Reproductive biology of two edible honeysuckles [Lonicera edulis Turcz. ex Freyn., Lonicera kamtchatica (Sevast.) Pojark.] in the conditions of southwestern Slovakia

The formation and development of reproductive organs and fruits was examined for two edible honeysuckle species Lonicera edulis Turcz. ex. Freyn. and Lonicera kamtchatica (Sevast.) Pojark. 'Gerda' using cytological and embryological methods. We found out that the flower initiation has began during June in the conditions of southwestern Slovakia. Male and female arche spores were differentiated before entering winter dormancy. In most cases we have observed normally developed tetrads, normal appearance of microspores, two-celled polen grains and mature pollen grain. In both species a sufficient amount of normally developed pollen grains was observed. Disturbances during female gametophyte development occurred occasionally, most mature ovules contained 7 cells female gametophyte. Our research pointed to fact that the species are protogynous. Flowering usually takes place in the first half of April. The fruits were mature in the second half of May. We have found that 10 to 11 fully developed seeds have evolved in the fruits of both representatives of Lonicera on average. The above results show the suitability of L. edulis and L. kamtchatica cultivation in SW Slovakia with a relatively low risk of fruit loss due to climatic conditions.European CommunityEuropean Community (EC) [26220220180, VEGA 1/0047/19

Evaluation of fruit anatomy, accumulation and detection of polyphenols in black crowberry (empetrum nigrum) from NW Slovakia

The aim of our research was to connect the detailed study of fruit anatomy of black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) with identification and detection of the main non-anthocyanin polyphenolic compounds. Our experimental results showed that the highest accumulation of anthocyanin bodies occurred in mature fruits in outer layers during fruit development. The shape of the anthocyanin bodies was most often globular, spherical, hemispherical and intermediate types were present only occasionally. Mature cells of the gynoecium and pericarp generally contain anthocyanin bodies incorporated inside vacuoles. The observed compounds accumulated in cells were rutin, quercetin and catechins, resveratrol, coumaric, p-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic acids, gale, vanilic, syringe, cinnamic and caffeic acids. These compounds were selected because of their proposed positive effects on health. The analyses of the polyphenolic spectrum showed predominance of ferrulic acid together with gallic acid and catechins with quercetin.[VEGA 1/0047/19]; [KEGA 012UKF-4/2019

The elucidation of total polyphenols, individual phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity of three underutilized fruit species-black crowberry, honeyberry, european cranberry with their accumulation

Total polyphenols content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AA) and polyphenolic spectrum assay of three underutilized fruit species-black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), honeyberry (Lonicera kamtschatica) and European cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos) is the aim of the present work. TPC and AA assay was performed by spectrophotometry and "individual phenolic compounds" were established by high-performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that TPC ranged from 1.61 +/- 0.16 (European cranberry) up to 5.65 +/- 0.01 (Black cowberry) gallic acid mg/g fresh weight. The highest value of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging assay was determined in black crowberry fruit (7.43 +/- 0.34 mmol TROLOX/g fresh weight of fruit). In all samples, the most prevalent phenolic acid was ferulic acid with the highest content in the samples of black crowberry (77.73 +/- 3.99 mu g/g FW of fruit), black crowberry and honeyberry were present by the highest level of gallic acid (21.82 +/- 1.53; 15.07 +/- 2.45 mu g/g FW of fruit). Honeyberry represented a valuable source of quercetin (12.18 +/- 7.88 mu g/g FW of fruit), whereas European cranberry and honeyberry are a source of rutin (28.48 +/- 0.83 and 27.99 +/- 1.78 mu g/g FW of fruit, respectively). The results of statistical analyses proved significant differences between cowberry and European cranberry in TPC content and in AA among assayed species. In the same way, statistically significant differences were confirmed in phenolic acids among the assayed species except for European cranberry-honeyberry (in trans p-coumaric, protocatequic and cinnamic acid) and honeyberry-cowberry (in cinnamic acid content). The catechin content is significantly influenced by species (p 0.05). Each of the studied species can be considered as valuable source of total polyphenols and individual phenolic compounds. Polyphenolic compounds were most frequently accumulated in the vacuole as well as in the outer layers of pericarp.TBU in Zlin [IGA/FT/2021/008, VEGA 1/0047/19]Ministerstvo Zemědělstv

