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• Effect of basal and foliar application of boron and zinc on yield attributes in Solanum melongena L.

  97-99.

  S. V. S. Chauhan

  A. Rana

  S. Chauhan

  Views:

  278

  Field experiments were conducted during 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 to study the effect of basal application (BA) of zinc sulphate (5 and 10 mg kg^-i soil) or boric acid (1 and 2 mg kg^-1 soil) alone or foliar applications (FA) of water or 1% ZnSO₄ or 1% H₃ B0₃ or the combinations of both BA and FA of either ZnSO₄ or H₃ B0₃ on yield attributes (number of flowers and fruits/ plant, fruit weight, size and total yield). On the basis of the two-year data, it was found that all the treatments of BA as well as FA enhanced yield attributes but the combination of BA of 10 mg kg^--1 soil ZnSO₄ and FA of 1% H₃ B0₃ gave highest yield as compared to other treatments and control plants.

• The effects of growth regulators in proliferation of Sorbus redliana 'Burokvölgy'

  77-83.

  M. Ördögh

  E. Jámbor-Benczúr

  A. Tilly Mándy

  L. Lelik

  Views:

  406

  The Hungarian cultivar Sorbus redliana 'Burokvölgy' was proliferated on Murashige and Skoog (MS, 1962) medium with half-strength macroelements and 100 mg/1 meso-inositol, 20 g/1 sucrose, 11 g/1 agar-agar. Different combinations of kinetin (KIN), metatopolin (mT), benzyladenine (BA), benzyladenine-ribosid (BAR) and indolebutiric acid (IBA) were tested, and pH was adjusted to 5.6 every case using KOH. The cultures were incubated at 20-24 °C in 8/16 hours dark/light photoperiod for 50-52 days. The main aim of our research was to find the optimal growth regulator and its optimum concentration. Purthermore, to determine the chlorophyll contents of the in vitro propagated plants' leaves. During the proliferation, the highest number of shoots were observed in the case of using BA + IBA, and on the medium containing 0.75 mg/I BA + 0.05 mg/1 IBA 8.93 shoots were found. The addition of KIN + IBA decreased the number of shoots and increased the sizes of leaves — the widest (11.2 mm) and longest (17.8 mm) leaves were obtained on the medium containing 1.00 mg/I KIN + 0.05 mg/1 IBA. The longest shoots (36.46 mm) were found in the case of applying 0.75 mg/1 BAR + 0.05 mg/I IBA. The BA + KIN + IBA combination resulted the shortest shoots. Sometimes not only shoot regeneration but spontaneous rooting was observed during the multiplication. The highest chlorophyll content (1.569 mg/g total chlorophyll, 1.132 mg/g chlorophyll-a, 0.437 mg/g chlorophyll-b) was obtained in the presence of 1.0 mg/I KIN + 0.05 mg/1 IBA.

• Floral biological studies on pear cultivars in relation to fire blight susceptibility

  25-30.

  A. Farkas

  Zs. Orosz-Kovács

  T. Bubán

  Views:

  460

  Floral biological characteristics that may influence cultivar susceptibility to fire blight were studied in 10 pear cultivars in two Hungarian orchards from 1999 to 2003. The receptaculo-ovarial, automorphic nectary is usually bigger in tolerant cultivars than in susceptible ones. Nectary stomata are meso- or xeromorphic. Susceptible cultivars tend to have more xeromorphic stomata, where guard cells are located 1-3 cell rows below the epidermis. The size of nectar chambers is usually smaller in susceptible cultivars. Floral nectar, consisting mainly of glucose and fructose, is more abundant and less concentrated if the cultivar is susceptible to fire blight. The amount of chlorogenic acid was higher in the flowers of tolerant cultivars than in susceptible ones.

• Effect of seedling quality on growth, yield and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

  64-72.

