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Chemical composition of forage from two varieties of switch grass (Panicum virgatum L.) was determined at different stages of vegetation. Changes in contents of some chemical compounds were noted during plants growth and development. Crude protein content decreased while structural carbohydrates (crude fiber, neutral detergent fibre – NDF, acid detergent fiber) increased during vegetation progress...

Twelve varieties and breeding lines from three turf grass species, grown in pots in three different soil mixtures were first tested in glasshouse for drought resistance. Further, turf in pots was allowed to regenerate and root and shoot dry weight was measured after one (in April) and two (in May, August and October) years from seed sowing. Turf grass regeneration after simulated drought was different accordingly to soil mixtures used...

In our previous study on pathogenicity of 20 isolates of 11 Fusarium species towards seedlings of 14 cultivars of wheat, triticale and rye no significant interaction isolates by cultivars was found. The finding suggested that there was non-specificity in those pathosystems and stimulated further study on the subject, which was continued with the same set of isolates and cultivars but on a different substrate. Instead of planting to soil Fusarium inoculated. inoculated kernels were plated on water agar and incubated under controlled environment conditions...

In the paper, we have proposed an approach to studying the relationship between two sets of variables, when one of the sets comprises plant traits that develop sequentially. The approach joins two statistical methods, namely canonical correlations and sequential yield analysis (Mądry et al., 2005, J. New Seeds 7(1), pp. 85-107). Using the approach, grain yield and protein content in grain of two spring barley cultivars—Rasbet (with hulled grains) and Rastik (with hulless grains)—were studied as the effect of yield components that develop sequentially (number of spikes per m2, number of kernels per spike, and kernel weight)...

Seeds of two single-cross maize hybrids, Ulla and Benicia, harvested at eight stages during seed development and maturation were stored at –20°C and under ambient room temperature. Changes in quality were monitored with standard germination, accelerated ageing and two types of cold tests at three months intervals. The aim of this study was to investigate whether relative differences in quality of the seeds prior to storage were maintained during medium-term storage. Interactions between maturity stage and storage temperature were practically negligible...

The aim of this study was to determine the composition of HMW glutenin alleles at the loci Glu-A1, Glu-B1 and Glu-D1 in introgressives derived from interspecific hybrids of various strains and varieties of Triticum aestivum L. and Triticum durum Desf. For locus Glu-A1, the following subunits were detected: 1 (16.9%),  2* (20.3%), and the null subunit N (62.7%). These subunits are coded for by the alleles a, b and c, respectively. For locus Glu-B1, the following subunits and subunit combinations were detected: 7 (18.6%), 7+8 (15.2%), 7+9 (47.4%), 6+8 (15.2%), 6+7+8 (1.7%) and 6+7+8+9 (1.7%). The first four subunit pairs are coded for by alleles a, b, c and d, respectively...

Mono-5B Chinese Spring, mono-5B Jara, mono -5B Favorit exhibiting the deficiency of 5B-chromosome, the mutant –Ph Chinese Spring (ph1b, ph1b), mono-5A Chinese Spring, mopno-5D Chinese Spring with the genotype Ph1, Ph1 and the varieties Chinese Spring, Jara, Favorit with the genotype Ph1Ph1 were used in the crosses with 7 species of Triticum, 5 species of Aegilops and one species of Lolium genera to investigate the effect of the Ph1- locus on F1- bridge hybrids. Altogether, 117 cross-combinations were made and 98 259 florets were pollinated. The effectiveness of the locus Ph 1 was judged by the percentage of seed set of F1- bridge hybrids. Wide variation of seed set was observed in F1-bridge hybrids for all cross-combinations made...

Species diversity of living creatures is in the centre of attention of scientists of many fields, as well as people who are involved in environment protection. The reason for this is continuous extinction of many plant species, including weeds, which can be observed in recent years. There are many factors that have an impact on weed extinction. Chemicalisation of crops (mainly use of herbicides) is considered the predominant factor here that limits weeds’ diversity. Abandoning of correct crop rotation and organic fertilisation are not without significance as well; all this happens to the benefit of monocultures and intense mineral fertilization...

