In this study, gene action, genetic variances (δ²_A and δ²_D ), and combining abilities were estimated for fruit related traits using North Carolina Design ІІ (NCD ІІ) for ten different parental genotypes of greenhouse cucumber. This experiment was performed over a two-year period from 2014 to 2015. The variance components of male, female, and male × female were found to be significant for all the studied traits in a combined analysis of variance. Genetic component analysis showed that fruit diameter, fruit length, total fruit weight, fruit number in early picking and fruit number per node were predominantly under the additive gene action, but internode length and plant height were under the dominance of gene action. Male × female × environment interaction was significant for total fruit weight. The highest general combining ability (GCA) effect for total fruit yield was observed in Zohal (male parent) and YaldaR2 (female parent) genotypes. GCA estimation revealed that male parent of Adrian 4510 provided good general combiners for total fruit number. Specific combining ability (SCA) estimation determined the suitability of Janeete × Adrian 4510. Salar hybrid exhibited higher positive SCA effects for total fruit yield and total fruit number in early picking.

The reactions of lemon balm, marjoram, peppermint, thyme were investigated and compared in a pot experiment, adjusting 70% and 40% of soil water capacity (SWC). Biomass, total phenolic content (TPC), rosmarinic acid content (RA) and antioxidant capacity (FRAP, DPPH) of both the shoots and roots were measured. As an universal phenomenon the water stress (40% SWC) decreased the total biomass production of all species drastically. The highest increase was observed in the shoot mass of peppermint and lemon balm (decreased from 52.6 g·plant^–1 to 11.3 g·plant^–1 and from 236.8 g·plant^–1 to 58 g·plant^–1, respectively). The reaction of marjoram was much more moderate. The accumulation level of TPC was accelerated in the aboveground parts of the studied species, universally. The reactions in the roots were less characteristic. The largest increase of TPC was measured in the shoots of lemon balm (from 359.015 mg GAE· g^–1 d.w. up to 412.44 GAE·g^–1 d.w.). The reaction of marjoram was the less characteristic in this respect, as well. The parallel changes of biomass and TPC level might allow the total phenolic content to function as an adequate marker in predicting the lack of appropriate water supply. RA content showed species characteristics. Thyme, marjoram and peppermint reacted by a significant elevation (by 23–127%) of the RA content to the lack of water. The highest proportions were accumulated in shoots of the stressed thyme plants (3.45% d.w.).

High carbonate content in soil negatively affect plant growth, because the availability of nutrients is restricted due to high pH. The present investigations were carried out to reveal possible alleviating effects of the exogenous root inoculation PGPRs on development and physiology of soilless-grown grapevines cultivated under alkaline stress in controlled glass house. pH of growth medium was increased from 7.5 to the values ranging from 7.9 (control) to 8.1 (A18) according to the bacterial inoculations by NaHCO₃ supplementations. Bacteria inoculations did not result in statistically significant differences in pH values of growth media. The bacterial population density found in the rhizosphere of grapevines ranged from 6 × 10⁸ CFU mL⁻¹ (M-3) to 9 × 10⁸ CFU mL⁻¹ (Ca-637). The highest value of shoot thickness was obtained from Ca-637 (5.3 mm), followed by A18 (5.2 mm), while M3 did not significantly affected the shoot thickness. The greatest pruning residue per vine was obtained from A18 treatment (81.5 g), followed by Ca-637 (80.8 g) while the lowest value was determined in control. Vine yield was the greatest with A18 (1128 g) treatment and was followed by Ca 637 (1059 g). Considering the general observations, root inoculation of PGPRs A18 and Ca-637 may be recommended in enhancing bioremediation of alkali growth media.

