Application of modern agronomic and biotechnological strategies to valorise worldwide globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L.) potential - an analytical overview

The globe artichoke [Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Fiori], an ancient vegetable originated in the Mediterranean Basin, is currently cultivated in many regions of the world under a perennial cycle or as an annual crop, with the first method being more widespread globally. The growing importance of globe artichoke as modern functional food as well as a source of pharmaceuticals has raised new issues that all producers have to face; hence the necessity of contemporaneous development of new centres of production and new technologies application in traditional regions of growing which can complement the global market. This review is focused on development of globe artichoke technology of production in recent several years which meet the diversified requirements of global and local markets. We considered the recent literature to highlight specific applications of modern farming practices and plant breeding along with genetic variation to globe artichoke production system as well as to postharvest management in order to enhance the value added of this commodity. The latter targets are mainly addressed to particular regions of the world and they are based on farmers knowledge, equipment, scale and methods of production, processing, final market. Our reports are focused on sustainable and environmentally friendly methods which can improve the profitability of production as well as product's quality and quantity traits. We discussed the balanced mineral application which can precisely affect the yield chemical composition, attractiveness and shelf life of globe artichoke heads as well as create the opportunities to attain standardised by-products, valuable on the market of health and convenient food. Further topics were developed, such as introduction of seed propagation, intercropping, grafting, flowering induction, postharvest treatments as linked to different regions and conditions of production. Precise selection of modern management practices was recognised as a main goal to fulfil the requirements of local and global market for fresh, processed and new potential globe artichoke products

Diet and supplements as a supportive treatment for age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness in developed countries. It is estimated that about 196 million people worldwide suffer from AMD. So far, despite many studies, no causative treatment that can be used large scale has been discovered. In order to slow down, the progression of the disease, a change of the modifiable risk factors such as diet and prophylaxis in the form of nutritional supplements are recommended. The purpose of this work is to present types of supplementation and draw attention to the proper diet containing products rich in substances such as lutein and zeaxanthin protecting the eye against the rapid progression of dry AMD

Application of modern agronomic and biotechnological strategies to valorise worldwide globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L.) potential - an analytical overview

The globe artichoke [Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Fiori], an ancient vegetable originated in the Mediterranean Basin, is currently cultivated in many regions of the world under a perennial cycle or as an annual crop, with the first method being more widespread globally. The growing importance of globe artichoke as modern functional food as well as a source of pharmaceuticals has raised new issues that all producers have to face; hence the necessity of contemporaneous development of new centres of production and new technologies application in traditional regions of growing which can complement the global market. This review is focused on development of globe artichoke technology of production in recent several years which meet the diversified requirements of global and local markets. We considered the recent literature to highlight specific applications of modern farming practices and plant breeding along with genetic variation to globe artichoke production system as well as to postharvest management in order to enhance the value added of this commodity. The latter targets are mainly addressed to particular regions of the world and they are based on farmers knowledge, equipment, scale and methods of production, processing, final market. Our reports are focused on sustainable and environmentally friendly methods which can improve the profitability of production as well as product’s quality and quantity traits. We discussed the balanced mineral application which can precisely affect the yield chemical composition, attractiveness and shelf life of globe artichoke heads as well as create the opportunities to attain standardised by-products, valuable on the market of health and convenient food. Further topics were developed, such as introduction of seed propagation, intercropping, grafting, flowering induction, postharvest treatments as linked to different regions and conditions of production. Precise selection of modern management practices was recognised as a main goal to fulfil the requirements of local and global market for fresh, processed and new potential globe artichoke products

The impact of no-tillage cultivation and white mustard as a cover crop on weed infestation and yield of carrot and red beet

In a two-year field experiment, no-tillage cultivation using white mustard (Sinapis alba L. ‘Bardena’), 30 kg ha−1, as a cover crop did not influence emergence of red beet (Beta vulgaris L. ‘Czerwona Kula REW’) and had a favorable effect on emergence of carrot (Daucus carota L. ‘Berlikumer 2 – Perfekcja REW’). However, further growth of both vegetables was significantly slower under no-tillage cultivation. Both vegetables produced a higher yield of roots and the diameter of these roots was bigger under conventional cultivation. The effect of cultivation method on the content of total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium in carrot and red beet leaves varied, while the content of dry matter, monosaccharides and total sugars was significantly higher in the roots of both vegetables harvested under no-tillage cultivation. The number of weeds growing on no-tilled plots covered with mustard mulch 4 weeks after seed sowing was lower by about 75%, but their fresh weight was higher more than 6 times in comparison to that under conventional cultivation. This was caused by the emergence of wintering and winter hardy weeds in places not covered by mustard plants in the autumn of the year preceding the cultivation of vegetables. Next year, they started to grow in the early spring and some of them produced a considerable amount of fresh weight and attained the flowering stage in the middle of April

