Occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the roots of two grapevine cultivars in response to bioproducts

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of different bioproducts on the occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the roots of ‘Solaris’ and ‘Regent’ grapevine cultivars. The following bioproducts were used, alone or with mineral fertilization (NPK): Ausma, Bioilsa, manure and BF Ekomix. The highest mycorrhizal frequency was recorded in the roots of ‘Solaris’ after applying the bioproduct Ausma. For the ‘Regent’ cultivar, the highest mycorrhizal frequency was found in the plants treated with Ausma, BF Ekomix and manure. Colonization of grapevine roots by AM fungi was limited bymineral fertilization. After the combined use of bioproducts and mineral fertilizers, there was observed a tendency for minimized negative effect of mineral fertilization on the formation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Biochar-Rhizosphere Interactions – a Review

Biochar is a solid material of biological origin obtained from biomass carbonization, designed as a mean to reduce greenhouse gases emis­sion and carbon sequestration in soils for a long time. Biochar has a wide spectrum of practical utilization and is applied as a promising soil improver or fertilizer in agriculture, or as a medium for soil or water remediation. Preparations of biochar increase plant growth and yielding when applied into soil and also improve plant growth conditions, mainly bio, physical and chemical properties of soil. Its physical and chemical properties have an influence on bacteria, fungi and invertebrates, both in field and laboratory conditions. Such effects on rhizosphere organisms are positive or negative depending on biochar raw material origin, charring conditions, frequency of applications, applications method and doses, but long term effects are generally positive and are associated mainly with increased soil biota activity. However, a risk assessment of biochar applications is necessary to protect food production and the soil environment. This should be accomplished by biochar production and characterization, land use implementation, economic analysis, including life cycle assessment, and environmental impact assessment

APPLICATION OF THE MINIRHIZOTRON TECHNIQUE TO STUDYING THE ROOTS OF FRUIT PLANTS

Minirhizotron, a non-destructive technique is based on the application of transparent tubes, located in plant’s root zone. This method has been known since the beginning of 20th century and is used for plant root’s observations, especially in forest trees (Scots pine, Norway spruce, silver fir, birch), steppe grasses, vegetables and cereals. Minirhizotron technique is also applicable to pomological plants observations, mostly apples, but many others orchard species were observed with this method last years. The study of root growth dynamics in fruit plants using the non-destructive, minirhizotron method is conducted in the Pomological Orchard in Skierniewice. The objects of the observations are the roots of: apple trees cultivar. ‘Gold Milenium’, blackcurrant bushes cultivar ‘Tiben’ and sweet cherry cultivar ‘Vanda’. The observations were carried out monthly over a period of from March to November

Computerized Classification Systemfor the Identification of Soil Microorganisms

This paper presents the method of soil microorganisms identification from the microscopic digital images. The proposed approach includes: segmentation of the image, feature generation, selection of the most important features and the final recognition stage applying five different solutions of classifiers. The paper presents and discusses the results concerning the recognition of several most popular soil microorganisms: Bacillus subtilis, Paenibacillus glucanolyticus, Rachnella aquatilis, Scoleobasidium sp., Trichoderma sp., Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus atrophaeus, Azotobacter sp., Streptomyces sp. and other bacterias and fungi. The proposed system enables the recognition of the microorganisms with the accuracy close to 98%

The Effect of Different Stratification and Scarification Treatments on Breaking the Dormancy of Saskatoon Berry Seeds

Saskatoon berry has become as important as a commercial fruit crop. One main goal is to release new plant cultivars well adapted to different climatic and soil conditions. Dormant seeds obtained from breeding are serious problems delaying the program. The seeds were directly extracted from fruits after harvest (unstored) or after storage at −18 °C for 6 months (stored) and subjected to modified stratification (3 °C) with KNO3, H2O2, NO, smoke-water (SW) or scarification using sandpaper or H2SO4 for 10, 20, 30, 40 min or treatments with pulsed radio frequency (PRF) or red light. The seeds were also subjected to warm–cool stratification (20/3 °C). Unstored seeds germinated in a higher percentage and with better uniformity (T75–T25) than stored seeds. Stored seeds positively affected the onset of seed germination (T1) and mean germination time (MGT). Dormancy breakage was promoted by stratification with KNO3, SW or scarification with sandpaper, H2SO4 or treatments with PRF. The recommended method for the breeding program of breaking seeds dormancy is when unstored seeds are subjected to stratification in KNO3 (0.2%) or SW (1:100). Depending on the applied methods, the percentage of seeds’ germination increased to 87% compared to untreated (64%) control seeds. The positive effects of the selected methods persisted during seedling development by stimulating their growth and enhancing the chlorophyll content index (SPAD) and effective quantum yield of PSII of chlorophyll in leaves (ΦPSII)

