The purpose of this research was to determine the water needs and results of drip irrigation of mid-early potato cultivar Courage. Studies were carried out in central Poland in 2011–2013 on very light soil. The experiment was designed as two-factorial trials with four replications. The first factor was drip irrigation: O = control (without irrigation), D = drip irrigation. The second factor was the nitrogen fertilization method: P = broadcasting, F = drip fertigation. Nitrogen fertilization was 120 kg N ha−1 on each plot. Crop coefficients for irrigation period were 0.4 in June and 0.6 in July and August. According to calculations based on the crop coefficients and correction coefficients acc. HargreavesDA model the water requirement of potato for June–August was 202 mm. Drip irrigation increased the marketable tuber yield by 55%. Irrigation water use efficiency increased from 257 kg ha−1 mm−1 in D + P to 264 kg ha−1 mm−1 in D + F. The productivity of 1 kg of nitrogen fertilization was 189 kg ha−1 in control non-irrigated plots and 321 kg ha−1 in drip-irrigated plots, and it rose up to 337 kg ha−1 when fertilization was applied by fertigation.

Abstract. Elderberry (Sambucusnigra L.) is a common species belonging to the Adoxaceae family native to most of Europe and North America. For centuries, elderberry has been used as a medicinal plant. This species is also a popular ornamental plant often grown in the gardens and city parks. However, the seedling survival rate of elderberry depends mainly on the suitable soil water conditions that can be controlled using a properly designed and operated microirrigation system. Firstly, it is necessary to determine the water needs of Sambucusnigra L., especially in the first period of growth, which determines the seedling survival rate of the plants introduced into the gardens or parks. A commonly accepted measure of the plant water requirements is the potential evapotranspiration of this plant. The purpose of the research was to assess the water needs of Sambucusnigra L. during the first three years of its growing in five different regions of Poland. Potential evapotranspiration of the elderberry was calculated using modified by Żakowicz for Polish conditions the Blaney-Criddle's method, to which the crop coefficients were adjusted. The study was carried out for thirty years, from 1981 to 2010, in five different agro-climatic regions of Poland.The largest water needs in the period of increased demand for water in elderberry (June-July) occurred in the central-north-western (232 mm) and central-eastern (230 mm) regions. The lowest water needs were found in the south-eastern region (214 mm). The highest rainfall deficit in the central-north-west region (102 mm), smaller rainfall deficit in the central-eastern and south-western regions, amounted to 82 mm and 72 mm, respectively. The lowest rainfall deficit (40 mm) was found in the south-eastern region.In the central-north-west and central-eastern regions, precipitation deficiency occurred in 28 out of 30 considered years (93 % years). In the south-eastern region, precipitation deficiency occurred in 21 years (70 % of years).Keywords : irrigation, evapotranspiration, reclamation, seedling survival, water requirements. IntroductionElderberry (also called medicinal lilac) is a popular plant used for centuries for medicinal purposes [1; 2]. Sometimes it is cultivated -as an ornamental shrub -also in parks and home gardens. High Elderberry planting -on the surface of the park or within a given garden -depends primarily on optimal water conditions that can be effectively shaped using properly programmed and operated microirrigation. However, this requires the necessary prior determination of the needs of water plants, especially in the first -decisive for the success of the plantings carried out -the period of growth of plants introduced into the area of a given park or garden.The objective of the present research was to estimate of the water needs of elderberry (Sambucusnigra L.) at the first three years of growing on reclaimed land in different regions of Poland.

