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• Differing effects of grass and polythene mulches on sweet potato productivity in derived savannah agro-ecology

  24-30.

  Felix Amuji

  Perpetual Ezema

  Vivian Osadebe

  Justina Obi

  Sunday Obalum

  Views:

  423

  Sweet potato as a food crop that is grown for both its tuberous roots and vegetative parts, the latter of which also serves as animal feed. Its production in the savanna regions can be limited by high evaporative demand, especially where soils with low water retentivity are involved. This work studied the effects of various locally available polythene as mulch materials for sweet potato growth in derived savanna agro-ecology. An experiment was thus conducted at Nsukka, a derived savannah in southeastern Nigeria, with orange fleshed variety of sweet potato. Treatments were polythene mulches of contrasting colours (black, white, red and blue polyethylene), including also organic mulch (dry grasses) as reference and a no-mulch control. The experiment was executed in two successive cropping seasons, and the data averaged and analysed. Agronomic and weed incidence data collection was done fortnightly from 2^nd to 10^th week of planting. The results showed that the polythene mulches (especially the black one) were better in the control of weeds. Furthermore, the sweet potato yields were affected significantly (p < 0.05) by mulching on the total number of tubers for each plant with grass-mulched plots showing the highest value (36) and transparent polyethylene-mulched plots the lowest (19). Also, total weight of tubers per plant at harvest differed (p < 0.05), with grass-mulched plots showing the highest value (2.39 kg), followed by the control (no mulching) plots (1.62 kg), then the coloured polyethylene mulched plots with the red polyethylene-mulched plots as the lowest (0.64 kg). This study recommends the use of organic mulch or no mulching in sweet potato production in this agro-ecological zone as they produced the best yields.

• Vineyards characteristic by using GIS and refl ectance measurements on the Nagy-Eged hill in Hungary

  57-60.

  T. Fórián

  A. Nagy

  P. Riczu

  L. Mézes

  J. Tamás

  Views:

  447

  Our investigation was carried out in vineyards on Nagy-Eged hill in Hungary. Grapevine growing plays an important role in Eger Vine Regions. In the grapevine cultivation it becomes necessary to know the requirements of vineyards along the best geographical situation using available cultivation and examination technology to achieve better and quality produce. This study reviews applicability of the different spatial analyst techniques in vineyard especially models based on surface relief and the new technology of hyperspectral analysis. The spectral alteration was examined between different health status and leaves infected by Eriophyes vitis to defi ne spectral characteristics. Thus reflectance measurements could also support to evaluate airborne hyperspectral images with the help of the spectral library.

• Effects of tuberization conditions on the microtuber yield and on the proportion of microtuber tissues

  91-96.

  J. Dobránszky

  K. Magyar-Tábori

  Views:

  233

  The production facilities of large-sized microtubers in three potato varieties (cv. Desiree, BorO, Gfilbaba) and the effects of the applied tuberization conditions on the proportion of microtuber tissues, especially on the perimedullary region were investigated in present work. In vitro tuberization was induced on explants with 2 or 5 nodes layered on MS medium supplemented with 8% sucrose. Induced cultures were exposed to short days (8 h) for 2 weeks, then to total darkness for further 11 weeks. For volume calculations of different tissue regions, the formula for ellipsoids (V=4/37c1/8/w²) was used. The number of large-size tubers (> 8 mm, up to 16 mm) reached 53%, 59% and 44% in cvs. Desiree, Giilbaba and Bore, respectively, which indicate that the size of microtubers could be increased by appropriate sucrose support and explant type. Microtubers produced on hormone-free medium have well-developed perimedullary region, and its volume rate seemed to be important in the final size of tubers. The increase in the rate of volume of the perimedulla was connected to the increase of tuber size until tubers reached 12 mm diameter. In microtubers larger than 12 mm in diameter, the volume rate of the pith was increased.

• S-locus genotyping on stone fruits in Hungary: a review of the most recent achievements

  39-43.

