In this study, the growth performance of three different summer squash cultivars was evaluated under in vitro conditions using Murashige and Skoog (MS) nutrient media supplemented with varying concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG) at 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6%. In the study, parameters including germination rate (%), stem fresh and dry weight (g), root fresh and dry weight (g), shoot and root length (mm) were investigated. In addition, antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content in plant shoots were determined using the DPPH method. According to the findings, the highest stem fresh weight was recorded as 0.72 g in cultivar Pelin grown in control medium (without PEG). In terms of root fresh weight, the highest mean value among the media was also observed in control with 0.43 g. The longest shoot length as 48.91 mm was also determined in Pelin. Increasing concentrations of PEG were found to have a negative impact on all growth parameters.

This study evaluated the effects of bacterial (Arthrobacter globiformis, Streptomyces griseus) and fungal (Aspergillus oryzae) preparations on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of cluster tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Cletego F1) grown in cocopeat substrate under greenhouse conditions. Treatments significantly improved plant growth, cluster number, and yield compared with the control, with Streptomyces griseus producing the highest yield (58.6 t da–¹) and superior fruit quality (SSC = 4.85%, acidity = 0.28 g citric acid 100 mL⁻¹). The control recorded the highest vitamin C content. The study concludes that microbial inoculation enhances yield and quality in soilless tomato cultivation, supporting eco-friendly and sustainable production systems.

Lonicera caerulea L. (blue honeysuckle) is an edible species cultivated for the health properties of its fruit; however, fresh fruit has a short shelf life after harvest. Therefore, the present study aimed to extend the post-harvest shelf life of fresh honeysuckle fruits under controlled storage conditions. The quality of three Canadian blue honeysuckle cultivars was assessed after 7 and 14 days of storage in a controlled atmosphere (20% CO2 and 5% O2) (CA), modified atmosphere (MAP) in Xtend bags and air atmosphere (AA). The duration of storage conditions significantly affected the quality traits of blue honeysuckle berries. Extended storage time (14 days) generally had a negative effect on the quality of the tested fruit, especially when stored in air atmosphere. The berries stored in a controlled atmosphere showed the best quality, as evidenced by the highest firmness, the lowest weight loss, and the smallest percentage of rotten berries. The effect of storage conditions on the value of parameters such as soluble solids (SSC), titratable acidity (TA) or the SSC/TA ratio were often not observed. The respiration rate of fruits was usually independent of both the cultivar and storage conditions. Compared to other cultivars, Boreal Beauty fruits were characterized by a lower content of SSC, higher TA and a lower SSC/TA ratio, and lower polyphenol content. Fruits of the Boreal Blizzard showed the highest susceptibility to rot.

In Poland, the first description of the causal agent of the valdensia leaf blight fungus Valdensinia heterodoxa was on highbush blueberry in 2011. Our study identified this pathogen in highbush blueberry plantations and on bilberry plants to describe its biology, molecular characteristics, and disease epidemiology. The 115 fungus isolates yielded were divided into 2 groups based on the colony morphology differences on PDA (potato dextrose agar) medium. For the isolates from each group, morphology and growth dynamics were studied on PDA and WOA (weak oatmeal agar) with added highbush blueberry/bilberry/lily of the valley leaf decoction under different light and temperature conditions. The isolates’ colony morphology differences were noted depending on the medium type. The best isolate growth was at 20 °C/19 °C-day, 12 °C-night, with a 12-hour photoperiod. Isolate identification using PCR showed nearly 100% nucleotide sequence similarity to reference isolates. On infected leaves, the release height of conidia was 18 cm. The presented results are novel in Poland and have a broader-than-domestic significance.

Pseudomonas ‘gingeri’ is the cause of ginger blotch disease of the white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus). The occurrence of the disease in the cultivation results in the appearance of ginger discolouration on the mushroom caps. Currently, there is no effective method of protecting the mushroom from bacterial infection. Therefore, the selection of appropriate substrates for mushroom cultivation and environmental cultivation conditions, such as relative humidity, are of high importance in controlling the disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect, on the development of ginger blotch, of two types of peat-based casing soil, with different water holding capacity, and two different air relative humidities inside the mushroom growing chamber. The cultivation trials were artificially infected with two P. ‘gingeri’ isolates, at two different inoculation doses. The blotch disease incidence on the heavy casing soil, which characterised lower water holding capacity, was significantly higher than on the medium one, regardless of the number of bacterial cells and bacterial isolate. The results also demonstrated a significant correlation between higher levels of air humidity (90% in the cultivation chamber) and the ginger blotch prevalence. It was determined that the type of casing soil and the level of air humidity in the mushroom growing room are of crucial importance for efficient mushroom cultivation. These factors can also play a significant role in preventing against bacterial disease development.

