<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Thirty one accessions of brinjal were assessed for heritability and genetic divergence for fourteen characters. Highly significant differences were observed among the accessions High phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation was observed for number of leaves per plant, leaf area index, number of fruits per plant, average fruit length, average fruit diameter, fruit yield per plant, fruit yield per plot, fruit yield per hectare. Almost all the characters exhibited high heritability except for plant height (51%) and moderate to low heritability was recorded for average fruit weight (24%). Highest genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for almost all the characters except for days to first flowering, days to first picking, plant height and average fruit weight recorded moderate to low genetic advance as per cent of mean. These thirty one accessions of brinjal were assessed for genetic diversity by adopting Mahalanobis (D2) statistics considering fourteen characters were grouped into 6 clusters. Multivariate analyses revealed maximum divergence among the clusters signifying their role in exploitation of heterosis.</abstract>

Studies on Heritability and Multivariate Analyses in Brinjal (<italic>Solanum Melongena</italic> L.)

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Alternaria black spot of cruciferous vegetables, incited by different species of <italic>Alternaria</italic>, remains an increasing threat to <italic>Brassicaceae</italic> crops throughout the world, including Poland. <italic>Brassica</italic> plants are attacked by conidia of <italic>A. brassicae</italic> (Berk.) Sacc., <italic>A. brassicicola</italic> (Schw.) Wiltsh., <italic>A. raphani</italic> Groves &amp; Skolko, and <italic>A. alternata</italic> (Fr.) Kreissler. The pathogens have a wide spectrum of hosts, such as head cabbage, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and other crucifers including cultivated and wild grown plants. <italic>Alternaria</italic> pathogens usually cause damping-off of seedlings, spotting of leaves of cabbages, blackleg of heads of cabbages, and spotting of cauliflower curds and broccoli florets. In oilseed rape, <italic>A. brassicae</italic> is the dominant invasive species, while in the cruciferous vegetables, both species, <italic>A. brassicae</italic>, and <italic>A. brassicicola</italic> are encountered. Infected seeds with spores on the seed coat or mycelium under the seed coat are the main means of distribution for these pathogens. The fungus can overwinter on susceptible weeds or crop debris and on seed plants, as well as on stecklings.Methods for disease prevention and control are based on combining agricultural management practices with chemical control. Using disease-free seeds or seeds treated with fungicides can greatly reduce disease incidence. After appearance of the first symptoms of disease, stringent fungicide spray program is an effective way to reduce losses. Many authors seem to agree, that the most economically feasible method of disease control is the development of resistant <italic>Brassicaceae</italic> crops varieties, as transgenic approach proved unsuccessful. Due to our increasing understanding of pathogen-host plant interactions, identification of resistance sources, and assessment of the resistance trait inheritance mode, breeding programs of <italic>Brassica</italic> crops for <italic>Alternaria</italic> resistance can be enhanced. This is of particular importance since recent years experience dynamic development of ecological and integrated plant production with an emphasis on plant biotic stress resistance. Highly resistant genetic resources have not been reported in <italic>Brassica</italic> cultivated species, although some varieties differ in their resistance/susceptibility level.Strong cross-incompatibility, polygenic background of the resistance (additive and dominant gene interactions), as well as the differences in ploidy between the <italic>Brassica</italic> species of interest, render the transfer of <italic>Alternaria</italic> resistance from the wild species into the cultivated forms difficult. Additionally, it is often connected with employment of <italic>in vitro</italic> hybridization techniques, including somatic hybridization, embryo and ovary rescue, or protoplast fusion.</abstract>

Alternaria Black Spot of Crucifers: Symptoms, Importance of Disease, and Perspectives of Resistance Breeding

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">In the years 2008-2011, research was conducted whose objective was to assess the nutritional value and storage life of the roots of the carrot cultivars Perfekcja and Regulska grown in conventional and organic systems. The carrot roots came from a certified experimental field with a stable ecosystem adapted to conducting research on the organic cultivation of vegetables. In parallel, in the same climatic conditions, carrots were grown in the conventional system. The carrot roots were stored at a temperature of 0-1°C and relative humidity of 95-98%. Immediately after harvest and after several months of storage, the carrot roots were analyzed for dry matter content, total sugars, β-carotene, and nitrates. The results of the qualitative chemical assessment of the carrots showed no significant differences in the levels of dry matter and total sugars depending on the cultivar and the cultivation and storage methods (on average for three years). The carrots grown by the conventional method contained significantly more β-carotene than the carrots grown by the organic method, both before and after storage. It was found that the roots of the carrot cultivar Regulska had a higher β-carotene content than the roots of the cultivar Perfekcja grown in both the organic and conventional systems. The nitrate content in carrot roots immediately after harvesting both cultivars grown in the conventional system was significantly higher than in the roots from organic cultivation and ranged from 349.9 to 554.4 mg·kg-1. There were marked differences in storage life depending on the cultivar, cultivation method and storage period. A higher percentage of marketable roots after storing the cultivars Regulska and Perfekcja was achieved from conventional cultivation compared with organic cultivation. Losses (diseased roots and weight losses) were higher for the organic carrots than for those grown conventionally. There was a markedly higher percentage of marketable roots among the carrots of the cultivar Regulska compared with Perfekcja. For the cultivar Perfekcja, more diseased roots were found among the organically grown carrots. For the cultivar Regulska, the highest weight losses were recorded following the storage of the roots from organic cultivation.</abstract>

