Abstract. The fluorescence measurement in situ of various developmental levels of leaves and various cultivars of fodder galega (Galega orientalis Lam.) was carried out at the Research Station of the Lithuanian University of Agriculture. The object of the investigation was to evaluate the differences of fluorescence of galega cultivars Vidmantai, Laukiai, Melsviai and a breeding number L04–4. The estimation of fluorescence efficiency characterizes the intensity of photosynthesis indirectly and is related to biosynthesis. The yield of the synthesized biomass was also determined. The most intensive fluorescence yield value of the 2^nd and the 3^rd leaf ranks and plants was determined at the flowering stage in situ. The indices of fluorescence (fluorescence in steady–state light Ft and maximal fluorescence Fm, quantum yield of electron transport Y and electron transport rate ETR) were smaller in a lower leaf rank and in more old leaves of the galega cultivars tested. All quantities of the investigated fluorescence indices statistically significant (P = 0.95) decreased and reached the minimal value both of the older leaves (the 4th–the 6th leaf ranks) and of the youngest (the 1^st rank) leaves in comparison with the peak values of the 2^nd and the 3^rd leaf ranks of all investigated cultivars. It was established that a strong and statistically significant parabolic curvature (0.78145 ≤ η ≤ 0.97385) of different leaf ranks depend on fluorescence indices Ft, Fm and Y/ETR with a leaf rank predomination by 60.3–86.0, 67.2–84.9 and 62.8–94.8% respectively.

Absract. The assessing of Lithuanian cultivars and clones of Actinidia kolomikta DNA by RAPD method corroborated the significant genetic diversity and defined the level of their relationship. Genomic DNA was isolated from fresh leaves following CTAB method. Six decamer oligonucleotide primers Akt–1, Akt–2, Akt–3, 2B, OPA–02 and OPC–02 were used for PCR and a total of 42 scorable fragments yielded. The genetic distances fall into interval 0.059–0.914. The lowest genetic distances were calculated for the clones F2 and F4, as well for the clones F2M2 and F3M3: 0.059 and 0.097, respectively. Clones specific markers for the cultivar ‘Laiba’ and clone F4M4 were identified with the primers OPC–02 and 2B. The dendrogram grouped the selections by UPGMA method and revealed two main clusters at the level of 0.500 genetic distance. The cultivar ‘Laiba’ could be characterized as the most genetically separate accession in the Actinidia kolomikta germplasm collection of the Kaunas Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University.

A.B. Gorbunov¹ and К.V. Brik^2
 
1Central Siberian Botanical Garden, SB RAS, Zolotodolinskaya st. 101, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; e-mail: gab_2002ru@yahoo.ca
²Novosibirsk State Agricultural University, Dobrolyubova st. 160, 630039, Novosibirsk, Russia; e-mail: rector@nsau.edu.ru

Abstract. The data on the rooting ability and peculiarities of root system formation of hard-wood and soft-wood cuttings of Ribes atropurpureum under the action of growth regulators are presented. The positive influence of humat potassium, tellura-M, and phoenix in the concentration of 0.5–1% on branching and root length of different orders of ramification in hard-wood and soft-wood cuttings was established. Hard-wood cuttings formed longer roots of orders I and II of ramification, but branching was poorer than that in soft-wood cuttings.

Key words: growth regulators, hard-wood and soft-wood cuttings, root system, Ribes atropurpureum

Effect of fertilizers on oil pumpkin seeds crude fat, fibre and protein quantity
 
E. Jariene¹, H. Danilcenko¹, J. Kulaitienė¹ and M. Gajewski^2
 
1Lithuanian Agriculture University, LT-4324 Kaunas, Studentų 11; e-mail: hd@lzuu.lt,
²Warsaw Agricultural University, Warszawa, Nowoursynowska 166

Abstract. An investigation of the chemical composition of seeds of various oil bearing pumpkin cultivars grown with different forms of fertilizers was conducted in a certified organic field of the Lithuanian University of Agriculture; three oil pumpkin cultivars (Cucurbita pepo var. styriaca L.) – ‘Miranda’, ‘Golosemiannaja’ and ‘Herakles’ were grown in 2004–2005. The aim of the investigation was to evaluate the impact of organic and chemical fertilizers on the chemical composition of seeds of different cultivars. The following fertilizers were applied: humic acid fertilizers (the rate was calculated according to the required amount of Humistar) – 30 l ha^-1; complex fertilizers (N:P:K – 10:10:20) – 500 kg ha^-1; compost (70% manure + 30% plant residues) – 40 t ha^-1; complex fertilizers (N:P:K – 10:10:20)+ humic acid fertilizers – 500 kg ha-1 + 30 l ha^-1. Standard analytical methods were used to determine crude fat, protein and fibre content. Higher amounts of crude fats were found in seeds of the control (non-fertilized) pumpkins. Compost, humic acid and complex fertilizers had non-significant effects on the synthesis of crude fats, however, they increased the amount of crude fibre in seeds. The highest amount was found in seeds of the pumpkins fertilized with humic acid and complex fertilizers. A mixture of complex and humic acid fertilizers significantly reduced the amount of crude fat in oil-cakes. Complex fertilizers and mixtures of fertilizers stimulated the process of crude protein accumulation in seeds.