  E. Nkurunziza

  S. Nyalala

  K. N. J. Umuhoza

  Views:

  719

  A two trial greenhouse experiment was carried out at Rwanda-Israel Horticulture Centre of Excellence located at Mulindi Station to evaluate seedling quality on growth, yield and quality of tomato. The seedlings were grown in different growing media and produced seedlings with varying quality indices. The growing media of peat moss 100% (T2) and sand + goat manure + carbonized rice husks 50%: 10%: 40% (T8) were revealed in seedlings with the highest mean quality indices of 31 and 28 respectively, while sand 100% (T2) presented the lowest quality indices during both trials. The transplants were planted in polybags filled with 2:1 of topsoil and kitchen manure arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Collected data were subjected to analysis of variance and means were separated using HSD test at a 5% level of significance. The results revealed that the seedlings grown in T1 (S1) and T8 (S8) consistently presented tomatoes with better growth performance and yield. S1 and S8 produced mean yield of 93.59 and 92.35 t/ha respectively while S2 had the lowest yield with 53.86 t/ha. The fruit produced from seedlings grown in T4 (S4) had the highest mean sugar acid ratio of 5.88 but not significantly different from 5.61 and 5.44 of S1 and S8 respectively. Hence, there was a positive relationship among seedling quality and growth and yield performance of tomato but not in fruit quality.

• The effect of rootstock on the nectar production of apple cultivar `Idared'

  15-25.

  E. Nagy Tóth

  Zs. Orosz-Kovács

  Views:

  263

  Approaches based on the daily rhythm of apple flowers provide a new stage in nectar research, where the synchronous functioning of sexual organs is studied. In the flower biological studies the insect attraction of flowers was also studied. The two most important factors of insect attraction are the pollen- and nectar production of the flowers. From 1993 to 1998 we studied the food, that flower had to offer for the pollinating insects at different times of the day.

  Studies were carried out on 'Idared', one of the hybrids of 'Jonathan' apple cultivar. The fruit of 'Idared' is bigger than the fruit of `Jonathan'. It is bright red, transportable, has a bigger productivity and is not subject to Jonathan-spots. Concerning its inner characteristics, it is juicy, the flesh consistency is better than that of 'Jonathan', but its acid/sugar ratio is worse (Sansavini et al. 1981).

   

• Determination of auxine content of soft wood cutted `Marianna GF8/1' (Prunus cerasifera x P. munsoniana) by High Performance Liquid Chromatography during rooting period

  67-70.

  G. Végvári

  H. László

  Views:

  286

  The content of different auxins of soft-wood cutted plum rootstock 'Marianna GF8/1' (Prunus cerasifera x P. munsoniana) was determined during the rooting period. The level of auxin-concentration (exogenous and endogenous) of basic and intemodal part of cuttings was determined by WATERS HPLC equipment every 7 days during rooting period. The lengths soft wood cuttings were app. 30 cm long. The basal part of shoots were treated with 2000 pg/g concentrated indole-butiryc acid in talcum powder. After treatment the cuttings were placed in propagation green-house under intermittent mist. The plant hormones were extracted by methanol the solution was cleaned by paper-filter, and further cleaned by centrifuge. The effluent was examined by reversed phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography, with WATERS 2487 dual detector at 220 am on Symmetry C18 4,6x 150 column. Recovery and reproducibility assessment indicates good accuracy and acceptable relative standard deviation (RSD) 5%. Linear responses (r20.997) for calibration curve was obtained with IAA, IPA and IBA standard in range, with a limit of quantification of 0.15 g•m1^-1. The concentration of IAA, IPA and IBA in the basal part of cuttings were measured, during the rooting period. We proved the external IBA was taken up by the plants. In the plants were found the IBA, and the IAA concentration of IBA treated cuttings was higher, than the untreated one.

• Varietal variations in fruit quality parameters in strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa) harvested at different stages of color development

  102-114.

