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The study involved the application of a top dressing of a multicomponent Peters Professional fertiliser at concentration of 100 and 200 mg/l in the amount of 100 ml/plant, once every 7 days regardless of the fact whether the rhizomes had been mycorrhized before or not. Mycorrhization caused an increase in the quality of flowers, as expressed by peduncle length and their yield in Zantedeschia albomaculata cv. Albomaculata at both levels of top dressing, which shows that it is possible to reduce the top dressing dosage to a concentration of 100 mg/l. Mycorrhization had a favourable effect on the accumulation of nitrogen and manganese in the leaves of the calla lily. In mycorrhized plants the mean nitrogen content in 12 leaves ranged between 5.35 and 5.55% d.w. Mycorrhized plants accumulated more manganese in19 their leaves irrespective of the level of top dressing.

Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) cultivar Willamette has long been the most commonly grown raspberry cultivar in Serbia, which is owing to high adaptability of the cultivar to respective agro-environmental conditions. Massive dieback of full bearing plantings is a major problem in raspberry growing hence quality planting material is a must when establishing new raspberry plantings. The study was conducted under protected conditions (in screenhouse) on plants obtained by micropropagation in vitro. In order to achieve optimal vegetative potential, plants were grown for two consecutive years (2004-2005) on two substrates (Steckmedium and Seedling) using three foliar fertilizers (Wuxal, Murtonik and Ferticare). The study revealed optimal vegetative growth in plants studied, excess manganese (150.60-214.52 mg/g), optimum iron content (94.00-123.50 mg/g), and zinc (28.60-31.00 mg/g) and copper (3.10-4.00 mg/g) deficiencies, based on the referent values of microelements content. The assessment of nutritional status of plants by the DOP index suggested significant differences in microelements imbalance when different foliar fertilizers and substrates are applied.

The effects of several pre- and postharvest factors on apple cv. Braeburn browning disorder (BBD) incidence using a nine-factor experimental design has been investigated. The design allowed the determination of the effects of single factors as well as their interaction with growing season and storage time. BBD increased in severity with storage duration. BBD incidence was reduced with calcium and potassium fertilizers application, while it was increased when triazoles were used. Delayed controlled atmosphere (DCA) application resulted in less BBD in storage, while treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) increased BBD incidence. More BBD was observed in fruit stored at above optimal CO₂ levels. BBD incidence was increased when O₂ concentration in CA was increased from 1 kPa to 3 kPa (optimum CA) or 6 kPa. Finally, the various factors showed a different effect for different growing seasons and storage time. These findings suggest a possible mechanism for the development of BBD. Further work should focus on extending the experimental design to include the interactions between the different pre- and postharvest factors.

The effects of root pruning on the vegetative growth and fruit quality of six-year-old Zhanhuadongzao (Ziziphus jujube Mill.) trees were evaluated. Three root pruning treatments (severe, moderate and light degree) were conducted at the distance of 3, 5 and 7 times trunk diameter from trunk on both inter-row sides of the trees, respectively. The results showed that the severe root pruning decreased the length of primary branch by 27.9% and the number of primary branches by 12.1% in contrast to the control of no root pruning. Compared to the control, both severe and moderate root pruning had no apparent effects on nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents of leaves after 35 days, but had significant effects after 161 days. Severe root pruning had larger effectiveness of controlling vegetative growth than the moderate one. By root pruning, the contents of vitamin C and total sugar were increased but the content of cypermethrin was decreased in fruits and no effects were found on total acid content of fruit and yield at harvest. In the rhizosphere soil, root pruning decreased the microbial populations and enzymes activities but increased the concentrations of cypermethrin, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It is proposed that the removal of root at 3 times trunk diameter distance from trunk was feasible to regulate the vegetative growth and fruit quality of Zhanhuadongzao tree.

A greenhouse pot experiment was performed to study the effect of phosphorus (P) on celery (Apium graveolens L.) growth, quality and nutrient uptake under different calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) levels in substrate culture. Results showed that there were significant interactions between P and the level of Ca and Mg in the growing media. Celery above-ground fresh weight, total dry biomass, leaf area, and P, Ca and Mg concentrations in celery leaves significantly increased from 0 to 124 mg/l P application. The opposite trends were observed for root/shoot ratio, leaf chlorophyll, carotenoids, soluble protein, soluble sugar, vitamin C, and nitrogen and potassium concentration in celery leaves. Medium Ca and Mg level (Ca 320 and Mg 192 mg/l) significantly increased celery above-ground fresh weight, total dry biomass and leaf area compared to low (Ca 160 and Mg 96 mg/l) and high (Ca 640 and Mg 384 mg/l) levels. This study suggested that 124-248 mg/l P applications under medium Ca and Mg level were appropriate for celery nutritional requirements.

