Agnieszka Sękara

The effect of cultivar type, time of cultivation, and biostimulant treatment on the yield of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of spraying with Aminoplant on the yield of two spinach cultivars in the spring and autumn cultivations. The experiment was carried out in 2008 and 2009 in the experimental station of the University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland. Three factors were taken into consideration: (1) cultivar: ‘Rembrandt F1’ and ‘Spiros F1’; (2) time of cultivation: spring and autumn; (3) dose of Aminoplant: control (without Aminoplant), 1.5 dm3 ha-1 and 3.0 dm3 ha-1. The spinach yield was dependent on the time of production and cultivar type, and ranged between 18.6-44.8 t ha-1. Both cultivars yielded better in autumn cultivation. Spraying with Aminoplant had no effect on spinach yield. Dry matter content in spinach leaves was between 6.3-11.2 g 100 g-1. Spinach grown in the autumn had a greater content of dry matter in comparison to the spring cultivation. In 2009, ‘Rembrant F1’ was characterized by greater dry matter content than ‘Spiros F1’. Aminoplant in a dose of 3.0 dm3 ha-1 lowered dry matter content in spinach leaves as compared to the control. The nitrate content in spinach was differentiated (558-3506 mg NO3 kg-1 f.m.) and depended on the time of cultivation, the cultivar, and the Aminoplant dose.

Phytoremediation efficiency of crop plants in removing cadmium, lead and zinc from soil.

Abstract The experiment was carried out in 1999-2001 at the University of Agriculture in Krakow (Poland) to study the capacity of nine crops (red beet, field pumpkin, chicory, bean, barley, white cabbage, maize, alfalfa, and parsnip) to remove cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) from different soil horizons (0-20, 20-40, 40-60 cm). The content of exchangeable Cd, Pb, and Zn decreased along with the depth in the soil profile. Red beet cultivation reduced the exchangeable Cd content in the soil by 10.3% and by 8.6% in field pumpkin, barley and maize cultivation in the 0-20 cm horizon. White cabbage and maize decreased Cd in the 20-40 cm horizon by 40.0 and 28.8%, respectively. White cabbage was found to be the most effective in removing Pb from the soil profile. Common bean, maize, and alfalfa reduced exchangeable Pb in two upper horizons of the soil: 0-20 and 20-40 cm. After field pumpkin cultivation, the decrease in Pb contamination in the 0-20 cm horizon was 7.4%. White cabbage and chicory reduced exchangeable Zn content in the surface horizon by 21.5 and 14.1%, respectively. According to their efficiency in metal reduction, maize and red beet may be indicated as potential removers of Cd, cabbage and field pumpkin, of Pb, and cabbage, of Zn.

The Effect of Plant Pruning on the Light Conditions and Vegetative Development of Eggplant (Solanum Melongena L.) in Greenhouse Cultivation

