Effect of Biostimulants on the Yield and Quality of Selected Herbs

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of amino acid biopreparations on the yield of summer savory, marjoram, and lemon balm, and the concentrations of selected biochemical and mineral compounds in their herbage. The first experimental factor was plant species: summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) var. Saturn, marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) var. Miraż, and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.). The second experimental factor was the effect exerted by two biopreparations, Calleaf Aminovital and Maximus Amino Protect, on herbage yield and quality. In the control treatment, plants were sprayed with water. The analyzed herb species differed considerably in yield and the concentrations of selected biochemical compounds and minerals. Lemon balm was characterized by the highest yield (1.73 kg m−2). Marjoram var. Miraż was characterized by the highest concentrations of reducing sugars (0.89 g 100 g−1 FM) and L-ascorbic acid (39.7 mg 100 g−1 FM). Summer savory was most abundant in total N, K, and Ca. The tested biostimulants contributed to a decrease in nitrate concentrations in the studied plants. The interaction between the experimental factors significantly affected the content of nitrates and mineral compounds and total N, P, K, and Ca in the herbage of the analyzed plant species

No Effect of Biostimulants on the Growth, Yield and Nutritional Value of Shallots Grown for Bunch Harvest

Shallots (Allium cepa L. Aggregatum group) are cultivated on small areas, mostly to harvest mature bulbs with dry scales. Due to their exceptional taste and nutritional value, and a short growing season, they can also be grown for early bunch harvest. New shallot cultivation strategies are being sought to meet consumers’ growing expectations regarding the quality of vegetables, and their increasing awareness of global food safety. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of selected biostimulants on the biometric parameters, yield and nutritional value of shallot bulbs and leaves. The experimental factors were as follows: two biostimulant types—Effective Microorganisms (EM) and Goëmar Goteo (GG), two shallot cultivars—Bonilla F1 and Matador F1, grown for bunch harvest, and year of the study. Shallot leaves had a higher content of L-ascorbic acid, reducing sugars and nitrates than bulbs. Young bulbs had a higher content of DM and total sugars than leaves. The leaves and bulbs of shallot plants treated with EM accumulated the highest amounts of minerals. Macronutrient ratios were closer to optimal in shallot leaves than bulbs. The nitrate content of bulbs was inversely proportional to the nitrate content of leaves. Therefore, an increase in the nitrate content of leaves by around 330% led to an approximately 40% decrease in the nitrate content of bulbs. The correlations between the parameters of the chemical composition of shallots and shallot leaves show that the increase in the dry matter content of the bulbs (by approx. 60%) was accompanied by an increase in the L-ascorbic acid content in the leaves (by approx. 240%). The use of biostimulants in the cultivation of A. cepa L. Aggregatum group contributed to the reduction of L-ascorbic acid content in bulbs and had no positive effect on the leaves. Moreover, no positive effect of biostimulants on the reduction of nitrate content in shallot leaves and bulbs was observed, which is undesirable from the consumer’s point of view. After the use of biopreparations, the yield of shallots was lower than that of the control—by approx. 14% (EM) and approx. 4% (GG). Therefore, the measurable benefits of biostimulants in the cultivation of shallots grown for early bunch harvest do not balance the costs of their purchase and use

Effect of Biostimulants on the Yield and Quality of Selected Herbs

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of amino acid biopreparations on the yield of summer savory, marjoram, and lemon balm, and the concentrations of selected biochemical and mineral compounds in their herbage. The first experimental factor was plant species: summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) var. Saturn, marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) var. Miraż, and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.). The second experimental factor was the effect exerted by two biopreparations, Calleaf Aminovital and Maximus Amino Protect, on herbage yield and quality. In the control treatment, plants were sprayed with water. The analyzed herb species differed considerably in yield and the concentrations of selected biochemical compounds and minerals. Lemon balm was characterized by the highest yield (1.73 kg m−2). Marjoram var. Miraż was characterized by the highest concentrations of reducing sugars (0.89 g 100 g−1 FM) and L-ascorbic acid (39.7 mg 100 g−1 FM). Summer savory was most abundant in total N, K, and Ca. The tested biostimulants contributed to a decrease in nitrate concentrations in the studied plants. The interaction between the experimental factors significantly affected the content of nitrates and mineral compounds and total N, P, K, and Ca in the herbage of the analyzed plant species

An Evaluation of the Physical and Chemical Parameters in <i>Brassica</i> Seedlings Grown on Various Organic Substrates

