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 F 1 ' 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 Eggplant pruning 4 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

Pollination, fertilization and fruit formation in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

The aim of the investigations was to determine the regularity of pollination and fertilization as dependent on the phenotype of flower in eggplant. The experiment was conducted in 2005 and 2006 at the Agricultural University in Kraków, Poland. The object of the investigations was eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) 'Epic F1', grown in the open field. Flower phenotype (long-, medium- or short-styled), fruit setting and the number of seeds per fruit were recorded on experimental plants during the flowering period. The number of pollen tubes in the middle of the style and the number on fertilized ovules in ovaries were evaluated for all types of flowers. The course of pollination was different in particular types of eggplant flowers. Differences concerned only the number of pollen tubes and fertilized ovules of short, medium- and long-styled flowers and the number of seeds in the fruit. There was not observed any incompatibility in the growth on pollen tubes in the styles of all types of eggplant flowers. Stereomicroscopy observations of cross sections of the ovaries do not show differences in the formation and position of the ovules on the placenta. Short-styled flowers were characterized by significantly lower pollination and fruit set efficiency and they produced fruits with a significantly lower number of seeds. The low number of pollen tubes, fertilized ovules and seeds can be a straight consequence of the morphology of short-styled flowers: small-sized stigmas and spatial separation of anther pores and stigmas, which makes pollination diffi cult

Effect of Growing Period and Cultivar on the Yield and Biological Value of Brassica rapa var. narinosa

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of Brassica rapa var. narinosa for field production in Central European climatic zone in order to introduction of this species to large-scale farming. Chinese flat cabbage cultivars, ‘Tatsoi’ and ‘Misome’, were the object of the 2-year-long field experiment in south Poland, conducted in 2 terms: plantings in the middle and at the end of August, harvests in the middle of September and on the beginning of October (1st and 2nd growing period, respectively). Plants were evaluated for morphological and chemical variability at the transplant stage. The yield and bioactive compounds content in the leaf petioles of mature plants were also studied. Analyses of juvenile plants, conducted before transplanting, showed that ‘Misome’ transplants were greater, but they had less leaves then ‘Tatsoi’. Transplants of both cultivars from the 2nd growing period had greater fresh weight, but the content of dry matter, soluble sugars and carotenoids was lower. Total and marketable yield, rosette mass, L-ascorbic acid and crude fibre content were greater for both cultivars planted in the middle of August and harvested in the middle of September. Leaf petioles of Chinese flat cabbage from the 2nd growing period were significantly richer in dry matter and soluble sugars. Only the level of carotenoids and chlorophylls was not influenced by the growing period. ‘Misome’ gave the greater marketable yield of better structure, and had a higher content of biologically active compounds than ‘Tatsoi’, with the exception of crude fibre. In Central Europe conditions, this cultivar should be recommended for plantings in the middle of August to achieve the best yields of high nutrient content

Effects of selenium application on biochemical characteristics and biofortification level of kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea L. var. gongylodes) produce.

Background: Biofortification of vegetables with selenium (Se) greatly depends on species tolerance to Se supply. Due to the scant information regarding kohlrabi Se biofortification, the aim of the present work was the evaluation of foliar sodium selenate application on yield and biochemical characteristics of three kohlrabi cultivars. Material and methods: A two years field experiment was conducted in Moscow region (Russia) on 3 kohlrabi cultivars using foliar biofortification with Na2Se04 solutions (50, 75 and 100 mg/L) and subsequent biochemical analysis of roots, stems and leaves. Results: Out of the three concentrations tested (50, 75 and 100 mg/L) plus an untreated control, the Se 75 dose demonstrated the strongest growth stimulation effect resulting in the increase of stem weight (by 1.35-1.61 times), yield (1.37-1.66 times), monosaccharide (1.59-2.24 times), ascorbic acid (1.54-2.01 times) and total phenolic levels (by 1.23-1.37 times), compared to the untreated control. The biofortification values varied from 69.4 (White Vienna 1390) to 59.9 (Dobrynya F1 hybrid) and 43.6 (Sonata F1 hybrid) under the Se dose of 100 mg/L. The maximum Se content in kohlrabi stems reached 4.40 mg/kg d.w. for Sonata F1, 3.53 mg/kg d.w. for Dobrynya F1 hybrids and 5.20 mg/kg d.w. for cultivar White Vienna 1390. Significant correlations were revealed between Se and total phenolics (0.720; p < 0.002), ascorbic acid (0.842; p < 0.001), monosaccharides (0.898; p < 0.001) and total sugar (0.764; p < 0.001). No significant changes in nitrate levels and dry matter content were recorded as the result of Se supply. Conclusion: The outcomes of the present research demonstrated the high benefits of Se application in improving kohlrabi yield and nutritional quality

