The influence of Effective Microorganisms and number of buds per cane in viticulture on chemical composition in fruits

As a result of climate warming, wine-growing zones have moved to the north, where conditions exist may result in poor fruit quality. Fruits may develop significant amounts of tannin compounds, which are not acceptable to all consumers. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the influence of selected factors on the quality and content of polyphenols in grapevine fruits. The differentiating factors were as follows: two grapevine cultivars, varied number of buds per cane, and treatment with Effective Microorganisms (EM). To determine the total content of polyphenols and individual polyphenolic compounds in the tested fruits, the UPLC-PDA-MS method was used. The results indicated that the studied factors had no effect on total soluble solids and titratable acidity in grapes. The experiment revealed that polyphenol content was most dependent on the cultivar, followed by the number of buds per cane; EM treatment had the least effect. The fruit of the ‘Regent’ cultivar was characterised by higher polyphenol content. ‘Cabernet Cortis’ berries had higher levels of phenolic acids and flavan-3-ols, while ‘Regent’ berries were higher in anthocyanins and flavonols. EM treatment had a large impact on the reduction of tannic acid compounds. Fruits from untreated plants with four buds per cane had a significantly increased content of polyphenols, including flavan-3-ols

Efficient micropropagation protocol of three cultivars of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) is increasingly farmed for its nutritional and health benefits, but high yield and fruit quality require proper planting material. Modified Murashige and Skoog (MW), Anderson’s Rhododendron (AN), and Woody Plant Medium (WPM) were compared for in vitro organogenesis and rooting of three highbush blueberries ‘Elizabeth’, ‘Meader’, and ‘Liberty’. All media contained 0.1 mg L-1 zeatin applied with a combination of IBA, IAA, and GA3. The results showed that MW medium is more suitable for in vitro multiplication of ‘Elizabeth’ and ‘Meader’, and WPM medium for ‘Liberty’. However, medium supplemented with a low concentration of IBA (≤ 0.4 mg L-1) and 0.1 mg L-1 zeatin increased the shoot regeneration rate of highbush blueberries multiplied in vitro. The rooting capability was studied by using WPM and AN medium with IBA and IAA with zeatin. The highest rooting rate (85%) and acclimatization (70%) were achieved in ‘Liberty’, and the lowest was in ‘Elizabeth’ (33.3% and 50%, respectively) and ‘Meader’ (33.3% and 43.8%, respectively). Rooted plantlets developed good quality roots and were transplanted into peat:perlite (4:1) substrates and acclimatized in a greenhouse under controlled conditions. We developed a complete micropropagation protocol for cvs. ‘Meader’, ‘Elizabeth’ and ‘Liberty’ blueberry. This protocol can be used for the production of certified vegetative material or different biotechnological purposes

The Impact of Foliar Application of Calcium Fertilizers on the Quality of Highbush Blueberry Fruits Belonging to the ‘Duke’ Cultivar

The studies were conducted in the period of 2010-2011, in the Laboratory of Orcharding at the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, and related to the bushes of the highbush blueberry of the Duke cultivar. The authors examined the impact of foliar calcium fertlizers (Calcinit, Calcium chloride, Fruton Calcium Calcium, Folanx®Ca29 Lebosol Calcium Forte Calcium Forte) on the fruit size and firmness, their chemical composition, content of macronutrients in the foliage and fruits, and their colour. It was found that the applied fertlizers have varied impact on the examined attributes. The bushes sprayed with the Lebosol Calcium Forte and Calcinit preparations had big fruits with a high content of K and Mg, and dark foliage. The application of the Lebosol Calcium Forte fertilizer increased the content of polyphenols and vitamin C in the fruits. The smallest amounts of such compounds were determined in the fruits sprayed with the Calcinit fertilizer. The highest firmness and resistance to mechanical damage were achieved in the case of the fruits collected from the bushes sprayed with the foliar fertlizers containing calcium chloride, such as Fruton Calcium and Folanx Ca29. It was determined that the application of the calcium preparations resulted in the increase of the calcium content in the fruits and foliage. The highest amounts of this element were determined in the case of the plants sprayed with the Folanx Ca29 and Lebosol Calcium Forte preparations

Influence of rootstock on elemental composition in leaves and grapes of vine cultivar ‘Regent’ grown in North-Western Poland

The aim of this study was to evaluate nutrient contents and heavy metals of the leaves and berries of vine cultivar ‘Regent’ grafted on different rootstocks (‘Couderc 161-49’, ‘Sori’, ‘Kober 125AA’, ‘Börner’ and ‘Kober 5BB’) in comparison to control (‘Regent’ root; own-rooted vines). Leaf and berry samples were collected in three consecutive years (2013-2015) at the research station of West Pomeranian University of Technology Szczecin in Poland. In the experiment, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, N, P and Zn were analysed among mineral nutrients, whereas Cd and Pb were analysed among heavy metals. A substantial influence of tested rootstocks on analysed element contents in leaves and berries has been proven. All tested rootstocks enabled a higher concentration of Ca and Mg in leaves in comparison to ‘Regent’ root. The greatest concentrations of Ca, K and N were found in leaves and berries under ‘Sori’ rootstock. As the only rootstock, ‘Couderc 161-49’ was characterised by a higher level of iron in samples in relation to own-rooted vines. The ‘Börner’ rootstock was the most effective in inhibition of heavy metals uptake

