The Effect of Plant Pruning on the Light Conditions and Vegetative Development of Eggplant (Solanum MelongenaL.) in Greenhouse CultivationThe aim of the present investigations was to find the relations between pruning methods and chosen parameters of vegetative eggplant development in greenhouse conditions. The plant shape modifies the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) conditions in the plant profile. Independence between different pruning methods and vegetative plant development particularly leaves characteristics as well as pigments and photosynthesis products content in leaves was stated. The investigations were carried out in 1999-2001 in the experimental greenhouse of Agricultural University in Kraków, Poland. Eggplant of Tania F1hybrid was used in the early spring-summer production in a heated greenhouse. The following pruning systems were applied: pruning to one shoot with leaving on every node 2 fruit sets and 1, 2 or 3 leaves, and pruning to two shoots with leaving on every node 1 fruit set and 1, 2 or 3 leaves. With the introduction of a greater number of leaves and fruit sets on eggplant shoots irradiation in plant profile was reduced. The value of leaf area index (LAI) depended on the way of pruning. Chemical composition of leaves was slightly dependent on the method of pruning only in the case of assimilation products, i.e. reducing sugar and starch. Improvement of photosynthesis efficiency of intensively pruned eggplants was achieved by the increase of single leaf area and thickness of leaf mesophyll tissues without the increase of the level of assimilative pigments per plant mass unit.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of biostimulants enhancing plant growth and development, i.e. organic stimulator based on metal sulphates, Bacillus subtilis, humic acids, on the chemical composition and level of bioactive compounds in garlic leaves, stems, and bulbs. The study was conducted in three growing seasons on the ‘Ornak’ winter garlic cultivar. The propagating material was treated in solutions of the biostimulants and after emergence the plants were sprayed with the products three times. The most valuable edible organ proved to be the leaves, which contained the most protein, fat, and mineral components expressed as ash, were the richest source of fibre, vitamin C, and polyphenols, and also had the highest antioxidant activity among the organs tested. The nutritional value of the stems was comparable to that of the bulbs, and the level of polyphenols and antioxidant activity were even higher. The use of the growth and development biostimulants influenced the chemical composition of the garlic, but the effect was modified by the course of weather in different years of the research and also depended on edible organ. On average for years and organs all biostimulants increased the level of protein, minerals expressed as ash and enhanced antioxidant activity, whereas decreased the level of total carbohydrates.

Tomato yield and biomass growth are closely linked to climatic conditions during vegetation period. Low temperatures and high precipitation in summer constitute the main cause of the large variability of field tomato yielding contributing to worsen the quality of the yield. The aim of the investigation was determining the influence of meteorological basic components in the growing season of the tomato to total and marketable yield of twelve determinate cultivars. Experiment took place in the open field in the Vegetable Experimental Station of Agricultural University of Mydlniki near Cracow in the years 2008 - 2010. A different sensitivity of examined tomato cultivars to the course of weather conditions was stated. ‘Ondraszek’ cultivar get the highest marketable yield in all years of investigation what indicate the most adaptation to variable weather conditions and cultivars ‘Hetman’, ‘Hubal’ and ‘Babinicz’ were the least adaptated and they gave the lowest yield. Analysis of the influence of weather condition on total and marketable yield of twelve determine tomato cultivars showed, that the sum and distribution of precipitation were decisive. High precipitations decreased total and marketable yield, whereas frequent and lower precipitations influenced favorable. Since from the third stage, i.e., the beginning of fruits setting to the beginning of ripening, a larger impact of meteorological factors on marketable than total yield had been observed. In the fruits ripening stage a marketable yield depended only on sum of temperatures.

The aim of the investigations was to determine the best method of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) pruning in greenhouse production. The investigations were carried out in 1999 -2001 in the experimental greenhouse of the University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland. The 'Tania F 1 ' hybrid was used in the early spring-summer production in a heated greenhouse. Plants were pruned to one or two shoots. In the case of two-shoot plants, the second shoot was led out from the first, third, sixth and ninth node. The intense pruning positively affected the PAR conditions in the plant profile. The most effective fruit setting was observed in the intensely pruned plants. The greatest number of fruits was set at the lowest nodes. Pruning affected the total but not marketable yield of fruits. Two-shoot plants with the second shoot led out from the sixth node produced the greatest fruits, both in early and total yield. A high level of reducing sugar was found in the fruits of Eggplant pruning 4 moderately pruned plants. Fruits of two-shoot plants with the second shoot led out from the sixth node and pruned to one shoot contained the greatest level of L-ascorbic acid. The greatest levels of reducing sugar and starch were found in the leaves of moderately pruned plants, having the best PAR conditions. The method of pruning slightly affected the level of pigments in the eggplant leaves.