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Soil affects plant growth and development, and it is one of the factors that determine crop yields and quality. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck) plants cv. Cezar were grown in an experiment conducted in 2021–2022 on a horticultural farm. The biometric parameters of broccoli plants were determined in the first stage. The chemical composition of the edible parts of broccoli was determined in the second stage, which involved two experimental factors. The first factor was the edible parts of broccoli: florets, leaves, and stalks. The second factor was the effect of soil type on the chemical composition of the edible parts of broccoli. Albic Luvisol (II) had a significant positive effect on floret height and the number of florets. Leaf yield was significantly lower when broccoli plants were grown in Eutric Cambisol (I) compared with Albic Luvisol (II) and degraded chernozem (III). Soil type had no significant influence on the macronutrient content of broccoli florets, leaves, and stalks, but the accumulation of macronutrients varied across the edible plant parts. The content of iron, zinc and manganese in broccoli plants was not significantly affected by soil type, but soil type exerted a significant effect on copper content.

Abstract Background Most nanoparticles (NPs) have a significant impact on the structure and function of the plant photosynthetic apparatus. However, their spectrum of action varies significantly, from beneficial stimulation to toxicity, depending on the type of NPs, the concentration used and plant genotypic diversity. Photosynthetic performance can be assessed through chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) measurements. These data allow to indirectly obtain detailed information about primary light reactions, thylakoid electron transport reactions, dark enzymatic stroma reactions, slow regulatory processes, processes at the pigment level. It makes possible, together with leaf reflectance performance, to evaluate photosynthesis sensitivity to stress stimuli. Results We investigated effects of different metal and metal(oid) oxide nanoparticles on photosynthesis of oakleaf lettuce seedlings by monitoring the chlorophyll a fluorescence light radiation and reflectance from the leaves. Observations of ChlF parameters and changes in leaf morphology were carried out for 9 days in two-day intervals. Spectrophotometric studies were performed at 9th day. Suspensions of NPs with the following concentrations were used: 6% TiO2, SiO2; 3% CeO2, SnO2, Fe2O3; 0.004% (40 ppm) Ag; 0.002% (20 ppm) Au. Nanoparticles were applied directly on the leaves which caused small symptoms of chlorosis, necrosis and leaf veins deformation, but the plants fully recovered to the initial morphological state at 9th day. Leaf reflectance analysis showed an increase in FRI for SiO2-NPs and CeO2-NPs treatments and ARI2 for Fe2O3, however, WBI and PRI coefficients for the latter nanoparticle were lower than in control. Chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters have changed due to NPs treatment. Fe2O3-NPs caused an increase in Fv/F0, PIABS, ET0/RC, DI0/RC, ABS/RC in different time points in comparison to control, also Ag, Au and SnO2 treatment caused an increase in Fv/F0, PIABS or ET0/RC, respectively. On the other hand, TiO2-NPs caused a decrease in Fv/Fm and Fv/F0 parameters, but an increase in DI0/RC value was observed. SnO2-NPs decreased PIABS, but increased ET0/RC than compared to control. Nanoparticles affected the shape of the O-J-I-P curve in slight manner, however, further analyses showed unfavourable changes within the PSII antenna, manifested by a slowdown in the transport of electrons between the Chl molecules of the light-harvesting complex II and the active center of PSII due to NPs application. Conclusion Changes in ChlF parameters and leaf reflectance values clearly proved the significant influence of NPs on the functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus, especially right after NPs application. The nature of these changes was strictly depended on the type of nanoparticles and sometimes underwent very significant changes over time. The greatest changes in ChlF parameters were caused by Fe2O3 nanoparticles, followed by TiO2-NPs. After slight response of O-J-I-P curves to treatment of the plants with NPs the course of the light phase of photosynthesis stabilized and at 9th day were comparable to the control curve.

Cardoon leaves are of great pharmaceutical importance due to their high content of polyphenol compounds. Polyphenolic compounds have attracted much interest due to their health-promoting effects. The content of these compounds in C. cardunculus depends on several factors, such as genotype, crop management, plant tissues, harvest time, and storage time. In this study, the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilisation (rates and forms) on the biomass yield and polyphenol profile of the leaves were determined. Increasing the amount of N up to 180 kg-ha−1 in fertilisation did not significantly increase the air-dried biomass yield of the leaves. On the contrary, it led to lower concentrations of total phenolic compounds (TP), total flavonoids (TF), caffeic acid, cynarin, and luteolin. Improvements in performance were achieved when 120 kg-ha−1 N rate was applied and increases in TP, TF content, and radical scavenging activity were observed. The applied N forms (NO3, NH4 or urea) had different effects on the concentrations of individual compounds and leaf air-dried biomass. Higher concentrations of cynarin, luteolin, and luteolin-7-O-glucoside were found when the N forms NH4 and urea were applied; higher caffeic acid content was found when urea was applied. The application of NO3 and urea in fertilisation reduced the level of luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, while the application of NO3 and NH4 reduced the amount of caffeic acid. The obtained results provide a better understanding of the effects of N rates and forms on cardoon leaves over two growing seasons.

Engineered TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) are broadly produced and utilized in various consumer products. However, plant uptake of NPs may lead to disruptions in physiological and metabolic processes, particularly when the plant’s defense mechanisms are overwhelmed. In this study, sweet pepper seedlings were exposed to TiO2-NPs via foliar (2.5% suspension) and root (0.5% suspension) methods, with plants treated with distilled water serving as controls. Results showed that foliar application caused higher accumulation of Ti in leaves as compared to stems, while root exposure led to a higher increase of Ti content in stems than in leaves. Additionally, foliar application led to alterations in chemical composition of the plants, including changes in malondialdehyde (MDA), L-ascorbic acid, total phenolics content, carotenoids, in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and antioxidant enzymes activity. Root exposure also affected enzyme activity and TAC, but also altered H2O2, MDA and glutathione content. Chlorophylls remained at stable level in the leaves of the seedlings. Overall, these studies provide important information on plant-nanoparticle interactions and the potential effects of different nanoparticle application strategies. These data indicate also that the specific nanoparticles, applied at a controlled manner, have potential to boost the plant metabolism and improve stress tolerance, which is an important factor affecting crops’ quality and productivity.

