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The influence of foliar fertilization of maiden pear trees and soaking the root system of the rootstocks in hydrogel with the addition of Trifender WP preparation on the growth of maiden quince trees in a nursery
The comparison of the influence of foliar fertilization with four preparations on the growth of ‘Conference’ maiden pear trees growing on MA quince rootstock was conducted in a nursery in a three-year period. The evaluation was conducted on the basis of maidens growth parameters and the state of their leaf minerals content as well as on photosynthetic activity of the maiden trees. The preparations used in the experiment affected the improvement of some growth parameters studied, especially the stem diameter and fresh mass of the maidens. Biopuls Original turned out to be the best preparation as it improved significantly three out of five studied growth parameters. A varied impact of the preparations used on the content of micro and macro-elements in leaves was detected. All tested preparations positively influenced the leaves area index of maiden trees except for Blackjak preparation. Photosynthetic intensity of maiden pear trees nourished through leaves was significantly smaller in comparison with the control. Only plants treated with Biopulus Original were characterized by a higher concentration of CO2 and its level in intercellular space. The aim of the second experiment was to check the influence of the application of Trifender WP preparation with hydrogel on the growth of ‘Champion’ maiden quince trees at the stage of planting the rootstocks into a nursery. A better branching of the rootstocks was obtained after the use of the preparation with hydrogel and the hydrogel alone. The trees in these combinations were also characterized by bigger fresh and dry mass of the leaves. The influence of Trifinder WP applied in connection with hydrogel was the best.
The Influence of Combined Pruning and the Use of Root Application of Two Biostimulants and Foliar Nutrition on the Growth and Flowering of Panicle Hydrangea Plants
The aim of this experiment was to assess how the interaction of two treatments influenced the growth and flowering of two varieties of Panicle hydrangea shrubs. The first treatment was plant pruning. Simultaneously, the plants received one of the three following treatments: root application of Trichoderma atroviride, root application of BlackJak biostimulant, or foliar application of a multi-component fertilizer. Simultaneous pruning and inoculation of the plants with the Trichoderma atroviride mycelium improved the length of hydrangea shoots the most, as compared with the control plants (18%). These two treatments also increased the number of flowers (16–47%, depending on the variety) and the fresh weight of plants (10–28%) compared with the control plants. T. atroviride alone improved the number of flowers in both varieties (19–24%) and the diameter of inflorescences in the ‘Silver Dollar’ one (17%). The foliar nutrition increased the fresh weight of plants by 7–57%, depending on the cultivar and pruning. It also increased the diameter and number of inflorescences in one of the varieties. Together with pruning, it intensified the growth of shoots in both cultivars (5–10%). The BlackJak biostimulant treatment gave ambiguous results. In combination with pruning, it improved the length of shoots (15%) in one cultivar and the fresh weight in the other (18%). Without pruning, the treatment increased the number of flowers (16%) and the diameter of inflorescences (9%) in one cultivar. It increased the fresh weight of plants in both cultivars (19–21%). Regardless of the other treatments, pruning increased the length of the shoots and the fresh weight of the plants. On the other hand, it reduced the number of flowers and their diameter. In most cases, the biostimulant treatment and foliar fertilization improved the growth and flowering of the plants. In combination with pruning, they improved the growth of the hydrangea shrubs but reduced the number and diameter of flowers. The simultaneous Ta treatment and pruning were the most beneficial for the growth and flowering of the panicled hydrangea plants grown in containers in a nursery.
The Effect of the Foliar Application of Biostimulants and Fertilisers on the Growth and Physiological Parameters of Maiden Apple Trees Cultivated with Limited Mineral Fertilisation
The article describes an experiment conducted on maiden apple trees of selected cultivars growing in a nursery. The aim of the study was to investigate how the foliar application of four biostimulants (Aminoplant 0.4%, Biamino Plant 0.2%, Bispeed 0.2% and Fylloton 0.4%) and two fertilisers (Basfoliar 6-12-6 and Basfoliar 12-4-6+S both at a concentration of 0.5%) affected the growth of the trees cultivated with the mineral fertilisation reduced by half. The plants were sprayed with the preparations and fertilisers four times at three-week intervals, between late May and late July. Selected parameters of the plants’ physiological processes were also assessed: net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (C) and intracellular CO2 (I). The foliar application of all the biostimulants and fertilisers significantly improved the growth of the maiden apple trees. The lowest values of the plant growth parameters were noted in the control combination, which was treated with a full dose of mineral fertiliser. The foliar spraying of the apple trees particularly improved the total length and number of side shoots and the fresh weight of maiden apple trees. The apple tree cultivars differed in their growth parameters, and the influence of individual foliar treatments was not conclusive. The foliar application of selected preparations intensified the leaf transpiration coefficient and the internal concentration of carbon dioxide, but it did not increase the net photosynthesis intensity or stomatal conductance.
