Effect of water supply on Satureja hortensis L. (summer savory) ‘Budakalászi’ cultivar was investigated. Three saturation levels (70–50–30%) of soil water capacity (SWC) applied in climatic chamber resulted in significant changes of physiological parameters of savory plants. Compared to the control treatment (70% of SWC) the driest condition (30% SWC) caused more than 20% decrease of the relative water content (RWC) of plants and an almost 5-fold lower water potential. SPAD values indicated 45% higher chlorophyll content in the lowest watering regime. The reduction of SWC (30%) significantly affected the production of savory: fresh weight was reduced by 54% while dry weight decreased by 46%. No changes were detected in the leaf mass/total shoot mass ratio. The highest essential oil (EO) concentration of leaves (5.300 ml·100 g^-1) was measured in plants of moderate drought stress (50% SWC) while the control plants and plants exposed to severe water stress treatment showed lower essential oil accumulation (4.922 and 4.782 ml·100 g^-1, respectively). The EO production calculated from the values of fresh yield, and the EO concentration were the lowest in the case of plants grown in pots of lowest soil water content. The main components of the oil were carvacrol (56.7–60.6% EO) and γ-terpinene (29.7–32.3% EO) in each treatment. Water supply did not modify significantly the quantitative composition of the EO, however, it influenced noticeably the headspace volatiles (HS). In contrast with the former practice we found that without a proper water supply the cultivation of summer savory cannot be efficient.

In Poland, zeolites are relatively rare substrates. These are natural aluminosilicate minerals with excellent sorptive and iron exchange properties. Mixing substrates with zeolite improved the physical and chemical properties of the media such as total porosity or water holding capacity. The research was aimed at assessing the usefulness of zeolite in the production of Catharanthus roseus and Gazania rigens var. rigens seedlings. For sowing the following substrates were used: 1. deacidified peat, 2. substrate ready for sowing AURA of Hollas, 3. peat + fine zeolite 1:1, 4. peat + fine zeolite 3:1, 5. peat + coarse zeolite 1:1, 6. peat + coarse zeolite 3:1. The Azofoska fertiliser was added to all substrates at a dose of 2 g∙dm^-3. At the second stage of the experiment, seedlings from each variant were planted in three substrates including: I. deacidified peat, II. peat with the addition of 20% fine zeolite, III. peat with the addition of 20% coarse zeolite. Addition of zeolite to the substrate for sowing improves seedling root development, while limiting the growth of shoots of Gazania rigens var. rigens. Plants of Gazania sown on substrates with zeolite – regardless of the type of substrate used for further cultivation – produce more flower buds than plants from other substrates. The least favorable for the growth and flowering Catharanthus roseus effect the substrate with fine zeolite in an amount of 20%; plants have been lower had fewer leaves, and definitely less flourish.

Vitex agnus-castus L. (chaste tree) is a native plant species carrying valuable ornamental, functional and medicinal properties. It was aimed to determine the most practical and optimum rooting conditions for successful vegetative production of V. agnus-castus. It was focused on definition of optimal cutting collection time, and specification of the effects of different rooting substrates and IBA concentrations on rooting abilities and growth of V. agnus-castus cuttings. Two rooting experiments (Exp.) were performed; at the beginning and end of its deciduous season. Sand and sand:sphagnum peat (1:1 v/v) mixture were tested as substrate in Exp. I, and perlite in addition to former substrates in Exp. II. The hardwood stem cuttings were treated with different concentrations of IBA in both experiments. The results of Exp. II indicated both substrate and concentration, and also their interaction had significant effects on adventitious rooting formation. In addition, it was revealed the maximum rooting ratio (100%) and the most vigorous growth generated in V. agnus-castus cuttings collected at the end of its deciduous season and treated IBA concentrations in perlit medium.

This study assesses the effect of meta-topolin (mT), an aromatic natural cytokinin, on micropropagation of pear rootstock OHF-333 (Pyrus сommunis L.). Cultures were incubated in a growth chamber under controlled conditions. An in vitro culture was maintained on a modified culture medium Murashige and Skoog [1962] supplemented with meta-topolin (0 μM, 3 μM, 6 μM, 9 μM or 12 μM). After three weeks’ growth the parameters and the physiological and biochemical analysis were investigated. The results of this study suggest that the in vitro culture in the absence of cytokinins does not provide a practical solution for efficient multiplication of pear rootstocks. A good multiplication rate and high quality shoots were found at 6–9 μM mT treatment. The use of meta-topolin resulted in improvement of the leaf gas exchange and low content of phenols, as well as in the total antioxidant activity. Hence the cytokinin meta-topolin in concentrations of 6–9 μM was selected as an optimum cytokinin level in the multiplication of pear rootstock OHF-333.

