Poland has one of the smallest fresh water resources in Europe. Due to variability of Polish climate, irrigation became an indispensable element of intensive horticultural production. Recent study has shown that Polish farmers do not use any criteria to estimate plant water requirements for controlling irrigation, which leads to waste of water and energy. This is because userfriendly technologies enabling rational use of water resources are not easily available. The objective of the project is to develop an effective system for control of irrigation in ornamental nurseries, based on measurements of plant parameters, soil conditions and climatic data. To realize this approache the crop coefficient (k) for several important nursery species should be determined. Also the method of restricted irrigation (Regulated Deficit Irrigation - RDI) to control plant shape and plant quality will be tested on several important nursery cultivars. Additionally quantitative and qualitative evaluation of drainage water originated from container ornamental nurseries will be performed. The technology developed within the project will become the key element of the strategy of rational plant irrigation in ornamental nurseries. This is novel, hitherto not implemented approach to the problem of rational irrigation water use in plant production ...
The aim of the study was to estimate water requirements of strawberry nursery grown under protected conditions. Strawberry mother plants were cultivated in pots filled with a mixture of peat and coconut substrate. The plants were irrigated by a drip system. Watering frequency was controlled by a developed prototypical weight-based irrigation scheduling system. This system enabled automatic control of irrigation depending on actual plant water requirements. The results showed usefulness of the developed system for scheduling the irrigation of strawberry. The obtained data on irrigation frequency and water application rates provided information on actual evapotranspiration of strawberry nursery (ETr). Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) was calculated using Grabarczyk equation on a basis of temperature and air humidity data. Having both ETo and ETr values made it possible to calculate crop coefficient (Kc) for strawberry nursery. Kc varied from 0.05 in February (just after planting the mother plants) to 0.62 at the end of cultivation period (before harvesting the plantlets). ...
The aim of the study (2011-2013) was assessment of growth and yielding of apple trees (‘BeniShogun'/M.9) grown in replanted orchard. Undersowing the trees with white mustard and irrigation (performed on the basis of soil moisture measurements) were the experimental factors. Irrigation significantly affected plant growth, whereas no positive effect of white mustard application on performance of apple tree was observed. The trees started to yield in the third year after planting and yielding was different in the subsequent years of the study. A positive influence of irrigation on yield and fruit quality was observed. Undersowing the trees with white mustard reduced fruit yield and worsened its quality. It was especially visible on the non-irrigated plots. The results confirmed high effectiveness of irrigation of apple trees grown in replanted apple orchards ...
The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different irrgation managements during poinsettia cultivation. The existing systems of calculationg evaporative demand and thus irrigation frequency are usually based on growing media moisture sensors or climatic sensors (temperature, relative humidity and solar radiation). Poinsettia ‘Primero Red' was grown in pots (1,2 dm3) in greenhouse and irrigated using drippers, according to three different levels: I - irrigation at 40% ±2, (v/v) of water content in growing medium, II - automatically controlled irrigation according to continuous readings of plant weight (all plants placed on special balance connected with irrigation controller) III - irrigation at 72% ±2, (v/v) of water content. The water content in growng media in each treatments was controlled using capacitance probes ECH2O-10 (Decagon Devices, USA). The obtained results showed that irrigation control system based on continuous readings of specially designed balance connected to the computer gave very good results in poinsettia cultivation. Plant in this treatment had the best plant shape and the highest bract area. Moderate water deficit (irrigation at 40% of water content in growing medium) resulted in significant reduction in transpiration and stomatal conductance and thus reduced plant growth and quality. ...
The response of three raspberry cultivars (‘Beskid', ‘Laszka', ‘Latham') to water deficiency was examined by evaluating selected physiological parameters. Plants were subjected to two different water regimes: optimal irrigation (control), and reduced irrigation. Leaf water potential in all cultivars was decreased as a result of limited water availability. Genotypes differed in their response to water deficiency. Under water shortage conditions, the rate of CO2 assimilation was the highest in ‘Latham' and ‘Laszka'. On the other hand, the severe inhibition of photosynthesis was observed in ‘Beskid'. Taking all data into consideration it was concluded that cultivar ‘Latham' and ‘Laszka' appeared to be more drought resistant which was reflected by enhanced physiological parameters. ...