Influence of the propagation method of three semidwarf rootstocks on the growth and activity of the physiological processes of maiden sweet cherry trees in a nursery
Rootstocks that reduce the vigor of sweet cherry trees are currently in high demand in orchard production. However, their suitability for nursery production is not fully verified. There are also difficulties in the method of their obtaining, mainly through in vitro cultures, which is associated with high prices. The experiment compared the growth of maiden trees of four sweet cherry varieties on rootstocks that reduce their vigor, ‘Gisela 5’, ‘Krymsk 5;, and ‘Pi-ku 1’. In addition, rootstocks produced by cheaper means using shoot cuttings were evaluated compared with those from in vitro. The lower efficiency of maiden trees was obtained on the ‘Krymsk 5’ rootstock than on the other two rootstocks. In contrast, the vigor of maiden trees on this rootstock was significantly more potent. Generally, rootstocks derived from in vitro yielded a higher percentage of maiden trees. Additionally, for most of the varieties and years tested, the rootstocks obtained in this way improved the growth of the trees as determined by their diameter and length of the lateral shoots. The activity of the physiological processes of the maiden trees varied with the rootstock used. Maiden trees on the ‘Krymsk 5’ rootstock were most often characterized by the lowest levels of the three tested parameters (E, C, and I CO2). Meanwhile, the net photosynthetic intensity was lowest on the ‘Pi-ku 1’ rootstock.
The Effects of Reduced Mineral Fertilisation Combined with the Foliar Application of Biostimulants and Fertilisers on the Nutrition of Maiden Apple Trees and the Contents of Soil Nutrients
The Effect of Foliar Spray Treatments with Various Biostimulants and Fertilisers on the Growth of M.9 Rootstock Stoolings
An experiment was conducted to compare the effect of applying half a dose of a mineral fertiliser combined with a foliar treatment with four biostimulants and two fertilisers in relation to a full dose of a mineral fertiliser. The M.9 rootstock stoolings were sprayed four times during their growth. Each year of the experiment, the height, the diameter, the fresh weight of leaves and the leaf surface area of all stoolings were measured. The efficiency of rootstocks from one mother plant was assessed. Some parameters of physiological processes as well as the content of micro- and macronutrients in the leaves were also assessed. The research results showed that the reduced dose of the mineral fertiliser with foliar treatment did not significantly decrease the growth parameters of the M.9 rootstock stoolings. Some foliar treatments, especially Bioamino Plant and Bispeed, resulted in higher fresh weight and larger leaf area of the stoolings. The treatment with the Bioamino Plant biostimulant and two foliar fertilisers resulted in parameters of the physiological processes of stoolings that were the same as or better than those in the control plants. After the foliar application of two fertilisers, the content of macronutrients in the leaves of the stoolings was usually the same as in the control. The treatment with the biostimulants resulted in a lower content of most macronutrients in the plants (N, K and Ca). The only exception was the higher magnesium content than in the control after the treatment with all biostimulants and the same phosphorus content after the treatment with most of the biostimulants. The Aminoplant and Bispeed biostimulants increased the accumulation of iron in the leaves, whereas the Basfoliar 6-12-6 fertiliser resulted in higher zinc and copper content than in the control plants.
Effect of Trichoderma spp. Fungi and Phytium oligandrum on Maiden Apple Tree Growth and Photosynthesis in the Nursery
The conducted experiment evaluated the effects of three fungi—Trichoderma atroviride (Ta), Trichoderma harzianum (Th) and Phytium oligandrum (Po)—on the growth of maidens of two apple cultivars, ‘Szampion’ and ‘Topaz’, budded on two rootstocks, M.9 and M.26, in the nursery. The evaluation was based on the number of maidens obtained and their height, trunk diameter and number and length of lateral shoots, as well as the fresh weight of the leaves and the whole maiden. For the weaker-growing maidens of the ‘Topaz’ cultivar, the activity of the photosynthetic apparatus was additionally measured depending on the rootstock and fungal treatments. The number of maidens obtained improved significantly when Th (8.3–9.0%) and Po (8.4–12.8%) were applied, depending on the rootstock and cultivar used. With the best treatment with the Po fungus, on average, for the two cultivars, maiden apple trees budded on the M.9 dwarf rootstock were characterized by a significantly better height of 6% and trunk diameter of 13% compared to the control. In contrast, trees grown on the M.26 rootstock did not have significantly increased growth after the same treatments, with the exception of the Po fungus, which improved the stem diameter by an average of 10%. The use of fungi stimulated an increase in the number and length of the lateral shoots of maidens of the more easily branching ‘Szampion’ apple tree cultivar. Based on the fluorescence parameters obtained, it can be assumed that the ‘Topaz’ cultivar on the M.26 rootstock is less susceptible to stress conditions, especially those related to high temperatures and drought. All fungi used had a positive effect on the activity of the photosynthetic apparatus. Significantly worse values of the fluorescence parameters were obtained for the control combination compared to the fungal treatments.