Genetic diversity and genetic relationships of Czech apple cultivars were evaluated. Trees of 33 Czech apple cultivars and 97 reference foreign cultivars were analysed using the set of 10 SSR (simple sequence repeat) primer pairs. The total of 89 polymorphic alleles were amplified, while the number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 14. The SSR dendrogram, based on the Jaccard's similarity coefficient, divided apple cultivars into three major groups: Cox's Orange Pippin, McIntosh and Golden Delicious ancestries. The clustering highly depended on pedigree and origin of apple cultivars. Spontaneous mutated cultivars were identical with their progenitors. We proved that microsatellite markers were useful for evaluation of genetic resources, collection management and cultivar identification.

A pot trial was aimed to investigate the effect of different forms of nitrogen fertilizer on the aboveground phytomass yield, vitamin C content and uptake of some macroelements by Brassica pekinensis. The trial was conducted in 2000 and 2001 in pots containing 10 kg of loamy brown soil. Optimized NPK nutrition with the rate of 90.9 kg/ha N increased phytomass yields of Chinese cabbage in all treatments compared to the unfertilized control. The most marked increase (by 55.6%) of yield was obtained when N was applied in the form of (NH₄)₂ SO₄. The yields in the other treatments declined as follows: NH₄NO₃ > Mg (NO₃)₂ > KNO₃ > DAM-390. Positive effects of full NPK nutrition on vitamin C content were determined. Depending on the forms of N fertilizer, the content of vitamin C in fresh mass of cabbage decreased in the following order: DAM-390 (629.0 mg/kg of fresh mass) >Mg(NO₃)₂ > KNO₃ > NH₄NO₃ > (NH₄)₂SO₄. Optimization of NPK rates contributed to the increase in N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S uptake by the yield of final product in comparison with unfertilized control. The highest uptake of nutrients was determined in the treatment with N applied in the form of (NH₄)₂SO₄.

The response of the peach cvs. Springtime and Redhaven to nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium fertilizers and manure is reported. The research was conducted during a period of 10 years. The following fertilizer combinations were used: control (no fertilization), N, P, K, NP, NK, PK, NPK, manure, N + manure, P + manure, K + manure, NP + manure, NK + manure, PK + manure, NPK + manure. The following measurements were performed: a) productivity (kg/tree); b) mean fruit weight (g); c) fruit number per tree; d) fruit setting (%); e) trunk circumference (cm), and f) shoot weight (kg) removed by pruning. It is concluded from the results that the two cvs. did not always respond to the various treatments in the same way. Application of N plus manure to peach trees of the cv. Springtime resulted in the highest productivity. The higher productivity of the cv. Redhaven was recorded in the treatments N and NPK. The lowest productivity, fruit number, total trunk circumference and shoot weight removed by pruning of both cvs. were recorded in the control and PK treatments in comparison with all the others. Fruit setting of the cv. Springtime was highest in the NP + manure treatment, followed by the PK + manure one. Fruit setting of the cv. Redhaven was higher in the PK + manure, NK + manure and K + manure treatments. Shoot weight that was removed by pruning was highest in the NK + manure treatment for the cv. Springtime, whereas for the cv. Redhaven it was highest in the N + manure treatment in comparison with the remaining ones.

The performance of the apple (Malus domestica Borkh) cultivar Imperial Double Red Delicious (Imperial D.R.D.) grafted on the following 5 rootstocks: (I) seedling, (ii) M 7, (ii) MM 104, (ivv) MM 109 was investigated. The highest yield per tree was recorded for trees on seedling rootstock, while the lowest for the cultivar grafted on M 7. Production efficiency of Imperial D.R.D. was higher when grafted on MM 106 and M 7, intermediate on seedling and MM 104, and the lowest on MM 109. The highest leaf photosynthetic rate (Pn) was measured for scions grafted on seedling although it was not significantly different from MM 109. Nitrogen concentrations of leaves of the cv. Imperial D.R.D. grafted on M 7 and MM 106 were significantly lower in comparison to the seedling variant. Flesh firmness at harvest, pH of juice at harvest, soluble solids content and titratable acidity at harvest and after four months of storage were not significantly different among the rootstocks.

