Alnus glutinosa and A. incana (Betulaceae), are a small to medium size tree, native to the Northern Hemisphere. The leaves of this species are used in the Republic of Belarus as a source of antioxidants. The aim of this work was investigation of antioxidant activities and total phenolics content in various extracts obtained using water, mixture water with ethanol (from 9:1 to 2:8), and ethanol from A. glutinosa and A. incana leaves. Phenolics content was determined by method with Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and calculated on ellagic acid. The antioxidant activities were measured utilising 1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging test. The highest phenolics concentration was observed in the extracts prepared by extraction with the mixture of water:ethanol from 7:3 to 3:7 and ranged from 17.82% to 18.96% for A. glutinosa and from 10.82% to 12.55% for A. incana. This extracts exhibited the highest free radical scavenging activity ranging from 49.21% to 49.42% and from 41.28% to 41.67% for A. glutinosa and A. incana respectively, comparable to the activity of quercetin. Therefore the mixture of water:ethanol from 7:3 to 3:7 should be used for preparing extracts from this species for medicinal purposes. Results also indicated the existence of a high correlation between antioxidant activity and total phenolics content.

Poor plant stand establishment is a common problem for marigold production. Exposure to seed priming is one of the strategies being used to accelerate the activation of plant growth, especially seed germination in many crops. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of different seed priming techniques on performance of French marigold. For this purpose, different seed priming techniques: hydroprimng, 50 mM CaCl₂, 100 mg L^-1 salicylic acid and 100 mg L^-1 ascorbic acid were assessed. Seeds without any treatment were considered as control. Priming with 50 mM CaCl₂ was proved to be the most effective treatment in enhancing germination and seedling vigour among all other treatments including control as shown by higher final germination/emergence, germination energy and lower mean germination/emergence time. Furthermore, positive correlation between reducing sugars and dry weight and α-amylase activity and the concentration of reducing sugars indicates that enhancement due to priming could be attributed to higher reducing and total sugars as well as higher α-amylase activity in primed seeds.

Abstract Efficient plant micropropagation depends upon a number of factors one of which is the type and concentration of exogenously supplied carbon sources in the medium. This study tested several different sugars as carbon source on the efficiency of shoot proliferation and in vitro rooting of common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius (L.) Maxim.). Fructose, glucose, maltose and sucrose were tested at concentration ranging from 0–50 g dm^-3. The dry matter content, reducing sugars and sucrose in shoots were related to sugar concentrations in the medium and so was the rate of adventitious root formation. Sucrose did not stimulate shoot proliferation and glucose was completely ineffective in rooting induction. The highest number of shoots was produced on the fructose-containing medium. The concentration of 30 g dm^-3 appeared to be optimal; the rate of proliferation at 30 and 40 g dm^-3 were in fact similar, but the former produced a more favorable shoot length. The number of adventitious roots produced per shoot increased with increasing fructose concentration up to 30 g dm^-3. Fructose can be therefore recommended as the best C-source for the in vitro shoot proliferation and rooting in common ninebark.

Due to frequent cultivation procedures and the chemicalization of crops the cultivated layer of soil is often subject to detrimental changes in its physical, chemical and biological characteristics. The aggregate structure of the soil disappears, the content of organic substance is lowered and the biological activity diminished. In order to reproduce the organic substance of the soil and improve its characteristics ploughed intercrops are introduced in the horticulture. The biomass of common vetch, tansy phacelia and oats were used for soil cultivation for the crop cultures of salsify. It was then confirmed, that independently from the intercrop plant used, the ploughed biomass had a significantly positive influence on the yield of salsify roots. The positive influence of the organic substance added to the soil on the percentage of marketable yield of roots and the total amount of crops were both confirmed. Among the investigated intercrops the common vetch had the most beneficial influence on the crops of salsify. The most beneficial method of cultivation of salsify crops proved to be its cultivation on ridged soil, which resulted in the largest crop yield and the largest percentage of marketable yield. The roots from this type of culture were also longer and had higher phosphorus content. Due to the beneficial influence on the root crops and its structure, the best time for ploughing of the biomass of the intercrops was the spring term.

