Iodine deficiency disorders are one of the serious worldwide public health problem in the world. The need to search for alternative methods of iodine supplementation results from the recommendation of the World Heath Organization and aims to significantly reduce iodine malnutrition in humans diet. Iodine is not included among essentials nutrients for plants, but the plants are able to accumulate it. Seedlings biofortified with iodine can become an alternative source of this element for humans. The aim of the study was to attempt to obtain iodine-fortified lettuce and radish seedlings and to determine the effect of the level of iodine applied in the form of potassium iodide on their biological quality. The following levels of KI were used: 0 (control), 0.075, 0.15, 0.0375, 0.75 and 1.5 mg per Petri dishes. The effect of potassium iodide on the selected parameters of their biological quality varied depending on the KI doses and species of plant. The seedlings grown in the presence of KI had a higher iodine content. The results showed that the most appropriate biofortification application rates were 0.075 and 0.15 mg because the enriched seedlings had biological quality parameters similar to the control. Statistically significant differences in the parameters characterizing seedling quality were noted most often in the case of the highest amounts of KI (0.375–1.5 mg). These KI concentrations reduced seedling’s lenght in radish and lettuce seedling but increased dry weight only in lettuce. A significant increase in ascorbic acid concentration only in the lettuce seedlings was obtained. In comparison with the control, no significant differences in the content of biomass and chlorophyll content were noted in the biofortified seedlings. Thiol group content was decreased in both radish and lettuce, but the antioxidant activity measured by DPPH method only in lettuce seedling extracts.

Hail nets are necessary protection in some fruit growing regions. Several trials showed that the net color may influence tree growth and fruiting. The influence of hail nets on orchard light microclimate, growth, flowering and fruiting of apple trees was examined in field experiment in the years 2004–2010. ‘Šampion’ and ‘Rubinstar’ apple trees grafted on M.9, were planted in spring 2004. After planting, half of the experimental plot was covered with three kinds of hail nets: white, gray and black. The other half was kept uncovered as the control. Tree growth, fruit bud formation, fruiting and fruit quality were recorded. Solar radiation was measured above and below the nets and within tree canopy. Black and gray nets stimulated tree growth and yield of ‘Šampion’ tree, but had no positive influence on ‘Rubinstar’ trees. Covering the trees with gray and black nets caused poor red blush development and reduced soluble solids content in apples of both cultivars. Fruit firmness was unaffected by netting.

Flower or fruit thinning is the most important technique in apple growing for improving fruit quality. In organic fruit production the use of chemical-synthetic thinning agents or plant hormones for crop regulation is forbidden. In Poland the Armicarb® is registered as a fungicide. Being a caustic chemical, Armicarb® damages petals, pistils and anthers and prevents fertilization. In 2013 and 2014 potassium bicarbonate was used twice at the doses 10 and 15 kg∙ha^-1 on trees cv. ‘Braeburn Mariri Red’/M.9 T337. The first spraying was done at the beginning of flowering (BBCH 61) and the second at the full bloom (BBCH 65). Trees of cv. ‘Šampion’/M.9 T337 in 2014 were sprayed twice at BBCH 61 and 65 at the doses 10 and 15 kg∙ha^-1, but in 2015 the single application was done. In 2014 and 2015 on trees cv. of ‘Gala Must’/M.9 only one spraying with potassium bicarbonate was done at doses: 10,15 and 20 kg∙ha^-1. Thinning of apple flowers with Armicarb® caused a decrease in the yield, especially of cv. ‘Gala Must’ and ‘Šampion’. However in all cultivars the fruit size distribution was much better than in control. Each variety responded by clear increase in the fruit size after thinning with Armicarb®. Mean fruit mass, the diameter and length of apples after using Armicarb® at all doses were much bigger than in control. Skin of apples was severe russeted after application of Armicarb®. However skin russeting was also affected by the weather. In 2014, at cold temperatures and high precipitation during the period of intensively fruit growth, the skin of apples was more russeted relative to others seasons.

