Volume 28 (2016): Issue 2 (December 2016)

As a consequence of restrictions on the use of preparations containing synthetic auxins in nursery production, there is a necessity to replace them with more environmentally friendly biopreparations efficiently stimulating plant growth. The aim of the presented experiment was to compare the effects of the synthetic auxin indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and the biostimulator Goteo on the rooting of ninebark stem cuttings (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Dart’s Gold’ and ‘Red Baron’) and to get some insight into the latter’s mechanisms of action in plants. Applications of the biostimulator Goteo produced comparable or slightly weaker effects compared to the treatments with IBA. Goteo stimulated elongation in new growth of cuttings when applied in watering or two-fold spraying methods. Application of the biostimulator resulted in increased levels of chlorophyll, soluble sugars and indole derivatives, while the contents of free amino acids and polyphenolic acids decreased. The above results indicate that, if necessary, Goteo may replace the synthetic auxin IBA in the propagation of ninebark in the future.

In the western and central parts of Iran, there are more than eight million female trees of Pistacia atlantica Desf. with approximately 20,000 tons of fruit oil production ability. In order to evaluate the influence of select ecological characteristics, fruit samples of seven P. atlantica habitats in Kurdistan (Iran) were collected in late October over two years (2013-14). Fruit oil was extracted using soxhlet extraction. The results showed a relatively small variation in oil content in fruit across plants of P. atlantica. The fruit oil content ranged from 25.4% to 28.4%, with a mean of 27.3%. Most habitats belonged to temperate and semi-arid regions, with higher longitude and altitude but less latitude and slope, higher soil electrical conductivity, total neutralizing value, organic carbon and clay, medium yearly rainfall, evaporation and sunny hours and also trees with medium ages such as Borban and Kashtar producing higher fruit oil yield than those that belonged to cool and semi-humid regions. Cluster analysis classified habitats into four distinct groups at 50% similarity; four habitats belonging to forest areas were located in the first, Borban and Kashtar in the second and third and Abdolmomen, with the coldest climate and the oldest trees, was in the fourth group. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that habitats with low fruit oil showed extreme values of PC₁ and PC₂ but ones with high fruit oil were located mainly in the central zones of the bi plot, which suggest that habitats with medium ecological conditions produce higher fruit oil.

The aim of this research was the evaluation of whether the application of 5-ALA, which has potential as a plant growth stimulating agent with indirect anti-stress activity, can limit the damage caused by low temperatures in winter. The research was conducted on frost-sensitive apple cultivars for three years in an orchard and in a laboratory. During the vegetative seasons of each year, the trees of three apple cultivars (‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Gala’ and ‘Šampion’) were subject to 5-ALA foliar application. Three times during each winter following the field application, apple shoots were taken to the laboratory and frozen at −20°C, −25°C and −30°C. After incubation, the damage to the sensitive parts of the shoots was evaluated. The application had a positive effect on the frost resistance of all cultivars, most often at the end of dormancy, which is especially noteworthy because frost damage occurs most frequently during this period. Positive effects of the application were found in most of the experiment combinations of cultivar, year, freezing date and shoot part. Additionally, the positive influence of 5-ALA application on frost resistance was found to increase with each year of the research.

Leaves of Alchemilla mollis (Bauser) Rothm. were the subject of the study. The leaves were harvested early in the morning from the department’s ornamental plant collection. Selected leaves were fully-developed and showed no signs of damage or discolouring. Gibberellic acid (GA₃), benzyladenine (BA), meta-methoxytopolin (MemT) and its riboside (MemTR) at concentrations of 25, 50 and 75 mg dm⁻³ were applied in the form of solutions to four-hour leaf-conditioning in the room at a temperature of 18-20°C. After conditioning, the leaves were placed in distilled water. Leaves put into distilled water immediately after cutting served as the control. The post-harvest longevity of leaves of Alchemilla mollis was 7.2-11.8 days. The conditioning of leaves in gibberellic acid solutions at concentrations of 25-50 mg dm⁻³, benzyladenine at concentrations of 25 mg dm⁻³ and meta-methoxytopolin and its riboside at concentrations of 75 mg dm⁻³ extended the post-harvest longevity of leaves by 10.1-81.9%. The conditioning of leaves in gibberellic acid at a concentration of 50 mg dm⁻³ inhibited the degradation of chlorophyll, as indicated by the highest SPAD index values.