The effect of nitrogen fertigation of two watermelon cultivars grown on the very light soil in the central part of Poland, during 2012–2014, was evaluated. The field experimental design was a split-plot with four replications. The main plot was the drip fertigation with nitrogen applied in two combinations: drip irrigation + broadcasted nitrogen fertilization (DI) used as a control, and drip irrigation + fertigation with nitrogen (DF); where, two cultivars: Bingo and Sugar Baby were used as a split-plot. The phosphorus and potassium fertilizers were applied pre plant in the spring, whereas, three rates of 40 kg ha−1 of nitrogen fertilizer were applied during the growing season. The fertigation was performed using a proportional mixing dispenser. The ripened fruits were harvested progressively as they mature. The marketable fruit yield, the single fruit weight and the number of fruits per plant, were evaluated. Tested factors presented a significant effect in the yield characteristics, further the interaction among the factors was important. DF, comparing to DI, notably improved fruit traits. Bingo cultivar had higher yield than Sugar Baby, but Sugar Baby cultivar produced more fruits than the Bingo under the DF treatment. This study provides the evidence that on a very light soil with low water and nutrients retention capacity the performance of watermelon can be optimized when nitrogen is applied directly through drip irrigation.

The aim of this study was to verify the response of 13 American asparagus cultivars cultivated for green spear on surface postharvest drip irrigation. Irrigation, used to compensate for periodic deficiencies in precipitation, allows for high- and good-quality crops for many species. The field experiment was carried out in 2006–2008 on a very light sandy soil in central Europe (Poland). Irrigation treatments were applied using the tensiometer indications. Water requirements of asparagus were calculated on the base of reference evapotranspiration and crop coefficients. The following evaluations were made: Height, diameter, and number of summer stalks, as well marketable yield, weight, and number of consumption green spears. Drip irrigation applied for 2 years (2006–2007) in the postharvest period had a positive effect on all studied traits in both summer stalks and green spears in 2007–2008. A significant increase in the height, number, and diameter of summer stalks, as well an increase in the marketable yield, weight, and number of green spears was observed for most of the cultivars. In general, postharvest drip irrigation of asparagus cultivated in very light sandy soil significantly contributes to the increase in productivity of American cultivars of this species.

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.

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.Ke y wo r d s: Asparagus officinalis, drip irrigation, dry matter, iron, microsprinkler irrigation, nitrates, potassium

SummaryIntroduction:Allium ursinumL. has a commercial value due to its high contents of bio-active compounds and mild, garlic-like taste.In vitroculture played an important role in obtainingAlliumspecies with the desired characteristics and in the production of healthy reproductive material.Objective:Developing an effective method of sterilization bear’s garlic bulbs.Methods:To obtain sterile shoots of garlic several methods of sterilization involving such factors as ACE, H2O2, HgCl2, and UV-C were tested.Results:In order to obtain sterile shoots of bear’s garlic, several sterilization procedures were tested. The best procedure was based on a two-step disinfection, where the whole onions were treated with ethanol and H2O2for 20 min. Thereafter, the isolated apical buds were sterilized in ACE for 10 min, rinsed in double-distilled water and transferred onto MS medium for growing. Up to 95% of the inoculated explants formed shoots, which were sub-cultured on MS with 4 mg dm−3BAP in order to enable further propagation.Conclusion:After optimization and stabilization, this procedure may become the basic concept of a proper and reliable propagation method of bear’s garlic on commercial scale.

Summary Introduction: The high concentration of some trace elements in medicinal plants may lowering the value of herbal material, and may cause poisoning effects. Objective: The aim of this research was to evaluate the content of trace elements in the organs of: sandy everlasting, yarrow and stinging nettle. Methods: In the soil samples, the grain size composition, pH, the content of carbon and nitrogen were determined. In the plant material and for the soil samples, the total contents of Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb were assayed. The values of the bioconcentration factor and translocation factor were also calculated. Results: The concentration of metals in plant tissues followed in order: Fe>Mn>Zn>Pb>Cu>Hg. The studied species of medicinal plants accumulated mainly Zn, Pb and Hg. It was also shown a high Hg mobility and a low Pb mobility which mainly accumulated in the roots. Conclusions: As our research shows the plants used in phytotherapy, should come from plantations monitored for toxic heavy metals in soil.