Exploring the impact of metal-based nanofertilizers: A case study on sunflower pollen morphology and yield in field conditions

On a daily basis, a wide range of materials including inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) inadvertently find their way into the environment. Meanwhile, intentionally used NPs, such as the new generation of nanofertilizers (NFs) are designed to enhance agronomic production. However, their physicochemical properties and not-so-well understood effects raise potential risks to the plant reproductive cycle, specifically pollen development, a subject largely absent in academic research. Even slight contamination, deformation, or aberration of pollen could have enormous impacts on the ecosystem. Thus, our objective was to evaluate the influence of various metal-based NPs on sunflower pollen morphology and its yield. Nano-formulations were applied during the 2019-2021 agronomic seasons on two sunflower hybrids, Neostar and Edison, in Doln & aacute; Malanta, near Nitra, Slovak Republic. Pollen morphology findings indicated that conventional ZnSO4 had the most positive impact on the size of pollen grains compared to ZnO-NPs, Fe3O4-NPs, and the NP-free control. Gold-NPs on SiO2 mesoporous silica (AuSi-NPs) showed a statistically insignificant impact, while the use of TiO2-NPs in agriculture remained a topic of debate. Surprisingly, pollen characteristics did not fully correspond to crop yields. Despite causing a reduction in pollen grain size, the TiO2-NPs consistently showed the highest yield compared to other variants. Employing low concentrations of NFs did not notably alter pollen morphology, reinforcing our commitment to eco-friendly, precise, and sustainable agriculture.Web of Science1312art. no. 292

Phenological observatory and the diseases and pests occurence on Prunus L. Taxa in studied localities

DOI:10.15414/afz.2014.17.01.18-23Received 29. January 2014 ǀ Accepted 27. February 2014 ǀ Available online 8. April 2014The autochtonous taxa of the genus Prunus L.: Prunus × fruticans, Prunus × fechtneri and Prunus × dominii was chosen for this research: the phenological observations and occurrence pest and diseases. We recorded, that two of  studied taxa P. × fruticans and P. × dominii started the first growth phases and P.× fechtneri the last. The longest vegetation period from first phenophase to dormancy (224 days) for P.× fechtneri in 2012 was observed. The shortest vegetation period  (209 days) from first  phenophases to phenophases flowering for P. × fruticans in 2013 was observed . We recorded the occurrence of insect Cydia funebrana, parasitic lichen Xanthoria parietina and fungal disease Botrytis cinerea. The highest incidence of Cydia funebrana on taxa P.× fechtneri from the locality Bádice and Prunus × dominii from the locality Dolné Lefantovce was recorded. On the shoots of the taxa L2, L3 and P1 the presence of parasitic lichen Xantoria parietina and on the plum P.× fechtneri B fungal disease Botrytis cinerea was observed.  Only for the taxa Prunus × fruticans L1 no lichen was recorded. The taxa Prunus × fruticans L1, P1 and Prunus × dominii L2, L3 no fungal disease was show.Key words: phenological observations, phenophases, Prunus taxa, disease, pest

Polyphenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity in Berries of Four Russian Cultivars of Lonicera kamtschatica (Sevast.) Pojark [Polyphenole und Antioxidanzien-Aktivität in vier Sorten der Kamtschatka-Heckenkirsche, Lonicera kamtschatica (Sevast.) Pojark]

Nowadays increasing attention has been focused on polyphenolic compounds as the main representants of antioxidants in horticultural crops including fruits. The edible honeysuckle has an unique position among lesser known fruits due to its high level of antioxidants. In the present study we determined polyphenolic profile and antioxidant capacity of four Russian cultivars of edible honeysuckle including ‘Gerda 25’, ‘Amfora’, ‘Morena’, ‘Lipnicka’, which found together in a single location in Mendel University in Brno, The Czech Republic. Polyphenolic compounds were detected by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detector (HPLC-ED). The antioxidant capacity was measured by DPPH test. According to the results there were differences among cultivars in terms of polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity and Lonicera kamtschatica ‘Gerda 25’ were found to be possessed the highest content of phenolic compounds corresponding to the highest value of antioxidant activity