  A. Kaur

  A. Sharma

  N. Singh

  S. Sharma

  Views:

  61

  Present investigation reports the fruit quality of five strawberry cultivars (‘Rania’, ‘Winter Dawn’, ‘Winter Star’, ‘Camarose’ and ‘Navelia’) harvested at different stages of color development. These cultivars showed significant variations in their chemical composition. The highest and significant values of fruit weight, hue angle and total sugars were recorded in ‘Winter Star’ cultivar at full red stage. Total phenolics and ascorbic acid content were higher in ‘Camarose’ as compared to other cultivars. These parameters and reducing sugar content in strawberry fruits showed a direct relationship with DPPH radical scavenging activity. ‘Winter Star’ exhibited highest anthocyanin content form 25% red to full ripe red stage of fruit color development with most intensive color. Total soluble sugars, reducing sugars, pH, ^°Brix values increased from green to full red stage whereas titratable acidity showed the reverse trend. These cultivars showed significant differences in their physicochemical and biochemical composition at different stages of ripening in agroclimatic conditions of Punjab area of northwest India. 

• Peach latent mosaic viroid in naturally infected sweet cherry trees in southern Italy

  37-38.

  A. Crescenzi

  A. Piazzolla

  A. Hadidi

  Views:

  214

  Peach latent mosaic viroid (PLMVd) was found in naturally infected sweet cherry trees grown in commercial orchards in southern Italy. The viroid was detected in nucleic acid extracts of symptomless leaves by molecular hybridization with a PLMVd cRNA probe. The viroid was transmitted by grafting from sweet cherry to peach seedlings and identified in peach by molecular hybridization.

• Maceration affects mineral composition and pH of wines

  25-29.

  N. Rakonczás

  D. Andrási

  Z. Murányi

  Views:

  529

  Mineral composition of wines is affected by many ecological and technological factors. These variables are mostly discussed focusing on certification of origin and human health. This paper gives data on possible changes in mineral composition and pH of wines due to 4 hours skin maceration (1st trial) and fermentation sur marc (2nd trial). Experimental site is situated on acidic sandy soil in middle east Hungary. The variety collection was established in 2003 with own rooted planting material in 3x1 m spacing, trained for single curtain training
  system. Mineral composition of wines was determined with ThermoFischer Scientific iCAP 6300 ICP-OES, pH was measured with pH10pen (VWR International) in field, and with SevenEasyTM pH meter (Mettler Toledo) in laboratory. 1st trial with 9 PIWI white wine grape varieties pointed to demonstrate effects of skin maceration, which is abundantly used to elevate aroma content. 2nd trial with the use of ‘Medina’ red PIWI grape variety aimed to demonstrate effects of double pasta skin maceration in rose and red wine technology. Data of 1st trial show, that K, Cu, Mn and P respective increase with skin maceration, despite Fe show considerable decrease. Data of 2nd trial show, that K, Mg, Mn, P, Sr and B increase with longer skin contact and higher fermentation temperature, despite Fe and Ba decrease with this technology. In regard to pH, data show, that skin maceration and fermentation sur marc increase K content with about 30-70% respectively, withstanding that pH also increase with a considerable 0,4-0,5 value. K content can be higher in the end product, despite to earlier higher level of tartrate formation. An attention should be driven to lower level of tartaric acid and consequently higher pH characteristic for wines produced with the application of skin maceration or fermentation sur marc.

• Changing of inert content values of apricot varieties

  39-41.

  Sz. Németh

  G. Ficzek

  M. Stéger-Máté

  G. Sándor

  Gy. Végvári

  E. Kállay

  M. Tóth

  L. Szalay

  Views:

  567

  The consumers have been exigent increasingly about excellent quality. The speci fie flavour and fragrance of apricot evolve during ripening. We need to be acquainted with changing of inert content during ripening to the choosing of optimal harvest time. The Regional University Knowled ge Centre -Research and Development in Foodstuff Chain project had presented an opportun ity to study the inner content of apricot. Our aim was to study evaluation of health care attributes of apricot fruit. We investigated different ripeness samples of four apricot varieties ('Mandulakajszi', 'Pann 6nia', 'Gonci magyar kajszi'. 'Harcot') in our study of 2007-2009. Samples were taken the orchard of Sóskútfruct Ltd. Hungary. We had measured the water soluble antioxidant capacity, polyphenol-, f3-carotene content and the dissimilar sugar­ and acid-fractions during ripening. We had experienced significant different in inert content between varieties.

• Comparative study of heirloom tomato varieties

  31-33.