The Effect of Plant Pruning on the Light Conditions and Vegetative Development of Eggplant (Solanum Melongena L.) in Greenhouse Cultivation The aim of the present investigations was to find the relations between pruning methods and chosen parameters of vegetative eggplant development in greenhouse conditions. The plant shape modifies the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) conditions in the plant profile. Independence between different pruning methods and vegetative plant development particularly leaves characteristics as well as pigments and photosynthesis products content in leaves was stated. The investigations were carried out in 1999-2001 in the experimental greenhouse of Agricultural University in Kraków, Poland. Eggplant of Tania F1 hybrid was used in the early spring-summer production in a heated greenhouse. The following pruning systems were applied: pruning to one shoot with leaving on every node 2 fruit sets and 1, 2 or 3 leaves, and pruning to two shoots with leaving on every node 1 fruit set and 1, 2 or 3 leaves. With the introduction of a greater number of leaves and fruit sets on eggplant shoots irradiation in plant profile was reduced. The value of leaf area index (LAI) depended on the way of pruning. Chemical composition of leaves was slightly dependent on the method of pruning only in the case of assimilation products, i.e. reducing sugar and starch. Improvement of photosynthesis efficiency of intensively pruned eggplants was achieved by the increase of single leaf area and thickness of leaf mesophyll tissues without the increase of the level of assimilative pigments per plant mass unit. Wpływ Cięcia roślin na Warunki świetlne I rozwój Wegetatywny oberżyny (solanum Melongena L.) W Uprawie Szklarniowej Celem badań było określenie relacji pomiędzy metodą cięcia a wybranymi parametrami charakteryzującymi rozwój wegetatywny oberżyny. Badania prowadzono w latach 1999-2001 w Akademii Rolniczej w Krakowie. Obiektem badań była odmiana Tania F1, uprawiana w szklarni ogrzewanej w terminie wiosenno-letnim. Zastosowano następujące metody cięcia roślin: na jeden pęd, pozostawiając w każdym węźle 2 zawiązki owoców i 1, 2 lub 3 liście oraz na dwa pędy, pozostawiając w każdym węźle 1 zawiązek i 1, 2 lub 3 liście. Intensywne cięcie polepszało warunki napromieniowania w profilu roślin. Wskaźnik pokrycia liściowego (LAI) zależał od metody cięcia roślin. Skład chemiczny liści był uzależniony od metody cięcia tylko w przypadku produktów asymilacji (cukry redukujące, skrobia). Poprawa wydajności fotosyntetycznej intensywnie ciętych roślin była następstwem zwiększenia powierzchni blaszki liściowej i grubości tkanek miękiszowych, natomiast poziom barwników fotosyntetycznie czynnych pozostawał bez zmian.

The Effect of Cultivar and Biostimulant Treatment on the Carrot Yield and its Quality

Summary Modifications in growing techniques can affect the yield and nutritional quality of various cultivated plants. Among them, the use of biostimulants is environmental friendly method of stimulating crop productivity, stress resistance, and affecting yield or chemical composition of the plants. The aim of the investigation was determining of the effect of biostimulant treatment on yield and its quality of carrot grown for summer harvest. The experiment was carried out in 2009-2011 in the experimental station of the University of Agriculture in Krakow, south Poland. Two experimental factors were taken into consideration: (1) cultivar: Nandrin F1 and Napoli F1 (2) dose of Aminoplant (foliar application): 1.5 and 3.0 dm3∙ha-1 and control (without Aminoplant). Total and marketable yield, root length, its diameter, leaf mass and leaf : root mass ratio were assessed. The dry matter, soluble sugar, carotenoids and nitrate ions contents were analyzed as main determinants of carrot nutritional quality. Aminoplant influenced not only carrot productivity, but mainly chemical composition of the roots. The present results also suggest that carrot reaction to biostimulant treatment was depended on a cultivar more than on environmental conditions in particular growing seasons. The significant effect of Aminoplant in a dose of 1.5 dm3∙ha-1 on the yield of roots and leaf rosette mass of ‘Nandrin F1’ appeared only in the first year of the experiment. Spraying with Aminoplant in a dose of 3.0 dm3∙ha-1 significantly increased the soluble sugars content in carrot roots of both cultivars but only in 2011. Dry matter content was also affected by biostimulant treatment mainly for ‘Napoli F1’, which showed the lowest dry matter content when sprayed with Aminoplant in a dose of 1.5 dm3∙ha-1. In 2010 control plants contained the greater amount of carotenoids, while in next year roots of plants treated with Aminoplant in a dose of 3.0 dm3∙ha-1 had more these compounds. The significant effect of Aminoplant on nitrates content in carrot roots was observed but were not repeatable in the experimental years, so different climatic conditions modified carrot reaction on biostimulant spraying. Streszczenie We współczesnym ogrodnictwie stosowane są szeroko nowoczesne techniki optymalizujące wysokość i jakość plonu. Wśród nich wykorzystanie biostymulatorów jest przyjazną środowisku metodą zwiększającą produktywność roślin, tolerancję na czynniki stresowe, jak również plon i wartość odżywczą. Celem prezentowanych badań była ocena wpływu biostymulatora na wysokość i jakość plonu marchwi, uprawianej na zbiór letni. Eksperyment przeprowadzono w latach 2009-2011 w Uniwersytecie Rolniczym w Krakowie, obejmował on dwa czynniki badawcze: (1) odmiana: Nandrin F1 i Napoli F1, (2) dawka biostymulatora Aminoplant, zastosowanego dolistnie: kontrola (bez aplikacji biostymulatora), 1.5 i 3.0 dm3∙ha-1. Określono plon ogólny i handlowy marchwi, długość korzenia, jego średnicę, masę rozety liściowej oraz stosunek masy liści do masy korzenia. Oznaczono zawartość suchej masy, cukrów rozpuszczalnych, karotenoidów i azotanów, jako głównych wyznaczników wartości odżywczej marchwi. Aplikacja Aminoplantu wpłynęła nie tylko na produktywność marchwi, ale przede wszystkim na skład chemiczny korzeni. Prezentowane wyniki pozwalają na stwierdzenie, że reakcja marchwi na dolistne zastosowanie biostymulatora zależała przede wszystkim od odmiany oraz od warunków środowiskowych w latach badań. W pierwszym roku zaznaczył się istotny wpływ Aminoplantu w dawce 1.5 dm3∙ha-1 na plon korzeni i masę rozety odmiany Nandrin F1. Aplikacja biostymulatora w dawce 3.0 dm3∙ha-1 istotnie zwiększyła zawartość cukrów rozpuszczalnych w korzeniach badanych odmian, ale tylko w 2011 roku. W korzeniach odmiany Napoli F1 najniższą zawartość suchej masy stwierdzono przy oprysku dawką biostymulatora 1.5 dm3∙ha-1. W 2010, najwyższy poziom karotenoidów stwierdzono w roślinach kontrolnych, podczas gdy w roku następnym - w roślinach traktowanych Aminoplantem w dawce 3.0 dm3∙ha-1. Odnotowano również istotny wpływ badanego biostymulatora na zawartość azotanów, ale bez powtarzalnych tendencji w poszczególnych latach badań. W przypadku tego parametru odmienne warunki klimatyczne modyfikowały reakcję roślin na opryskiwanie biostymulatorem.