Slow-Release Fertilizers (SRF) Silvamix Forte and Silvagen were tested in two-year experiments with container-grown woody plants (Pyracantha coccinea, Thuja occidentalis). Several fertilizing systems were compared: preplant application of SRF into substrate as the sole nutrient source for a two-year period, preplant application of SRF and soluble fertilizer (PG Mix), and preplant application of SRF and soluble fertilizer together with additional fertilizing by solution of nitrogen fertilizer during both growing periods. A system with controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) Osmocote 5-6 was chosen as a control variant; it was incorporated into substrate before planting in the first year and top-dressed in the second year. CRF Plantacote 6M (mixed into substrate before planting and top-dressed in the second year) and Osmocote 16-18 applied only before planting were tested, too. The experiments showed that SRF Silvamix Forte and Silvagen give results comparable with CFR provided that they were incorporated together with soluble ferti-lizer dose and plants were fertilized by solution of nitrogen fertilizer during both growing periods.

: A glasshouse pot experiment tested the effects of 14 different combinations of substrate type, pH and nutrient treatments on the occurrence and severity of leaf chlorosis in a susceptible variety of petunia. Plants grown at optimal pH level (4.7) in peat substrate with low limestone dose were symptom-free even without added micronutrients. Severe chlorosis occurred in plants grown at high pH in peat substrate with high limestone (pH 6.7) and in peat-bark-compost (pH 6.2); it was associated with decreased Fe and Mn content in leaves. Regular application of nutrient solution with low concentration of Fe, Mn, and other micronutrients as EDTA chelates greatly reduced chlorosis in plants grown in peat-bark substrate and in peat-bark-compost, and it improved Fe uptake. An exception was peat substrate at high pH level and high limestone where chlorosis was only partially reduced by this treatment. Regular application of Fe, Mn, and other micronutrients as sulphates or citrates had no substantial effect; only application of three additional substrate drenches of 30 mg/l Mn from Mn-EDTA and 90 mg/l Fe from either Fe-EDTA or Fe-EDDHA substantially corrected chlorosis and increased foliar Fe and Mn in cases where plants were grown in high limestone peat substrate.

Koch method of ornamental trees evaluation is based on interest paid on costs invested in tree-growing up to their maturity stage minus deductions for age, defects and damage. The aim of this paper is to apply the above mentioned method in the economic conditions of the Czech Republic. The paper presents essential economic data generated in accordance with the technological model of tree growing at a permanent site. We also describe the mechanism of the so-called base tree price calculation as a basis for the subtraction of deductions derived from its current condition. The calculated base tree prices are illustratively compared to prices based on the to-date applied calculating techniques and the relevant regulation. We also refer to the method of base price adjustment based on the criterion of landscape tree value. The mechanism of price calculation applied for Koch method testing included two modifications. The first relates to due consideration of growth qualities when calculating development care costs; the other introduces landscaping value indicator as the only base price adjustment to achieve the resulting price, corresponding with the current tree condition.

The possibility of peat replacement with crushed water absorbent rockwool in growing substrates in the amount of 35% vol. was verified in the experiment with perennials in containers. Three types of substrates, i.e. peat, and two mixtures of peat with alternative components - green waste compost (25% vol.) or composted spruce bark (40% vol.) were compared. A sand box in the range of -0.5 to -10 kPa was used to determine retention curves and other physical properties of the components and substrates. The addition of rockwool to the peat substrate increased content of air and easy available water, the plant growth was not affected. Plants grown in substrates with alternative organic components were smaller in comparison to peat substrate. The growth of perennials significantly decreased, mainly in substrates with bark, but the plants had good market value. The addition of rockwool to these substrates had no significant effect on the growth. Crushed rockwool in the amount of 35% vol. can replace peat in peat substrates and in mixtures with alternative components.

Maintenance of garlic (Allium sativum L.) genetic resources has had a long tradition in the Czech Republic. The collection was founded in 1951 and its current holder is the Crop Research Institute, Department of Vegetables and Special Crops in Olomouc. The collection consists of 613 genotypes. The oldest genotype was acquired in 1954. The collection has been evaluated according to the Descriptor list for Allium spp. (IPGRI 2001). 17 characters of the Descriptor list were supplemented with 5 additional characters. The photos of all garlic genotypes were taken. The genotypes were divided into the three main morphological groups according to the ability to produce the scape: the first group with the scape (bolting) - 300 genotypes, the second part without the scape (non-bolting garlic) 205 genotypes and the third part presents semi-bolting garlic - 108 genotypes. The last morphological type has bulbils in the different parts of the pseudostem.