The contents of water-soluble (SDF) and insoluble dietary fibre (IDF) and DF-associated protein, sugar composition of noncellulosic polysaccharides (NCP) as well as viscosity of cereal slurries were investigated in tetraploid (4x) and hexaploid (6x) triticales compared to wheat and rye. The SDF content found in 4x triticale (3.3% of dry matter) was significantly higher (P

Seven populations of N. alata, 4 populations of N. sanderae and several hundred plants belonging to three generations of the hybrid (N. tabacum cv. TB-566 tetra × N. alata) × N. alata were tested for resistance to TSWV. Tested plants were artificial inoculated with TSWV under greenhouse conditions. Out of 11 accessions of N. alata and N. sanderae 7 were found to be composed entirely of plants hypersensitive to TSWV. In the remaining four accessions there were from 16 to 25% of TSWV susceptible plants. The hybrids (N. tabacum cv. TB-566 tetra × N. alata) × N. alata, regardless of their cytogenetical status, showed hypersensitive response to inoculation with TSWV...

To investigate the nature of dormancy in Hypericum androsaemum, H. scabrum, H. lydum and H. tetrapterum seeds which did not show germination under nor mal laboratory conditions. The 15 day long germination experiment under the constant light pre ceded by 30 min soaking in water (tap water, 40, 50 and 60°C hot water), GA3 (50, 100 and 150 ppm) and H2SO4 (1, 2 and 3%) was per formed. The germination response to the pre-soaking treatments was variable and discussed as a possible result of double dormancy involving partially dormant embryo and a chemical inhibitor for H. androsaemum and H. scabrum. Seed germination was restricted only by hard seed coat in H. lydum, and H. tetrapterum indicating the presence of physical dormancy.    

Size of the cells in developing seed is one of the major factors that regulate yield potentials. Seed of three cotton genotypes, Gossypium hirsutum. L cv (H-4; H-8) G. herbaceum L. cv (G. Cot-15) exhibits variation in their final seed size (large, middle and smaller) were studied for growth and changes in cell wall components during entire period of seed development. High and low molecular weight xyloglucan contents were extracted with 1M and 4M alkali, respectively. Initially the high and low molecular weight xyloglucan contents remained low and increased when cell size stabilized. Changes in esterified and non-esterified pectic substances were also fractionated from the cell wall of developing seed and theirs role in cell elongation phase is discussed. It was observed that bigger seed has higher xyloglucan contents than that of middle and smaller sized seed. Pectic substances were higher during elongation phase in all genotypes. The role of these polysaccharides in sink size development is discussed.

Cotton genotypes H-6, H-4 (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and V797 (Gossypium herbaceum L.) were analyzed for fruiting pattern (i.e. distribution of flowers, numbers of bolls and its dry weight on different branches) and percent (%) dry matter partitioning into the different components of the boll (seed, fiber and boll wall). Percent distribution of flowers, bolls and dry weight within the plant varied distinctly among the genotypes studied. In higher yielding genotypes (H-4 and H-6), during the initial stage of plant growth for about 10 days, 60-80% of dry matter was partitioned into boll wall and decreased up to 12-15% as the boll developed (nearly 45 days). Contrary to this, seed and fiber accumulated dry matter during development (60-75%). Abscission rate increased with an increase in boll load in all three genotypes and it was significantly higher in the lower yielding variety, V797. A reduction in boll and seed number, seed and fiber dry weight was observed with the progress in the season and was significantly higher in V797 as compared to H-4 and H-6.

