Effects of foliar feeding under different soil fertilization conditions on the yield structure and quality of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The aim of the study was to analyse foliar feeding of winter wheat cv. ‘Kobra’ in combination with different soil fertilization treatments with calcium and magnesium compounds. The foliar fertilizers INSOL PK + 5% urea solution and EKOSOL U were applied 3 times during the during the growing season in four soil fertilization treatments: control without fertilization, NPK, NPK + MgSO4 × 7H2O, and NPK + CaO + MgO. The investigations involved a 3-year field experiment established on medium soil with a pH of 4.2 in 1 mole KCl × dm-3 and with the granulometric composition of clayey silt. The soil was characterised by a low content of available phosphorus and potassium as well as a very low content of sulphur and magnesium. The foliar fertilizers applied and the soil fertilization treatments had a varied effect on the yield parameters, the macronutrient content in grain and straw, and the content and quality of gluten. Among the soil fertilization treatments, the best production results and quality parameters of winter wheat were obtained after the application of the dose with magnesium lime. The foliar fertilizers had a greater impact on yield and gluten content than on the mineral composition of winter wheat grain and straw

Assessment of air pollutants in an urban agglomeration in Poland made by the biomonitoring of trees

In 1970-2000, the state of the natural environment in many regions of Poland was unsatisfactory. This situation has been improving since the integration with the European Union, mainly owing to the reduction of emissions of sulphur and nitrogen oxides. The present study included three tree species: rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L. em. Hedl.), small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata Mill.), and aspen (Populus tremula L.). The trees grew in a pollution free environment (Huszlew) and in an urban agglomeration (Lublin). The aim of this research was to make comparative observations of the structure of leaves in relation to the content of lead, zinc, copper, nitrogen and sulphur determined in these organs. The N/S ratio in the leaves was accepted as an indicator of proper metabolic processes. Observations of leaves were made with using light microscopy and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique. The content of heavy metals in leaves was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after dry mineralization. Total sulphur was determined by the turbidimetric method, while nitrogen by the Kjeldahl method after mineralization in sulphuric acid. When influenced by polluted air, the epidermis of the examined leaves was composed of smaller cells with higher stomatal density per unit area and had a lower number of open pores compared to the epidermis of the leaves developed in a clean environment. Among the species investigated, aspen was characterized by the highest ability to bioaccumulate heavy metals in its leaves. Among the elements determined only the Zn content exceeded the permissible limit, whereas Pb and Cu were found to occur in the range of values considered to be optimal. The dominant share of lead in suspended dust caused changes in the epidermis of leaves, which led to disorders in plant water relations

Wpływ interakcji siarki i niklu na zawartość mikroelementów w Triticum aestivum L.

Excessive amounts of Ni alter the micronutrients status of plants. In turn, S not only plays a pivotal role in plant growth but is also involved in enhancing stress tolerance. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Ni and S on the micronutrients status in spring wheat. Three S-sulphate levels (2-standard, 6, and 9 mM) and four Ni treatments (0, 0.0004, 0.04, and 0.08 mM) in Hoagland’s nutrient solution were applied for 2 weeks. Ni excess at the standard S level generally reduced Mn, Mo, and Zn as well as increased Cl content in roots and shoots, reduced shoot B content without changes in the root content of this element, whilst Fe and Cu content rose in roots and decreased in shoots. The translocation of Fe and Cu from roots to shoots was repressed, but that of Mo was enhanced. The Mn and Zn translocation depended on Ni concentration, while that of B and Cl remained unaffected. Intensive S nutrition of Ni-exposed wheat, as a rule, elevated root and shoot Fe, B, Cl, Mn, and Zn content and increased root Cu content. Simultaneously, various changes in Fe, Cu, Mn, Mo, and Zn translocation were found. Our results imply that intensive S nutrition can effectively improve the micronutrient status in wheat hampered by Ni.Nadmiar Ni wpływa niekorzystnie na status mikroelementów w roślinach. Z kolei S nie tylko odgrywa kluczową rolę we wzroście roślin, ale również jest zaangażowana w zwiększoną tolerancję na stres. Celem prezentowanych badań było przeanalizowanie wpływu Ni i S na status mikroelementów w pszenicy jarej. W pożywce Hoaglanda, przez okres dwóch tygodni, zastosowano trzy poziomy S w formie siarczanowej (2-standardowy, 6 i 9 mM) oraz cztery traktowania Ni (0; 0,0004, 0,04 i 0,08 mM). Nadmiar Ni, wobec standardowej dawki S, na ogół zredukował zawartość Mn, Mo i Zn, oraz podwyższył zawartość Cl zarówno w korzeniach, jak i częściach nadziemnych, obniżył zawartość B w częściach nadziemnych, nie wywołując znaczących zmian tego pierwiastka w korzeniach, natomiast zawartość Fe i Cu zwiększyła się w korzeniach, a zmniejszyła w częściach nadziemnych. Translokacja Fe i Cu z korzeni do części nadziemnych ulegała represji, natomiast Mo zwiększeniu. Translokacja Mn i Zn zależała od koncentracji Ni, natomiast B i Cl nie zmieniała się. Intensywne odżywianie S, eksponowanej na Ni pszenicy, z reguły zwiększyło zawartość Fe, B, Cl, Mn oraz Zn w korzeniach i częściach nadziemnych, jak również podwyższyło zawartość Cu w korzeniach. Jednocześnie stwierdzono różne zmiany w translokacji Fe, Cu, Mn, Mo i Zn. Rezultaty naszych badań wskazują, że intensywne odżywanie S może efektywnie polepszyć status mikroelementów w pszenicy, niekorzystnie zmieniony przez Ni

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