Jacek Sosnowski

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF KELPAK BIOREGULATOR ON THE FORMATION OF ABOVE-GROUND BIOMASS COCKSFOOT

Studies with growing cocksfoot (cv. Amila) were performed in polyurethane ring with a diameter of 36 cm and a height of 40 cm, which were dug to a depth of 30 cm and filled with soil material. As the experimental factor the trade name of bioregulator Kelpak SL was used, which includes natural plant hormones (auxin and cytokinin). The following aqueous solutions of growth regulator were used: 20, 40, and 60% and control (no preparation). Kelpak were applied to all three regrowth in the form of spray at a dose of 3cm 3 •ring -1 in the shoots elongation phase of the grass. The full use of experimental objects was in 2011-2012. At that time, the detailed study include aboveground bio[%]

THE INITIAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF POA PRATENSIS UNDER THE ALLELOPATHIC INFLUENCE OF TARAXACUM OFFICINALE

This experiment was carried out in laboratory conditions. The aim of this work was estimating allelopathic potential of Taraxacum officinale on seeds germination and initial growth of Poa pratensis. In the experiment different concentration of soil’s and plant’s water solution obtained from common dandelion were employed. The inhibition of germination energy of Poa pratensis under the influence of plant extracts produced from roots and leaves of Taraxacum officinale was found. Germination availability was inhibited in a higher degree by extracts prepared from the leaves than the roots of Taraxacum officinale . Higher concentrations of all solutions of both the soil and the plant inhibited the length of seending of Poa pratensis.

EFFECT OF GROWTH REGULATORS ON SELECTED MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF YELLOW PINE

The aim of study was to compare the effects of two growth regulators on selected morphological features of yellow pine. In April 2012, 9 plants of yellow pine Lawson variety were planted to the soil. In April 15, 2013 a research agent in a form of following growth regulators: Asahi SL and Moddus 250-EC was introduced. There were the following experimental objects: C – control (only water spraying), As – Asahi spraying, Md – Moddus spraying. The tested features were: increase in plant height (cm), the increase in needle length (cm) of yellow pine. Measurements of increases in length of needles were made in each case on the same specially marked parts of the plants and performed on 27th of each month from beginning of May to ending of September. Among the used of growth regulators the greatest influence on the height increase of the tested trees as well as on the needle length of yellow pine more affected regulator Moddus. The largest total increase in the needles length of yellow pine was on the object with Modus and Asahi, and on control object it was significantly lower than on objects with growth regulators.

THE ALLELOPATHIC INFLUENCE OF TARAXACUM OFFICINALE ON THE INITIAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF FESTUCA RUBRA L.

Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg) is perennial plant often stepping out in very large quantity in the sward of natural meadows. This species expands, enlarging its population very quickly. In the literature there is the lack of data related to influences of the common dandelion on plants growing in it’s neighbourhood. It is also unknown why this species creates large clusters. It may compete with different plants through the allelopatic influence. Therefore, the aim of this work was to test of the influence of water extracts from leaves and from the roots of common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale ) as well as soil extracts from the radicular layer of this species on the germination of the seeds and the initial growth of Red fescue (Festuca rubra L.). The investigative material came from leaves and roots of Taraxacum officinale and soil coming from the radicular layer of this species. It was applied most often in biotest experiments on germination. Red fescue was the tested plant. The germination energy of red fescue was the most braked through the plant extracts prepared from roots and leaves of Taraxacum officinale .

The influence of nitrogen fertilization applied in different doses on fodder quality of meadow sward

The experiment was organized in four replicants in arrangement split-plot with plots having a surface equal 9 m 2 . The basic fertilization was applied under the first re growth. It was a mixture of unary fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, superphosphate, potassic salt) or polifoska. One form of supplementary fertilization was applied under the second and third regrowth. It was the stable form of fertilizer applied to soil. This form of supplemented nitrogen gave respectively: 50 kg N·ha -l ; 80 kg N·ha -l ; 110 kg N·ha -1 per each moving. During the vegetation season three movings were harvested. From each movings the sampIes of green matter were taken for chemical analyses, i.e. total protein content, soluble carbohydrates and net energy (NEL). The obtained results showed large differences in fodder quality of the meadow sward fertilized with three doses of nitrogen.

An estimation of the effects of synthetic auxin and cytokinin and the time of their application on some morphological and physiological characteristics of Medicago x varia T. Martyn

The aim of the experiment was to determine the effects of synthetic auxin and cytokinin and the time of their application on some morphological and physiological characteristics of Medicago x varia T. Martyn grown under controlled conditions. The experiment was to check whether an application of exogenous hormones during vegetative and generative stages of the plant had an effect on above-ground mass development, on nitrate reductase activity and on plastid pigments content. Experiment factor was synthetic auxin and cytokinin and the date of their application. Auxin was applied in the form of a synthetic indole-3-butyric acid, while cytokinin was sprayed as synthetic 6-benzylaminopurine. The control plants were treated with distilled water. Depending on the experimental variant, spraying was applied at the sixth true leaf stage and at the first flower bud stage. The research showed that the response of the alfalfa plants to the application of cytokinin and auxin was not uniform. It seems that the most effective was the application of a mixture of them both but only during the vegetative stage. Additionally, cytokinin caused an increase in plastid pigments content in alfalfa leaves. On the other hand, a mixture of auxin and cytokinin triggered the highest nitrate reductase activity in alfalfa roots and raised the ratio of total chlorophyll content to carotenoids. Synthetic auxin caused the decrease of the levels of most parameters compared to the control.