Seeds of the three cotton genotypes, H-6 and H-4 (Gossypium hirsutum),and V797 (G. herbaceum) for their growth variations in IAA oxidase and peroxidase activities. The three genotypes varied in their final seed weight. The peroxidase analysis was done with four different hydrogen donors. Though the trends in peroxidase activitywere almost similar in the three genotypes, there was variation with different hydrogen donors. These was an inverse correlation between Cytoplasmic peroxidase and Wall bound peroxidase activity and rate of water uptake of the seed. The peroxidase activity showed up increasing levels only after the rate of water uptake decreased. However, IAA oxidase activity did not show any discernible trend with water content. The role of cytoplasmic and wall bound peroxidase in seed development is discussed in detail    

The Two-Dimensional Partitioning (TDP) of Yield Variation is a method for studying a response variable (usually yield) as affected by successive traits contributing to it (first direction) and treatments (second direction). Many authors have found its usefulness, especially in plant breeding, but also in other agricultural and horticultural investigations. Since now, no disadvantages of the method have been pointed out. The objective of this paper is to discuss the statistical appropriateness of the TDP method. Two general problems are introduced, i.e., (1) employing sums of squares from ANOVA as factor effects, and (2) dealing with so-called cross-products, which cause that the TDP table is, actually, quite often very hard or even impossible to interpret. The author points out that inference based on TDP may be false and may lead to erroneous conclusions.

The aim of presented work was to identify of PCR amplifiedDNAfragments differentiating aluminium tolerant and sensitive forms of rye and to locate the markers on rye chromosomes. For identification of markers, the PCR system with semi-specific primers targeting intron-exon sequences of plant genes was applied. The modified method of bulked segregant analysis was used. The pooled DNAs of two or three F2 segregating populations were screened together with DNA of their parental inbred lines. Potential marker of tolerance gene was located on rye chromosomes using wheat/rye (Chinese Spring/Blanco) additional lines. The specific probes obtained from DNA fragments differentiating sensitive and tolerant forms of rye were hybridized to PCR amplified DNA fragments of sensitive and tolerant forms of rye and the set of wheat/rye addition lines. Independently of the method of digoxygenin labelling (primer extension or Taq polymerase reaction), the probes obtained showed similar hybridization patterns. The results of hybridisation of 21 probes prepared from 12 DNA fragments confirmed connection of selected DNA fragments with to aluminium tolerance or sensitivity. Most of these DNA fragments originated from tolerant forms of rye. Using this method it was possible to locate eight DNA fragments on rye chromosomes. Three DNA fragments hybridised to chromosome 4R, two DNA fragments to chromosome 6R and single DNA fragments to chromosomes 1R, 2R and 3R. Four DNA fragments indicating clear relationship with character studied were not located on particular chromosomes using this set of wheat/rye addition lines. Hybridisation of probes prepared from four DNA fragments revealed length polymorphism. Probes prepared from two DNA fragments were characterised as dominant markers. In other cases the type of marker (dominant/codominat) was not fully documented.

The ergot (Claviceps purpurea) incidence in seed samples of Poa pratensis, Lolium perenne, L. multiflorum, Festuca rubra and F. pratensis cultivars originating from different regions of grass cultivation in Poland was detected in 1999 – 2002. Each year, about hundred twenty cultivars of different species were tested. It was found that number of seed replaced by sclerotia significantly varied and depended on the year of seed harvest, species and cultivar tested and region of grass grown for seed. The highest level of Claviceps purpurea sclerotia almost for all grass species was detected in 1999. The highest number of seed replaced by sclerotia was found in sowing material of Poa pratensis for all years of testing. Ergot in seed lots of L. multiflorum and F. pratensis were detected at trace levels. Differences in susceptibility to Claviceps purpurea among cultivars were observed. However, significant variation in occurrence of ergot sclerotia were noted for the same cultivar harvested in different region of Poland. It was found that size of sclerotia depended on the host - grass species and the year of seed harvest. Significant differences  were noted particularly in the length and weight of sclerotia.

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the genotypic variation for salt tolerance on seed germination for 24 genotypes (20 landraces and 4 breeding lines) of barley. The genotypeswere evaluated by several criteria, at 4 salt concentrations (0, 100 mM, 150 mM and 200 mM) and 4 seawater concentrations (0%, 20%, 30% and 40%). The results show a large variability within the genotypes for salt tolerance. Genotype × Treatment interaction is significant for root length. The estimates of broad-sense heritability calculated for percentage of germination (PG), percentage of emergence (PE) and radicle length (RL) were quite high for the salt treatment compared with those for the control treatment.Moderate to highBroad sens heritability estimateswere observed for the reduction percentage in both experiments. Discriminant analysis arranged the genotypes in two, clearly separate groups that differ in their tolerance to salinity stress.

