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• 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:

  603

  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:

  407

  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:

  969

  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:

  472

  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:

  243

  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:

  1039

  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:

  606

  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:

  875

  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:

  394

  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:

  342

  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.

• Effects of silicon in plants with particular reference to horticultural crops - Review article

  95-105.

  O. Bat-Erdene

  A. Szegő

  M. Gyöngyik

  I. Mirmazloum

  I. Papp

  Views:

  549

  Silicon (Si) has long been considered as non-essential element for plant’s growth and production. Numerous efforts are being made for the discovery of its beneficial effects with large scale studies laying foundation for new findings and hypotheses. Therefore, Si has been suggested to be a quasi-essential element due to its positive effects against biotic and abiotic stresses alike. Though Si is the second most abundant element in the soil profile, its availability to plants is limited to the form of monosilicic acid only. Besides, plants’ ability to take-up Si and use it in their physiological processes also depends on the available transporters associated with it. Thus, the present review covers uptake and transport of silicon in plants as well as Si mediated physiological processes, including mechanisms underlying induced tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses with a particular emphasis on horticultural species.

• Introduction of alkanet (Alkanna tinctoria (L.) Tausch), a traditional dye plant into cultivation

  41-46.

  Zs. Pluhár

  J. Bernáth

  J. Hermándy-Berencz

  Views:

  583

  As a part of the research project to establish natural sources of plant pigments, possibilities of introduction of Alkanna tinctoria (alkanet) into cultivation were studied.

  As a result of the germination experiment, the relevance of 21 days' duration of germination procedure was proved. To get high germination rate alkanet fruits are proposed to pretreat by gibberellinic acid (GA3) in the concentration of 400 ppm, overnight before sowing. This method results approximately 50 % germination rate.

  The morphological and production properties of alkanet roots are characterized during ontogenesis. Transplanted populations can be characterized by numerous, thick and heavy roots comparing to the spontaneous ones. Thus, seed sowing and transplantation proved to be an effective method for cultivation of the species.

  According to our results it can be concluded that in cultivation the optimal harvesting time of roots is at the end of the second vegetation cycle, when the dry root mass of the individuals is about 10-20 g with 3,0-3,5 % accumulation level of active substances.

  Considerable seasonal variability have been found influencing not only the root masses, but also the accumulation levels of alkannin derivatives. In a more humid vegetation cycle the root size and mass as well as the content of active substances are much higher.

• Effect of boron nutrition on nutrient uptake and fruit quality of tart cherry in Eastern Hungary

  45-48.

  P. T. Nagy

  J. Nyéki

  M. Soltész

  T. Szabó

  Z. Szabó

  Views:

  739

  Effect of the foliar boron (B) application on nutrient uptake and fruit quality of tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) was investigated from 2008 to 2009 on mature four favourite Hungarian tart cherry cultivars like ‘Oblacsinszka’, ‘Érdi bôtermő’, ‘Újfehértói fürtös’ and ‘Petri’. Tart cherry trees grown in Eastern Hungary (Újfehértó) on an acidic sandy soil with low B content. Trees were treated with B by foliar application (0.5% B) at full bloom and untreated with B served as a control. B sprays strongly affected on B content of inflorescences. However, B sprays had no consistent effect on summer leaf B status. In our experiment stronger year effect was observed at leaf B status than flower B status. The effectiveness of early spring boron applications are limited and mostly affected the flower B status only. Moreover, treatments had inconsistent effect on studied fruit inner parameters. Monosaccharides, vitamin C and organic acid contents of sour cherry were stronger affected by cultivars than applied treatments.

• Impact of boron foliar fertilization on annual fluctuation of B in sweet cherry leaves and fruit quality

  27-30.

  P. T. Nagy

  T. Thurzó

  Z. Szabó

  J. Nyéki

  Views:

  1019

  The goal of the study was to examine response of sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) to boron (B) fertilization. The experiment was conducted during 2005-2007 in West Hungary on mature cv. `Germersdorfi 3' grafted on Prunus mahaleb rootstock.