  J. Oláh

  H. Ledóné Darázsi

  L. Dudás

  Á. Krecz

  D. Parragh

  S. Hodossi

  M. Fári

  Views:

  476

  The study examined the health status, growth type, berry morphology, berry quality, and gastronomical value of 60 heirloom tomato lines. In the middle of June, the level of virus infection was medium in the plant stock according to the assessments. 21% of the lines did not show symptoms of virus infection. During the vegetation period, the major fungal diseases were Alternaria by the middle of August and Phytophthora from the beginning of September. In spite of the fact that no fungicides were applied, 13% of the lines were healthy and 36% showed medium infection at the end of August. Half of the lines had a strong, 23% of the lines had a medium growth vigour. The majority (74%) of the lines showed strong or medium lateral shoot growth and only 7% of them proved to be less prone to branching. In spite of the rapid growth, 20% of the lines had a weak main stem, the majority of the lines had a main stem medium strength. The different shapes occurred in different colours, in addition to the traditional red colour (53%), there were orange, yellow, wine-red (blackish), lilac, green, almost white or multicoloured varieties. Unfortunately, most of the lines were prone to longitudinal or circular cracking of the berries. Based on the first experiences, all tested variety types had more favourable utilization characteristics then the traditional tomatoes. Varieties with a thick flesh and harmonic acid/sugar ratio such as some of the ox-heart varieties are especially valuable. For drying, the elongated types proved to be the best. The hollow tomato is the most special type which can be utilized most diversely. It is especially suitable for making white tomato soup and, “Concasse" due to its easily removable placenta rich in jelly materials and its thick flesh. In addition, it can be used for preparing stuffed tomato.

• Studies on the alkaloid production of genetically transformed and non-transformed cultures of Lobelia inflata L.

  65-71.

  E. Szőke

  I. Bálványos

  L. Kursinszki

  A. Krajewska

  A. Mészáros

  A. Neszmélyi

  Views:

  297

  The investigations of the growth and alkaloid production of cell suspension-, callus-, organized- and hairy root cultures from Lobelia inflata L. proved that these cultures are able to synthesize the characteristic piperidine alkaloids of the intact plant. Alkaloid precursor amino acids (Phe, Lys) and plant growth regulators affect not only the growth and differentiation of tissue cultures but also their secondary metabolism. The synthetic regulator Sz/I I combined with Phe increased the total alkaloid content considerably in callus- and organized cultures; regulator Sz/28 especially increased the lobeline content (in organized cultures in response to Lys, in callus tissues as a result of Phe application). With the aim of optimizing growth and alkaloid production of the genetically transformed hairy root cultures of Lobelia inflata L. we studied the effect of some growth regulators (NAA, IAA, kinetin) and precursor amino acids (Lys, Phe). The kinetin had inhibiting effect on the growth and lobeline production of the hairy roots. The IAA and NAA increased the biomass formation and lobeline production. The highest lobeline level was detected in tissues cultivated on hormone-free medium containing Phe.

   

• Historical apple cultivars that display high level of resistance to fire blight

  19-23

  K. Kása

  M. G. Tóth

  M. Hevesi

  Views:

  339

  Following the first outbreak of fire blight caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora (Burrill) Winslow et al. in Hungary, we have started research with the aim to screen domestic gene sources, mostly historical Hungarian apple cultivars, for disease resistance as part of an apple breeding program for multiple resistance. The present study was conducted with the aim to choose the most tolerant historical apple cultivars among 25 selected cultivars by screening their behavior towards fire blight under controlled conditions. Six cultivars were shown to be the most disease tolerant: `Batul', 'London pepin', Nemes Sóvári Alma', `Sikulai', `Szemes alma', Wilmos renet'. We evaluated these cultivars by investigating both morphological- characteristics under original environmental circumstances and fruit quality. The cultivars had a remarkable degree of fire blight resistance compared to the control cultivars. These were not competitive with the commercially grown 'Jonathan M40' during cultivar tests but on the basis of certain characteristics they could serve as genetic sources for breeding new varieties.

• Age-dependent physiological responses of Corchorus olitorius to aqueous extracts of Murraya koenigii and Tithonia rotundifolia

  61-66.

