The effect of different types of rootstock on the quality of maiden trees of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cv. ‘Regina’

Over the period 2006–2009 in Lublin, a study was conducted to determine the effect of five types of rootstock: ‘Colt’, ‘F12/1’, sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), ‘GiSelA 5’ and ‘Piast’ mahaleb cherry (Prunus mahaleb L.), on the growth and quality of maiden sweet cherry trees cv. ‘Regina’ in a commercial nursery. Based on the three-year average, rootstocks were shown to have a significant effect on the investigated quality characteristics of maiden sweet cherry trees. Trees budded on ‘Colt’ vegetative rootstock were characterized by strongest growth and best quality. In each year, they were thicker, higher and better branched than sweet cherries on the rootstock. Under the tested conditions, ‘GiSelA 5’ dwarf rootstock significantly reduced the growth and quality of budded sweet cherry trees in the nursery. During the period 2007–2009, no physiological incompatibility symptoms were observed ‘Regina’ sweet cherry cv. and ‘Piast’ seedling rootstocks. The growth of trees budded on ‘Piast’ mahaleb cherry was poorer than on ‘Colt’ clonal rootstock, but it was stronger than on ‘F12/1’ and Prunus avium L. rootstocks

Impact of effective microorganisms on weed infestation and yield of peppermint cultivated on muck-peat soil

Peppermint (Mentha ×piperita L.) rootstock cuttings with 9–11 internodes were planted on April 10, 2014 in rows 50 cm apart and with 25-cm distance in the row, on well fertilized muck-peat soil containing 82.1% of organic matter with a pH of 5.9. Peppermint plants were sprayed once with an activated EM-1 preparation, then on two or three further occasions as follows: at 10 cm height (May 10), at branching stage (May 29), and during rapid growth (June 19). EM did not affect peppermint growth or yield. Yields of the fresh and dry herb were high (means: 15,563 and 2,661 kg ha−1, respectively) and characterized by a medium (1.85–1.90%) essential oil content in the dry herb. Twenty-nine compounds were identified in the oil and its main components were menthol (53.1–58.5%), menthone (14.6–16.8%), isomenthone (6.3–6.7%), menthyl acetate (4.0–5.0%), germacrene D (2.3–3.4%), ß-caryophyllene (1.8–2.4%), viridiflorol (1.5–2.3%), and 1,8-cyneole (0.3–3.7%). EM did not affect the content of essential oil in the dry herb or the oil composition (except for 1,8-cyneole). Thirty-four days after planting, 22 weed species grew in the experimental plots and the dominant were common meadow grass (Poa pratensis L.) accounting for 20% of total weed population, annual meadow grass (Poa annua L.) 17%, common chickweed [Stellaria media (L.) Vill.] 20%, creeping yellowcress [Rorippa sylvestris (L.) Besser] 8%, hairy galinsoga [Galinsoga ciliata (Raf.) S. F. Blake] 7%, gallant soldiers (Galinsoga parviflora Cav.) 6%, Canadian horseweed [Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq.] 6%, common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris L.) 5%, and annual nettle (Urtica urens L.) 5%. Other species occurred sporadically. The total number and fresh weight of weeds growing on 1 m2 were 412 and 246 g on plots treated with EM and 389 and 227 g on control plots, respectively, but the differences were not statistically significant

The effect of flower removal on the growth and quality of bushes of two rose (Rosa L.) varieties

The present study was conducted during the period 2008–2011 in a production nursery without irrigation and established on grey-brown podzolic soil classified as soil class II. The study investigated the effect of regular flower removal on the growth and quality of bushes of the following rose (Rosa L.) varieties: a multi-flowered variety ‘Arthur Bell’ and a large-flowered variety ‘Burgund’. In the case of the multi-flowered variety ‘Arthur Bell’, flower removal was found to have a significant effect on the number and total length of shoots growing from the bud union in bushes. On the other hand, this practice was not shown to have an effect on the growth and quality of bushes of the large-flowered variety ‘Burgund’. In the case of bushes of the studied varieties budded on Rosa multiflora Thunb. rootstock, the study showed significant differences in plant growth and branching between years. In 2009, after spring frosts that damaged young shoots and as an effect of a lower amount of rainfall by about 60 mm during the growing season, a much worse quality of rose bushes was obtained than in the other years

