nitrate concentration in the leaves of endive. The content of dry matter, ascorbic acid, total soluble solids (TSS), total sugars (TS), phenolic acids and nitrates (NO₃), P, K and Ca was determined in leaves of both bleached and not bleached plants. Also the antioxidant activity was measured by two assays DPPH and FRAP. The effect of cultivation substrate, cultivar, and bleaching treatment on the quality of endive appeared diversed. The unbleached endive showed a higher content of dry mass, higher concentrations of sugars, TSS, potassium, and calcium than the bleached plants. The bleached plants had significantly lower fresh mass of plants (by 33% in average), but in turn were characterized by higher concentrations of phosphorus and polyphenolic acids. Plants cultivated on wood fiber contained the smallest amount of nitrates, comparing to plants grown either on rockwool or coconut fiber. None of the investigated plants contained more nitrates than the acceptable level of nitrates for lettuce grown under cover. The antioxidant activity of endive plants measured by FRAP method was higher in not bleached endive plants than in the bleached ones. The antioxidant impact of endive plants expressed as DPPH was not reduced in response to bleaching. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in plants of ‘Kethel’.

In the era of sustainable agriculture, is looking for new unconventional methods to control weed infestation. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of cover crop biomass and the manner and time of mixing it with the soil on primary weed infestation of carrot compared with the conventional plough cultivation without the use of cover crops. The cover crop plants modified the state and reduced the degree of primary weed infestation of carrot compared to cultivation without cover crops. White mustard was the most effective in reducing primary weed infestation of carrot in all variants of tillage. Phacelia, buckwheat and oat cover crops also limited largely the number of weeds in carrot. The largest number of weeds was recorded in no-cover crop cultivation in no-tillage objects and those cultivated using subsoiler before winter, and cultivating in spring with aggregate. The largest reduction of primary weed infestation compared to conventional tillage was achieved in cultivation on ridges, with white mustard, phacelia or oats cover crops and weakest after vetch cover crop. In no-ploughing flat tillage system, lack of cover crop significantly increased the degree of weed infestation compared to conventional tillage, while the use of cover crops contributed to the reduction of primary weed infestation of carrot compared to cultivation without cover crops.

Gene pool variation of twenty varieties and breeding clones of Fragaria × ananassa, nine varieties and breeding lines of Fragaria vesca, and one new interspecific hybrid designated Fragaria × anavesca was analysed with three DNA marker systems. ISSR reactions with four primers produced 45 polymorphic markers. Similarly, RAPD analyses with three primers produced 26 markers and SSR method with three primer pairs revealed 28 different alleles. The total number of 99 polymorphic markers allowed distinguishing clearly a group of F. × ananassa genotypes from that of F. vesca genotypes with F. × anavesca in between of these two. RAPD markers proved to be more informative than ISSRs as 3 of 26 were specific to F. × ananassa only and one exclusively to F. vesca and F. × anavesca. Thus, the presumed hybrid nature of F. × anavesca was effectively confirmed by RAPD markers. Especially important was the 1100bp long PCR product of the B104 primer present in all F. vesca genotypes as well as in F. × anavesca but absent in F. × ananassa. Presence of F. vesca DNA in the hybrid F. × anavesca was additionally corroborated by the 223bp product of the UDF017 primer pair and the 185bp-long band generated with the UDF006 primer pair.

Iron deficiency is a major nutritional disorder in crops. Inorganic Fe-compounds and synthetic Fe-chelates are commonly used to control chlorosis but their use arise environmental concerns. We recently developed a new iron fertilizer using a β-cyclodextrin-based nanosponge complex (Fe-NS). In this study, a pilot trial was performed on hydroponically cultivated horticultural plants in order to evaluate the effect of Fe-NS. Sweet corn and tomato were used as model plants analyzing chlorophyll, dry matter and Fe content. Fe-NS effect was compared to FeSO₄ and Fe-DTPA. Fe-NS had a positive effect on re-greening and growth in sweet corn and tomato plants.

A special role in improving soil fertility is ascribed to green manures. Organic manuring can also influence on the quantity and quality of vegetable yield. The secondary effect of winter catch crops (VV – hairy vetch, TR – white clover, SC – rye, LM – Italian ryegrass, BRT – turnip rape) and weed control methods on the yielding, biometric parameters of ears and selected components of nutritive value in sweet corn were examined. The effects of an application of green manures were compared to the effect of farmyard manure (FYM ) –30 t·ha^-1 – and control treatment without organic manure (NOM). Two methods of weed control were used: hand weeding and a mixture of herbicides Mustang 306 SE (florasulam + 2.4 D) + Titus 25 WG (rimsulfuron). Cultivation of sweet corn after FYM and VV most beneficially affected the crop’s yield performance, ear weight, kernel weight per ear and sugars content. Ears were the longest when harvested in FYM and VV plots and NOM whereas ear fulfillment was the best in FYM and TR plots. Ear diameter was the greatest for sweet corn cultivated after FYM, LM and BRT. The highest dry matter content was determined in kernels of corn following LM and protein content after LM, VV and TR. Ascorbic acid content increased after all the catch crops compared with FYM and NOM. When weeds had been chemically controlled, corn produced larger ears which, however, had less kernel rows compared with hand weeded plants.

