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Abstract Breakpoint cluster region‐Abelson (BCR::ABL1) gene fusion is an essential oncogene in both chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia‐positive (Ph+) B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B‐ALL). While tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are effective in up to 95% of CML patients, 50% of Ph+ B‐ALL cases do not respond to treatment or relapse. This calls for new therapeutic approaches for Ph+ B‐ALL. Previous studies have shown that inhibitors of the thioredoxin (TXN) system exert antileukemic activity against B‐ALL cells, particularly in combination with other drugs. Here, we present that peroxiredoxin‐1 (PRDX1), one of the enzymes of the TXN system, is upregulated in Ph+ lymphoid as compared to Ph+ myeloid cells. PRDX1 knockout negatively affects the viability of Ph+ B‐ALL cells and sensitizes them to TKIs. Analysis of global gene expression changes in imatinib‐treated, PRDX1‐deficient cells revealed that the nonhomologous end‐joining (NHEJ) DNA repair is a novel vulnerability of Ph+ B‐ALL cells. Accordingly, PRDX1‐deficient Ph+ B‐ALL cells were susceptible to NHEJ inhibitors. Finally, we demonstrated the potent efficacy of a novel combination of TKIs, TXN inhibitors, and NHEJ inhibitors against Ph+ B‐ALL cell lines and primary cells, which can be further investigated as a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of Ph+ B‐ALL.

B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP‐ALL) is a genetically heterogeneous blood cancer characterized by abnormal expansion of immature B cells. Although intensive chemotherapy provides high cure rates in a majority of patients, subtypes harboring certain genetic lesions, such as MLL rearrangements or BCR‐ABL1 fusion, remain clinically challenging, necessitating a search for other therapeutic approaches. Herein, we aimed to validate antioxidant enzymes of the thioredoxin system as potential therapeutic targets in BCP‐ALL. We observed oxidative stress along with aberrant expression of the enzymes associated with the activity of thioredoxin antioxidant system in BCP‐ALL cells. Moreover, we found that auranofin and adenanthin, inhibitors of the thioredoxin system antioxidant enzymes, effectively kill BCP‐ALL cell lines and pediatric and adult BCP‐ALL primary cells, including primary cells cocultured with bone marrow‐derived stem cells. Furthermore, auranofin delayed the progression of leukemia in MLL‐rearranged patient‐derived xenograft model and prolonged the survival of leukemic NSG mice. Our results unveil the thioredoxin system as a novel target for BCP‐ALL therapy, and indicate that further studies assessing the anticancer efficacy of combinations of thioredoxin system inhibitors with conventional anti‐BCP‐ALL drugs should be continued.

Philadelphia chromosome-positive B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ BCPALL) is a high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia subtype characterized by the presence of BCR::ABL1 fusion gene. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) combined with chemotherapy are established as the first-line treatment. Additionally, rituximab (RTX), an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) is administered in adult BCP-ALL patients with ≥20% of CD20+ blasts. In this study, we observed a marked prevalence of CD20 expression in patients diagnosed with Ph+ BCP-ALL, indicating a potential widespread clinical application of RTX in combination with TKIs. Consequently, we examined the influence of TKIs on the antitumor effectiveness of anti-CD20 mAbs by evaluating CD20 surface levels and conducting in vitro functional assays. All tested TKIs were found to uniformly downregulate CD20 on leukemic cells, diminishing the efficacy of RTX-mediated complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Interestingly, these TKIs displayed varied effects on NK cell-mediated antibody-dependent cytotoxicity and macrophage phagocytic function. While asciminib demonstrated no inhibition of effector cell functions, dasatinib notably suppressed the anti-CD20-mAb-mediated NK cell cytotoxicity and macrophage phagocytosis of BCP-ALL cells. Dasatinib and ponatinib also decreased NK cell degranulation in vitro. Importantly, oral administration of dasatinib, but not asciminib, compromised NK cell activity within patients' blood, determined by ex vivo degranulation assay. Our results indicate that asciminib might be preferred over other TKIs for combination therapy with anti-CD20 mAbs.

Scorzonera (Scorzonera hispanica L.) is a particularly valuable species among little-known and rarely cultivated vegetables. It is a root vegetable of high dietary and nutritional values. The suitable microbiological activity of the soil favors the growth and development of scorzonera. Biostimulants can positively affect the communities of rhizospheric microorganisms of cultivated plants, including this important vegetable. The studies established the influence of biostimulants on the microbial communities in the scorzonera rhizosphere. Before setting up the field experiment, scorzonera seeds were dressed with fungicide Zaprawa Nasienna T 75 DS/WS or biostimulants Beta-Chikol, Bio-Algeen S-90, and Asahi SL. The laboratory microbiological analyses of scorzonera rhizosphere soil were conducted and determined the total population of bacteria and fungi. The obtained rhizosphere isolates of fungi Albifimbria, Clonostachys, Epicoccum, Penicillium, and Trichoderma sp. were tested to check the influence on fungi pathogenic to scorzonera (Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium oxysporum, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and Rhizoctonia solani). The experiments showed that biostimulants, especially Asahi SL and Beta-Chikol, favored the development of rhizobacteria populations (including Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp.). All biostimulants (Beta-Chikol, in particular) and the fungicide decreased the population of rhizospheric fungi and limited the occurrence of polyphagous fungi in the rhizosphere of scorzonera. Biostimulant Beta-Chikol and fungicide Zaprawa Nasienna T 75 DS/WS were most effective in stimulating the development of antagonistic fungi. Clonostachys rosea, Trichoderma sp., and Albifimbria verrucaria predominated as antagonistic rhizospheric fungi.