The size and quality of the melon fruit yield depend on the cultivar, climatic and agronomic factors. A three-year field experiment investigated the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) application and irrigation (IR) on the fruit yield of melon (Cucumis melo L. var. saccharinus Naud.) cultivars. The study was conducted on a certified organic farm located in south-eastern Poland (51.36° N, 22.83° E). The factors of the experiment were as follows: cultivar (Melba, Emir F1, Seledyn F1, Oliwin) and cultivation method (AMF and IR; AMF and non-IR; non-AMF and IR; non-AMF and non-IR as control). The dry matter (%), soluble solid (%), total sugar and reducing sugar (% fresh weight, FM), L-ascorbic acid (mg · 100 g−1 FM), and carotenoid (mg · 100 g−1 FM) contents of the fruit were determined. The highest total and marketable fruit yields were obtained using AMF and IR. Fruit from the AMF series (IR and non-IR) had the most carotenoids (respectively: 801.5 and 788.8 µg · 100 g−1 FM). The fruits of the AMF and IR plants contained the most total sugars (5.98%) and reducing sugars (2.91%) compared to the others. The control plants had the lowest number of marketable fruit, total and marketable fruit yield, and accumulated the least L-ascorbic acid, total sugars and reducing sugars. We suggest that AMF and IR can be recommended as a practical agronomic solutions for the field cultivation of melon under temperate climate conditions.

Living mulch (LM) provides many beneficial agro-ecological services by reducing soil evaporation, conserving moisture, controlling soil temperature, reducing weed growth, increasing organic matter and nutrient availability, and improving microbial activities. Legumes, commonly used as living mulches, can affect the yield and quality of main crops. We hypothesized that Egyptian clover co-cultivated with Cynara cardunculus var. altilis (cultivated cardoon) can positively affect both leaf biomass and phytochemical yield. The study was performed on two growing seasons of field experiments to evaluate the potential variation in biomass and phytochemical yields of cardoon leaves. In addition, the leaves were collected at 90, 120, and 150 days after transplanting to evaluate the possible effect of the harvest time. LM improved the fresh and air-dried leaves biomass yields, total phenolic, and dry matter content, while it had no effect on the content of crude fibre, total sugars, L-ascorbic acid, total chlorophylls, and antioxidant activity. Except for luteolin-7-O-glucoside content, no negative effect of LM was observed on the polyphenol profile. Behind the cultivation system, the parameters were also affected by both the harvest time and growing season. According to our data, the proposed intercropping of cultivated cardoon with LM could represent an innovative cultivation system to increase both leaf biomass and the health-promoting compounds of cultivated cardoon leaves by sustainable soil management.

Abstract. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) raw materials are a rich and valuable source of bioactive substances and popular herbal medicine. The research aimed to determine the content of polyphenolic compounds and pigments in leaves, flowers, and wild elderberry fruits and evaluate the antioxidant activity. The raw material was collected in various stages of development, dried in natural conditions and at a temperature of 45/60°C. The presence of polyphenolic compounds was demonstrated: phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and chlorophyll and carotenoids in all tested raw materials. The elderberry flower turned out to be the richest source of total polyphenols (10.04%) and phenolic acids (2.90%), leaf – flavonoids (1.48%), chlorophylls and carotenoids (931.7 and 133.77 mg . 100 g-1 DM, respectively), and the fruit – anthocyanins (0.29 g . 100 g-1 DM). Elderberry extracts were characterised by high antioxidant activity: Sambuci flos > Sambuci fructus > Sambuci folium. Fully ripe elderberry fruit dried at a temperature of 60°C contained finally less moisture and more flavonoids and chlorophyll than harvested at the beginning of ripening.

The use of living mulches (LM) grown in-season together with the cash crop is a potentially important method of organic vegetable production. There are only a few reports on the influence of LM on the biological value of vegetable crops. The impacts of LM of Alexandrian clover on the yields and levels of phenolic compounds in leeks and shallots were investigated. There were three sowing dates for the clover plants: 3 weeks before planting the leeks and shallot, at the planting date, and three weeks from planting the leeks and shallots. The yields of leeks and shallots with LM were higher than without the clover LM; the plants grown with LM accumulated more total phenolic (TP) compounds, and the plant extracts showed significantly higher antioxidant activity (AA). In shallot bulbs, the LM of Alexandrian clover increased the ferulic acid and chlorogenic acid levels, while in leek pseudo-stems the quercetin level was increased. The level of bioactive compounds depended on the date of clover planting. The most favorable sowing dates for clover planting were at the time of planting the leeks and shallots and three weeks after planting the plants. The LM of Alexandrian clover can be considered as a tool that can influence the nutritional value of leeks and shallots.

Sensitivity of plants of the genus Capsicum to water deficiency is a great problem in the cultivation of sweet and hot pepper. It is becoming necessary to use plant irrigation during the growing season and to apply alternative methods that increase plant tolerance to water deficit. A large role in this regard is given to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) which contribute to enhanced water supply to plants by increasing the absorptive area of the root system. The effects of AMF inoculation and irrigation of plants of a native sweet pepper cultivar, ‘Roberta F1’, on fruit yield and yield structure as well as on fruiting dynamics were determined in a study conducted over the period 2016–2018 in an organic farm located in south-eastern Poland. The highest total and marketable yield as well as the largest number of pepper fruits produced were obtained for pepper cultivation with simultaneous AMF inoculation and irrigation throughout the entire growing season. Yield and number of pepper fruits were affected to a greater extent by AMF colonization than by plant irrigation. Inoculation of plants with AMF at the transplant stage also beneficially affected earliness of fruiting. Moreover, AMF inoculation and irrigation of plants significantly reduced the incidence of blossom-end rot (BER).