Wpływ nawozów wzbogaconych mikrobiologicznie na wzrost wegetatywny truskawki w warunkach polowych w pierwszym roku prowadzenia plantacji

The experiment was established in the spring of 2018 in the Experimental Orchard of the Research Institute of Horticulture in Dąbrowice (Central Poland). It was conducted on strawberry plants of the cultivar ‘Marmolada’. The experiment included the following experimental combinations: 1. Control – no fertilizer; 2. Standard NPK fertilization (control); 3. Control with fungi only (Aspergillus niger and Purpureocillium lilacinum); 4. Control with bacteria only (Bacillus sp., Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Paenibacillus polymyxa); 5. Standard NPK + fungi; 6. Standard NPK + bacteria; 7. Polifoska 6 innovative fertilizer 100% + bacteria; 8. Urea 100% + fungi; 9. Polifoska 6 100% + bacteria; 10. Super Fos Dar 40 innovative fertilizer 100% + bacteria; 11. Urea 60% + fungi; 12. Polifoska 6 60% + bacteria; 13. Super Fos Dar 40 60% + bacteria; 14. Polifoska 6 100% without bacteria; 15. Urea 100% without fungi; 16. Super Fos Dar 40 100% without bacteria. In the middle of the summer, the surface area of the leaves, the intensity of the green colour of the leaves, and the concentration of macro- and microelements in them were measured. In the autumn, the runners were cut off, and their number, fresh weight and length, and the number and fresh weight of the runner plants were determined. Urea, in combination with fungi, had the greatest influence on the fresh weight of the leaves and their surface area. The applied fertilization treatments did not cause any changes in the intensity of the green colour of the leaves. Under the influence of the applied microbiologically enriched fertilizers and the microorganisms added to the soil on their own, the mineral composition of the leaves changed. In the groups of macro- and microelements, the fertilizers Super Fos Dar 40 and Polifoska 6 enriched with bacteria caused an increase in the levels of the elements analyzed. Urea enriched with strains of filamentous fungi produced a similar effect. In the first year of running the plantation, the largest number and weight of runners were formed by the strawberry plants fertilized with a full dose of Urea. The use of the bacterial mixture had a very beneficial influence on the number and length of runners and the quality of runner plants. In 2018, fruiting was not evaluated because all the inflorescences were removed in order to intensify the vegetative growth of the plants.Doświadczenie założono wiosną 2018 roku w Sadzie Doświadczalnym Instytutu Ogrodnictwa w Dąbrowicach, a przeprowadzono je na roślinach truskawki odmiany Marmolada w następujących kombinacjach: 1. Kontrola – bez nawożenia; 2. Nawożenie standardowe NPK (kontrola); 3. Kontrola tylko z grzybami (Aspergillus niger i Purpureocillium lilacinum); 4. Kontrola tylko z bakteriami (Bacillus sp., Bacillus amyloliquefaciens i Paenibacillus polymyxa ); 5. Nawożenie standardowe NPK + grzyby; 6. Nawożenie standardowe NPK + bakterie; 7. Polifoska 6, 100% - innowacyjny nawóz+ bakterie; 8. Mocznik 100% + grzyby; 9. Polifoska 6 + bakterie; 10. Super Fos Dar 40, 100% - innowacyjny nawóz + bakterie; 11. Mocznik 60%+ grzyby; 12. Polifoska 6, 60% + bakterie; 13. Super Fos Dar 40, 60% + bakterie; 14. Polifoska 6, 100% bez bakterii; 15. Mocznik 100% bez grzybów; 16. Super Fos Dar 40, 100% bez bakterii. W połowie lata mierzono powierzchnię liści, natężenie zielonej barwy liści oraz zawartość w nich makro- i mikroelementów. Jesienią odcinano rozłogi, określano ich liczbę, świeżą masę, długość, liczbę oraz świeżą masę sadzonek rozłogowych. Mocznik w połączeniu z grzybami w największym stopniu wpłynął stymulująco na świeżą masę liści i pole ich powierzchni. Zastosowane kombinacje nawożenia nie powodowały zmian w intensywności zielonej barwy liści truskawki. Pod wpływem zastosowanych nawozów wzbogaconych mikrobiologicznie oraz samych mikroorganizmów dodawanych do gleby zmieniał się skład mineralny liści. W grupie makro- i mikroelementów nawozy Super Fos Dar 40 i Polifoska 6 wzbogacone bakteriami spowodował wzrost poziomu badanych pierwiastków. Podobne działanie miał mocznik wzbogacony szczepami grzybów strzępkowych. W pierwszym roku prowadzenia plantacji największą liczbę i masę rozłogów wytworzyły rośliny truskawki nawożone pełną dawką mocznika. Bardzo korzystnie na liczbę i długość rozłogów oraz jakość sadzonek rozłogowych wpłynęło zastosowanie mieszaniny bakterii. W 2018 roku owocowania nie oceniano, ponieważ wszystkie kwiatostany zostały usunięte w celu zintensyfikowania wzrostu wegetatywnego roślin

