Anthropogenic habitat transformations involving changes in hydrologic conditions in the peatlands of eastern Poland contribute to the disappearance of sites of numerous relict plant species. The study aimed to verify whether sites chosen for the reintroduction of the endangered species Salix lapponum had been well selected by analyzing selected habitat parameters and determining whether changes in their values may in the long term have a significant impact on the functioning of new populations of the species. The results obtained at sites where the S. lapponum population was replenished with new individuals were analyzed in relation to data from one of the natural sites of the species. Hydrochemical characterization of the groundwater at the study sites confirmed that there was no significant influx of nutrients into the habitat or other hydrological disturbances due to human activity. The values obtained for the factors tested were within the limits of the specific preferences of the species. Changes in the values of some physical-chemical parameters of the water were due to the ecosystem’s internal metabolism, and the site with the highest hydrochemical stability was the one where S. lapponum occurred naturally. The species composition and structure of the phytocoenoses at all study sites were characteristic of natural sites of the species and showed no disturbances caused by human impact. The microbiological analyses indicated normal soil processes. The hydrochemical and biocoenotic stability of the habitat, including the microbiological balance of the soil, which was free of pathogenic fungi, should have a positive effect on the condition of the reintroduced plants.

The aim of the study was mycological examination of ulcerated corneal tissues from an ophthalmic patient. Tissue fragments were analyzed on potato-glucose agar (PDA) and maltose (MA) (Difco) media using standard laboratory techniques. Cultures were identified using classical and molecular methods. Macro- and microscopic colony morphology was characteristic of fungi from the genus Aspergillus (restricted growth series), most probably Aspergillus penicillioides Speg. Molecular analysis of the following rDNA regions: ITS1, ITS2, 5.8S, 28S rDNA, LSU and β-tubulin were carried out for the isolates studied. A high level of similarity was found between sequences from certain rDNA regions, i.e. ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and LSU, what confirmed the classification of the isolates to the species A. penicillioides. The classification of our isolates to A. penicillioides species was confirmed also by the phylogenetic analysis.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of four different essential oils on the sensitivity of allergenic fungi i.e. Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea and Cladosporium cladosporioides. The studied fungi were isolated from infected fennel. The tested oils were added to Potato Dextrose Agar medium at the concentrations of 0.1 mg/mL, 0.25 mg/mL and 0.5 mg/mL. The activity of the oils on the inhibition of the linear growth of mycelium was evaluated by measuring of fungal colonies, while the fungistatic activity was evaluated on the basis of the percentage growth inhibition of fungal colony and calculated according to Abbot’s formula. The sensitivity of the tested isolates of fungi was variable and depended on the type and concentration of the studied essential oils. The most effective antifungal effect on all tested fungi was in essential oil of oregano even at the concentration of 0.1 mg/mL, while the weakest effect was in essential oil of grapefruit at all studied concentrations. Moreover, oregano essential oil caused degradation and decay of mycelium and spores. Essential oils are potential and promising antifungal agents used as bio fungicides in plant protection and indoor air disinfection. Therefore, further in vivo studies should be carried out.

The research aimed to present the possibility of cultivating selected plants of the genus Ocimum in central-eastern Poland and to assess the chemical composition of the obtained raw material, considering the development stage of the plant. The research object consisted of six selected plants from the genus Ocimum: Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum basilicum var. purpurescens, Ocimum basilicum × citrodorum, Ocimum basilicum ‘Cinnamon’, Ocimum basilicum ‘Siam Queen’, Ocimum basilicum var. minimum ‘Minette’. The herb was harvested on the following dates: mid-June (vegetative stage), mid-July (beginning of flowering), late July/early August (full flowering), end of August (late flowering). The research showed that plants of genus Ocimum sp. can be successfully introduced to cultivation in central-eastern Poland. The yield of these plants was at a high level (average yield of fresh herb—1.15 kg m⁻² and average marketable yield—0.14 kg m⁻²). Plants of genus Ocimum sp. accumulated the least essential oil, flavonoids, and tannins in the vegetative stage (mean: essential oil—0.86%, flavonoids—0.60%, tannins—0.41%). The highest content of all tested secondary metabolites was found in the variety O. basilicum var. minimum “Minette”. The variability of the content of the analyzed compounds depending on the growth and flowering stage of the plants under study is diversified. For this reason, the date of harvesting raw materials from these plants should be selected individually to obtain a high-quality product.

The aim of present work was to determine pathogenicity of three Colletotrichum dematium isolates to caraway. The effect of post-culture liquids and water suspension of conidia on germination of caraway schizocarps was studied in laboratory conditions. The effect of C. dematium on shooting up and healthiness of the seedlings was carried out in the climatic chamber using the method with infested soil and solidified plaster of culture medium overgrown by the mycelium of the pathogen. The studied isolates of fungus made the germination of parts of tested schizocarps impossible. On the other hand, all isolates caused necrosis of germs and roots of the other germinated schizocarps. The method with Colletotrichum dematium post-culture liquids was recognized as the best to a fast estimation of pathogenicity of fungus to caraway. Based on the positive results of pathogenicity tests the studied isolates of C. dematium were recognized as pathogenic to caraway. Considering this fact and repeated frequency of isolation of the fungus from various organs of this plant (Machowicz - Stefaniak , 2010), C. dematium was recognized as a potentially pathogenic species to caraway.

Sea buckthorn is becoming an increasingly popular medicinal plant. This plant material contains many nutrients and bioactive substances used in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Compounds found in the organs of this plant have antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties,...