This paper presents the results of a study conducted over the period 2016–2017 which was designed to determine to what extent crop irrigation and raw material drying process determine the content and composition of lavender essential oil. In cultivation with irrigation, a higher yield of fresh and yield of air-dried inflorescences was obtained compared to cultivation without irrigation. The use of supplementary irrigation in lavender crops contributed to an increased amount of essential oil (EO) compared to plants without irrigation. The main components of the essential oil were linalyl acetate, linalool, and E-caryophyllene. In EO obtained from plants cultivated with irrigation, the share of oxygenated monoterpenes (OM) was higher and the share of hydrogenated monoterpenes (HM) was lower than in the oil from plants without irrigation. The EO content in lavender flowers dried at a temperature of 30°C was twice higher than in those dried in natural conditions. In 2016 in which the air temperatures were high and a greater number of sunshine hours was recorded in July and August, plants accumulated more EO than in 2017. Study shows that there are prospects for practical application of crop irrigation in lavender cultivation and of raw material preservation method in order to modify EO content and chemical composition.

Artichoke herb is of great pharmaceutical importance, mainly due to the high content of phenolic compounds. This paper presents the effect of late nitrate (N) fertilization with mineral and organic N on the yield of air-dried herb, the total content of polyphenolic acids (TCQA), the polyphenolic profile as well as on the antioxidant activity (AA). These parameters were measured in organic (ORG) and conventional (CON) cropping systems. The principal outcomes revealed that the highest TCQA content was determined in the herbal extracts of ORG management treatments with late N fertilization of 20 kg ha−1. This result explained the highest AA content of the extract in the ABTS+ (2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), FRAP (ferric-reducing antioxidant power), and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assays. Late N fertilization increased the content of cynarin and ferulic acid in both systems. In addition, chlorogenic acid increased between 37% and 45% in the CON cropping systems depending on the fertilizer dose. In the same treatment, luteolin increased 39% compared to the control. Lastly, in the ORG management system, caffeic acid and apigenin content increased 10% and 30%, respectively. Both treatments showed high collinearity values, where ORG systems were related to ferulic acid and cynarin, and CON systems were associated with chlorogenic acid and AA potential (ABTS, DPPH, FRAP). To sum up, ORG cropping systems can obtain an acceptable yield size with a high-quality content of bioactive compounds, allowing a better understanding of the effect of N fertilization in ORG and CON cropping systems.

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) is an aromatic medicinal plant whose use is limited by the presence of toxic thujone. This research aimed to evaluate the morphological and chemical properties of tansy plants growing in various natural habitats. The research determined the content and chemical composition of the essential oil, the contents of flavonoids and phenolic acids, and the antioxidant activity levels of methanol extracts from tansy inflorescences. The highest amount of essential oil (1.05 mL·kg−1) was found in the raw material collected from the reclaimed area (R). Forty-seven compounds were identified in tansy oil, among which camphor (31.21–1.27%) and trans-chrysanthenyl acetate (76.09–0.09%) dominated, while the concentration of trans-thujone was low (2.67% on average). The highest amounts of flavonoids (0.52%) were found in the raw material collected from the ruderal (W) and reclaimed (R) sites, while the highest amount of phenolic acids (2.42%) was found in the raw material from the ruderal site (W). Tansy inflorescence extracts showed high antioxidant potential (88.41%). The reasons for the variability of the chemical composition of tansy were environmental and genetic variability factors.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a mycorrhizal inoculation (AMF) and irrigation regime on certain yield morphological parameters and the biological value of fruits of open field-grown sweet pepper under temperate climate conditions. A study on the Polish hybrid cultivar ‘Roberta F1’ was conducted over the period 2016–2018 in a private certified organic farm. Sweet pepper was harvested at physiological maturity from the second 10 days of August to the first 10 days of October. AMF and irrigation were shown to significantly modify the selected morphological parameters of the peppers. Fruits with the highest weight, length, and width were harvested from AMF-inoculated plants, both irrigated and non-irrigated ones. The chemical composition and antioxidant activity (AA) of pepper fruit extracts were significantly affected by AMF and irrigation. AMF application contributed to a decrease in the percentage of dry matter, vitamin C, reducing sugars, extract, carotenoids, and AA. Irrigation, on the other hand, had a beneficial effect on enhancing the biological value of pepper fruits (except for vitamin C), also increasing their AA. The highest levels of carotenoids (4.64 mg 100 g−1 of fresh matter (FM) were found in the fruits of irrigated plants without AMF, whereas the highest levels of vitamin C (134.10 mg 100 g−1 FM) were accumulated by the fruits of plants grown without AMF and without irrigation.

Exposure of vegetable seedlings to lowered temperature affects their growth and the content of certain chemical constituents. Chilling activates defensive mechanisms against stress and leads to acclimatization which increases plant ability to withstand harsh field conditions. Thus, seedlings subjected to low-temperature treatment had altered metabolic pathways, and these changes can persist until harvest. We therefore assessed: (i) the direct response of broccoli seedlings to 1 week or 2 weeks at lowered temperatures (6 °C, 10 °C, 14 °C, and 18 °C—control); and (ii) the long-term effects of the latter treatments on phytochemical components level in mature heads of broccoli cultivated in the field. Chilling stress decreased seedling shoot and root fresh and dry weights, plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf perimeter, and leaf width. The most spectacular reductions in these parameters were observed at 6 °C and 10 °C. Longer exposure to lowered temperature resulted in greater reduction in the values of morphological traits. Chilling led to reduction in L-ascorbic acid content in broccoli seedlings, while a 6 °C temperature caused an increase in soluble sugars. The highest content of dry weight, soluble sugars, and L-ascorbic acid were observed in the heads of plants exposed to 14 °C; however, the content of dry weight (at 10 °C) and L-ascorbic acid (at 6 °C and 10 °C) also increased in broccoli heads in comparison with the control. Longer chilling (for 2 weeks) generally increased the content of these constituents in mature broccoli. Lower temperature (6–14 °C) applied at seedling stage increased P and Zn contents in broccoli heads in comparison to the control, whereas plants treated with 10 °C had more K, Fe, and, together with 6 °C treatment, Cu. The lowest temperature applied to the seedlings (6 °C) caused an increase in Mn content, while no effects of seedling chilling was noted for Ca levels. Significant linear correlations were noted and regression models were developed for the content of dry weight, soluble sugars, and L-ascorbic acid in the broccoli heads based on the chosen seedling parameters. The results show that the effect of lowered temperature to which the seedlings were subjected persists also in the further stages of plant ontogenesis, causing permanent changes in the chemical composition of mature broccoli heads.