The evaluation of nutritional quality of Chinese cabbage and the effects of cultivar, weed incidence, plant density and growing season were observed in integrated cultivation system. Mean contents of analysed compounds were as follows: 6% of dry matter, 10% of crude fibre, (in mg/kg of f.m.): 2,199 mg K, 289 mg Ca, 146 mg Mg, 111 mg Na, and 316 mg of vitamin C. Mean content of nitrates reached the value of 647 mg/kg. A significant effect of cultivar on the content of all observed substances in cabbage heads excluding magnesium was thus confirmed; however, a decrease of nitrates was found in the treatment with higher plant density. Weed cultivation caused slightly (insignificantly) higher nitrates content in cabbage heads by 100 mg/kg. Growing season showed a significant effect on content of some evaluated compounds. Integrated cultivation of Chinese cabbage could be an adequate approach to ensure nutritionally valuable products with low nitrates content.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different sources of iron, hormones and Agrobacterium tumefaciens in the chlorophyll and iron concentration of the peach cultivars Katerina and Fire Blight. The results showed that the concentration of Fe in the leaves was significantly increased after spraying with FeSO₄.7H₂O (alone or in combination with KNO₃, urea, citric acid or ascorbic acid) or with GA₃ + Kinetin. Soil applications with Fe-EDDHA also significantly increased the iron concentration in leaves. Chlorophyll (a/b) increased only in trees sprayed with citric acid or H₂SO₄ 60 days after application. SPAD chlorophyll measurements showed that Fe-EDDHA and FeSO₄.7H₂O + organic matter, applied as soil drench, significantly increased the chlorophyll concentration in leaves of Katerina even up to 120 days after application. Foliar treatments had no significant effect on the SPAD index. SPAD measurements also showed that the concentrations of chlorophyll in leaves of the rootstocks St. Julien 655/2 and wild seedling rootstocks were significantly lower than in GF677 and Antafuel. The rootstocks inoculated with the A. tumefaciens strain Ag-28 alone showed a significantly lower chlorophyll concentration than the uninoculated ones.

In vitro experiments were conducted to study the effect of NaHCO₃ (alkalinity) stress on saplings of Morus alba (cv. Local and Sujanpuri) cultured from nodal explants. For shoot multiplication 2.5 mg/l of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) with 0.3 mg/l gibberellic acid (GA₃) were used and root formation was induced with 1.0 mg/l of indolebutyric acid (IBA). NaHCO₃ salt was added to the culture medium in three concentrations, i.e. 3.57, 20.0 and 59.0mM that increased pH to 6.2, 7.2 and 8.2, respectively. The increased salt concentration affected survival and growth parameters, subsequent cultures promoted them. The cultured biomass was analyzed for proline, protein, sugars and chlorophyll content. The results indicate an increase of proline, protein and sugars; however, they declined at higher concentrations of NaHCO₃. A decrease of chlorophyll was observed at all stress regimes.

Chinese mustard is a perspective vegetable species due to its high nutritional value. The aim of this work was an evaluation of Chinese mustard assortment for hydroponic cultivation, comparison of morphological parameters and nutritional value of fresh leaves. The highest mean weight of one plant was shown in cv. Red Giant (179 g). The biggest leaves with the length of 459 mm were formed by cv. Ta Tou Tsai. The highest cultivar was Cai Cai Tai (1,063 mm), with an abundant number of leaves (57 leaves). Cv. Osaka Purple Leaf showed the highest content of vitamin C (738 mg/kg); the highest carotenoids content (899 mg/kg) was found in cv. Swollen Stem. The mean content of chlorophyll a was 2,804 mg/kg; for chlorophyll b it was 1,103 mg/kg. In addition, the results of the content of dry matter, K, Ca, Mg, Na and nitrates are presented in this work. The evaluations showed a significant effect of cultivar on morphological and most of nutritional parameters. Chinese mustard is also suitable for soilless cultivation.