Small size of cabbage heads around 2.0 kg, preferred by the fresh market, may be attained by the choice of cultivar suitable for such purpose of production as well as culture practice, including reasonable rate of fertilization. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of increasing plant population combined with differentiated dose of nitrogen on yield of cabbage, its structure and plant composition. White head cabbage ‘Kalorama F₁’ cv. was planted in rows 45 cm apart and 50, 40, 35 or 30 cm within rows, which assured 44 000, 55 000, 63 000 and 74 000 plants per 1 ha, respectively. Nitrogen at the rates of 150 or 300 kg ha^-1 was used in 3 equal doses supplied as preplant and top dressing fertilization. Data obtained in the trial indicate that the dose of 150 kg N ha^-1 was a limiting factor for the increment of crop yield in higher than 44 000 plant population per 1 ha. In the case of application the dose of 300 kg N ha^-1 plants grown in population 63 000 and 74 000 per hectare produced significantly higher yield of heads if compared to the treatment with 44 000 plants. Taking into account the yield size and its structure it can be assumed that spacing 45 cm between plant rows and 40 cm distance in the row, which assure 55 000 plants per 1 ha is the optimum for production of cabbage heads weighted 1.0–2.0 kg, that meet the consumers expectation in the fresh market. Close plant spacing appeared to be beneficial for dry matter, vitamin C and total sugars contents and for decrease of nitrates accumulation. The enhancement of N dose to 300 kg N ha^-1 was beneficial for total yield of heads as well those weighted > 1.0 kg. The only change in plant composition under influence of heavy N fertilization was the increment of nitrates accumulation and decrease of Ca content in cabbage heads.

Ninety-seven tomato landraces collected from East Anatolian region of Turkey and North-West of Iran, along with three commercial cultivars were evaluated during two years. Experiment was carried out in an alpha lattice design at Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center of West Azerbaijan, Iran. Analysis of variance revealed significant variation (P ≤ 0.01) among genotypes for all the experimental characters. Yield showed a positive and significant correlation with length and width of cotyledon leaf, length and width of true leaf, fruit weight, fruit length and diameter, pericarp thickness and fruit peduncle length. In principal component analysis, the first three components explained for 71.6% of total variations among genotypes. Since the first component determined 50% of total variations and yield had high significant coefficient with this component, thus it might be used as s selection criteria to identify genotypes with high yield in breeding programs. Cluster analysis using Ward method classified genotypes into five groups. Groups included: early maturing genotypes in group I, genotypes with high yield in group II, genotypes with large fruit in group III, late maturing and high total soluble solids (TSS) genotypes in group IV and genotypes with high acidity in group V.

Crocosmia (Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora) is an exceptionally attractive and interesting ornamental plant. Numerous varieties of this species have been produced, however, the information concerning their requirements and cultivation conditions is lacking. The study was conducted in the field conditions in the years 2008–2010. The plant material included corms of four crocosmia cultivars: ‘Emily McKenzie’, ‘Lucifer’, ‘Mars’, and ‘Meteor’. The corms were planted on 15^th April, 5^th May and 25^th May. The number of days from the beginning of sprouting until the end of flowering was established, and measurements of vegetative and generative traits were performed during cultivation. Corm yield was determined at the end of the cultivation period. It was found that delaying the planting time resulted in accelerated sprouting of the corms. Irrespective of the cultivar, the plants grown from the corms planted on 5^th May were the first, and those planted on 25^th May – the last to bloom. The corm planting time affected vegetative and generative features of the crocosmia plants. The plants grown from the corms planted on 5^th and 25^th May were higher, had more shoots and leaves on the main shoots. The plants grown from the corms planted on 5^th May were characterized by the longest main inflorescence shoots and flowers of larger diameter than the plants grown from the corms planted on 15^th April and 25^th May. Cultivar-specific features largely determined the vegetative and generative traits. The plants of ‘Emily McKenzie’ cultivar were characterized by the longest main inflorescence shoots and the largest flower diameter, but they produced the lowest number of inflorescence shoots and flowers per main inflorescence spike. The study showed that earlier planting time (15^th April and 5^th May) resulted in higher coefficient of weight and number increase of the new corms, but it did not affect the coefficient of total corm weight increase, as compared to the delayed planting time (25^th May).

Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea L.) is an important medicinal plant with well-documented adaptogenic activity. The decrease in its natural resources induces to undertake research on the introduction of this species into cultivation. The aim of the present work was to determine the effect of organic and mineral fertilization on increasing the biomass of underground parts of Rh. rosea and the level of biologically active compounds. Throughout the study period, the highest raw material yield was obtained after the application of the following doses of mineral fertilization: N – 60.0 kg·ha^-1, P – 35.2 kg·ha^-1, K – 83.0 kg·ha^-1, without manure. The use of manure caused a decrease in the average rhizome and root weight by more than 20%. Mineral fertilization application increased the average raw material yield by about 30–40% and allowed obtaining the highest weight of underground organs of the species in question already in the fourth year of cultivation. Furthermore, the present study demonstrates that mineral fertilization does not affect substantially the level of the individual groups of compounds in the raw material, but the use of manure may significantly reduce the content of phenylpropanoids. The level of active compounds is also influenced by crop age. Two-year-old plants were characterized by the highest content of phenylpropanoids as well as by the lowest content of phenylethanoids and phenolic acids. In the following years of cultivation, no statistically significant changes were observed in the level of the analysed groups of compounds.

Pomegranate is one of the most important ancient fruit in Turkey where planting of pomegranate has increased rapidly in recent years. This study described desirable pomological and chemical traits of seventeen pomegranate genotypes selected from Narlidere district (Bitlis) in between 2010–2011 years. We found considerable variation on fruit weight, aril weight, fruit length and fruit width that important for pomegranate breeding ranged from 99.77 (N-15) to 515.97 g (N-05), 14.16 (N-01) to 41.92 g (N-10), 51.03 (N-15) to 90.99 mm (N-05) and 58.99 (N-03) to 103.11 mm (N-05) among genotypes, respectively. Chemical parameters are also considerable varied among genotypes and Soluble solid content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), pH and juice yield of genotypes varied between 5.96 (N-02) to 9.13% (N-03), 0.12 (N-12) to 0.91% (N-14), 2.51 (N-14) to 4.52 (N-10) and 48.58 (N-06) to72.07% (N-01), respectively. Many genotypes were found to be promising both fresh consumption and processing. Promising genotypes indicate it’s importance as genetic resources and they have potential for future use in pomegranate breeding activities.

Due to the unique taste features and pro-health values of fruits, hot pepper is cultivated in Poland on the commercial scale, most frequently with the use of single harvest which results in fruits at various maturity stage: green fruits, fruits turning colour and physiologically mature fruits (red). This paper, based on the results of 3-year experiments, evaluates utility and biological value of fruits of four Polish cvs.: ‘Bronowicka Ostra’, ‘Orkan’, ‘Cyklon’ and ‘Rokita’. Agricultural study was conducted for three years, during the period 2009–2011. Fruits of various maturity stage consisted of the marketable yield of the and hot pepper from a single harvest. The evaluated cultivars differed in utility and biological value of fruits, quantity and fruit yield structure. The greatest yield was obtained from ‘Orkan’ and ‘Rokita’ cvs. (2.17 kg∙m^-2 ), yet the greatest yield of physiologically mature fruits (1.16 kg∙m^-2) from ‘Bronowicka Ostra’ cv. whose share in marketable yield was 65.0%. Biological value of fruits depended on maturity stage and cultivar genotype. Physiologically mature fruits contained most dry mass (13.18%), soluble solids (4.4%), L-ascorbic acid (199.9 mg∙100 g^-1 f.m.), total sugars (2.92%). Yet more capsaicinoids were proved in green fruits and fruits turning colour. Least dry mass (%) and total sugars (%) were noted in ‘Orkan’ cv., whereas least L-ascorbic acid in ‘Bronowicka Ostra’ cv., in which fruits at every stage of maturity accumulated most capsaicinoids.

Laser stimulation is a non-expensive and environmentally safe way of the improving of seeds quality. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of He-Ne laser irradiation on the germination parameters of scorzonera seeds. Seeds were characterized with different quality expressed by germination capacity. Experimental material consisted of 4 lots of scorzonera seeds having initial germination capacity between 50.8 and 93.0%. Seeds were treated with laser He-Ne light of surface power density of 3 mW·cm^-2 and the time of exposition of 0 (control), 1, 5, 10 and 30 minutes. After pre-sowing stimulation of seeds the following parameters were estimated: germination energy, germination capacity, mean germination time, speed of germination, hypocotyl length, length of radicle, fresh and dry weight of seedling, field emergence, mean emergence time and speed of emergence. Pre-sowing laser treatment resulted in increasing of the several parameters such as germination energy, germination capacity, speed of germination, hypocotyl and radicle length, as well as fresh and dry weight of seedlings. Laser light stimulation was the most effective in the case of low quality seeds (initial germination capacity of 50.8%). Irradiation of the seeds belonging to this group also resulted in the increase of the seedling emergence and the speed of emergence.