Comparison of the Nutritional Value and Storage Life of Carrot Roots From Organic and Conventional Cultivation

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Experiment took place in the open field in the Vegetable Experimental Station of Agricultural University near Cracow in the years 2008-2010. In the experiment twelve, polish-bred determinate tomato cultivars: Sokal F1, Batory F1, Rejtan F1, Hetman F1, Babinicz, Luban, Mieszko F1, III A F1, Awizo F1, Ondraszek, Talon and Hubal were used. In the end of growing season, morphological features of plant were measured, concerning: height of plant, number of lateral shoots, length and thickness of the internode and the number of inflorescences per plant. Harvesting was performed once, at the stage of maturity of individual cultivars. The yield and its structure was calculated. The results were statistically analyzed using NIR Fisher's test, with p=0.05. The dependences of the marketable yield and total yield of tomato plants from morphological characteristics that may affect the yield were analyzed, using multiple regression. The amount of total and marketable yield was negatively correlated with an extensive vegetative growth of tomato plants. Among all the tested cultivars Ondraszek was characterized by the most preferred morphological features and creates one of the highest yields. Cultivars Ondraszek, Sokal F1 and Batory F1 were characterized higher marketable yield, than ‘Hetman F1’. Total and marketable yield depended about 40% on tomato plant morphological features.</abstract>

Department of Vegetable and Medicinal Plants, Agricultural University, Al. 29 Listopada 54, 31-425 Kraków, Poland

Department of Applied Mathematics, Agricultural University, Balicka 253C, 30-198 Kraków, Poland

Department of Ecology, Climatology and Air Protection, Agricultural University, Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Kraków, Poland

Comparison of Morphological Characteristics of Twelve Cultivars of Tomato Determinate Plants and Their Impact on Yield and its Structure

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Baby leaf rocket is consumed worldwide as a salad vegetable. It is usually mixed with other baby leaf crops, such as spinach and lettuce, to form a mesclun-type salad. Rocket crops have become popular due to their distinct taste and textural appearance in mixed salads. There are two common forms of rocket that are commercially cultivated, a perennial species (<italic>Diplotaxis tenuifolia</italic> (L.) DC.) known as perennial wall rocket and an annual species (<italic>Eruca sativa</italic> Mill.) known as annual garden rocket. The popularity of baby leaf crops has increased in recent years due to consumer demand for a convenient, nutritious and easily accessible product. The baby leaf salad sector is now a significant part of the leafy vegetable market, with growth in this sector estimated to continue. The leaves of cultivars of perennial wall rocket and annual garden rocket have been bred to look similar, allowing for a year-round supply of produce. Despite this, there are many differences between the species that affect their responses to abiotic factors during growth and storage. This paper aims to provide some perspectives on the historical importance, botanical classification and cultivation techniques of these economically important plants.</abstract>

Some Perspectives on Rocket as a Vegetable Crop: A Review

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of silicon (Si) application under salinity levels on seed germination and growth characteristics of tomato seeds. A laboratory experiment was performed on completely randomized design with two levels of salinity (25 and 50 mM NaCl) and 2 concentration of Si (1 and 2 mM) with 4 replications. Germination percentage, germination rate, seedling shoot and root length, fresh and dry weight of seedling and mean germination time was measured. Seed germination of <italic>Lycopersicon esculentum</italic> L. was significantly affected by salinity levels, Si and their interaction. Germination characteristics of tomato seeds decreased drastically by increasing NaCl concentrations. However, 1 mM Si had positive effects on seed germination characteristics and improved germination percentage, germination rate and mean germination time. Si alleviated the harmful effect of salinity stress on tomato seed germination at almost all germination characteristics.</abstract>

Horticulture Department, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran

Horticulture Department, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

The Alleviation Effect of Silicon on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Tomato Under Salinity Stress