  Sweet cherry trees planted on a calcareous chernozem soil. Trees were foliar-fertilized with B. Foliar B sprays were performed: (1) in the spring, at the stage of white bud, beginning of flowering (B₁), and (2) repeated 5 weeks after full bloom (B₂). In each of spring spray treatments, B was applied at a rate of 0.15 kg ha^-I. Trees untreated with B served as a control.

  The results showed that B fertilization had effect on B concentration in leaf tissues, mostly after ripening. B was present significantly higher amount in leaf in treated samples after ripening.

  Mean fruit weight was slightly increased by B fertilization. Fruit sensitivity to cracking was not influenced by B fertilization. Nevertheless, from our data it can be conclude that the sensitivity of fruit to cracking is improved when the fruit is riper, the fruit density and fruit weight are higher. The soluble solids varied between 15.0 and 15.9% according to the treatments. Our results for the monosaccharides investigated varied between 5.1 and 7.2 as glucose and fructose as well. Galactose and sucrose was detected very small amount in the unprocessed cherries. Applied B treatments increased sugar contents but decreased organic acid contents in sweet cherry fruits.

  It is concluded that under conditions of this experiment, B fertilization can be recommended in sweet cherry culture to improve fruit quality and their appearance.

• High antioxidant - and anthocyanin contents of sour cherry cultivars may benefit the human health: international and Hungarian achievements on phytochemicals

  45-47.

  Zs. Veres

  I. J. Holb

  I. J. Nyéki

  Z. Szabó

  J. Remenyik

  M. G. Fári

  Views:

  1286

  Evidence suggests that a diet with high fruit and vegetable consumption may decrease the risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer, and phytochemicals including phenolics, flavonoids and carotenoids from fruits and vegetables may play a key role in reducing chronic disease risk. Recent research has proved that sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) is a valuable natural source of some bioactive compounds important in human health preservation. According to the published data, the most important biological effects of sour cherry are connected — directly or indirectly — to their endogenous antioxidant behaviour as well as to their specific pattern of anthocyanin components. In the present work, we measured the total antioxidant capacity of some Hungarian sour cherry varieties in combination with their anthocyanin-, and vitamin-C content. In 2003, twelve clones were selected and grafted from a local sour cherry population called "Bosnyák" sour cherry grown in small home gardens and farms of the village Csengod (Great-Plain Region, South Hungary). Other Hungarian sour cherry varieties, i.e. cv. Újfehértói fürtos, cv. Érdi bőterrnő, cv. Debreceni bőterrnő, cv. Csengődi and cv. Kántorjánosi served as a control.

• Vegetative and micropropagation potential of Piper guineense (Schumach and Thonn)

  29-36

  A. M. SAKPERE

  V. N. Ezenu

  Views:

  388

  The continuous loss of forest plants due to deforestation, and the increasing demand for Piper guineense because of its medicinal and food value, has put a permanent pressure on its population in the wild where it is collected. A method for conservation and mass propagation is therefore required. This research was undertaken to determine the optimal concentration of auxin needed for vegetative propagation and to investigate the potential of Piper guineense for micropropagation. The auxin optimization study of vegetative propagation was based on the use of two-nodal stem cuttings treated with five different concentrations of indole-butyric acid (IBA). Growth parameters such as the number of sprouted, rooted and survived cuttings among others were determined. To investigate the potential of Piper guineense for micropropagation, nodal explants were subjected to different sterilizing treatments using ethanol, NaOCl, mancozeb, streptomycin and Plant Preservative Mixture (PPM). The effect of plant growth regulators (PGRs) was tested on sterilized nodal explants using full strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) hormone-free media alone as control and MS media supplemented with PGRs (BA, NAA and KIN) at different concentrations and combinations. Significant differences were observed across the treatments for all growth parameters measured. However, 2000 ppm IBA significantly (p<0.05) influenced sprouting and rooting of the stem cuttings. Piper guineense explants have deep tissue contaminants, which cannot be eradicated by surface sterilization alone except double sterilization using PPM. On control media, neither shoot nor root response was observed while the highest percentage of induced roots was obtained from explants cultured on MS +1 mg/L BA + 0.25 mg/L NAA. Shoot induction was only achieved when BA was used alone and when subcultured on media supplemented with NAA, which generated roots.