Effect of Bacterial-algal Biostimulant on the Yield and Internal Quality of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Produced for Spring and Summer Crop

Plant biostimulants can enhance crop nutrition status, stress tolerance, yield and quality in an environment-friendly manner. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of algae and bacteria preparations on the yield and nutritional parameters of leaf and romaine lettuce cultivated for spring and summer crop. The application of a combined biostimulant consisting of plant growth-promoting bacteria (Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus megatherium, Azotobacter sp., Azospirillum sp., and Herbaspirillum sp.) and freshwater algae (Chlorella vulgaris) was done by watering the lettuce every 14 days, and a determination of the fresh weight, total antioxidant capacity, and total carotenoids content were performed. The result revealed that the application of bacterial-algal preparation significantly affected the plant weight of both romaine and leaf lettuce in the spring and summer seasons. The highest increase in the weight of romaine lettuce reached 18.9% in the spring crop, while in the case of leaf lettuce, biostimulant treatment led to a 22.7% higher weight in the summer crop. Total antioxidant capacity and total carotenoids content showed increased values in the summer crop of romaine lettuce, while for the leaf lettuce there were no differences between treatments. Therefore, the positive effect of bacterial-algal treatment on lettuce yield, total antioxidant capacity and total carotenoids confirm that it could be applied for improving romaine lettuce yield quality and quantity, especially in stress, summer conditions

Selenium and zinc biofortification of Pleurotus eryngii mycelium and fruiting bodies as a tool for controlling their biological activity

Pleurotus eryngii (DC:Fr.) Quel. is a cultivated mushroom of high culinary value and medicinal properties. Mycelium of P. eryngii is characterized by the ability of effective bio-elements absorption from growth media so it could be biofortified with trace elements with a functional activity in the human body. In this study, the ability of P. eryngii mycelia from in vitro cultures as well as fruiting bodies were investigated in terms of their effectiveness in zinc and selenium accumulation. The effect of Se and Zn biofortification on productivity, chemical compounds, and bio-elements content of P. eryngii was determined as well. To enhance Se and Zn content in P. eryngii fruiting bodies and mycelia, substrates were supplemented with sodium selenite, at a concentration of 50 mg $L^{-1}$, zinc sulfate, and zinc hydro-aspartate at a concentration of 87.2 and 100.0 mg $L^{-1}$, respectively. Mentioned Zn concentrations contained the same amount of zinc(II) ions, namely 20mg $L^{-1}$. The content of organic compounds include phenolic compounds and lovastatin, which were determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) and reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method with UV detection. The ability of P. eryngii to accumulate zinc and selenium from the culture medium was demonstrated. The degree of accumulation of zinc turned out to be di erent depending on the type of salt used. The present study also showed that conducting mycelium of P. eryngii in in vitro culture, with a higher content of zinc ions, can result in obtaining the materials with better antioxidant ability. The results of this study can be used to develop the composition of growing media, which ensures the production of biomass with the desired composition of elements

