Few studies examined the stomatal conductance (gs) characteristics of grapevines with an emphasis on daily climatic responses. In the present study, diurnal measurements on leaf temperature and gs of three grapevine cultivars (Alphonse Lavallée, Crimson Seedless and Italia) were carried out. The leaf temperature values for the cultivars at 08:30 were 25.0 ±1°C and it increased to a maximum value between 12:00 and 14:50 p.m. After an almost steady course, it decreased along with the decrease in ambient temperature. The gs values increased from morning (08:30 a.m.) to mid-morning (10:30 a.m.) for all the cultivars. After reaching a peak level at mid-morning, the gs decreased gradually from the mid-morning throughout the afternoon. In the morning, the highest and the least gs values were obtained from Italia (232 mmol H₂O m^-2 s^-1) and Crimson Seedless (149.6 mmol H₂O m^-2 s^-1) cultivars. At around 10:30, the gs for Italia, Crimson Seedless and Alphonse Lavallée were at the highest levels with their valus 287.7, 262.1 and 242.0 mmol H₂O m^-2 s^-1, respectively. The last measurements on gs at around 16:10 varied from to 96.7 (Italia) to 112.0 mmol H₂O m^-2 s^-1 (Alphonse Lavallée). During the daily time course, the gs depended mainly on irradiance. T_leaf showed a strong relationship with T_air for all the cultivars. There was a strong, but negative correlation between leaf temperature and air humidity for all the cultivars.

The field experiment (2009–2012) was conducted to assess the influence of different biofertilizers (AMF liquid/granular inocula, humic and seaweed extracts) on the growth and yielding of ‘Topaz’/M.26 apple planted on SARD soils in Poland. During conversion to organic orchard trees’ growth, fruit yield, their quality indices as well as nutritional status of leaf and fruit was ascertained. Fruit polyphenol content and their free radical scavenging activity were assessed. Moreover, the mycorrhizal root parameters (mycorrhizal and arbuscules frequency) were also presented. The most vigorous trees were inoculated with liquid inocula MicoPlant M and MicoPlant S. The plants treated with MicoPlant S gave the highest total yield (12.12 kg/tree) and revealed the best productivity (> 1 kg cm^-2) as well as the average fruit weight. The liquid suspended inocula were more effective than granular one in terms of mycorrhizal root colonisation. Investigated biofertilizers increased P, K and Cu content of leaf. Organic soil extract (HumiPlant) decreased P and K content of fruit, while seaweed extracts (AlgaminoPlant) increased Ca amount of fruit. These treatments had the lowest K:Ca ratio. Used biofertilizers influenced apples polyphenol content as well as their antioxidant status.

This research was conducted to determine the effects of three different grafting periods (March 1, April 1 and May 1) and six grafting methods (tongue, splice, cleft grafting by hand and cleft, wedge, omega grafting by three different manual grafting tools) on graft success and plant growth in persimmon sapling production. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications in Rize, Turkey during 2012–2013. The ‘Hachiya’ persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) were used for grafting scions. Two-year old Diospyros lotus L. seedling were used for rootstocks. In conclusion, graft take percentages varied from 21.7 to 81.7% in 2012, from 10.0 to 73.3% in 2013. Sprouting percentages varied from 11.7 to 73.3% in 2012, from 5.0 to 68.3% in 2013. These parameters, tongue and wedge grafting (with tool) performed on April 1 gave the highest results in both years. Graft shoot lengths varied from 38.6 to 65.7 cm in 2012, from 38.3 to 61.5 cm in 2013. Graft shoot diameters varied from 5.3 to 8.3 mm in 2012, from 5.5 to 7.8 mm in 2013. These parameters, splice grafting performed on April 1 gave the highest results in both years. In generally among all parameters the best type of grafting was tongue and wedge (with tool) grafting. The omega grafting with manual grafting tool gave the lowest results in all parameters. Grafting period on April 1 gave the highest results, May 1 gave the lowest results in all parameters.