The effect of shoot training on yield, fruit quality and leaf chemical composition of eggplant in greenhouse cultivation

Abstract The aim of the investigations was to determine the best method of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) pruning in greenhouse production. The investigations were carried out in 1999 - 2001 in the experimental greenhouse of the University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland. The ‘Tania F1’ hybrid was used in the early spring-summer production in a heated greenhouse. Plants were pruned to one or two shoots. In the case of two-shoot plants, the second shoot was led out from the first, third, sixth and ninth node. The intense pruning positively affected the PAR conditions in the plant profile. The most effective fruit setting was observed in the intensely pruned plants. The greatest number of fruits was set at the lowest nodes. Pruning affected the total but not marketable yield of fruits. Two-shoot plants with the second shoot led out from the sixth node produced the greatest fruits, both in early and total yield. A high level of reducing sugar was found in the fruits of moderately pruned plants. Fruits of two-shoot plants with the second shoot led out from the sixth node and pruned to one shoot contained the greatest level of L-ascorbic acid. The greatest levels of reducing sugar and starch were found in the leaves of moderately pruned plants, having the best PAR conditions. The method of pruning slightly affected the level of pigments in the eggplant leaves.

Ganoderma lucidum (Curt.: Fr.) Karst. - health-promoting properties. A review

Summary This paper presents the characteristics of the species Ganoderma lucidum in terms of health-promoting properties. This species is rare in Poland, and is subject to strict protection. Reishi is classified as a medicinal mushroom which fruiting bodies are characterized by a content of active substances with diverse positive effects on human health. G. lucidum is particularly rich source of bioactive compounds, which are obtained from fruiting bodies, mycelium and spores of this species. The therapeutic effect of G. lucidum extracts has been demonstrated in many scientific studies. The most important pharmacological and physiological effects include: immunomodulatory, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-atherosclerosis, antidiabetic and anti-aging. Reishi has also a beneficial effect on liver cells and the cardiovascular system and protects in case of stomach ulcers. Due to its properties G. lucidum can be used in the prevention and treatment of life-threatening diseases, such as cancer, stroke and heart diseases.