Wpływ nawozów wzbogaconych mikrobiologicznie na wzrost wegetatywny truskawki w uprawie kontenerowej przy zróżnicowanym poziomie nawadniania

The experiment was established in the SGGW Experimental Field in Skierniewice in the spring of 2018 in four replications. It was conducted on strawberry plants of the cultivar ‘Marmolada’ and included the following experimental combinations (in two variants 100% hydration and 50% hydration): 1. Control – no fertilization; 2. Control – standard NPK fertilization; 3. Control with fungi only (Aspergillus niger and Purpureocillium lilacinum); 4. Control with bacteria only (Bacillus sp., Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Paenibacillus polymyxa); 5. Standard NPK + fungi; 6. Standard NPK + bacteria; 7. Polifoska 6 innovative fertilizer 100% + bacteria; 8. Urea 100% + fungi; 9. Polifoska 6 100% + bacteria; 10. Super Fos Dar 40 innovative fertilizer 100% + bacteria; 11. Urea 60% + fungi; 12. Polifoska 6 60% + bacteria; 13. Super Fos Dar 40, 60% + bacteria. In 2018, there was no fruiting because all the inflorescences of the strawberry plants had been removed. The leaves were analyzed for mineral content (macro- and microelements). In the autumn, the runners were cut off and their number, fresh weight and length and also the number and fresh weight of the runner plants were determined. The results of the first year of the study showed that filamentous fungi and beneficial bacteria used together with the fertilizers tested in the experiment with strawberry plants (Urea, Polifoska 6, Super Fos Dar 40) favourably improved the growth of runners and runner plants, and increased the concentration of some minerals and macro- and microelements in the leaves. The amount of water supplied to the strawberry plants fertilized with the different mineral fertilizers enriched with beneficial bacteria and filamentous fungi affected the growth of the vegetative parts of plants. The fertilizer Super Fos Dar 40 in a 100% dose enriched with bacterial strains of the genus Bacillus, with a substantial deficit of water in the soil, stimulated the growth of runners and runner plants, and effectively limited the effects of drought.Doświadczenie założono wiosną w 2018 roku w czterech powtórzeniach, na Polu Doświadczalnym SGGW w Skierniewicach. Doświadczenie prowadzono w dwóch wariantach 100% nawodnienie i 50% nawodnienie w następujących kombinacjach: 1. Kontrola – bez nawożenia; 2.Standardowe nawożenie NPK (kontrola); 3.Kontrola tylko z grzybami (Aspergillus niger i Purpureocillium lilacinum); 4. Kontrola tylko z bakteriami (Bacillus sp., Bacillus amyloliquefaciens i Paenibacillus polymyxa); 5. Standardowe nawożenie NPK + grzyby; 6. Standardowe nawożenie NPK + bakterie; 7. Polifoska 6 100%- innowacyjny nawóz + bakterie; 8.Mocznik 100%+ grzyby; 9. Polifoska 6 +bakterie; 10. Super Fos Dar 40 100%- innowacyjny nawóz + bakterie; 11. Mocznik 60%+ grzyby; 12. Polifoska 6 60% + bakterie; 13. Super Fos Dar 40, 60% + bakterie. W 2018 roku owocowania nie było ponieważ wszystkie kwiatostany roślin zostały usunięte. W liściach określano zawartość składników mineralnych (makro- i mikroelementów). Jesienią odcinano rozłogi i określano ich liczbę, świeżą masę, długość, liczbę oraz świeżą masę sadzonek rozłogowych. Wyniki pierwszego roku badań wykazały, że, grzyby strzępkowe i bakterie pożyteczne stosowane razem z nawozami badanymi w doświadczeniu z roślinami truskawki (mocznik, Polifoska 6, Super Fos Dar 40) wpływają korzystnie na poprawę wzrostu rozłogów i sadzonek rozłogowych oraz wzrost zawartości niektórych składników mineralnych oraz makro- i mikroelementów w liściach. Ilość dostarczanej wody roślinom truskawki, nawożonym różnymi nawozami mineralnymi wzbogaconymi bakteriami pożytecznymi i grzybami strzępkowymi, ma wpływ na wzrost wegetatywnych części roślin. Nawóz Super Fos Dar 40 w dawce 100% wzbogacony szczepami bakterii rodzaju Bacillus, przy wyraźnym deficycie wody w glebie, stymulował wzrost rozłogów i sadzonek rozłogowych roślin truskawki i skutecznie ograniczał skutki suszy