Beetroot is a vegetable that accumulate heavy metals. This is largely dependent on the cultivar, methods and growing conditions. The aim of the study was to determine the composition of elements in the roots of 15 cultivars of red beet. The analysis assessed the content of macroelements (Na, P) and heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Mn, Zn). Most soils of the Lesser Poland region are exposed to the impact of industrial and transportation pollution. The soils of this region are characterized by strong acidification as well as natural or increased heavy metal content. The experiment was set up at the experimental field of the Department of Vegetable and Medicinal Plants of the University of Agriculture in Krakow, in 2009-2010. On the basis of the performed analysis, ‘Opolski’ was chosen as the cultivar that was characterized by a high content of macroelements and lower ability to accumulate heavy metals than the other tested cultivars. The lowest ability to accumulate heavy metals (Cd and Cr) was found in the cases of cultivars with cylindrical root shapes, such as Rywal or Opolski. One can indicate such cultivars as Astar F₁ or Nabab F₁ as cultivars recommended for cultivation in ecologically threatened areas.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of various chemical forms of iodine (I⁻ and IO₃⁻) and selenium (SeO₃²⁻ and SeO₄²⁻) on the nutritional and health-promoting quality of carrot (Daucus carota L.) storage roots. The experiment (conducted in 2012-2014) comprised the soil fertilization of carrot ‘Kazan’ F₁ in the following combinations: 1. Control, 2. KI, 3. KIO₃, 4. Na₂SeO₄, 5. Na₂SeO₃, 6. KI + Na₂SeO₄, 7. KIO₃ + Na₂SeO₄, 8. KI + Na₂SeO₃, 9. KIO₃+ Na₂SeO₃. Iodine and selenium were applied twice: before sowing and as top dressing in a total dose of 5 kg I ha⁻¹ and 1 kg Se ha⁻¹. No significant influence of iodine and selenium fertilization was noted with respect to average root weight and leaf yield. Each year, the application of KI + Na₂SeO₄ negatively affected the content of glucose and total sugars in carrot. An increased sucrose level was noted in the roots of plants treated with KIO₃ + Na₂SeO₄, with a total sugar concentration comparable to the control. Irrespective of the year, carrots fertilized with KI were characterized by the highest accumulation of nitrates (III) – NO₂⁻ in roots. The simultaneous introduction of iodine and selenium compounds (KI + Na₂SeO₄, KIO₃ + Na₂SeO₄, KI + Na₂SeO₃ and KIO₃ + Na₂SeO₃) into the soil reduced the content of nitrates (III) in carrot as compared to combinations with the individual application of these compounds. The influence of the tested factors on other analysed parameters (the content of dry weight, nitrates (V), chlorides, oxalates, citrates, free amino acids, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, phenylpropanoids, flavonols and anthocyanins as well as free radical scavenging activity (DPPH) was rather year-dependent.

Anthemis L. is a genus of aromatic flowering plants in the family Asteraceae and is native to Iran. In this research, 62 accessions of four chamomile species including Anthemis tinctoria, A. triumfetti, A. haussknechtii and A. pseudocotula were evaluated for morphological traits. Four experiments were conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Research Institute of Forest and Rangeland, Tehran, Iran in 2011. Data were collected for the morphological traits for all of the species and essential oil content for A. triumfetti and A. pseudocotula. The results showed that plant height was positively correlated with canopy area for all of the species except A. triumfetti (p < 0.01). There were positive correlations between flower number with plant height and canopy area in both A. tinctoria and A. haussknechtii (p < 0.01). Fresh and dry weight were positively correlated with canopy area and plant height in all of the species (p < 0.01), except A. tinctoria for canopy area and A. triumfetti for plant height. GDD had a positive correlation with canopy area for A. triumfetti (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between essential oil yield and plant height, fresh and dry weight in A. triumfetti and A. pseudocotula (p < 0.05). Using cluster analysis (Ward method), the accessions of A. triumfetti, A. tinctoria, A. haussknechtii and A. pseudocotula were grouped into 3, 2, 4 and 2 clusters, respectively. The results of cluster analysis separated the accession based on shoot yield, morphological traits and maturity. In some items, the accessions within each cluster were coordinated with their geographical provenance.

The genus Lachenalia has great potential as a floriculture crop used as a pot plant or cut flower. Flurprimidol preplant bulb soaks (from 15 to 30 mg dm⁻³) and foliar sprays (from 15 to 60 mg dm⁻³) were applied for the growth control of ‘Namakwa’ Lachenalia. Bulbs were planted in November, December, January and February and cultivated in a greenhouse. With a delaying of planting time, more compact plants with shorter and wider leaves and with floriferous inflorescence stems were obtained. Floret length, stem diameter and leaf number remained unaffected by planting date and flurprimidol treatment. The most evident impact of flurprimidol on shortening leaf and inflorescence stem length was noted after soaking the bulbs in 30 mg dm⁻³. The later the planting date, the shorter the time to the beginning of flowering. Soaking the bulbs in flurprimidol at 15 and 30 mg dm⁻³ and spraying with flurprimidol at 60 mg dm⁻³ resulted in a delay of flowering by 3-6 days.