Fungi belonging to the Fusarium genus are commonly isolated from soybean plants and seeds but not all of them are pathogenic. The aim of this study was to compare the pathogenicity among different Fusarium isolates obtained from soybean plants with disease symptoms originating from an experimental field located in the southeast of Poland. Nineteen fungal isolates were selected for the pathogenicity assay, including eight isolates of F. oxysporum, six isolates of F. graminearum, four isolates of F. culmorum and one isolate of F. redolens. Species identification of these isolates was carried out using microscopic methods and sequencing of two genes: translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1) and RNA polymerase second largest subunit (RPB2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. redolens being isolated from soybean in Europe. The pathogenicity test was set up by fungal inoculation of healthy soybean seeds of three cultivars: Abelina, Atlanta and Mavka. Symptoms were assessed seven days after inoculation. Disease area percentage of Fusarium inoculated seeds was significantly higher compared to uninoculated control. Nineteen isolates differed in their aggressiveness as the median disease area percentage ranged between 5.0 and 88.0% depending on isolate. The obtained isolates of four Fusarium species may be used in the future screening of soybean cultivars for resistance to these pathogens.

Crops are subject to yield losses caused by the presence of pests whose species and population diversity are changing with climate warming. The use of agrochemicals is still the most effective method of plant protection against diseases and pests. However, the intensive use of pesticides in some EU countries makes it necessary to search for alternative methods that can be applied in plant protection for consumer and environmental safety. The aim of the study was the laboratory evaluation of the fungistatic effect of extracts of herbal plants occurring in natural state in Poland: horseradish (Armoracia rusticana L.), yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) and tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) on selected polyphagic phytopathogenic fungi (Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum coccodes and Fusarium oxysporum). In this study, 5%, 10% and 20% concentrations of herbal water-extract extracts were applied to evaluate their effects on linear growth of fungi and inhibition of their growth relative to control. Total content of polyphenols and flavonoids was assessed in the extracts using spectrophotometry, and their antioxidant activity by applying the synthetic DPPH radical. The plant extracts of tansy and yarrow leaves were characterized by a higher content of polyphenols and flavonoids compared to horseradish leaf extracts; they also had a higher antioxidant activity. Plant extracts inhibited the growth of fungi to a different extent, depending on the species of fungus, type of extract, its concentration and duration of action. The strongest fungistatic effect was recorded for tansy and yarrow extracts, while the weakest for the extract of horseradish leaves. Plant extracts showed the weakest effect against Botrytis cinerea, inhibiting the development of this fungus only during the first days of the experiment. The present research is a preliminary study that will be used in the further to develop a biological preparation for the protection of agricultural and horticultural plants against fungal pathogens.

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of habitat, cultivar and developmental growth stage on catalase activity in soil under two amaranth cultivars – Rawa (Amaranthus cruentus L.) and Aztek (Amaranthus hypochondriacus × Amaranthus hybridus L.). In a 3-year field experiment (2013–2015), amaranth’s plants were grown in a wide-row spacing on the soil of the good wheat complex in south-eastern Poland (50°71'N, 23°04'E). The field experiment included 4 variable factors: weather conditions; selected amaranth growth stages (5-leaf, full flowering and seed maturity stages); NPK dose combinations (I: 40 kg N ∙ ha–1, 30 kg P ∙ ha–1, 30 kg K ∙ ha–1; II: 60 kg N ∙ ha–1, 40 kg P ∙ ha–1, 40 kg K ∙ ha–1; III: 80 kg N ∙ ha–1, 50 kg P ∙ ha–1, 50 kg K ∙ ha–1; IV: 120 kg N ∙ ha–1, 70 kg P ∙ ha–1, 70 kg K ∙ ha–1) and two cultivars (‘Rawa’ and ‘Aztek’). No pesticides are applied in the cultivation due to the absence of pathogens and pests of this plant in Poland. Plant protection was limited to reducing weed infestation twice. The conducted research showed that weather conditions were the main factor affecting catalase activity in the soil under amaranth cultivation, followed by other factors, such as fertilization, cultivar and growth stage. All the analyzed factors proved to exert a significant impact on organic matter content in the soil, while only the applied NPK fertilization had effect on sorption capacity. Moreover, it was found that the cv. Aztek positively influenced the activity of catalase and humus accumulation in the soil in comparison to the cv. Rawa. The beneficial effect of amaranth on the soil environment and its enzymatic activity was ascribed to the lack of introduced pesticides.

