A b s t r a c tThe location and structure of the septal nectaries in the flowers of Allium aflatunense B. Fedtsch. were studied. Light and scanning electron microscopy were used for examination. It has been shown that the septal nectaries are located in the lower part of the ovary and in the gynophore on which the ovary is borne. Nectar is secreted through the single-layered epidermis surrounding three nectary slits and nectar release occurs through three openings located at the base of the gynophore, which are the outlets of the ducts connected to the nectary slits. The expanded and fused bases of the stamen filaments and the tepals participate in secondary nectar presentation. In the flowers of Allium aflatunense, numerous purple elements: tepals, filaments, style and pedicle, perform the role of a colour attractant. On the intensely green ovary, there occur glistening conical outgrowths of epidermal cells, which may also function as signal attractants.

The study focused on the infl uence of benzyladenine (BA) on the fl owering of Liatris spicata L.'Alba' cultivated for two years in an unheated plastic tunnel and in the fi eld. Benzyladenine at a concentration of 0, 100, 200, 400 mg dm -3 was applied on the leaf twice during both years of the experiment. It was noted that cultivation of Liatris spicata L.'Alba' in an unheated plastic tunnel leads to the growth of longer infl orescence stems with a bigger fresh weight and a larger number of primary shoots. However, in comparison with control plants, it decreases the yield of infl orescence stems in the fi rst and second year of the plants' fl owering. It is benefi cial to apply benzyladenine at a concentration of 400 mg dm -3 on the leaves of Liatris spicata L. 'Alba' cultivated in an unheated plastic tunnel, because this treatment increases the number and fresh weight of infl orescence stems as well as the number of primary shoots in the fi rst and second year of the plants' fl owering. It is also justifi ed to apply benzyladenine at a concentration of 400 mg dm -3 on Liatris spicata L. 'Alba' cultivated in the fi eld, as it leads to a greater number and fresh weight of infl orescence stems in the fi rst and second year of fl owering.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of bulb planting time and the type of mulch on the morphological traits of plants and on bulb yield of Allium aflatunense B. Fedtsch. 'Purple Sensation'. Bulbs of 12 cm diameter were used as the study material. The bulbs were planted in plots on three dates: September 15th, October 1st, and October 15th. The plantation was mulched after frost with two types of mulch: composted pine bark and wheat straw. Phenological phases of the plants were observed during the growing season. At the full flowering stage, several observations and measurements were taken: length of leaves, length of inflorescence peduncle, peduncle diameter, inflorescence diameter, and number of flowers per inflorescence. After harvest, total numerical and weight yield of bulbs were evaluated as well as number and weight of the largest bulbs (21–22 cm diameter). The study showed that in order to obtain Allium aflatunense of high ornamental value, which is determined by the number of flowers per inflorescence and the inflorescence peduncle diameter, bulbs need to be planted in the middle of September. Bulb planting in October leads to production of inflorescences of greater diameter. The optimum method of Allium aflatunense cultivation which ensures production of good total yield of bulbs, expressed in its weight, is bulb planting on September 15th and soil mulching with composted pine bark or straw. Mulching a plantation of Allium aflatunense planted on September 15th with bark has a positive effect on the number and weight of bulbs of 21–22 cm diameter

No abstract

In the flowers of Allium there are found septal nectaries; in particular species, their outlet can be located in different parts of the ovary. The inflorescences of these plants are a rich source of nectar for insects. The location and structure of septal nectaries in the flowers of Allium giganteum Regel were investigated. Light and scanning electron microscopy was used. The septal nectaries were found to be located in the lower part of the ovary and in the gynophore on which the ovary is borne. Nectar is secreted into the nectary slits from which it flows through the ducts to three openings located in the upper part of the gynophore, from whence it gets outside in the vicinity of the expanded parts of the filaments. Sugar concentration in the nectar of A. giganteum averaged 54.5%, while sugar weight per flower was determined to be 0.36 mg. When converted into sugar weight per inflorescence, numbering more than 2,000 flowers, it was 771.7 mg