Over the period 2007–2009, a study was conducted on the biology and abundance of flowering of Weigela florida Bunge and the effect of color change in its flowers on the behavior of pollinating insects. In the climatic conditions of south-eastern Poland, the flowering of the studied taxon started at the beginning of the second 10-day period of May and lasted from 4.5 to 7 weeks. Single W. florida flowers lived on average for 6.5 days. Bumblebees were predominant among insects visiting the flowers of Weigela florida, while honey bees visited them in lower numbers. Insect visitation to different-aged flowers was found to vary. The pollinators most frequently visited young flowers with bright pink petals and a yellow or orange nectar guide in the throat of the corolla, while they avoided older dark red flowers with a red-carmine nectar guide.

The aims of the investigation were to identify the fungi causing spots, necrosis or death of plants and the evaluation of pathogenicity of some of them to chrysanthemum plants. During the mycological investigations the fragments of plant roots, stems and leaves were placed on a mineral medium. Over 6080 colonies were obtained. Alternaria alternata, Fusarium spp. and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum were isolated most frequently. The largest numbers of colonies and species of fungi were isolated from cv. ‘Snowdon’. In the second experiment, the pathogenicity of F. oxysporum, F. avenaceum and S. sclerotiorum populations was investigated. Disease index for inoculated plants was compared to chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. For most of isolates of higher pathogenicity, the disease index was correlated with the reduction of plants photosynthetic activity. However, in some cases the damage to the photosystem was more severe than external disease symptoms indicated, suggesting that chlorophyll fluorescence measurements might be helpful in early evaluation of disease severity.

Regarding an increasing interest of consumers towards berry fruit, as they have been proved to have potential health benefits, the nutraceutical fruit value of seven strawberry cultivars: ‘Felina’, ‘Feltar’, ‘Hulta’, ‘Jota’, ‘Pastel’, ‘Plena’ and ‘Teresa’ selected at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Plant Genetics and Breeding Department was evaluated in this study. In fruits harvested at maturity, the level of phytochemical compounds such as sugars, vitamin C, and polyphenols including quercetin and gallic acid as well as antiradical activity was estimated. Among all genotypes tested, the cultivar ‘Jota’ showed the highest content of glucose and fructose as well a high content of sucrose, therefore the total sugar content exceeded 12 g per 100 g of fresh weight (FW). Similar parameters in terms of content of total sugars and the individual fractions have cultivar ‘Pastel’. Cultivars with low sucrose content were ‘Feltar’ and ‘Teresa’, but as regards monosaccharide’s cvs. ‘Plena’ and ‘Felina’. The content of vitamin C in fruits of the cultivars tested showed significant differences. It ranged from 64.5 mg·100 g^-1 FW in cv. ‘Jota’ to 104.33 mg·100 g^-1 FW in cv. ‘Plena’. The highest level of antiradical activity occurred in cultivars ‘Jota’, ‘Teresa’ and ‘Feltar’ (90.1%, 87.1% and 86.3% DPPH; respectively). The results obtained indicated that the differentiation of the chemical composition of strawberry fruit is clearly dependent upon the genetic diversity of cultivars tested, what we argue that all of them grown under the same climatic and soil conditions using the same agricultural technology.

Geocomposite (GC) with hydrophilic polymer is an innovative method of superabsorbent application. The aim of the conducted research was to assess the usefulness of the geocomposite for the fertilization of Hosta with liquid fertilizer in comparison with soluble fertilizer (SF) and controlled release fertilizer (CRF). Plants were grown in containers filled with peat substrate, in a plastic tunnel and regularly feed with two doses of the fertilizers (according to N supply: 0.36 or 0.72 g·plant^-1). Hostas responded positively to GC application: plants were higher and wider and their fresh weight increased respectively by 15 and 22% in comparison with SF and CRF application. The yield of dry matter was also higher. Plant nutrient status was better in case of P, K and Mg, but the N leaf content was lower. Lower electrical conductivity of the substrate at the end of cultivation with GC, alongside with intensive growth of plants proved high utilization of nutrients. The experiment confirmed usefulness of geocomposite for ornamental plant fertilization.