Horticultural substrates should promote seed germination and seedling emergence. The value of the SPAD index was significantly influenced by the type of substrate. The substrates had a beneficial effect on plant height in comparison with the control substrate. Brassica plants grown on the substrates used in the experiment had a compact growth habit, which is a desirable trait in seedling production. In general, macronutrient uptake differed in Brassica plants grown on various substrates. Significant differences in this parameter were observed mainly in broccoli (increase of approx. 14%) and white cabbage (decrease of approx. 30%) grown on PRO2, and in all plants grown on PRO3 (increase of approx. 9% in broccoli, decrease of approx. 33% in white cabbage, and decrease of approx. 15% in cauliflowers). The substrates decreased the total micronutrient concentrations in broccoli leaves by around 15% (PRO1) to around 40% (PRO3) relative to the control substrate. In comparison with the control treatment, micronutrient levels in cauliflower leaves increased by around 12% on PRO1 to around 35% on PRO3. In white cabbage, the total micronutrient content of leaves increased by around 24% on PRO1, and decreased by around 20% and 35% on PRO2 and PRO3, respectively, relative to the control treatment

A Proposal for a Processing Line for Cauliflower and Broccoli Floretting

The edible portions of cauliflowers and broccoli are immature flower heads composed of florets attached to the stalk. In most cases, larger florets are separated into smaller pieces during processing. Complex processing lines for cauliflower and broccoli floretting are available on the market, but they are very expensive and require a large working area. Therefore, the aim of this study was to present a proposal for a new floretting unit dedicated to this group of vegetables. The unit will be operated in small farms; it will help producers shorten processing times and sell their goods for higher prices. It was assumed that the unit will feature two main devices: a vegetable crusher and a calibrator. The crusher will remove the florets from the stalk and break larger florets into smaller pieces of appropriate size. Florets with a diameter of 2 to 6 cm will be separated by the calibrator. During the process, leaves, stalks, and very small florets will fall into separate containers, and these fractions will be further processed into food products. The entire process will be carried out directly on the farm, which can increase potential profits by around 25%. Due to a shorter processing time, the product is likely to be fresher and more appealing for consumers

Cauliflower and broccoli floretting machine

Florets are the main edible parts of cauliflowers and broccoli, but stalks and leaves are also used in the production of vegetable soup mixes. In industrial processing lines, large cauliflower and broccoli inflorescences have to be separated into smaller florets with a diameter of 2 to 6 cm. Simple and inexpensive machines for floretting cauliflowers and broccoli, including devices that can be used in small-scale production, are in short supply on the market. Therefore, the aim of this study was to design a floretting machine composed of a load-bearing frame, a processing table, a crushing chamber and a horizontal conveyor. In the first stage of the process, one of the two conical knives is used to separate florets and leaves from stalks. The stalks fall into a container under the processing table, and the leaves are picked manually from the material on the table and are placed in a separate container. In the second stage, the separated florets are manually fed into the crushing chamber where larger florets are separated into smaller parts. The crushing chamber is composed of a rotating crushing roller and a fixed screen at the bottom. Florets that have been cut into the appropriate size pass through the screen and fall onto a conveyor belt under the crushing chamber. The quality of the floretting process can be inspected visually by the operator, and impurities or excessively damaged florets can be removed from the conveyor belt. In the final stage, the separated florets are transported to a container. The designed machine can be operated directly on the farm; therefore, the resulting produce is fresher than products that are transported and separated in a food processing plant

Assessment of Selected Parameters of the Automatic Scarification Device as an Example of a Device for Sustainable Forest Management

Due to technological progress in forestry, seedlings with covered root systems—especially those grown in container nurseries—have become increasingly important in forest nursery production. One the trees that is most commonly grown this way is the common oak (Quercus robur L.). For an acorn to be sown in a container, it is necessary to remove its upper part during mechanical scarification, and evaluate its sowing suitability. At present, this is mainly done manually and by visual assessment. The low effectiveness of this method of acorn preparation has encouraged a search for unconventional solutions. One of them is the use of an automated device that consists of a computer vision-based module. For economic reasons related to the cost of growing seedlings in container nurseries, it is beneficial to minimize the contribution of unhealthy seeds. The maximum accuracy, which is understood as the number of correct seed diagnoses relative to the total number of seeds being assessed, was adopted as a criterion for choosing a separation threshold. According to the method proposed, the intensity and red components of the images of scarified acorns facilitated the best results in terms of the materials examined during the experiment. On average, a 10% inaccuracy of separation was observed. A secondary outcome of the presented research is an evaluation of the ergonomic parameters of the user interface that is attached to the unit controlling the device when it is running in its autonomous operation mode