Many plants develop in the petal epidermis papillae emitting essential oils. In species of the genus <em>Allium</em>, papillae occur in the ovary epidermis. The aim of this study was to determine the structure of papillae in <em>Allium karataviense </em>Regel and to perform histochemical tests that would allow the components of their secretion to be investigated, mainly the presence of essential oils. Examination was performed using light and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that in conical papillae, with a height of about 83 μm, there were large cell nuclei, a thick outer wall with a layer of striated cuticle, and a varying degree of cell vacuolation, depending on the age of the ovary. Using histochemical reactions, we demonstrated neutral lipids, acid lipids and pectins to occur in the papillae. Neutral lipids are characteristic of essential oils.

Garden perennials are a source of floristry material produced in field or under covers. A perennial producing long, leafy shoots, which in flower arrangements might successfully substitute fern or palm leaves, is Polygonatum multiflorum. The variety characterizing with decorative white margined leaves is 'Variegatum'. To improve their quality, the growth stimulator Actisil Hydro Plus, which contains 0.6% of active silicon in a form of orthosilicic acid was applied. The aim of the conducted experiment was to estimate the influence of silicon and a place of cultivation (tunnel and open field) on post-harvest quality determined with morphological features, vase life longevity and mechanical properties of Polygonatum multiflorum (L.) All. 'Variegatum' stems. The plants were sprayed with water solutions of Actisil in concentrations: 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4%, six times during the growing season in weekly intervals, starting from the first decade of May, always in the morning. It was stated that cultivation of Polygonatum in the unheated foil tunnel increases quality of shoots for cut greenery, determined with morphological features and post-harvest longevity. Cultivation of Polygonatum in a foil tunnel and spraying plants with Actisil in concentrations of 0.3 or 0.4% is advantageous due to possibility to increase a number of shoots from 20% to over 31%, their length from 9% to 11% and fresh weight from 52% to 71%, in comparison to control plants. It is advised to treat plants cultivated in a tunnel, with Actisil in concentration of 0.4% as it improved shoots quality evaluated with their diameter and lower leaves blade area. Spraying plants with Actisil in concentrations of 0.2-0.4% in the tunnel and 0.2% in field prolongs post-harvest shoots longevity by 3-4 days. Plants cultivated in the tunnel characterize with higher strength of shoots determined with higher maximum force causing permanent damage and lower stem deflection than plants cultivated in field. Plants grown in a tunnel and sprayed with Actisil in concentrations of 0.4% characterized with the strongest shoots after 14 days of storage, however a similar effect was observed with the concentration of 0.3% and in case of plants cultivated in field and sprayed with 0.4% of Actisil.

Due to the dynamic development of the floriculture market, new species and varieties of plants that can potentially be used as a source of cut greenery are constantly being sought. The experiment was conducted to analyze the effect of the cultivation site (unheated foil tunnel and open field) and treatments with the Pentakeep V formulation (0.00%, 0.02%, 0.04%, and 0.06%) on the vase life and postharvest quality of Polygonatum multiflorum ‘Variegatum’ cut foliage. There was a positive effect of the cultivation in the unheated foil tunnel on the vase life and biochemical parameters, namely the electrolyte leakage (EL), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), chlorophyll a + b (Chl. a + b), proline, peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), of P. multiflorum cut foliage. Foliar application of Pentakeep V formulation at concentrations of 0.04% and 0.06% contributed to a decrease in the TBARS content in the P. multiflorum cut leaves, regardless of the plant cultivation site. Additionally, it reduced proline production in cut leaves of P. multiflorum cultivated in the unheated foil tunnel, which was confirmed by the analyses carried out after the 30 days of the experiment. Furthermore, the exogenous application of ALA during P. multiflorum cultivation inhibited POD activity, irrespective of its concentration and the site of plant cultivation.