Search

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.

Growing melon under temperate climate conditions is quite risky due to the high climatic requirements of this species. Vegetable growers use plastic film mulches to heat soil, to reduce weed infestation, and to maintain optimal soil moisture content. The aim of our study was to determine the suitability of white and black plastic film for soil mulching in melon cultivation under temperate climate conditions. Plants of three Polish heterotic cultivars of melon (C. melo L. var. saccharinus Naud.): Emir F1, Junior F1, and Seledyn F1, as well as of the breeding line 61/2014 F1 were the subject of this study. Two soil mulching methods were applied: black polyethylene (PE) plastic film and white PE plastic film, using for this purpose double-sided whiteon-black PE plastic film. The use of black plastic contributed to a significant increase in marketable yield of melon fruits. The content of L-ascorbic acid and carotenoids in fruits of melon grown on white mulch proved to be higher than in those grown on black mulch. The Polish cultivars studied can be considered as tolerant to temperate climate conditions.

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.

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.

Summary. The paper presents the status of consumer legumes production in Poland with particular reference to beans based on GUS data and studies from 2004–2017. Total area of consumer legumes in Poland fluctuated significantly and amounted to 27.3 thousand ha in 2008 to 91.0 thousand ha in 2015. The share of bean cultivation in this period was on average the highest amounting to 43.5%, for consumer pea 39.8%, and the lowest for broad bean 4.9%. Total production of consumer leguminous seeds showed a wide variety – from 56.4 thousand t in 2008 to 180,000 tons in 2016, and since 2010, there has been a clear upward trend in the production volume. The production of consumer bean seeds has also increasing since 2010 – from 33.4 thousand t to 59.6 thousand t in 2016. Health-promoting properties of bean seeds result from high content of dietary fiber, starch, group B vitamins, mineral components – potassium, calcium and magnesium with alkaline-forming properties and polyphenol compounds (phenolic acids and flavonoids) showing, among others, antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-hepatotoxic, choleretic and antimutagenic properties.

Ostropest plamisty (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) jest obecnie jednym z ważniejszych gatunków roślin leczniczych uprawianym na plantacjach zielarskich. Surowcem zielarskim ostropestu jest owoc (Silybi mariani fructus) zawierający kompleks flawonolignanów określanych jako sylimaryna. Sylimaryna wykazuje działanie ochronne i regenerujące względem uszkodzonych komórek wątroby. Działanie ochronne sylimaryny wiąże się z jej aktywnością antyoksydacyjną, przeciwzapalną, przeciwwirusową, a także odtruwającą. Związek ten wpływa również na syntezę RNA i DNA. Sylimaryna jest obecnie szeroko stosowana jako środek terapeutyczny w leczeniu wielu ostrych i przewlekłych chorób wątroby. Ostatnie badania dowodzą, że sylimaryna jest skutecznym lekiem przeciwwirusowym w przypadku wirusa zapalenia wątroby typu C (HCV). Wskazywana jest także jako obiecujący środek przeciwnowotworowy, przeciwcukrzycowy i nefroochronny. W lecznictwie i kosmetologii zastosowanie ma także olej z nasion ostropestu, bogaty w cenne kwasy tłuszczowe, fosfolipidy i witaminę E.

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 aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of mycorrhizal fungi (MF) and irrigation on biological properties of sweet pepper rhizosphere in organic field cultivation. For this purpose, MF were applied to plants in the form of commercial mycorrhizal inoculum (Rhizophagus aggregatus, R. intraradices, Claroideoglomus etunicatum, Endogone mosseae, Funneliformis caledonium, and Gigaspora margarita) and irrigation according to the combinations: mycorrhized plants (PM), mycorrhized and irrigated plants (PMI), and irrigated plants (PI). Plants without MF and irrigation served as the absolute control (P). The study used classic and molecular techniques, assessing catalase activity, biodiversity of soil microorganisms (soil DNA analysis), and the Community-Level Physiological Profiles (CLPP) analysis using Biolog EcoPlates. The highest catalase activity was recorded in the control and mycorrhized soil sample. The highest total number of bacteria was noted in the rhizosphere of control plants (P) and irrigated plants, while the lowest number in the rhizosphere of mycorrhized and irrigated plants. Plant irrigation contributed to the increase in the total number of fungi in the rhizosphere. The rhizospheric soil of PM and PMI were characterized by the highest utilization of amines, amides, and amino acids, whereas the lowest level of utilization was detected in the P and PI rhizospheres. The highest biodiversity and metabolic activity were observed in the rhizospheres from the PMI and PM samples, whereas lower catabolic activity were recorded in the P and PI rhizospheres. The mycorrhization of crops improved the biological properties of the rhizosphere, especially under conditions of drought stress.