The aim of this study was to develop methods for the in vitro propagation of Zantedeschia rehmannii. Zantedeschia rehmannii tuber fragments (1 cm²) containing eyes were soaked for 30 s in a solution containing 100 mg dm⁻³ L-ascorbic acid (AA) before transfer to culture vessels containing an MS medium supplemented with BAP (0 to 3 mg dm⁻³). Cultures were maintained in darkness. Soaking explants in an L-ascorbic acid solution improved the establishment of explants. Culture initiation should be conducted on media supplemented with 3 mg dm⁻³ BAP. On a multiplication stage, adventitious shoots were placed on MS media supplemented with cytokinin: BAP (0.5 to 5 mg dm⁻³), KIN (0.5 to 5 mg dm⁻³), TDZ (0.1 to 1 mg dm⁻³) and 2iP (2.5 to 15 mg dm⁻³) or BAP (0.5 to 7.5 mg dm⁻³) with IAA (0.5 to 2 mg dm⁻³). The highest coefficient of multiplication for Zantedeschia was obtained on the medium with the addition of 2.5 mg dm⁻³ BAP, which positively affected the shoot length (3.41 cm) and the number of adventitious shoots (4.13). Rooting took place on media supplemented with IBA, IAA and NAA at a concentration of 0.1 to 2 mg dm⁻³. The most numerous and the longest roots were found in plants placed on a medium with the addition of 0.1 mg dm⁻³ IBA.

A mulch is a layer of material applied to the surface of the soil. Mulching plays an important role in the maintenance of green spaces. Organic materials are still sought for the preparation of mulches. Recently interest in wood chips has grown. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of mulching with pine and birch chips on the contents of phenolic compounds in the soil, as well as on the growth and flowering of ornamental grasses – Bouteloua gracilis (Kunth.) Lag. ex Griffiths, Panicum virgatum L. and Pennisetum alopecuroides L. The content of phenolic compounds in the soil steadily increased from spring to autumn. Mulching led to a substantial increase in the level of phenolic compounds. In the first year of cultivation more phenolic compounds were released by chips of pine than birch, while in the second year this difference did not occur. Mulching had a negative impact on the growth and flowering of ornamental grasses, especially in the first year of cultivation. Ornamental grass sensitivity to the substances released from mulches decreased with the age of the plants and was dependent on the species – Bouteloua gracilis was found to be particularly sensitive.

Lavender cotton (Santolina chamaecyparissus L.) shoot cuttings, obtained from two-year-old mother plants, were rooted in five different media under an unheated foil tunnel. Two ready-made and widely recommended media were used: Hartmann peat substrate and Ceres peat-coconut substrate, as well as three prepared mixtures: high peat + mineral soil, high peat + perlite and high peat + sand. The influence of medium type on the number of rooted cuttings and the quality of the root system was assessed for two cultivation times during a three-year study after eight weeks from the date of cutting. As far as the ready-made rooting substrates are concerned, Ceres peat-coconut substrate turned out to be better when compared with the Hartmann substrate. The number of high quality rooted cuttings was larger when media containing high peat mixed with either mineral soil or sand were used in comparison with the mixture of high peat and perlite.

The effect of flower weight on changes in the vase life of flowers and leaves of waxflowers was studied by evaluating the arranged flower weight of cultivars derived from the Chamelaucium uncinatum, Chamelaucium megalopetalum and Verticordia species. Competition for water and carbohydrates between flowers and leaves influenced vase life. The removal of flowers had at least four times the effect on leaf vase life as the removal of leaves on flower vase life. Supplying exogenous sucrose to satisfy the demand for carbohydrates negated this effect, indicating that flowers depend on carbohydrates being supplied from leaves to maintain vase life. Cultivars with a greater proportion of flowers (on a weight basis) improved the vase life of flowers at the expense of the leaves. Cultivars with large flowers or many small flowers or a greater weight ratio of flowers to stem appeared to draw more carbohydrates and water from the leaves, giving them a longer vase life and decreasing the vase life of the leaves. The vase life of flowers increased with the stage of opening of flowers up to 50% opening and then decreased up to 100% opening.

Black elder (Sambucus nigra L.) commonly occurs throughout the country – it can be found in forests, thickets, parks, balks or in home gardens. It is a valuable reservoir of food for beneficial insects and a place of refuge or wintering. Almost every part of the elderberry plant has some uses: the fruits, flowers, leaves, roots, pith and bark. Its fruits and flowers are used in herbal medicine and in the kitchen. S. nigra is a primary host of Aphis sambuci L. feeding, which weakens plant growth, reduces flowering and fruiting, and decreases the ornamental value of these shrubs. Aphid populations are limited by a group of predatory and parasitic organisms, among which an important role is played by predatory Syrphidae. Observations were conducted in the years 2009 and 2010 in Krakow (south Poland, 19°57’E, 50°03’N). Significantly more numerous A. sambuci colonies were observed in 2009 – in the maximum of their abundance, 960 specimens per shoot were noted. Seven syrphid species were noted in A. sambuci colonies: Episyrphus balteatus (Deg.), Epistrophe eligans (Harr.), Sphaerophoria scripta (L.), Syrphus ribesii (L.), Syrphus vitripennis Meig., Scaeva pyrastri (L.) and Eupeodes corollae (Fabr.). E. balteatus dominated in both years of research. Research on the effectiveness of Syrphidae was performed on four commonly occurring species – the most voracious were Epistrophe eligans (Harr.) larvae, eating up to 676 A. sambuci aphids during their development.