The effect of rootstocks on the efficiency of a nursery of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) trees cv. ‘Regina’

During the period 2006–2009 in Lublin, a study was conducted to determine the effect of five rootstocks: ‘Colt’, ‘F12/1’, sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), ‘GiSelA 5’, and ‘Piast’, on bud take in the cultivar ‘Regina’, the quality of budded trees and the efficiency of a sweet cherry tree nursery. The highest percentage of bud take in cherry trees cv. ‘Regina’ and the best efficiency of the sweet cherry tree nursery were obtained for the rootstocks ‘Piast’ and ‘Colt’. In two years during the three-year study period, the rootstock was found to significantly affect the efficiency of the sweet cherry tree nursery. When grafted on the rootstocks ‘Colt’ and ‘Piast’, a significantly higher percentage of trees met the requirements of the Polish Standard PN-R-67010 than on the clonal rootstock ‘GiSelA 5’. Under the tested conditions, the quality of maiden sweet cherry trees cv. ‘Regina’ grafted on the dwarfing rootstock ‘GiSelA 5’ was lowest

Micromorphology of the epidermis and anatomical structure of the leaves of Scorzonera hispanica L.

In Poland Scorzonera hispanica L. is rare in the wild. This species is used as a vegetable and medicinal plant. Currently, attempts are being made to introduce this plant into cultivation in Poland. In this study, comparative analyses were conducted of the epidermis surface micromorphology and anatomical structure of the leaves of S. hispanica ‘Maxima’ and ‘Meres’. The investigations were performed using fluorescence, light and scanning electron microscopy. The cuticle on the surface of epidermal cells is smooth or striated. In the epidermis, there are anomocytic stomata. The stomatal index in the epidermis of the studied cultivars is 9.3–11%. In the midrib of the leaf, there is an aerial cavity which occupies a substantial area. In this place, cracking and breaking of the leaf blade were observed. Over the aerial cavity under the adaxial epidermis, there is a single layer of collenchyma cells and 1–2 rows of parenchyma cells. Tangential collenchyma is also present between the abaxial epidermis and large vascular bundles located in the midrib and on both sides of the large vascular bundles in the lamina. This tissue strengthens the leaf margin. The mesophyll cells located in the abaxial epidermis of the midrib form protrusions surrounding the large vascular bundles. The leaves of S. hispanica represent the equifacial type

The effect of different types of rootstock on the quality of maiden trees of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cv. ‘Regina’

Over the period 2006–2009 in Lublin, a study was conducted to determine the effect of five types of rootstock: ‘Colt’, ‘F12/1’, sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), ‘GiSelA 5’ and ‘Piast’ mahaleb cherry (Prunus mahaleb L.), on the growth and quality of maiden sweet cherry trees cv. ‘Regina’ in a commercial nursery. Based on the three-year average, rootstocks were shown to have a significant effect on the investigated quality characteristics of maiden sweet cherry trees. Trees budded on ‘Colt’ vegetative rootstock were characterized by strongest growth and best quality. In each year, they were thicker, higher and better branched than sweet cherries on the rootstock. Under the tested conditions, ‘GiSelA 5’ dwarf rootstock significantly reduced the growth and quality of budded sweet cherry trees in the nursery. During the period 2007–2009, no physiological incompatibility symptoms were observed ‘Regina’ sweet cherry cv. and ‘Piast’ seedling rootstocks. The growth of trees budded on ‘Piast’ mahaleb cherry was poorer than on ‘Colt’ clonal rootstock, but it was stronger than on ‘F12/1’ and Prunus avium L. rootstocks

Laser Light Stimulation Effects on Scorzonera hispanica L. Seeds Germination, Field Emergence and Photosynthetic Pigments Content

The study presented herein concerns the effect of pre-sowing stimulation of scorzonera seeds with He–Ne laser on germination capacity, field emergence of seedlings and the content of chlorophylls and carotenoids. Seeds of scorzonera cv. ‘Duplex’, from harvests of various years, dis-played variable quality expressed by their germination capacity. They were subjected to pre-sowing stimulation with He–Ne laser light of the power of 40 mW and wavelength of 632.8 nm, surface power density of 5 mW·cm−2 and different exposure times. Germination capacity on Petri dish test increased only in one lot of seeds after exposure for 1 and 5 min. Increase in seedling emergence in the field experiment in the result of laser treatment occurred only in one seed lot. One-min laser treatment increased contents of chlorophylls and carotenoids in 8-day cotyledons (laboratory test) and in the second true leaves (field experiment)