The aim of the experiment was to evaluate effects of gibberellic acid and the standard preservative (composed of 8HQC and sucrose) on keeping qualities of cut lily flowering shoots (L. longiflorum × Asiatic hybrid, ‘Richmond’). These effects were tested in several experimental variants: the complete leafy shoot with the inflorescence (flowering shoot), inflorescence on a leafless shoot, decapitated leafy shoot, detached inflorescence and single leaves, in order to see how the components of a holding solution affect the particular plant organs on a lily flowering shoot. An experimental variant affected flower bud opening but less so the flower longevity. Keeping qualities such as vase life of lily flower and inflorescence, rate of bud opening and flower diameter were improved by the preservative only on a complete flowering shoot. Gibberellic acid as well the mixture of GA₃ plus the standard preservative prolonged longevity of flowers in all the experimental variants. Gibberellic acid delayed leaf yellowing which was in turn hastened by the preservative except in leaves on decapitated shoots. Leaf senescence was the earliest in detached single leaves.

Studies on diversity of fungi colonizing and damaging different plant parts of oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) were carried out in 2012–2014 on production plantations grouped in south-eastern Poland. Fungi were isolated from superficially disinfected roots, stems and leaves using mineral medium. Fungi from Fusarium spp., Boeremia exigua var. exigua and Rhizoctonia solani were obtained from the roots and stems showing necrosis and tissue disintegration. Alternaria alternata and Stemphylium botryosum were isolated from the leaves with symptoms of irregular, necrotic spots. Colletotrichum fuscum was commonly obtained from the leaves showing symptoms necrotic, concentrically zoned spots with lighter center and the slightly raised edge. This species had not been found in Poland earlier.

Sweet pepper cultivars of Polish breeding have a high biological potential predisposing them to cultivation in field conditions of moderate climatic zone. The aim of investigations was the description of the dependence between morphological features of pepper fruits and its nutritional value. The experiment was performed in 2008, 2009 and 2011 at the University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland, on eleven Capsicum annuum L. cultivars of Polish origin (‘Barbórka’, ‘Calipso’, ‘Caryca’ F₁, ‘Etiuda’, ‘Gloria’, ‘Iga’, ‘Lena’, ‘Mercedes’, ‘Mira’, ‘Oliwia’, ‘Ożarowska’). Fruits shape was diversified, from spherical (‘Iga’) to the slim conical (‘Mercedes’, ‘Mira’). The fruits of greatest weight was typical for ‘Barbórka’, ‘Caryca’ F₁, ‘Etiuda’, ‘Gloria’ and ‘Ożarowska’. Thick pericarp and high share of pericarp in weight of fruit were characteristic for all investigated genotypes, and differences with regard to this parameters were slight. ‘Barbórka’, ‘Gloria’, and ‘Ożarowska’ contained higher than average dry weight, soluble sugars and carotenoids contents for all tested cultivars. The relationships between fruit morphology parameters and chosen chemical parameters was shown on a base of regression analyses. Present results made possible to select the most valuable sweet pepper cultivars with respect to nutritional value and fruit morphology. This study also enables to select genotypes, destined for field cultivation in Polish climatic conditions, for different ways of utilization. The results can also be used in future breeding programs.

The aim of this study was to compare chemical composition of lemon balm and basil herbage grown in containers under fluorescent lamps (FL) and LED modules (LEDs). There were significant differences in the response of the species for the applied source of light. The content of essential oils was greater in basil herbage under fluorescent lamps, whereas the content of essential oils in lemon balm herbage was greater under LED lamps. The basil and lemon balm plants were characterised by high content of fructose and glucose and by very low content of sucrose. There were no significant differences in the nitrates content in basil and lemon balm herbage grown under either source of light. Both the basil and lemon balm herbage were found to have higher content of macro- and micronutrients when they were grown under LEDs compared with fluorescent lamps. It can be concluded that the chemical composition of lemon balm and basil herbage was very varied and dependent on both the light and the species.