Sambucus nigra, S. kamtschatica and S. racemosa plants growing in natural habitats or commercial nurseries in Poland, showing symptoms of vein clearing or chlorotic patterns were found to be naturally infected with Cherry leaf roll virus (CLRV). Nine virus isolates were characterized by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and sequence analysis of RNA2 fragments. Serological test using ELISA kits raised against elderberry, birch, cherry and ash isolates of CLRV showed that tested virus isolates reacted with all polyclonal antibodies used in the experiment. Genetic analysis of 3’ non-coding region fragments (3’NCR) of isolates originating from elderberries revealed high level of their sequence identity (more than 95%). All tested isolates clustered exclusively within phylogenetic group E of CLRV. Analysis of polyprotein open reading frame (P2 ORF) fragments showed higher sequence variability, with nucleotide identity ranging from 88 to 93%. This indicates that analysis of P2 ORF fragments may be more suitable for studying CLRV population diversity than analysis of 3’NCR region. Phylogenetic analysis of CP gene sequences confirmed clustering of tested isolates in monotypic group. Overall, the serological and phylogenetic data suggest a host-specific nature of CLRV variants infecting Sambucus spp. plants in Poland.

In modern greenhouse cultivations using the shoot bending method, the architecture of rose shrub is obtained by bending of primary stem, forming and suitable cutting of flower shoots and simultaneously bending of low-valuable stems. The studies performed in 2010–2012 indicated that the bending of stems of rose cv. ‘Red House’ increase the sprouting of high quality flower shoots, and parameters of cut flower cultivated with both in traditional and shoot bending method were similar. The used rootstock has significant effect on quantity and quality of yield in unheated foil tunnel. The shrubs budded on R. multiflora are characterized by higher yielding in comparison to R. canina Schmid’s Ideal.

In this study, antioxidant activity (AA), total phenolics (TP), total flavonoids (TF), individual phenolic compounds (IPCs), vitamin C and six other fruit characteristics including weight loss, flesh firmness, color, soluble solids content (SSC), dry matter and titratable acidity (TA) of Caucasian whortleberry fruits (Vaccinium arctostaphylos L.) were determined at harvest and at a week postharvest intervals throughout the cold storage at 0°C for 4 weeks. Significant decreases were observed in fruit weight and flesh firmness during the cold storage period. While L* and chroma values decreased significantly, an increase was observed in hue angle values. Significant increases were observed in dry matter, but decreases were observed in SSC, TA and vitamin C contents. Caucasian whortleberry fruits had quite high polyphenol contents. Total phenolics (TP), total flavonoids (TF), antioxidant activity (AA) (according to ABTS⁺, DPPH· and FRAP antioxidant tests) and individual phenolic compounds (IPCs) significantly decreased throughout the cold storage. Chlorogenic acid was the major phenolic in Caucasian whortleberry fruits. It was concluded that Caucasian whortleberry fruits with high phenolic compound and flavonoid levels might serve a potential antioxidant source.

Sweet pepper is an important vegetable plant, not only because of its economic importance, but also for the nutritional value of its fruits, mainly due to the fact that they are an excellent source of natural colours, especially carotenoids, antioxidant compounds and sugars. Saccharides content in the pepper fruits is the most important component of sweet taste of these fruits. In the available literature there are not many information about the influence of biological preparations on the content of the biological compounds and nutritional value of sweet pepper fruits. The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of some biological preparations such as Bioczos Płynny (garlic pulp), Biosept 33 SL (grapefruit extract), Bio-algeen S90 Plus (sea algae Ascophyllum nodosum), Boni Protect Forte (fungi Aureobasidium pullulans), on the health status of pepper fruits and quantitative and qualitative composition of saccharides in the fruits of Roberta F₁ cv. in 2010–2012. The effect of tested preparations on health state of fruits was presented as a proportion of the fruits number with diseases symptoms relative to the total number of fruits. In the present study fructose, glucose and sucrose content in sweet pepper fruits was evaluated. During the middle of the harvest period ripe, healthy and typical for cultivar fruits were collected for analysis. Sugars concentrations were determined in the water-soluble fraction, using high-performance liquid chromatography HPLC. The studies showed no significant effect of biological preparations on the average weight of the marketable fruits of sweet peppers. However tested preparations were a significant effect on the health state of pepper fruits. The smallest number of fruits with disease symptoms was obtained from plant protected with Bioczos Płynny. The protective use of biological preparations does not change significantly of saccharides content in sweet pepper fruits. However the results show that the treatment with biopreparation Boni Protect Forte resulted in a slight in- crease the content of glucose and fructose in pepper fruits, but the using of Bioczos Płynny decreased the content of glucose and sucrose.