Biostimulants are friendly to the soil environment and can effectively improve the plant growth and yielding. The aim of field and laboratory studies was to establish the effect of biostimulants on the growth and on the health status of Scorzonera hispanica L. plants. The field experiment was carried out in south-eastern Poland on Haplic Luvisol. The biostimulants were applied according to the manufacturers’ recommendations. Moreover, the biostimulants Asahi SL (active components: nitroguaiacolate and nitrophenolates), Beta-Chikol (a.s. – chitosan) and Bio-Algeen S90 (extract from seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum) were applied for the pre-sowing seed dressing of scorzonera cv. ´´Duplex´´. For comparison, the fungicide Zaprawa Nasienna T 75 DS/WS (a.s. – tiuram 75%) was used. Untreated seeds served as control. Moreover, the biodiversity of soil-borne fungi colonizing the roots of this vegetable was determined. The number of seedlings and the health status of scorzonera plants were determined during three growing seasons. In each year of the study, both scorzonera seedlings with necrosis symptoms on the roots and the infected roots obtained after scorzonera harvest were subjected to laboratory mycological analysis. The experiments showed that, the emergence and health status of scorzonera seedlings after the application of biostimulants, especially after Beta-Chikol, were significantly better than in the control. Asahi SL and Beta-Chikol were more effective than Bio-Algeen S90 in limiting the occurrence of fungi pathogenic towards scorzonera plants. Diseased scorzonera roots were most frequently colonized by Alternaria scorzonerae, Alternaria alternata, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Fusarium spp., especially by Fusarium oxysporum. In conclusion, Asahi SL, Beta-Chikol and Bio-Algeen S90 can be recommended as effective biostimulants in field cultivation of Scorzonera hispanica.

Plant diseases are a serious problem for agricultural crops, the food industry and human health. Significant efforts have been made in recent years to find natural products that could reduce the growth of plant pathogens and improve food quality. At present, there is an increased interest in plants as a source of biological active compounds that can protect crops from diseases. Important sources of these phytochemicals are lesser-known pseudocereals such as amaranth. The objective of this study was to determine the antifungal activity of leaf extracts of four amaranth species (A. cruentus, A. hypochondriacus × hybridus, A. retroflexus and A. hybridus). The antifungal potency of amaranth extracts was analyzed against selected strains of fungi. The results suggested that the antimicrobial properties of the tested extracts varied depending on the amaranth species and the fungal strain. The studied extracts inhibited the growth of Fusarium equiseti, Rhizoctonia solani, Trichoderma harzianum and Alternaria alternata. A lower inhibitory effect of the extracts was recorded against F. solani, while no inhibitory effect was observed against F. oxysporum and Colletotrichum coccodes.

The aim of the research was to determine the quantitative and qualitative composition of soil-borne fungi in the cultivation of oat, as well as to assess the healthiness of this cereal. The experiment considered spring barley and potato as forecrops, and white mustard or lacy phacelia cultivated after spring barley as catch crops before oat. The population of fungi showing antagonistic effect towards selected fungi pathogenic to cereal was determined. The most fungi (pathogenic and antagonistic) were found in the soil under oat cultivation after spring barley, while the least after potato. The cultivation of oat after spring barley with the use of catch crops significantly influenced a reduction in the number of fungi obtained from the soil. On the other hand, catch crop cultivation increased the share of antagonists in the soil fungus population. Among the species recognised as antagonistic, Clonostachys rosea, Trichoderma viride, T. koningii, and T. harzianum predominated. The introduction of catch crops, especially white mustard, also positively influenced the healthiness of oat. The average disease index for the tested oat cultivars grown after potato and after spring barley with white mustard and lacy phacelia as catch crops was 11.02, 12.78 and 15.90, respectively, whereas after spring barley it was 21.75.

In a view of the predicted drought that has appeared in recent years and water shortage in the growing season, which is getting worse every year, the problem of water retention in the soil and increasing its humidity becomes of exceptional importance. The field experiment was carried out in 2009–2012 on grey brown podzolic soil developed from loess formations covering the cretaceous marls with a granulometric composition corresponding to medium dusty loam. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of various species of cover crops and the method and date of mixing their biomass with the soil on the soil moisture in ploughless carrot cultivation. The experimental design included seven cover crop species (spring rye, common oat, common vetch, white mustard, lacy phacelia, buckwheat, fodder sunflower) and six kinds of soil tillage. The effect of cover crops and tillage on soil moisture was modified by the course of the weather and varied depending on the year of research, sampling date and soil layer. In spring, the highest layer of soil (0–20 cm) not cultivated before winter (NTz) accumulated the most water, and the least after pre-winter ploughing (Oz). In the 0–40 cm layer, the lowest humidity was in the soil ploughed before winter (Oz), and the highest after no-till (NTz) and after subsoiling before winter (GLz). The ridge cultivation performed in the spring caused the soil to dry out. In the remaining variants of no-ploughing tillage, soil moisture in the 0–40 cm layer was similar to that of conventional cultivation. Cover crops exerted a significant influence on the soil moisture in carrot cultivation at all test dates, increasing its moisture content compared to cultivation without cover crops. The rye cover crop had particularly favourable effect on the soil moisture.

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] plants are potential hosts for different pathogens. Soil-borne diseases, caused by pathogenic fungi, are considered to be the main reason for the loss of soybean yields worldwide. The aim of the research was to isolate fungi inhabiting underground parts of soybean in order to identify potential pathogens present in south-east Poland. Research material comprised of seven soybean cultivars grown in field in 2017-2019. Samples collected in three subsequent vegetative seasons constituted soybean plants with disease symptoms on cotyledons, stems and roots. Fragments of the infected plant tissues were subjected to mycological analysis. A total of 1692 pure fungal isolates were obtained from the sampled plants and almost 80% of these isolates were assigned to Fusarium genus. Among Fusarium spp. isolates, the most frequently detected species was F. oxysporum (71.3%). Other detected Fusarium species included: F. graminearum, F. culmorum, F. avenaceum, F. poae, F. solani (syn. Neocosmospora solani), F. sporotrichioides and F. fujikuroi. Other fungi accounted for approx. 19% of the obtained isolates and their main representatives were: Alternaria alternata, Trichoderma sp., Rhizoctonia solani, Mucor sp., Cladosporium sp. and Rhizopus sp. Comparison of these results with published data from other regions of Poland shows differences in prevalence of different species of soil-borne fungi.