Citrus is grouped under the salt sensitive crops. Mycorrhizal fungi, a symbiotic relationship between plant roots and beneficial fungi, are supposed to impart the stress tolerance in the host plants. The stress tolerance improved due to Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi (AM fungi) colonization can be attributed to enhanced mineral nutrition. In the present study the efforts are made to evaluate the effectiveness of AM fungi with two citrus genotypes under salt stress. Three-month-old seedlings of Karna Khatta (Citrus Karna) and Troyer Citrange (Poncirus trifoliata × Citrus sinensis) were inoculated with the indigenous soil based AM inocula (mixed strains). The salinity gradient was developed by frequent irrigation with NaCl (0, 50, 100, 150 mM w/v). The results indicated that all the physical parameters were affected with increasing salinity. The proline accumulation increased while the chlorophyll, calcium and magnesium contents decreased significantly with increasing salinity. In general, the decreased AM colonization did not show any significant effects under salt stress.

Two potato cultivars Kufri Bahar and Kufri Jyoti were stored in heaps and pits under ambient conditions of sub-tropical plains of northern India and their chipping quality was determined after 90 days of storage. During storage there was a significant reduction (33.84%) in the reducing sugar content of potatoes and improvement (31.63%) in chip colour. Sugar levels in stored potatoes were within the acceptable limit for processing and table purposes indicating that potatoes stored up to 90 days on the farm in heap and pits are suitable for these two purposes.

Thymbra spicata var. spicata, which grows wildly in the flora of Turkey, is known as thyme. A field trial was conducted to determine suitable harvesting time and cutting height for Thymbra, therefore plants in the trial were harvested at two cutting heights in various stages of development in the course of the growing season (pre-flowering, full-flowering and post-flowering). It was determined that the time of harvesting had a significant effect on herbage yields, oil percentage and oil yield. The highest drug leaf yield (3.107 t/ha) was obtained in the full-flowering stage with 10 cm cutting length, essential oil percentage ranged from 1.58 to 2.33%, the highest essential oil yield (70.7 l/ha) was obtained at the full-flowering stage with 10 cm cutting length. As a result of this study, harvesting in the full-flowering stage with 10 cm cutting height was the best treatment in respect of the yield of dry matter and oil for thyme (Thymbra spicata) cultivation.

Nine identification RAPD markers (Moravcová et al. 2003) were used to distinguish 24 clones and grapevine cultivars. No polymorphism was detected among all the tested clones of Chardonnay, Pinot gris and Zweigeltrebe from Polešovice. Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Pinot blanc and Pinot Meunier were indistinguishable within clones, they also showed the identical RAPD profile within cultivars (except discussed sample No. 26). On the other hand, Auxerrois as a relative to cultivars of Pinot group showed unique patterns and may be classified as a different cultivar. Some irregularities within the cultivars of Pinot family from Oblekovice were also found, several of them gave different results from those expected: Pinot blanc sample 26 has the RAPD profile typical of Chardonnay. A new abnormal RAPD pattern as a marker of typical Chardonnay and Pinot profiles was observed in two cases. While RAPD banding patterns could not distinguish between the known clones, they were useful for distinguishing between phenotypically similar cultivars and for assessing the origins of cultivars thought to have originated as sports.

In greenhouse conditions a 3-year small-plot experiment was conducted on loamy Chernozem originating from the humus horizon to investigate the effect of sodium humate application on yield, nitrate content and vitamin C content in green pepper fruits. The application of 5 kg of sodium humate per hectare in the form of watering 3 weeks after planting of pepper seedlings under full NPK nutrition (N nutrition was divided as follows: 2/3 of total N before planting and 1/3 of total N together with sodium humate 3 weeks after planting) resulted in a statistically significant increase in pepper yield by 13.6% at a concomitant significant reduction of nitrate content in pepper fruits by 12% and increase in vitamin C content by 28.6%.

An assortment of 15 cultivars of root parsley was studied in field experiments to evaluate morphological characteristics, market yield, content of selected minerals and nitrate content. Storage ability of roots was also assessed. Mean root weight ranged from 87 g (cv. Bartowich Long) to 129 g (cv. Atika). Root head diameter was from 39 mm (cv. Lange) to 49 mm (cv. Halflange Omega and Hamburg). Mean root yield amounted to 1.35 kg/m² and the highest value was found in cv. Atika. Nitrate content did not exceed the tolerance limit ranging from 113 to 617 mg/kg of f.m. Mean content of K was 4,690 mg, Ca 124 mg, Mg 509 mg, and Na 425 mg/kg of f.m. Weight losses ranged from 10 to 32%; cv. Jadran showed the lowest value. Newer Czech cultivars (Atika, Jadran, Orbis) had a good commercial and growth potential.

