In the experiments carried out in the years 1998-1999 the effect of inert media and fertilization levels on the nutrition status of greenhouse tomato cv. ‘Maeva F₁’ was investigated. Two feeding solutions were used: I, containing (in mg dm^-3): N-NO₃ – 189, P – 62, K – 371, Ca – 190, Mg – 49, Fe – 0.84, Mn – 1.87, B – 0.32, Zn – 2.01, Cu – 0.048, Mo – 0.048, pH 5.5, EC – 3.2 mS cm^-1; and solution II with the concentration increased by 20%, and three inert media: rockwool (Grodan), polyurethane foam (Inert) and expanded clay (granulation 4–8 mm). In the index parts of the tomato (9–10 leaf from the top) the mean content of nutrients was (% in d.m.): N – 3.69, P – 0.41, K – 5.30, Ca – 7.49, Mg – 0.55. No significant effect was found for the studied media – rockwool, expanded clay and polyurethane foam – on the nutrient content in the index parts of the greenhouse tomato, except for phosphorus. Fertilization levels also did not affect significantly content of these nutrients in the index plant parts.

The effect of inert media and fertilization levels on nutrition status of greenhouse tomato cv. ‘Maeva F₁’ was investigated. Mean microelement content was: 118.5 mg Fe, 51.7 mg Zn, 269.0 mg Mn and 11.43 mg Cu kg^-1 of dry mass of the index parts of the tomato (9–10 leaf form the top). No significant effect of rockwool, expanded clay and polyurethane foam on microelement contents was found in the index parts of the greenhouse tomato, except for zinc whose content was significantly higher in the leaves of the plants grown in rockwool and polyurethane foam than in expanded clay. Fertilization levels did not affect significantly the content of iron, manganese and copper in the index parts, except for zinc whose content lowered at higher fertilization level. High tolerance of the tomato plants to zinc and manganese content in feeding solutions was indicated. No phytotoxicity of zinc nor manganese was found at the content of 2.01 mg Zn and 1.78 mg Mn dm^-3 of water or feeding solution.

The frequency of applying of cut flowers to decorate graves in thirteen municipal or parish cemeteries in the city of Wrocław were estimated in years 1998-2000. In each cemetery 10 sample places with 50 graves were chosen. The research covered the species which occurred more than twice. It consisted of herbal plants and shrubs. Analysing the frequency of applying of plants, 129 taxa from 43 botanical families were estimated. The greatest number of taxa were used in Summer – 99, the next in Autumn – 61 and Spring – 50. In each cemetery, respectively, the same 20, 14 and 17 taxa were applied. In Spring the most frequently graves were decorated with: Salix caprea, Tulipa sp., Forsythia cultivars, Narcissus cultivars, Dendranthema grandiflora – spray cultivars, in Summer – Dendranthema grandiflora – spray cultivars, Gypsophilla paniculata, Callistephus chinensis, Campanula glomerata, Lilium cultivars, and in Autumn – Dendranthema grandiflora, Dendranthema grandiflora – garden cultivars, Dahlia pinata, Gladiolus cultivars, Crocosmia crocosmiflora.

In 1999–2001 years on rootstocks of I, II, III quality of Rosa multiflora Thunb., thornless, the buds of two cultivars (Friesia and Nina Weibull) from the floribundas group were budded from different thickness scions. The dominant influence of quality of the rootstock on budding results of studied rose cultivars from the floribundas group was ascertained, however the quality of the scions didn’t matter. The planted rootstocks of I quality rooted very well every three vegetations seasons. In years 2000 and 2001, when the amount of rainfall during the first three months after planting was small, the rootstocks of II quality and particularly the ones of III quality, rooted in lower percentage than the rootstocks of I quality. During budding time the III quality rootstocks had thinner neck root in comparison to rootstocks I and II quality. Yet the rooted III quality rootstocks were budded in nearly 100%. The buds of roses of both cultivars on the III quality rootstocks overwintered in lower percentage than the ones budded on the I and II quality rootstocks. There was no significant influence ascertained in kind of quality of rootstock and of scion on number of I order shoots that grew in springtime from buds and on number broken off shrubs.

The aim of a study was to determine the nutrient and water uptake by tomato plant grown in three independent systems of the nutrient film technique (NFT), provided with the nutrient solutions containing different levels of sulphates: I – 200, II – 400, i III – 600 mg dm^-3. Nutrient and water uptake depended mainly on stages of plant maturity, and in a less degree on the concentration of sulphates in the solution. Average daily uptake by single plant was (mg): nitrogen – 131.4; phosphorus – 31.6; potassium – 229.6; calcium – 100.7; magnesium –23.2. Average daily uptake of water was 1084 cm³.