Fertigation in conjunction with traditional spread fertilization could improve the growth and yield of highbush blueberry. Study was conducted in the years 2002–2004 on a 10-year old plantation of highbush blueberry cv. ‘Bluecrop’. The effect of fertigation with 3 nutrient solutions (F-1, F-2, F-3) was investigated in comparison to drip irrigation (F-0) on growth and yield of highbush blueberry. Fertigation with nutrient solution F-1 containing (in mg·dm^-3): 100 (N-NH₄+N-NO₃), 30 P-PO₄, 60 K, 30 Mg, 0.30 B and 0.03 Mo, and from the water contents of 84.5 Ca, 47.9 S-SO₄, 4.8 Na, 6.6 Cl, 0.160 Fe, 0.054 Mn, 0.041 Zn and 0.009 Cu (pH 5.50, EC 1.10 mS∙cm^-1) had a positive effect (in comparison to the drip irrigation) on the fruit yield and single fruit mass of highbush blueberry cv. ‘Bluecrop’. An increase of nutrient contents in nutrient solution F-2 to the level of (in mg·dm^-3): 150 (N-NH₄+N-NO₃), 45 P-PO₄, 90 K, 45 Mg, 0.30 B and 0.03 Mo (the others as in F-1; pH 5.50 and EC 1.45 mS∙cm^-1) did not reduce the yield in relation to F-1, while it lowered the mass of one fruit. Yields of highbush blueberry under the influence of drip fertigation in relation to drip irrigation (F-0), at the optimal soil fertility obtained on the basis of spread fertilization, increased as follows: F-1 at 17.3%, F-2 at 21.9% and F-3 at 5.3%. The greatest effect of fertigation on yield of highbush blueberry was found in the year of soil drought, in which the highest rates of nutrient solutions F-1 and F-2 were applied. Fertigation with the nutrient solutions F-1 to F-3 increased dry matter contents of fruits, however it was lower than in drip irrigation. No nitrates or nitrites were detected in fruits of highbush blueberry. Highbush blueberry cv. ‘Bluecrop’ is a plant with high nutrient requirement. Average yearly nutrient rates for 10–13 years old plantation applied with the treatments F-1 and F-2 (sum of spread fertilization and fertigation) were: 19–24 g N, 10–12 g P, 7–10 g K, 9 g Ca, 6–8 g Mg and 4 g S·m^-2·bush^-1. For horticultural practice the nutrient solution F-1 could be recommended because of its advantageous effect on yield and the lowest fertilizer expenditure.

Application of nutrient solutions in fertigation could change chemical properties of soil. Nutrient solutions for highbush blueberry are specific because of characteristic relations among nutrients and acid reaction. Investigations were conducted in the years 2002–2004 on a 10-year old plantation of highbush blueberry cv. ‘Bluecrop’. There were searched effects of fertigation using 3 nutrient solutions (F-1, F-2, F-3) contained increased levels of N-NH, N-NO₃, P, K, Mg and constant B and Mo (Ca, S-SO₄, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu from water) on the contents of nutrients, sodium and aluminium in soil. Fertigation of nutrient solutions F-1, F-2, F-3, in relation to drip irrigation F-0, resulted in the increasing contents of K, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu in the plough layer (0–20 cm), while the nutrient solutions F-2 and F-3 upraised the contents of P, S-SO₄ and B. The effect of fertigation on the increase of nutrient contents in the subplough layer (20–40 cm) was pointed out mainly for K and Mg. As a result of fertigation with the highest nutrient contents (F-3) the contents of N-NO₃ increased in the subplough layer. In both layers a tendency to increase of N-NO₃ was noted. Fertigation with nutrient solution F-3 reduced the content of chlorides, while F-2 and F-3 sodium in the plough layer. As a consequence of fertigation with nutrient solutions F-2 and F-3 having pH 5.50 the lowering of soil pH in the plough layer (0–20 cm) was indicated in comparison to drip irrigation (pH of water 7.37). No effect of fertigation was found in the pH of the subplough layer (20–40 cm). As a result of a reduced soil pH the content of aluminium in the plough layer increased. Fertigation with nutrient solutions F-1 to F-3, in relation to drip irrigation F-0, resulted in an increased of EC of the plough and partly in the subplough layer.