The objective of this research was to examine the expected responses to selection for colour of chips (= crisps) produced directly from tubers stored at 4-6°C for three months in three potato populations. Population 1 was obtained from crossing cv. Lady Claire with parental line M-62774, Population 2 was derived from crossing cv. Snowden with parental line M-62724. Both populations originated from crosses between cold chipping parents. Population 3 was produced by intermating cold chipping parent (cv. Snowden) with good chipping parent (M-62805) that requires the reconditioning treatment. Fifty-eight to sixty random clones for each population plus four parents and four control cultivars were planted in 2003 and 2004 at M³ochów Research Center of Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute. A considerable genotypic variation in chip colour after cold storage has been found within three hybrid populations. Heritability estimates were moderate, ranging from 0.42 to 0.53, and each of these populations exhibited good potential advance by selection for chip colour after cold storage.

In the years 1997 – 1999 a field research was carried out on distribution of field weeds of the Nadnidziański Landscape Park (50°18’–50°34’ N and 20°29’–20°49’ E). With the use of Braun-Blanquet method 149 phytosociological records were made. These records were made on fields with root and fodder cultivations. A soil investigation was carried out in order to determine the influence of soil on diversification of weed communities. The paper describes 4 associations occurring in the area, as well other truncated communities that cannot be assigned to any association due to absence of typical species. Lamio-Veronicetum politae is an association that occurs most frequently in the area of research although it is hardly ever observed in its typical from, as some of the typical species of the association are threatened by extinction. Permanent and abundant occurrence of such species as Chenopodium album or Galinsoga parviflora, which are dangerous weeds that compete strongly with other species of a small ecological scale, were also observed.

This investigation provides data from two field trials. During the period 1999-2002 a comparative investigation was carried out to test winter oilseed rape varieties Polo, Marita, Bor, Kana, Gara, Mar and Leo in order to select the most productive one to continue the studies on agronomic factors. During the period 2000-2004 a fertilization trial was initiated with variety Gara to investigate the rates and ratios of macro-fertilization (NPK) in winter oilseed rape under the conditions of Dobroudja region. Sixty combinations were studied as follows: 3 rates of fertilization with potassium (0, 40, and 80 kg × ha –1 K2O), 4 rates of phosphorus fertilization (0, 40, and 120 kg × ha-1 P2O5), and 5 rates of nitrogen fertilization (0, 40, 120 and 160 kg × ha –1 N). During the 5-year period, in two of the years oilseed rape was not harvested. Two risk periods were established which limited the area for growing of oilseed rape in Bulgaria: August-September and the winter period. The sowing period was characterized with a risk of drought in 26.9% of the years, or by intensive rainfalls and formation of soil crust, both factors limiting the formation of a regular spatial pattern of the crop. The successful wintering of oilseed rape can not be ensured because in 34.6% of the years for a period of 52 years, days with air temperature –15°C, or insufficient snow cover, were registered. The comparative testing of the oilseed rape varieties revealed that variety Gara showed the highest productivity and stability by years under the conditions of North-East Bulgaria. The other varieties did not differ by this criterion. The investigation on NPK-fertilization established that averaged for the rates of potassium and phosphorus fertilization, phosphorus was the factor with the highest effect on oilseed yield from rape up to rate N160. The tendency towards significant differences according to the previous investigated rate continued up to rate N80 in dry years, and up to N120 in years with good moisture reserve. During the year with good moisture reserve, a well expressed effect from the independent use of phosphorus and potassium fertilization was established, as well as the interaction between nitrogen and phosphorus, and phosphorus and potassium, which implies the necessity of the obligatory presence of phosphorus in the fertilization rate with moderate doses (P80). As a result from this, fertilization  with N120P80 can be recommended as agronomically optimal under the conditions of Dobroudja region.