The effect of Ecklonia maxima extract on Medicago X Varia T. Martyn biomass

In 2013 a field experiment was set up in order to determine the effect of Ecklonia maxima extract on the development of the aboveground biomass of alfalfa (Medicago X Varia T. Martyn). The main experimental factor was a biostimulant based on the extract containing plant hormones. The extract was applied to the experimental units in the form of spraying. The following features were determined in the experiment: plant density, the number of shoots per square meter, dry matter weight per square meter, and the ratio of leaves to the entire biomass. The results were processed statistically with the analysis of variance, while differences between means were verified with Tukey’s test (p ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, the Pearson linear correlation coefficient and the coefficient of determination were calculated in order to determine the relationship between the number of plants and shoots per area unit and biomass weight. Extract application led to an increase in shoot length and density, and the weight of dry matter in individual harvest, but it did not affect plant density and the ratio of alfalfa leaves. However, a decrease of plant density in consecutive years was observed.

THE EFFECT OF SOIL CONDITIONERS ON CELLULOSE, HEMICELLULOSE, AND THE ADL FIBRE FRACTION CONCENTRATION IN DACTYLIS GLOMERATA AND LOLIUM PERENNE

Replicated three times, the research was conducted in the experimental field between 2011 and 2014. Three soil conditioners with the following trade names: UGmax, EkoUżyźniacz, and Humus Active Papka were used in the experiment, separately or together with NPK fertilisers. They were all used on plots sown with two species of grass, Dactylis glomerata of the Bora variety and Lolium perenne of the Info variety. The plant material from both grass species was tested for the concentration of ADL fraction (% DM), cellulose (% DM), and hemicellulose (% DM). It was found that the concentration of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and the ADL fraction was significantly higher in the biomass of Dactylis glomerata than in the biomass of Lolium perenne. The grass from the plot with the UGmax soil conditioner applied had the highest amount of cellulose and hemicellulose. The lowest amount of those organic compounds was found in the grass treated with UGmax together with mineral fertilisers and in plants treated with Humus Active, together with mineral fertilisers. However, the fertilisers and conditioners did not increase the ADL content in both grass species.

EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF THE ECKLONIA MAXIMA EXTRACT ON SELECTED MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF YELLOW PINE, SPRUCE AND THUJA STABBING

The study was focused on the impact of an extract of Ecklonia maxima on selected morphological features of yellow pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex C. Lawson), prickly spruce (Picea pungens Engelm.) Variety Glauca, thuja (Thuja occidentalis) variety Smaragd. The experiment was established in April 12, 2012 on the forest nursery in Ceranów. April 15, 2013 was introduced research agent in the form of a spraying an aqueous solution extract of Ecklonia maxima with trade name Kelpak SL. Biologically active compounds in the extract are plant hormones: auxin and cytokinin. There were studied increment in plant height, needle length of yellow pine, twigs length in prickly spruce and thuja. The measurements of increment in length of twigs and needles were made in each case on the same, specially marked parts of plants and have carried them on the 27th of each month beginning in May and ending in September. The results were evaluated statistically using the analysis of variance. Medium differentiations were verified by Tukey’s test at a significance level p ≤ 0.05. The study showed that the diversity of traits features in the experiment was depended on the extract, the tree species and the measurement time. The best results after the extract using showed a pine and spruce. Seaweed preparation contributed to increment increased of trees height for in the pine and spruce and the needles length of pine and twigs of spruce. The species showing no reaction to the extract was thuja.

DRY MATTER YIELD OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF DACTYLIS GLOMERATA AND FESTUCA PRATENSIS

The aim of this paper is to analyze yield variation of Dactylis glomerata and Festuca pratensis varieties grown on organic and mineral soil. This paper has drawn on two field experiments set up and carried out between 2010 and 2013. The experiment was conducted in two experimental stations: one in the Research Centre for Cultivar Testing in Krzyzewo and the other in the Experimental Stations for Variety Testing in Uhinin. The experiment in Krzyzewo was set up on ploughed soil, with spring barley as a forecrop. In Uhnin the experimental plots were located on peat meadow. The experimental plots were sown with varieties of Dactylis glomerata: Niva, Tukan, Amila, Crown Royale and with varieties of Festuca pratensis: Limosa, Pasja, Anturka, Amelka. The full exploitation of Dactylis glomerata varieties was due between 2012 and 2013, whereas for Festuca pratensis it was due between 2011 and 2012. In the experimental plots with the varieties of Dactylis glomerata the grass was harvested six times a year and chemical analysis of the biomass was done taking dry matter only from five cuts. The varieties of Festuca pratensis were harvested four times. Each year in the course of the experiment fresh and dry matter of each cut were weighed. The grass species and their varieties as well as the particular mowing and kind of soil where the grass was grown have an impact on the yield. On mineral soil the yield of Dactylis glomerata was higher than Festuca pratensis. On organic soil the yield of both species was similar. During the two years of experiment the highest yield among Festuca pratensis varieties was noted for Amelka whereas among varieties of Dactylis glomerata the yield was similar and differences were not statistically significant.