The aim of the field study was to evaluate the response of scallop squash crop to nitrogen fertilization in the case of cultivation for receiving the fruits with 3–6 cm, 6.1–12 cm or >12 cm in diameter. ‘Sunny Delight F₁’ was grown from seeds and supplied with 60, 120, 180, 120 + 60, 240 or 120 + 60 + 60 kg N∙ha^–1. Harvest, which started at the end of June or in early July was conducted with frequency of 2 days, 3–4 days or one week intervals, respectively for small, medium, and large size fruits. Results of the study showed that irrespective of the size of harvested fruits, the maximum mean yield of scallop squash for 3 years was assured by application of 240 kg N∙ha^–1, and similar effect was provided by 120 + 60 kg N∙ha^–1. Heavy N fertilization was beneficial for the number of fruits setting and early fruit yield, with no change the nutritional value of the crop. Harvest conduced in more advanced stages of fruit maturity increased yields but caused substantial reduction of fruit number from the unit area. Small size fruits with diameter 3–6 cm had the highest nutritional value expressed by the amounts of vitamin C, carotenoids and total polyphenols. Fruits of later stages of maturity contained higher level of total sugar.

Fruit production has to be adapted to climate change that is often associated with heat and water deficit episodes. To develop efficient strategies on how to manage commercial orchards under deficit water supply, we need to know the effects of water-stress on crop production. However, when the water supply is abundant apple growers often think that over-irrigation gives higher marketable fruit yield than potential evapotranspiration-based or sensor-based (e.g. tensiometer, dendrometer) irrigation. We therefore aimed to evaluate the effects of three water regimes, namely well-watered (100% of crop evapotranspiration – ETc, WW), 25% of ETc water deficit over the season (water-stressed, WS), and twofold of WW (200% of ETc, 2xWW), on midday stem water potential (SWP), crop yield and fruit quality of Pink Lady^TM ‘Rosy Glow’ apples. As expected, SWP was lower in WS than in the others, but both WS and 2xWW decreased fruit yield, although 2xWW tended to increase yield in the >70% color class and ensured quite a constant amount of yield at each picking time. Soluble solid content (SSC) in fruit was higher in WS. As a whole, our results suggest that over-irrigation that is sometimes recommended to keep a safety margin should be considered with caution. Rather, a mild water-stress, between WS and WW in our experiment, may represent a good compromise for a good quality yield.

Food can be a rich source of nutrients that are required for optimal health. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects cells and bodily fluids against oxidative stress. Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) is widely recognized for its health benefits, taste and qualitative attributes. It is a source of biologically active compounds, including vitamin C. The determination of the vitamin C content of new ecotypes of cornelian cherry supported the identification of the most cost-efficient and accurate analytical method. The results of this study revealed that new ecotypes of cornelian cherry differed significantly with respect to their vitamin C content. Ecotypes 5, 10, 12 and 14 had the highest concentrations of vitamin C, which were determined at 201.61–210.75 mg·100 g^–1 by the titration (Tillmans) method and 70.90–82.30 mg·100 g^–1 by the spectrophotometric method. Ecotype 6 had the lowest vitamin C content which ranged from 177.19 mg·100 g^–1 (titration method) to 54.68 mg·100 g^–1 (spectrophotometric method). The vitamin C content of cornelian cherry fruit, measured by HPLC, reached 63.1 mg·100 g^–1 and it was 4-fold higher than in other analyzed fruits.

Some chemical properties, anthocyanin and total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of some rosa products namely petals, syrups, jams and leavens were determined. Antimicrobial activities of rose petals and rosa leavens were also investigated. Total dry matter, total soluble solids, ash, pH, titratable acidity, reducing sugar, sucrose, total sugar, color (L, a, b), total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity (β-caroten bleaching method, DPPH free radical-scavenging activity (IC₅₀), TEAC, (IC₅₀)) of rosa petals were determined as 18.43%; 10.35%; 0.90%; 5.30; 0.99%; 4.66 g·100 g^–1; 1.72 g·100 g^–1; 6.38 g·100 g^–1; 38.98; +17.3; –3.44; 481.54 μg GAE·mg^–1 sample; 88.6%; 0.97 µg·ml^–1; 9.36 µg·ml^–1, respectively. Rosa petals and leavens extracts showed significant antimicrobial activity against Acinetobacter lwoffii, Bacillus cereus, Proteus mirabilis GM 2644, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Streptococcus mutans ATCC 35668 and Yersinia enterocolitica. In rosa leaven, the sample types were found effective significantly (p < 0.01) on total dry matter, total soluble solids, ash, titratable acidity, pH; L and b values; total anthocyanin content, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. In rosa syrup, the sample types were found effective significantly (p < 0.01) on total dry matter, total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, L, a, b, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. In rosa jam, the sample types were found effective significantly (p < 0.01) on total dry matter, total soluble solids, ash, titratable acidity, pH, total sugar, sucrose, reducing sugar, HMF, a value, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity.

