Blackberry and mulberry are main berry crops grown in Black Sea region mostly in humid shade forest areas and its important for local people’s diet and also important for the maintenance of their health and prevention of disease. Present study aimed to determine the content of vitamin C, organic acids (citric acid, tartaric acid, oxalic acid, malic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid), sugars (glucose and fructose) and phenolic compounds (catechin, rutin, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, o-coumaric acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, vanillic acid, and gallic acid), as well as antioxidant capacity (Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity, TEAC assay) in the wild grown blackberry and mulberry fruit. Among phenolic acids, chlorogenic acid was the predominant for all wild grown blackberries, white and black mulberries. The presence of oxalic acid was only detected in the wild blackberry genotype. As a result, the phytochemical recognition of the wild grown blackberry, black and white mulberries might contribute to forthcoming investigations for developing the efficiency of food industry.

Water loss contributes to acceleration of postharvest senescence of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Ten cultivars representing two fruit types were studied. Fruit were stored at 25ºC and 75% relative humidity. Physical characteristics were examined to determine relationships between physical properties and water loss rate in tomato fruit. Water loss rate increased almost linearly with storage time and was different for each cultivar. When the vapour pressure deficit was increased the fruit water loss rate was affected among cultivars. Water loss rate was positively correlated with initial fruit water content. An increase in the surface are a to volume of fruit may explain the differences in water loss that was observed between cultivars. The cuticle thickness did not influence the differences in the fruit water loss during storage. However, it was observed the existence of a positive correlation between Surface Area of the Peduncle Scar to Fruit Surface Area ratio and water loss of the tomato fruit.

In modern horticulture the use of biostimulators for obtaining the maximum yields and qualities of the crops is favoured. Pentakeep®-V, the fertilizer containing 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is currently recommended. The ALA is recognized as biostimulator of different physiological processes. It increases the photosynthetic efficiency, impact on the nitrogen metabolism – increases activity of nitrate reductase, decreases the content of nitrates. The flowering, nectar production and sugar content by flower position and after foliar application of Pentakeep®-V in Hosta Tratt. ‘Krossa Regal’ were examined in 2012–2013. The plants were sprayed with water solutions of Pentakeep®-V in concentrations: – 0 (control – distilled water), 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06%. Nectar was extracted from 24-hs flowers, using pipette method. Nectar amount and concentration was strongly influenced by floral position in the raceme, and fertilizer application. The total amount of nectar produced per flower declined along the inflorescence, starting from the bottom positioned. Pentakeep®-V fertilizer, depending on concentrations had a variety of effects on flower traits and nectar production. The application of 0.06% of Pentakeep®-V increased the number of flowers per inflorescence, however only in one year of the study. Pentakeep®-V in 0.02 and 0.04% concentrations increased the flower size, with respect to the perianth width as well as improved nectar production. The 0.06% of Pentakeep®-V application suppressed both the flower size and nectar production. These results might be explained by the stimulation of chlorophyll synthesis and CO₂ absorption in lower dosages of ALA and reduced photosynthetic efficiency with excess dosages of ALA.

Rosehip fruits have been known to contain significant amounts of bioactive compounds. These bioactive compounds positively affect human health due to their antioxidant activities. This study aimed to analyze the total phenolic content (TPC) and total anthocyanin content (TAC), organic acids, total soluble solids (TSS), sugars, total dry matter (TDM), L-ascorbic acid content (AAC), total antioxidant capacity and volatile components present in R. iberica Stev. hips using spectrophotometry, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Headspace and Immersion Solid Phase Micro Extraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS and Im-GC/MS). TSS, TDM, AAC, acidity, TAC and TPC were found to be 27, 44.6%, 503.26 mg∙100 g^-1 frozen weight (FW), 2%, 2.50 mg ∙ 100 g^-1 FW, 2832.3 mg ∙ 100 g^-1 FW, respectively. The major acids detected in R. iberica Stev. hips were citric acid (0.62 g 100 g^-1 FW) and malic acid (0.49 g ∙ 100 g^-1 FW) other detected acids included succinic acid (0.012 g ∙ 100 g^-1 FW) and fumaric acid (0.016 g ∙ 100 g^-1 FW). Total sugar content was 26.74 g ∙ 100 g^-1 FW, and glucose was the major sugar (9.35 g. ∙ 100 g^-1 FW), followed by fructose (8.58 g g ∙ 100 g^-1 FW), sorbitol (8.32 g ∙ 100 g^-1 FW), and very low quantities of sucrose (0.49 g ∙ 100 g^-1 FW). Twenty-five volatile components were identified using HS-GC/MS, and the major volatiles were 2,4-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl) phenol (20.35%), naphthalene (18.72%), ethanol (16.59%), nonanal (6.23%), acetic acid (4.39%), 2-propanone, 1-hydroxy (2.53%). Twenty-three volatile components of Rosa hips have been detected for the first time in this study. Twenty-eight components were identified by Im-GC/MS; however, fifteen of these components were determined to be different from those identified using HS-GC/MS. The FRAP value of hips was 38.55 mmol TE ∙ g^-1 FW and the ABTS value was 47.75 mmol TE ∙ g^-1 FW.