Amangst 138 epiphytic bacterial isolates originating from hazel leaves 12 isolates limited the growth of B. cinerea, 33 limited the growth of C. corylicola, 31 inhibited the growth of G. coryli and 36 isolates showed antagonistic activity against Phomopsis sp. in-vitro. It was found that 9 isolates limited the growth of all the pathogenes tested and 7 isolates inhibited the growth of at least 3 out of them. The abilities of bacterial isolates tested to limit of the pathgenes growth were higher after 4 days of the biotic influence than after 8 days. Isolates of bacteria with the highest inhibitory activity against the above – mentioned pathogenes were identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp. and Enterobacter, Citobacter, Klebsiella or Erwinia cypripedii.

Long term investigations revealed that cultivation of strawberries (Fragaria magna Thuill.) for 10 years continuously in one plot reduces their vitality: the number of the produced runners decreases by 41%, of leaves – by 30%, form only 28% of inflorescence, the yield reduces by 50% in comparison with strawberries grown for two years in a new plot. Evident decline in the vitality and productivity of strawberries was detected during 4th–6th years of cultivation. Unequal reaction of the tested cultivars upon the durability of cultivation was noticed; strawberries of the cultivar ‘Senga Sengana’ reacted slightly, while the ones of the cultivar ‘Nida’ – strongly. It is related with different sensibility of these cultivars towards the disease agents of root rots. It was determined that long-term cultivation of the Fragaria genus plants results in the accumulation of the parasitic fungi propagules in soil: Ascochyta fragaricola, Cercospora fragariae, Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, Perenospora fragariae, Phytophthora cactorum, Pythium intermedium, P. ultimum, Plasmodiophora brassicae, Sclerotium rolfsii, Verticillium alboatrum. Therefore, cultivation of strawberries in the same plot for longer time increases the phytopathogenic potential of soil, and short interval (1–2 years) between planting has little significance upon it. The second reason for low productivity of strawberries cultivated for a long in one plot is soil tiredness caused by fungi, synthesising and excreting into surrounding toxic secondary metabolites, widespread in the rhizosphere, especially those belonging to the Penicillium genus: P. janthinellum, P. verruculosum var. verrucosum, P. canescens, P. spinulosum.

At the stage of the first or second leaf christmas rose seedlings were pricked to pots or to multiple pots, the roots being rolled or nipped off during the operation. The quality of young plants was estimated by determining the fresh weight, number, and length of leaves and roots. The best quality of young plants was obtained from christmas rose seedlings pricked at the stage of the second leaf and with roots rolled when planted to pots.

The objective of this study was to show the possibilities for drought mitigation in vegetable plant growing on loose sandy soils in the region of Bydgoszcz with the use of drip irrigation system. Drip irrigation used under such the soil-climatic conditions was the basic vegetable yield-creating factor, securing stable yields of the vegetable crops tested in period 1991–1999 (carrot, red beet, snap bean, squash, zucchini). The results indicated the decisive role of water on the outcome of yield and quality of vegetables cultivated on a soil of limited water holding capacity. The experiments proved that vegetables production on sandy soils was only possible with the use of supplemental irrigation. Using the elaborated formulas it is possible to determine critical periods for individual vegetable species, optimal rainfall during these periods as well as expected increases of yields caused by drip irrigation covering rainfall deficits. According to the elaborated dependences, the approximated estimation of average needs of drip irrigation and average production effects of irrigation in particular rainfall regions is also possible.

The study with sage (Salvia officinalis L.) cv. ‘Bona’ was conducted in the years 1997–1999. The effect of time of harvest on yield of fresh herb sage and yield of air dry herb, yield of air dry leaves sage. The experiment was conducted with sage two-year old. Sage transplants were planted in distance 30×40 cm. The plant material was harvested twice – in May and in September. Harvest date hat significant influence on the weight of fresh sage herb. Yield of fresh sage herb in September was bigger (190.2 dt ha^-1) than yield of fresh sage herb in May (104.7 dt ha^-1). The percentage quantity of the essential oil in the herb and leaves of sage was depended on the harvest date. The herb and leaves of sage in September had bigger the percentage quantity of the essential oil than in May. The percentage quantity of the essential oil in the leaves of sage, witch was collected in September amounted above 1.5%.

Chlorthal-dimethyl 7.5 and 11.25 kg ha^-1 applied preemergence, propyzamide 1.0 and 1.5 kg ha^-1 incorporated into the soil at the depth of 4–6 cm and trifluralin 0.75 and 1.0 kg ha^-1 incorporated into the soil at the depth of 5–10 cm did not affect the fresh weight of shoots, length of main shoot nor the diameter of inflorescence of Carthamus tinctorius, Helichrysum bracteatum, Helipterum roseum and Lonas annua and controlled about 40 to 75% of weeds growing during eight weeks after seed sowing in 3-years experiment.

Studies concerned a glassy fertilizer obtained at the Department Materials the University of Mining and Metallurgy in Krakow. The fertilizer is able to supply plants with a wide range of macro- and microelements. The present study is aimed to define the possibility of increasing the utilization rate of phosphorus contained in glasses by introducing into the soil the phosphorus bacteria Bacillus megaterium var. phospateum that had been isolated from the soil in which the experiment was carried out and grown on a mineral medium. The results showed an increased level of phosphorus in the soil of the treatments. By using the results obtained in the present and previous studies it is possible to determine the soil conditions to plants. It is worth mentioning that the residues of the glassy fertilizer from which nutrients have been leached are compatible with skeletal parts of soil and thus do not pollute the environment.