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.

The pericarp of common bean Phaseoli Pericarpium syn. Fructus Phaseoli sine semine, is a medicinal raw material that has been long used in traditional folk medicine as an antidiabetic drug and now it is a pharmacopoeial material that belongs to one of the most frequently used plant raw materials that support treatment of diabetes. The aim of this study was to characterize the morphological characteristics of Phaseoli Pericarpium of over a dozen bean cultivars and to determine the content of phenolic compounds and the antioxidant properties of pericarp extracts. Bean pericarp used for phytochemical analysis came from field experiments conducted over the period 2010–2011. The experimental material consisted of white-flowered varieties of common bean – 5 cultivars and of runner bean – 6 cultivars. The bean pericarp, Phaseoli Pericarpium, was characterized by a high content of secondary metabolites: phenolic acids, flavonoids and tannins, whereas the pericarp extracts also exhibited antioxidant activity in scavenging DPPH. The pericarp of common bean was found to show high variation (V – 40.8%) in phenolic acid content, whereas the runner bean pericarp was characterized by high variation V (45.1%) in flavonoid content. Among the common bean cultivars studied, the pericarp of cv. ‘Laponia’ showed the greatest accumulation of biologically active substances – phenolic acids (CAE) – 0.18 mg·g–1 DM, flavonoids (QE) – 13.2 mg·100 g–1 DM, and tannins 3.43% DM. Likewise, the pericarp of the ‘Felicja’ runner bean cultivar stood out in terms of the accumulation of these compounds, as it contained the following amounts: phenolic acids – 0.33 mg·g–1 DM, flavonoids (QE) – 10.8 mg·100 g–1 DM, and tannins – 2.72% DM.

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.

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.

Hull-less seed squash (Cucurbita pepo subsp. pepo var. styriaca Greb.) has an increasing importance as a plant material to obtain valuable oil and seeds for direct consumption. Its seeds are an important source of organic and inorganic compounds. They have pro-health properties and they are used in treating a number of illnesses. The aim of studies conducted in 2014 was to estimate the species community of fungi occurring on the plants of three cultivars of hull-less seed squash grown in an ecological farm: ‘Junona’, ‘Miranda’ and ‘Gleisdorfer Ölkürbis’. The mycological analysis was made of the roots, stems and leaves (leaf blades together with petioles). The studies showed that fungi Alternaria alternata and Fusarium equiseti most abundantly colonized the leaves and stems of squash in the conditions of ecological cultivation. Species Fusarium oxysporum was most abundantly isolated from the squash roots. In the conditions facilitating their development, these fungi can become pathogenic factors to squash plants. Among the studied cultivars, the Polish cultivar ‘Miranda’ was most abundantly colonized by fungi from genus Fusarium, while species Alternaria alternata was most frequently isolated from the leaves of the German cultivar ‘Gleisdorfer Ölkürbis’.

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.

Sweet pepper is an important vegetable plant, not only because of its economic importance, but also for the nutritional value of its fruits, mainly due to the fact that they are an excellent source of natural colours, especially carotenoids, antioxidant compounds and sugars. Saccharides content in the pepper fruits is the most important component of sweet taste of these fruits. In the available literature there are not many information about the influence of biological preparations on the content of the biological compounds and nutritional value of sweet pepper fruits. The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of some biological preparations such as Bioczos Płynny (garlic pulp), Biosept 33 SL (grapefruit extract), Bio-algeen S90 Plus (sea algae Ascophyllum nodosum), Boni Protect Forte (fungi Aureobasidium pullulans), on the health status of pepper fruits and quantitative and qualitative composition of saccharides in the fruits of Roberta F1 cv. in 2010–2012. The effect of tested preparations on health state of fruits was presented as a proportion of the fruits number with diseases symptoms relative to the total number of fruits. In the present study fructose, glucose and sucrose content in sweet pepper fruits was evaluated. During the middle of the harvest period ripe, healthy and typical for cultivar fruits were collected for analysis. Sugars concentrations were determined in the water-soluble fraction, using high-performance liquid chromatography HPLC. The studies showed no significant effect of biological preparations on the average weight of the marketable fruits of sweet peppers. However tested preparations were a significant effect on the health state of pepper fruits. The smallest number of fruits with disease symptoms was obtained from plant protected with Bioczos Płynny. The protective use of biological preparations does not change significantly of saccharides content in sweet pepper fruits. However the results show that the treatment with biopreparation Boni Protect Forte resulted in a slight increase the content of glucose and fructose in pepper fruits, but the using of Bioczos Płynny decreased the content of glucose and sucrose.