The experimental design included seven cover crop species and six kinds of soil tillage in the field cultivation of carrot. The use of cover crops had a positive impact on the yield of marketable roots of carrot in comparison with the cultivation without the cover crops. A significant increase of marketable yield was noted after phacelia, buckwheat, mustard and sunflower. The flat ploughless tillage significantly reduced the marketable yield of roots in comparison with traditional ploughing. The largest marketable yield of roots was obtained from cultivation on ridges after mixing the biomass of buckwheat or phacelia or mustard with the soil, and the smallest, after reduced spring tillage using aggregate without cover crops. The largest marketable yield in flat ploughless tillage was obtained when using grubber before winter, and the biomass of phacelia was mixed with soil. Growing carrot on the ridges had a positive influence on increasing the share of the marketable yield of roots in comparison with other variants of cultivation including the conventional tillage. The all cover crops with the exception of spring vetch significantly increased the share of marketable roots in the yield compared with cultivation without cover crops. The largest percentage of the marketable yield was noted after use of phacelia.

Field and laboratory studies determined the effect of intercrop plants (rye, buckwheat, white mustard and sunflower) used in carrot cultivation on the occurrence of Clonostachys spp., Albifimbria spp., Trichoderma spp. and Penicillium spp. in the soil and their antagonistic activity. Rye and white mustard were the most effective in limiting the occurrence of soil-borne fungi. Those plants caused an increase of the population of the studied antagonistic fungi. Buckwheat and sunflower promoted the development of antagonists a little worse. The antagonistic activity of the aforementioned fungi was the highest after using rye and white mustard and slightly after buckwheat and sunflower. Those fungi were the most effective in inhibiting the growth of Altenaria dauci, A. radicina and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum pathogenic towards carrot.

The principles of good agricultural and horticultural practice, which considers both environmental protection and high yielding of plants, require modern methods of cultivation. Cover crops are used in the cultivation of various plants, including root vegetables such as carrot. The purpose of field and laboratory studies was to determine the effect of selected cover crops on the healthiness of carrot (Daucus carota L.). The field experiment took into consideration cover crops such as spring rye, white mustard, buckwheat, fodder sunflower and two systems of soil tillage, i.e.: tillage before winter (ploughing) + spring tillage (a combined cultivator) and only spring tillage (a combined cultivator). In each experimental treatment, the number and healthiness of carrot seedlings were determined. A laboratory mycological analysis made it possible to determine the qualitative and quantitative composition of fungi infecting the underground parts of carrot. Good emergencies and the healthiness of carrot plants were observed in the objects with rye and white mustard as cover crops. The cultivation system had no significant effect on the proportion of diseased seedlings of carrot. Rye and white mustard were more effective than buckwheat and sunflower in limiting the occurrence of fungi pathogenic towards carrot. Diseased seedlings and roots after harvest of carrot were most frequently colonized by Altenaria alternata, A. chartarum, A. dauci, A. radicina, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium spp.

Cover crops are used in the cultivation of various plants. They properly modify the composition of soil microorganisms and can protect of plants from phytopathogens. The purpose of the field and laboratory studies was to determine the quantitative and qualitative composition of microorganisms in the soil under carrot cultivated with the use of oats, tansy phacelia and spring vetch as cover crops. The paper presents also studies on soil-borne fungi threatening the healthiness of carrot roots. In the conventional cultivation of carrot the population of bacteria (including Pseudomonas spp. and Bacillus spp.) was the smallest, while after the application of oats it was the largest. Oats and spring vetch were most effective in limiting the occurrence of soil-borne fungi. Those plants and tansy phacelia caused an increase of the population of saprotrophic fungi (Albifimbria spp., Clonostachys spp. and Trichoderma spp.) in the soil. Intercrop plants had a positive effect on the healthiness of carrot seedlings and roots. Alternaria dauci, A. alternata, A. radicina, Fusarium oxysporum, Globisporangium irregulare, Neocosmospora solani, Phytophthora sp., Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum proved to be the most harmful towards the studied underground parts of carrot. Oats proved to be the most effective in inhibiting the occurrence of the pathogenic fungi for Daucus carota L.

Fusarium head blight and the contamination of cereals with toxic fungal metabolites are particularly important problems in global agriculture. The increasingly frequent isolation of F. equiseti from cereal grain and the sparse information in the literature on the harmfulness of this fungus to oat encouraged us to conduct the present research. The aim of the study was to determine the susceptibility of oat genotypes to panicle infection by F. equiseti and mycotoxin content in the grain. Field experiments involving 10 oat genotypes were conducted over three years (2015–2017). Oat panicles were inoculated with a conidial suspension of F. equiseti, which reduced the kernels yield by 38.34%, the number of kernels per panicle by 31.16% and 1000 kernels weight by 12.66%. F. equiseti accumulated type A trichothecenes (T-2 and HT-2 toxins, scirpentriol, diacetoxyscirpenol, T-2 triol, T-2 tetraol) and type B trichothecenes (deoxynivalenol, 3Ac-DON, 15Ac-DON, nivalenol, fusarenone X) in kernels at an average level of 0.0616 and 0.2035 mg·kg−1, respectively. The highest susceptibility to scabs caused by F. equiseti was found for genotype POB 4901/10, whereas cv. Elegant exhibited the highest resistance to F. equiseti in terms of yield reduction after inoculation.