The fruit of black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott) is valuable raw material for food and pharmaceutical industries due to the content of anthocyanins, but also other components. The aim of this study was to estimate the content of dry matter, reducing sugars, vitamin C, anthocyanins and the antioxidant potential in black chokeberry fruits depending on the age of plants and the time of fruit harvest. Material for the study was collected in 2011 and 2012 from 6–7, 11–12 and 16–17-year-old plants. Fruits for analyses were harvested on 10–12 August, 29 August – 1 September, 11–13 September, 26–27 September, 11–14 October, 25–27 October. Fruits from the oldest plants contained 16–18% less anthocyanins and 8% less vitamin C, but 2.7 percentage points more dry matter than the fruits from younger plants. On the 29 August–1 September fruits achieved the maximum content of reducing sugars, vitamin C and anthocyanins, 13.7, 8.2 and 715.5 mg 100 g^-1, respectively. The content of reducing sugars and anthocyanins stayed unchanged until the end of October, and the content of vitamin C decreased considerably. Antioxidative potential (DPPH) ranged from 77.0 to 85.2% inhibition and it did not depend on the age of harvest time of fruits. The most valuable chokeberry fruits were obtained from plants up to 12 years of age, harvested between 29 August and 13 September.

The micromorphological characteristics of the pollen grain sculpture is one of the most important diagnostic traits in plants. Pollen grains in various species of the subfamily Prunoideae are characterized by variations in size, shape and exine sculpture. In the present work, for the first time, the micromorphology of pollen grains of fourteen cultivars from five fruit tree species of the genus Prunus was compared. Morphometric observations and analysis of pollen grains were performed using light and electron scanning microscopy. In terms of size, the pollen grains studied were classified as medium sized and large. Their shape was determined to be prolate, subprolate, or prolate spheroidal. The striae in the exine of P. armeniaca run parallel and can be branched or curved. The sculpture of P. persica grains shows elongated extending paralel regular and irregular striae, dichotomously branched. Regularly arranged, or at places branched, striae are found in the exine of P. avium pollen grains. The ornamentation of P. cerasus grains is composed of elongated striae, sometimes slightly curved or with a tendency to intertwine. The exine of P. domestica grains is characterized by forked, arched striae. The stria thickness differs significantly between cultivars within the species, while the groove width differs only between some species and cultivars. The obtained results on the exine sculpture of pollen grains can be used in the taxonomy of species of the genus Prunus.

Recently, the importance of silicon (Si) has been demonstrated for many plant physiological processes. The recognized function of Si is to help plants to overcome multiple biotic and abiotic stresses, e.g. disease or pests, low temperature, water deficit, salinity or heavy metals. Silicon advantageously impact on plant development and may improve the quality of ornamental plants. Hosta is an ornamental perennial, that flowers can serve as a source of nectar and pollen for floral visitors. The effect of artificial silicon (Si) supply on flowering, nectar production and pollen traits in Hosta Tratt. ‘Krossa Regal’ was studied. A foliar spraying of 0, 120, 180 and 240 mg Si·dm^-3 was applied with water solutions of Actisil Hydro Plus, containing silicon in the form of H₄SiO₄. Silicon supply in concentration of 180 and 240 mg Si·dm^-3 affected the morphometric traits of the flower (perianth width and floral tube length), but not the number of flowers produced per inflorescence. The silicon supply in concentration of 180 and 240 mg Si·dm^-3 resulted in the increase of nectar production and in sugars excess in floral nectar. Treatments in concentration of 180 and 240 mg Si·dm^-3 positively influence both pollen production and pollen viability. Presumably, most of these results can be explained through the effect of the Si on metabolism enhancement, e.g. by water balance regulation and increase in photosynthetic efficiency.

In vitro organogenesis was studied using Citrus limon L. Burm cv. ‘Primofiore’ leaf explants. The purpose of the present study was to optimize conditions for callogenesis and organogenesis of C. limon. Explants of C. limon were cultured on 16 different media supplemented with various combinations of plant growth regulators, both auxins and cytokinins, such as 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and kinetin. The best shoot induction was obtained when the leaf explants were cultured on Murashige & Tucker media supplemented with 3.5 mg∙L^-1 BAP. Histological investigation revealed most likely the initial phase of development of leaf explants during in vitro regeneration of C. limon.

