Streszczenie. Diosgenin (a steroidal saponin of fenugreek) has long been used as a raw substance for the manufacturing of steroid drugs. In order to evaluate the nutritional effect of different nitrogen (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha^-1) and copper (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg ha^-1) doses on the diosgenin content, growth and yield of fenugreek (var. Ardestan), an experiment was carried out in a factorial arrangement based on complete randomized block design. The diosgenin content in the plant was monitored by a high performance liquid chromatography. Lower doses of copper increased yield, yield component and diosgenin content, but its higher level (30 kg ha^-1) had negative effects on the plant yield. The simultaneous application of nitrogen and copper ameliorate the diosgenin production, yield and yield component. The result obtained from correlation and stepwise regression analysis showed that traits such as leaf area index, pods number per plant, and dry weight have significantly direct relation to diosgenin production levels in plants, while dry weight has the highest effect on diosgenin production compared to other traits. According the results, we also can conclude that nitrogen application can decrease copper toxicity in fenugreek in the contaminated soils.

Streszczenie. Priming is one of the most common methods improving seed quality. The purpose of the research was to study effects of osmopriming on milk thistle seed germination, vigour, health and location of fungi at 10 and 20°C. Seeds (achenes) of two samples (I, II) were primed in the polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions of osmotic potentials of -1.0, -1.25 and -1.5 MPa, at 15°C for 3, 5 and 7 days. Applied variants of priming improved energy of seed germination and germination capacity at 10°C in both samples. Enhancement of these parameters was also observed at 20°C, if seeds of sample I were primed in the PEG solutions of osmotic potentials of -1.0 MPa for 7 days and -1.25 and -1.5 MPa for 5 and 7 days. Priming, regardless of time and osmotic potential of PEG, accelerated seed germination at 10 and 20°C in both samples. Fungi of genera: Alternaria, Cladosporium, Fusarium and Rhizopus were frequently identified on the seeds. After priming significantly increased seed infestation with fungi, especially in sample I. The fungi were more often detected in pericarps and seed coats than embryos. Many a time, after priming an increase in inner achene infestation was observed.

Streszczenie. Older apple trees often demonstrate physiologically unreasonable shoot distribution due to root system aging, which results in lower fruit yield and poor fruit quality. Therefore this study was conducted to test whether root pruning combined with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi could restore growth potential of forty-year-old Red Fuji apple trees (Malus × domestica Borkh.) in a commercial orchard in 2013, by root pruning along both sides of rows, 80 cm from the trunk, to a depth of 30 cm and application of 100 ml arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculum per plant. Results showed that the percentage of root colonized by mycorrhizal fungi increased as root pruning was combined with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, however mycorrhizal colonization was not seen in the control roots and roots only by root pruning. For control tree total number of shoots decreased by 28.22% in 2015 than in 2013 and shoots mainly distributed in the outer canopy accounting for 58.10% of the total, which caused the lower light intensity inside the canopy, followed by lower fruit yield and poor fruit quality. Compared to control plant, shoot reduced by 33.96 and 38.51% in the outer canopy but increased by 97.99 and 123.69% in the inner canopy in 2015, as well as 390.20 and 478.43% in the vertical height of 1.5 to 2.5 m canopy, respectively treated by root pruning alone and combined with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Root pruning alone and combined with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi also raised the relative light intensity by 38.71 and 60.26% in the inner canopy in 2015, subsequent fruit yield by 315.79 and 373.68% respectively, in comparison to control plant. Shoot re-distribution improved fruit quality such as increase in firmness and soluble solid. Data indicated that the effect of root pruning combined with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the rejuvenation of older apple trees was stronger than root pruning alone. It is therefore concluded that root pruning combined with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can think of as a measure to renew the older apple trees.

