Leaf Greenness Index Research Articles

Ethylene regulation of root growth and phytosiderophore biosynthesis determines iron deficiency tolerance in wheat (Triticum spp)

Two separate experiments were conducted with four bread and two durum wheat cultivars, to test a hypothesis that high ethylene production will alter phytosiderophore production and release dynamics either directly, by competitive partitioning of SAM, or indirectly by causing changes in the root system architecture under iron deficiency. A significant decline in the leaf greenness index confirmed the Fe deficiency response across the wheat cultivars. Further, a significantly higher root to shoot ratio was measured for the durum wheat than the bread wheat cultivars under the iron deficiency treatment. Root attributes, although, were affected under iron deficiency, the variation between the bread and durum wheat cultivars were not too obvious. Durum wheat maintained a higher shoot, root and the whole plant iron levels than the bread wheat under Fe sufficient treatment while a role reversal was observed under Fe deficiency. Phytosiderophore production in the root tips and their release were induced under Fe deficiency and were higher for the bread than the durum wheat. A higher mRNA expression of ACS but a lower expression of NAS were identified with the durum wheat while the reverse was observed for the bread wheat. These results point towards a higher ethylene production and a lower phytosiderophore production in durum wheat as was also evidenced from observations on the ethylene release from the roots which was bettered in the presence of ethrel, an ethylene releasing chemical, but was completely inhibited in the presence of cobalt (Co), an ethylene synthesis inhibitor. An inhibited ethylene did improve the phytosiderophore production and phytosiderophore release for both the bread and the durum wheat cultivars under the iron deficiency treatment in the presence of cobalt. Since phytosiderophore production and release were not significantly altered over control, under Fe deficiency, in the presence of silver thiosulfate (STS), an ethylene action inhibitor, it could be concluded that ethylene does not affect NAS and that the effect of ethylene on the phytosiderophore production is direct and is caused by the dynamics of partitioning of S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) between the ethylene and the phytosiderophore biosynthetic pathways.

FUSIÓN DE NUBES DE PUNTOS DE ESCÁNER LÁSER TERRESTRE Y FOTOGRAMETRÍA AÉREA BASADA EN IMÁGENES DE DRONES PARA EL INVENTARIO DE BOSQUES MEDITERRÁNEOS

In this work, the hypothesis of the convenience of merging data of complementary techniques to carry out forest inventories is tested by fusing data from Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Digital Aerial Photogrammetry (RPAS-DAP) and Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS). The work area was in the Natural Park Sierra Maria-Los Velez (Almeria, Spain), constituted of a representative Mediterranean forest composed of two main forest layers: i) predominant trees (reforested Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.)), and ii) understory forest (holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) and different shrubs species). An Object Based Image Analysis (OBIA) pipeline was applied over the corresponding RPAS-DAP RGB orthoimage and a high-resolution Canopy Height Model (CHM) directly derived from the image-based point cloud. This allowed the automatic obtaining of tree delineation, species classification and forest structural attributes (tree height, position and projected crown area). Geometric features derived from the CHM and Green Leaf Index were used to feed a tailored devised OBIA-based method. The very high-resolution fused point cloud, made up from combining TLS and RPAS-DAP point clouds, provided tree-based biometric information such as tree position, diameter at breast height, crown projected area and tree height to estimate forest Above-Ground dry Biomass (AGB) for predominant trees through the allometric equation corresponding to Aleppo pine. In conclusion, the results obtained from the pipeline proposed in this work have shown the complementarity of RPAS image-based methods and TLS to provide timely and efficiently high value-added products such as forest AGB and tree species spatial distribution over Mediterranean forest.

Silver nanoparticles preplant bulb soaking affects tulip production

ABSTRACTNanomaterials and particularly silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have increased great interest in many fields of science. The element may affect plant growth and development but so far research studies have been scarce and their results disparate. Tulip is one of the most important ornamental plants and its production technology is constantly being improved. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of AgNPs on growth and yield attributes of tulip cv. ‘Pink Impression’. Before planting, the tulip ‘Pink Impression’ bulbs were soaked in the following concentrations of AgNPs: 25, 50, 100 and 150 mg L-1. Control bulbs were soaked in deionized water. The plants were forced in a greenhouse for two growing seasons. The tulips treated with 100 mg L−1 AgNPs flowered earlier, had longer cut-flower stem, larger petals, greater stem diameter and cut-flower fresh weight. Moreover, at this concentration of AgNPs, they showed increased leaf greenness index (SPAD), stomatal conductance, root fresh weight, root length and produced daughter bulbs of the greatest weight. The study outcomes indicate that AgNPs may be used as plant growth promoters in horticulture.