Apples are in many countries dominant species of fruit both in production and consumption. Trends in consumption of these fruits are important indicators for producers. The aim of this study was to determine long term changes in the production and consumption of apples in Poland, Europe and different regions of the world. The basis for the analysis were secondary FAO data. The dynamics of changes of these variables, the trend and the relationship between production and consumption of apples in different regions of the world were determined. On the basis of the analysis, it was found that the production and consumption of apples in the EU in the long term are quite stable. Globally, during the analyzed period, the highest increase in apple production was seen in Asia and Africa. In Poland in the years 1961–2010, apple production increased by 559%, and in the following years there was a rapid increase in production to a level of 3.1 million tones in 2013, while the consumption of apples increased of only over 133%.

Effect of two doses of calcium nitrate (2 and 4%), boric acid (1.5 and 3%) and GA₃ (50 and 75 ppm) on yield, fruit characteristics, cracking and sunburn of pomegranate cv. Hicaznar was carried out in a commercial orchard. Calcium nitrate, boric acid and GA₃ applications have been done during blossoming period and one month after blossoming. The fruit yield has been increased by both doses of calcium nitrate and the 3% boric acid dose in the first year while GA₃’s 50 ppm dose had an improving effect in the second year. In the first year, all treatments increased the average fruit weight while in the second year only the 2% calcium nitrate and 3% boric acid were found to be effective. The 3% boric acid treatments reduced the rate of cracking of the fruits in first year and in the second year all treatments reduced cracking and the best results were obtained in the applications of GA₃ and calcium nitrate. The 4% calcium nitrate application reduced the sunburn in the pomegranate fruits and 2% calcium nitrate application increased the amount of the total soluble solids.

NAA (α-naphthylacetic acid) thins apple fruits inconsistently regarding fruit set and weight and may cause small or misshapen fruits occurrence. Considering hormonal activity, surfactant properties and the impact of naphthenic acids (NAs) on the metabolism of auxins in plant tissue, it is assumed that thinning response and fruit size could be improved by adding NAs to NAA for chemical thinning of apple. The purpose of the research was to evaluate thinning efficacy of the mixture of NAA and NAs in two commercially grown apple cultivars, ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Fuji’, known to respond differently to the application of NAA. The following treatments were applied during a three-year period, from 2010 to 2012: 10 mg∙L^-1 NAA, 10 mg∙L^-1 NAA + 1.56 mg∙L^-1 NAs, 20 mg∙L^-1 NAA, 20 mg∙L^-1 NAA + 3.12 mg∙L^-1 NAs and an untreated control. The addition of NAs to NAA did not alter the effectiveness of NAA in reducing fruit set, while it significantly increased fruit weight compared to NAA applied alone in two of three years of the experiment. NAs modulated the effect of NAA on fruit weight of apple cultivar ‘Fuji’ by retarding fruit growth and causing a higher number of small fruits to occur compared to NAA applied alone.

Some important physical (fruit external color, flesh firmness, fruit size, fruit weight, fruit volume, stone cell), chemical (ash, pH, soluble solid content, sugars, titratable acidity), sensorial (appearance, firmness, sweetness, grittiness, juiciness and overall quality) and bioactive (antioxidant capacity, phenolic compounds, total phenolic content, vitamin C) characteristics of eleven local and one standard pear cultivar were investigated. All cultivars were found in national pear repository in Ataturk Horticultural Central Research Institute in Turkey. Fruit weight of pears was between 56.80 g (‘Kirmizi Biber’) and 128.94 g (‘Erkenci Uzun Sap’). Results showed that ‘Bağ’ cultivar had the highest sensorial scores (8.4 overall quality) and antioxidant capacity (21.44 mg ascorbic acid equivalent∙g^-1). Stone cell were found between 63.65 (‘Gümüşhane’) and 81.65 mg dry weight∙g^-1 (‘Maslovka’). The cultivar ‘Orak’ showed the highest chlorogenic acid (185.98 mg∙kg^-1) and epicatechin (108.26 mg∙kg^-1) content.

