Influence of Correcting the Acidity of Soil and Usage of Potassium Fertilizers on Physiological, Biochemical Characteristics and Storage Capacity of the Autumn Cabbage

Soils are generally fertile in Romania but there are numerous areas with less favourable characteristics, which are, however, planted with cabbage, as consumers’ request and economic needs make it necessary. Variable factors which determined the set-up of the experimental variants were represented by the amendments applied (calcium carbonate) and chemical fertilizers containing potassium. The experimental plots have been organized in three locations with podzolic soils. The research has been focused on the influence of correcting soil acidity and applying potassium fertilization on the qualitative changes and the storage capacity of the autumn white cabbage. Correcting the reaction and the supply of podzolic, acid and low in potassium soils, resulted in a positive change of the cabbage leaves mineral composition, in achieving an optimal ratio between calcium and magnesium - adequate to normal metabolic processes-and in statistically significant reduction of the cells membranes permeability. A significant increase of content in soluble dry substance, soluble carbohydrates and chlorophyll was noticed in the cabbage leaves; titratable acidity increased, but it was not statistically ensured. A significant increase in the production of the marketable cabbage was obtained by applying calcium carbonate corrections on acid soils and by administrating potassium salts; significant positive differences were found on cabbage crops grown on soils with a lower supply in potassium. Significant reduction of the losses caused by evapotranspiration, decay and conditioning, as well as of the total losses were analysed after 140 days of storage

Grafting Bell Peppers an Alternative for Growers

Crop rotation is rarely practiced in greenhouse production, which allows soil borne pathogens and pests to accumulate, progressively reducing crop yields and fruit quality. Grafting cultivars with high quality and productivity on rootstocks that are resistant to the soil pests and diseases is a method known from years ago, which was improved and quickly spread in the last years. The aim of this research was to evaluate the performance of the grafted peppers on some rootstocks, in greenhouse conditions. Marketable yield, fruit quality and nutritional qualities (total soluble solid contents, titratable acidity, soluble carbohydrates, Vitamin C content) have been determined. The marketable yield and fruit number were positively influenced by rootstock as compared with ungrafted peppers. The obtained results showed that grafting has improved the commercial quality of pepper fruits. There were no significant differences in the nutritional qualities of pepper fruits obtained from the grafted or ungrafted plants

Experimental research on the variation of microclimate factors in healing tunnels designed for grafted vegetable seedlings

During the healing process, the scion and the rootstock must establish vascular connection, which is considered the most critical process in the production of grafted vegetables. Therefore, the healing process must be carried out in a monitored and controlled environment, in special healing areas, where parameters characterizing the microclimate must be maintained at the optimal values, ideally with great precision. The main objective of the current experiment was to analyse the variation of microclimate factors in the curing and acclimatization chambers of grafted vegetable seedlings during specific technological phase. The measurements of different abiotic factors such as relative humidity, temperature, light radiation intensity and CO2 concentration were carried out inside an experimental research healing tunnel situated inside a greenhouse. After grafting, the grafted seedlings were placed in specialized enclosures for their healing and the results shown that variations of the plants density and determined microclimate factors significantly affect the quality of seedlings. Because the stages of obtaining grafted seedlings are relatively short, fluctuations in environmental factors can have dramatic effects on the quality and quantity of grafted seedling production. Such a study of the prediction of microclimate factors must lead to the development of a versatile prediction model that can be used in any climatic conditions, at any time of the year and in any geographical location