Minerals are the most important compounds for human nutrition that are supplied by vegetables. The content of mineral in vegetables depends on the species and the cultivar, but it is subject to changes under the influence of environmental conditions and agricultural factors. This study examined the effect of sowing date (5, 15 and 25 May) and plant spacing (1 0.6 m, 1 0.8 m and 1 1 m) on selected bionutrient contents (P, K, Ca, Mg and Fe) in the fruits of two spaghetti squash cultivars, ‘Makaronowa Warszawska’ and ‘Pyza’, originating from Poland. A field experiment was carried out in central-eastern Poland on loamy sand soil. Fully-mature spaghetti squash fruits were harvested from the beginning of September to the beginning of October. The sowing date of the spaghetti squash did not affect the dry matter content, K, Ca or Mg in fruits. The P content was the highest for plants sown on 25 May. In contrast, the highest Fe content was found for plants sown on 5 May. The dry matter content was highest in the fruits of plants sown with 1 × 1 m. The increase in the distance between plants in a row from 0.6 to 0.8 or 1 m resulted in a decrease in Fe content only for plants sown on 15 May. Plant spacing did not have a significant effect on the remaining bionutrient content in the spaghetti squash fruits. The content of dry matter, P, K, Ca, Mg and Fe in the fruits of both cultivars did not differ significantly, although ‘Pyza’ tended to accumulate the most Ca and had lower K and Fe levels.

Cuttings are exposed to several stress factors during rooting. Leaf nutrient sprays may compensate the stress. Six treatments of leaf fertilizers and biostimulators and BA were applied on rooting two cultivars of Prunus mahaleb cuttings. Cuttings were taken from untreated stockplants in late May. Each cutting was 20 cm long with three leaves each cut in half. On all cuttings’ base, except for untreated ones, 0.2% IBA were applied by dipping in 50% ethanol solution, than inserted into perlite and rooted under intermittent mist. The following leaf spray treatments were applied weekly on rooting cuttings from the first to fourth week: Kelpak^® 0.2%, Wuxal^® Ascofol 0.2%, Pentakeep^®-V 0.05%, Yeald Plus^® 0.15%, early BA 0.2%. The later BA treatment started on the 4^th week of rooting. Control was sprayed with tap water. Yeald Plus^® and Pentakeep^®-V show some improving tendency in rooting rate compared to IBA treated and control (8.9 and 4.0%) on ʽBogdány’ in average of three years. On ʽMagyar’ cuttings, which can be characterized with low rooting potential, foliar sprays of Kelpak^®, Wuxal^® Ascofol, Pentakeep^®-V and Yeald Plus^® significantly increased the rooting rate and the fresh weight increment during the rooting, while Pentakeep^®-V and Yeald Plus^® significantly increased the total dry weight of rooted cuttings.

The purple carrot population, which is cultivated commonly in Konya region in Turkey for industrial purposes, was used. Different types of purple carrots were collected in order to have a gene pool, and they were subjected to selection according to the characters studied. The experiment was carried out in a Randomized Blocks Trial Design in a 3-recurrent using 22 inbred lines of purple carrot during 2009–2012. As for average yield, Eregli 1 was the highest (11.54 t∙ha^-1) whereas Eregli 14 was the lowest (9.27 t∙ha^-1). A correlation between some physical and chemical quality characteristics was determined. In carrot samples, the amount of dry matter was 12.63–16.30%, total sugar content was 7.13–9.67 g∙100 g^-1, the amount of β-carotene was 117.17–249.55 µg∙g^-1, the amount of anthocyanin was 272.0–596.2 µg∙g^-1, the amount of total phenolic 155.83–206.67 mg∙10^-2 g^-1 GAE, and antioxidant activity ranged from 31.85 to 44.20%. At the end of the study, the Eregli 9 and Eregli 10 lines were determined as hopeful lines, and Eregli 4 and Eregli 16 lines were determined as being cultivar candidate lines.

The effect of the concentration and proportion of growth regulators in an initial medium on Narcissus L. ‘Carlton’ morphogenesis in cultures of Pc stage flower bud explants was investigated. Ovary and flower stem explants were cultured on solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) media with cytokinin – 6-Benzyladenine (BA) or Zeatin (ZEA) (0.5–50 µM) – in combination with auxin – 4-Amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid (Picloram), 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or α-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (1–50 μM). The ratios of cytokinin and auxin in the initial medium determined the morphogenetic pathways and the level of cytokinin proved to be a critical factor. Somatic embryogenesis was achieved for a cytokinin and auxin ratio of 1:1–10, bulb organogenesis – for a 1:0.4–1 ratio and rhizogenesis – for a 1:20–100 ratio. The minimum concentration of cytokinin in the initial medium for somatic embryo and bulb formation was 5 μM. A lower level of cytokinin (0.5 μM) resulted in rhizogenesis. Considering the effect of auxin, Picloram stimulated the initiation of somatic embryos and the 2,4-D enhanced embryo maturation and conversion.

