Influence of magnetic field on germination, growth and production of tomato

In the study with tomatoes, there was ivestigated the impact of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on seed germination of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) after treatment before sowing, as well as the growth of young plants that were exposed to low frequency electromagnetic field before planting in the field when growing transplants under cover. In the experiments conducted in two consecutive years (2012 and 2013), we followed the length of seed germination period of tomato variety „Pavlína", growth of young plants expressed in plant height and root length, and the fruit size. Magnetization of seeds and young plants was carried out in laboratory conditions, plant growth was evaluated under cover prior to planting, and fruit traits were followed in field conditions where plants were grown on experimental plots (80.0 m2). The plants were grown in accordance with the standards of an agricultural practice for tomato. At the generative phase, the fruits were collected at regular intervals, and their number and weight were evaluated. Low frequency electromagnetic fields acting at the three inductance levels (20, 40 and 60 mT) and exposure of 20 minutes a day with frequency of 50 Hz, significantly positively influenced the germination, plant growth and fruit size of the studied tomato variety

Selenium content increasing in the seeds of garden pea after foliar biofortification

Selenium plays an important role as an antioxidant in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Content of selenium in the crops is constantly in the spotlight of professional public. Vegetables, as an important source of chemo protective substances, have irreplaceable position within the food of plant character. The aim of research work was to solve the Se content increasing in the seeds of garden pea (varieties Premium and Ambassador) through the foliar biofortification of the plants (50 g Se / ha and 100 g Se / ha) and to monitor its effect on production of photosynthetic pigments. In the seeds of fresh garden pea, the chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b content was determined by spectrophotometer depending on a variety and the doses of selenium. In lyophilized seeds there was measured content of selenium by ET-AAS methods. The statistically significant increase of selenium was confirmed with its increasing concentrations in case of both varieties. In the var. Ambassador there was increasing from 0.083 ±0.009 mg.kg-1 DM to 4.935 ±0.598 mg.kg-1 DM (60-fold) and in a var. Premium the values increase from 0.067±0.007 mg.kg-1 DM to 3.248 ±0.289 mg.kg-1 DM (48-fold) after application of 100 g Se / ha. After application of 50 g Se / ha in both varieties of peas there was reported 25-fold increasing in the selenium content in comparison with control. The content of photosynthetic pigments was also increased, or possibly left at level of un-fortificated variant (chla - Ambassador - 50 g Se / ha; chlb - Premium - 100 g Se / ha) by foliar biofortification. Chlorophyll a content was high significantly increased according to used statistical methods in varieties Premium, from the content of 24.527 ±5.156 mg.kg-1 FM to 66.953 ±6.454 mg.kg-1 FM, likewise the content of chlorophyll b from the value of 19.708 ±5.977 mg.kg-1 FM to 37.488 ±6.146 mg.kg-1 FM (after 50 g / ha application).  Foliar biofortification of different vegetable species can provide large-scale intake of minerals with antioxidant properties for human as well as an increase of certain biologically active substances as a result of their synergie

Monitoring of bioactive compounds of tomato cultivars as affected by mulching film

The influence of varieties and the effect of mulching film on antioxidant capacity, polyphenol content, ascorbic acid content, and yield of tomato fruits were investigated. Results of two years (2012 and 2013) investigations were compared. The results proved a statistically significant effect of year, mulching film, and variety on the content of total polyphenols (0.92-1.49 g gallic acid equivalents per kg of fresh weight (FW), ascorbic acid (26.66-38.62 mg per 100 g FW), and antioxidant capacity (1.12-1.94 g ascorbic acid equivalents per kg FW), while the values were the highest in 2013 and in uncovered soil. Conversely, a higher yield was found in mulching film compared with uncovered soil, also in 2013 (48.65-120.38 t ha-1). There was a negative correlation between the yield and the content of bioactive compounds (BC) and antioxidant capacity. The content of bioactive substances, antioxidant capacity, and yield of tomato fruits is dependent on the vintage, agronomical interventions, and genotype. © 2018 M. Valšíková et al., published by Sciendo 2018

Assessment of genetic diversity of edible honeysuckle monitored through RAPD in relative to bioactive substances

This study aimed to analyze the genetic diversity of selected cultivars and clones ofLonicerasp. (edible honeysuckle) from two countries with different climatic and soil conditions. Accordingly, the determination of total polyphenols content (TPC) and total antioxidant activity (TAA) in fruits ofLonicerasp. in 2018-2019 was performed. Applied statistical methods evaluating TPC and TAA were: correlation and regression, ANOVA, and agglomerative hierarchical clustering. The neighbor-joining method and gel images analysis (PyElph software, Pavel and Vasile, Bucharest, Romania) were used for genetic analysis. The average TPC of all cultivars and clones was 5.32 mg L(-1)in the year 2018 and 3.78 mg L(-1)in 2019. The average TAA values of all samples in 2018 were 8.24 mg L-1, and 9.27 mg L(-1)in 2019. Statistically significant correlations between years and cultivars and clones were found. Based on the lengths and number of fragments by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR's, it was found that 'clone 5' and 'clone 7' were genetically close to the grown cultivars from the Czech Republic. Therefore, edible honeysuckle fruits are a valuable source of important nutrients for the human body and its health.TBU in Zlin [IGA/FT/2020/010]; AgroBioTech Research Centre [ITMS 26220220180]; MZe C. R [206553/2011-17253

Water Regime Monitoring of the Royal Walnut (<i>Juglans regia</i> L.) Using Sap Flow and Dendrometric Measurements