Influence of beneficial soil microorganisms and mineral fertilizers enriched with them on the flowering, fruiting, and physical and chemical parameters of the fruit of three-year-old strawberry plants in field cultivation

The excessive use of chemicals in plant production, including mineral fertilizers has a harmful effect on the morpho- and physiological state of strawberry plants, their yielding, and the physicochemical properties of the fruit and soil. Increasing the effectiveness of beneficial microorganisms, i.e. filamentous fungi, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and bacteria, is an essential method of reducing the amount of fertilizers used to fertilize the soil. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of beneficial soil microorganisms (filamentous fungi and bacteria) applied alone or together with mineral fertilizers on the morpho- and physiological state of 'Marmolada' strawberry plants, their yielding, and the physico-chemical properties of the fruit. The experiment included the application of fungi (Aspergillus niger and Purpureocillium lilacinum), bacteria (Bacillus sp., Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Paenibacillus polymyxa) alone or together with mineral fertilizers (Polifoska 6, Urea, Super Fos Dar 40). The study investigated the number of inflorescences and flowers, the intensity of the green colour of leaves, fruit yield and weight (g and %), pH, extract (°Brix), titratable acidity (g/100 g), fruit firmness (N), as well as the concentrations of macro-and microelements in the leaves of the plants. The obtained results depend on the type of fertilizer and its concentration. Strains of filamentous fungi or bacterial strains only (without fertilizer), increase the fruit yield by 60 and 35%, respectively. Reduced to 60% doses of Polifoska 6, Urea, and Super Fos Dar 40 combined with beneficial soil microorganisms influence the strawberry fruit yield more beneficially than the fertilizers applied in standard doses (100%). The mineral fertilizers enriched with soil beneficial fungi and bacteria increase the mean fruit weight by 25-30%. Both Super Fos Dar 40 enriched with bacterial strains and Polifoska 6 at 100% positively affect the physical and chemical properties of strawberry fruits. The application of reduced to 60% doses of Fos Dar 40 and Polifoska 6 enriched with beneficial bacterial strains increase the nitrogen and potassium contents in the leaves, respectively. Urea and Super Fos Dar 40 at 100% enriched with beneficial bacteria positively affect magnesium content in the leaves. Application of Polifoska 6 and NPK enriched with bacteria beneficially influences the iron content in the leaves. The calcium content in strawberry leaves decreases due to fertilization

Wpływ nawozów wzbogaconych mikrobiologicznie na plonowanie truskawki w uprawie kontenerowej przy zróżnicowanym poziomie nawadniania