Feasibility of using consumer-grade unmanned aerial vehicles to estimate leaf area index in Mangrove forest

ABSTRACTAs unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) become more popular, many studies investigate vegetation based on commercial UAV data. Although compared to satellite data, commercial UAV data can have flexible revisit frequencies, the possibility of using an even cheaper data source, consumer UAVs (red, green, and blue (RGB) only), to study vegetation remains unknown. The purpose of most frequent uses of consumer UAVs is recreation. This paper tests the feasibility of using consumer UAVs for mangrove research and proposed a method for mapping leaf area index (LAI) of mangrove. A commercial UAV image is also used for comparison. RGB-based vegetation indices like Excess Green Vegetation Index (ExG), Negative Excess Red Vegetation Index (NegExR), Green Leaf Index (GLI) and Normalized Green-red Difference Index (NGRDI) were used to build regression models against field measured LAI. The results showed that it was feasible to use consumer UAV data for mapping mangrove forest LAI, and the NegExR achieved the highest coefficient of determination (R2) in predicting LAI among all the indices. This paper showed that researchers who are neither familiar with aerial photogrammetry nor have access to commercial UAV data could perform high spatial resolution vegetation studies at a low cost.

Response of oilseed rape leaves to sulfur and boron foliar application

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) reacts differently to foliar application of sulfur (S) and boron (B), and for that reason it is important to find an early indicator that would inform about the direction of this reaction. This study aimed at evaluating the early response of two double-low cultivars of winter oilseed rape: hybrid (Nelson) and open pollinated (Digger) on the foliar fertilization with S and B in two terms: fall and spring, based on the rate of leaf greenness index (SPAD) and seven indicators of chlorophyll a fluorescence (FL). On 7th or 9th day after the application of liquid fertilizers, the selected parameters of FL and SPAD were determined on the leaves of rape. As a result, a significant effect of foliar B and S supplementation on the yield of oilseed rape was found. Principal component analysis (PCA) allowed for a separation for each of the cultivars the two parameters of FL, namely Tfm and Fv/F0, which are sensitive indicators of a physiological state of the rape plants shortly after foliar S and B dressing.

Towards an objective evaluation of persistency of Lolium perenne swards using UAV imagery

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is a perennial crop used in temperate regions as forage. In L. perenne breeding programs, persistency is an important trait. Poor persistency results in sward degradation and associated yield and nutritive value losses. Breeders assess persistency of accessions using visual scoring in field plots during the 2nd or 3rd growing season. This evaluation system is easy and cheap but is not free from human bias. In this study, the correlation between the scoring done by different breeders was only 0.243. As an alternative we have developed a methodology to assess persistency of L. perenne breeding materials based on vegetation indices (VIs) derived from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) imagery. The VIs Excess green (ExG2), Green Leaf Index and Normalized green intensity (GCC) were found to provide consistent results for flights carried out under different light conditions and were validated by ground reference information. The correlation between the VIs and the percentage of ground cover extracted from on-ground imagery was 0.885. To test the implementation of the method we compared the ExG2 value based approach to selection with a visual score based selection methodology as applied by two breeders. The breeding decisions of Breeder A agreed well with decisions based on ExG2 values (74.6%), but those of Breeder B displayed a lower agreement (54.0%). In contrast, agreement between decisions based on different flights was very high (91.6%). The methodology was validated for general applicability. In summary, the results demonstrate that basing persistency selection in L. perenne breeding programs on ExG2 values from UAV imagery is likely to be more objective in comparison to the currently-used visual scoring method.

Effects of Silicate Fertilizer on Seed Yield in Timothy-Grass (Phleum pratense L.)

