Ireneusz Ochmian

Genetic variability of Polish and Russian accessions of cultivated blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea).

Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) amplification was used to analyze polymorphisms of micro-satellite sequences in the honeysuckle genome and to evaluate genetic diversity among fourteen Polish and Russian blue honeysuckle accessions (Lonicera caerulea var. edulis, L. caerulea no. 7661, L. caerulea no. 7987, Jolanta, Atut, Wojtek, Czarna, Zielona, Dlinnoplodna, Czelabinka, Signoglazka, N1, N2 and A). The plant material was selected from the Department of Pomology, the Dendrological Garden in Rogowo (Poland), and breeder collections. A total of 40 primers, containing different simple sequence repeat motifs, were tested for amplification. Out of the 40 primers, only 11 gave interpretable banding patterns in all blue honeysuckle accessions. A total of 129 ISSR loci were amplified, of which 83 (64%) were polymorphic and 24 (19%) accession-specific. ISSR-PCR with genomic DNA from blue honeysuckle yielded DNA fragments ranging from 260 to 3250 bp in size. UPGMA cluster analysis with bootstrapping (1000 replications) and used to construct a dendrogram and to estimate the genetic distances between Lonicera accessions. The ISSR-based phylogeny was consistent with Lonicera caerulea origin based on morphological and phenological evidence. The phylogenetic relationships based on the accession studies and the breeding usefulness are discussed.

Impact of Cluster Zone Leaf Removal on Grapes cv. Regent Polyphenol Content by the UPLC-PDA/MS Method

Leaf removal is known to enhance light exposure of clusters and therefore may affect grape composition. Owing to the risk of decreasing grape quality or sunburn as a consequence of improper sun exposure, it is crucial to determine the optimum leaf removal techniques adequate for the particular climate conditions of a vineyard area. Defoliation experiments on vine cv. Regent were conducted in two consecutive years (2014 and 2015). The effect of leaf removal treatment on the qualitative and quantitative composition of the polyphenol compounds in the grapes, with reference to the basic weather conditions of the vineyard area, located in Szczecin in the North-Western part of Poland, was assessed. Defoliation was performed manually in the cluster zone at three phenological plant stages: pre-flowering, berry-set and véraison. Leaf removal, especially early defoliation (pre-flowering), enhanced total polyphenol content, including the amount of anthocyanins, flavonols and flavan-3-ols and furthermore, it increased the amount of soluble solids, decreasing the titratable acidity in grapes. On the other hand, the treatments had a reducing impact on the phenolic acids in berries. Defoliation at earlier stages of cluster development appears to be an efficient strategy for improving berry quality in cool climate areas, however, additionally further weather data control is required to determine the effects on berry components.

Soil and highbush blueberry responses to fertilization with urea phosphate

Abstract The low availability of soils with an appropriate pH value (4.2-5.2) is a factor limiting an increase in highbush blueberry acreage. The experiments examined the influence of a physiologically acidic urea phosphate fertilizer on the pH change of the soil and the mineral content in the soil, leaves, and fruit as well as polyphenols in the fruit of two highbush blueberry cultivars – ‘Sunrise’ and ‘Brigitta Blue’. The fertilizer, at doses of 30 and 60 kg of nitrogen per hectare, was used in the experiments in each of the three years of the study. After using 60 kg N ha−1, urea phosphate caused a reduction in soil pH. It also significantly influenced the total soil nitrogen content – the average for the cultivars was 7.40 mg in 2015, while in the control plots – 1.85 mg 100 g−1. These quantities are above the optimum recommended for highbush blueberry. At the same time, low amounts of this ingredient were found in the leaves (‘Sunrise’ – 1.83 mg; ‘Brigitta Blue’ – 1.77 mg 100 g−1). Even after the application of 30 kg of fertilizer in the second year, the phosphorus content in the soil was at a high level (> 4 mg 100 g−1). The amount of phosphorus also increased in the leaves and fruit. Despite considerable quantities of available magnesium in the soil after urea phosphate application, a significant reduction of this component was observed in the leaves and fruit compared to the unfertilized control bushes. The applied fertilizer reduced the amount of polyphenols in the fruit of the tested cultivars.

Preliminary study on the influence of UV-C irradiation on microorganism viability and polyphenol compounds content during winemaking of ‘Regent’ red grape cultivar

Abstract In this study, UV-C light was tested as an alternative method to inactivate microorganisms in the must of ‘Regent’ red grape cultivar. The control sample containing the microorganism diluted in a physiological NaCl solution was prepared to take into consideration different conditions of liquids, such as turbidity and colour. Additionally, the changes in the composition of polyphenol compounds in the ‘Regent’ must after UV-C exposure were evaluated. The viability of yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and bacteria (Oenococcus oeni) significantly decreased with time; however, the highest decline was noted after the first hour of exposure. The polyphenol compound content was significantly lower after UV-C treatment and this was mainly the result of anthocyanin decomposition. The total content of flavan-3-ols and hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives increased after irradiation.