Arbuscular mycorrhiza is one of the most common type of mycorrhiza in plant kingdom. Process of plant root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi is consisted of four phases: presymbiotic phase, phase of contact and hyphae penetration to the roots, growth phase of hyphae inside the roots and phase of mycorrhizal intracellular structure development. The formation of symbiosis between fungi and host plant requires the exchange of molecular signals between these organisms. Plant signal molecules are described as strigolactones and cutin monomers whereas fungal signal molecules are lipo-chito-oligo-saccharides and short chito-oligosaccharides. During the contact with plant roots fungal hyphae form appresorium on the surface of epidermis. After appresorium creation, the pre-penetration apparatus (PPA) is formed in plant cell, which is a structure defining a route of the hyphae overgrowing across the plant cell. Afterwards the fungus penetrates the epidermal cell and the cell of root cortex, where hyphae leave the cell and enter into appoplast, growing and branching along the root axis.

In this study, an efficient system to break seed dormancy and plant regeneration was established for perennial vulneraria milkvetch (Astragalus vulnerariae DC.). The seed coat dormancy could be easily released using 40% sulphuric acid treatment for 15 minutes, which made the seed coat permeable without damaging zygotic embryos. The tissue culture studies reported regeneration on 5 explants, which had variable effects on shoot regeneration, using MS medium containing variable concentrations of Kin–NAA and BAP–NAA. Maximum shoot regeneration of 86.67% with 4.47 shoots per explant was noted on MS medium containing 0.5 mg·l^–1 Kin – 0.5 mg·l^–1 NAA on hypocotyl explants. No shoot regeneration was noted on cotyledon leaf and shoot nodes using MS medium containing any concentration of BAP–NAA. Maximum shoot regeneration of 50% with 3 shoots per explant was also observed on 1 mg·l^–1 BAP – 0.5 mg·l^–1 NAA on epicotyl explants. MS medium containing Kin–NAA induced hypocotyl explant shoots had rooting percentage of 36.67% on 0.5 mg·l^–1 IBA, whereas, MS medium containing BAP–NAA induced hypocotyl shoots had rooting percentage of 46.67%. The in vitro cultured plants had an acclimatization rate of 78%. Aesthetically attractive, economical, easy to maintain and water efficient vulneraria milkvetch is currently not available in landscaping. The system of plant regeneration and adaptation suggested by this paper may help to dissipate it to a broad range of water scarce environments as a sustainable and inexpensive choice.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of plant age and growth phase on the accumulation of phenolics in stem bark, leaves and underground organs of Eleuthero. Their content was assessed using validated HPLC-DAD method. In underground organs and stem bark 7 phenolics were determined, i.e. eleutherosides B and E as well as caffeic, ferulic, chlorogenic, rosmarinic and protocatechuic acids. The content of eleutherosides B was significantly higher in stem bark while eleutherosides E, in underground organs. Accumulation of these compounds was the highest in the 4-year-old plants (87.43 mg·100 g^–1 DW of eleutherosides B and 85.22 mg·100 g^–1 DW of eleutherosides E in underground organs; 302.21 mg·100 g^–1 DW of eleutherosides B and 24.89 mg·100 g^–1 DW eleutherosides E in stem bark). In these organs, among identified phenolic acids chlorogenic acid was the dominant. In the leaves 4 phenolic acids (caffeic, ferulic, chlorogenic and rosmarinic acids), as well as 2 flavonoids (rutoside and hyperoside), were identified. Flavonoids and caffeic acid occurred in higher amounts at the beginning of leaf senescence, whereas the other phenolic acids – at the full vegetation. Their content was the highest in 2-year-old plants.