Abstract A field experiment was conducted in the years 2012-2014, at the Plant Breeding Station in Polanowice near Krakow (220 m a.s.l.). The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of silicon (Si) on seed yield and quality of timothy-grass (Phleum pratense L.) of “Egida” cultivar. A univariate field experiment in randomized block design was repeated four times, and the area of the experimental plots was 10 m2. The soil on the experimental plots was a loess derived haplic phaeozem of bonitation class I. The experimental factor was spraying with a silicon formulation in the form of Optysil® fertilizer at three doses: 0.2, 0.5 and 0.8 dm3·ha−1. During the growing season, the plants were evaluated for their height, leaf greenness index (SPAD) and general condition. After harvesting, the seed yield and quality were assessed. The study revealed a significant effect of silicon on plant height, general condition and yield and quality of the seeds. The plants treated with silicon showed lower infestation rate with pathogens and pests than the control ones. Foliar fertilization with the highest dose of the silicon formulation (0.8 dm3·ha−1) caused a significant increase in seed yield as compared with control. The effects were also satisfactory in the plants treated with the formulation at 0.5 dm3·ha−1. The seeds obtained from silicon-treated plants were bigger, as revealed by the weight of 1000 seeds, and exhibited higher germination ability than the control seeds.

Foliar fertilization of nickel affects growth, yield component and micronutrient status of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown on low nickel soil

ABSTRACTFoliar application of nickel (Ni) has higher use efficiencies and is preferred over soil application in view of its very low requirement. Pot experiments were conducted during winter season of 2012-2013 and repeated during 2013-2014. Treatments consisted of twelve Ni levels applied as nickel sulphate (NiSO4.7H2O) spray (T1-Ni0%, T2-Ni0.05%, T3-Ni0.1%, T4-Ni0.2%, T5-Ni0.3%, T6-Ni0.4%, T7-Ni0.5%, T8-Ni0.6%, T9-Ni0.7%, T10-Ni0.8%, T11-Ni0.9%,and T12-Ni1.0%,) with recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF) applied in all pots. The result showed that growth and yield attributes viz. plant height, leaf greenness index, number of tillers, number of ears pot-1, number of grains ear-1, straw yield, grain yield and weight of 1000 grains of barley was the maximum with three foliar application of 0.2% of NiSO4.7H2O (T4-Ni0.2%) at 20, 40, and 60 days after sowing (DAS) during both the years. The concentration of Fe, Mn and Zn in grain increased significantly up to T4-Ni0.2% and after this level, a significant decline was recorded during both the years. As regards to the concentration of Ni is concerned, it increased significantly both in grain and straw with increasing levels of Ni spray and the maximum concentration was at T12-Ni1.0%, during both the years. The uptake of Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn in grain of barley increased significantly during both the years up to T4-Ni0.2%,thereafter, it declined significantly with successive increase in dose of Ni spray. Thus 0.2% foliar spray of NiSO4.7H2O significantly increased growth, yield and Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn (micronutrients) status in barley.

PERBEDAAN JARAK TANAM TERHADAP PRODUKTIVITAS DEFOLIASI PERTAMA RUMPUT MOTT (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott

The research was conducted in Sumber Sumber Village of Sanankulon District of Blitar, during April 22 to June 16, 2017.The trial used 10 Mott grass poles on each plot with different spacing ie, P0 = 50 x 100 cm, P1 = 75 x 100 cm, P2 = 100 x 100 cm and P3 = 125 x 100 cm. Parameters measured were number of tillers, plant height, leaf length, leaf width, fresh weight and leaf green index. The design used was a complete randomized design (Gazpers, 1991) consisting of 4 treatments of 6 replications.The result of variance showed that the difference of plant spacing had no significant effect (p > 0,05) on productivity including number of tiller, plant height, leaf width, leaf length, fresh weight of green leaf index. Based on the results of research on differences in spacing to the productivity of first defoliation Mott grass then Need further research on the effect of cropping methods on grass growth and productivity.Keywords: plant spacing, Mott grass, productivity.

PERBEDAAN JARAK TANAM TERHADAP PRODUKTIVITAS DEFOLIASI PERTAMA RUMPUT MOTT (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott

The research was conducted in Sumber Sumber Village of Sanankulon District of Blitar, during April 22 to June 16, 2017.The trial used 10 Mott grass poles on each plot with different spacing ie, P0 = 50 x 100 cm, P1 = 75 x 100 cm, P2 = 100 x 100 cm and P3 = 125 x 100 cm. Parameters measured were number of tillers, plant height, leaf length, leaf width, fresh weight and leaf green index. The design used was a complete randomized design (Gazpers, 1991) consisting of 4 treatments of 6 replications.The result of variance showed that the difference of plant spacing had no significant effect (p > 0,05) on productivity including number of tiller, plant height, leaf width, leaf length, fresh weight of green leaf index. Based on the results of research on differences in spacing to the productivity of first defoliation Mott grass then Need further research on the effect of cropping methods on grass growth and productivity.Keywords: plant spacing, Mott grass, productivity.