The Effects of Proline on the Yield and Essential Oil Content of Turnip-Rooted Parsley (Petroselinum crispum ssp. tuberosum)

Proline is an amino acid that increases plant tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses, but the effects of its application can be influenced by many factors. The present study investigated the effects of time and the number of applications of this amino acid on the yield of root parsley in field conditions. The experimental material comprised of two parsley cultivars (Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nyman ex A.W. Hill), ‘Halblange’ and ‘Sonata’. The parsley plants were sprayed with proline (1000 mg L−1) at growth stages determined according to the BBCH scale: BBCH 15–16 (I: 5–6 leaf phase), BBCH 41 (II: roots start to widen, diameter > 0.5 cm), and BBCH scale 42–43 (III: roots are 20–30% of the typical diameter), including I + II, II + III, and I + II + III. The time and number of proline applications affected the weight of leaves and the total and marketable yield. The amino acid spraying increased the average number of plants during harvest in the ‘Halblange’ but decreased the number in the ‘Sonata’ in all applications. Using proline twice or three times reduced the total essential oil content and modified its composition. The most beneficial effect in terms of the composition was achieved by using proline twice at stages II + III, even in ‘Sonata’, where the values were lower in the other treatments than in the control. Spraying three times did not give better results in terms of the composition and content of the essential oil. However, the use of this amino acid did not affect the total and marketable yield of the roots or the leaf weight of the parsley compared to the control. Our study showed that the time of the proline application may be more important than the number of applications, and the results may be cultivar-dependent

The Effects of Proline on the Yield and Essential Oil Content of Turnip-Rooted Parsley (<i>Petroselinum crispum</i> ssp. <i>tuberosum</i>)

Proline is an amino acid that increases plant tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses, but the effects of its application can be influenced by many factors. The present study investigated the effects of time and the number of applications of this amino acid on the yield of root parsley in field conditions. The experimental material comprised of two parsley cultivars (Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nyman ex A.W. Hill), ‘Halblange’ and ‘Sonata’. The parsley plants were sprayed with proline (1000 mg L−1) at growth stages determined according to the BBCH scale: BBCH 15–16 (I: 5–6 leaf phase), BBCH 41 (II: roots start to widen, diameter > 0.5 cm), and BBCH scale 42–43 (III: roots are 20–30% of the typical diameter), including I + II, II + III, and I + II + III. The time and number of proline applications affected the weight of leaves and the total and marketable yield. The amino acid spraying increased the average number of plants during harvest in the ‘Halblange’ but decreased the number in the ‘Sonata’ in all applications. Using proline twice or three times reduced the total essential oil content and modified its composition. The most beneficial effect in terms of the composition was achieved by using proline twice at stages II + III, even in ‘Sonata’, where the values were lower in the other treatments than in the control. Spraying three times did not give better results in terms of the composition and content of the essential oil. However, the use of this amino acid did not affect the total and marketable yield of the roots or the leaf weight of the parsley compared to the control. Our study showed that the time of the proline application may be more important than the number of applications, and the results may be cultivar-dependent