COMPARISON OF MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TWELVE CULTIVARS OF TOMATO DETERMINATE PLANTS AND THEIR IMPACT ON YIELD AND ITS STRUCTURE

Comparison of Morphological Characteristics of Twelve Cultivars of Tomato Determinate Plants and Their Impact on Yield and its Structure Experiment took place in the open field in the Vegetable Experimental Station of Agricultural University near Cracow in the years 2008-2010. In the experiment twelve, polish-bred determinate tomato cultivars: Sokal F1, Batory F1, Rejtan F1, Hetman F1, Babinicz, Luban, Mieszko F1, III A F1, Awizo F1, Ondraszek, Talon and Hubal were used. In the end of growing season, morphological features of plant were measured, concerning: height of plant, number of lateral shoots, length and thickness of the internode and the number of inflorescences per plant. Harvesting was performed once, at the stage of maturity of individual cultivars. The yield and its structure was calculated. The results were statistically analyzed using NIR Fishers test, with p=0.05. The dependences of the marketable yield and total yield of tomato plants from morphological characteristics that may affect the yield were analyzed, using multiple regression. The amount of total and marketable yield was negatively correlated with an extensive vegetative growth of tomato plants. Among all the tested cultivars Ondraszek was characterized by the most preferred morphological features and creates one of the highest yields. Cultivars Ondraszek, Sokal F1 and Batory F1 were characterized higher marketable yield, than ‘Hetman F1’. Total and marketable yield depended about 40% on tomato plant morphological features. Porównanie Cech Morfologicznych Rośliny 12 Odmian Pomidora Karłowego I Ich Wpływ Na Wielkość I Strukturę Plonu Doświadczenie prowadzono na terenie Warzywniczej Stacji Doświadczalnej Uniwersytetu Rolniczego w Mydlnikach koło Krakowa w latach 2008-2010. W badaniach wykorzystano 12 odmian pomidora samokończącego polskiej hodowli: ‘Sokal F1’, ‘Batory F1’, ‘Rejtan F1’, ‘Hetman F1’, ‘Babinicz’, ‘Lubań’, ‘Mieszko F1’, ‘III A F1’, ‘Awizo F1’, ‘Ondraszek’, ‘Talon’ oraz ‘Hubal’. W trakcie wegetacji przeprowadzono pomiary morfologiczne roślin, które dotyczyły: wysokości roślin poszczególnych odmian, ilości wytwarzanych rozgałęzień I rzędu, długości i grubości międzywęźla oraz liczby gron na roślinie. Zbiór owoców przeprowadzano jednorazowo, w fazie dojrzałości zbiorczej poszczególnych odmian, oceniano wielkość i strukturę plonu. Uzyskane wyniki poddano analizie statystycznej testem NIR Fishera, przy p=0,05. Zbadano zależność plonu handlowego i plonu ogółem pomidora od cech morfologicznych roślin, mogących mieć wpływ na wielkość plonu, przeprowadzając analizę regresji wielorakiej. Stwierdzono, iż wysokość plonu ogółem i handlowego była ujemnie skorelowana z rozbudowaną częścią wegetatywną rośliny pomidora. Spośród badanych odmian najkorzystniejszymi cechami morfologicznymi rośliny i jednym z najwyższych plonów odznaczał się Ondraszek. Odmiany Ondraszek, Sokal F1 i Batory F1 plonowały istotnie lepiej niż odmiana Hetman F1. Plon ogółem i handlowy w około 40% zależał od cech morfologicznych rośliny pomidora.

