The objective of this study was to test yield and fruit quality of the red raspberry ‘Meeker’ and the blackberry ‘Čačanska Bestrna’ propagated using the standard method (ST) and in vitro, by tissue culture (TC). The monitored parameters included the total number of canes, cane number per one metre of the planted row, yield per cane (raspberry) or per bush (blackberry) and total yield. Monitoring fruit quality parameters included the weight and dimensions of fruit, the number, weight and dimensions of individual drupelets and weight of drupelet seeds. No significant differences were determined either for the total number of canes and/or the cane number per row metre in plants originating from both types of planting material in both genotypes. Significant differences were observed to the advantage of the raspberry ST plants, in the total yield, as well as the fruit weight in the blackberry ST plants. A significantly higher weight of drupelet seeds was observed in TC plants of both genotypes. Concerning the organoleptic assessment of fruits, no significant differences were recorded between fruits coming from ST and TC plants.

Hyacinthus genus is an important group of ornamental plants that bear white, yellow, pink, red or purple coloured flowers. It has about 2000 species spread around the world that are grown commercially. Although, plant occurs naturally in Turkey yet efforts have not been made to adapt it for open field cultivation. There is need to transfer and establish these plants from wild to fields for commercial use through in vitro and ex vitro approaches, that will help local economy profitably. This study reports in vitro culture of Hyacinthus orientalis L. subsp. orientalis; using fruits containing immature zygotic embryos cultured on MS medium containing varying concentrations of Thidiazuron (TDZ) with and without 0.2 mg l^-1 naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) supplemented with 20 or 40 g l^-1 sucrose. The study also reports induction of bulblets on tender leaf sheaths on MS medium containing different concentrations of benzylaminopurine (BAP) + 0.1 mg l^-1 NAA supplemented with 30 g l^-1 sucrose. The maximum bulblet regeneration (40%) with 31.33 bulblets/explant was noted on MS medium containing 0.15 mg l^-1 TDZ supplemented with 40 g l^-1 sucrose. Whereas, the best bulblet regeneration on tender leaf sheath explants was noted on 1.5 mg l^-1 BAP + 0.1 mg l^-1 NAA with 2.97 bulblets per explant of 0.55 cm bulb diameter and 1.20 leaves per bulblet. These bulblets were cultured singly on MS medium containing 20 mg l^-1 GA₃ (Gibberellic acid) + 50 g l^-1 sucrose and attained a diameter of 0.75–1.00 cm in 30 days time. The bulbs regenerated on both explants were successfully rooted and acclimatised in plant growth chamber using peat moss followed by their transfer to open field conditions.

In the paper are presented results of three years studies performed in the period 2008–2010 on effects of cultural practices in stands of Panico-Galinsogetum Tx. et Beck. 1942. association in conventional potato production on the experimental plots in the vicinity of Becej (Northern Serbia). Composition of association Panico-Galinsogetum in experimental control variant builds 31 weed species. From Panico-Galinsogetum community, in the variant with one cultivation (with earthing up) without herbicide applying was found 22 weed species, and at the variant with two cultivation without herbicide 17 weed species, respectively. Herbicide treatments of potato crops as well as cultivation led to significant impoverishment of the weed flora, i.e., reduction in number of weed species, their coverage value, as well as the degree of presence in potato crop. Due to reduction of weed infestation, in variants untreated by herbicides, by application of two cultivations, achieved potato yield was for 8% higher in comparison to the variant with one cultivation. In variants treated by herbicides, potato yield was for 32% higher in relation to the yield on untreated experimental variants. The average number of tubers per plant achieved in variants treated by herbicides was for 40% higher in comparison to the number of tubers in untreated variants. In both cases, in comparison to control variant, cultivation resulted in significantly higher number of tubers per plant.

During 2012 and 2013 we investigated impact of quinces MA and BA.29 rootstocks on leaf macro- and micronutrients amount at 60 days after full bloom (DAFB) and deviation from optimum percentage (DOP and ΣDOP indexes) of three pear cultivars grown at Cacak region on heavy and acidic soil. Results showed that rootstocks significantly influenced leaf P, Ca and B levels, whereas impact on other leaf nutrients is minor. Quince MA increased leaf P and Ca contents, while BA.29 induced higher leaf B level. Stronger effect than rootstock on leaf nutrients had cultivar, although differences among them for leaf N, Mg and Fe were not significant. Leaf of ‘Abbé Fetel’ on BA.29 had the highest K, Ca, Cu and B amounts, whereas on MA this cultivar had the highest Mn concentration. Also, ‘Abbé Fetel’ alongside with ‘Conference’ on MA had the highest and similar leaf Ca, Cu and Zn amounts. ‘Starking Delicious’ on BA.29 had the highest leaf P content. The DOP index showed high deficiency of K and Mn on both rootstock and Ca on BA.29. Other leaf nutrients tended to have a DOP values close to the optimum level in general. According to ΣDOP index, BA.29 induced better balanced leaf nutritional values as compared to MA for all nutrients. Among cultivars, ‘Abbé Fetel’ on both rootstocks and ‘Conference’ on BA.29 showed the best balanced nutritional values, whereas ‘Starking Delicious’ exhibited a wider imbalance in nutritional values for all nutrients.