Valdensia heterodoxa as a parasitic fungus was observed on Ericaceae family plants i.e. blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.), bilberry (V. myrtillus L.) and lingonberry (V. vitis-idaea L.). Isolates of this polyphagous were obtained from the infected leaves of different cultivars of highbush blueberry collected from commercial plantation in Mazovia province and from bilberry collected from forests in Pomerania province. PCR amplification of selected rDNA fragments (ITS1, 5.8S, ITS2) was done with ITS1F and ITS4A primers. Bioinformatic analysis revealed similarity 99–100% between selected nucleotide sequences of V. heterodoxa isolates from bilberry and highbush blueberry. The sequences of bilberry isolates were obtained and described for the first time in Poland. Their reference sequence was deposited in GenBank (KT121733). In laboratory experiments conidia of selected bilberry isolates on OA medium were 278 ±6 × 140 ±4 μm. Conidia from highbush blueberry, bilberry, and lingonberry were measured. Depending on the host plant conidia were different in the length of the arms and width of the head. The growth of the fungal isolates on PDA (potato dextrose agar), OA (oatmeal agar), WOA (weak oatmeal agar), SNA (salt nutrient agar) media was examined. The cultures were divided into two groups based on their morphology on PDA medium.

The purpose of the study was to determine which fungal species colonize the shoots of apple, pear, cherry, plum, apricot and peach in south-eastern Poland and whether Diaporthe (Phomopsis) isolates there are among them. The study was conducted in 2010–2012 and the plant material was collected from five orchards. In three of these chemical controls were carried out, while there was no protection applied in the other two. The results showed that species composition of the fungi was very similar regardless of host plant and year of study. Alternaria spp., Fusarium spp. and Phoma spp. were isolated most frequently from the studied shoots. Fungi cultures known for pathogenicity towards fruit trees such as Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Leucostoma spp., Monilinia spp. and Neofabraea spp. were also isolated. Moreover, there were isolates of Diaporthe (Phomopsis) among the fungi present in the shoots. Cultures of these fungi were obtained both from shoots with disease symptoms and from visually healthy ones but mainly from shoots originating from unprotected orchards, what indicates their greater threat to fruit trees grown without chemical protection. This is the first documented report of the occurrence of Diaporthe (Phomopsis) on fruit trees in Polish conditions.

The objective of the research was to investigate the effects of pine bark, fresh grass and peat mulch on the ornamental value of Petunia × atkinsiana, Impatiens walleriana and Tagetes patula cultivars during the short growing period, and soil chemical properties (electrical conductivity, pH, organic matter, total N, P, K, Ca, Mg) and soil moisture in the second year in a temperate climate. Results show that fresh grass and peat mulch increased plant height of Petunia and Impatiens from 40 days after planting until the end of experiment. During the same period plant diameter of Impatiens and Tagetes was enhanced in all studied mulches, but plant diameter of Petunia was enlarged only with peat mulch. Impatiens number of flowers enhanced in all mulches, but in case of Tagetes the number was higher with pine bark. In comparison with unmulched treatment, soil moisture, electrical conductivity and pH increased in fresh grass and pine bark treatments. Soil Mg content was higher up to 15% in plots with fresh grass mulch. Plant diameter of all species was positively correlated with soil electrical conductivity.

Occurrence of lodging is a result of environmental stress factors and causes significant losses in crop yields. One of the major factors determining plant resistance to lodging is stem length. Thought, the introduction of the dwarfing genes into genome or application of growth regulators, that inhibit gibberellins biosynthesis, are known as the most important approaches in lodging prevention. In this study we analyzed the influence of chlormequat chloride (CCC) and trinexapac-ethyl application on transcriptome of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) ‘Bezostaya 1’. For analysis, the tall control line and isogenic line carrying Rht12 dwarfing gene were selected. Subsequently, the real-time PCR technique was used to determine the expression of five genes encoding enzymes involved in gibberellins biosynthesis pathway (CPS, KS, GA20ox, GA3ox and GA2ox).

Winter savory (Satureja montana L.) is an aromatic subshrub of significant medicinal and seasoning qualities. Winter savory herb yield and quality depend on various factors, including environmental and agronomic ones. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of winter savory plantation establishment method (seedlings, herbaceous cuttings) on the morphological traits and raw material yield. A more uniform propagation material with better morphological parameters was produced using generative propagation relative to vegetative propagation. A higher fresh and dry herb yield as well as a higher yield of herb without stems were obtained from plants grown from transplants compared to plants grown from vegetative cuttings. The essential oil content in the studied plants did not vary, but the oil yield was higher in plants grown from transplants compared to those derived from vegetative cuttings.