The effect of transplanting date and covering on the growth and development of melon (Cucumis melo L.)

The effect of different transplanting dates (May 15, May 25, and June 4) and date of polypropylene fiber removal (4 and 8 weeks after transplanting, and control without covering) on the growth, development, and yield of melon (Cucumis melo L.) were investigated. The experiment was carried out during 2008–2010 in eastern Poland (51°53'23.64" N, 22°27'47.96" E). Plants planted on May 15 were longer by 22% and 56%, weighed more by 39% and 76%, and their leaf area index (LAI) was higher by 24% and 117% compared to plants planted on May 24 and June 4, respectively. However, delayed planting reduced the period of growth and development by 7 and 17 days, respectively. When the covering application period was extended from 4 to 8 weeks, stem length increased by an average of 23% and LAI by 38%, but harvest was delayed by 6 days. The respective yields of melon fruits planted on May 15, May 25, and June 4 amounted to 5.09, 4.73, and 3.99 kg m−2. The covering of plants planted at each date contributed to an increase in yield and in the share of marketable fruit yield in the total yield. However, the length of the cover application period did not affect yield levels

Could an analysis of mean corpuscular volume help to improve risk stratification in non-anemic patients with acute myocardial infarction?

Background: Nowadays, when the majority of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention and modern pharmacotherapy, risk stratification becomes a challenge. Simple and easily accessible parameters that would help in a better determination of prognosis are needed. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of high mean corpuscular volume (MCV, defined as MCV > 92 fL) and to establish its prognostic value in non-anemic patients with AMI. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 248 consecutive non-anemic patients hospitalized due to AMI (median age: 65 [59–76] years, men: 63%, ST segment elevation myocardial infarction: 31%, and median left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF]: 50%). Results: The prevalence of high MCV was 39 ± 6% (± 95% confidence interval) in the entire AMI population. High MCV was more prevalent in males, patients with low body mass index, non-diabetics and cigarette smokers (all p < 0.05). During the 180-day follow-up, there were 38 (15%) events, defined as another AMI or death. In a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model, female gender (p < 0.01), low LVEF (p < 0.001), previous AMI (p < 0.05), arterial hypertension (p < 0.05), and high MCV (p < 0.001) were prognosticators of pre-defined events. Conclusions: In non-anemic patients with AMI, high MCV is an independent prognostic factor of poor outcome defined as another AMI or death.

THE INFLUENCE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS OF EASTERN POLAND ON SWEET CORN YIELDS AND LENGTH OF GROWING SEASON

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of weather components (air temperature, precipitation) on the growth, yield and the length of the growing season of sweet corn cultivated in eastern Poland. The results come from a field experiment conducted in 2006–2011. Weather conditions in the successive years of the study significantly modified the yield of ears, weight and number of formatted ears, high of plants and the length of the growing season of sweet corn. Good yielding of sweet corn favoured years with moderate air temperatures in July and uniform distribution of precipitation during the growing season. The highest yield of ears was found in 2011, the lowest in the very difficult in terms of weather 2006. The shortest growing season was characterized corn grown in the years 2006 and 2010 with the high air temperatures in July and August, the longest in the years 2009 and 2011, in which the temperatures in the period June-August were the lowest of all the years of research. Irrespective of the year of study, cv ‘Sheba F1’ was formatted eras with higher weight than cv ‘Sweet Nugget F1’

Effect of L-glycine on the Growth and Selected Nutritional Elements of Butterhead Lettuce

In agricultural practice, there is a need to change the forms of fertilizers to be friendlier to the natural environment and human health. To this end, research has been carried out on the partial replacement of fertilisers containing nitrates or ammonium compounds with amino acid nitrogen. The present studies assessed the effect of L-glycine on growth parameters and on the content of selected nutrients in the butterhead lettuce grown in an unheated greenhouse in the spring. The treatment consisted of foliar L-glycine application at the following concentrations: 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 220 and 240 mg∙L-1, with a solution dose of 50 ml∙m-2. Foliar application of L-glycine improved the butterhead lettuce growth parameters. The most favourable values of the head weight, root system weight and the number and length of leaves were recorded for the plants fed with doses ranging from 80 to 120 mg∙L-1. The weight of the head and the root system was most favourable after foliar feeding with 120 mg∙L-1 of L-glycine. Additionally, a high value of the SPAD leaf greenness index was noted as a response to the same dose, indicating a high level of leaf nitrogen nutrition. However, foliar feeding with L-glycine had no statistically significant effect on the nutritional value of lettuce, i.e. the content of dry matter, protein, sugars and ascorbic acid