Multithreaded role of Apiaceae vegetables through Polish history

Vegetables belonging to the Apiaceae family are widely produced in Poland, providing important economic input. Among many the Apiaceae crops, only a few are referred to as native to Central Europe. Moreover, the period of their domestication or introduction in this region is ambiguously presented in the historical sources, as is their role across various components of human life. The aim of this work was to comprehensively study Polish archaeobotanical publications, guides, textbooks and the other written sources published until the 20th century, in order to analyze the importance of Apiaceae vegetables in the historical lands of Poland. We focused on the timeline of species introduction, increase or decline of economic importance, and changes in species diversity, as well as the development of cultivation technology. The data from archaeobotanical publications indicate that some of the Apiaceae, including carrot and parsnip, were cultivated on Polish lands before the 10th century. The medieval historical documents mention many Apiaceae crops which are no longer in cultivation nowadays, like ground elder or skirret. In this period, the possible role of monastery gardens in spreading modern horticultural practices across Central Europe should be underlined. In the 16th century, a significant impact on horticultural development in Poland was attributed to Queen Bona Sforza’s court’s diet, based on Mediterranean vegetables including Apiaceae species and landraces, which significantly increased biodiversity in cultivation. In Polish horticultural literature since the Renaissance, Apiaceae crops have usually been associated with the ‘root vegetables’ whereas species grown for leaves have been commonly classified among spices or medicinal plants. Apiaceae crops’ diversity as well as their economic value changed through the ages, but they always played an important role in Polish horticulture as evidenced in inspections, testaments, inventories, guides and gardening textbooks created over the last 500 years

Apiaceae in Polish herbal manuscripts of the 16th-18th centuries – an ethnopharmacological study

Therapeutic activity has referred to for many species of the Apiaceae family since ancient times. Polish herbal manuscripts are important historical sources which allow analysis of knowledge development on Apiaceae as medicinal plants. The aim of this study was to analyze four works, published by Stefan Falimirz, 1534; Marcin of Urzedowo, 1595; Szymon Syreński, 1613; and Krzysztof Kluk 1786-1788 (Vol. I-III), focusing on monographs of Apiaceae species, which were studied with respect to nomenclature, taxonomy and phytochemical and utilitarian characteristics as well. The evolution of the list of species exploited, the orientations and objectives for medicinal usage, and the scientific value in the light of the past and present state of knowledge were elaborated and evaluated as a potential approach for modern pharmacology. Polish materia medica was based on Hippocrates’ humoral theory that lasted until the 18th century with little variation. The earliest herbal manuscripts, dating back to the 16th century, were translations of numerous sources, and natural remedy usage was primarily based on ancient works. Publications of the 17th and 18th century had a more significant input in materia medica development as a result of the academic education and personal experience of the authors, and conscious reference to up-to-date botanical and pharmacological European literature. Monographs of Apiaceae species included in the four manuscripts were analyzed, verified according to current classification and compiled with respect to therapeutic and utilitarian use. Pharmacological activity, often multidirectional, was referred to for all species mentioned, and partial approval has been found in modern research

Variation in the Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils from Cultivars of <i>Lavandula angustifolia</i> and <i>L.</i> × <i>intermedia</i>

The antimicrobial properties of essential oil from Lavandula sp. raise hopes related to its use in phytotherapy. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of essential oils from cultivars of L. angustifolia (‘Hidcote Blue Strain’, ‘Hidcote Blue’) and L. × intermedia (‘Phenomenal’, ‘Grosso’) grown in central-eastern Poland, that is, at the border of the northern lavender cultivation range. The chemical composition of the essential oils was determined by GC/MS. Essential oil concentrations (20, 10, 5, 2.5, 1.25, 0.6, 0.3, 0.16, 0.08, and 0.04 mg/mL) were tested to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) or minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) towards ten strains of Gram-positive bacteria, five Gram-negative bacteria, and eight yeasts in vitro culture. Essential oils from the Lavendula cultivars showed antimicrobial activity against all microorganisms analysed. The yeasts were characterised by higher sensitivity to lavender oil compared to bacteria, while Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive than Gram-negative bacteria. The lowest MIC values for bacteria and fungi were obtained for ‘Grosso’. Furthermore, the ‘Grosso’ oil showed the highest fungicidal activity, while the highest bactericidal activity was found in ‘Hidcote Blue’ and ‘Grosso’. Using Staphylococcus aureus as an example, it was shown that different bacterial strains of the same species show varying sensitivity to the essential oil. A higher oil content was noted for the cultivars L. × intermedia, especially for the ‘Phenomenal’. Linalyl acetate and linalool were the main components of the essential oil in all cultivars. However, in the ‘Grosso’ oil, a high content of terpinen-4-ol (18.08%) was also recorded. An analysis of the relationships between the content of the main components in the analysed essential oils and the antimicrobial activity of essential oils suggested that linalool and terpinen-4-ol were compounds potentially responsible for antimicrobial activity. The obtained results allow us to conclude that essential oil with significant antimicrobial activity can be obtained from Lavandula sp. plants harvested in the northern part of the cultivation range