  A. A. Ogunwole

  Views:

  132

  Sustainable crop production increasingly utilizes allelopathic plants as sources of bioactive compounds, yet their bimodal inhibitory–stimulatory effects and oxidative mechanisms require further elucidation. This study investigated the concentration-, tissue-, and stage-dependent effects of aqueous shoot extracts from Murraya koenigii and Tithonia rotundifolia on the germination, growth, and oxidative defense of Corchorus olitorius. Seed emergence and elongation of radicles and plumules were monitored in the laboratory using 50% and 100% aqueous extracts, while potted seedlings were treated separately with 100% extracts. Laboratory bioassays demonstrated a dose-dependent response: a 50% M. koenigii extract transiently increased germination by 4%, while higher concentrations of both species inhibited germination by 7–25%. Juvenile growth inhibition was tissue-specific, with 100% M. koenigii primarily suppressing plumule elongation and 100% T. rotundifolia significantly reducing radicle growth. Conversely, pot experiments using 100% extract concentrations of both plants significantly enhanced vegetative growth, physiological traits, and biochemical constituents, including protein and ascorbic acid. These extracts bolstered the antioxidant defense system—increasing superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase activities—while markedly reducing malondialdehyde levels. These findings provide evidence of allelopathic hormesis, where initial inhibitory effects transition into growth stimulation and oxidative stress mitigation during later developmental stages. The results suggest that M. koenigii and T. rotundifolia shoot extracts serve as effective eco-friendly biostimulants that improve crop performance by modulating antioxidant responses.

• Ultrastructural and biochemical aspects of normal and hyperhydric eucalypt

  61-69.

  E. A. T. Picoli

  E. A. S. Paiva

  A. Xavier

  R. M. Aguiar

  S. M. B. Carolino

  M. G. Fári

  W. C. Otoni

  Views:

  584

  Hyperhydricity was observed throughout in vitro multiplication phase of a Eucalyptus grandis clone. Ultrastructural approach of tissue and cell differentiation, izoenzyme patterns, binding protein (BiP) expression, and pigment content were performed. Hyperhydric tissues showed a reduction in cell wall deposition, reduction of membranous organelles, higher cell vacuolation, and more intercellular spaces than its normal counterpart. Additionally, several vesicles were present in hyperhydric cells suggesting the occurrence of organelle autophagy by autophagic vacuole. Lower pigment content, intercellular spaces on the epidermis and the induction of a molecular chaperone (BiP) were observed in hyperhydric phenotype. Evidences of schizolysigenous process of intercellular space formation are compatible with a stress condition. Although plastoglobulli were observed in normal and hyperhydric chloroplasts, they were more evident in the normal ones. Abnormal stomata also reflected a disruptive situation and morphogenesis disturbances which would difficult plant acclimatization. Further observation of the epidermis ultrastructure allows us to conclude that the presence of intercellular spaces on its surface may be constraining the recovery and development of hyperhydric plants. Similarly to BiP, other proteins such as esterase (EST), acid phosphatase (ACP), malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and peroxidase (PDX) are possible to be used as stress markers in in vitro conditions. Our results confirm earlier findings about negative effects of hyperhydricity on in vitro plant morphogenesis and ultrastructure, which in eucalypt is associated with a stressful condition contributing to lower propagation ratios.

• Effects of indole-3-butyric acid levels and activated charcoal on rooting of in vitro shoots of apple rootstocks

  25-28.

  K. Magyar-Tábori

  J. Dobránszky

  E. Jámbor-Benczúr

  J. Lazányi

  J. Szalai

  A. Ferenczy

  Views:

  656

  Rooting responses of rootstocks cvs. JTE-F1, M. 26 and MM. 106 were studied to different concentration of IBA in root induction media and to presence of activated charcoal in root elongation media. High rooting rate (>90%) could be achieved in cvs. JTE-H and M. 26, while cv. MM. 106 showed weak rooting ability at each IBA level tested. Increasing IBA content depressed the rooting only in cv. M. 26. Presence of activated charcoal decreased considerable the rooting rate in cv. M. 26 and decreased the number of roots in cvs. JTE-H and M. 26. These cultivars developed longer roots on media containing activated charcoal, while cv. MM. 106 did not showed any reaction for it.