High costs of manual pruning and lack of skilled workers incline fruit growers to mechanical pruning. Mechanical pruning gives good results in the case of trees that do not require selective pruning, like citrus trees. This pruning method is also acceptable if the fruit is produced for industrial purposes. Twelve-year-old ‘Pinova’ apple trees grafted on dwarf M.9 rootstocks, spaced at 4 × 1.5 m, trained to the spindle system were mechanically pruned at the pink flower stage (first week of May) and at the fruit setting stage (first week of June). The pruning was done with a STIHL cutting bar as ‘topping’ (trimming the tops of trees) and ‘hedging’ – pruning of trees from two sides at an angle of 70°. Before the pruning, the trees had a height of 3.5 m and over 2.0 m spread at the bottom part of tree canopy. Control trees were pruned manually using standard methods. The height of the trees was reduced with mechanical and manual pruning to 2.5 m, and the spread to 2 m at the base of tree canopy. During the three years of the trial, mechanical pruning significantly altered the canopy structure. It developed into a continuous, compact wall without any openings along the row. In the same time, hand pruned trees had free openings in the upper part of tree canopies. Mechanically pruned trees had lower solar irradiation levels than manually pruned trees. In the third year, the trees pruned mechanically gave higher yields than the trees pruned manually, but fruit size, mean fruit weight and the area of the red blush were significantly decreased. The trial indicated that mechanical pruning of apple trees must be supplemented by hand pruning. More attention is also needed to fruit thinning when trees are pruned mechanically.

Most of the studies on the effects of salinity stress are conducted on ornamental bedding plants and perennials but little is known on flower bulbs response to this stress factor. Ornithogalum saundersiae is an attractive bulbous plant recommended for growing in pots, gardens and green areas. The study conducted in the years 2013–2014 investigated the effects of NaCl on the growth, flowering, photosynthetic activity, pigment content, and macro- and micronutrient content in the leaves of O. saundersiae. The plants were grown in pots in a plastic tunnel. NaCl was applied once a week for six weeks at concentration of 100 mM or 200 mM. The salt treatment did not cause chlorosis and did not affect flowering rate and number of inflorescences. The plants exposed to salinity stress had lower fresh weight of leaves, inflorescences and bulbs and their flowering began later than in the control plants. Photosynthesis and transpiration intensity decreased as NaCl concentration increased. The content of chlorophyll and carotenoids in NaCl treated plants was significantly higher than in the control plants. Salinity stress increased the leaf content of nitrogen, potassium, sodium and chlorine and reduced the concentration of calcium, zinc and iron.

Extreme weather conditions with prolonged dry periods and high temperature can severely influence grapevine physiology and morphology. Understanding the physiological and morphological responses of grapevines to water deficit is thus of utmost importance to modulate the appropriate plant development. The present study evaluates the effects of deficit irrigation (DI) on certain leaf characteristics of grapevine cv. ‘Italia’ cultivated on different rootstocks. DI had remarkable effects on the growth, morphology, tissue structure, water status and physiology of grapevine leaf. Response of the ‘Italiaʼ cultivar to DI depended on rootstock used. For example, leaf fresh weight of ‘Italiaʼ/5 BB under DI decreased by 15.2% in comparison to full irrigation (FI), whereas fresh weight values for ‘Italiaʼ/99 R and own-rooted vines under DI decreased 6.2 and 10.5%, respectively. Under FI treatment, stomatal conductance (g_s) reached values of 189.0 mmol m^-2 s^-1 in ‘Italiaʼ/5 BB, and 178.8 mmol m^-2 s^-1 in ‘Italiaʼ/99 R. The g_s values under DI condition were 178.1 and 164.0 mmol m^-2 s^-1 for the vines on 5 BB and 99 R respectively. Stomatal conductance decreased about 21.1, 13.8 and 10.2% in vines cultivated on 5 BB, 99 R and own root, respectively. In response to DI, leaf relative water content decreased about 9.4, 4.1 and 3.9% for ‘Italiaʼ/5 BB vines, own roots, and ‘Italiaʼ/99 R, respectively. Combined data over years revealed that the vines cultivated on 99 R displayed more tolerant leaf growth and physiology to drought in comparison to vines on 5 BB.

Qualitative and quantitative composition of the essential oil is subject to different types of variability. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of irrigation and harvest date on the content and composition of essential oil distilled from leaves, petioles and leaf blades of Apium graveolens L. var. secalinum Alef. Drip irrigation was carried out twice in the third 10 days of July and twice in the third 10 days of August. A single dose of water was 20 mm. The raw material was harvested on September 7 and October 17, thus collecting leaves after 120 and 161 days of plant growth, respectively. Irrigation increased the concentration of volatile substances in leaf blades (0.68%) and decreased the content of these components in petioles (0.24%). Celery leaves harvested in October contained significantly less essential oil (0.34%) compared to those collected in the first 10 days of September (0.53%). Monoterpenes proved to be the main fraction in the essential oil of leaf celery, limonene and myrcene being predominant among them. Most limonene (75.77%) was found in petioles of irrigated plants. Leaves of irrigated plants contained more limonene and less myrcene compared to leaves of non-irrigated plants. More myrcene and less limonene were determined in leaves harvested in September than in those harvested in October.