The studies determined the effect of bacteria Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. isolated from the soil after carrot cultivation on pathogenic fungi Altenaria dauci, A. radicina, Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. A field experiment on carrot cultivation considered different intercrop plants (rye, buckwheat, white mustard, sunflower). Rye and buckwheat were the most conducive to the growth of Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. Those bacteria were the most effective in inhibiting the growth of F. solani, F. oxysporum and R. solani. The antagonistic effect of soil-borne Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. towards the tested fungi was the largest after the application of rye and white mustard as intercrop plants in the cultivation of carrot. Buckwheat and sunflower showed a slightly smaller influence on the antagonistic activity of the studied bacteria. Bacillus ssp. had a significantly lesser antagonistic effect than Pseudomonas ssp.

The present studies aim at determining the antagonistic effect of selected fungi species occurring in the soil under carrot cultivation towards Altenaria dauci (J.G. Kühn) J.W. Groves & Skolko, Alternaria radicina Meier, Drechsler & E.D. Eddy, Fusarium oxysporum E.F. Sm & Swingle, Rhizoctonia solani J.G. Kühn and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary. The field experiment considered cover crops (oats, tansy phacelia and vetch). The control consisted of traditional carrot cultivation (without cover crops). Statistically, the smallest population of fungi was found in 1 g of soil dry weight after the application of oats, and a slightly bigger - after tansy phacelia and vetch. The largest population of fungi was obtained in the traditional cultivation of carrot. Cover crops contributed to the increase of the population of antagonistic Clonostachys spp., Myrothecium spp., Penicillium spp. and Trichoderma spp. in the soil. Regardless of the experimental treatment, those antagonistic fungi were the most effective in limiting the growth of S. sclerotiorum, A. dauci and A. radicina. The effect of those fungi was a little smaller towards F. oxysporum and R. solani. Oats as a cover crop had the best effect on the antagonistic activity of the studied fungi occurring in the soil environment of carrot.

The purpose of the present studies was to determine the antagonistic effect of bacteria Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. towards selected fungi from the soil environment of carrot. Oats (Avena sativa L.), tansy phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia Bentham) and vetch (Vicia satica L.) were used as cover crops in the cultivation of this plant. In the traditional cultivation of carrot the population of bacteria was the smallest, while after the application of oats it was the largest. Laboratory tests showed that cover crops promoted the development of antagonistic Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. Irrespective of the experimental treatment, those bacteria were the most effective in limiting the growth and development of Fusarium oxysporum and Thanatephorus cucumeris (syn. Rhizoctonia solani), while being less effective towards Altenaria dauci and Alternaria radicina, and the least towards Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The best total antagonistic effect of Pseudomonas spp. and Bacillus spp. towards the tested fungi was found after using oats and vetch, while the worst - in the traditional cultivation of carrot.

Colletotrichum coccodes (Wallr.) Hughes has been recognized as one of casual agents of anthracnose roots pepper in south-eastern Poland. During 2007–2012 the species was isolated from roots of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivated in the field. The purpose of the study was morphological characterization and biotic activity of C. coccodes isolates. Five randomly chosen isolates from fungus population and one reference isolate obtained from Bank of Plant Pathogens and Investigation of their Biodiversity of IPP-NRI in Poznan in Poland were studied. The character of culture like growth rate, the colour of averse and reverse and the formation of morphological structures of the fungus such as acervuli, conidia, sclerotia were studied. Ultrastructural observations of morphological structures were made using light and scanning electron microscopy. Biotic activity of C. coccodes was conducted using the method of biotic series on PDA. Seven species of test fungi were used in the study: Alternaria alternata, Aureobasidium pullulans, Gibberella avenacea, G. intricans, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium aurantiogriseum, Trichoderma harzianum. The biotic activity test showed that C. coccodes is a weak competitor, and its development in the rhizosphere of sweet pepper may be limited by numerous antagonists.

Mycorrhizal fungi influence the development and activity of communities of soil microorganisms. The purpose of this study was to estimate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Claroideoglomus etunicatum (W. N. Becker & Gerd.) C. Walker & Schüβler on the population structure of fungal colonies in the rhizosphere of tomatoes grown in a plastic tunnel. The field experiment was conducted from 2015 to 2017 at an ecological farm in Grądy, central eastern Poland. The object of study were the three tomato cultivars: ‘Antalya F1’, ‘Esmira F1’, and ‘Pelikan F1’. Tomato seedlings were inoculated with C. etunicatum; spores were introduced about 5 cm deep in the rhizosphere of the studied plants (25–30 spores of C. etunicatum for each plant). Each year, mycological analysis of the tomato rhizosphere was conducted using Warcup’s method; structure of fungal communities of the tomato rhizosphere varied depending on the AMF applied. Saprotrophic fungi such as Trichoderma ssp., Mucor spp., and Penicillium spp. were often more isolated from the rhizosphere of plants inoculated with C. etunicatum than that of the control samples. It can be concluded that AMF directly impacted the development of fungal biodiversity in the tomato rhizosphere, particularly regarding the number of saprotrophs in the soil.