Propagation of Blue Honeysuckles (Lonicera caerulea L.) in In Vitro Culture

The aim of this study was to develop micropropagation protocol for Lonicera caerulea L. Clone 44, Clone 46 and Br?zowa, three important invasive woody horticultural plants. Actively growing shoots from the shrubs grown in the field were used for initiation of culture. Shoots were surface sterilized with ethanol, then with sodium hypochlorite and mercury sulfate. MS medium supplemented with cytokinin BAP at concentrations of 1.0 - 4.0 mg·dm-3 had no statistically significant effect on the shoot initiation of selected blue honeysuckle genotypes. Multiplication rate varied depending on the genotype and plant growth regulator concentrations. The highest number of microshoots produced per explant of Clone 44 and Clone 46 was obtained at using 2.0 mg·dm-3 BAP, while of cultivar Br?zowa – 1.0 mg·dm-3 BAP. Shoots were rooted in vitro in the presence of IBA and IAA. Microshoots have rooted differently depending on the treatment and genotype. In the case of Clone 4458% rooting was achieved at 2.5 mg·dm-3 IBA and MS basal nutrient medium treatment

Sweet Cherry Skin Colour Measurement as an Non-Destructive Indicator of Fruit Maturity

Colour measurement is one of the methods used to evaluate food quality. Aim of completed research was the evaluation of a fast and non-destructive method which consisted of assessing colour changes. It was used to determine the ripeness of cherries during their harvest. Additionally, the most significant parameter determining fruit ripeness was identified. Colour measurements of the Burlat cherry on the PHL A rootstocks were supposed to provide standards for practical evaluation of fruit ripeness of this species at an orchard. During the research, the measurements concerned the internal quality of the cherry fruit (firmness, extract content) and the force required to tear off the stem, depending on the size of the fruit. The extract appeared to be the most important indicator to be used for the determination of an optimum harvesting period. It was most prominently correlated with the cherry’s colour. Changes in the skin colour were the most reflected by the value of the parameter CIE a*. The coordinates CIE L* and b* are also important for the determination of fruit quality. Burlat cherries achieve their optimum harvesting ripeness if the coordinate a* is within the range 30.0 to 0.0, the coordinate b* within 10.0 to 0.0 and the coordinate L* within 30.0 to 20.0, which corresponds to the extract value of 12-20%

The effects of rapid chilling and storage conditions on the quality of Brigitta Blue cultivar highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Controlled atmosphere storage allows for the long-term and short-term storage of fruit without a significant decrease in quality, resulting in a longer shelflife of fresh fruit. The Department of Horticulture at the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin conducted research on the effects of post-harvest precooling (3-4°C within two hours) and storage conditions (conventional cold room and controlled atmosphere storage) on fruit firmness, chemical composition, colour and weight loss

Phytochemical and Bioactive Properties of Phelypaea Tournefortii – Effect of Parasitic Lifestyle and Environmental Factors

Some holoparasitic species can become cultivated plants due to their unique chemical composition. A lot of bioactive contents are characteristic for them. Holoparasites of the family Orobanchaceae are known to be an important and rich source of polyphenols, especially metabolites of the phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs) group. However, only a minority of the species in this family have been phytochemically tested. They are reported to have multiple biological and therapeutic effects and have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. This is the first study to present phytochemical profiling for a representative of genus Phelypaea. The chemical composition and biological activity in particular organs of the parasite, P. tournefortii, were determined. The interaction with its host, Tanacetum polycephalum (Asteraceae), from different places and altitudes was also studied. We presented the determination of polyphenolic compounds with the UPLC-PDA-MS/MS method, antioxidative effects and inhibitory activities, polyphenols, and nitrates content, ABTS•+, DPPH, FRAP, as well as colour parameters. The polyphenols profile of the parasite and host were different in quality and quantity. Identification of polyphenolic compounds revealed 41 compounds, 15 in the parasite (12 phenylethanoids and 3 anthocyanins), and 26 in the host (mainly flavonoids and phenolic acids). The amount and biological activity of polyphenolic compounds present in Phelypaea was very diverse and depended on the host plant and the parasite’s organs, as well as on population altitude. The results show that P. tournefortii is a potential source of functional and pro-health components. They also direct researchers’ attention to the parasite’s organs, host, and environmental influence

Effect of substrate type on the field performance and chemical composition of highbush blueberry cv.Patriot

The aim of a 3-year study was to compare the effect of substrate type (peat, sawdust and cocoa husk) on the yield, fruit quality, general and phenolic composition, and antioxidant activity of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cultivar Patriot. The largest berries and the highest yield were obtained from bushes grown in sawdust (3.661 kg ha-1). Berries from bushes grown in cocoa husk had the highest content of N (14.25 g kg-1), P (1.17 g kg-1), K (6.51 g kg-1), and Zn (8.78 mg kg-1), as well as P (1.26 g kg-1) and K (6.99 g kg-1) in the leaves. Both the leaves and fruits of plants grown in sawdust had higher Cu concentrations (3.89 and 3.01 mg kg-1). Berries from sawdust-grown bushes had the highest soluble solids (13.1%) and total sugar (10.80 g 100 g-1) content. The fruits obtained from peat-grown bushes exhibited enhanced antioxidant capacity (38.6 ìmol Trolox g-1). However, the highest levels of phenolics were noted in berries produced in the cocoa husk (208.29 mg 100 g-1) and peat-bed system (174.07 mg 100 g-1). Regardless of the type of substrate used, the following phenols were identified (in descending order): anthocyanins>chlorogenic acid>flavonols. Delphinidin-glycosides were the most abundant pigments, and cyanidin, peonidin, petunidin, and malvidin-glycosides were also detected. Total flavonol content (quercetin derivatives and kaempferol 3-rutinoside) was not significantly affected by the type of substrate.vo