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.

Due to the unique taste features and pro-health values of fruits, hot pepper is cultivated in Poland on the commercial scale, most frequently with the use of single harvest which results in fruits at various maturity stage: green fruits, fruits turning colour and physiologically mature fruits (red). This paper, based on the results of 3-year experiments, evaluates utility and biological value of fruits of four Polish cvs.: ‘Bronowicka Ostra’, ‘Orkan’, ‘Cyklon’ and ‘Rokita’. Agricultural study was conducted for three years, during the period 2009–2011. Fruits of various maturity stage consisted of the marketable yield of the and hot pepper from a single harvest. The evaluated cultivars differed in utility and biological value of fruits, quantity and fruit yield structure. The greatest yield was obtained from ‘Orkan’ and ‘Rokita’ cvs. (2.17 kg·m-2 ), yet the greatest yield of physiologically mature fruits (1.16 kg·m-2) from ‘Bronowicka Ostra’ cv. whose share in marketable yield was 65.0%. Biological value of fruits depended on maturity stage and cultivar genotype. Physiologically mature fruits contained most dry mass (13.18%), soluble solids (4.4%), L-ascorbic acid (199.9 mg·100 g-1 f.m.), total sugars (2.92%). Yet more capsaicinoids were proved in green fruits and fruits turning colour. Least dry mass (%) and total sugars (%) were noted in ‘Orkan’ cv., whereas least L-ascorbic acid in ‘Bronowicka Ostra’ cv., in which fruits at every stage of maturity accumulated most capsaicinoids.

Broad bean seeds, with a high nutritional value at green maturity stage, are used for direct human consumption and in food processing. However broad bean green seeds had as a very shortly time to use because the green seeds very quickly lost the white-green fresh colour. The aim of the study was to evaluate the content of biologically active substances in fresh broad bean seeds immediately after the harvest and seeds from pods stored for a week under low temperature conditions. Experimental material consisted of fresh, green broad bean seeds of Bachus, Basta, R-366/1, Bolero, Jankiel Biały, and Windsor Biały cultivars. Broad bean seeds were sown in the second decade of April at 60 × 10 cm spacing, 100 seeds per plot of 6.0 m2 area. Broad bean pods were harvested once at the stage of technological maturity of seeds in the second and third decade of July. Marketable seed samples of 500 g were collected for laboratory tests. At the same time, immediately after the harvest, samples of 2 kg marketable broad bean pods of each cultivar were collected and storage within 7 days at 1–4°C. The contents of L-ascorbic acid, chlorophyll (a + b), flavonoids (QE), free phenolic acids sum (CAE), and dry matter were determined in broad bean seeds directly after the harvest as well as in the seeds from the pods stored for 7 days. In the results of the investigation indicate that green faba bean seeds from the storage pods had a good white-green colour and marketable quality, however the seeds had the significantly lowest content of L-ascorbic acid and chlorophyll (a + b). The content of selected biologically active substances in the seeds after storage in the pods indicates a significant difference in dependence on cultivar.