Carrot root size distribution in response to biostimulant application

ABSTRACT In 2009–2011, in Poland (53°13′N, 17°51′E), field experiments were conducted concerning the influence of biostimulants Kelpak SL and Asahi SL on the size grades of yield of carrot cv. ‘Karotan’. Kelpak SL is produced from seaweed Ecklonia maxima; Asahi SL is composed of nitrophenols. Biostimulants were sprayed from fourth-leaf stage of carrot, once, twice or three times in growing period. Seaweed extract was used at total doses of: 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 l ha−1, while Asahi SL at 1 l ha−1. It was found that biostimulants had a favourable effect on total and commercial root yield, but this effect was dependent on the type of preparation, the dose, the time and the number of treatments. The best results in increasing the commercial yield were achieved after a single application of Kelpak SL at doses 2 or 3 l ha−1 at the fourth-leaf stage (13.1% and 12.4% respectively, compared to the control). Both biostimulants Kelpak SL and Asahi SL positively affected the root size distribution by increasing the yield of medium roots (1.9–3.8 cm in diameter) as well as large roots (3.8–5.0 cm), by 30.5% and 15.8%, respectively.

THE INFLUENCE OF FERTILISATION UREA PHOSPHATE ON GROWTH AND YIELDING BUSH OF TWO HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY CULTIVARS (V. CORYMBOSUM)

An interest in highbush blueberry cultivation is growing in the world. An increase in the demand causes high prices of fruits. The success of cultivation depends on providing soil with a low pH value to the plants. The study specifies the influence of different doses (30 and 60 kg N · ha) of physiologically acidic urea phosphate (17.7% N, 44.6% P2O5) on the growth and yield of highbush blueberry shrubs. The studies were carried out at the Department of Horticulture, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, at a production plantation specialized in the cultivation of highbush blueberry. The bushes were planted in soil classified as sandy silts with the content of organic matter at 4.1–4.2%. The following parameters were measured in autumn: the height of the bushes, the length of one-year growths, the number of one-year shoots growing on roots, the green index, leaf area and yield, fruit weight and firmness. The use of urea phosphate influenced the increase in the yield and size of fruits of both highbush blueberry cultivars, it did not, however, influence the increase in the height of bushes and the length of one-year shoots. It stimulated the plants to produce shoots growing on roots and the formation of larger leaves with a higher green index value as compared to unfertilized plants.

The effects of rapid chilling and storage conditions on the quality of Brigitta Blue cultivar highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.).

ABSTRACT Controlled atmosphere storage allows for the long-term and short-term storage of fruit without a significant decrease in quality, resulting in a longer shelflife of fresh fruit. The Department of Horticulture at the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin conducted research on the effects of post-harvest precooling (3-4°C within two hours) and storage conditions (conventional cold room and controlled atmosphere storage) on fruit firmness, chemical composition, colour and weight loss. After six weeks of storage, it was found that the quality of fruit had declined. In comparison with fresh fruit, the harvest was found to have lost weight and darkened in colour. In addition, a decrease in firmness and the content of ascorbic acid and polyphenolic compounds was also observed. The fruits that were stored in a cold room with a controlled atmosphere and rapidly chilled immediately after harvest were the least affected. In addition, the research showed that there was a high correlation between the anthocyanin index and the polyphenol content in the fruits. To maintain the high quality of the fruit, the fruit must be very rapidly cooled soon after harvest and stored under optimal conditions - a cold room with a controlled atmosphere.

The Characteristics of Fruits Morphology, Chemical Composition and Colour Changes in Must During Maceration of Three Grapevine Cultivars

Abstract The study compares morphology of clusters and fruits, the chemical composition and changes of pulp in the process of maceration of grape cultivars ‘Mavrud’, ‘Pinot Noir’ and ‘Merlot’. The cultivar ‘Mavrud’ had biggest clusters and fruits. Its fruits were less firm but had the highest acidity while the fruits of the ‘Pinot Noir’ had the highest content of soluble solids and dry matter and the greatest firmness but the lowest acidity and content of nitrites and nitrates. The fruits of the ‘Merlot’ cultivar had the highest content of L-ascorbic acid, nitrites and nitrates. The pulp colour was largely affected by the maceration temperature. During a warm maceration, the process of pulp darkening accelerated and the red colour saturation increased, whereas cold maceration resulted in the blue colour saturation.