This paper presents data on daily precipitation totals from six meteorological stations and the climatic water balance for the stations located throughout Poland in 2011-2015. The following sequences of days without precipitation were distinguished: from 11 to 15 days, from 16 to 20 days, and of more than 20 days. The number of precipitation-free sequences during the growing season in 2011-2015 was highly variable. Over the studied period, there were from 1.0 rainless sequence in Wtelno to 2.4 such sequences in Gołębiów per one growing season. The most frequently occurring were sequences of 11-15 days, while those of 16-20 days were less frequent. In the years under analysis, all of the different sequences occurred most frequently in July, and the least frequently in April. The highest numbers of sequences without precipitation were recorded in the south-east of Poland (Zakalniki, Gołębiów). ...
The increasing role of perennials in ornamental nurseries requires the elaboration of efficient and accurate irrigation control of this specific group of plants. The experiment was conducted in 2015 in Research Institute of Horticulture, in Skierniewice. The aim of the study was to determine the water requirements and designate the specific evapotranspiration crop coefficient Kc of several perennials, commonly grown in Polish ornamental nurseries. Water requirements of perennials were evaluated using weighing lysimeters. At the same time the recorded climate parameters allowed to calculate the potential evapotranspiration (ET0). Lysimeter measurements and meteorological data allowed determine specific to each species crop coefficient (Kc). The Kc values were determined by dividing ETc by ET0. The obtained results showed that irrespectively of plant growth phase there is strong correlation between climate parameters and real crop evapotranspiration (ETc) of six evaluated perennials: Anemone hupehensis 'Prinz Heinrich', Echinacea purpurea ‘Guava Ice', Hemerocallis, ‘Sandra Elisabeth', Salvia nemorosa ‘Mainacht' and Veronica spicata ‘Royal Candles Glory'. The Kc coefficients of all species were changed during the growth season and increased according to plant development and percentage of ground coverage of soil in the lysimeter by leaves. The strong, positive correlation was shown for daily and hourly ...
Poland is the biggest producer of apple in Europe. Rainfalls are basic source of water for plants. The climate of Poland is characterized by high temporal and spatial variation that makes estimation of plant water requirements and forecasting of water balance difficult. The aim of the study was assessment of water needs of apple trees as well as amount of effective precipitation, enabling estimation of irrigation requirements.Data was collected during vegetative periods (May - Sep.) of 2011 - 2016. Analysis of data from different years and locations revealed that in Polish conditions climatic water balance accurately reflects balance of water requirements of apple trees only in June. In May values of climatic water balance were significantly higher, whereas in July, August and September lower compared to balance of apple water requirements. ...
Qualification of Phytophthora by Zentmayer as the destructive factor for plants indicates on that group of pathogens as very dangerous. Results obtained from previous studies showed on Phytophthora species as the threat of all group of plants growing in open field, under covering and natural ecosystem. Phytophthora spp. were detected in all analyzed water sources such as water reservoirs and canals localized in nurseries and in rivers flowing through horticulture, agriculture and forest areas. Results of the studies indicate on P. plurivora, P. cambivora, P. cinnamomi, P. citrophthora, P. cryptogea, P. lacustris and P. megasperma as the dominant species in Polish watercourses and reservoirs. Obtained results confirmed the pathogenicity of Phytophthora isolates received from different water sources ...
Utilisation of plants or their parts for detection of Phytophthora from soil and water was the interesting object in the second part of XX century. Using of fruits, seedlings, seeds of different plant species gave possibility to detect the most dangerous pathogens. In this study the effectiveness of rhododendron leaves as the bait for detection of Phytophthora, Cylindrocladium scoparium, formae spec. of Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani from water and horticultural substrate was estimated. During the detection of Phytophthora from river, canal and water container rhododendron top leaves were placed on the surface of water and after 4-5 days number of necrotic spots/leaf was estimated. Parts of necrotic spots were transplanted on PDA medium for isolation and identification of species. In the detection of other species from substrate, rhododendron leaves were placed in the water suspension of soil and after 3-5 day-incubation number of necrotic spots /leaf was calculated. The necrotic spot parts were transferred on PDA medium for isolation and identification of fungal species. Results obtained indicated on rhododendron leaves as satisfactory bait for detection of the most dangerous pathogens from water and soil. The method is easy for application and may be used for all year ...