Streszczenie. Regular consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases and improvement of cognitive health. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a major salad food, which is widely grown and consumed worldwide. Cultivars-specific information on bioactive composition of crisphead subtype iceberg remains scarce. The present study aimed to profile the nutrition and antioxidant composition of seven new cultivars of iceberg (‘Equinos’, ‘Ice Castle’, ‘Metalia’, ‘Num 189’, ‘Silvinas’, ‘Ombrinas’ and ‘Vanguardia’). The head fresh mass of the iceberg cultivars ranged from 485 to 801 g per plant, with the highest values recorded in ‘Num 189’ and ‘Vanguardia’. Across cultivars, K was the predominant macronutrient and was followed by Ca. The highest nitrate content was recorded in ‘Equinos’ and ‘Umbrinas’, whereas the lowest value was observed in ‘Metalia’. The hydrophilic (HAA) and lipophylic antioxidant activities (LAA) of the selected iceberg cultivars ranged from 4.9 to 13.0 mmol ascorbic acid 100 g^-1 dw, and from 6.8 to 12.5 mmol Trolox 100 g^-1 dw, respectively. Chicoric acid was the main phenolic acid present in all cultivars, followed by chlorogenic acid and caffeoyl tartaric acid. The highest HAA, LAA, caffeoyl tartaric acid, chicoric acid and total phenolic content were observed in ‘Num 189’, whereas an opposite trend was recorded for chlorogenic acid. The current findings will improve knowledge of the compositional variation among iceberg cultivars and assist growers in selecting cultivars combining optimal yield with high nutritional value.

Streszczenie. Echinochloa spp. are the most important weeds in rice fields. In this research Fusarium equiseti and Colletotrichum graminicola were isolated from these weeds and then their pathogenicity effects were compared on these weeds and five rice cultivars in a completely random design with three replications in greenhouse conditions. Fungi were inoculated on weeds and rice cultivars using a spore suspension consisting of 10⁶ spore·ml^-1 of distilled water. Results indicated significant effect of F. equiseti and C. graminicola on Echinochloa oryzicola and E. crus-galli. Also, these rice cultivars showed significant reaction to F. equiseti and C. graminicola. The results showed that in comparison between effect of F. equiseti and C. graminicola on Echinochloa spp., disease rating caused by F. equiseti on E. oryzicola and E. crus-galli was more than disease rating caused by C. graminicola and these species of weeds were more susceptible to F. equiseti, but C. graminicola created less damage on rice cultivars and these rice cultivars were more tolerant to this fungus.

Streszczenie. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of chemical thinning with α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and nitrogen (N) fertilization, as well as their interaction in relation to fruit set and physical properties of apple cv. Golden Delicious Reinders®. Nitrogen rates used were 30 and 60 kg·ha⁻¹ N applied at the pink bud stage. NAA for fruit thinning was applied at the rates of 10, 12 and 14 μl·l⁻¹. Fruit set was increased by increasing the amount of N applied while the efficacy of NAA for fruit thinning was not linearly correlated to the concentration of the chemical. The total number of fruits per tree was inconsistently reduced in NAA treatments at 30 and 60 kg·ha⁻¹ N, while total yield was reduced by thinning at 60 kg·ha⁻¹ N, meaning that apple trees are more responsive to NAA application at higher N supply. At sufficient N supply, fruits responded more intensively to thinning with NAA by increasing their growth. Thinning with NAA caused a significant decrease in flesh firmness only in fruits from unfertilized plot.

Streszczenie. The wild olive (O. europaea L. subsp. oleaster) is widely distributed along the coastal zones of Anatolia (Asia Minor). The Aegean Region (Western Anatolia) in particular has a rich olive population, including genuine wild individuals as well as feral forms. Oleaster olives in situ, which have diverse morphological and pomological characteristics, differ from cultivated olives. The ripe olive fruit has a purple-black color because of the accumulation of anthocyanin. As in cultivated olives, the yellow color in ripe fruits of the oleaster olive is unusual. This yellow color in ripe fruits of oleaster olives has not been reported so far. Thus it is potentially significant for further breeding strategies. This paper assesses the morphological characteristics of two oleaster ecotypes (YO1 and YO2) with yellow fruits that were coincidentally located in the İzmir Province. Significant differences are found between the two ecotypes both in terms of their quantitative characteristics as well as the oil content of their fruit. Fruit weight (1.2 g), length (15.5 mm), width (11.2 mm) and percentage of oil in dry weight (15.7%) are significantly higher in YO1. Apart from the differences between the quantitative stone characteristics, the stone morphology and surface texture are also considerably different. Besides potential agronomic considerations, they both have high potential for use as ornamental trees.