Fertigation with the nutrient solutions containing macro and microelements could influence on the nutrient status of highbush blueberry. Studies were conducted in the years 2002–2004 on a 10-year old plantation of highbush blueberry cv. ‘Bluecrop’. The aim was to analyze the effect of fertigation using 3 nutrient solutions (F-1, F-2, F-3) in comparison to drip irrigation (F-0) on the contents of macro- and microelements as well as sodium and aluminium in leaves. Fertigation with nutrient solutions F-1, F-2 and F-3 in relation to drip irrigation (F-0) increased the contents of nitrogen, potassium and calcium in the leaves of highbush blueberry cv. ‘Bluecrop’ at both terms of leaves collection (15.06 and 15.07) while it reduced the content of magnesium with the application of nutrient solutions F-2 and F-3 at the second term of study. No distinct effect of fertigation on the contents of phosphorus and sulphur in leaves was found. Among microelements the greatest effect of fertigation was indicated for boron. Nutrient solutions F-2 and F-3 at the first term as well as F-1, F-2 and F-3 at the second one increased boron content in leaves. Fertigation was found to have an effect on the increase of manganese and copper contents at the term II and zinc at the term I. No variation was recorded in iron content in leaves under the influence of fertigation. Fertigation reduced the content of aluminium in leaves of highbush blueberry. The effect was shown mainly under the influence of the application of nutrient solution F-2. Contents of N, P, K, Zn, Na and B decreased but Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn and Al increased in leaves between the first (15.06) and second II (15.07) term of study. No changes were found in contents of S or Cu in leaves of highbush blueberry at both sampling terms. For the evaluation of highbush blueberry nutrition status in Poland the term II seems to be more advantageous. It is the second half of July, after the first harvest of cv. „Bluecrop”. In this period there is the stabilization of vegetative growth with marked effects of bushes yielding.

The method of tillage is one of the major factors determining the yield of root plants. Today we witness the degradation of soil on large cultivated lands. It is a result i.a. of more frequent tillage practices, and the omission of cover crops. The destruction of aggregate structures of the soil and the lowering of its organic matter content cause that conditions for growth and yields of the main crops are becoming worse. Field experiments were conducted in the years 2006–2008 on grey-brown podzolic soil with impermanent structure. The test plant was the rooted chicory (Cichorium intybus var. sativum Bisch.) of the ‘Polanowicka’ cultivar. This species has an important economical meaning, providing precious raw materials for inulin production. The experiments included: two kinds of pre-sowing tillage: a) a complex of pre-sowing tillage and sowing of cover crops (2^nd decade of August) and pre-winter ploughing and mixing the green mass with soil, b) a complex of pre-sowing tillage and sowing of cover crops (2^nd decade of August), leave them in the field during the winter and ploughing the plant mass in spring; two types of plant growing: in ridges or in flat soil; three cover crops: common vetch, tansy phacelia and oats. Beneficial influence of mulching the soil with tansy phacelia on the total chicory root yield, compared with unmulched plots was observed. The highest content of inulin was found in chicory roots collected from plots mulched with common vetch. It was significantly higher than its content in roots coming from the plots mulched with oats. When the productivity of inulin per unit of area is taken into account, the most beneficial tillage combination was the tillage of chicory in ridges, after spring ploughing, mixing the mulch of common vetch with the soil. Both the cultivation of the plant in ridges and ploughed vetch affected the yield significantly. The factors of the experiment had no significant influence on the content of dry matter and protein in the roots of chicory.

Studies on diversity of fungi colonizing and damaging selected plant parts of ribwort (Plantago lanceolata L.) were carried out in 2009–2011 on plantations grouped in south-eastern Poland. Fungi were isolated from superficially disinfected roots, collar roots and leaves by means of a mineral medium. Fungi from Fusarium spp., Boeremia exigua var. exigua comb. nov. and Rhizoctonia solani were obtained from the roots and collar roots showing necrosis and tissue decay. Phyllosticta plantaginis was commonly obtained from the leaves with symptoms of small, regular, necrotic spots. This species had not been found in Poland earlier.

The UE-imposed restrictions on the manufacture and use of plant protection chemicals impose on the nurseryman the need to screen for new substances that are environmentally friendly and yet effective in the production of plant material. Biopreparations may constitute such a group as they contain substances that have little environmental impact. This study evaluated biopreparation AlgaminoPlant for its effect on rooting of stem cuttings in Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Dart’s Gold’ and ‘Red Baron’ during the vegetative seasons 2010 and 2011. During rooting, cuttings were sprayed once, twice or three times with the water solutions of the biopreparation AlgaminoPlant (0.2%). To evaluate its effectiveness relative to the current treatments routinely used in the nursery production, some cuttings were treated with a rooting powder containing a synthetic auxin IBA or sprayed with a water solution of IBA. The best results were obtained with the IBA solution, however, biopreparation also positively affected rhizogenesis in ninebark. Biopreparation also affected the chlorophyll a+b, reducing sugars, free amino acids and polyphenolic acids contents in leaves of cuttings but its effects varied depending on a cultivar.