The hot pepper fruits have a specific sharp and sour taste, which is conditioned by the presence of capsaicinoids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the marketable yield and yield of Capsici fructus of different parts of the fruit of Polish cultivars 'Bronowicka Ostra' and 'Orkan' as well as the yield of capsaicinoids. The highest average share in the marketable yield structure of each different parts of pepper fruit was shown by pericarp yield – 76.5%, placenta yield – 10.8%, seeds yield – 8.4% and peduncle yield – 4.3%. Average marketable yield of hot pepper fruits was 23.09 t·ha–1, Capsici fructus yield – 3.252 t·ha–1 and capsaicinoids yields: capsaicin – 0.566 kg·ha–1, dihydrocapsaicin – 53.7 g·ha–1.

Sulfur (S) directly influences the proper development, yield, and biological value of Allium sativum. The sulfuric forms of S are easily leached from the soil due to poor sorption. In this context, we looked at to what extent application of S and biomass of catch crops (CCs) left until spring would cause an increase in the yield; we also looked at the macro- and micronutrient content of garlic plants. The experimental factors included applications of 0 and 20 kg ha−1 S to CCs consisting of Trifolium alexandrinum, Raphamus sativus var. oleiformis, Fagopyrum esculentum, Sinapis alba, and control. The bulbs contained more dry matter and macro- and micronutrients (N, P, K, S, Zn, and Fe) than those without S. Garlic plants cultivated with S accumulated more glutathione and total phenolic acids (TPA), and the extracts showed greater antioxidant activity (AA) than those cultivated without S. In 2019 and 2020, the cultivation of winter garlic with S, in combination with clover contributed to an increase in the content of dry matter, S, TPA, AA in bulbs. In the cultivation with fodder radish garlic plants accumulated more nitrogen (N), S, TPA, AA and glutathione in bulbs. In those cultivated with buckwheat, garlic contained more TPA, AA, glutathione, and with mustard more TPA and AA. However, further research is needed to select the species of CC and to determine the S dose to be applied in the effective biofortification of garlic in a sustainable agriculture system.

In the present study, we investigated the irrigation of L. angustifolia plants and drying temperatures on the yield of dry leaves and lavender essential oil. Plants were irrigated using an on-surface system with drip lines. Plants without additional irrigation were the control object. Each dose of water consisted of 15 mm. The total amount of water used for irrigation in 2016 and 2017 was 90 L·m−2. The plant raw material was dried using two methods: in natural conditions and convectively. Natural drying was performed in a shaded room at a temperature of 20–22 °C for five days. The convective drying process was carried out in a drying oven in a stream of air at 35 °C, flowing parallel to the layer being dried at 0.5 m·s−1. Under the influence of irrigation, there was an increase in the yield of fresh and airdried leaves and a higher content of essential oil (EO) than in the cultivation without irrigation. The EO obtained from irrigated plants was characterized by higher contents of caryophyllene oxide (9.08%), linalool (7.87%), and β-caryophyllene (4.58%). In nonirrigated crops, α-muurolol (19.67%), linalyl acetate (15.76%), borneol (13.90%), γ-cadinene (8.66%), camphor (2.55%) had a higher percentage in the EO. After drying under natural conditions, the airdried herb yield and leaf yield of lavender were higher by 25% and 17%, respectively, as compared to the raw material dried at 30 °C. Higher drying temperatures (30 °C) increased the EO by 18% on average and total phenolic acid (TPA) by 50%. The plant material dried at 30 °C, with a larger amount of TPA, showed higher antioxidant activity (AA) in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) tests. Linalyl acetate (15.76%) and linalool (7.87%) were predominant in the EO extracted from the oven-dried herb. Drying under natural conditions resulted in a decreased content of linalyl acetate (0.89%), β-caryophyllene (0.11%), linalool (1.17%), and camphor (1.80%) in comparison with thermal drying. Linalool, linalyl acetate, and β-caryophyllene had a higher percentage in the EO extracted from the raw material obtained from irrigated and oven-dried plants, whereas camphor was found to have a larger percentage in the case of the EO from nonirrigated plants. Our study reveals that there are prospects for the practical use of irrigation in lavender cultivation and of the raw material preservation method in order to modify the EO content and chemical composition.

The cultivation of catch crops left on the surface of the field in the form of mulch promotes sustainable farming practices, while protecting the biodiversity of agricultural landscape. The paper presents results of research from 2013–2016, aimed at determining the usefulness of catch crops of millet, buckwheat, white mustard, bird’s-foot and Egyptian clover for soil mulching in winter garlic cultivation. The effect of soil litter on the amount of garlic crop in cultivation for bunch harvest and nutritional value determined by chemical composition of edible parts was determined. In the edible part of garlic, the content of dry matter, total and reducing sugars, L-ascorbic acid, total ash, crude fiber, phenolic acids and essential oil was evaluated. The control consisted of plots without mulch plants. In the cultivation of garlic under organic mulch, there was no decrease in commercial yield and no negative competitive effect on yielding. Garlic plants cultivated with mulch plants were characterized by increased height and developed more leaves. The catch crops used in the form of mulch did not affect the dry matter and total ash content in garlic bulbs. In the cultivation with plant litter, the concentration of phenolic acids and essential oil in the leaves was higher and the content of crude fiber was lower, compared to the cultivation without litter. Biomass from catch crops from clover and mustard increased the content of L-ascorbic acid, at the same time reducing the content of total and reducing sugars in the edible part of garlic, except for mulch plants of the bean family. The chemical composition of garlic was affected by different thermal and precipitation conditions in the years of research. In 2016, the year with the highest total rainfall, plants accumulated more dry matter, L-ascorbic acid as well as total and reducing sugars than in 2014 and 2015, years with less rainfall. Our research indicates that there are prospects for practical application of catch crops in the form of mulch for garlic cultivation to enhance the level of nutrients, without compromising the yield.

An oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm) is a cultivated species of mushrooms characterizing with unique culinary and medicinal properties. Its’ nutritional value comes from proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids, vitamins and mineral nutrients present in their fruitbodies. Because of a high content of fiber (mainly chitin) and low content of fat, they are a valuable element of an atherosclerosis diet. The fruitbodies of oyster mushrooms are an important source of biologically active substances, specific polysaccharides and polyphenols, which influence a human immune system, so that it fights against cancer cells. ß-D-glucans have an advantageous effect on digestive system, lower blood cholesterol and triglycerides level, decrease the risk of ischaemic heart disease. Active substances present in the mushrooms have antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties. Numerous scientific studies prove high efficiency of the therapy with the use of preparations and extracts from Pleurotus ostreatus mycelia, both in prophylaxis and cure of civilization diseases, atherosclerosis and cancer.

Globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Fiori) is an edible herbaceous perennial plant that plays an important economic role in Mediterranean agriculture. In recent years, extensive research, which aimed to characterize the phenolic profile of the most important globe artichoke cultivars in Italy, has been conducted. However, very little information is available on the phenolic composition of cultivars traditionally grown in Spain. In this work, six cultivars (‘Opal’, ‘Symphony’, ‘Concerto’, ‘Madrigal’, ‘Blanca de Tudela’ and ‘A-106’) cultured in Spain were characterized according to their phenolic content. The phenolic profile differed between cultivars, and also between flower parts. The major phenolic compound in all the different cultivars was chlorogenic acid. Of the six studied cultivars, ‘Madrigal’ had the highest phenolic content.

The cultivation system with cover crops as living mulches is growing in importance in the worldwide agriculture as it combines an economical effect with pro-ecological and soil protecting activities. The plant species tested in the research were not frost resistant: buckwheat, millet, white mustard and berseem clover. A control were the plots without cover crops. The intercrops were sown in the first decade of August, in autumn a grown biomass was a living mulch, and after being damaged by frost in spring, the mulch was covering ground surface. Winter garlic bulbs were planted in grown biomass of cover plants, in the first decade of September. In the first decade of November and in the first decade of April, the selected soil parameters were determined in the soil layer of 0–10 cm: actual soil moisture (%), soil bulk density (Mg · m–3), total porosity (%) and water stability of soil aggregates (%). The harvest of garlic was conducted in the first decade of July. Cover crops mulches had an influence on soil physical properties. In spring, the soil from plots with cover crops mulching characterized with the highest moisture, higher total porosity and soil aggregates stability as well as lower soil bulk density. In comparison to the control cultivation of winter garlic, without cover crops, the effect of plants used for mulching on marketable yield was not observed. Garlic plants intercropped with the white mustard mulch formed leaves and bulbs of higher weight in comparison to cultivation without cover crops.

The influence of leaf blanching with black polyethylene non-woven (PP) or white and black polypropylene foil (PE) used as soil mulching and blanching of leaves on yield, usefulness and biological value of cardoon leaf petioles were evaluated in the presented work. The effect of blanching duration of petioles (30, 25 and 10 days before leaves’ harvest) on the content of bioactive compounds was also estimated. The aim of the research was to evaluate the total yield of leaves, yield structure, dry weight, content of crude fibre, total sugars, L-ascorbic acid, chlorophyll, phenolic acids in conversion to caffeic acid, total flavonoides and DPPH activity in leaf petioles depending on the method and duration of leaves blanching. The content of apigenin, chlorogenic acid and cynarin in leaf petioles were marked with HPLC. Petioles of non blanched plants showed more dry weight and contained more L-ascorbic acid, chlorphyll, total phenolic acids and flavonoides than the uncovered ones. As a tendency it was observed that together with lengthening the blanching time from 10 to 30 days before harvest, the level of dry weight, crude fibre, total sugars, L-ascorbic acid and chlorophyll decreased. A reverse relationship was observed related to the blanching duration, as extending the time from 10 to 30 days before harvest, the content of total phenolic acids increased from 0.144 to 0.155% of fresh weight, while the content of flavonoides decreased from 0.662 to 0.352% of fresh weight. Lengthening blanching from 10 to 30 days before harvest of leaves decreased the content of apigenin and cynarin in petioles while increased the content of chlorogenic acid. The antioxidant activity DPPH did not depend on the method and duration of blanching. Unusual nutritional and medicinal benefits of cardoon petioles come from its rich and valuable chemical composition.

Artichoke is valued as a vegetable and medicinal plant. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of irrigation and leaf harvest date of artichoke grown in southeastern Poland on total yield and marketable fresh leaf yield, its structure and the content of biologically active substances: total phenolic acids, flavonoids and tannins. Irrigation contributed to an increase in fresh leaf yield, percentage of marketable yield in total yield, as well as the increase in tannin content, decrease in total phenolic acid content, and no effect on the change in total flavonoid content. The plant material harvested in September was characterized by a higher content of phenolic acids and a lower content of flavonoids compared to the raw material obtained in October.