The experiment was established in the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) Experimental Field in Skierniewice in the spring of 2018 in three replications. It was conducted on strawberry plants of the cultivar ‘Marmolada’ growing in stoneware containers with a diameter of 0.40 m and a height of 1.20 m, containing about 120 litres of podzolic soil with a pH of 6.2 (in KCl). The experiment was conducted in two variants: at 100% hydration and 50% hydration (2x13 fertilizer combinations). The aim of the study was to assess the impact of beneficial microorganisms and innovative mineral fertilizers enriched with them on the fruiting intensity and fruit quality of two-year-old strawberry plants in container-based cultivation, optimally irrigated and subjected to stress of prolonged water deficiency. The method of fertilizing the strawberry plants did not significantly affect the number of inflorescences and flowers. However, the treatments significantly increased the chlorophyll content in the leaves of optimally irrigated plants, especially where they were fertilized with NPK fertilizers and Urea enriched with filamentous fungi, and also the fertilizers Polifoska 6 and Super Fos Dar 40 enriched with beneficial bacteria. With limited water availability, regardless of the type of mineral fertilizer, the microorganisms did not have a significant impact on the characteristics of the strawberry plants grown. Reducing the availability of water to plants by 50% caused a significant decrease in fruit yield and mean fruit weight. The microorganisms, especially the filamentous fungi, helped to limit the impact of water deficiency on the quantity and quality of the obtained fruit crop, especially when compared with the effect of full mineral fertilization. However, the strawberry fruit yield was lower than the yield of optimally irrigated plants by about 30%. Under optimal irrigation, the NPK fertilizer enriched with filamentous fungi significantly increased fruit yield. Similarly, an increase in yield occurred after the application of the fertilizers: Urea in the recommended dose (100%) with the addition of filamentous fungi, and Super Fos Dar 40 in the amount of 60% of the recommended dose enriched with beneficial bacteria. Additional fertilization with the microbiological preparations increased the strawberry fruit yield. Better effects were obtained on the containers with a lower level of irrigation than on those with optimal irrigation.Doświadczenie założono na polu doświadczalnym Szkoły Głównej Gospodarstwa Wiejskiego (SGGW) w Skierniewicach wiosną 2018 roku w trzech powtórzeniach. Doświadczenie przeprowadzono na sadzonkach roślin truskawki odmiany ‘Marmolada’ posadzonych w kamionkowych kontenerach o średnicy 0,40 m i wysokości 1,20 m, wypełnionych 120 litrami gleby bielicowej o pH of 6,2 (w KCl). Doświadczenie prowadzono w dwóch wariantach: 100% nawodnienie i 50% nawodnienia (2 x 13 kombinacji nawozowych). Celem pracy była ocena wpływu pożytecznych mikroorganizmów i innowacyjnych nawozów mineralnych wzbogaconych mikrobiologicznie na intensywność owocowania i jakości owoców dwuletnich roślin truskawki uprawianych w kontenerach, optymalnie nawadnianych i poddanych stresowi suszy. Sposób nawożenia roślin nie miał istotnego wpływu na liczbę kwiatostanów i kwiatów truskawki. Natomiast zabiegi te istotnie zwiększały zawartość chlorofilu w liściach roślin optymalnie nawadnianych, szczególnie tam, gdzie nawożono je nawozami NPK i mocznikiem wzbogaconymi grzybami strzępkowymi oraz nawozami Polifoska 6 i Super Fos Dar 40 wzbogaconymi pożytecznymi bakteriami. Mikroorganizmy przy ograniczonym dostępie wody, niezależnie od rodzaju nawozu mineralnego, nie miały istotnego wpływu na wielkość badanych cech roślin truskawki. Ograniczenie nawodnienia roślin o 50% spowodowało znaczny spadek plonu i masy jednego owocu. Mikroorganizmy, a szczególnie grzyby strzępkowe pozwoliły ograniczyć wpływ niedoboru wody na wielkość i jakość uzyskanego plonu, zwłaszcza w porównaniu do wpływu pełnego nawożenia mineralnego. Plon truskawki był niższy w porównaniu do plonu roślin optymalnie nawadnianych o około 30%. Nawóz NPK wzbogacony grzybami strzępkowymi w tych warunkach zwiększał istotnie jego wielkość. Podobnie po zastosowaniu nawozów: mocznika w zalecanej dawce (100%) z dodatkiem grzybów strzępkowych i nawozu Super Fos Dar 40 w ilości wynoszącej 60% dawki zalecanej, wzbogaconego pożytecznymi bakteriami. Nawożenie preparatami mikrobiologicznymi zwiększyło plon owoców truskawki. Lepszy efekt uzyskano w kontenerach o niższym poziomie nawadniania niż w kontenerach z nawodnieniem optymalnym