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities, total phenolic content, and protein content of gum tragacanth harvested from different populations of Astragalus gossypinus and Astaragalus parrowianus (Fabaceae) from three provinces in central to southwestern Iran were investigated. Total phenolic amount of aqueous solution of gum tragacanth was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu method. Antioxidant activity of the aqueous solution of gum tragacanth was evaluated by measuring DPPH. The antibacterial activity of the aqueous solution of gum tragacanth against four bacteria was determined by serial dilution assay. Results indicated that there were significant differences in amount of total phenol, antibacterial and antioxidant activities among different populations of two species. The highest amounts of total phenol of gum tragacanth were obtained from the Shahrekord and the Khomeyn populations for A. parrowianus (237 and 235 mg GAE∙g^-1 gum tragacanth, respectively). The highest protein content was obtained from the populations of A. parrowianus and the lowest amount of protein content was obtained from the Shahrekord population of A. gossypinus. The highest antioxidant activity was obtained the Shahrekord population for both species (IC₅₀ = 0.345, and 0.419 mg∙ml^-1), and the Khomeyn population for A. gossypinus (IC₅₀ = 0.511 mg∙ml^-1). The aqueous solutions of the gum tragacanth studied indicated moderate-to-good inhibitory activities (MICs = 0.125 to 0.250 mg∙ml^-1) against four bacteria, especially against Listeria monocytogenes. In conclusion, gum tragacanth from some populations of A. gossypinus and A. parrowianus could be an important dietary source of protein and total phenolic compound with antioxidant capacity and antibacterial activity.

Due to the presence of glandular trichomes in their epidermis and production of essential oils, plants from the family Lamiaceae, including Melissa officinalis L., are commonly cultivated in most European countries and across Poland. With its diverse composition of essential oils and the wide range of pharmacological effects, the raw material of the lemon balm is widely applied in various branches of industry. In literature, there are no data presenting histochemical assays of glandular trichomes in the lemon balm; therefore, the aim of the study was to detect some substances with the use of selected stains and to characterise the micromorphology of the trichomes. The investigations were conducted using light, fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopes. The histochemical tests were based on Sudan Red 7b, Sudan black B, Nile blue, Nadi reagent, ferric chloride, potassium dichromate, magnesium acetate, Ruthenium red, and periodic acid-Schiff reagent. Digitiform as well as morphologically diverse capitate and peltate glandular trichomes were distinguished in the leaf epidermis. The histochemical tests showed heterogeneity of the composition of the lemon balm essential oil. They were applied to determine lipids, fatty acids, neutral fats, terpene compounds, polyphenols, flavonoids, and polysaccharide compounds in the analysed glandular trichomes. Improvement of the histochemical methods for analysis of glandular trichomes will expand the knowledge of the metabolism of secretory cells and facilitate future modification of their secretion products.

The purpose of this research was to assess the usefulness of 7 fungicides for protection of Lawson cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) against Phytophthora cinnamomi. Under the laboratory conditions, activity of the tested agents was assessed on the basis of growth of P. cinnamomi on a medium containing fungicides and the size of necrosis of the inoculated cypress shoots. In field research, the degree of infestation of plants in the infested medium. Laboratory research conducted indicated the highest effectiveness in limitation of growth of P. cinnamomi of Acrobat MZ 69 WG and Infinito 687.5 S.C. In field research, complete limitation of infestation of cypress with P. cinnamomi was achieved by applying two-component protection agents, containing propamocarb hydrochloride (Infinito 687.5 SC and Previcur Energy 840 SL), fosetyl-aluminium (Mildex 711,9 WG and Previcur Energy 840 SL) or mancozeb in combination with metalaxyl (Ridomil Gold 68 WG). Differences in terms of effectiveness of the agents examined depending on the application method were examined. Higher effectiveness was achieved through watering in comparison with foliar spraying using the same agents.