The study was carried out in the years 2001-2002 in the Felin Research Center in Lublin. The differences in growth dynamics and morphology of flowering shoots were investigated with regards to a method of cultivation of artichoke. In the year 2001 flowering shoots and flowers occurred the earliest in the year 2001 on artichoke plants cultivated from crowns. In the year 2002 plants cultivated from crowns and transplants produced flowering shoots in the same time. Artichoke plants cultivated from transplants produced flowers earlier than those obtained from crowns. Plants grown from seeds sown in the ground did not produce flowering shoots. They remained as leaves through the whole vegetation period. Definitely more anthodiums produced plants those cultivated from crowns in comparison with obtained from transplants and seeds. Anthodiums which developed on shoots of plants cultivated from transplants and cuttings characterized bigger average height and diameter than anthodiums of plants cultivated from crowns. Artichoke plants differed in the number of leaves. More leaves of smaller length produced plants cultivated from transplants than plants obtained from cuttings and crowns.

Capsaicinoids are secondary metabolites characteristic of plants of the genus Capsicum and are only found in the pepper fruit. Their biosynthesis occurs mainly in the placental cells as well as in the interlocular septa of the fruit. In the present study, the con-tent of capsaicinoids (capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin) was determined by HPLC in two hot pepper cultivars (‘Orkan’ and ‘Bronowicka Ostra’), identifying the percentage of these compounds in the whole fruit and in the following fruit parts: placenta, seeds, pericarp, and pedicle. Significantly more capsaicinoids were found in ‘Bronowicka Ostra’ peppers (262 mg∙kg-1) compared to ‘Orkan’ peppers (175 mg∙kg-1). The highest capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin content was found in the placenta (401 mg∙kg-1). The capsaicin content in the whole fruit and its parts is on average more than 10 times higher in relation to the dihydrocapsaicin content. Fruit harvest time contributes to the differences in the cap-saicinoid content in the individual fruit parts. A higher capsaicin content was shown in the pericarp and seeds, while the dihydrocapsaicin content was higher in the pedicle of peppers harvested at the later date.

Badania przeprowadzono w 2006 roku. Liście roślin z rodzaju Brugmansia oraz liście bielunia indiańskiego odmiany ‘Indianka’ pozyskano do oceny chemicznej z doświadczenia polowego, w którym oceniano ich walory dekoracyjne. Obiektem badań było 6 różnych roślin z rodzaju Brugmansia. Badane rośliny ozdobne z rodzaju Brugmansia różniły się istotnie pod względem zawartości w liściach ocenianych składników chemicznych. Istotnie największą zawartość kwasów fenolowych ogółem (średnio 0,10%) oraz alkaloidów tropanowych w przeliczeniu na hioscyjaminę (średnio 0,18%) oznaczono w powietrznie suchych liściach roślin obiektu ‘D’ – o żółtych i pełnych kwiatach. Stosunkowo dużą zawartość garbników wykazano w liściach obiektów: ‘F’ – o bardzo dużych kwiatach żółtych (średnio 4,5%), ‘E’ – o bardzo dużych kwiatach różowych (4,4%) oraz ‘C’ – o pełnych kwiatach białych (4,3%). Liście bielunia indiańskiego odmiany ‘Indianka’ okazały się zdecydowanie bardziej zasobne w kwasy fenolowe ogółem (średnio 0,15%), garbniki (średnio 5,3%), a także alkaloidy tropanowe w przeliczeniu na hioscyjaminę (średnio 0,29%). Nieznacznie większą zawartość wymienionych składników chemicznych oznaczono w liściach roślin Brugmansia oraz Datura innoxia zebranych w 3. dekadzie września aniżeli w liściach zebranych w 3. dekadzie sierpnia. Z uwagi na obecność alkaloidów tropanowych w roślinach rodzaju Brugmansia zasadna jest ostrożność w eksponowaniu tych roślin w ogrodach przydomowych, na tarasach oraz w miejscach ogólnie dostępnych.

Qualitative and quantitative composition of the essential oil is subject to different types of variability. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of irrigation and harvest date on the content and composition of essential oil distilled from leaves, petioles and leaf blades of Apium graveolens L. var. secalinum Alef. Drip irrigation was carried out twice in the third 10 days of July and twice in the third 10 days of August. A single dose of water was 20 mm. The raw material was harvested on September 7 and October 17, thus collecting leaves after 120 and 161 days of plant growth, respectively. Irrigation increased the concentration of volatile substances in leaf blades (0.68%) and decreased the content of these components in petioles (0.24%). Celery leaves harvested in October contained significantly less essential oil (0.34%) compared to those collected in the first 10 days of September (0.53%). Monoterpenes proved to be the main fraction in the essential oil of leaf celery, limonene and myrcene being predominant among them. Most limonene (75.77%) was found in petioles of irrigated plants. Leaves of irrigated plants contained more limonene and less myrcene compared to leaves of non-irrigated plants. More myrcene and less limonene were determined in leaves harvested in September than in those harvested in October.

A two years’ field study was conducted to compare the influence of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), white clover (Trifolium repens L.), perennial ryegrass + white clover mixture and mowed weeds used as living mulches with the influence of linuron 675 g·ha-1 on weed infestation and yield of carrot (Daucus carota L.) ‘Flakkese 2’ under ridge cultivation. Living mulches did not affect growth of weeds during first five weeks after carrot sowing and they reduced weed infestation significantly at the end of vegetation period. Living mulches and mowed weeds caused decrease of total and marketable yield of carrot roots and in a less degree also decrease of carrot leaves fresh weight. Share of roots damaged by insects and snails and with disease symptoms in nonmarketable yields harvested on plots covered with living mulches and mowed weeds was smaller and share of bifurcated roots and roots with diameter < 20 mm was bigger than that on plots sprayed with linuron 675 g·ha-1. Mowed weeds were less useful as a living mulch under carrot ridge cultivation than perennial ryegrass, white clover and perennial ryegrass – white clover mixture.