The effect of deficit irrigation imposed in July-August period on shoot growth and flower formation in container grown rhododendron in commercial nursery were assessed. Plants were exposed to three irrigation regimes based on potential evapotranspiration rates (100% ET0 - well-watered control plants, 75% ET0 - moderate drought and 50% ET0 - severe drought). The values of evapotranspiration were calculated using the Penman-Monteith model. The degree of drought had significant effect on the plant growth and water status of plants. Severe drought inhibited secondary shoot elongation compared to less stressful regime but did not affect flower formation. ‘Catawbiense Boursault', ‘Nova Zembla' and ‘Pearce's American Beauty' plants exposed to severe drought were shorter, respectively by 39, 45 and 86% than well-irrigated plants and two of the three cultivars ‘Catawbiense Boursault' and ‘Pearce's American Beauty' produced fewer secondary branches (5.9 and 0.3) compared to control plants (9.2 and 1.7, respectively). Moderate drought did not affect plant growth but resulted in flower bud formation in ‘Nova Zembla' and ‘Pearce's American Beauty's cultivars. Estimated water consumption by rhododendrons throughout the whole growing season was reduced by 15% for moderate and 25% for severe drought compared to control, well-watered plants. The results have significant implications ...
The aim of the present research was an attempt to compare apple tree water requirements in the vegetation period in the Bydgoszcz region (Poland) and in the Isparta region (Turkey). The paper refers to the 1984-2014 temperature and precipitation values in the Bydgoszcz and Isparta regions. To determine the reference evapotranspiration (ET0), the calculation model by Hargreaves modified by Droogers and Allen was applied. Potential evapotranspiration, identified with apple tree water requirements, was determined using the method of plant coefficients proposed by Doorenbos and Pruitt. In each of the seven months considered (April-October) higher apple tree water requirements occurred in the Isparta region. The highest apple tree water requirements were noted in July and for that month during the thirty-year period they were 167.3 mm and 286 mm, on average, in the Bydgoszcz and Isparta regions, respectively. Daily water requirements of apple trees in July were more than 9.2 mm in the Isparta region and 5.4 mm in the Bydgoszcz region. Apple tree water requirements throughout the vegetation period (April-October) were much higher (by 120 %) in the Isparta region than in the Bydgoszcz region. The highest precipitation deficits occurred in July and amounted to 95.5 mm and 269.1 mm ...
The study was conducted in the Pomological Orchard of the Research Institute of Horticulture in Skierniewice on a plantation of blackcurrant cultivar ‘Tiben'. The following variants of the experiment were applied: control - NPK fertilization only, mulching with a peat substrate, shredded pine bark, sawdust of coniferous trees, bovine manure, plant compost, straw of cereals, and application of mycorrhizal inoculant MYKOFLOR. Mulching was performed each year in the spring in an amount of 25 dm3 per plot, and the inoculum was applied in an amount of 10 ml per shrub. Samples for acarological examinations were collected at 4 times, in the spring and autumn of successive seasons in 2012-2013. An increase in the overall density of mites, in comparison with the control surface, was observed after mulching the soil with sawdust of coniferous trees and plant compost. On all the plots, the communities of mites were dominated by mites of the order oribatid mites. For these mites, a statistically significant increase density was recorded after mulching the soil with sawdust of coniferous trees, bovine manure and plant compost. Mulching did not increase significantly the species diversity of oribatid mites. The soil of the blackcurrant plantation was found to be inhabited ...
The study was conducted in 2011-2012 by using litter bags on microplots in a forest soil under a canopy of trees, in optimal environmental conditions for most mites. The aim of the study was to analyze the colonization by mites of wood chips after application of two biopreparations containing cellulose-degrading bacteria. The experiment was conducted in the following variants: WC - control wood chips, WB I - chips after application of bacterial inoculum I (an unidentified G(-) rod-bacterium, Bacillus sp.) and WB II - chips after application of bacterial inoculum II (Streptomyces sp.). To maintain the optimum moisture level, the microplots were irrigated by means of microsprinklers. The highest average population density of mites in the two-year series of tests was found in the control chips: 42.28 individuals per 50 cm3. In the chips treated with the biopreparations, the density of these arthropods was lower, but the differences were not statistically significant. Dominant among the mites were mostly oribatid mites. Altogether, 34 species of oribatid mites were found in all the experimental variants. The most species (30) were found in the control variant, and fewer in the chips treated with the biopreparations - 27-26. Among the oribatid mites, Tectocepheus velatus ...