Caraway fruits contain 1-6% of essential oils consisting of about 30 compounds, from which carvone and limonene account form the main portion, about 95%. To evaluate the quality of various caraway cultivars, the amounts of essential oils and the carvone/limonene ratio were measured. The most common method of essential oil evaluation is steam distillation in accordance with Standard ČSN 58 0110, but an alternative method - supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) - was also investigated in this paper. Ground caraway fruits were extracted under different SFE conditions (pressure, temperature, use of modifiers). Released compounds (carvone and limonene) were quantified by GC.

This study showed that rooting is strongly affected by natural leaf drop occurring during cutting collection. Observations carried out during sampling showed that cultivars with more than 80% leaf drop had lower rooting percentages than cuttings from cultivars with leaf drop between 44 to 75%, and that generally, the peaks of leaf drop coincide very closely with low rooting. Besides, it was found that there is a relation between Fe and N content in the bark of cuttings and their rooting. The peaks of Fe content coincide with the peaks of rooting. In contrast, the peaks of N content coincide with the lowest percentage of rooting. Overall, there seems to be no clear-cut relation between rooting and contents of P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn and Zn.

Leaf samples from 12 peach cultivars (Prunus persica [L.] Batsch.) (Early Crest, May Crest, Flavor Crest,Sun Crest, Fayette, Katherina, Loadel, Andross, Everts, May Grand, Firebrite and Fairlane) grafted on four peach root-stocks were analyzed for their nutrient content. The analysis of variance for leaf nutrient concentrations indicated very significant effects and interactions among cultivars and rootstocks. The rootstock effect on the absorption of nutrient elements was higher for Ca, K, P, Mg, N, and lower for Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, and B. Generally cultivars grafted on GF 677 had higher N, K, Fe, Cu and lower Zn, Mn, and B, while leaves from cultivars grafted on wild seedlings were found to contain higher Mg and lower P, K, Fe concentrations. Leaf B and Ca were higher for cultivars grafted on Sant Julien GF 655/2, while cultivars on Damas GF 1869 had higher P, Zn, Mn and lower N, B, Ca, Cu concentrations. Leaf N was lower for Fayette on all four rootstocks and significantly different from all other cultivars. Leaf P was lower for Everts and higher for Katherina. Lower concentrations were observed in Early Crest for Fe and Zn, in Andross for Mn, and in Loadel for B, while Flavor Crest had higher concentrations of all these elements. Leaf Zn was the highest for Sun Crest on wild seedling and the lowest for Early Crest on the same rootstock. Similarly leaf N was the highest for Katherina on Damas and the lowest for Fayetteon the same rootstock. Also leaf Mg was the highest for Fayette on Damas and the lowest for Fairlane on Damas. Peach tree mortality was the highest for Damas 1869 and lowest for Sant Julien. Also tree mortality was highest for Early Crest and Sun Crest and lowest for May Grand, Firebrite, and Katherina. The observed trends in the leaf nutrient composition, as regards the cultivars, rootstocks and their interactions, emphasize the importance of these factors on a new peach orchard establishment and macro-microelement fertilization.

This four years experimentation work was aimed at research on using various waste organic materials and especially timber bark in cultivation substrates as a substitute of peat. Sixty-four special isolated cultivation beds were established for this purpose, each of 4.8 m³ volume, in which 11 variants of substrates consisting of different proportions of different components in several replications were tested. Standard substrates Horticultural substrate B and RKS I. were used as controls. Another variant was used as a control for growing tests of plants in containers. All tested substrates were enriched with hydroabsorbent TerraCottem. In some variants reserve fertilisers with slow release of nutrients (Silvamix Forte) were applied. For cultivation testing of studied substrates four ornamental tree species (Alnus glutinosa, Fraxinus excelsior, Salix alba, Salix matsudana) were chosen. The best evaluated variants were the ones containing 50 and 75% of bark in combination with sand. The worst was the variant composed of chips and sawdust. Thanks to the use of hydroabsorbents, even the variant containing 100% of sand appeared to be very good. The tested trees had different reactions to the different types of substrates depending on their species requirements. The limiting growth factor for Alnus was the content of water in the substrate. Similarly, the content of available nutrients in the substrate was essential for Fraxinus. The hardwood cuttings of Salix not only rooted into the substrate in a few weeks, but also formed aboveground parts of the required sizes. Obtained data on growth parameters differed according to the diversity of requirements of the different studied species.