Andrzej Kalisz

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 biodegradable nonwoven direct covers on yield and quality of winter leek

ABSTRACT During this two-year experiment (2008-2010), the ‘Kenton’ leek cultivar was grown in the field from July to March/April of the following year. During the winter months the plants were kept under biodegradable nonwoven covers (Bionolle - polybutylene succinate, 59 and 100 g m-2). The control treatments were left uncovered. Some cracks and tears in the biodegradable nonwoven covers were observed. The covers resulted in better leek yields. In the first season the bleached parts of the leek contained more ascorbic acid when kept under the Bionolle 100 g m-2 cover. The lighter nonwoven (59 g m-2) cover caused a grater accumulation of soluble sugars. Biodegradable films, used in the winter cultivation of leek, increased the soil temperature by 1°C on average.

Differences in the activity and concentration of elements of the antioxidant system in different layers of Brassica pekinensis head.

Differences in the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) as well as in the concentration of ascorbate, tocopherol and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) were found in leaves from different layers of the Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis (Lour.) Rupr.) head. The youngest chlorophyll-deficient leaves from the most inner layers of the cabbage head were characterized by a high concentration of ascorbate, high activity of iron superoxide dismutase (FeSOD), cooper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD) and a low content of H₂O₂. On the other hand, activity of CAT, manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and APX and tocopherol content were highest in chlorophyll-rich leaves from outer parts. The results of this work are interesting from the human nutrition standpoint, as the measured antioxidants have beneficial effects on human health. They can also be utilized to improve storage conditions due to an unequivocal function of antioxidant molecules in maintaining postharvest quality of vegetables.

Growth and earliness of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) as a function of time and weather conditions.

Abstract The aim of the research, which was carried out in the years 2003-2005, was to assess the possibility of creating regression models for the earliness of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa var. chinensis, pak choy) plants cultivated under field conditions during the summer-autumn months. Four variables were chosen for developing the prediction model: the minimum, mean and maximum air temperatures and sunshine hours. After stepwise regression analysis, it was noted that crop earliness could be described as a function of mean air temperature and sunshine hours. For this model, the coefficient of determination R2 was equal to 0.962. Additional models based on various thermal indices - growing degree days (GDD), heliothermal units (HTU) and photothermal units (PTU) - were also constructed and taken into consideration. The linear regression equation that includes GDD could only simulate the earliness of the plants with a precision below 14%. The model built on the basis of PTU showed a better fit of the predicted data to the observed data (around 49%), while the last model, which incorporated HTU, was the most accurate (R2 was equal to 0.843). Models for the growth of pak choy plants in the field based on a time variable are also presented in this paper.

The Effect of Different Kind of Polyethylene Film Used as a Low Tunnel Cover on Celery Yield and Stalk Quality

The Effect of Different Kind of Polyethylene Film Used as a Low Tunnel Cover on Celery Yield and Stalk Quality Earlier experiments showed that celery could be grown under different plastic covers for spring and autumn harvest. The most significant for yield quantity and quality were light conditions. In conducted studies (2005-2007) the effect of three different covers for low tunnels: transparent, white and black film (made of original and recycled polyethylene) on the growth, yield and some quality factors of celery Tango stalks was estimated. Only small differences in the length of celery stalks grown under different films were observed. In the third year of experiment stalks grown under black film were around 1cm longer than all the others. Mean values of the yield indicate that transparent film used as a cover and the control treatment increased slightly the obtained yield but the differences did not exceed several percent. Plants grown in more favourable light conditions accumulated more dry matter as well as more soluble sugars in celery stalks. No such differences were observed under original and recycled films. Plon Selerów Naciowych i ich Jakość W Tunelach Pokrytych Różnymi Rodzajami Folii Polietylenowej Wcześniejsze eksperymenty wykazały, że seler naciowy może być z powodzeniem uprawiany na zbiór wiosenny i jesienny pod osłonami wykonanymi z różnych folii, a czynnikiem w największym stopniu modyfikującym wielkość i jakość plonu były warunki świetlne. W trzyletnich doświadczeniach oceniano wpływ bezbarwnej, białej i czarnej folii pelietylenowej wykonanej z surowców oryginalnych i recyklingowych na tunelach niskich na wzrost, plon i wybrane parametry jakości ogonków liściowych selerów naciowych odmiany Tango. Pomiędzy poszczególnymi rodzajami folii nie stwierdzono różnic we wzroście elongacyjnym roślin. Jedynie pod folią czarna długość ogonków była o 1 cm większa niż w pozostałych obiektach. Plon ogonków liściowych był o kilka procent większy w przypadku stosowania folii bezbarwnej i w obiekcie kontrolnym. W lepszych warunkach świetlnych rośliny akumulowały więcej suchej masy i cukrów rozpuszczalnych. Stwierdzono, że większy wpływ na rośliny wykazała ilość promieniowania przepuszczanego przez folie niż jego skład spektralny. Nie obserwowano różnic pod wpływem folii oryginalnej i recyklingowej.

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.