Flowers are an important part of a plant which contains a great variety of natural antioxidants, such as polyphenols, carotenoids and many other bioactive and nutraceutical compounds. Edible flowers have been used in culinary preparations for centuries to improve the nutritional and sensorial qualities of food. The aim of the experiment was to compare the biological value of Borago officinalis, Lavandula angustifolia, Oenothera biennis, Viola tricolor, Bellis perennis, Salvia splendens, Tagetes tenuifolia, Verbena × hybrid, Begonia semperflorens and Begonia × tuberhybrida flowers. Among the compared edible flower species, signet marigold showed the highest biological value due to the highest amounts of L-ascorbic acid, total carotenoid and total polyphenol content and the highest antioxidant activity. Moreover, the flowers of heartsease were characterized by the highest content of total ash, saccharose, and chlorophylls; lavender flowers – by the highest content of dry matter, crude fibre, total soluble and reducing sugars; scarlet sage flowers – by the highest content of total nitrogen and total protein; while wax begonia flowers – by the highest titratable acidity and the least sugar/acid ratio.

Noctuinae are a challenge for effective control in vegetable crops. The species most dangerous for agricultural crops in central Europe are: Agrotis segetum, A. exclamationis, Xestia c-nigrum. The aim of presented study was to assess the sensitivity of A. exclamationis to 8 native strains of entomopathogenic nematode srepresenting two species: Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) and Heterorhabditis megidis (Poinar, Jackson & Klein) in laboratory conditions. Presented study showed markedly higher effectiveness of strains Steinernematidae over the strain of H. megidis. Obtained results show that in the attempts to control A. exclamationis, selection of strain and nematode dose are equally important.

Solar photovoltaic greenhouses have become more popular, especially in the countries of southern Europe, due to specific government remuneration policies. However, many agronomic questions need to be addressed. This research was carried out in three types of commercial greenhouses covered with different materials (polycarbonate modules – PCM, traditional – TPM and innovative semi-transparent – IPM photovoltaic modules) with the aim to verify the compatibility of solar energy production with the production of high-quality wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia L.). IPM may satisfy the entire electricity demand of a commercial greenhouse. Yield for rocket grown in TPM was lower than for IPM and PCM. Antioxidant properties and dry weight decreased as a consequence of decreasing cumulative photosynthetic photon flux density. Nitrate content in TPM was higher (about 10.000 mg·kg^-1 FW) than the maximum limits allowed by EC Regulation No. 1258/2011, whereas it was lower in IPM and PCM (1.805 and 668 mg·kg^-1 FW, respectively). The results suggest that it is possible to combine solar energy production with high-quality wild rocket production, using innovative semi-transparent PV modules.

One of the method of plant protection, including the protection of pea, from phytopathogens is the biological one, especially applied in ecological cultivations. The effectiveness of biotechnical preparations such as Biosept 33 SL, Grevit 200 SL, Biochikol 020 PC, Bioczos BR and a fungicide Miedzian 50 WP in the protection of pea cv. ʻSześciotygodniowy TOR’ from pathogenic fungi was studied. The greatest number of not infected plants was obtained after the application of Biosept 33 SL, Miedzian 50 WP and Grevit 200 SL. The highest yield was gathered from pea plants after the application of Biosept 33 SL and Grevit 200 SL. Plants in the combinations with Biochikol 020 PC and Bioczos BR were characterized by good yielding. It was obtained from infected pea seeds and plants of two stage 24–26 species of fungi from 13–17 genera. Among them most often occurred the following species: Alternaria alternata, Boeremia exigua, Fusarium culmorum, F. oxysporum, Gibberella avenacea, Haematonectria haematococca, Peyronellaea pinodes, Pythium irregulare and Thanatephorus cucumeris. Biosept 33 SL and Grevit 200 SL were most effective in improving the healthiness and yielding of the studied cultivar of pea.

In temperate climate zones, where a continental climate prevails, the appearance of males in populations of most aphid species takes place only in the autumn. Holocyclic and heteroecious species typically have winged males obligatorily. In holocyclic and monoecious species, males are not always winged morphs. Photoperiod is the primary factor responsible for the change in the manner of reproduction, from parthenogenetic to sexual, during the growth season, and temperature is a modifying one. The paper presents the results of many years of research on the activity of aphid male flights in characterizing species diversity, phenology of appearance and their number in urban green areas, carried out employing the Moericke’s yellow pan traps method. The research indicates a trend towards the decrease of male aphid species number over the course of the last decade, as a result of warmer weather conditions, in the years 2005–2014. The results of male catches of Rhopalosiphum padi (Linnaeus, 1761) – the most numerously represented species – prove that there is a relationship between their number in autumn and the number of days for which the average temperature exceeds 20ºC and rainfall occurs during the first decade of August. The very early appearance of Brachycaudus divaricatae Shaposhnikov, 1956 males in the season was an interesting phenomenon which is untypical for aphids in Poland.