Potato protein is a valuable source of essential plant-derived amino acids, the composition of which is similar to that of chicken egg protein considering the amino acid reference. Many factors used in potato cultivation can modify its composition. The use of bio-fertilizers in potato growing offers a possibility of a better use of minerals from soil and organic sources and reducing the need for mineral fertilizers by activating minerals present in soil. The effect can be to improve not only the potato tuber yield but also the nutritional value. The aim of this study has been to determine the hanges in the content of crude protein and the composition of amino acids in potato tubers, depending on the application of the bio-fertilizer (UGmax), organic fertilizers (pea as a catch crop, straw, and farmyard manure (FYM)) as well as mineral fertilization (100% and 50% of the reference rate). The application of bio-fertilizer significantly increased the content of essential and non-essential amino acids in potato tuber protein. With the half-decreased mineral fertilization rate, bio-fertilizer most effectively increased the content of tyrosine, methionine, asparagine in potato tuber protein in the treatments with FYM or with a catch crop as well as without organic fertilization.

Most species of Cucurbitaceae respond favorably to irrigation, especially when combined with fertilizers. The effect of drip irrigation combined with nitrogen fertigation in melon grown on a very light soil in Central Poland, during 2013–2015, was evaluated. The field experimental design was a split-plot with four replications. Two factors were studied: (1) irrigation treatments applied in two combinations—drip irrigation + broadcast nitrogen fertilization (control), and drip irrigation + fertigation with nitrogen; (2) two cultivars—Melba and Seledyn. The total marketable yield of fruits, weight of a single fruit, and the concentration of dry matter, total sugars, monosaccharides, ascorbic acid, total carotenoids, and polyphenols were evaluated. Tested factors presented a significant effect both on the yield and nutritive value characteristics. Drip irrigation combined with nitrogen fertigation, comparing to the control, notably improved yields and nutritional value of fruits. Seledyn produced better yields than Melba. This study shows that on very light soil, with low water and nutrient retention capacity, melon should be drip-irrigated and nitrogen-fertigated to obtain the best cultivation results.

Willows are one of the plants which can be used to produce biomass for energy purposes. Biomass production is classified as a renewable energy source. Increasing the share of renewable sources is one of the priority actions for European Union countries due to the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve the best possible growth of the willow and increase its biomass for fuel, it is crucial to provide optimal water conditions for its growth. The aim of the study was to determine the water requirements of willows under the conditions of the western Polish climate and to verify whether this area is potentially favourable for willow cultivation. The novelty of this paper lies in its multi-year climatic analysis in the context of willow water needs for the area of three voivodships: Lubusz, Lower Silesian, and West Pomeranian. This is one of the few willow water-needs analyses for this region which considers the potential for widespread willow cultivation and biomass production in western Poland. Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) was determined by the Blaney-Criddle equation and then, using plant coefficients, water needs for willow were determined. Calculations were carried out for the growing season lasting from 21 May to 31 October. The estimated water needs during the vegetation season amounted on average to 408 mm for the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, 405 mm for the Lubusz Voivodeship, and 402 mm for the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. The conducted analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that these needs do not differ significantly between the voivodeships. Therefore, it can be concluded that the water requirements of willows in western Poland do not differ significantly, and the whole region shows similar water conditions for willow cultivation. Furthermore, it was found that water needs are increasing from decade to decade, making rational water management necessary. This is particularly important in countries with limited water resources, such as Poland. Correctly determining the water requirements of willow and applying them to the cultivation of this plant should increase the biomass obtained. With appropriate management, willow cultivation in Poland can provide an alternative energy source to coal.