The principles of good agricultural and horticultural practice, considering both environmental protection and high yielding of plants, require modern cultivation methods. In modern agriculture, it is possible to use biostimulants that protect the soil against degradation and plants against phytopathogens and stress. The purpose of 3-year field and laboratory studies was to determine the effect of Trichoderma harzianum T-22 and other biostimulants on the health status of scorzonera (Scorzonera hispanica L.) plants and microorganism populations in the rhizosphere of this plant. For this purpose, Biosept Active (a.s.—grapefruit extract), Timorex Gold 24 EC (based on tea tree oil), Trianum P (spores of Trichoderma harzianum Rifai T-22) and Zaprawa Nasienna T 75 DS/WS fungicide (a.s.—tiuram) were applied for the pre-sowing seed dressing of scorzonera cv. “Duplex”. The number of seedlings and the health status of scorzonera plants were determined during three growing seasons. In each year of the study, mycological analysis of seedling roots and roots after scorzonera harvest was conducted to establish the quantitative and qualitative composition of fungi colonizing these parts. Moreover, microbiological analyses of scorzonera rhzisphere soil were conducted and served as the basis to determine the total population of fungi and bacteria (including Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus sp.). Antagonistic activity of rhizosphere bacteria Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp. and fungi was determined based on laboratory tests on selected scorzonera soil-borne fungal pathogens (Alternaria scorzonerae, Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium oxysporum, and Rhizoctonia solani). The experiments showed that Trianum P most effectively protected the roots of scorzonera against infection by Alternaria alternata, A. scorzonerae, Neocosmospora solani, Fusarium spp., Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Rhizoctonia solani, and Botrytis cinerea. The rhizosphere population of Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. in the treatments with Trianum P or Zaprawa Nasienna T 75 DS/WS was larger than in the other experimental treatments. A reverse relationship was observed in the population of rhizosphere fungi. The application of grapefruit extract, tea tree oil and Trichoderma harzianum T-22 increased antagonistic activity of Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp. and selected saprotrophic fungi against soil-borne fungal pathogens, especially Alternaria sp., Rhizoctonia sp., and Fusarium sp. In summary, Biosept Active, Timorex Gold 24 EC and Trianum P can be recommended as plant biostimulants in Scorzonera hispanica cultivation.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of mycorrhizal fungi (MF) and irrigation on biological properties of sweet pepper rhizosphere in organic field cultivation. For this purpose, MF were applied to plants in the form of commercial mycorrhizal inoculum (Rhizophagus aggregatus, R. intraradices, Claroideoglomus etunicatum, Endogone mosseae, Funneliformis caledonium, and Gigaspora margarita) and irrigation according to the combinations: mycorrhized plants (PM), mycorrhized and irrigated plants (PMI), and irrigated plants (PI). Plants without MF and irrigation served as the absolute control (P). The study used classic and molecular techniques, assessing catalase activity, biodiversity of soil microorganisms (soil DNA analysis), and the Community-Level Physiological Profiles (CLPP) analysis using Biolog EcoPlates. The highest catalase activity was recorded in the control and mycorrhized soil sample. The highest total number of bacteria was noted in the rhizosphere of control plants (P) and irrigated plants, while the lowest number in the rhizosphere of mycorrhized and irrigated plants. Plant irrigation contributed to the increase in the total number of fungi in the rhizosphere. The rhizospheric soil of PM and PMI were characterized by the highest utilization of amines, amides, and amino acids, whereas the lowest level of utilization was detected in the P and PI rhizospheres. The highest biodiversity and metabolic activity were observed in the rhizospheres from the PMI and PM samples, whereas lower catabolic activity were recorded in the P and PI rhizospheres. The mycorrhization of crops improved the biological properties of the rhizosphere, especially under conditions of drought stress.

The principles of good agricultural and horticultural practice, which consider both giving environmental protection and high yielding of plants, require modern cultivation methods. Modern cultivation of horticultural plants uses, for example, cover crops, living mulches, plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs), plant growth regulators (PGRs) and other biostimulants protecting the soil against degradation and plants against phytopathogens and stress. The purpose of field and laboratory studies was to determine the effect of Trianum P (containing Trichoderma harzianum Rifai T-22 spores), Beta-Chikol (a.s.—chitosan), Timorex Gold 24 EC (based on tea tree oil) and fungicide Zaprawa Nasienna T 75 DS/WS (a.s.—tiuram 75%) on the health of carrot (Daucus carota L.) plants and the microorganism population in the rhizosphere of this plant. Moreover, the antagonistic effect of rhizosphere fungi on selected carrot fungal pathogens was determined. Laboratory mycological analysis allowed one to determine the qualitative and quantitative composition of fungi colonizing the underground parts of carrot plants. In addition, the total population of fungi and bacteria was determined (including Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp.) based on the microbiological analysis of the rhizosphere soil. The application of the plant growth-promoting fungus (Trichoderma harzianum T-22), chitosan and tea tree oil positively influenced the growth, development and health status of carrot plants. T. harzianum T-22, chitosan and fungicide most effectively protected carrots against infection by soil-borne fungi from the genus Alternaria, Fusarium, Haematonectria, Sclerotinia and Rhizoctonia. The rhizosphere population of Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. in the treatments with Trianum P or Zaprawa Nasienna T 75 DS/WS was bigger than in the other experimental treatments. A reverse relationship was observed in the population of rhizosphere fungi. T. harzianum T-22, chitosan and tea tree oil promoted the growth of antagonistic fungi (Albifimbria sp., Clonostachys sp., Penicillium sp., Talaromyces sp. and Trichoderma sp.) in the carrot rhizosphere. Antagonistic activity of these fungi towards Alternaria dauci, Alternaria radicina, Sclerotiniasclerotiorum and Rhizoctonia solani was higher after the application of the preparations compared to control. Consequently, Trianum P, Beta-Chikol and Timorex Gold 24 EC can be recommended as plant biostimulants in ecological agricultural production, including Daucus carota cultivation.

Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) results from a translocation between the breakpoint cluster region (BCR) gene on chromosome 9 and ABL proto-oncogene 1 (ABL1) gene on chromosome 22. The fusion gene, BCR-ABL1, is a constitutively active tyrosine kinase which promotes development of leukemia. Depending on the breakpoint site within the BCR gene, different isoforms of BCR-ABL1 exist, with p210 and p190 being the most prevalent. P210 isoform is the hallmark of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), while p190 isoform is expressed in majority of Ph-positive B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ B-ALL) cases. The crucial component of treatment protocols of CML and Ph+ B-ALL patients are tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), drugs which target both BCR-ABL1 isoforms. While TKIs therapy is successful in great majority of CML patients, Ph+ B-ALL often relapses as a drug-resistant disease. Recently, the high-throughput genomic and proteomic analyses revealed significant differences between CML and Ph+ B-ALL. In this review we summarize recent discoveries related to differential signaling pathways mediated by different BCR-ABL1 isoforms, lineage-specific genetic lesions, and metabolic reprogramming. In particular, we emphasize the features distinguishing Ph+ B-ALL from CML and focus on potential therapeutic approaches exploiting those characteristics, which could improve the treatment of Ph+ B-ALL.

The aim of the experiment was to determine the influence of cover crop biomass incorporated into the soil at different times and using different treatments on carrot emergence and growth. 7 species of cover crops were included in the study: Secale cereale, Avena sativa, Vicia sativa, Sinapis alba, Phacelia tanacetifolia, Fagopyrum esculentum, and Helianthus annuus. Number of emerged carrot plants significantly depended on the cover crop used and on the method of pre-winter and spring pre-sowing tillage. Carrot emerged best after a rye or oats cover crop. Regardless of the cover crop species used, the largest number of carrots emerged in cultivation on ridges. In other variants of no-plow tillage, number of seedlings was significantly lower and did not differ from that under traditional plow tillage. The highest leaf rosettes were formed by carrot growing after a rye or oats cover crop. The highest rosettes were produced by carrots in the treatments where tillage was limited to the use of a tillage implement in spring and the lowest ones after pre-winter plowing. The effect of tillage on the emergence and height of carrot leaves largely depended on weather conditions in the successive years of the study. The largest number of leaves was found in carrots grown after a buckwheat cover crop and in cultivation without cover crop, while the smallest one after phacelia and white mustard. Carrots produced the largest number of leaves after a sunflower cover crop and the use of a tillage implement in spring, while the number of leaves was lowest when the mustard biomass was incorporated into the soil in spring. The use of cover crops significantly increased the mass of leaves produced by carrot as compared to the cultivation without cover crop. The largest mass of leaves was produced by carrots grown after the phacelia and mustard cover crops. Conventional plow tillage and pre-winter tillage using a stubble cultivator promoted an increase in the mass of carrot leaves.

The studies were conducted in the years 1996 - 1998 on an experimental plot of the University of Agriculture in Lublin localised in Czesławice near Nałęczów. The subject of the studies was soybean. Polan cultivar, and their purpose was to determine the species composition of fungi infecting the roots and stem base of this plant in different stages of its growth. The studies showed that on an area of 1 m2, 61-70 soybean seedlings and 60-69 plants at anthesis grew. The proporlion of infected seedlings ranged from 14,3% to 18%, while at anthesis only a small increase of the number of infected plants was observed. In the case of seedlings, the following fungi turned out to be most harmful: P.irresulare, F.solani, R.solani and F.oxysporum f. sp. glycines. On the other hand, F.oxysporum f. sp. glycines had the greatest effect in infecting the roots and stem base ofplants at anthesis.

The purpose of the studies conducted in the years 1996 - 1998 was to determine the composition of bacteria and fungi populations in the rhizosphere of winter wheat, spring wheat, soybean and potato, and in non-rhizosphere soil. Besides, the effect of root exudates of these plants on the formation of pathogenic fungi communities was established. The microbiological analysis showed that the greatest tolal number of bacteria was found in the rhizospheres of potato and soybean, and the lowest number in non-rhizosphere soil. The smallest total number of fungi was found in the rhizosphere of winter wheat, and the largest in the rhizosphere of soybean. Pathogenic fungi dominated in the rhizospheres of soybean and potato, while non-rhizosphere soil was the poorest in these microorganisms. Among the pathogenic fungi, Fusarium oxysporum, F.culmorum and F.solani were most frequently isolated. Soybean roots exudated the greatest amount of aminoacids, and acidic aminoacids, which have a positive effect on the development of phytopathogens, dominated in their content. On the other hand, the best quantitative and qualitative composition of aminoacids was found out in the root exudates of winter wheat, since they conlained big amounts of alkaline and aromatic aminoacids.

The objective of the paper was to establish the protective effect of post-culture liquids of Trichoderma harzianum G 227 and Gliocladium fimbriatum G 156 for soybean against the soil-borne fungi. The use of those liquids for studies had a positive effect on the number, healthiness and yielding of soybean plants. Soybean seedlings were mainly infected by Pythium irregulare, Fusarium spp. and Rhizoctonia solani, while plants at anthesis were affected by Fusarium spp., Phoma exigua var. exigua, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The use of post-culture liquids reduced the infection of plants by these pathogens.