The influence of vegetation period length of cardoon plants (Cynara cardunculus L.) on herb yield and its pharmacological value conditioned by chemical contents in air dried herb was examined in the research. The research conducted in the years 2009–2011 included valuation of total phenolic acids as equivalent to caffeic acid, flavonoids and tannins content in plants during their vegetative growth. The effect of the vegetation period length on cardoon plants yield was observed. The content of polyphenolic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic and cynarine) was marked with a performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).The contents of biologically active compounds depended on plants age – the most phenolic acids were noted in herb harvested from plants 120-days and 150-days old (1.86–2.58%). Herb obtained from plants of different age contained from 0.38 to 0.43% flavonoids. More tannins were accumulated in young cardoon plants after 90–120 days of cultivation (3.72–3.43%) in comparison to plants 150-days old (3.25%). The content of caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid and cynarin in cardoon herb depended on length of vegetation period of plants. The content of phenolic acids in leaves increased with time. Values of correlation coefficients indicate significant correlation of total phenolic acids and tannins content in cardoon herb. The higher content of total phenolic acids the lower content of tannins (R = -0.88). Strong correlation was noted between the content of total phenolic acids and the content of chlorogenic acid (R = 0.67) and caffeic acid (R = 0.78). On the basis of the results of the presented work it could be stated that cardoon leaves are a valuable material for herb industry.

Consumer attractiveness and the usefulness for food processing of sweet pepper are determined by fruits quality values. The large weight, thick pericarp and intensive color at physiological ripeness as well as the share of pericarp to the fruit weight are most important. Such sweet pepper cultivars are now available in Poland. These cultivars are adopted to growing in less favourable environmental conditions and they reveal high stability. The aim of this study was evaluate the open field yielding and comparing the utility and biological value of fruits of seven sweet pepper cultivars adapted to growing under less favorable environmental conditions in terms of the fresh vegetables market usefulness for consumption and processing. The highest average marketable yield of fruits was achieved from ‘Caryca F1’ cv., which was larger in comparison to the yield of ‘Roberta F1’ and ‘Jova’ cvs. The yield of remaining cultivars was not significantly different from ‘Caryca F1’cv. Evaluated cultivars showed a great diversity in terms of their utility and biological value of fruits. The ‘Mino’ cv. was distinguished by the largest weight fruits while ‘Jova’ cv. by thick pericarp. The great weight of fruit, pericarp thickness and the great weight of edible parts of fruits was shown by ‘Caryca F1’ cv., while in a view of the assessed parameters of biological value the most L-ascorbic acid were contained ‘Roberta F1’, ‘Robertina’, ‘Corrida F1’ cv. fruits and the extract ‘Roberta F1’ cv. fruits.

The improvement in zucchini growth in climatic conditions of Poland can be achieved by drip irrigation of plants. The effect of drip irrigation on zucchini plants of ‘Soraya’ variety during different growth phases on size of fruits and content of L-ascorbic acid, nitrates (V) and carotenoids was estimated. In the research plants were irrigated according to different variants: irrigated during a whole cultivation, irrigated during vegetative growth till fruit sets forming and not irrigated during yielding, not irrigated during vegetative growth till fruit sets forming and irrigated during yielding, not irrigated at all (water in soil came only from precipitation). Irrigation during whole cultivation period and during intensive vegetative growth phase increased yield. Regardless the irrigation method significant values of correlation coefficient for these features were noted. The chemical analysis of zucchini fruits composition showed differentiation of marked elements depending on irrigation method used. The highest content of L-ascorbic acid was in fruits harvested from plants that were not irrigated. Establishment of optimal aquaticair conditions through improvement in soil humidity during a whole cultivation period of zucchini plants increased content of nitrates in zucchini fruits and decreased carotenes content.

The present study investigated different methods of propagation of the rhubarb cultivar ‘Karpow Lipskiego’: vegetatively from tissue cultures and by division of the mother plant as well as generatively from seed. The study also evaluated the usefulness of propagation material for establishing a rhubarb plantation. To produce in vitro plantlets, shoots were placed on modified Murashige and Skoog medium containing different cytokinins: benzyladenine (BA – 4.4, 11.1, 22.2 μmol·dm-3), kinetin (4.7, 11.6, 23.3 μmol·dm-3), isopentenyl adenine (2iP – 4.9, 12.3, 24.4 μmol·dm-3) as well as on control medium without growth regulators. Cuttings were obtained by division of crowns, while seedlings from seeds. In the period 2004–2006, vegetatively and generatively propagated plants were grown in a nursery. The obtained propagation material was used to establish a rhubarb plantation. Yield of field-grown plants was evaluated in the years 2007–2009. In the first year of cultivation in the nursery, plants propagated in vitro in the medium with the addition of kinetin at a concentration of 11.6 μmol dm-3 or 2iP at 12.3 μmol dm-3 developed crowns with the highest average weight of 1.48 and 1.05 kg, respectively. In the second year of cultivation in the nursery in the treatment with grown regulators applied, the average rhubarb crown weight ranged from 2.51 to 3.33 kg, while for the control treatment it was 1.78 kg. To characterize the population of in vitro plants, they were compared with plants obtained by division of the mother plant and from seeds. Plants propagated vegetatively from in vitro plantlets produced crowns with the highest average weight (0.83 kg), followed by those obtained from division of mother plants (0.79 kg), while plants produced from seeds had crowns with a much lower average weight (0.54 kg). In the second year of cultivation in the nursery, vegetatively and generatively propagated plants were characterized by a similar size and greater uniformity than in the first year. In the first year of planting (2007), petiole yield obtained from micropropagated plants was higher by 0.7 kg·plant-1 compared to generatively propagated plants, whereas in the second year of cultivation this difference was smaller and amounted to 0.6 kg· plant-1. In the third year of the plantation, plant productivity was more equal. During the study years, by far fewer leaves were harvested from generatively propagated plants compared to plants propagated vegetatively. In the second and third year of the plantation, intensive plant growth was observed; in effect, there were no significant relationships between petiole length and width and propagation method. The cultivation of vegetatively propagated plants gave the best effects in productivity; the average petiole yield was higher by 13.3 t·ha-1 in the case of micropropagation and by 16.0 t·ha-1 in the case of division of the mother plant compared to the yield obtained from rhubarb cultivation from seeds. Early yield at a level of 11.2 t·ha-1 was obtained from tissue cultured plants and its proportion accounted for 25% of total petiole yield.