Preliminary screening of biostimulative effects of Göemar BM-86 on eggplant cultivars grown under field conditions in Poland

Seaweed extracts are widely used in agriculture as ecological focus substances applied to improve crop growth and quality. One of the primary benefits they bring is increased effectiveness of fruit setting as well as improved stress tolerance, essential for warm-climate crops cultivated in the nonoptimal environmental conditions of Northern and Central Europe. The aim of this study was a preliminary investigation of any genotype-dependent reaction of eggplant cultivars (Solanum melongena) to application of a standardized extract of the seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum (Göemar BM-86) under field conditions in Poland. The only statistically relevant result of this biostimulant was shown for cultivar ‘Flavine’ F1, where it positively affected the early crop yield and the number of fruits per plant. Fruit quality attributes, including antioxidant activity, as well as selected mineral contents, increased as an effect of biostimulant spraying. This reaction was specific for the cultivars investigated, and it was confirmed by significant differences in the main effects between biostimulant and control treatments for almost all the properties measured. The use of this A. nodosum extract suggested that there could be an improvement in fruit yield and quality in selected eggplant cultivars under field conditions in the temperate climatic zone

Application of modern agronomic and biotechnological strategies to valorise worldwide globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L.) potential - an analytical overview

The globe artichoke [Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Fiori], an ancient vegetable originated in the Mediterranean Basin, is currently cultivated in many regions of the world under a perennial cycle or as an annual crop, with the first method being more widespread globally. The growing importance of globe artichoke as modern functional food as well as a source of pharmaceuticals has raised new issues that all producers have to face; hence the necessity of contemporaneous development of new centres of production and new technologies application in traditional regions of growing which can complement the global market. This review is focused on development of globe artichoke technology of production in recent several years which meet the diversified requirements of global and local markets. We considered the recent literature to highlight specific applications of modern farming practices and plant breeding along with genetic variation to globe artichoke production system as well as to postharvest management in order to enhance the value added of this commodity. The latter targets are mainly addressed to particular regions of the world and they are based on farmers knowledge, equipment, scale and methods of production, processing, final market. Our reports are focused on sustainable and environmentally friendly methods which can improve the profitability of production as well as product's quality and quantity traits. We discussed the balanced mineral application which can precisely affect the yield chemical composition, attractiveness and shelf life of globe artichoke heads as well as create the opportunities to attain standardised by-products, valuable on the market of health and convenient food. Further topics were developed, such as introduction of seed propagation, intercropping, grafting, flowering induction, postharvest treatments as linked to different regions and conditions of production. Precise selection of modern management practices was recognised as a main goal to fulfil the requirements of local and global market for fresh, processed and new potential globe artichoke products

Alterations in Chlorophyll a Fluorescence and Pigments Concentration in the Leaves of Cauliflower and Broccoli Transplants Subjected to Chilling

Chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters and photosynthetic pigments content in leaves of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) cv. ‘Monaco’ F1 and cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) cv. ‘Bruce’ F1 transplants were analyzed to investigate the effects of chilling temperatures (6 and 10 °C) and the exposure length (1 or 2 weeks) on the photosynthetic apparatus condition in the 3-year experiment. Data were compared to control plants exposed to 14 °C for 1 and 2 weeks. The lowest values of maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) and the performance index (PI) were observed in cauliflower chilled at 6 °C for 2 weeks. This was not accompanied by any substantial reduction in chlorophylls concentration, however, significant correlations between Fv/Fm or PI and chlorophylls content in cauliflower leaves were found. There were no negative effects of chilling on photosynthetic activity and chlorophyll content in broccoli leaves, the amount of carotenoids significantly increased in the broccoli chilled for 2 weeks at 6 °C. The chlorophyll a fluorescence indices and accelerated carotenoids synthesis showed that broccoli had less vulnerable photosynthetic apparatus to stress-induced temperatures and more efficient protection mechanisms in comparison to cauliflower transplants