The objective of the work was the evaluation of the effect of distilled water and very hard water (215.04 mval) on the effectiveness of Rubigan 12 EC (fenarimol) – 0.48 dm³ ha^-1 and Saprol 190 EC (triforyna) – 1.6 dm³ ha^-1 against powdery mildew on roses. Increased volume of tank mixture applied to 1 ha caused an increased effectiveness of the treatment. The water type did not exert any significant effect on fungicide effectiveness. Practically and economically justified in the protection of roses against powdery mildew is the use of 200 dm³ of spray mixture per 1 ha.

In Poland export of fresh and frozen strawberries to UE countries plays an important role in the state economy. To increase competiveness of Polish strawberries vs Moroccan, Chineese and Spanish ones, there is a need of introducing new table cultivars to cultivation. The aim of the study was to determine chosen chemical parametres of fresh and frozen fruit of ‘Pandora’, ‘Elsanta’, ‘Senga Sengana’, ‘Tarda Vicoda’ , ‘Marmolada’ (‘Onebor’) and ‘Kent’ cultivars. The strawberries were grown on plantation situated near to Szczecin in the 1999 and 2000 seasons. The two-year observation showed no statistically significant differences between cultivars as far as mean soluble solids and dry weight content of fruits was concerned. During low-temperature storage statistically significant decrease of vitamin C and saccharose was found. Fresh strawberry fruit had significantly higher content of these constituents than frozen ones after 4 and 8 months of cold storage.

The study was carried out in greenhouse with tomato cv. ‘Cunero’ grown in sand, rockwool and peat substrates. In researches fertigation system without recirculating with 20% overflow liquid feed was used. The results showed no significant differences in yield of tomato grown in sand, rockwool and peat substrates. Decreasing yield of tomato grown in sand by increasing (40%) N, K, Ca, Mg concentration in solution was noticed. The lowest concentration of nutrients in sand substrate was observed. Significant differences of nutrients concentration in growing mediums had no effect on leaves nutrients composition.

Two cultivation terms were used: an early and a late one. The early cultivation began in the 19th week, the late one in the 31st week of both 2001 and 2002 years. Four cultivars were tested in the experiment: ‘Apollo F₁’, which was evaluated in each year, ‘Leila F₁’ evaluated in 2001, ‘Lucia F₁’ and ‘Papageno F₁’ evaluated in 2002. The plants planted into pots in the early term (19th week of the year) were insignificantly higher, they created more leaves and had bigger bulbs than the plants cultivated in the late term (31st week). Cyclamens in early term of cultivation flowered 1–2 weeks earlier, but flower development was longer about 2–5 days than in later term.

Between the years 1998–2000, comparative studies were carried out on the influence of propyzamide (0.750 and 3.500 kg ha^-1), trifluraline (0.625 and 1.000 kg ha^-1), propachlor (3.250 and 4.450 kg ha^-1), chloridazone (4.615 and 6.153 kg ha^-1) and metolachlor (1.440 and 1.728 kg ha^-1) on the weed population, (Nigella damascena L.) cultivated for dried bouquets in the soil-climatic conditions of the Lublin Upland and on their influence on cultivated plants. Propachlor proved to be the most effective preparation in weed control. Chloridazone caused inconsiderable and passing damage of seedlings Nigella damascena L.

In the years 1998–2000, studies were undertaken to determine the optimal sowing date and sowing density for the field cultivation of (Lonas annua (L.) Vines et Druce). Seeds were sown in three different periods, on the following dates:1st period – 4th May, 29th and 28th April; 2nd period – 14th, 10th and 8th May; 3rd period – 24th, 20th and 19th May. Five sowing rates were applied on each of the sowing dates, i.e.: 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 g·100 m^-2. The favourable influence of the early sowing dates on the plants quality was observed. Moreover, it was proved that plants grown on plots with the lowest sowing rates were characterised by the highest number of embranchments of the I order.

For the study on Pseudomonas bacteria, samples of vegetables with soft rot symptoms were collected in a market place and storage-rooms. The samples were examined on selective media for Gram-negative bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas. Forty Pseudomonas strains were isolated from injured carrot roots, potato tubers, onions, leek leaves, beetroots, cabbages, radish. On the basis of biological tests the bacteria were ascribe to 10 Pseudomonas species: P. fluorescens, P. marginalis, P. putida, P. facilis, P. aeruginosa, P. delafieldii, P. cichorii, P. pseudoalcaligenes, P. cepacia (?Burkholderia cepacia), P. gladioli (=Burkholderia gladioli pv. aliicola). Five species isolated from potato tubes, carrot roots, onions, and beetroots – P. fluorescens, P. marginalis, P. cichorii, P. cepacia (= Burkholderia cepacia), and P. gladioli (=Burkholderia gladioli pv. aliicola) – were able to cause soft rot symptoms of various vegetables.