In vitro culture method is developed for propagation of a new line of Ananas comosus (L.) Merrill selected from a spontaneous mutant of cultivar Yellow Mauritius. The stem with leaves base obtained from sucker buds was selected as explants. The effects of type and concentration of different plant growth regulators on callus induction, adventitious bud formation and plant regeneration were investigated by the single factor, complete combination and L9 (34) orthogonal experiment. A large number of adventitious buds differentiated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 4.0 mg·L–1 6-BA, 1.0 mg·L–1 NAA and 1.0 mg·L–1 KT, reaching differentiation coefficient over 12.8. Browning of callus after 2–3 subcultures was eliminated by the application of 1.0 g·L–1 of activated carbon in the optimal medium, which didn’t significantly reduce differentiation coefficient. The main shoots in adventitious buds were higher in number and stronger suitable for rooting in culture. Hundred percent rooting in vitro was achieved on half-strength MS medium with 1.0 mg·L–1 NAA. The survival rate of the tissue culture-raised plants was 100%. The methods developed and defined can be used not only for improved the yield of in vitro plants, but also for shortening the whole culture cycle.

Gladiolus × gandavensis is one of the world’s four famous cut flowers. Flower color is an important basis for the classification of Gladiolus × gandavensis. To define the flower color of Gladiolus × gandavensis more scientifically, twenty-three Gladiolus × gandavensis horticultural cultivars were studied for flower color phenotypes to provide a preliminary phenotypic quantitative basis for the determination of the affinity of unknown cultivars in the species and provide a scientific basis for the definition of flower color in the classification process. Based on the results of the RHSCC colorimetric card and colorimeter, the 23 Gladiolus × gandavensis cultivars were classified into six flower color categories, i.e. white, pink, purple, greenish-yellow, orange, and red. Clustering analysis further verified the above classification results according to the flower color, indicating that the two have good correspondence. At the same time, the characteristics of the distribution of the parameters of the CIELab color system of Gladiolus × gandavensis were analyzed and preliminarily determined the distribution range of the phenotypic parameters of each color group, and the results filled a gap in the study of the floral phenotype of Gladiolus × gandavensis.

Paulownia leaf extracts were tested for their bacteriostatic and antioxidant properties against six pathogenic bacteria in vegetable and fruit crops. Paulownia leaf extracts were most effective against the Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. michiganensis and Xanthomonas hortorum pv. carotae. Paulownia extracts were less effective against Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato. Only Erwinia carotovora was resistant to the tested plant extracts. The type of extraction solvent significantly impacts the antibacterial activity and the flavonoid and polyphenol contents of plant extracts. Acetone and alcoholic extracts had a higher content of flavonoid and polyphenolic compounds than water extracts, which resulted in their better bacteriostatic properties. The growth inhibition zones of the tested bacteria and the contents of flavonoids and polyphenols were significantly correlated. However, the bacteriostatic properties and antioxidant activity were not significantly correlated.

Drought and salinity are the most important abiotic factors limiting agricultural production. One of the effective ways to avoid their negative effects on plants is to determine the genotypes that will show resistance to these stress conditions. In addition, the gradual decrease in water resources in the world makes minimum water consumption important in agriculture. For this purpose, three different irrigation levels (I100: control – 100% full irrigation, i.e. 0% deficit irrigation, I50: 50% deficit irrigation, I25: 25% deficit irrigation) were applied within the framework of water constraint, and NaCl was applied at the doses of S0: 0 mM (control), S50: 50 mM and S75: 75 mM to create salt stress, and the experimental plots were designed according to the random plot experimental design with three replications and four plants in each replication. In the genotype × salinity interaction, compounds other than fumaric acid from organic acids formed significant interactions with genotypes YYU-4 and YYU-10. Among phenolic compounds, parameters other than total phenolic and antioxidant content formed significant interactions mainly with cv. Ananas. In the genotype × irrigation interaction, among organic acids, oxalic, succinic and fumaric acids and among phenolic compounds, only vanillic acid showed significant interactions particularly with genotypes YYU-1, YYU-10 and YYU-13. As a result of the study, it was concluded that the determined genotypes are prominent in terms of quality fruit production in saline and arid areas, and it is necessary to examine these genotypes using different parameters in different breeding studies.

Species of the Miscanthus genus are plants of considerable economic importance. During their vegetation, they produce a considerable amount of biomass, which makes them a useful source of bioenergy. They are also highly ornamental and, being highly tolerant of salt in the soil, they are useful both in city greeneries and in the reclamation of degraded areas. Several million tons of shrimps per year are fished and processed at present. This generates a huge amount of biowaste, contributing to the progressive degradation of natural environment. Proper utilization of this waste is, therefore, becoming a burning issue. The present study was carried out in the years 2020–2021. The plant material consisted of two species of the genus Miscanthus, i.e. Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus × giganteus. Dried and ground biowaste, a material of high nutritional value generated during shrimp cleaning, was used as an experimental component of the substrate. The shrimp biowaste was mixed with the soil at a dose of 5%, 10%, and 15% (v/v). The control was a mineral soil without the dried biowaste. No other fertilizer was used during the plant growth. The plant material was harvested at the end of the growing season in the first year, and at full bloom and at the end of the growing season in the second year. The following mineral components were assessed: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Cd, Pb, and Ni. Regardless of the species, the plants growing in the substrates enriched with dried shrimps had a higher content of macro- and micronutrients in their leaves in comparison with the controls. In the next years of cultivation, the content of the assessed mineral components in the leaves seemed to drop. The biowaste generated during shrimp cleaning may successfully be used as fertilizer in the cultivation of Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus × giganteus.