The toleration of poor soil and high efficiency of mineral nutrients use of rye has been successfully transferred to triticale, but only one rye chromosome (1RS) has been used in wheat breeding. We started studies on identification of other rye chromosomes potentially useful in improvement of wheat, with special emphasis on root characters. We analyzed dry matter, length and number of roots (seminal and adventitious roots separately), together with plant dry matter, in two sets of disomic wheat-rye addition lines (CS-‘Blanco’ and CS-‘Imperial’). Plants were grown in hydroponic culture. In relation to the ‘Chinese Spring’ (CS) wheat, all the addition lines showed decrease of plant and root size parameters. The chromosomes 5R and 7R were best tolerated in wheat, but they caused a decrease of root proportion in plant. The 4R addition was the least viable one, but the root/plant ratio was higher than in wheat. The results were influenced mainly by interaction between homoeology group and cultivar of origin of rye chromosomes. The highest interactions of this kind were found in the 5R and 6R additions.

Two sets of disomic substitution lines, derived from the cultivars ‘Presto’ and ‘Rhino’ of triticale, with rye chromosome pairs replaced by their wheat D-genome homoeologues, were tested in hydroponic culture. The size of root system (dry matter, length, number of seminal and adventitious roots) was investigated together with total plant dry matter. The results were influenced mainly by the growth stage and interaction between homoeology group of exchanged chromosomes and varietal background. In relation to the controls (unchanged cultivars), only the ‘Rhino’ 2D(2R) showed a significant increase of plant dry matter. No significant negative effect on plant mass was stated for the 3D(3R) in ‘Presto’ and the both 1D(1R) substitutions. Tolerance of the 4D(4R), and 5D(5R) disomic substitutions was poor; 7D(7R) was absent as not able to survive. The majority of changes noticed for the root system parameters were parallel to the changes in plant dry matter. Besides, some effects specific to root system were found in adult plants. Relationships are discussed between the obtained results and the earlier ones on disomic rye additions to hexaploid wheat.

The effect of leaf spot and melting out disease and chemical control on seed quality of Kentucky bluegrass was investigated over two seasons in three treatments: natural infection, inoculation by Drechslera poae and Tilt 250 EC (propiconazole) application. Disease incidence in the treatment with natural infection was low and in the treatment with inoculation was much heavier. Application of propiconazole and occurrence of leaf spot and melting out disease not affected germination capacity of Kentucky bluegrass. Future experiments are needed to confirm obtained results.

Effect of Puccinia spp. and application of chemical control on seed yield components and seeds germination capacity of perennial ryegrass was investigated. Field trials were carried out over two seasons evaluating triazole fungicides applied one or three time. The weather condition were favoured for rust development in both years of the experiment. The rust disease symptoms were observed only during the first year. It was possible to observe a big effect of rust disease and application of chemical control on seed yield components and seeds germination capacity.

The breeding work with common potato as a tetraploid crop is complicated. Reducing the tetraploid chromosome number to the diploid one, makes the research and breeding simpler, because tetrasomic inheritance is replaced with disomic. Dihaploids of S. tuberosum crossable to various diploid Solanum species give also possibility for direct gene transfer from the wild and primitive cultivated Solanum species to the S. tuberosum background. In this way the gene pool of common potato is improved and enriched, but there are also disadvantages connected with using of dihaploids and it is necessary to change the ploidy level back to the tetraploid one in order to produce a cultivar. In spite of that, dihaploids were utilized in several potato breeding programmes conducted in Europe and USA. Dihaploids contributed to many modern potato cultivars, facilitating genetic works.

Three collecting missions were organised by National Centre for Plant Genetic Resources of the Plant Breeding and Acclimatisation Institute at Radzików in 1999. The aim was collecting of old varieties and local populations of crop plants, cultivated in gardens and fields, old varieties of fruit-trees and wild growing fodder, medicine and ornamental species. A total of 339 accessions of 41 genera of crop plants were collected during these expeditions. Although genetic erosion of crop plants is still being continued and old varieties occurring in the recent past yet are replaced by new ones, there can be still found old, valuable varieties and local populations in many region of Poland.