The influence of vegetation period length of cardoon plants (Cynara cardunculus L.) on herb yield and its pharmacological value conditioned by chemical contents in air dried herb was examined in the research. The research conducted in the years 2009–2011 included valuation of total phenolic acids as equivalent to caffeic acid, flavonoids and tannins content in plants during their vegetative growth. The effect of the vegetation period length on cardoon plants yield was observed. The content of polyphenolic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic and cynarine) was marked with a performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).The contents of biologically active compounds depended on plants age – the most phenolic acids were noted in herb harvested from plants 120-days and 150-days old (1.86–2.58%). Herb obtained from plants of different age contained from 0.38 to 0.43% flavonoids. More tannins were accumulated in young cardoon plants after 90–120 days of cultivation (3.72–3.43%) in comparison to plants 150-days old (3.25%). The content of caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and cynarin in cardoon herb depended on length of vegetation period of plants. The content of phenolic acids in leaves increased with time. Values of correlation coefficients indicate significant correlation of total phenolic acids and tannins content in cardoon herb. The higher content of total phenolic acids the lower content of tannins (R = -0.88). Strong correlation was noted between the content of total phenolic acids and the content of chlorogenic acid (R = 0.67) and caffeic acid (R = 0.78). On the basis of the results of the presented work it could be stated that cardoon leaves are a valuable material for herb industry.

The article presents the results of research on the morphology and anatomy of the leaves of 21 cultivars (including 10 Polish cultivars) and two clones of Ginkgo biloba. Leaves from long shoots were collected at the Department of Dendrology and Nursery, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poland. A light microscope and scanning electron microscope were used for observations. Eight morphological traits were analysed in the leaves, including the lamina and petiole. The research revealed that there were significant differences between the leaves of individual cultivars and that they differed in the length, width of the lamina and the length of petioles to a much greater extent than publications had described it so far. There were significant differences between the adaxial and abaxial epidermis of all the taxa, i.e. in the cuticle ornamentation, in the protrusive secondary sculpture (absence of papillae), the position and presence of stomata (occasionally on the adaxial leaf surface), the absence of the peristomatal ring and the thickness of the epidermis. Anatomical investigations revealed that the leaves of Ginkgo cultivars and clones under study were bifacial and the multi-layered mesophyll was diversified into spongy and palisade parenchyma. The research findings may be used for the identification of Ginkgo biloba cultivars, and the epicuticular traits may be useful for the identification and classification of fragments of fossil leaves. The article includes descriptions and illustrations of several new quantitative and qualitative characters of petiole and lamina which have not been published previously.

Vegetables are important dietary components and constitute a group of the lowest calorie raw produce with a high nutritional value. The aim of the present study was to determine the nutritional and energy potential of the leaves of rocket (Eruca sativa Mill.) as affected by different regimes of plant nitrogen and potassium nutrition. Plants were grown in a greenhouse in a peat substrate, using varying amounts of nitrogen and potassium: 0.3 and 0.6 N as calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂) as well as 0.3 K, 0.6 K, and 0.9 K in the form of potassium sulphate (K₂SO₄ ) and potassium chloride (KCl), with a constant level of the other macro- and micronutrients. Fresh leaf yield and the content of soluble sugars, fat, ash and dietary fibre were determined, as well as the caloric value of the plant material studied was estimated. It was shown that the nutritional value of rocket leaves could be increased by using an appropriate system of plant mineral nutrition. The use of KCl significantly increased the nutritional value of rocket leaves, as determined by the presence of fat and dietary fibre. The application of K₂SO₄ proved to be more beneficial due to the concentration of carbohydrates and available carbohydrates. An increase in the rate of nitrogen caused an increase in biomass and fat content, but also contributed to a decrease in the concentration of glucose and fructose. The higher rates of potassium had an effect on increasing the content of fat, ash and glucose. The energy value of rocket leaves was not modified by mineral fertilization applied.