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 pharmacological and culinary usefulness of hot pepper fruits is determined, among others, by the content of capsaicinoids that give hot peppers a pungent burning taste. The content of these compounds in hot pepper is primarily determined by the genetic traits of a cultivar and is modified by various factors: weather conditions during the growing season, fertilization, harvest time, and fruit maturity stage. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of fruit maturity stage: green fruits, fruits turning colour as well as physiologically mature fruits (red), and fruit harvest date: the first and third decade of September, on the content of capsaicinoids in four hot pepper cultivars: ‘Cyklon’, ‘Orkan’, ‘Rokita’, and ‘Bronowicka Ostra’. In this study, which was carried out in 2005 and 2006, the content of capsaicinoids (capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin) was measured by HPLC. The highest amount of capsaicinoids was obtained in the fruits of hot pepper that were harvested at the initial stage of maturity – in green fruits (on average 309 mg·kg-1), compared to fruits turning red (258) and red fruits (250 mg·kg-1). Peppers selected in the third decade of September contained more capsaicinoids (on average 301 mg·kg-1) than those harvested in the first decade of this month (243 mg·kg-1). Fruits of the evaluated cultivars differed in capsaicinoids content; on average it ranged from 212 (‘Cyklon’) to 326 mg·kg-1 (‘Bronowicka Ostra’). In fruits of all the quantitative ratio of capsaicin to dihydrocapsaicin was at a similar level, ranging between 11.9 and 12.9. The capsaicinoids content in fruits of the investigated cultivars differed between years 2005 (302) and 2006 (243 mg·kg-1).

The eggplant is a valuable plant mainly grown in a greenhouse and under the foil. Nowadays we have still too little informations about nutritional and fertilization need of that plant. Experiments involving eggplant of Epic F1 cv. were carried out in 2004–2005 in unheated foil tunnel; the aim focused on evaluating the influence of pruning methods using plants treated with nitrogen in form of N-NH4, N-NO3, NH2 applied at various rates. Achieved results revealed significantly influence of nitrogen forms on total nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium, while no influence on potassium and magnesium contents in eggplant leaves. Instead, increasing nitrogen doses significantly elevated the nitrogen, phosphorus, and magnesium concentrations in plants. Improved light conditions within a plant profile due to cutting had positive effects on phosphorus and calcium contents in leaves as compared to plants pruned in their natural form. Considerable decrease of the subsoil pH value was recorded after applying the increasing rates of nitrogen fertilizers in a form of ammonium sulfate. Following levels of eggplant nutrition at full ripeness were considered as optimum: 0.28% to 0.45% N-NO3 and 3.70 to 4.00% N-tot. in leaves, as well as 250 to 350 mg N-NH4+N-NO3·dm-3 in subsoil.

Due to strong eggplant growth and the formation of large vegetative weight quantities in growing under glass and foil it was deemed useful to conduct studies on the effect of pruning intensity on yielding of this vegetable in rooms. The aim of the foregoing studies was to demonstrate the effect of plant pruning and topping manner on yield quantity and earliness. The experiment was conducted in the years 2001–2003. The study objects were the plants of ‘Epic F1’ cultivar. Eggplant was grown in rigid foil cylinders of the capacity of 10 dm3 in the peat substrates. The plants were trimmed, managing for one, two, three, four, five, six guiding shoots and in the natural form, without trimming. Topping cut was performed in each combination after the first fruit harvest. The experiment was established and conducted as a two-factor one, in accordance with a complete randomization system: A – pruning method (a = 7), B – topped and non-topped plants (b = 2). Each combination of the examined factors was represented by 20 plants (experimental units). A significant effect of pruning intensity on the quantity and earliness yielding was demonstrated. The highest marketable fruit yield was obtained from plants managed for two (3.82 kg.m-2), three (3.98 kg.m-2), and four (3.87 kg.m-2) guiding shoots. Managing for one guiding shoot significantly decreased the total and marketable fruit number. The highest early yield was collected from plants managed for one and two guiding shoots. A single topping cut performed after the first fruit harvest did not affect marketable yield and marketable fruit number.

Badania przeprowadzono w latach 1998-2000 w nieogrzewanym tunelu foliowym. Celem badań było określenie wpływu cięcia ogławiającego roślin przeprowadzonego w pełni okresu wegetacji na wielkość i jakość plonu handlowego trzech odmian oberżyny (Solanum melongena L.) - "Black Beauty", "Solara F 1" i "Epic F 1". W przeprowadzonych badaniach nie wykazano istotnego wpływu zastosowanego zabiegu na wielkość średniego plonu handlowego oraz średnią liczbę owoców zebranych w plonie handlowym oberżyny. Nie stwierdzono, by cięcie ogławiające roślin oddziaływało korzystnie na średnią masę owocu handlowego oberżyny. Otrzymane wyniki wskazują, że wielkość owoców, tj. ich długość i średnica, zależne było w większym stopniu od cech odmianowych oberżyny i przebiegu pogody, aniżeli zastosowanego zabiegu ogławiania roślin.