Streszczenie. The aim of the study was to evaluate selected bioproducts in terms of their effects on tree growth and the presence of mycorrhizal fungi in the roots of trees of two apple cultivars, ‘Topaz’ and ‘Ariwa’, grown under greenhouse conditions. The trees were planted in rhizoboxes and grown under the following fertilization regimes: 0 – control, NPK control, manure, Micosat F, Humus UP, Humus Active + Aktywit PM, BF Amin, BF Quality, Tytanit and Vinassa. The results showed that the biostimulants: Humus UP, Humus Active and Aktywit PM produce beneficial effects on the morphological characteristics of the root system, and Micosat F on the extent of mycorrhiza formation in the roots. The bioproducts used are a safe, effective and economically viable method of fertilizing plants, limiting the use of chemical means of production and thus helping to protect the environment.

Streszczenie. Agricultural wastes have increased with the intensive production in recent years. These wastes that affect the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils should be composted and added to soil. In this study, composts were consisted of different agricultural wastes such as greenhouse wastes-GPW, used cocopeat wastes-UCW, spent mushroom composts-SMC and at different ratios. Used cocopeat wastes were especially chosen in this experiment because it was not preferred in compost mixtures up to the present. Five different compost mixtures were added to the soil and their effects on growth and nutrient contents of lettuce plants were determined. The experiment was carried out during two successive seasons (autumn and spring). The results showed that plant growth and yield were found higher in the compost applications than in control. Generally the highest values were obtained from M1 application (80% GPW + 10% UCW + 10% SMC) for many parameters.

Streszczenie. This study aim to evaluate the distribution of bioactive compounds in the tubers of organically grown Jerusalem artichoke (JA) during the growing season in 2012–2014. Field experiments on the three JA cultivars: Albik, Rubik and Sauliai, were carried out at the organic farm in South Lithuania. The tubers were uprooted at the end of each month of the growing period (8 times) in March–June (spring period) and August–November (autumn period) and were analysed for the contents of dry matter, carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, leuco-anthocyanins, catechins. The significantly highest dry matter content in JA tubers was determined in March of 2014 after they had been exposed to sub-zero temperatures in the soil during the winter, while the amount of phenolic compounds – at the beginning of the spring growing period. The significantly highest content of inulin in October of 2014 was accumulated in the tubers of cv. Sauliai (46.08%), carbohydrates – in Albik tubers in September of 2014 (44.23%), when the formation of new tubers began. Significantly higher amounts of catechins were determined in the second half of the growing period. Cultivar and organogenesis stage had a significant impact on the content of leuco-anthocyanins in JA tubers. Substantial differences in the content of leuco-anthocyanins among the tested cultivars were determined at the end of the growing season.

Streszczenie. The present study investigates the potential of seed priming for induction of salt tolerance in French marigold at early growth stage. Treatments were combination of priming techniques viz. hydropriming, halopriming (50 mM CaCl₂), hormonal priming with salicylic acid (100 ppm) and ascorbate priming (100 ppm) each for 24 h. Primed seeds were exposed to salinity levels (0; 50 and 100 mM NaCl) during germination and emergence assays. All priming treatments hastened germination and emergence attributes under saline or non-saline conditions as compared to those of non-primed (control) seeds. Seeds of French marigold primed with ascorbate followed by CaCl_2, salicylic acid and hydropriming enhanced final germination, speed of germination, root and shoot length and dry mass of French marigold seedlings. This was interpreted by minimized mean emergence time and time to 50% emergence. Additionally, it was also observed that all priming agents particularly calcium salt and ascorbate maintained ionic homeostasis in salt stressed seedlings. It is concluded that CaCl₂, ascorbate and salicylic acid were the most effective priming agents to ameliorate the adverse effects of salinity in French marigold due to lower uptake of Na⁺ and higher uptake of K⁺ in the seedlings.

Streszczenie. The aim of this study was to choose the genotypes of industrial tomato for the content of bioactive components (ascorbic acid, β-carotene, lycopene, total phenols and flavonoids) in fruits and its preservation during thermal treatment (by drying with parallel warm air at 60°C) and making of tomato juice (by pasteurization – cooking at 100°C for 7 minutes). For this research, a comparative trial has been set up with 7 genotypes, 1 commercial variety (SP-109) and 6 selected lines (SPP, SPSM, SPRZ, SPRM-20, S-60 and SPO) of high inbreeding generations. Experimental design has been done according to standard method of growing industrial tomato in random block system with three replications. By analysing the cumulative results of all researched genotypes for processing industry, the best for drying and fresh consumption was SPRZ and for juice extraction, SPSM was the best line.