  J. Halász

  Views:

  375

  Central Europe can be taken as a geographical and historical connection zone between the western growing countries and Asian gene centres of Prunus tree fruits. The determination of the S-genotype of stone fruit (mainly almond, plum, cherries and apricot) cultivars and landraces has both practical and theoretical significance. Our group has allocated complete S-genotypes for more than 200 cultivars and selections of almond, Japanese plum, sweet cherry and apricot. Among Eastern European almond cultivars, two novel cross-incompatibility groups (CIGs) were identified. S-alleles of a related species were also shown in P. dulcis accessions; a fact seems to be indicative of introgressive hybridization. Our results with Japanese plum clarified and harmonized two different allele nomenclatures and formed a basis for intensive international studies. In apricot, a total of 13 new S-alleles were identified from Eastern European and Asian accessions. Many Turkish and North African cultivars were classified into new CIGs, III–XVII. Results suggest that the mutation rendering apricot self-compatible might have occurred somewhere in south-east of Turkey and we were successful to confirm the presumed Irano-Caucasian origin of North African apricots based on the geographical distribution of S-alleles. In sweet cherry, new alleles have been identified and characterized from Turkish cultivars and selections. In addition, wild sweet cherry and sour cherry S-alleles were also shown indicating a a broader gene pool in Turkey as compared with international cultivars. We also used S-genotype information of Ukrainian sweet cherry cultivars to design crosses in a functional breeding program. Our results exhibit an increased number of S-alleles in tree fruit accessions native to the regions from Eastern Europe to Central Asia, which can be used to develop S-genotyping methods, to assist cultivation and draw inferences for crop evolution.

• Test of the utility of apple retrotransposon insertion patterns for molecular identification of 'Jonathan' somatic mutants

  7-10.

  Zs. Galli

  B. Wichmann

  E. Kiss

  T. Szabó

  L. Heszky

  Views:

  573

  Up until today, apple sport mutants proved to be indistinguishable from each other and their progenitors at the molecular level using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker techniques. This is not surprising, since the genomes of these somatic mutants differ only in one or a few small regions that affect economically important characteristics, such as improved fruit colour, size, or flavour. In most cases, these genome differences are probably caused by retrotransposons which are able to convert their RNA transcripts to DNA with reverse transcriptase enzyme prior to reinsertion, but unable to leave the genome and infect other cells. Retrotransposon insertions can alter the expression of other genes and/or the structure of encoded proteins. The sequence-specific amplified polymorphism (S-SAP) technique is capable of revealing the genetic distribution of retrotransposable elements over the whole genome. The present study used this approach to try to characterize and distinguish 'Jonathan' somatic mutants via fingerprinting, which is an unsolved problem.

• Agrobacterium transformation of Rhodiola sp.: current status and limitations

  37-42.

  A. Javid

  Zs. György

  Views:

  330

  The study of secondary metabolites has led to the discovery of new drugs for treating human diseases. However, consistent plant supply can be challenging, leading to the use of plant tissue culture techniques such as hairy root culture. Hairy roots have stable genetics, lateral branching, and can produce secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids. Research on hairy roots as a subject began in the late 19^th century, and for the last four decades, hairy roots have been utilized for producing secondary metabolites and recombinant proteins. This article focuses on Rhodiola species - genus of perennial plants that belongs to the family Crassulaceae - and its potential as a source of secondary metabolites using hairy root culture techniques. Rhodiola sp. is widely distributed throughout the Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with several species having significant medicinal properties. The article discusses the possible use of hairy root cultures for the production of Rhodiola secondary metabolites, including salidroside and rosavins, which have demonstrated significant pharmacological activity in various studies. The use of elicitation and genetic engineering techniques to boost secondary metabolite production in Rhodiola hairy roots is also explored. Overall, the article highlights the potential of Rhodiola hairy root cultures as a valuable source of secondary metabolites with medicinal properties. However, despite some studies Rhodiola hairy root induction and culturing still remains highly unexplored.

• Effects of meteorological factors on fruit qualities of 'Fuji' apple in Korea

  20-23.

  B. S. Yeong

  C. Cheol

  U. Hitoshi

  Views:

  184

  'Fuji' apples from five different growing regions in Korea were analyzed for internal and external quality attributes which included fruit shape, color and sugar. Significant relationships were observed between final fruit color (a*) and air temperature in August. Red color was poorly developed where the average temperature in August was over 25 ^oC. The sugar composition was significantly different depending on region. The sucrose content decreased with increasing temperature above 16 ^oC during the harvest season. The fruit shape was not affected by agro-climatic conditions in this study.

