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Mint is one of the most valuable herbs, and has multiple benefits and uses. The effect of cultivation methods on the biometric parameters of mint plants was determined by comparing a hydroponic system involving moveable flood tables with plastic covers and a raised-bed growing system in an open field. The morphometric parameters of mint plants may vary depending on species and cultivation method. An interaction between both factors was observed for plant height, leaf length, leaf width, and the number of leaves. Spearmint and apple mint grown under field conditions were characterized by higher average values of plant height and width and a higher number of branches than hydroponically grown plants. In the hydroponic system, the number of branched stems decreased by up to 80% with increased plant height. Leaf width was correlated with the total number of leaves. An increase in the number of leaves per plant induced a decrease in leaf width (up to 61%). Field-grown mint is usually characterized by higher marketable and total yields than hydroponically grown mint. However, the marketable yield of apple mint was approximately 50% higher in the hydroponic system than in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selected geometric properties of cauliflower heads cv. Gohan F1 were analyzed by building numerical models with the use of a 3D scanner. Geometric models of cauliflower heads were developed in ScanStudio HD PRO, FreeCAD, and MeshLab programs. Five geometric models describing the shape of cauliflower heads were generated with the use basic geometric figures and drawing tools in FreeCAD. The geometry of numerical models and geometric models was compared in GOM Inspect. The surface area, volume, and detailed geometric dimensions of the developed models were determined. The deviations in cauliflower dimensions calculated by geometric models were mapped. The surface area, volume, and geometric dimensions of cauliflower heads were most accurately represented by the model generated with the Quadric Edge Collapse Decimation (QECD) function. In this model, the relative error of surface area measurements did not exceed 5%, and the relative error of volume measurements did not exceed 4%. This model was also characterized by the smallest average maximum deviation (+) and the smallest average minimum deviation (-) which was estimated at 8%. The proposed geometric model can be used for research and design purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research hypothesis postulates that mycorrhizal fungal strains can increase the content of phosphorus (P) and selected micronutrients in tomato fruit. The aim of this study was to determine the suitability of three tomato cultivars for growing in a heated plastic tunnel, and to evaluate the influence of fungal strains applied to the rhizosphere of tomato plants on the concentrations of selected minerals, in particular P, iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), in the fruit. A two-factorial experiment was conducted in 2015-2016. Tomatoes were grown in coco coir in a heated plastic tunnel in the Experimental Garden of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. The first experimental factor were three tomato cultivars, 'Growdena F1', 'Listell F1' and 'Torero F1', suitable for growing in a controlled environment. The second experimental factor was growing tomatoes in coco coir mats with and without fungal strains: control treatment (without fungal strains), growth medium inoculated with fungi of the genus Glomus, growth medium inoculated with a combination of fungi of the genus Trichoderma. The experiment had a s split-block design, with 10 plants per replicate in each treatment. In order to determine the mineral content of tomato fruit, plant material was dried at a temperature of 65°C and ground in an electric mill. The samples were analyzed in the Chemical and Agricultural Research Laboratory in Olsztyn to determine their content of P, Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn. The analyzed fungal strains did contribute to a significant increase in P concentrations in tomato fruit, compared with the control treatment. Fungi of the genera Glomus and Trichoderma ssp. increased the Fe content of tomato fruit by 12.5% and 16.9%, respectively, compared with the control treatment, and Glomus fungi increased also Mn concentration in tomato fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]