New floristic records from Central Europe 8 (reports 109-121)

The presented eighth part of the series includes thirteen new chorological records of vascular plants, one from Hungary, six from Poland and six from Slovakia. In Hungary, Ventenata dubia is reported. In Poland, two native taxa Bolboschoenus planiculmis and Najas marina subsp. marina and four alien taxa Buddleja davidii, Lupinus ehrenbergii var. ehrenbergii, Miscanthus sacchariflorus and Sedum sarmentosum are reported. In Slovakia, two native taxa Taraxacum paucilobum with distribution map and Cotoneaster integerrimus are reported as well as four alien taxa Azolla filiculoides, Eichhornia crassipes, Euphorbia prostrata and Pistia stratioites. URL: https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/botanicka-zahrada/odborne-aktivity/contents-abstracts

Antocianinu{ogonek} kiekis sausmedžio (Lonicera kamtschatica) klonuose šaldymo metu, priklausomai nuo antioksidantinės ir maistinės vertės rodikliu{ogonek}

The aim of the study was to determine changes in anthocyanin content of 17 selected Klčov's clones of honeyberry (Lonicera kamtschatica (Sevast.) Pojark) during freezing at -18°C for 6 months and find out the relationship between anthocyanins and dry matter, sugar, organic acids and ascorbic acid content in fresh fruits by cluster analysis. Clones of honeyberry can be divided into three clusters according to dry matter, sugar, organic acids and total anthocyanin content and total antioxidant capacity. The total anthocyanin level measured in fresh samples was 5.96-19.80 mg 100 g-1 of fresh mass (FM). The scavenging effect of acidified 80% ethanol extracts on DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical ranged from 30.03% to 41.13%. Anthocyanins displayed a negative weak correlation with total antioxidant capacity (R = -0.585)

Enhancing Maize Yield and Quality with Metal-Based Nanoparticles without Translocation Risks: A Brief Field Study

Our previous studies have shown physiological and yield intensification of selected crops with the application of nanoparticles (NPs). However, the impact on the quantitative, qualitative, and yield parameters of maize (Zea mays L.) in field conditions remains highly debated. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of zinc oxide (ZnO-NPs), gold NPs anchored to meso-biosilica (Au-NP-bioSi), and titanium dioxide (TiO2-NPs) as biological stimulants under field conditions during the vegetation season of 2021 in the Central European region. The study assessed the effects on the number of plants, yield, yield components, and nutritional quality, including mineral nutrients, starch, and crude protein levels. The potential translocation of these chemically–physically stable NPs, which could pose a hazard, was also investigated. The results indicate that Au-NP-bioSi and ZnO-NPs-treatments were the most beneficial for yield and yield components at a statistically significant level. Mineral nutrient outcomes were varied, with the NP-free variant performing the best for phosphorus-levels, while Au-NP-bioSi and ZnO-NPs were optimal for crude protein. Starch content was comparable across the TiO2-NPs, Au-NP-bioSi, and control variants. Importantly, we observed no hazardous translocation of NPs or negative impacts on maize grain quality. This supports the hypothesis that NPs can serve as an effective tool for precise and sustainable agriculture

New floristic records from Central Europe 10 (reports 134-148)

The presented 10th part of the series includes fifteen new chorological records, one from Czechia, two from Hungary, three from Poland, five from Slovakia and four from the Ukrainian Carpathians. In Czech Silesia, Arum maculatum, considerably remote from the species continuous distribution area, was found. In Hungary, spreading of Geranium sibiricum and Limonium gmelinii subsp. hungaricum was recorded. In Poland, two alien Erigeron sumatrensis and Lepidium didymum were found as well as the native species Typha shuttleworthii, which is considered vulnerable. In Slovakia, new localities of Scorzonera humilis, Stellaria ruderalis, Taraxacum serotinum and Typha shuttleworthii were found as well as alien Portulaca grandiflora. New records of Centaurea kotschyana, Euphrasia salisburgensis, Galium album subsp. suberectum and Salix retusa were reported in the Ukrainian Carpathians. URL: https://www.upjs.sk/pracoviska/botanicka-zahrada/odborne-aktivity/contents-abstracts