Several studies conducted at present concern the application of biostimulants in intensive plant growing. Titanium is an element exhibiting characteristics of a biostimulant. The aim of the conducted analyses was to evaluate the effect of the application of titanium on plant nutrition, their yielding as well as contents of macronutrients and biological value of fruits in tomato grown on rockwool. The following levels of titanium were analysed: the control (no titanium applied), Ti-I (corresponding to an annual dose of 80 g Ti·ha^-1), Ti-II (240 g Ti·ha^-1), Ti-III (480 g Ti·ha^-1) and Ti-IV (960 g Ti·ha^-1). The source of titanium was “Tytanit” fertilizer (Intermag Olkusz). In the conducted study a significant effect of titanium application was found at the Ti-IV level on the produced total and marketable yields, at the simultaneous increase in the yield of fruits with the greatest diameters (classes I, II and III) in comparison to the other tested combinations. A significant effect of Ti was found on an increase in contents in the index parts of plants in case of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium (the greatest contents of N, P, Ca and Mg recorded at Ti-IV) as well as potassium (the highest content at Ti-I). A general trend was observed (except for Ti-II) for an increase in nitrogen content in fruits under the influence of titanium application, at a simultaneous lack of effect on contents of phosphorus and potassium. In case of calcium and magnesium the recorded changes were multifaceted. No significant effect of titanium was observed on contents of dry matter and sugars in fruits, as well as their active acidity. At the same time a significant variation of vitamin C contents in fruits was recorded, depending on the level of titanium nutrition of plants.

Cytokinins determine plant shape via regulation of meristem activity. Stimulatory effect of cytokinins on lateral shoot outgrowth is used in plant production yet they usually impair rhizogenesis. This excludes their usage in propagation from cuttings, although in some cases cytokinin positively affect rooting. The aim of the research was to determine the influence of benzyladenine in a wide range of concentrations on rooting and development of Gaura lindheimeri cuttings and their subsequent growth in order to obtain well branched plants in the shortest time of cultivation. Our study demonstrated high efficiency of some BA treatments in shaping of gaura cuttings without inhibition of rooting. The only combination favouring root formation (by 48%) was BA in 0.02 g dm^-3. Cuttings treated with BA in concentration 0.1 g dm^-3 and higher formed axillary shoots of considerably increased number and length. The most numerous shoots in both, cuttings and young plants, were observed after application of BA in concentration 2.0 g dm^-3. Considering rooting and branching into account the same combination occurred to be the most suitable for development of gaura plants.

Rootstock has a large impact, inter alia, on the growth of trees, yielding and fruit quality. Despite continuous breeding programmes, M.9 rootstock is still the best rootstock for apple trees. In the spring of 2007, at the Fruit Experimental Station at Samotwór near Wrocław, an experiment was set up, under which several less known rootstocks, grown mainly in Eastern Europe, were evaluated. The subject of the studies were 'Mutsu' trees planted with the spacing of 3.5 m between rows, and the within-row spacing of 0.8 m (PB-4, B.146), 1.2 m (B.491, P 16) and 1.7 m (B.7-35, B.396 and ARM 18). M.9 and M.26 were used as standard rootstocks. Until the fifth year after planting, the most vigorous were trees on the B.7-35 rootstock, while trees grafted on the PB-4 showed the weakest growth. The largest yield was obtained for apple trees grafted on the B.396. Trees growing on the PB-4 had the smallest fruits. Apples from trees grafted on other rootstocks were characterized by a similar mass.