   

• Susceptibility of some traditional pear cultivars of Hungarian and foreign origin to the pathogenic bacterium Erwinia amylovora

  41-45.

  K. Honty

  M. Hevesi

  M. Göndör

  G. Tóth M.

  V. Bács-Várkuti

  A. Ferenczy

  Views:

  294

  Fire blight, a disease caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora (Burrill) Winslow et al., has been causing serious damage in Hungarian pear plantations since 1996. A prospective control measure could be the use of resistant cultivars. For that purpose ten pear cultivars have been tested under laboratory and greenhouse conditions for resistance to Erwinia amylovora strains collected in Hungary. Six of these cultivars are Hungarian ones of unknown origin, while four are traditional old varieties. Resistant cultivars should serve as germplasm for future breeding. Inoculations were made with a mixture of different pear isolates of the bacteria collected from various growing regions of Hungary (Ea 21, 23), at a density of 5x10⁸ cells/ml. Susceptibility/resistance has been assessed on the basis of intensity of blight symptoms observed on shoots, flower parts and fruits. Cultivars were assigned to three susceptibility groups (low, moderate and high). Complete resistance was not found among the cultivars tested. The highest level of resistance was found in cultivar 'Kieffer', while the other cultivars displayed either moderate or high susceptibility to infection.

• Spatial and temporal variation of extremely abundant maxima of precipitation in Hungary during the period between 1951 and 2010

  107-114.

  L. Lakatos

  Z. Sümeghy

  M. Soltész

  J. Nyéki

  Views:

  20605

  The study deals with the accumulated database of 16 meteorological stations in Hungary during a period of 60 years. The purpose was to reveal the spatial and temporal structure of the appearance of extreme values in the daily distribution of data concerning precipitation. We strived to answer the question whether the frequency of incidences of daily maxima did they change or not during the 60 year-long period in the main growing regions of the country. It is demonstrated on geographical maps how the size and frequency of precipitation episodes ensued, and what are the typical traits of changes in intensity as well as in frequency of happenings projected according to their spatial and temporal distribution. From the point of view of fruit and vegetable growing, it is of prime interest what kind of frequency and intensity of changes occurred in precipitation. The temporal distribution of extremities though did not seem to change signifi cantly in some areas, but the recognition of changes may help conspicuously the planning and the choice between alternatives of species and varieties as well as technologies of horticultural managements for the long run. Extremely intense rains during a short time may cause erosion and stagnant water, thus we have to know what are the odds of risk. The temporary distribution of changes helps us to judge upon the reality of anxieties, which are expected according to the existence of trends. Seasonal or monthly distribution is visualised by maps, what is expected and what is accidental as for a decision in planning. The spatial distribution of coeffi cients of variation help us to decide what is the local chance of extreme happenings at different parts of the country and what is its coeffi cient of uncertainty. The risk of any undertaking dependent on conditions of weather could be expressed numerically by a coeffi cient of risk.

• Brown rot blossom blight and fruit rot of apricot in Hungary

  139-141.

  G. Drén

  Z. Szabó

  M. Soltész

  J. Nyéki

  I. J. Holb

  Views:

  2758

  The aim of our two-year study was to assess incidence of brown rot blossom blight and fruit rot caused by Monilinia laxa in 2003 and 2004. Assessments of incidence were made on cv. Bergeron (susceptible to brown rot) in a flatland and a hilly growing area (at Cegléd and Gönc, respectively). In both locations, plant protection was performed according to the integrated fruit production guidelines and small untreated plots were set up for each cultivar in both years. In 2003, when weather conditions were dry and hot, brown rot incidence was low (less than 10%) on both blossoms and fruits. Monilinia laxa did not cause significantly different blossom blight and fruit rot at the hilly (Gönc) area compared to the flatland, not even in untreated plots. However, in 2004, when spring and summer weather conditions were wet and cold, Incidence reached 95% for blossom blight and 33% for fruit rot in the untreated plots. Blossom blight incidence was 1.5-2 times higher in the flatland area compared to the hilly growing area. During the blooming period of apricot, two (at flower bud stage and at full bloom) and three (at flower bud stage, at full bloom and at petal fall) fungicide applications were necessary for the successful control at Gönc and Cegléd, respectively. The difference between the two orchards was due to the fact that blooming started one week later in the hilly region (at Gone) than in the flatland region (at Cegléd), therefore, the critical weather period coincided with blooming in the orchard in the hilly region only partially. Fruit rot incidence was similar in both regions as the amount and distribution of rainfall were similar during the fruit ripening period.