There were tested and screened, in vitro and in vivo, for the first time in Romania, nine respectively six plant extracts manufactured by Hofigal S.A. against Alternaria alternata (strain Aa 20) isolated from blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.). The highest in vitro activity (efficacy between 70% and 100%) was recorded for Satureja hortensis and Valeriana officinalis extracts at 20 and 10% concentrations. A good inhibitory activity on mycelial growth (efficacy between 54.3 and 88.6%) has been noticed for Allium sativum, Mentha sp. Rosmarinus officinalis, Tagetes patula extracts (at 10 and 20%). No efficacy was noticed for Artemisia dracunculus ‘sativa’. The extract obtained from Hyssopus officinalis inhibited the mycelial growth of A. alternata only at 20%, with 57.1% efficacy. In field trials, Valeriana officinalis and Satureja hortensis extracts have been very effective in limiting Alternaria disease severity in blackcurrant applied at 10%, compared to untreated control. This data confirmed their strong antifungal potential, both in vitro and in vivo. Based on our results, plant extracts with highly efficacy could be an alternative in the protection of blackcurrant as medicinal crop against Alternaria leaf spot and fruit rot especially in organic horticulture system.

Relatively little is known on the interaction between iodine and selenium in plants. It may become a drawback in developing agrotechnical rules of plant biofortification with these elements. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of soil fertilization with various forms of iodine (I^- and IO₃^-) and selenium (SeO₃^2- and SeO₄^2-) on yield, biofortification efficiency and selected chemical properties of lettuce plants. The study (conducted in 2012–2014) included soil fertilization of lettuce cv. ‘Valeska’ in the following combinations: control (without iodine and selenium fertilization), KI, KIO₃, Na₂SeO₄, Na₂SeO₃, KI + Na₂SeO₄, KIO₃ + Na₂SeO₄, KI + Na₂SeO₃, KIO₃ + Na₂SeO₃. Iodine and selenium were applied twice: before sowing and as a top-dressing in a total dose of 5 kg I·ha^-1 and 1 kg Se·ha^-1. Only the application of Na₂SeO₄ (individually or together with iodine) exhibited strong toxic effect on plants which was accompanied by the highest accumulation of Se, selenomethionine (SeMet) and selenocysteine (SeCys) in lettuce. The accumulation of I and Se in lettuce was respectively higher after fertilization KI than KIO₃ and Na₂SeO₄ than Na₂SeO₃. Simultaneous application of iodine and selenium decreased the level of Se, SeMet and SeCys in lettuce particularly in the combination with KIO₃ + Na₂SeO₃. Simultaneous application of KI with both forms of selenium decreased iodine content in lettuce as related to the treatment with KI alone. In the case of lettuce from the combinations with KIO₃, KIO₃ + Na₂SeO₄ and KIO₃ + Na₂SeO₃, comparable results of iodine concentration were obtained.

The phenolic compounds, sugar, mineral contents and antioxidant capacity of the Ziziphus jujube (Hunnap) fruits collected from five different locations in Turkey were determined. Total phenolic contents ranged from 652.4 to 1348.4 mg GAE 100 g^-1 g fruit dry weight. Fourteen phenolic compounds; gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, coumaric acid, para-coumaric acid, hesperidin, naringin, rutin, ellagic acid, quercetin, naringenin and vanillin were identified and quantified. Among the jujubes, considerable differences in phenolic materials were found. Catechin levels ranged from 5.95 to 100.96 mg 100 g^-1, and ellagic acid levels ranged from 5.87 to 26.32 mg 100 g^-1 for jujube fruits in dry weight basis. Potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium were the major mineral constituents in jujube fruits. The antioxidative capacity of the jujube extracts, evaluated with the % inhibition, the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydracyl (DPPH•), and the 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonicacid) (ABTS•+) scavenging methods. A positive correlation was found between total phenolic contents and antioxidant activity of jujubes.