• The effect of different cytokinins on chlorophyll content and morphological features of in vitro Nidularium ’Kertész Jubileum’

  47-51.

  M. Ördögh

  Views:

  429

  During in vitro multiplication of Nidularium ‘Kertész Jubileum’, 20 g/l sucrose, 5 g/l agar, 100 mg/l inositol, and different concentrations of benzyladenine (BA), benzyladenine-riboside (BAR), kinetin (KIN), meta-topolin (mT) were added to the MKC (Knudson, 1946) basal medium. Furthermore, 0.1 mg/l naphthaleneacetic acid was used to every medium. Number of shoots, length of leaves, number and length of roots, chlorophyll (a+b) content were examined and evaluated with Ropstat statistical software. As compared to the other cytokinin, significantly most shoots were obtained in the case of applying BA. Increasing of BA-concentration (as far as 2 mg/l) enhanced shoot number (from 10.92 to 19.26) but 4 mg/l BA resulted only 6.63 shoot. The less efficient cytokinin was KIN, in most cases no more than about 2 shoot was achieved. Regarding the length of leaves, the higher level of BA effected averagely the shorter leaves (from 24,46 to 7.31 mm). KIN effected significantly the longest leaves (43.4-61.29) in inverse proportion to the concentration. The same cytokinin resulted the most (and the longest) roots with the highest rooting percentages, but more KIN decreased the number and length of roots (from 7.95 to 4.4 and from 38.49 to 22.73 mm). There were no definite correlation between cytokinin concentration and chlorophyll (a+b) content, but the highest doses resulted decreasing (except of meta-topolin which leads to the lowest values). Summarizing, BAR effected the highest contents (mostly more than 1400 μg/g), particularly in the case of 1 mg/l (1807.3 μg/g).

• Effects of self and cross pollination on fruit set and fruit quality of sour cherry cultivars

  31-36.

  M. Ansari

  G. H. Davarynejad

  J. Tornyai

  J. Nyéki

  Z. Szabó

  M. Soltész

  Views:

  1151

  An experiment conducted using factorial based on randomized completely block design during 2005 and 2006. Flowers of Érdi bőtermő, Érdi jubileum and Cigány meggy before anthesis and in balloon stages were isolated with paper bags from guest pollens and pollinated in appropriate time. The averages of final fruit set showed the advantage of open pollination (14.6% fruit set) in compare with artificial self pollination (13.0% fruit set) and natural self pollination (4.4% fruit set). Siah mashhad sweet cherry cultivar with more than 70% overlap of flowering and 9.8% fruit set in 2005 and 17.9% in 2006 was the best among applied pollinisers for Érdi bôtermô sour cherry cultivar.Also, Siah mashhad sweet cherry with more than 50%overlap of flowering time and 25.8%fruit set was the best polliniser for Cigány megg. Among the pollinisers, Siah mashhad was the best for Érdi jubileum with more than 50% overlap and 15.22% fruit set. Meanwhile, pollens of Siah mashhad caused the increase of fruit size in Cigány meggy cultivar. phenomenon. Pollens of Siah mashhad caused reduction in total soluble solids of Érdi bôtermô fruits, however, it does not have any significant effect on the acid rate of fruits.

• Results with the establishment of in vitro culture of Leucojum aestivum

  67-71.

  E. Kohut

  M. Ördögh

  E. Jámbor-Benczúr

  Á. Máthé

  Views:

  537

  Leucojum aestivum is a native, protected ornamental and medicinal plant in Hungary and in Ukraine too. The aim of our work was to establish in vitro cultures of this bulbous plant. Prior to surface sterilisation the old leaves and roots were dissected from the bulbs and they were stored in a refrigerator (2-3°C) for different periods (1 week for the first starting experiment and 5 weeks for the second one). After sterilisation, bulbs, bulb scales and leaves of the bulbs were placed on Murashige and Skoog's (1962) medium with 1 mg/1 benzyl-adenine (BA) and 0,1 mg/1 naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). At the first starting experiment 81,3%, and at the second one 92,3% of the explants turned to be sterile. Bulblets and roots were developed on the explants in the case of using bulb plates together with bulb scales and leaves as inoculua. The best result was achieved after 5 weeks chilling and it was possible to gain little bulbs from the bulb leaves too.