• Ecological characteristics of natural and culturated species, their comparison in Prunus genus

  7-16

  D. Surányi

  Views:

  464

  Plum species are found native throughout the nothern hemisphere, but mostly in the temperate zone. The earliest writings about plum date back some 2000 years (De Candolle, 1894; Cullinan, 1937) puts the age of plums at 2000-4000 years old (Bagenal, 1954). However, the stone core findings suggest a greater past. The question is difficult to conclude because the large number of species of the genus are taxonomically unclear and spread over a wide geographical area. The taxonomic position of stone fruit species and varieties can also be different, especially for Prunus species (Kárpáti, 1967; Terpó, 1974; Raming & Cociu, 1991; Faust & Surányi, 1997; Surányi, 2013).  The study analyzes the average relative ecological value measurement numbers of 75 species, including 120 cultivars, in terms of diversity and similarity. It is novel that, based on the sources, the author used the Ellenberg-Borhid values for the European, Asian, North American and other species, expanding them with transitional subgenera (e.g. Microcerasus). It was also possible to pay attention to a North African, Central and South American Prunus/Prunophora species. Following the accounting of economic and fruiting values, the species, subspecies, and varieties of the European and Mediterranean regions are the finalists, but species hybrid plums, rootstocks, or Prunus species whose values have not yet been known can play a role. Although the kéköny is a known species, it can become a cultivated fruit species due to the high antioxidant content of the fruit (Hegedűs & Halász, 2019).

• Production and marketing of medicinal and aromatic plants

  63-75.

  J. Bernáth

  Views:

  326

  The utilisation of medicinal and aromatic plants is growing continuously, which is motivated by both psychological and rational factors. Species belonging to this special group of plants were produced in the territory of Hungary many centuries back. However, the intensification of the production started in the first years of 20 th century, only, and in spite of many political and economical contradictions the medicinal and aromatic plant sector became a successful part of Hungarian Agriculture. Some of the national products had been accepted as a special Hungarian product ("Hungaricum") evaluated as most respectful in the world market. To stabilise, even to develop the production of medicinal and aromatic plants in Hungary the understanding of the actual world situation, especially the forthcoming EU conditions, became essential. Based on the analysis of the situation market and economy of medicinal plant production, a new strategy had to be developed. The medicinal and aromatic plant sector requires a special development program, which should be supported by Hungarian authorities, focusing on the subjects, which are as follows:

  • development of "quasi" EU compatible Hungarian regions specialised for medicinal plant production,
  • development of biological background, technology as well as the quality assurance system of the production,
  • EU compatible regulation and subvention system of the sector, including processing, production and marketing of raw and phytomed ici nes,
  • development of new marketing strategy in both national and international relations.

   

• The examination of the broadleaf evergreen ornamental shrub species in Keszthely

  27-30.

  K. Maráczi

  É. Baracsi

  Views:

  286

  The examination of production possibilities of woody ornamental shrubs (originating from warmer regions than our country) commenced with the financial support of the INTERREG IIIA Slovenia – Hungary – Croatia programme at the Department of Horticulture of the University of Pannonia’s Georgikon Faculty in spring 2007. Our examinations focused on the appearance of species in our country as well as on their frost resistance abilities. The species participating in the experiment are as follows: Abelia grandiflora, Aucuba japonica ’Rozzanie’, Calycanthus floridus, Cotoneaster franchettii, Elaeagnus pungens ’MaculataAurea’, Ilex cornuta, Ligustrum sinense, Ligustrum texanum, Nandina domestica, Osmanthus heterophyllus, Perovskia atriplicifolia, Phyllyrea angustifolia, Photinia fraseri ’Red Robin’, Prunus lusitanica, Sarcococca hoockeriana, Spartium junceum, Teucrium fruticans, Viburnum cinnamonifolium, Viburnum tinus.