THE EFFECT OF DATE OF PLANTING SEEDLINGS AND POLYPROPYLENE FIBRE COVERING ON THE YIELD AND ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF MELON

Melon is a little popular vegetable to grow in Poland, due to high climatic requirements. Ensuring appropriate thermal conditions for plants growth is possible with relatively late planting seedlings. However, late planting does not guarantee high yield of good quality fruit. The factor enabling the earlier planting seedlings and improving the conditions of growth is the use of flat covers. The field experiment was conducted in 2008–2010 in central-eastern Poland. The effect of planting seedlings of melon ‘Malaga F1’ (15 May, 25 May and 4 June) and the length of polypropylene fibre 17 g·m-2 covering (by 4 and 8 weeks from planting, until harvest, control without covering) on the yield and economic efficiency of melon cultivation in the field was investigated. Most preferably the yield level and profitability of melon cultivation were influenced by planting seedlings on the 15 May and covering by 4 weeks. However, earlier planting decreased the share of marketable fruits in the total number of fruits. The highest share in the costs structure of melon cultivation had the costs of human labour

Wybrane zachowania konsumentów na rynku warzyw na przykładzie województwa mazowieckiego

The aim of the study is to analyze ways of obtaining vegetables by households located in the Mazovia Province. The article also shows how often consumers of vegetables choose the places to buy them, which vegetable species they are prefer and what is the main factor deciding to purchase them. The main research tool was a survey conducted in 466 households in 2015 in the Mazovia region. Selection of households for study was random. Most frequently selected place of purchase of vegetables, both by women and men, it was market. A very important place for obtaining vegetables was also greengrocer. The vast majority of respondents chose vegetables of domestic origin, but at least for the second person did not matter whether the vegetables are from organic or conventional cultivation

The effect of transplanting date and covering on the growth and development of melon (Cucumis melo L.)

The effect of different transplanting dates (May 15, May 25, and June 4) and date of polypropylene fiber removal (4 and 8 weeks after transplanting, and control without covering) on the growth, development, and yield of melon (Cucumis melo L.) were investigated. The experiment was carried out during 2008–2010 in eastern Poland (51°53'23.64" N, 22°27'47.96" E). Plants planted on May 15 were longer by 22% and 56%, weighed more by 39% and 76%, and their leaf area index (LAI) was higher by 24% and 117% compared to plants planted on May 24 and June 4, respectively. However, delayed planting reduced the period of growth and development by 7 and 17 days, respectively. When the covering application period was extended from 4 to 8 weeks, stem length increased by an average of 23% and LAI by 38%, but harvest was delayed by 6 days. The respective yields of melon fruits planted on May 15, May 25, and June 4 amounted to 5.09, 4.73, and 3.99 kg m−2. The covering of plants planted at each date contributed to an increase in yield and in the share of marketable fruit yield in the total yield. However, the length of the cover application period did not affect yield level

Effect of L-Tryptophan and L-Glutamic Acid on Carrot Yield and Its Quality

Positively affecting crop quality and yields, amino acids used as plant stimulants play a special role in ensuring global food security. L-tryptophan (L-Try) and L-glutamic acid (L-Glu) are important biostimulants that increase the yield of field crops and vegetables. Carrot is one of the most important vegetables due to its production volume in the world (sixth most consumed vegetable) and its nutritional value. The response of different plant species to amino acid application varies. The literature mainly deals with the effects of ready-made products containing a mixture of several amino acids, with no exhaustive studies on the effects of individual amino acids on carrot quality and yield. This paper is based on a two-year field experiment (2019–2020), in which the effect of two amino acids, L-Trp (7.5 g·ha−1) and L-Glu (60.0 g·ha−1), on carrot (Daucus carota L.) was investigated. They were applied to the leaves (FA) or both to the soil and to the leaves (S + FA), separately, (L-Trp or L-Glu) or as a mixture (L-Trp + L-Glu). The control plot was treated with mineral fertilizers only. The research was conducted as a field experiment in a split-block design. The yield of carrot storage roots and their content of dry matter, protein, sugars, total soluble solids (TSS), and ascorbic acid were determined. The amino acids positively affected the yield of carrots compared to the control, but only the synergistic action of L-tryptophan and L-glutamic acid increased it significantly. On average, for both amino acids the S + FA application increased the protein content and the marketable yield of storage roots significantly more than in response to FA treatment. A significant increase in marketable yield compared to the control was found after the combined soil and foliar application (S + FA) of all amino acid combinations, but the L-Trp + L-Glu mixture worked best. The storage roots of carrots grown on the plot with L-Trp + L-Glu contained significantly more protein and TSS than those on the control plot. The content of TSS was also positively affected by L-Trp used on its own, while L-Glu increased the content of ascorbic acid. Amino acids applied to the leaves (FA) increased the content of total sugars in the carrot roots more than when applied both to the soil and to the leaves (S + FA). Of all treatment combinations, the synergistic action of L-Trp and L-Glu made it possible to obtain the highest yields of carrot storage roots, containing the most protein and total soluble solids