The Use of Physical Factors for Seed Quality Improvement of Horticultural Plants

Due to the common trend towards limitation of excessive use of chemicals in agriculture, there is a growth of interest in methods of seed quality improvement that would be safe for the environment. These include methods based on the effect of various physical factors, such as laser light, magnetic field, seed treatment with magnetized water, electric field. The work provides detailed information on the impact of seed stimulation of these factors on germination, growth, development and yielding of horticultural plants. Summarizing the results of the study, it can be concluded that the application of physical factors in appropriate doses can be an effective way to enhance many plant parameters that increase their productivity. The beneficial effects of seed stimulation are mainly related to the first stages of plant life, i.e. – germination, emergence and growth of seedlings. In many cases, the enhancement of these features is also the result of the increase of plant yields. The increase of yield is even several dozen percent. The results of the study encourage the implementation of these physical methods of seed quality improvement into agricultural and horticultural practice

Effect of laser light stimulation of Scorzonera hispanica L. seeds on the content of photosynthetic pigments in leaves

Przedstawione wyniki badań dotyczyły efektów stymulacji nasion światłem lasera He-Ne na zawartość barwników fotosyntetycznych w liściach skorzonery odmiany ‘Maxima’. Sprawdzono również, czy naświetlanie nasion może wpływać na długość czasu życia fluorescencji chlorofilu a w liściach i w ekstrakcie z liści. Materiał badawczy stanowiły liście roślin wyrosłych z nasion zebranych w latach 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. Zdolność kiełkowania tych nasion wynosiła odpowiednio 50,8; 71,0; 93,0; 79,3%. Przed siewem nasiona poddano stymulacji elektromagnetycznej światłem lasera He-Ne o długości fali 632,8 nm i powierzchniowej gęstości mocy 3 mw∙cm–2 – w czasie 1, 5, 10 i 30 minut. Nasiona niestymulowane traktowano jako kontrolę. Zawartość chlorofilu a i b oraz karotenoidów w liściach skorzonery była większa w roślinach wyrosłych z nasion młodszych (zebranych w latach 2011 i 2012) niż z nasion starszych (zebranych w latach 2009 i 2010). Stymulacja nasion młodszych światłem lasera wpłynęła na zmniejszenie zawartości tych barwników w liściach. Czas życia fluorescencji chlorofilu w ekstrakcie z liści był dłuższy niż w liściach. Nie stwierdzono istotnego wpływu stymulacji laserowej nasion na czas życia fluorescencji chlorofilu w ekstrakcie z liści skorzonery. Parametr ten był wyższy w ekstrakcie liści roślin wyrosłych z nasion młodszych (ze zbioru w latach 2011, 2012) niż starszych (ze zbioru w latach 2009, 2010).The results of the research concerned the effect of seed stimulation with He-Ne laser light on the content of photosynthetic pigment in scorzonera leaves of the Maxima cultivar. It was also examined whether the exposure of the seeds could affect the lifetime of chlorophyll a fluorescence of scorzonera leaves extract and scorzonera leaves. The research material were leaves which came from plants grown from seeds harvested in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. The germination capacity of the seeds was 50.8, 71.0, 93.0 and 79.3%. Prior to sowing, the seeds were subjected to electromagnetic stimulation with He-Ne laser light with a wavelength of 632.8 nm and a surface power density of 3 mW cm–2 for 1, 5, 10 and 30 minutes. Untreated seeds were the control. The content of chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids in leaves was higher in plants grown from younger seeds (harvested in 2011 and 2012) than from older seeds (harvested in 2009 and 2010). Stimulation of younger seeds with laser light caused a reduction of the content of these pigments. The lifetime of chlorophyll a fluorescence of the leaves extract was longer than that of the leaves. There was no significant effect of laser stimulation of seeds on chlorophyll a fluorescence lifetime in leaves extract of scorzonera. This parameter was higher in leaves extract of plants grown from younger seeds (harvested in 2011, 2012) than from older seeds (harvested in 2009, 2010)