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Vegetables are a rich source of biologically active substances, which support the body's defense mechanisms. A large group of these substances are compounds with antioxidant properties. Apart from vitamins (A, C and E), tocopherols, carotenoids, glutathiones and thiocyanates, polyphenols are also classified as the compounds of antioxidant properties being found in plants. They include: phenolic acids, flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acid and among them a large group of anthocyanins. These compounds inhibit DNA damage in cancer cells, induce the production of insulin in the pancreas and protect the human brain from aging. They have also high antioxidant activity, which determines the defense mechanisms of plants under stress, such as temperature varia-tions, UV radiation, attacks by pests and mechanical damage. Their content may vary among individual plants of the same species, which is associated with a number of internal and external conditions, such as genetic factors, environmental and agronomic. The contents of anthocyanins determines plant species, botanical variety and breeding and biological processes associated with ontogenesis. Also climatic and soil factors, the factors influencing the content of antioxidants and agronomic factors such as method, place and date of planting, fertilizing, mulching, salinity may contribute to the formation of stress conditions during plant growth and increase the content of antioxidants in plants. This review focused on the content, composition, and antioxidant capacity of vegetables.</abstract>

Biotic and Abiotic Factors Affecting the Content of the Chosen Antioxidant Compounds in Vegetables

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Selenium (Se) is a very important element for human health. It is involved in defense mechanisms and biosynthesis of hormones in adult and babies. The Se is a trace element and in the human body is involved in the membrane protection and has anti-cancer action. The Se is a cofactor of glutathione peroxidase and may play an important role against oxidative tissue damage. The aim of this work was to evaluate the floating system for enriching the baby leaf plants by applying the Se directly in the nutrient solution. This experiment was performed using spinach (<italic>Spinacia oleracea</italic> L.) plants grown in the nutrient solution containing 0, 2.6, 3.9 and 5.2 μM Se applied as Na2SeO4.At harvest time the yield, Se content and quality parameters such as nitrate, reducing sugars and sucrose were determined. The yield was not affected by treatments and depended by seasons.The Se content in leaves linearly increased with Se concentration in the nutrient solution. The highest value was 160 mg·kg-1 DW. Spinach leaves in the 2.6 and 3.9 μM accumulated 9-11 μg·g-1 DW and were the adequate concentrations for providing the recommended dietary allowance of 55 μg·d-1 for adults. Reducing sugars expressed as glucose equivalent did not change among treatments and ranged from 6 to 9 mg·g-1 FW. The sucrose content ranged from 0.6 to 3 mg·g-1 FW but no differences were observed among treatments. Nitrate contents in leaves were not affected from Se treatments and ranged from 3898 to 4475 mg·kg-1 FW.</abstract>

Dept. Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 2, 20134 Milano, Italy

Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

CRA - Unità di Ricerca per l'Orticoltura, Montanaso Lombardo (LO)

Biofortification of Spinach Plants APPLYING Selenium in the Nutrient Solution of Floating System

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Folic acid occurs naturally in the salt form of folic acid - the so-called folate. The human body cannot synthesize it, and therefore it must be supplied from outside. Folic acid is involved in the synthesis and proper functioning of RNA and DNA acids. It is essential for growth and division of all body cells, which is particularly important during active growth or in the fetal and newborn life. In children and adults, folate along with vitamin B12 are involved in the production of red blood cells. Current research indicate on the existence in Poland and in Central and Northern Europe of significant deficiencies of folic acid in the diet.Deficiency of folic acid in our diet is due to the fact that we consume more highly processed food. Stored and heat-treated food loses a large part of folates. The most common pathological processes associated with a deficiency of folic acid in the body are neural tube defects, megaloblastic anaemia, disturbances in the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular system, as well as the development of certain types of cancer. Effective methods to increase folate intake are still being searched for.</abstract>

Folic Acid - The Occurrence and the Role in Human Nutrition

<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Grafting is an alternative approach to reduce crop damage resulting from soil-borne pathogens and increases plant abiotic stress tolerance, which in turn increases crop production. The purpose of this study was to determine whether grafting could improve plant growth and fruit quality of watermelon through monitoring the changes induced by different rootstock-scion combinations. Watermelon (<italic>Citrullus lanatus</italic>) cv. Aswan F1 was grafted into five rootstocks (Nun 6001 F1, Strongtosa F1, Tetsukabuto F1, Ferro F1 and Shintoza F1) hybrids between <italic>Cucurbita maxima</italic> and <italic>Cucurbita moschata.</italic> Highest vegetative growth and fruit yield were obtained by ‘Nun 6001 F1’ as a rootstock using the tongue approach method. Grafting reduced significantly sex ratio by reducing the number of male flowers. Grafting increased significantly lycopene content in fruit flesh by 57% over the control treatment, but did not affect soluble solids content (SSC). One third of the control non-grafted plants died and <italic>Fusarium oxysporum</italic> was isolated as the responsible pathogen. These results indicate that grafting watermelon onto specific rootstock influences growth, productivity, and quality of the fruit as well as disease resistance. Grafting can be suggested as an alternative method to control of <italic>Fusarium</italic> wilt in watermelon production.</abstract>

Impact of Grafting on Watermelon Growth, Fruit Yield and Quality

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