Selection of Optimal Vegetation Indices and Regression Model for Estimation of Rice Growth Using UAV Aerial Images

Recently Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology offers new opportunities for assessing crop growth condition using UAV imagery. The objective of this study was to select optimal vegetation indices and regression model for estimating of rice growth using UAV images. This study was conducted using a fixed- wing UAV (Model : Ebee) with Cannon S110 and Cannon IXUS camera during farming season in 2016 on the experiment field of National Institute of Crop Science. Before heading stage of rice, there were strong relationships between rice growth parameters (plant height, dry weight and LAI (Leaf Area Index)) and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) using natural exponential function (R≥0.97). After heading stage, there were strong relationships between rice dry weight and NDVI, gNDVI (green NDVI), RVI (Ratio Vegetation Index), CI-G (Chlorophyll Index-Green) using quadratic function (R≤-0.98). There were no apparent relationships between rice growth parameters and vegetation indices using only Red-Green-Blue band images. RVI (Ratio vegetation index), NDVI (Normalized difference vegetation index), CVI (Chlorophyll vegetation index), gNDVI (Greent normalized difference vegetation index, CI-G (Chlorophyll Index- Geen), NGRDI (Normalized green red difference index), GLI (Green leaf index), VARI (Visible atmospherically resistant index). Relationship between vegetation indices and rice growth parameter (LAI).

Effect of daminozide and flurprimidol on growth, flowering and bulb yield of Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt.

Abstract Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt., commonly known as pineapple lily, is a new ornamental pot plant with great marketing potential. This work evaluated the effects of two gibberellin synthesis inhibitors (daminozide and flurprimidol) applied as commercial plant growth regulators (PGRs) B-Nine and Topflor on the growth, flowering, and bulb yield in E. autumnalis. The PGRs were applied three times as substrate drenches or foliar sprays at the concentration of 15 mg dm-3 (flurprimidol) or 4250 mg dm-3 (daminozide). Plant growth was restricted only by flurprimidol, particularly when it was applied as substrate drenches. Plant height was reduced by 48% at anthesis and by 38% at flower senescence, compared to the untreated control. Regardless of the application method, flurprimidol increased the leaf greenness index (SPAD) and bulb weight. Daminozide treatments were ineffective in controlling plant height and negatively influenced bulb weight. Foliar sprays of daminozide increased the length of inflorescences and the number of flowers per inflorescence.

Effect of sulphur fertilisation on the growth and yields of potato tubers

Field experiment on the effect of combined fertilisation with nitrogen and sulphur in the form of sulphur-calcium fertiliser on the yield of the potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.), edible cultivar Irga, was carried out during the growing season in 2014 on the soil of good rye complex in Experimental Research Station in Lipnik near Stargard. It was examined three variants of fertilisation: 0 – control (PK), N – PK+N and S – PK+N+S. In the year 2014 potato, cultivar Irga, developed very well and responded positively to the fertilisation. Fertilisation with nitrogen and sulphur, as a calcium sulphate containing 17 % sulphur (42 , 5 % SO 3 ) (variant S), as by-product from industrial Flue-gas desulphurisation , had a positive influence on the physiological parameters (SPAD – leaf greenness index and the assimilation area index – LAI). It was found a significant effect of fertilisation with nitrogen and sulphur, as a calcium sulphate (variant S), on total and commercial yield of tubers. There has been an increase of total tubers yield of approx. 9 %, from 31,3 t·ha -1 in the nitrogen object (N) to 34,3 t·ha -1 and an increase of commercial tuber yield from 20,0 to 21,8 t·ha -1 . It was found also significant reduction of the number of small tubers (diameter less than 30 mm) and increasing the medium tuber – fraction of seed tuber (diameter 40-60 mm) and large tuber of potato (with a diameter more than 60 mm).