Impacts of chilling on photosynthesis and chlorophyll pigment content in juvenile basil cultivars

The objective of this study was to examine several cultivars of Ocimum basilicum L. (green, red, cinnamon, lettuce leaf, lemon, and Thai basils) for photosynthetic performance, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and chlorophyll content under chilling stress conditions of 6°C in comparison to non-stressed controls (18°C). The basil plants were grown in a peat substrate for 8 weeks and then exposed to chilling for 8 or 16 days, under a 300 μmol•m-2•s-1 photosynthetic photon flux. After chilling, significant reductions in both the transpiration (E) and net photosynthetic (PN) rates were observed in basil plants, while the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) was higher in the plants treated with 6°C in comparison to the controls. The decrease in PN and E was associated with decreased water use efficiency (WUE) and stomatal conductance (gs). The greatest impairment of photosynthesis for Thai basil leaves was observed after 8 days of chilling, and for green basil after the 16-day low temperature treatment. The photosystem II (PSII) activity (Fv/Fm) and variable-to-initial chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/F0) were decreased after chilling. PSII activity was most affected in lettuce leaf basil after 8 days, and in Thai and red basil plants after the prolonged temperature treatment. Low temperatures did not significantly alter the chlorophyll concentration but did increase the Chl a/b ratio in leaves of basil. The results indicated that the decrease in photosynthesis was not attributable mainly to damage to PSII, but rather to chilling-induced photoinhibition of PSI. The knowledge gained in this study on the genotypic variation in basil response should be helpful for future selection of plants with low chilling sensitivity.

Sequential abiotic stress applied to juvenile eggplant modifies the seedlings parameters, plant ontogeny and yield

Sękara A., Bączek-Kwinta R., Gawęda M., Kalisz A., Pokluda R., Jezdinský A. (2016): Sequential abiotic stress applied to juvenile eggplant modifies the seedlings parameters, plant ontogeny and yield. Hort. Sci. (Prague), 43: 149–157. The main goal of this study was to evaluate eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) susceptibility to a sequence of stress factors during plant ontogeny based on seedling morphological, biochemical and physiological parameters and the subsequent assessment of yield characteristics. After germination, seedlings at the radical stage were exposed to chilling, heat, osmotic or oxidative stress. Four weeks after development in standard conditions in a greenhouse, the seedlings were again subjected to chilling stress in a growth chamber. A non-chilled Control was implemented. Then, the yield and physiological characteristics were assessed after field cultivation. Generally, stress application after germination resulted in better plant acclimation to chilling at the 4-week-old seedling phase, evaluated on the basis of photosynthetically active pigment contents, chlorophyll fluorescence and some morphological characteristics. The comparable time to reach successive phenological stages by stressed and Control plants in the field suggests that stress pretreatment does not retard eggplant development. These results also confirm the thesis that stress memory can be induced in eggplant by stressor application during the early stages of development.

The physiological status and stress biomarker concentration of Coriandrum sativum L. plants subjected to chilling are modified by biostimulant application

Abstract This study investigated the effects of biostimulant treatment and chilling applied during the young phase of growth on stress indicators, antioxidant compounds and physiological status of coriander leaves. Coriander transplants were sprayed three times with Asahi SL or Goëmar Goteo (Arysta Life Science). After the last spraying, 6-week-old plants were placed in vegetative chambers at 6 °C (chilling stress) and 18 °C (control) for 6 days, and then stress biomarkers, total antioxidant activity, photosynthetic pigment concentration, chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic activity were determined in leaves. In chilled conditions, biostimulant application significantly decreased electrolyte leakage from leaf tissues to the level determined for non-chilled plants. The comparison of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde concentrations for control and biostimulant-treated plants did not confirm the protective effect of biostimulants against stress molecule accumulation in chilling conditions. Biostimulants increased maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II, the rate of transpiration and stomatal conductance but decreased intercellular carbon dioxide concentration. L-ascorbic acid, total phenolic concentration and total antioxidant activity increased as a result of biostimulant application to chilled plants. The increased values of most photosynthesis and stress indicators in coriander leaves after 6 days chilling showed that plants were in a phase of acclimation to low temperature. The results indicate that biostimulants can affect selected metabolic pathways, accelerating the adaptation of chilled coriander plants. The precise use of plant growth regulators with application of chilling can be a method for controlling nutritionally important compounds in coriander foliage.