The Effect of Rootstock Activity for Growth and Root System Soaking in Trichoderma atroviride on the Graft Success and Continued Growth of Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Plants
Two independent experiments were conducted on the effect of various factors, such as cultivars, growth activity of the rootstock and its treatment, with Trichoderma atroviride on graft success and growth of annual beech plants. The first experiment concerned the effect of propagation of five beech cultivars on rootstocks that are active (with growth activity), grown before the treatment in multi-cell plant trays (plastic seedling trays) or bare-root in the dormancy period. The highest success rate of the treatment was observed for dormant (without growth activity) and bare-root rootstocks. However, the best plant growth parameters during the first year of cultivation were observed when grafting active rootstocks obtained from multi-cell plant trays, while the worst results were observed for dormant, bare-root rootstocks. The individual cultivars varied significantly in terms of graft success and continued plant growth. The second experiment concerned the effect of rootstock growth activity and soaking of the rootstock root system in Trichoderma atroviride on graft success, growth parameters, and the intensity of some physiological processes in beech plants. The simultaneous use of both above-mentioned treatments resulted in the most intensive growth and accelerated physiological processes of the plants tested. Inoculation of rootstocks with Trichoderma atroviride did not affect the graft success. On the other hand, the growth activity of rootstocks at the time of grafting increased the success rate of the treatment. The treatments similarly differentiated the results obtained for two beech cultivars tested.
Comparative Study on the Effect of GiSelA 5 Rootstock Propagation Methods on Sweet Cherry Growth and Physiology
The Effect of Increasing Doses of Heavy Metals on Seed Germination of Selected Ornamental Plant Species
The primary goal of this study was to assess how two techniques for applying progressively higher doses of zinc and cadmium impact seed germination of selected ornamental plant species. The experiments were conducted in the accredited laboratory of the W. Legutko Breeding and Seed Company in Jutrosin, along with the Department of Plant Physiology at Poznań University of Life Sciences. Seeds from two ornamental species, Eschscholzia californica Cham. and Coreopsis lanceolata, were utilized. Two methods were used to treat the seeds with heavy metal solutions, involving four distinct two-factor experiments, each comprising eight combinations. This methodology adhered to the current ISTA guidelines. Germination energy was assessed after 7 days, while germination capacity was measured after 14 days. The two methods exhibited different effects on germination capacity and energy. The technique for treating seeds with heavy metal solutions and the duration of exposure to the metals play a significant role in germination. Soaking Eschscholzia californica Cham. seeds in increasing doses of zinc and cadmium solutions for 10 min before sowing showed no significant effect on their energy or germination capacity. Likewise, soaking Coreopsis lanceolata seeds in zinc solutions for 10 min before sowing did not significantly influence their energy and germination capacity. However, soaking Coreopsis lanceolata seeds in cadmium solutions for 10 min before sowing did not notably affect their germination capacity but significantly diminished their germination energy. Extended exposure of seeds placed on blotting paper soaked in cadmium sulfate and zinc sulfate solutions across all concentrations reduced energy and germination capacity for Eschscholzia californica Cham. and Coreopsis lanceolata seeds.
The Influence of Foliar Nutrition of Apple Trees with Silicon on Growth and Yield as Well as Mineral Content in Leaves and Fruits
Assessment of the Effect of Treating ‘GiSelA 5’ Softwood Cuttings with Biostimulants and Synthetic Auxin on Their Root Formation and Some of Their Physiological Parameters
Udział sacharydów i jasmonianów w odpowiedzi obronnej kiełkujących nasion łubinu (Lupinus luteus L.) na Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lupini
Comparison of the efficiency of synthetic auxins and biostimulants and two types of substrate in rooting of shoot cuttings in ‘Pi-ku 1’ rootstock
The low-cost propagation of semi-dwarf cherry rootstock is an essential issue in the production of maiden trees of this species. Among the promising rootstocks is ‘Pi-ku 1’, obtained in Germany. However, the possibility of its propagation using shoot cuttings has not been investigated. It was the purpose of this study. Two ways of cuttings treatment before placing them in the substrate were assessed. One used two preparations in powder (Rhizopon AA and Ukorzeniacz AB), and the second used two alcoholic auxin solutions (IAA and IBA). Instead of synthetic auxins, foliar spraying with two biostimulants was performed (Goteo and Bispeed). All the applied treatments increased the rooting percentage of ‘Pi-ku 1’ rootstock cuttings compared to the control from 5% for Rhizopon AA to 18.2% for auxin IBA. The exception was the lack of a positive effect of the Bispeed biostimulant (less than 5.2%). The use of synthetic auxins increased the number of utting roots more than three times (IBA) or almost twice (Ukorzeniacz AB) and their length more than twofold (IAA, Rhizopon AA) in proportion to the control. The effect of synthetic auxin treatments on the remaining growth parameters under study was also positive. Foliar treatment of cuttings with biostimulants did not change their growth. Only in one of the two years of the study did the fresh mass of cuttings improve after using Goteo biostimulant (7.5%). As part of the experiment, the effect of two substrate types – peat mixed with perlite and peat with sand – was also tested. During the two years of research, the cuttings were rooted several percent better in peat and sand (2.7% – 2018 and 4.4% – 2019). Using peat with sand as a rooting substrate significantly improved the number and length of roots (11.90 and 125.10) of Pi-ku 1 rootstock cuttings compared to the second one (9.23 and 109.08, respectively). All treatments applied to cuttings, except two biostimulants, increased the amount of chlorophyll in the leaves.