Vegetative, physiological and nutritional behavior of new grapevine rootstocks in response to different nitrogen supply

Viticulture is in great need of new rootstocks sharing features of scion growth control and tolerance to major biotic and abiotic stress factors. A two year study was carried out in pots to assess performances of the two new M1 and M3 rootstocks vs. those of the commercial rootstocks 1103P and 101-14. Potted vines of M1, M3, 1103P and 101-14 rootstocks were grown in a calcareous and non calcareous soil and for two consecutive seasons subjected to three N supply levels at 0, 2 and 4g of N per pot. Vegetative growth, leaf gas exchange, leaf greenness index (GI) and leaf blade nutrition were assessed. M1 and 1103P were the least vigorous genotypes in terms of total pruning weight; M1 also manifested a stronger apical dominance. Both M rootstocks and 101-14 showed increased leaf WUE at both N supply levels which was due to ability to maintain, at increasing N supply, similar leaf assimilation rates while significantly reducing leaf transpiration. Common tendency of any rootstocks was that increasing N supply corresponded to lowered leaf concentration of K, P, Mg and B. M1 was able to combine a series of desirable features including lower vigor, strong apical dominance, higher WUE at increasing N supply and quite well balanced leaf nutritional pattern. In the present trial M3 did not have the expected devigorating effect.

English

Production of orchids is important in floriculture, and nitrogen is one of the nutrients most required by plants. However, there is little information on nitrogen leaf analysis of these orchids. We evaluated the nitrogen fertilization on leaf nutritional status and on the production of dry mass and develop a diagnostic sheet for the orchid Phalaenopsis. Five concentrations of N (0.0, 0.068, 0.136, 0.204 and 0.272 g L-1) in the form of ammonium nitrate, was compared for two hybrids (Phalaenopsis Taisuco Swan and Phalaenopsis Pink Chiffon). The plants were grown in pots in a greenhouse. Foliar fertilization was done fortnightly during the initial 120 days, and thereafter weekly for over 120 days. From 90 days after onset of the foliar applications, leaf green index with monthly measurements up to 240 days of application was evaluated. Dry matter shoot and the N content in the first and second newly expanded leaf was determined after 240 days. Based on polynomial relationship, a higher dry mass was achieved by applying 0.10 to 0.16 g L-1 nitrogen. The second newly expanded leaf was the most appropriate plant tissue for assessing nutritional status of Phalaenopsis and foliar concentration nitrogen was optimal at 23-28 g kg-1. Key words: Orchidaceae, nitrogen fertilization, seedlings.

THE EFFECT OF SULPHUR FERTILISATION ON THE GROWTH AND YIELDS OF FORAGE MAIZE

Field experiment was carried out during the growing season in 2014 year on the soil of good rye complex in Experimental Research Station in Lipnik near Stargard. It was examined three variants of fertilisation: 0 – control (KP), N – (KP+N) and S – (KP+N+S). The maize, cultivar P8609, developed very well and responded positively to the fertilisation. Fertilisation with nitrogen and sulphur, as a calcium sulphate containing 17 % sulphur (= 42.5 % SO3) (variant S), as by-product from industrial Flue-gas desulphurisation, had a positive influence on the biometric features of maize plants (height, height to the first cob and thickness of the stems) and physiological parameters (SPAD – leaf greenness index and the assimilation area index – LAI). We found a significant effect of fertilisation with nitrogen and sulphur, as a calcium sulphate (variant S), on yield of fresh mass. There has been an increase of approx. 8 %, from 48.6 t·ha-1 in the variant N (PK+N) to 52.6 t·ha-1. Also the yield of dry mass increased from approx. 25.2 t·ha-1 on the variant N (PK+N) to 25.3 t·ha-1 (variant S). The evaluated grain yield of maize increased from approx. 10 (variant N) to 10.7 t·ha-1, i.e. of 8 %, after using of nitrogen and sulphur fertilisers (variant S).

English

This study was designed to characterize morphological, physiological and molecular responses of sugarcane genotypes to a simulated water deficit stress. Two genotypes (TSP05-4: Drought-tolerant; TCP02-4589: Drought-sensitive) were subjected to a 20-day water deficit treatment and an 8-day recovery period. Leaf photosynthesis (Pn), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (Gs), leaf greenness index (SPAD) and variable-to-maximum chlorophyll a fluorescence ratio (Fv/Fm), were evaluated before, during and after water deficit. Root-to-shoot ratio (R/S), stalk height (SH), diameter (SD) and stalk weight (SW) were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Real-time RT-PCR confirmed seven differentially-expressed transcript-derived fragments (TDFs) identified by cDNA-AFLP. Pn rates were similar between the genotypes under well-watered conditions. However, under water deficit, TSP05-4 had higher Pn rates. SPAD, Fv/Fm and R/S were also generally higher in TSP05-4, regardless of soil moisture status. Water deficit-induced reductions in SH and SW were greater in TCP02-4589 than in TSP05-4. Three TDFs showing sequence similarities to genes encoding a putative expressed pentatricopeptide, a protein kinase CK2 regulatory subunit CK2β3, and a glucose-6-phosphate/phosphate translocator 2 were identified in TCP02-4589. One TDF similar to a drought-inducible protein was identified in TSP05-4. Recovery of physiological processes and gene expression patterns to the water stress levels was fast. Key words: Differential gene expression, water deficit stress, re-watering, Saccharum spp.