• Changes in germination ability during genebank storage at some medicinal plant seeds belonging to the Solanaceae family

  51-55.

  E. Tóth

  Views:

  275

  In the present work we have examined the changes of germination ability of some medicinal plant species belonging to the Solanaceae family (Datura stramonium L., Datura innoxia Mill. and Hyoscyamus niger L.) during 5-6 years' storage period. According to our results, all the three species showed an after-ripening behavior. Potassium nitrate and gibberellic acid increased significantly the rate of germination in the case of Datura species. During the storage period tested (1995-2001), the species maintained their germination ability which is favourably but not significantly influenced by the cooled gene bank conditions. The degree of ripeness affected considerably the proportion of germinated seeds at all the three species. As a consequence of our results we emphasise that propagation with completely ripe seeds is proposed, however, half-ripe seeds developped in an unadvantageous vegetation period can be also utilized in the practice. The effect of vegetation year on stramony seeds manifested in the length of after-ripening period, while in the case of henbane the germination ability was also influenced.

• Composition and storage of pear cultivars from Nagykanizsa

  63-68.

  M. Tóth-Markus

  D. Bánáti

  N. Adányi

  F. Boross

  C. Konrád-Németh

  Z. Szabó

  M. Soltész

  J. Nyéki

  Views:

  1261

  The composition of five pear varieties (‘Abate Fètel’, ‘Bosc’, ‘Williams’, ‘Conference’, ‘Packham’s Triumph’) grown in Nagykanizsa was investigated in three consecutive years (2008, 2009, 2010). A storage experiment was performed in 2008. Four winter pear cultivars were kept in an ULO store for four months and their parameters measured after two and four months. The parameters tested were: size, weight, water soluble solids, titratable acidity, glucose, fructose, sucrose, water soluble pectin, total polyphenols, free radical scavenging capacity, copper and zinc content. The fruits of ‘Conference’ and ‘Bosc’ varieties were found to contain the highest sucrose and total sugar content, while ‘Abate Fétel’ had the lowest sucrose and highest glucose levels among cultivars tested. ‘Williams’ pear was the most acidic. Brix, total sugar, sucrose and water soluble pectin were decreased during storage. Titratable acidity slightly decreased in fruits of Conference pear. Polyphenols and free radical scavenging capacity did not show a significant change during storage.

• Effect of rabbit urine foliar spray on the yield and post-harvest quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

  54-61.

  E. K. Mutua

  M. Mwangi

  L. Gaoqiong

  Views:

  720

  Of all vegetable crops, tomato occupies the second-largest cultivated land after potato. However, its production is often lamed by insufficient nutrient supply and invasion by insect pests. Unlike inorganic fertilizers and synthetic pesticides commonly used, rabbit urine supplies nutrients to the crops, controls insect pests and has low mammalian toxicity. However, the most suitable rabbit urine foliar spray concentration for tomato production is currently unknown. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with six treatments and four blocks to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of rabbit urine foliar spray on the yield and post-harvest quality of tomato. The six treatments used include: five concentrations of rabbit urine (100%, 40%, 25%, 18.2% and 0%) and 0.1% Duduthrin 1.75EC. Results indicated that treatment 18.2% rabbit urine registered the highest marketable yield (129.14 t/ha) in trial 1. In trial 2, treatment 25% rabbit urine recorded the highest marketable yield (165.08 t/ha). These two treatments gave the highest marketable yields due to their sufficient nutrient supply, optimal pest control and zero foliage scorching. Unlike fruit firmness and sugar acid ratio, total soluble solids and titratable acidity increased with increase in rabbit urine concentration. Therefore, a rabbit urine foliar spray concentration of 25% optimally improves yield and post-harvest quality of tomato. More research work can be done to determine the effect of spraying intervals of rabbit urine on the yield and post-harvest quality of tomato.

