Anna Figas

Effect of irrigation on some growth parameters of cup plant and dehydrogenase activity in soil

Abstract Effect of irrigation on some growth parameters of cup plant and dehydrogenase activity in soil. A field experiment carried out in two vegetation seasons in the years 2012 and 2013 on very light soil at Kruszyn Krajeński, in the vicinity of Bydgoszcz (Poland). Investigation of the influence of drip irrigation on some growth parameters of three- and four-year-old cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) and on the activity of dehydrogenase participating at cycling in soil was examined. The cup plants were cultivated from the micropropagation seedlings. Experiments were performed as one factorial in four replications. The factor of the experiment was the following variants: O - without irrigation (control plots), D - with drip irrigation. Drip irrigation was scheduled according to tensiometers indications. Irrigation significantly increase the height of the plants, the length of internode, the thickness of the stalk, the fresh weight of the shoots, and the number of the leaves and flowers. Irrigation also increased the transpiration leaf area and the dry matter content. In the soil sampled under cup plant in 2012 there was found a greater activity of dehydrogenases in soil derived from non-irrigated objects. Streszczenie Wpływ nawadniania na wybrane parametry wzrostu rożnika przerośniętego i zawartość dehydrogenazy w glebie. Doświadczenie polowe przeprowadzono w dwóch sezonach wegetacyjnych w latach 2012 i 2013 na glebie bardzo lekkiej w Kruszynie Krajeńskim w pobliżu Bydgoszczy. Badano wpływ nawadniania na niektóre parametry wzrostu 3- i 4-letnich roślin rożnika przerośniętego (Silphium perfoliatum L.) oraz na aktywność dehydrogenaz uczestniczących w przemianach zachodzących w środowisku glebowym. Doświadczenie założono jako jednoczynnikowe w czterech powtórzeniach. Czynnikiem stanowiącym źródło zmienności było nawadnianie kroplowe. Zastosowano dwa warianty doświadczenia: O - bez nawadniania (kontrola), K - nawadnianie kroplowe, przeprowadzane na podstawie wskazań tensjometrów (-0,04 MPa). Materiałem do badań były rośliny rożnika przerośniętego (Silphium perfoliatum L.), które uzyskano w procesie mikrorozmnażania. Nawadnianie istotnie zwiększyło wysokość roślin, długość międzywęźli, grubość łodygi, świeżą masę pędów oraz liczbę liści i kwiatów. Nawadnianie zwiększyło również powierzchnię transpiracyjną liścia oraz zawartość suchej masy. Większą aktywność dehydrogenaz spod uprawy rożnika stwierdzano w glebie pobranej w 2012 roku z obiektów nienawadnianych.

Assessment of phytoaccumulation of trace elements in medicinal plants from natural habitats

Summary Introduction: The high concentration of some trace elements in medicinal plants may lowering the value of herbal material, and may cause poisoning effects. Objective: The aim of this research was to evaluate the content of trace elements in the organs of: sandy everlasting, yarrow and stinging nettle. Methods: In the soil samples, the grain size composition, pH, the content of carbon and nitrogen were determined. In the plant material and for the soil samples, the total contents of Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb were assayed. The values of the bioconcentration factor and translocation factor were also calculated. Results: The concentration of metals in plant tissues followed in order: Fe>Mn>Zn>Pb>Cu>Hg. The studied species of medicinal plants accumulated mainly Zn, Pb and Hg. It was also shown a high Hg mobility and a low Pb mobility which mainly accumulated in the roots. Conclusions: As our research shows the plants used in phytotherapy, should come from plantations monitored for toxic heavy metals in soil.

Concentrations of some chemical components in white asparagus spears depending on the cultivar and post-harvest irrigation treatments

Abstract The effect of post-harvest irrigation and genotype on the quality components of white asparagus spears was investigated. The field experiment was conducted in 2003-2008 on a very light soil in the Bydgoszcz region. The research was based on a two-factorial split-plot design with randomly selected sub-main blocks. The first studied factor was irrigation applied as two treatments: drip irrigation and microsprinkler irrigation. Non-irrigated plants were tested as the control. The second factor considered was genotype represented by three male cultivars of the garden asparagus: ‘Gijnlim’, ‘Ramos’ and ‘Vulkan’. The irrigation started after the harvest of the spears, while the concentrations of chemical ingredients were measured in the white spears collected in the next growing period. The level of the tested components was significantly influenced by both factors studied. The average amounts of dry matter, potassium, iron and nitrates measured in the white spears were 6.37%, 268.9 mg 100 g−1 f.m., 0.29 mg 100 g−1 f.m. and 62.1 mg kg−1 f.m., respectively. Compared to the control, both irrigation treatments considerably increased the dry matter and potassium contents. The irrigation reduced the amount of nitrates, although the microsprinkler irrigation gave better results than the drip irrigation. The highest concentrations of potassium and iron were measured in the spears of ‘Ramos’, especially in the case of drip-irrigated (potassium) and non-irrigated (iron) plants. The amount of dry matter was high in the spears of ‘Ramos’, while ‘Vulkan’ presented a low tendency to accumulate nitrates.

Establishing an efficient explant superficial sterilization protocol for in vitro micropropagation of bear’s garlic (Allium ursinum L.)

Summary Introduction: Allium ursinum L. has a commercial value due to its high contents of bio-active compounds and mild, garlic-like taste. In vitro culture played an important role in obtaining Allium species with the desired characteristics and in the production of healthy reproductive material. Objective: Developing an effective method of sterilization bear’s garlic bulbs. Methods: To obtain sterile shoots of garlic several methods of sterilization involving such factors as ACE, H2O2, HgCl2, and UV-C were tested. Results: In order to obtain sterile shoots of bear’s garlic, several sterilization procedures were tested. The best procedure was based on a two-step disinfection, where the whole onions were treated with ethanol and H2O2 for 20 min. Thereafter, the isolated apical buds were sterilized in ACE for 10 min, rinsed in double-distilled water and transferred onto MS medium for growing. Up to 95% of the inoculated explants formed shoots, which were sub-cultured on MS with 4 mg dm−3 BAP in order to enable further propagation. Conclusion: After optimization and stabilization, this procedure may become the basic concept of a proper and reliable propagation method of bear’s garlic on commercial scale.