Roseroot, Rhodiola rosea L. has been used in the traditional Asian, Scandinavian and Eastern European medicine for centuries as remedies for improvement of physical condition, treatment of anemia, depression, asthenia, impotence, gastro-intestinal and nervous system disorders and also as a immunostimulant and anti-inflammatory agent. This valuable plant grows naturally in Himalayas, Altai, Alps and the Carpatian mountains. Roseroot raw material contains phenylethanoids (salidroside and p-tyrosol) and cinnamic glycosides known as phenylpropanoids (rosin, rosavin and rosarin), that are considered the most important active substances identified in raw material. The objective of this experiment was to compare the content of phenolic compounds (salidroside, p-tyrosol) and cinnamic glycosides (rosarin, rosavin and rosin) determined by HPLC method, from particular morphological parts (roots, rhizomes, and for the first time – tips and above ground parts) of the raw material of R. rosea cultivated in Poland through seven following vegetation periods. In this study we found that significantly yearly increases in total phenylethanoids and phenylpropanoids concentrations occur with R. rosea grown in Poland. Rhizomes were characterized by highest amount of phenylpropanoids and phenylethanoids studied, in comparison to the other morphological parts of plants at the same age, whereas a certain amount of active substances were also found in the stems and leaves of Rhodiola rosea (on an average as twice as lower than in the under ground parts of plants). Thus, above ground parts of roseroot could be a potential source of phenylethanoids and phenylpropanoids for pharmacy. Roseroot harvested after only 3 year of vegetation contained significantly lower amounts of phenylethanoids and phenylpropanoids in under ground parts of plants than harvested after 4, 5 or 6 year. Since these phenolics and glycosides are the major active constituents of Rhodiola rosea, this change to an earlier harvest (before fourth or in appropriate cases in third year) may have an effect on the quality of the harvested raw material.

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) is a perennial plant of Mediterranean origin. The raw material is the herb (Hyssopi herba) that shows multidirectional medicinal activity. Essential oil is the main biologically active substance. The content of oil and its chemical composition determine the aroma of the raw material. The essential oil content changes during the period of plant growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative composition of hyssop oil depending on plant growth stage. Studies were conducted in the period 2007–2008 at the Experimental Farm of the Department of Vegetable Crops and Medicinal Plants, University of Life Sciences in Lublin. The hyssop herb was collected from plants at the following growth stages: vegetative stage (the middle of June), beginning of flowering (the middle of July), and full flowering (the middle of August). The herb was dried at a temperature of 30^oC and then ground through 4–5 mm mesh sieves. Essential oil was obtained from the ground herb by steam distillation. The main components of hyssop oil were as follows: cis-pinocamphone, trans-pinocamphone (monoterpene ketones), β-pinene (monoterpene hydrocarbon), germacrene D (sesquiterpene hydrocarbon), and elemol (sesquiterpene alcohol). Trans-pinocamphone was predominant in the oil extracted from hyssop collected at the vegetative stage, but its content decreased with plant growth, while the content of cis-pinocamphone increased. The content of β-pinene was the highest in the oil extracted from hyssop cut at the vegetative stage and more than twice lower in the oil obtained from plants harvested at the beginning of flowering and at full flowering.

Soybean is one of he most valuable plants cultivated in the world. Soybean seeds and its products contain fibre, lecithin, vitamins, especially from the B group, mineral elements, isoflavones (genistein and daidzein), phytic acid, proteanase and saponin inhibitors. The object of the studies were the plants of soybean ‘Aldana’ cv. grown from the seeds dressed directly before the sowing with post-culture liquids Pseudomonas sp. Ps 255 and Bacillus sp. B 73. The studies also considered a combination with chemical seed dressing with Zaprawa Oxafun T and a combination without any dressing. The effectiveness of post-culture liquids of antagonistic bacteria was estimated in protecting soybean from soil fungi. Post-culture liquids had a positive effect on the number, health status and yielding of the studied plants. Soybean was mainly infected by Fusarium culmorum, F. oxysporum, Phoma exigua, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Species Phomopsis sojae was additionally isolated from the infected plants. Those fungi were isolated much less frequently from the plants in combinations with post-culture liquids of antagonistic bacteria than from reference plants. A reverse relation was observed in the case of the occurrence of saprobiotic fungi from genera Gliocladium, Penicillium and Trichoderma.

Green biotechnology plays an important role in the modern agriculture. Recent progress in molecular biology and genetic engineering provides an opportunity of obtaining transgenic plants with improved characteristics, such as yield parameters, nutritional value, taste, biochemical composition, cold tolerance or pathogen resistance. Genetically modified plants can be used to produce a variety of recombinant proteins of biomedical or industrial significance, including enzymes, antigens, antibodies, hormones and secondary metabolites. Research on transgenic plants has been carried out in many countries. While there has been great development of green biotechnology worldwide, some significant achievements in this field can be contributed to Polish scientists. The paper presents research on genetically modified crops carried out in Polish scientific centers and its potential usage in different areas of man life.