Streszczenie. In the present study genetic diversity between 19 blueberry cultivars was evaluated using Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers. In total, nine selected RAPD primers produced 89% polymorphic fragments, whereas eleven ISSR primers – 82%. Resolving power value of the RAPD primers ranged from 2.40 to 7.19, whilst ISSR from 1.90 to 5.78. The similarity coefficients estimated on the basis of the two types of marker systems were very similar, on average amounting to 0.58 for RAPD and 0.60 for ISSR analysis. Cluster analysis based on RAPD markers showed that the 19 accessions can be classified into 6 groups. Taking into account corresponding levels of average genetic similarity (0.59) it is possible to identify three main clusters based on ISSR analysis. The RAPD as well as ISSR markers revealed the existence of genetic differentiation between accessions, which can be exploited in hybridization programs of this species.

Streszczenie. The rooting and compatibility of ‘Börner’ rootstock with various wine- (‘Furmint’, ‘Regent’, ‘Riesling’, ‘Sauvignon Blanc’, and ‘Welschriesling’) and table-grape (‘Muscat Bleu’, ‘Ester’, and ‘Nero’) varieties were evaluated over two growing seasons. The ‘Börner’ rootstock was compared to the most prevalent rootstocks (‘5BB’ and ‘SO4’) in Slovenia. The trial based on a randomised complete block design with four replications (50 grafted plants per replicate). As an index of compatibility, the callus development and the percentage of first grade grafted vines were determined, as well as dry weight of roots in wine varieties in 2006. After the callusing process (heat forcing), the differences in callus development were greater between the years than among rootstocks, which were the most obvious with the wine-grape variety ‘Furmint’ as a scion. In 2005 there were 38% more grafts with a partial developed callus comparing to 2006, while in this particular year, for most varieties, the average percentage of the first grade grafted vines and the roots dry weight were higher when the ‘5BB’ rootstock was used. Lower grafting success of ‘Börner’ rootstock is more a result of less developed roots (loamy soils) as compatibility with various varieties.

Streszczenie. The study determined the morphological and genetic diversity among nine cultivars of peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.): ‘Almira’, ‘Asia’, ‘Chocolate’, ‘Citaro’, ‘Granada’, ‘Grapefruit’, ‘Multimentha’, ‘Swiss’ and ‘Variegata’. The leaves of the peppermint cultivars were characterized by substantial variation in morphology and size. The leaves of ‘Multimenth’, ‘Grapefruit‘ and ‘Swiss’ were largest, and those of ‘Swiss’ were considerably elongated. The ‘Almira’ cultivar had the smallest leaves. Although similar leaf morphology was observed in ‘Asia’, ‘Citaro’ and ‘Chocolate’, in ‘Grapefruit’ and ‘Multimentha’ and in ‘Swiss’ and ‘Variegata’, no two cultivars were the same in this respect. Differentiation of tested peppermint cultivars were also confirmed at genetic level. Genetic diversity among tested cultivars ranged from 0.388 to 0.846. The most different were cultivars Almira and Citaro.

Streszczenie. The determination of an adequate container volume that maximize vegetative growth and the adoption of an efficient irrigation system in soilless culture, which improve water use efficiency without affecting crop performance, have become a priority in ornamental industry. A greenhouse experiment was conducted aiming to assess the effects of two container volumes (1 dm³ or 3 dm³) and two irrigation systems (closed drip-irrigation or subirrigation) on growth parameters, ornamental quality, SPAD index, leaf gas exchange, agronomical and physiological water use efficiency (WUE_A and WUE_P) of containerized Euphorbia × lomi Rauh. There were no significant differences in terms of plant growth parameters between the two irrigation systems. The subirrigation system was more efficient in terms of water use than the drip-irrigation system since it could save on average 27% of water. The WUE_A recorded with subirrigation in 3 dm³ and 1 dm³ containers were significantly higher by 43% and 81% compared with those recorded with drip-irrigation. The plant height, leaf number, leaf area, root length and shoot dry biomass were significantly lower by 45.7%, 39.5%, 45.5%, 35.1% and 43.1%, respectively when the Euphorbia × lomi plants were cultivated in the 1 dm³ containers. The best crop performance recorded in the 3 dm³ containers was related to a higher photosynthetic activity and higher leaf chlorophyll content (i.e. SPAD index) with respect to the plants grown in the 1 dm³ containers.