• Role of hydrogen peroxide and Pharmaplant-turbo against cucumber powdery mildew fungus under organic and inorganic production

  39-44.

  Y. M. Hafez

  Y. A. Bayoumi

  Z. Pap

  N. Kappel

  Views:

  951

  Cucumber leaves have been sprayed with a solution of hydrogen peroxide (H₂0₂) or Pharmaplant-turbo combined with organic or inorganic fertilizers under plasic house. Under the influence of H₂0₂, leaves exhibited resistant against Podoshaera fusca fungus, the causal agent of cucumber powdery mildew. H₂0₂ (15 mM) was able to decrease the disease severity from 90.4% to 12% in two experiments conducted in two seasons. Pharmaplant-turbo (Turbo) is new chemical compound and used as an antifungal compound. Turbo in 1 ml/L was able to decrease the disease severity from 90.4% to 11.5% in the both experiments as well. Both of H₂0₂ and Turbo were combined with organic treatment (compost + compost tea + seaweed extracts) which showed significant effect against cucumber powdery mildew fungus and strongly suppressed it as compared to control leaves. Organic treatment produced higher vegetative growth characters and greater early and total yields as compared to inorganic treatment, also organic fruits produced the lower nitrate content and the higher ascorbic acid content as compared to inorganic fruits. Our study have indicated that, H₂0₂ and Turbo combined with organic fertilizers play a role in the resistance of cucumber against powdery mildew by decreasing the disease severity. We suggest to give more attention to the direct application of H₂0₂ in low concentration and Turbo against powdery mildew diseases and other plant diseases.

• The after-effect of paclobutrazol on morphological characteristics of in vitro Narcissus poeticus ssp. radiiflorus plants

  43-46.

  M. Jevcsák

  M. Ördögh

  E. Jámbor-Benczúr

  Views:

  445

  After different pre-culturing period (12, 23 or 34 days) on ½ MS medium with 1 mg l-1 paclobutrazol, 1 mg l-1 N6-benzyladenine and 0.1 mg l-1 1- naphthaleneacetic acid , 3 groups of Narcissus poeticus ssp. radiiflorus bulb scales were kept on the same medium without hormones. The results were evaluated monthly and the final one happened after 7 month. The best results were achieved due to the shortest pre-culturing period (12 days;  Group 1), with 4.9 bulblets and 4.54% hyperhydricity. The result of the second treatment (pre-culturing period of 23 days; Group 2) was not different significantly but the number of bigger bulblet were higher (4.54 bulblets). After the longest pre-culturing period (34 days; Group 3), the number of bulblets was low (3.68) and more hyperhydricity (18.18%) was detected. The highest number of roots (13.91) was observed in this group
  very likely due to the strong after-effect of paclobutrazol.

• Influence of antiobiotics on NAA- induced somatic embryogenesis in eggplant (Solanum melongena L. cv. Embil)

  88-95.

  E. A. T. Picoli

  W. C. Otoni

  P. R. Cecon

  M. Fári

  Views:

  393

  The influence of increasing concentrations of naphthaleneacetic acid and the antibiotics cefotaxime, timentin, kanamycin, and hygromycin on eggplant (Solantun melongena L. cv. Embil) somatic embryogenesis was investigated. Cotyledon explants were excised from 16 to 20 days old in vitro grown seedlings. NAA promoted somatic embryogenesis, although its concentrations had no influence on the mean number of embryos. Callusing decreaSed significantly with increasing NAA concentrations. Morphogenesis was stopped with 50 to 100 mg L^-1 kanamycin and 7.5 to 15 mg L^-1 hygromycin. Although early globular embryos were observed up to 15 mg L^-1, further embryo development was inhibited at 10 mg L^-1. Interestingly, cefotaxime (250 and 500 mg L^-1) promoted a marked effect on enhancing fresh weight of calli, accompanied by decrease in embryo regeneration, whereas timentin concentrations (150 and 300 mg L^-1) did not affect embryo differentiation as compared to the control treatment.