The antagonistic activity of some Biological Control Agents (BCA) isolates of Trichoderma sp., Penicillium sp., Gliocladium sp., and Actinomycetes - Streptomyces sp. against pathogens of sugar beet damping-off: Aphanomyces cochlioides, Pythium debaryanum and Phoma betae was tested in vivo and in vitro. Fourty-nine isolates of fungi and seventy four of Actinomycetes were isolated from compost and soil in which those pathogens did not occur. The microorganisms effective against at least two pathogens in vitro tests were incorporated into the soil or added to the seed as a treatment during pelleting process. The microorganisms used in vivo tests limited the number of infected seedlings. Some of them protected emerging plants on the same level as fungicides commercially used for seed treatment.

The aim of paper was evaluation of composition of high molecular weight (HMW) and low molecular weight (LMW) glutenin subunits in wheat-rye addition lines cv. Grana - cv. Dańkowskie Złote, substitution line 1B/1R and initial forms, as well as, localization of Sec genes on chromosomes ‘Dańkowskie Złote’ rye. Analysis were performed using SDS-PAGE electrophoresis.The composition of HMW glutenin for all addition lines and ‘Grana’ wheat was: N - 6+8 - 2+12. Composition of LMW glutenin was estimated only for 2R and 6RL addition lines, wheat, and octoploid triticale. In both addition lines the subunits N-6+9-15 were identified, in wheat cv. Grana subunits 1-6+9-15 were present, whereas in octoploid triticale polymorphism was observed (1-6+9-15 or 1-11+13-N). Rye storage proteins (secalins) was found in addition lines: 1R, 2R and substitution line 1B/1R. It can be concluded that genes responsible for secalin biosynthesis in rye cv. Dańkowskie Złote are localized on 1R and 2R chromosomes.

Crossing a wild species of Triticeae tribe, e.g. Agrotriticum sp., with cultivated form of them, can enrich them in new, valuable genes as well as their recombinations, which determines their favorable traits from a breeding and agricultural point of view. The aim of present paper was to analyze some traits affecting the grain technological value at hybrid strains of triticale with Agrotriticum and to evaluate the influence of particular parental forms on value of tested traits at hybrids. There are no data on the subject in literature. Five hexaploid breeding triticale strains produced by crossing triticale with Agrotriticum (Gruszecka, 1992) and parental components: two triticale and two Agrotriticum forms were studied. Plants were harvested in 2000 and 2001. Kernels of obtained triticale hybrid forms were characterized by high amylolytic activity expressed by low falling number. Two strains were distinguished with higher falling number and higher flour strength, but they did not come up to Agrotriticum referring to the trait value. Gluten content was lower at studied strains than at corresponding parental components and its low quality was worse than that for Agrotriticum forms. Yield of total flour was low and not exceeding 60%. Obtained laboratory breads had pleasant and aromatic flavor. Crumb of bread produced from Agrotriticum was more elastic and had less moisture than that baked from triticale. Excellent strain No 2 – CZR 028/19/95 - {[(Lanca × L 506/79) × CZR 142/79] × (Triticum aestivum × Agropyron 1)} was characterized by porosity structure similar to that of Agrotriticum parental form. Bread achieved from the strain’s flour was distinguished with low baking loss, and high efficiency and volume. However, slight effect of parental Agrotriticum forms on qualitative trait values of tested strains triticale with Agrotriticum cross-combinations was proved.