• Antioxidant capacity, total phenolics and mineral element contents in fruits of Hungarian sour cherry cultivars

  59-64.

  N. Papp

  B. Szilvássy

  Z. Szabó

  J. Nyéki

  É. Stefanovits-Bányai

  A. Hegedűs

  Views:

  1211

  Several epidemiological studies revealed that the consumption of antioxidant compounds and the risk of atherosclerosis, increased blood pressure or cancer are inversely proportional. Fruits of sour cherry contain a wide range of antioxidant compounds including melatonin, perillyl alcohol, ellagic acid, several flavonoids, polyphenolics, and anthocyanins. This study was carried out to survey the antioxidant power and mineral element content of seven commercial sour cherry cultivars and three cultivar candidates and to assess the influence of some external conditions on fruits' functional properties. Our analysis revealed nearly 5- and 2-fold differences between the lowest and highest antioxidant capacities and total phenolics content, respectively. Some cultivars (`Kántorjánosi' and ‘Újfehértói fürtös') and cultivar candidates (D, 'Petri' and 'Éva') showed outstanding antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content; in addition, mineral element content in fruits of the ‘Újfehértói fürtös' cultivar was also favourable. Redox parameters of fruits were influenced by the cultivation plot or fruit positions within the canopy in about half of the cultivars tested. Genetic background of cultivars forms the decisive factor in determining fruits' antioxidant capacity, although external factors may have also sizeable modifying effects. Enhanced functional properties of the fruit may also be further increased through breeding programs since considerable variation exists within the tested germplasm.

• Examination of nitrogenous compounds in Hungarian bio-musts

  109-113.

  M. Kállay

  D. Nyitrainé Sárdy

  Views:

  456

  There has not been any research done on the musts from organic grapes. As a result of the special technologies in organic farming we can expect bio-musts to have a different quantitative and qualitative composition of nitrogen compounds from that of traditional musts. In our present essay we deal with the tests of nitrogenous compounds (assimilable nitrogen content, aminoacid, biogenic amine content) in musts from Hungary's bio-wine cellars. Our results show that the change in procedures has resulted in neither quantitative nor qualitative changes in the nitrogenous compounds of bio-musts.

• Comparative evaluation of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) populations from different origin

  91-95.

  B. Gosztola

  E. Németh

  S. Sárosi

  K. Szabó

  A. Kozák

  Views:

  666

  In our research project under cultivation we examined 4 cultivars ('Soroksári 40', 'Lutea , 'Goral', 'Bona') and 28 wild populations of chamomile assuring all of them the same environmental conditions. Plant height, flower-diameter, essential-oil content, and the main terpenoid and flavonoid composition were analysed. The aim of our study was to establish the genetic background of breeding a new cultivar as well as encircle those natural habitats that give chamomile drug with the best quality.

  In the case of plant height populations from the Great Hungarian Plain were lower than plants from Transdanubia and the control cultivars. Between the wild and the standard individuals we found significant differences with relevance to the flower-diameter. With regard to the essential oil content the populations were very heterogeneous even those, which came from the same habitat. Populations form Transdanubia and Nagyiván reached the essential oil level of the cultivars (0.721-0.931 gi100g), and 75% of the examined plants exceeded the minimum requirement of the PhHg VIII.

  According to the essential oil composition our previous statement was confirmed that in the populations of Transdanubia and Northern part of Danube—Tisza Mid Region the main component is bisabolol-oxide A (30-41.2%), while plants native to the territory cast of the river Tisza are mainly characterised by a-bisabolol (32.3-48.4). In some samples the ratio of bisabolol-oxide B was more than 10%. The chamazulene content was higher in the cultivars selected to this component (above 20%), than in the wild populations (varied between 1.22 and 17.2%). Populations originated from the central part of Hortobágy region had extremely high apigenin content (10-13 mg/g), but in the case of chlorogenic acid, hyperoside and quercitrin we did not find any differences affected by the origin.

