Relationship between the degree of cutting lignification and rooting ability was studied. Anatomical changes in cuttings were observed, too. The study involved azalea hybrids from groups: Gent, Rustica Flore Pleno, Occidentale and Knap Hill, which can be propagated vegetatively by shoot cuttings. The cuttings were apical parts of shoots, 7-10 cm long. They were collected at various stages of lignification. Rooting was performed in a greenhouse with controlled temperature of the rooting bed. Only the penetrating observation of mother plants allows to determine the best period of taking the cuttings. The cuttings were treated with a growth regulator, 0.5% IBA (indolebutyric acid), combined with Captan in talcum powder. Sand and peat (1:2) were used as a medium for rooting.
The object of the presented research project was sapwood of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), which was subjected to thermal and hydrothermal treatment. The objective of the performed investigations was to determine fungal resistance of this material to wood destroying fungi. Experimental wood was modified in the atmosphere of air and water vapour in conditions of the following temperatures: 160, 190 and 220°C for 6 and 24 hours. Fungal resistance of modified wood was determined applying an accelerated mycological test. The following test fungi were used in the performed experiment: Coniophora puteana, Gleophyllum trabeum, Poria placenta and Coriolus versicolor. The obtained results showed a correlation between conditions of the performed hydrothermal process of wood treatment and its resistance to test fungi species.