Rootstock effects on polyphenol content in grapes of ‘Regent’ cultivated under cool climate condition

Rootstocks are well known as the most efficient way to limit phylloxera. However, they can be useful in order to improve grape quality. This study aimed to compare the content of polyphenol compounds in vine fruits of the cultivar ‘Regent’ grafted on ‘Couderc 161-49’, ‘Sori’, ‘Kober 125AA’, ‘Börner’ or ‘Kober 5BB’ rootstocks, or planted on own-roots. Grape samples were collected in three consecutive seasons (2013-2015) at a research station of the West Pomeranian University of Technology Szczecin in Poland. Thirty-three phenolic compounds were determined in the juice of examined samples using ultra-pressure liquid chromatography with photodiode array and mass spectrometry (UPLC-PDA/MS) method. A significant influence of rootstock on the content of polyphenols in grapes has been proven. The highest content of polyphenols was shown in fruits from a scion grafted on ‘Sori’ and ‘Kober 125AA’ rootstocks (675 and 643 mg · 100 g-1 FW, respectively). ‘Börner’ and ‘Kober 5BB’ rootstocks did not have a significant influence on the creation of polyphenol compounds in comparison to own-root plants. In addition, the use of the ‘Börner’ rootstock resulted in fruits with an especially low content of phenolic acids

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

Wzrost, plon oraz jakość owoców dwóch odmian borówki niskiej

The hybridisation of Vaccinium angustifolium with Vaccinium corymbosum has led to several cultivars which are also known as Lowbush or Half-highbush blueberry. The appearance, taste and chemical composition of their fruits are reminiscent of those from wild varieties of Vaccinium angustifolium. The research was conductedat the Research Station of the Laboratory of Orchard at the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin. The plant height, size, yield, quality and the chemical composition of fruits of Lowbush blueberry bushes (‘Emil’ and ‘Putte’) were determined. Lowbush blueberry bushes were planted at distances of 1.0 × 2.5 m in acid muck soil (peat) at the Research Station of the Fruit Farming Department in 2005. Six-year-old bushes were characterized by a relatively low height, 70 cm on average; however, ‘Putte’ cultivar plants were slightly bigger. They also rendered a higher yield, totalling to 1401 g over the 4 years of research. On average, 100 g of fruits were collected from one bush in the first year and 600–700 g in the last year. Moreover, fruits from these bushes were characterized by a higher content of extract, organic acids and polyphenolic compounds, among which anthocyanins constituted the largest group. ‘Emil’ cultivar fruits were bigger and firmer than fruits of ‘Putte’ cultivar.Krzyżówka V. angustifolium z V. corymbosum dała początek odmianom, które nazywamy borówką niską lub półwysoką. Krzewy są niewielkie, a owoce smakiem i wyglądem przypominają dzikie formy V. angustifolium. W Sadowniczej Stacji Badawczej Katedry Sadownictwa Zachodniopomorskiego Uniwersytetu Technologicznego w Szczecinie przeprowadzono badania, w których porównano wzrost, plonowanie oraz skład chemiczny owoców dwóch odmian borówki niskiej (‘Emil’ i ‘Putte’). W 2005 r. posadzono krzewy w glebie murszowej (torf) o odczynie kwaśnym w rozstawie 1,0 × 2,5 m. Sześcioletnie krzewy charakteryzowały się niewielkim wzrostem (wysokość krzewów wynosiła średnio 60 cm, rośliny odmiany ‘Putte’ były nieznacznie wyższe). Uzyskano z nich większy plon, którego suma z 4 lat badań wyniosła 800 g. W pierwszym roku badań średnio z jednego krzewu zebrano 100 g owoców, w ostatnim 400 g. Ponadto owoce z tych krzewów charakteryzowały się większą zawartością ekstraktu, kwasów organicznych oraz związków fenolowych, wśród których największą grupę stanowiły antocjany. Owoce odmiany ‘Emil’ były większe i jędrniejsze od owoców odmiany ‘Putte’

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