Key words: Oil pumpkins, cultivars, fertilizers, chemical composition

The influence of the genotype upon the in vitro and in vivo growth of greenhouse carnations
 
R. Sestras¹, E. Tamas¹, D. Pamfil¹, L. Mihalte¹, A. Sestras², L. Chis² and C. Qin^3
 
1University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Horticulture, 3-5 Manastur St., 3400 Cluj-Napoca, Romania, e-mail: rsestras@usamvcluj.ro
²Horticultural Research Station, 3-5 Horticultorilor St., Cluj-Napoca, Romania
³School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200436, China

Abstract. Carnations are familiar, widespread, and are among the most popular cut flowers. There is great diversity of greenhouse cultivars belonging to Dianthus caryophyllus L, habitually multiplied through cuttings or micro-propagation. In order to establish whether or not there is a connection between the vigour of the plants technically mature from the greenhouse and their in vitro growth, several traits of greenhouse carnation, grown both in vivo and in vitro were analysed in five cultivars (Polka, Tanga, Dark Tempo, Delphi and Indios). The influence of the genotype upon the vigour of the plants and upon the characteristics of the greenhouse flowers, as well as upon some features of the in vitro growth of the plantlets, was significant. The variability under in vivo conditions ranged from 5.0 to 17.8%, while the characteristics analysed in vitro showed a large span of variability values (s% = 7.9–51.0). Overall, the heritability showed high values for the analysed characteristics, both under in vivo (H² = 0.660–0.949) and in vitro (H² = 0.502–0.946) conditions. No statistically ensured correlations were recorded between the plant growth under in vivo conditions and of those with the same genotype under in vitro conditions; therefore the greater vigour of some genotypes from the greenhouse did not imply their more accentuated growth in vitro. The cultivars conspicuous for their superior characteristics will be used as genitors within the improvement programmes and also recommended to be tested for inclusion in the Official Catalogue of Plants.

Key words: carnation, cultivars, growth, in vivo, in vitro, variability, heritability

Impact of perennial legumes and timothy as green manure on productivity of Secale cereale L. and x Triticosecale Wittm and on occurrence of cereal diseases
 
R. Skuodienė¹ and R. Nekrošienė^2
 
1Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture, Vezaiciai Branch, Vezaiciai, Gargzdų 29, LT-96216 Klaipeda distr. Lithuania; e-mail: rskuod@vezaiciai.lzi.lt
²Botanical Garden of Klaipeda University, Kretingos 92, LT-92327 Klaipeda, Lithuania; e-mail: bot.sodas@one.lt

Abstract. In 2002–2005 experiments were carried out at the Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture’s Vėžaičiai Branch (West Lithuania) on a podzolized gleyic soil to study 1) the ecological significance of perennial legumes and timothy used as green manure for the biological properties of triticale and rye, and 2) on diseases affecting these cereals. Our experimental evidence suggests that residues of the perennial grasses tested and ploughed-in aftermath contributed different contents of nitrogen to the soil. The highest content of nitrogen (185.8 kg ha^-1) and other nutrients (P₂O₅, K₂O) was contributed to the soil with the addition of red clover residues and aftermath. However, when triticale and rye were grown after white clover as a preceding crop (1^st crop for forage, aftermath ploughed in), the highest grain yield (on average 3.13 t ha^-1 of triticale and 3.82 t ha^-1 of rye) was obtained, which was by 0.34 and 0.28 t ha^-1 higher compared to grain yield following similarly managed red clover. It was determined that some yield-forming indicators of cereal, such as plant height, ear length, number of grains per ear were higher for white clover rather than for red clover or timothy. The choice of preceding crop had no significant effect on differences in protein content in the winter cereal grain. However, different growing conditions of winter cereals, i.e. different preceding crops, had a significant effect on the occurrence of scald, brown rust and septoria.

Key words: green manure, Secale cereale L., x Triticosecale Wittm., yield, biological properties, diseases

Trends of the transformation of Estonia’s Wheeled Tractor Park
 
Ü. Traat, M. Heinloo and L. Aadusoo
 
Estonian University of Life Sciences

Abstract. This paper analyses the current situation of the Estonian Tractor Park and the trends of its transformation. The examination focuses on the brands and age of the tractors in use currently and in the recent past. It tries to predict the composition and the main tendencies of tractor procurement in the near future. It became evident that 90% of the tractors currently used in Estonian agriculture are of Russian origin, although during the last 10 years the purchase of Russian tractors has decreased substantially. At the same time the purchase of convenient, well-designed, highly efficient, but expensive Western tractors has increased rapidly, indicating the growing prosperity of Estonian farmers.

Key words: tractor, predictions, tractor park, Russian - western tractors

Effect of presowing treatment of seeds with insecticides on nodulating ability, nitrate reductase activity and plastid pigments content of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)
 
V. Vasileva and A. Ilieva
 
Institute of Forage Crops, Gen. Vl. Vazov Str. 89, Pleven 5800, Bulgaria; e-mail: viliana.vasileva@gmail.com

Abstract. To determine the effect of presowing treatment of seeds on the nodulation ability, nitrate reductase activity and plastid pigments content of lucerne (cv. Obnova), a pot trial was carried out at the Institute of Forage Crops - Pleven, Bulgaria. The insecticides Promet 400 SK (furathiocarb) at the dose of 3 L, and Carbodan 35 ST (carbofuran) at the dose of 1, 2 and 3 L 100 kg^-1 seeds were used. It was found that the insecticides tested did not depress the nodulation. Nodule number and specific nodulation ability when treated with Carbodan 35 ST at the dose of 3 L 100 kg^-1 seeds exceeded that of the control by 23% and 7%, respectively. The root length for the variants with presowing treatment of seeds was higher as compared to the control by 7 to 26%. The variant with Carbodan at the doses of 2 and 3 L 100 kg^-1 seeds and Promet increased nitrate reductase activity in roots, and that with Carbodan at the dose of 1 L 100 kg^-1 seeds- in the leaves. Total content of plastid pigments increased in all variants with Carbodan and was lower than the untreated control in the variant with Promet.

Key words: lucerne, nodulation, root mass, nitrate reductase activity, plastid pigments