The aim of the study was to assess the interactive effect of the use of bio-fertilizer and organic matter brought into the soil, as well as to limit the use of mineral fertilization on the content of bioactive compounds in potato tubers cultivar ‘Satina’. The test results show a positive effect of the applied bio-fertilizer in all tested variants of organic fertilization (straw, fodder pea, manure) on the level of the tested compounds. Comparing the content of crude protein in tubers from plots where half the dose of mineral fertilization was applied, the use of bio-fertilizer increased the content of this component, especially after using straw. After 6 months of storage, organic fertilization had no significant effect on the protein content, while significant differences were found in tubers fertilized with mineral, in favor of the full dose of NPK fertilizers. The storage time increased the content of tyrosine, leucine, lysine, alanine, glutamic acid, and total AA, and also methionine, aspartic acid, and asparagine, while the content of isoleucine and phenyl-alanine decreased. The highest content of total polyphenols was found in tubers where the plots were covered with pea application, a full dose of mineral fertilizer, and the use of bio-fertilizer. Unfortunately, after 6 months of storage, potato tubers from plots fertilized with peas, especially those fertilized with half the dose of mineral fertilization and without the use of biofertilizer, significantly lost the most total polyphenols. Similar relationships were obtained for the level of chlorogenic acid in tubers, which is significantly correlated with the content of polyphenols, but only organic fertilization in the form of peas significantly increased the concentration of chlorogenic acid. On the other hand, the highest post-harvest antioxidant activity was characteristic of tubers from plots fertilized with manure, with a full dose of mineral fertilization and biofertilizer. During the 6-month storage, there was a decrease in the antioxidant capacity, on average 12.4% for the objects. This may indicate the influence of polyphenolic compounds as well as other antioxidants on the assessed trait.

Purpose: Studying the role of nanoparticles in plant cryopreservation is essential for developing innovative methods to conserve plant genetic resources amid environmental challenges. This research investigated the effects of gold (AuNPs), silver (AgNPs), and zinc oxide (ZnONPs) nanoparticles on the structural integrity, genetic stability, and metabolic activity of cryopreserved plant materials with medicinal properties. Methods: Shoot tips from two bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis (L). Fukuhara) cultivars, ‘Gold Heart’ and ‘Valentine’, were cryopreserved using the encapsulation-vitrification technique, with nanoparticles added at concentrations of 5 or 15 ppm during either the preculture phase or the alginate bead matrix formation. Post-recovery, the plants underwent histological, molecular, and biochemical analyses. Results: Electron microscopy observations of LN-derived plant material confirmed the production of micro-morpho-structurally stable cells. It was found that nanoparticles could penetrate the cell and accumulate in its various compartments, including the nucleus. As for the genetic analysis, SCoT markers identified polymorphisms in 11.5% of ‘Gold Heart’ plants, while RAPDs detected mutations in 1.9% of ‘Valentine’ specimens. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) indicated that in the ‘Valentine’ cultivar, all genetic variation detected was within populations and not significantly affected by nanoparticle treatments. In ‘Gold Heart’, the majority (94%) of genetic variation detected was within populations, while 6% was attributed to nanoparticle treatments (mostly the application of 15 ppm ZnONPs). The application of nanoparticles significantly influenced the metabolic profile of bleeding heart plants, particularly affecting the synthesis of phenolic acids and aldehydes, as well as the antioxidant mechanisms in both ‘Gold Heart’ and ‘Valentine’ cultivars. The content of proteins was altered in ‘Gold Heart’ plants but not in ‘Valentine’. Conclusion: The results suggest that different types and concentrations of NPs have varying effects on the production of specific metabolites, which could be harnessed to modulate plant secondary metabolism for desired pharmacological outcomes.

The effect of post-harvest irrigation and genotype on the quality components of white asparagus spears was investigated. The field experiment was conducted in 2003-2008 on a very light soil in the Bydgoszcz region. The research was based on a two-factorial split-plot design with randomly selected sub-main blocks. The first studied factor was irrigation applied as two treatments: drip irrigation and microsprinkler irrigation. Non-irrigated plants were tested as the control. The second factor considered was genotype represented by three male cultivars of the garden asparagus: ‘Gijnlim’, ‘Ramos’ and ‘Vulkan’. The irrigation started after the harvest of the spears, while the concentrations of chemical ingredients were measured in the white spears collected in the next growing period. The level of the tested components was significantly influenced by both factors studied. The average amounts of dry matter, potassium, iron and nitrates measured in the white spears were 6.37%, 268.9 mg 100 g ⁻¹ f.m., 0.29 mg 100 g ⁻¹ f.m. and 62.1 mg kg ⁻¹ f.m., respectively. Compared to the control, both irrigation treatments considerably increased the dry matter and potassium contents. The irrigation reduced the amount of nitrates, although the microsprinkler irrigation gave better results than the drip irrigation. The highest concentrations of potassium and iron were measured in the spears of ‘Ramos’, especially in the case of drip-irrigated (potassium) and non-irrigated (iron) plants. The amount of dry matter was high in the spears of ‘Ramos’, while ‘Vulkan’ presented a low tendency to accumulate nitrates.