The Effect of Mycorrhiza Fungi and Various Mineral Fertilizer Levels on the Growth, Yield, and Nutritional Value of Sweet Pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> L.)

Mycorrhizal fungi can increase the effectiveness of a mineral fertilizer top dressing, positively affecting sweet pepper yield and quality. For this reason, an experiment was carried out between 2014 and 2016 to study the effect of top dressing doses and the inoculation of the root system with mycorrhizal fungi on the growth and yield of sweet pepper and the content of nutrients and macro- and microelements in the fruits. Root inoculation with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and mineral fertilizer doses were used as experimental factors with the following combinations: (1) mycorrhization: control (without AMF); AMF applied to the plant root zone during seedling production; AMF applied to the plant root zone after seedlings were transferred to pots; (2) top dressing doses: basic dose (100%); 50% of the basic dose; 25% of the basic dose. The sweet pepper fruits were harvested during physiological maturity. AMF inoculation of the root zone resulted in high sweet pepper yields of good quality. In particular, mycorrhizal fungi applied to the root system during seedling production positively affected the pepper yield and biometric characteristics, with fruits of the thickest pericarp and the largest mass. In the experimental units with AMF, the reduction in the top dressing fertilizer dose by 50% and 75% did not cause a statistically significant decrease in the yield of peppers and did not result in a deterioration of the biometric characteristics of the plants and fruits or a reduction in the biological value of the fruits. Despite the reduction in top dressing dose by 50% and 75%, AMF contributed to the accumulation of similar amounts of phosphorus in the sweet pepper fruits. The top dressing dose of 50% applied during seedling production to the experimental units with mycorrhizal fungi resulted in a significant increase in the content of potassium, calcium, and magnesium. A significant increase in the amount of sodium in the fruits was noted in the experimental units with mycorrhizal fungi applied to the roots when the seedlings were transferred to pots. To summarize, the application of mycorrhizal fungi to the pepper root zone during seedling production is recommended because it has a positive effect on the yield and its quality. In the unit with mycorrhiza, a lower dose of mineral fertilizers did not result in a significant decrease in the yield of pepper fruits

ŹRÓDŁA POZYSKIWANIA INFORMACJI O WARTOŚCI ODŻYWCZEJ WARZYW PRZEZ MIESZKAŃCÓW WSI

Celem podjętych badań była identyfikacja źródeł wiedzy na temat wartości odżywczej warzyw wśród mieszkańców wsi na przykładzie dwóch województw – mazowieckiego i lubelskiego. Ukazano ocenę istotności poszczególnych form pozyskiwanych informacji. Podstawowym narzędziem badawczym był kwestionariusz ankiety przeprowadzonej w 2015 roku na grupie 200 osób. Po analizie wyników badań stwierdzono, że respondenci wskazali na 6 źródeł, z których czerpią informację nt. wartości odżywczej warzyw. Za najważniejsze ankietowani uznali rodzinę i znajomych. Na drugim miejscu ex aeguo znalazły się internet oraz czasopisma. Najmniejsze znaczenie miała opinia sprzedającego warzywa. Kobiety za najważniejsze źródło uznały czasopisma, a mężczyźni rodzinę i znajomych. Dla najmłodszych respondentów najważniejszym źródłem informacji był internet. Wraz ze wzrostem wieku respondentów rosło znaczenie opinii rodziny i znajomych. Na internet jako najważniejsze źródło wiedzy wskazały także osoby z wykształceniem podstawowym. Wraz ze wzrostem poziomu wykształcenia respondentów wzrastało znaczenie fachowych czasopism i książek