• Evaluation of sour cherry varieties grown with environmental technology

  39-41.

  J. Felföldi

  T. Szabó

  J. Nyéki

  Z. Szabó

  M. Soltész

  F. Apáti

  Views:

  4600

  The evaluation of a produce is an important moment of predicting its success on the market. The general impression, which is decisive, when a consumer chooses to purchase the commodity, should be interpreted in more objective, measurable terms. Primary data have been collected on fresh fruits derived from different growing technologies by organoleptic tests and the data filled up in the forms are processed with correlation analysis. The components were: taste, aroma, flesh firmness. The coefficients of correlation showed that the rest of characters as the appearance, juiciness, and the sugar/acid ratio.

• Carbohydrate utilization of Erwinia amylovora in vitro

  31-34.

  M. Hevesi

  A. Farkas

  A. Kása

  Zs. Orosz-Kovács

  Views:

  379

  Nectar is a multi-component aqueous solution that promotes bacterial multiplication. The concentration of nectar in plant flowers is not stable since it is under the influence of environmental conditions, especially free moisture and relative humidity. Experiments were conducted with "artificial nectar" and directed along two lines: (1) determination of the optimal concentrations of carbohydrates for the growth of E. amylovora development (2) consumption of different carbohydrates besides basic sugars.

  Solutions of "artificial nectar" were prepared in different compositions by changing the dominance of basic sugars (fructose — glucose —sucrose) in proportions of 2:1:1, 1:2:1, 1:1:2 and between concentrations of 10-0.6% (diluted with Basal minimum broth) in order to determine optimal conditions for the development of E. amylovora.

  At a basic sugar concentration of 10% bacterial multiplication started and continued until I log degree (from 10⁶ to 10⁷ cfu/ml). At concentrations of 5% and 2,5 % cells developed with nearly the same kinetics (from 10⁶ to 8x10⁷ cfu/ml and from 10⁶ to 9x10⁷ cfu/ml, respectively). Multiplication was more pronounced and nearly the same at concentrations of 1.2 % and 0.6 % (from10⁶ to 2x10⁸ cfu/ml). At a basic sugar concentration 30% total sugars bacterial multiplication did not occur, while at 20 % it was negligible, not measurable photometrically.

  At minimal concentrations of F, G, S (between 1-0.1 %) bacterial cells were still able to multiply, producing organic acids from sugars.

  Our study showed that E. amylovora requires only a small amount of sugars (0.1%) for multiplication (acid production) while high concentrations inhibit multiplication. There was a negative correlation between sugar content and cell density. The optimal range of sugar concentration was at about 1%.

  Effect of "less frequent carbohydrates" to E. amylovora multiplication was also determined using the API 50 CH strip. We could provide information on utilization of 39 carbohydrates by the bacterium at different categories as follows: Not utilized-, Slowly and weakly utilized-, Slowly and completely utilized-, Quickly and completely utilized carbohydrates. We suppose that carbohydrates that belong to the latter two groups could play an important role as nectar components in promoting E. amylovora multiplication in the blossoms of pome fruit trees.

• Relaco: a product to reduce water shoot formation around pruning wounds in pome fruit trees

  30-31.

  L. Csiszár

  M. Újvári

  T. Panea

  Views:

  198

  Larger cuts made during the winter pruning of pome fruit orchards a number of serious problems: the wounds serve as entrances for several branch-infecting pathogens, the numerous water shoots formed around the cut edges consume assimilates, shade the developing fruits, make the canopy dense, reduce the effectiveness of the pest management and cause extra work during next seasons pruning work. These problems can be eliminated by using proper wound protectants, like Relaco, a new Romanian wound protectant to cover larger pruning cuts of apple, pear and quince trees.

  The treaments by Relaco resulted in a significant decrease in both the number and total length of water shoots formed around the cut egdes.

• 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:

  251

  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:

  363

  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:

  416

  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.