In durum wheat × rye hybrids and the derived amphiploid triticale, AABBRR, the expression of the 1R rRNA genes is largely suppressed. Alloauto-octoploid triticales, AABBRRRR, allows the evaluation if rye NOR inactivation can be overcome by the increase of rye genome number. In the present work, we used silver staining and in situ hybridisation techniques in order to study the nucleolar activity and to localize the rRNA genes in hexaploid and alloauto-octoploid triticales. The use of rye genomic DNA as probe allowed the identification of the rye chromosomes present in both hexaploid and octoploid triticales (14 and 28, respectively). The simultaneous use of the ribosomal sequence enabled the localisation of 18S-25S rDNA on the satellite chromosomes of both triticales. On hexaploid triticale we detected six rDNA sites (four on wheat chromosome pairs 1B and 6B and two on rye chromosome pair 1R), whereas on alloauto-octoploid triticale eight rDNA sites (four on wheat-pairs 1B and 6B and four on rye chromosome pairs 1R) were observed. As expected, the maximum number of active Ag-NORs per metaphase cell was coincident with the maximum number of nucleoli per interphase nucleus confirming that all and only the NORs functionally active during interphase are stained by silver at the next mitotic metaphase. Comparison of the nucleolar activity between hexaploid and octoploid triticales analysed here indicates that the increase in 1R chromosomes from two to four does not change the suppression of rye nucleolar activity. This supports the suggestion that genomic interactions are under strong genetic control.

The wide hybridisation has been applied to cereals breeding allowing to the production of new amphiploids. Triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) was the first synthetic amphiploid of the Triticeae tribe and performed well in comparison with its parent’s wheat and rye. In this work we aimed to analyse the meiotic behaviour and to identify the chromosomes present in both mitotic and meiotic metaphase cells of the portuguese cultivar ‘Douro’ (2n=42, AABBRR) using in situ hybridisation technique with genomic DNA from rye and repetitive DNA sequences as probes. Triticale ‘Douro’ presented a high level of homologous pairing. The mean number of bivalents was 20.14 and the average of ring bivalents was higher than rod bivalents. The total frequency of univalents was reduced (1.72), presenting the wheat univalents a higher frequency comparatively to the rye univalents. No multivalent configurations were seen, confirming the high meiotic regularity and stability of triticale ‘Douro’. The simultaneous use of pSc119.2 and pSc250 repetitive DNA probes on mitotic and meiotic chromosomes allowed the identification of all rye chromosomes. The pSc119.2 probe identified some wheat chromosomes, namely from B genome, and the chromosome pairs 4A and 5A.

Stagonospora nodorum produces cell wall degrading enzymes when grown in culture media containing cell wall components. The pathogen grew as well on minimal agar plates containing cellulose, xylan and pectin as glucose, except having sparser mycelia. Four cell wall-degrading enzymes, cellulase, xylanase, pectinase and b-1,3-glucanase were coordinately induced in culture filtrates growing on xyaln and cellulose as substrates. An aggressive isolate (sn26-1) secreted more cell wall-degrading enzymes than the others. Based on isoelectric focusing profiles, six to seven xylanase isozymes were induced by cellulose and xylan. No difference was found in the high (sn26-1) and low (9074) aggressive isolates. Addition of cell wall-degrading enzyme mixtures, not high xylanase alone, to a spore suspension of a low aggressive isolate (9074) caused a limited increase in tissue necrosis. We conclude that the cell wall degrading enzymes play a role in early penetration of the host by the fungus, but they are not important elicitors for disease development.

Inheritance of tomato resistance to P. infestans was studied in progenies of crosses of resistant accessions: West Virginia 700, Ottawa 30, PI224675 and the variety New Yorker and also of the variety West Virginia’63 and resistant breeding lines crossed with susceptible forms. Populations of F1, F2, parents and resistant standards were evaluated for resistance to late blight using the test on seedlings grown in liquid medium. Resistance of the accessions West Virginia 700, Ottawa 30 and PI224675 was found to be identical and determined by the same genes: Ph-1 and Ph-2. It has not been recognized if these accessions carry other genes, neither if the variety West Virginia’63 and lines of equal resistance possess other genes beside Ph-2.  