Physalis peruviana L. is belongs to Solanaceae family and commonly known as Cape gooseberry. More recently it is very popular and widely used as medicinal plant to treat malaria, asthma, hepatitis, dermatitis and rheumatism and has diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, it was aimed to develop in vitro propagation protocol for P. peruviana L. using apical shoots as an explant sources. Regenerated plants were evaluated based on their multiplication rate and shoot length using various concentration of BAP (1, 2, 3 mg l^-1) in combination with IBA (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 mg l^-1) and NAA (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 mg l^-1). In addition, efficiency of various auxin concentrations of (1 and 2 mg l^-1 IBA and NAA) was also applied on root formation of P. peruviana L. The highest shoot numbers were obtained from 2 mg l^-1 BAP with 0.4 mg l^-1 IBA (6.00) combinations and shoot length obtained in 2 mg l^-1 BAP with 0.2 mg l^-1 IBA combinations (3.30 cm). As for the effects of BAP and NAA combinations; the highest shoot length were obtained from 2 mg l^-1 BAP without NAA combinations (3.33 cm) while the lowest one was in 3 mg l^-1 BAP with 0.4 mg/I NAA combinations. The highest root numbers were obtained from NAA application (2 mg l^-1 and 1 mg l^-1, respectively). In vitro derived plants were acclimatized to the soil smoothly. The present study highlights the importance of plant tissue culture in order to be used for large-scale production of P. peruviana (L.) due to the elimination of sexual propagation.

Rootstock modifies many fruits features during growth and cropping trees in the orchard. Studies were undertaken to prove the effect of rootstock on the quality of sweet cherry ‘Regina’ fruit before and after storage period. Experiment was conducted in storage conditions – normal atmosphere at 8°C and 2°C and controlled atmosphere – 3% O₂ + 5% CO₂ at 2°C. In two seasons, 2011 and 2012 fruits samples are harvested at maturity stage and stored for two weeks. After harvest the fruits were evaluated for firmness, soluble solids content and titratable acidity and after storage for firmness, soluble solids content and titratable acidity, the loss of fruit mass, changes of fruit peduncle color, percent of decay fruit. Both rootstocks and storage regime affected majority of the investigated parameters. The effect of rootstock was varied and depended on year of experiments; however, fruit from Tabel-Edabriz rootstock exhibited the highest soluble solids content in both years. Fruits from CA 2°C were the most firm, exhibited the highest acidity and the least percent of fungal decay symptoms. In turn, fruits from NA 8°C were characterized by the highest soluble solids content and SSC/TA ratio. Storage under CA 2°C caused the least loss of fruits weight.

The goal of research was to evaluate the above-ground physiological and overall plant responses of chosen herbaceous matrix plants to varying water soil content in confined root zone. Stachys macrantha (C. Koch) Jalas, Brunnera macrophylla (Adams) IM Johnston. and Geranium macrorrhizum L. were subjected to drought. We measured a) stomatal conductance, b) leaf area, c) dry matter content, d) leaf pigments content, e) visual quality rating. Drought stress led to considerable decline in stomatal conductance (75% Stachys, 60% Geranium, and 42% Brunnera) and in leaf area (Stachys 59%, Geranium 53%, Brunnera 45%). There were observed opposite trend: increased in leaf dry matter content (33% Stachys, 14% Brunnera), root dry matter content (22% Stachys, 14% Brunnera) and ratio carotenoid/total chlorophyll content (4% Brunnera). Two from investigated plants (Brunnera and Geranium) survived in drought condition at acceptable morphological damage, however, Stachys did not perform well in a confined root zone. These results lead to the conclusion that Brunnera and Geranium are well adapted to dry conditions and would be suitable for use in low water use landscape, however, Stachys is partially recommended.

Ever-increasing shortage in global agricultural water sources urged the researchers to investigate sustainable strategies for alleviating the negative effects of drought on plants in semi arid or arid regions. In this sense, foliar fertilization gained particular significance as it supports the plant to cope with water shortage. This study was conducted to investigate the leaf physiological response of the grapevine ‘Narince’ to various organic leaf fertilizers. Leaf protein content was also determined to compare treatment effects on nutritional value of grape leaves since the leaves of this cultivar are consumed in various ways. Both stomatal conductance, leaf chlorophyll and protein content increased in response to leaf fertilizers in varying degrees according to the products used. To illustrate, Herbagreen pulverization resulted in the highest stomatal conductance (gs) (324.7 mmol H₂O m^-2 s^-1), and was followed by Cropset (323.5 mmol H₂O m^-2 s^-1) while the lowest gs value was obtained from control vines (295.4 mmol H₂O m^-2 s^-1). The highest chlorophyll and protein contents were obtained from ISR 2000 (32.9 mg kg^-1) and Maxicrop (21.5%) treatments, respectively. Leaf chlorophyll content had a significant positive correlation with leaf protein content when all the observations were pooled. Therefore, the organic leaf fertilizers can be considered as a safe, sustainable and innovative strategies to support plants to cope with drought.

Conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources is important to meet the demand for future food security. This study was conducted on twenty-five native pear accessions sampled from Hatay, province, in eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. In these accessions, ripening time, productivity, and some important pomological traits were determined such as fruit weight, fruit sizes, total soluble solids contents, pH, and acidity. The grittiness, flavor, and juiciness were also measured as sensory analysis. These results showed that the earliest ripening among the all studied accessions were ‘Biçin 1’ and ‘Biçin 2’ (June 25 in 2009 and June 23 in 2010), while the latest accessions were ‘Dağarmudu 1’ and ‘Dağarmudu 2’ (November 8 in 2009 and November 5 in 2010). In pear accessions, productivity was identified as medium and high. The fruit weight of pear accessions were ranged between 28.29 and 160.02 g, seed numbers were ranged between 0.56 and 10.00, total soluble solid contents were ranged between 10.00 and 18.50%. In pear accessions, 15 instead of all 21 of morpho-pomological fruit properties were able to explain 85.0% of the total variation. As a result, some pear accessions may be recommended for both pear cultivation and the breeding studies in terms of earliness and flavor.

Poor seed germination is a main hindrance to the commercial cultivation of Zinnia (Zinnia elegans Jacq.). Seed enhancement is a useful strategy to improve germination of major agronomic and horticultural crops. A lab study was conducted to investigate the potential of magnetic seed stimulation as a seed enhancement tool and its influence on germination and emergence capacity of zinnia. Magnetic seed treatment with 50, 100 and 150 mT strength each for 5, 10 and 15 min was compared with control (untreated). Magnetic seed stimulation reduced time to 50% germination and mean germination time and increased final germination percentage, germination energy and germination index. Root length, shoot length, seedling fresh and dry weight was also increased as a result of magnetic seed stimulation. Furthermore, magnetic field treatment also enhanced α-amylase activity, total soluble sugars and reducing sugars levels. Among all seed treatments, magnetic field with strength of 100 mT for 15 min was the most effective physical treatment for improving seed germination and seedling growth of zinnia.

Application of safe organic compounds for the environment is an important approach to increase the longevity of cut flowers. Essences and herbal extracts are compounds having antimicrobial properties, thereby increasing the post-harvest life of cut flowers. Mechanical treatments such as splitting in the stem end also increase longevity of cut flowers. Essences and extracts of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) are biological compounds with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that can be used as a vase solution. In this study, different concentrations of rose scented geranium extract and stem end slot were used to improve post-harvest life of cut chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura) flowers. The results showed that longevity of cut flowers treated in vase solution containing 100 mg l^-1 rose scented geranium extract (18.43 days) with a slot of 5 cm at the stem end was significantly more than that of the control (8.11 days). Water status, microbial population in vase solution and stem end, ionic leakage, and enzymes activities were significantly different between treated cut flowers and control.

The morphology of 279 accessions of Cyclamen sp. growing naturally in Turkey, namely C. alpinum (syn. C. trochopteranthum), C. graecum, C. hederifolium (syn. C. neapolitanum) and C. mirabile, was characterized. Plants with intact tubers were collected from locations in Antalya, Isparta, Aydın, Muğla, İzmir and Denizli, determined by GPS, where they grow naturally in spring and autumn. The morphology of the four Cyclamen species was characterized using one year old regenerated plants based on 27 morphological traits (13 flower, 11 leaf, 2 plant, 1 tuber). There were distinct differences among these accessions related to petal colour, pedicel length, leaf length and width, leaf shape, and tuber diameter. Even though principle component analysis confirmed the grouping of characters into species-specific clusters, a wider range of morphological data as well as molecular data are needed for more reliable conclusions to be drawn about the classification of these Cyclamen species.

Biochemical assessment was performed of leaves, flower buds and flowers of lavender. High positive correlation was demonstrated between the essential oil contents and antioxidant activity (AA) (R = 0.9688), total phenolic acids and AA (R = 0.9303), as well as high negative correlation between flavonoid contents and AA (R = -0.9760). Results of the foregoing studies also suggest that AA of lavender (77.5–86.3%) is more correlated with the essential oil and phenolic compound contents than with the contents of flavonoids, anthocyanins and tannins. The predominant compounds in the oil obtained from leaves were epi-α-cadinol (17.8%), cryptone (10.4%), 1,8-cineole (7.3%) and caryophyllene oxide (7.2%), and of the oil distilled from flowers: linalyl acetate (22.3–32.1%) and linalool (23.9–29.9%).