RESPONSE OF SPECKLED SPUR-FLOWER TO SALINITY STRESS AND SALICYLIC ACID TREATMENT

One of the limitations to using ornamental plants in green areas is too high salinity and alkalization of the soil. The adverse effect of salinity on plant growth and development may be effectively reduced by application of salicylic acid. Plectranthus ciliatus is an attractive bed plant with ornamental leaves, recommended for growing in containers, hanging baskets, or sunny borders. The aim of this study was to investigate the response of P. ciliatus to salicylic acid and calcium chloride. The plants were grown in pots in a glasshouse and were sprayed with solution of 0.5 mM salicylic acid and watered with 200 mM calcium chloride. The application of salicylic acid resulted in an increased weight of the aboveground parts, higher stomatal conductance and leaf greenness index and enhanced leaf content of nitrogen, potassium, iron and zinc. Salinity-exposed plants were characterized by reduced weight, stomatal conductance and leaf greenness index. Salt stress caused also a drop in leaf content of nitrogen, potassium and iron, and an increase in calcium, sodium, chlorine, copper and manganese concentration. Salicylic acid seemed to relieve salinity-mediated plant stress.

Chlorophyll biosynthesis as the basis of iron use efficiency under iron deficiency and its relationship with the phytosiderophore synthesis and release in wheat

The present study demonstrates that chlorophyll biosynthesis can be effectively used for identifying iron (Fe) deficiency tolerant cultivars from a large population. Fifty genetically diverse wheat cultivars were screened on the basis of the leaf greenness index, i.e. chlorophyll retention under iron deficient (Fe−) compared to iron sufficient (Fe+) conditions, and three Fe deficiency tolerant and two Fe deficiency susceptible cultivars were identified. These two groups of cultivars were further tested for their efficiency for Fe uptake and translocation and biomass production per unit Fe under Fe deficient condition in the nutrient solution culture. Fe deficiency tolerant lines were found capable of translocating more Fe to the shoot and produced greater biomass per unit of Fe when compared with the susceptible group. Efficiency for chlorophyll biosynthesis per unit shoot Fe was also higher for the tolerant group of cultivars. Fe use efficient cultivars produced and released a larger amount of phytosiderophore (PS) and differed from the inefficient cultivars in terms of the PS release but not in the PS biosynthesis. Thus, indicating that the limitation at the level of release of the PS was responsible for low Fe use efficiency of the Fe deficiency susceptible cultivars. Further the diurnal variation in the PS release was similar for all the investigated wheat cultivars and did not influence the genotypic variation in the Fe use efficiency.

EFFECT OF SUBSTRATES CONTAINING COMPOSTS WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF MUNICIPAL SEWAGE SLUDGE ON FLOWERING AND MACRONUTRIENT CONTENT IN THE LEAVES OF GARDEN PANSY (Viola × wittrockiana Gams.)

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of substrates containing composts made from municipal sewage sludge and straw or sawdust on flowering, leaf greenness index and macronutrient content in the leaves of ‘Fancy Carmine with Blotch’ garden pansy. Two composts, with the following compositions: K I – 70% municipal sewage sludge, 30% rye straw; K II – 70% municipal sewage sludge, 30% coniferous tree sawdust, were used for the preparation of substrates. Six substrates of peat and compost at 25, 50 and 75% (by volume) were prepared. The control object was a peat substrate, pH 5.8–6.0, supplemented with Azofoska at 2.5 g·dm -3 . It has been found that leaf greenness index of pansy increased with an increasing share of compost. Composts involving municipal sewage sludge at the level of 50% had a more positive influence on the abundance of pansy flowering than at 25 and 75%. The content of to tal nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur in the leaves increased with increasing the dose of compost. The content of total phosphorus in the leaves at the end of pansy cultivation in compost substrates ranged optimally for this species. In the experiment conducted in 2006, pansies contained more total nitrogen, potassium and sulfur than the flowering pansies planted in 2005.