An artichoke is a commonly cultivated vegetable in the Mediterranean region. It is cultivated for an immature flower head. In Poland the artichoke is cultivated as an annual plant because of its high temperature demands. It is difficult to determine the most optimal harvest stage and the most often it is based on expensive chemical analysis. In the years 2007–2009 there was a research undertaken to specify the most optimal harvest stage of flower heads. In order to determine a development stage of head the height of flower bud in the middle part of the receptacle was measured directly after harvest. The unit weight of each head, the level of bracts deflection, content of dry weight, L-ascorbic acid, raw protein, raw fibre and total sugars in whole heads and their fractions: receptacle and bracts were determined. On the basis of obtained results it was stated that the size of flower buds on an inflorescence axis is a sign of full synchronization of head development and changing environmental conditions during artichoke vegetation. The edible part of artichoke, a receptacle, had more dry weight, total sugars, L-ascorbic acid and raw protein and less raw fibre in comparison to inner bracts. The increase of flower buds height on receptacle was accompanied with the increase of dry weight, raw fibre and total sugars content in heads and its fractions. The longer flower buds in the middle part of inflorescence the lower content of total protein in whole heads and bracts and the higher content of this component in receptacle. It was stated that the size of flower buds was negatively correlated with content of L-ascorbic acid as with the increase of flower buds height in receptacle the content of L-ascorbic acid in whole heads and it’s fractions decreased. The obtained results show that the level of bracts deflection may the selection indicator to determine harvest maturity. This feature of artichoke head allows to visually determine its harvest usability. Receptacles of Symphony content more dry matter, total protein and less total sugars than those of Madrigal. Intermediate values were found in Symphony and Madrigal for L-ascorbic acid and crude fibre.

The influence of four cytokinins: BA (4.4, 11.1, 22.2 μmol·dm-3), kinetin (4.7, 11.6, 23.3 μmol·dm-3), 2iP (4.9, 12.3, 24.6 μmol·dm-3), TDZ (4.5, 11.4, 22.7 μmol·dm-3) on shoot multiplication of Rheum rhaponticum ‘Karpow Lipskiego’ on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium was studied. The shoots used in the experiment were obtained from aseptically grown shoot clusters. Rooted shoots (except treatment with TDZ) after acclimatization were transplanted to pots into a peat substrate where they were grown for 4 weeks. Plants were then cultivated in the field for 8 months. During in vitro studies the cytokinins promoted the development of leaves as well as the formation of new shoots. The highest average number of axillary shoots was found on the medium with BA 11.1–22.2 μmol·dm-3. The use of kinetin (4.7–11.6 μmol·dm-3) or 2iP 12.3 μmol·dm-3 stimulated strong growth of shoots expressed in their length and size of the leaf blade. All TDZ concentrations caused a significant inhibition of shoot elongation. BA and TDZ had a harmful effect on the rooting of multishoots. On the control medium (hormone-free) and on the media containing kinetin or 2iP, 100% of shoots produced roots. After a period of 8 months, following overwintering and start of vegetation growth, the plant survival rate was 80–100%. It was found that 2iP 12.3 μmol·dm-3 had the highest after effect on plant growth. The plants derived from this medium had uniform and compact growth and they developed more leaves in the rosette with significantly larger laminae as well as longer and thicker petioles, than plants obtained from others used media.

A diversity of active substances that are in the artichoke plants includes it into the group of medicinal plants of broad-spectrum performance. The research conducted in the years 2006–2008 included valuation of poliphenolic compounds content in different parts of artichoke plants during vegetative and generative growth (roots, petioles, leaves, immature and flower at beginning of flowering). The total content of poliphenolic compounds in the reduction on caffeic acid was marked in dried herb with the spectrophotometrical method with the Arnova reagent. The content of poliphenolic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic, ferulic and cynarine) was marked with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The undertaken studies show that there are significant differences with respect to the content of poliphenolic compounds in different parts of artichoke plants. Definitely more total phenolic acids were accumulated in leaves during the vegetative growth (3.167% on average) and in young, immature buds during generative growth (3.730% on average). The chlorogenic acid and cynarine were the main compounds among poliphenolic acids. The content of poliphenolic acids was decreasing with age of plants as young immature artichoke buds had more chlorogenic acid and cynarine than mature heads at the beginning of flowering. The content of caffeic and ferulic acids in the artichoke herb depended on the growth phase of plants. Plants accumulated more caffeic acid in leaves during vegetative growth and ferulic acid in buds during generative growth.

Hamburg parsley is a vegetable that can overwinter in the field. One of the factors influencing surviving winter by plants is the selection of cultivar. In the experiment the relationship between winter hardiness of plants and the changes taking place in the structure of the yield obtained in spring was examined, in comparison to the crop harvested before winter, and Hamburg parsley cultivar. From among the plants of examined cultivars the winter conditions were best survived by ‘Bubka’, ‘Ołomuńcka’ and ‘Vistula’. The yield harvested in spring, as compared to that obtained in autumn, did not depend of the plants’ winter hardiness. Postponing the harvest term to spring decreased the quantities of obtained yields. From among the examined cultivars, only ‘Vistula’, ‘Eagle’ and ‘Ołomuńcka’ plants formed larger marketable yields of roots in spring. In the yield collected in spring there were more I class marketable roots (Ø 30–60 mm), and less small ones (Ø < 20 mm). The participation of bifurcated and rotted roots was also greater. Overwintering of plants caused the decrease of leaf yield quantity, with simultaneous improvement of marketable quality.