The objective of the paper was to determine the effectiveness of post-culture liquids of Bacillus sp. Bsch 19 and Pseudomonas sp. Psch 16 in the protection of soybean from soil-borne fungi. The use of post-culture liquids of those bacteria in seed dressing positively affected the number, healthiness and yielding of soybean plants. The plants were mainly infected by Fusarium spp., Phoma exigua var. exigua, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Those fungi were isolated much more rarely from the plants in combinations with the use of post-culture liquids of antagonistic bacteria as compared with the plants from the control combination, i.e. without seed dressing. A reverse relation was found for the occurrence of saprophytic fungi from the genera of Gliocladium, Penicillium and Trichoderma

One of the method of plant protection, including the protection of pea, from phytopathogens is the biological one, especially applied in ecological cultivations. The effectiveness of biotechnical preparations such as Biosept 33 SL, Grevit 200 SL, Biochikol 020 PC, Bioczos BR and a fungicide Miedzian 50 WP in the protection of pea cv. ʻSześciotygodniowy TOR’ from pathogenic fungi was studied. The greatest number of not infected plants was obtained after the application of Biosept 33 SL, Miedzian 50 WP and Grevit 200 SL. The highest yield was gathered from pea plants after the application of Biosept 33 SL and Grevit 200 SL. Plants in the combinations with Biochikol 020 PC and Bioczos BR were characterized by good yielding. It was obtained from infected pea seeds and plants of two stage 24–26 species of fungi from 13–17 genera. Among them most often occurred the following species: Alternaria alternata, Boeremia exigua, Fusarium culmorum, F. oxysporum, Gibberella avenacea, Haematonectria haematococca, Peyronellaea pinodes, Pythium irregulare and Thanatephorus cucumeris. Biosept 33 SL and Grevit 200 SL were most effective in improving the healthiness and yielding of the studied cultivar of pea.

In the era of sustainable agriculture, is looking for new unconventional methods to control weed infestation. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of cover crop biomass and the manner and time of mixing it with the soil on primary weed infestation of carrot compared with the conventional plough cultivation without the use of cover crops. The cover crop plants modified the state and reduced the degree of primary weed infestation of carrot compared to cultivation without cover crops. White mustard was the most effective in reducing primary weed infestation of carrot in all variants of tillage. Phacelia, buckwheat and oat cover crops also limited largely the number of weeds in carrot. The largest number of weeds was recorded in no-cover crop cultivation in no-tillage objects and those cultivated using subsoiler before winter, and cultivating in spring with aggregate. The largest reduction of primary weed infestation compared to conventional tillage was achieved in cultivation on ridges, with white mustard, phacelia or oats cover crops and weakest after vetch cover crop. In no-ploughing flat tillage system, lack of cover crop significantly increased the degree of weed infestation compared to conventional tillage, while the use of cover crops contributed to the reduction of primary weed infestation of carrot compared to cultivation without cover crops.

The study determined the antagonistic effect of microorganisms of the soil environment of salsify towards the following pathogenic fungi: A. alternata, F. culmorum, F. oxysporum, R. solani and S. sclerotiorum. The field experiment considered mulching the soil with such cover crops as oats, phacelia and common vetch. Laboratory tests pointed to oats as the plant which has the best influence on the quantity of antagonistic Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Gliocladium spp., Penicillium spp. and Trichoderma spp. These microorganisms reduced the growth of A. alternata and F. culmorum in the most effective way. Antagonistic fungi inhibited the growth of F. oxysporum, R. solani and S. sclerotiorum in a greater degree than antagonistic bacteria. Mulching the soil with cover crops can reduce the growth and development of soil-borne fungi pathogenic to salsify.

The present studies determined the effect of fungicide Miedzian 50 WP and grapefruit extract on the healthiness of pea and on the microorganism population in the rhizosphere of this plant. The number of plants grown from the seeds dressed with Grevit 200 SL was similar to, but no significantly, the number of plants obtained after the application of fungicide Miedzian 50 WP. The value of the infection index of plants was the lowest after the application of Grevit 200 SL, but not statistically different from that of Miedzian 50 WP. The following fungi were isolated from the infected plants: Alternaria alternata, F. culmorum, F. oxysporum, F. solani, Phoma eupyrena, Pythium irregulare, Rhizoctonia solani i Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. From the rhizosphere soil were isolated: Alternaria alternata, Fusarium spp., Gliocladium spp., Mucor spp., Penicillium spp., R. solani, S. sclerotiorum i Trichoderma spp. The population of rhizosphere bacteria in the combinations with Grevit 200 SL and Miedzian 50 WP was significantly higher than in the control treatment. A reverse relationship occurred for the fungi population, but significantly the lowest number of fungi were found with Grevit 200 SL. Antagonistic microorganisms dominated in the rhizosphere of plants grown from the seeds dressed with Grevit 200 SL.

The composition of populations of soil microorganisms depends on a number of factors, for example the species of intercrop ground cover plants. The purpose of the studies was to determine the quantitative and qualitative composition of the populations of soil microorganisms in the cultivation of carrot considering different manners of soil cultivation and with the use of oat, spring vetch and tansy phacelia as intercrop ground cover crops. The greatest population of total bacteria occurred in the soil where oat was the ground cover plants. The most of total fungi was observed in the control. The application of ground cover plants contributed to an increased number of antagonistic Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Gliocladium spp., Penicillium spp. and Trichoderma spp. The tillage system had no significant effect on the population of microorganisms in the soil.