Changes in the distribution of annual rainfall totals, together with the increase in temperature over the last 40 years, are causing more frequent periods of drought, and plants are more often exposed to water stress. The aim of this study was to monitor the effect of different water regimes (irrigated and non-irrigated) of individuals of walnut tree (Juglans regia L.) in a private orchard located in the West of Slovakia. Our research was focused on dendrometric and sap flow measurements in the period from 28 March to 2 June 2019. The results showed differences in the sap flow of walnut trees during the budbreak period: when trees were irrigated, sap flow in the diurnal cycle was around 130 g·h−1 (20.48%), higher than in the non-irrigated treatment. Dendrometric differences between the irrigated and non-irrigated treatments were not significant. The sap flow data in the flowering period of the irrigated variant were slightly higher at 150 g·h−1 (35.62%) than non-irrigated. Dendrometric differences were more significant when the difference between the variants was more than 1.5 mm. Continuation of this research and analysis of the data obtained in the coming years will allow us to evaluate the effects of the environment on fruit trees in the long term

The impact of varieties, ripeness, and heat treatment on the retention of vitamin C and content of soluble solids in sweet pepper

In the three-year field trial we have grown six varieties of sweet peppers and we observed a change in the content of soluble solids and vitamin C during aging and after heat treatment with the sterilization. The highest content of soluble solids was found in peppers collected in botanical maturity, where the average was 5.82% in 2012, 6.52 in 2013 and 6.13 in 2014. Lower average, we measured in the intermediate maturity, 4.25 in 2012, 5.2% in 2013 and 4.73% in 2014. The lowest soluble solids content was recorded for fruit harvested in technical ripeness, only 3.57% in 2012, 4.25% in 2013 and 4.10% in 2014. In the technical maturity we determined the average value of vitamin C by the years between 90.98 mg.100 g-1 and 103.86 mg.100 g-1. The average in vitamin C content in fresh pepper fruits of intermediate maturity was ranging from 108.81 to 124.65 mg.100 g-1. The highest average values of vitamin C were at the botanical maturity from 171.42 to 188.30 mg.100 g-1. In the average of years and times of harvest it was found that the variety ´PCR´ and ´Slovakia´ had the first and second place in content of vitamin C (146.10 mg.100 g-1 - ´PCR´ and 143.72 mg.100-1 - ´Slovakia´). The least vitamin C was observed in a variety ´Katrena´ (120.80 mg.100 g-1). For six varieties we have found that in technical maturity retained after sterilization on average 34.0% of vitamin C, in an intermediate maturity 47.16% and 42.10% of botanical maturity. Vitamin C was the highest in sterilized pepper variety of ´Slovakia´ and ´PCR´ in all three stage of maturity. The results show that the pepper is an excellent reservoir of vitamin C, not only in c fresh state, but also after heat treatment

Influence of Climate Warming on Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) Phenology in Conditions of Central Europe (Slovakia)

The impact of warming on the phenology of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) in conditions of central Europe was evaluated at the locality of Dolné Plachtince in the Slovakian wine region. In Welschriesling and Pinot Blanc model varieties, the onset of phenophases as defined in the BBCH scale over the period of 1985 to 2018 was observed. Based on the data obtained, the influence of the average and average maximum temperature and GDD on the onset of phenophases was evaluated. The results observed indicate earlier budburst by five to seven days, earlier beginning of flowering by 7 to 10 days, earlier berry softening by 18 days, and harvest dates advanced by 8 to 10 days on average. In both varieties, the highest influence of the average monthly temperature in March on budburst, the highest influence of the average monthly temperature and the average maximum temperature in May on the beginning of flowering, and the highest statistically significant influence of the average maximum temperature in June on the softening of berries was found. Warming observed in moderate climate conditions of northern wine regions in central Europe (Slovakia) has not yet caused changes in the grapevine phenology stable enough to require serious adaptation measures

Grape Quality Parameters in Western Carpathian Region under Changing Climatic Conditions as Influenced by Drought

Western Carpathians are historically the northern range traditional grapevine growing areas since the Middle Ages. The mean anual temperature has increased by about 1.1°C during the last century in Slovakia. Elevated temperature impacted the growing conditions of grapevine. Together with the increased temperatures, higher frequency of drought periods and parameters are evident. Traditional grape producing areas are facing new challenges. Except for the accelerated grapevine phenology, pathogene infection pressure and occurence of pests including new ones, as well as the quality of grapes influencing wine quality, are changing. In order to evaluate the drought impact on the quality parameters of grapes the locality of the Cultivar Testing Station in Dolné Plachtince which belongs to the Central Slovakian grape producing region was chosen. Interanual variability of the drought impact on the grape quality was evaluated according to Palmer drought severity index (PDSI). The 1990-2014 period was used as a basis for evaluation. The period with the phenological phase crucial for the grape quality formation was determined. Two groups of cultivars with different ripening periods were selected. Pinot Gris, Muscat Ottonel Weiss, Müller Thurgau represented the early ripening cultivars (OIV earliness code 4 and 5), whereas Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Welschriesling represented the late ripening cultivars (OIV code 8 and 9) were used. The cumulative values of PDSI for the crucial periods were calculated. The PDSI values as well as the sugar and acid contents were correlated to find the strength of relation between them. Short drought periods did not influence the grape quality significantly, while long drought periods caused a decrease of the acid content and an increase of the sugar content. Though the tendency was clear, the correlation level was mostly low. The most sensitive period in this sense was July-September; however, it was influenced by the ripening term of individual cultivars. The results suggest the necessity of a thorough approach to cultivar selection, taking into account its vitality and ability to preserve a satisfactory acid content in grapes by the harvest date