There were performed tests on a set of twenty single substitutions of the D-genome chromosomes from various bread wheats into winter triticale Presto, a set of seven disomic addition lines of chromosomes from winter rye Dańkowskie Zlote to winter wheat Grana, and all parental forms to study on the chromosome location of major genes that are resposible for seedling stage resistance to Puccinia recondita f.sp.tritici in triticale. For each line, seedlings developed to two-leaf stage were exposured to four pathotypes of the pathogen predominant in Poland to test them in the greenhouse conditions. There were high resistance among the substitution lines of Presto, 1D(1A), 4D(4R), and 5D(5R) suggesting that chromosomes introduced from the D-genome carried resistance genes. Among the addition lines, GH2R was highly resistant. Resistance to rust at seedlings stage of Presto lines of D- genome and addition lines Grana (wheat) / Dankowskie Zlote (rye) shows that chromosome 2R is responsible for the resistance to the disease.

Yield and quality of carrot seed were not affected by the mother root size used. However, the umbel position had significant influence on all the parameters used to evaluate the seed yield and quality except seed water content, which gave no significant response to the umbel order. Primary umbels resulted in better seed quality followed by the secondary umbels and whole plant, while tertiary umbels gave poor quality seed. All the seed yield and quality parameters studied also differed significantly for the interaction between mother root size and umbel order. Growth and yield of resulting roots were also not affected by the mother root size but were significantly influenced by the umbel order and its interaction with root size, indicating the supremacy of primary and secondary umbels on whole plant and tertiary umbels.

The aim of the research was to assess the androgenic potential of 21 Polish cultivars of spring and winter barley. On average, a few green plants developed per 100 anthers. Cold pretreatment proved conducive to the formation of embryos/calli, while mannitol pretreatment favoured green plant development. The first embryos/calli formed on the induction medium developed most efficiently. The authors chose FHG medium supplemented with 1 mg/l BAP and 0.2 mg/l 2,4-D (induction of androgenesis) and FHG medium supplemented with 0.4 mg/l BAP and 3% maltose (plant development).

Response of 136 somaclonal lines obtained from 15 winter triticale genotypes (Bolero, Dagro, Grado, Lasko, Moniko, Presto, Ugo, GRH 32-1, KS-24, MAH 15668-1, MAH 15833-1/1, T/8, T/9, T/28, T/47), to Fusarium seedling blight was evaluated. Mixture of five Fusarium species was used for inoculation. Somaclonal lines varied widely in their resistance to Fusarium spp. scored by coleoptile and root infection, and reduction of length of shoot and roots, and seedling weight. Most of the somaclonal lines differed significantly from parental genotypes in at least one of the above parameters. It was found that resistant parental genotypes (e.g. Grado, KS-24) produced mainly more susceptible somaclonal lines and susceptible ones (e.g. Ugo, MAH 15833-1/1) gave rise mainly to more resistant lines. However, some resistant lines originated from resistant genotypes (e.g Presto) were found.

The creation of new perennial ryegrass varieties is impossible without instant access to wide range of natural variation i.e. to the ecotypes originating from different regions. The main goal of described experiment was to compare number of morphological, phenological and useful traits of European core collection of perennial ryegrass ecotypes in climatic conditions of Poland. Total number of 156 objects (incl. 4 standard varieties) originated from different regions of Europe were exposed to two management regimes (conservation and frequent cutting). During three subsequent years 22 qualitative and quantitative traits described variation of ‘main collection’. Further, on the basis of cluster analysis ‘sub-collection’ of 28 ecotypes from 9 clusters was selected and evaluated for 71 traits in field in similar management regimes as ‘main collection’. On the basis of described ecotypes variation it was possible to indicate following regions of ecotype origin in Europe: South Europe, West Europe, North-Middle Europe and Romania and Hungary. None of tested ecotypes exposed better yield formation than control varieties, however few ecotypes appeared to have better particular traits (better winter performance, faster spring regrowth etc.). Traits associated with inflorescence morphology (distance between florets in spikelet and distance between spikelets in spike, length of spikelet) seems to be the most stable traits, as contrary to abundance of inflorescences, tendency to produce inflorescences in year of sowing and green matter yield of first cut. High differentiation of ecotypes examined indicate existence of many botanical varieties as well as ecotypes of transition nature.