Agata Konarska

University of Life Sciences in Lublin · Department of Botany and Plant Physiology

Although Hedera helix and Linaria vulgaris are considered toxic plants, their extracts containing many bioactive compounds are commonly used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Plant secretory structures are considered the primary site of synthesis and accumulation of many valuable metabolites. The presence of secretory structures and t...

Lamium album is a native common plant growing in Eurasia. It is used in medicine and cosmetics and is highly valued in apiculture. The aim of the study was to investigate the structure of the floral nectary in three stages of flower development. Additionally, histochemical studies of the nectary and nectar guides present on the lower corolla lobe w...

Although lime trees have numerous benefits, they can pose a threat to allergy sufferers during the flowering period, as their pollen exhibits allergenic properties. This paper presents the results of 3 years of aerobiological research (2020–2022) carried out with the volumetric method in Lublin and Szczecin. A comparison of the pollen seasons in bo...

Dracocephalum moldavica is an aromatic plant with a lemon scent and versatile use. Its flowers produce large amounts of nectar, which is collected by bees and bumblebees. The aim of the study was to investigate the structure of the floral nectary in this melliferous plant, which has not been analysed to date. The analyses were carried out with the...

Pollen monitoring helps predict the risk of pollen-induced allergies. Traditionally, this monitoring is performed based on the biological material obtained from volumetric Hirst’s traps. A palynological specialist analyzes the obtained microbiological specimen under the microscope, and recognizes and counts pollen grains of various taxa. This is a...

Natural defensive substances synthesized by plants that could replace synthetic pesticides in the protection of plants against insect invasions are constantly being sought. The study assessed changes in the qualitative and quantitative composition of secondary metabolites in horse chestnut leaves collected in different locations and differing in th...

Hazel is an important source of tree pollen allergens, which are responsible for inhalant allergy symptoms in early spring. The aim of the study was to compare Corylus pollen season in 2022 in 12 cities located in different regions of Poland: Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Cracow, Kielce, Lublin, Olsztyn, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Sosnowiec, Szczecin, Warsaw, W...

The insufficient pollinator visitation is the most important limitation of fruit and seed production, which is common and ubiquitous in entomophilous angiosperms. The scent and attractive colours with flower guides and such floral rewards as nectar, pollen, and oil are important attractants for insects visiting and pollinating flowers in the family...

The study aims to monitor the alder pollen season in selected Polish cities: Bialystok, Cracow, Lublin, Olsztyn, Opole, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Sosnowiec, Szczecin, Warsaw, Wroclaw and Zielona Gora in 2021. Pollen concentrations were recorded by volumetric method using a Burkard-type sampler operating in a continuous volumetric mode. Alder pollen sea...

Ambrosia pollen contains strong allergens. Allergic reactions can also be caused by direct contact with the plant. The investigations of the dynamics of Ambrosia pollen seasons were conducted in Lublin (Poland) and Ivano-Frankivsk (Ukraine) in 2013–2015. The onset and end of the seasons, maximum concentrations, annual sums, and the number of days w...

The aim of this study was to conduct a histochemical analysis to localize lipids, terpenes, essential oil, and iridoids in the trichomes of the L. album subsp. album corolla. Morphometric examinations of individual trichome types were performed. Light and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to show the micromorphology and localization...

Previous studies have demonstrated that plants are a very good indicator of global environmental variations. The responses of many plant species to climate change are confirmed by aerobiological research. This paper presents an analysis of many parameters of pollen seasons in the Amaranthaceae family based on measurements of pollen concentrations i...

In central Europe, mugwort pollen is a frequent cause of pollen allergy. Poland is one of the countries with the highest airborne concentrations of pollen of this taxon. Due to its high allergenic potential, Artemisia pollen may pose a significant threat to sensitive subjects during summer months. Plants from this genus often grow in urban and subu...

Flos Lamii albi has a high biological activity and is widely used in herbal medicine. The aim of the study was to characterize the secretory structures present in Lamium album subsp. album corolla and the location of phenolic compounds. Additionally, we carried out qualitative phytochemical analyses of flavonoids and phenolic acids. Light, fluoresc...

Main Conclusion Permanent glandular trichomes of Robinia viscosa var. hartwigii produce viscous secretion containing several secondary metabolites, as lipids, mucilage, flavonoids, proteins and alkaloids.AbstractRobinia viscosa var. hartwigii (Hartweg’s locust) is an ornamental tree with high apicultural value. It can be planted in urban greenery a...

Although Cameraria ohridella is a pest mining Aesculus hippocastanum leaves, has been known in Europe for 30 years, there is still no completely efficient method for control of this insect. The defence strategies of A. hippocastanum leaves against infestations by this pest have not been fully elucidated yet. The aim of the present study was to iden...

In Poland hazel is one of the earliest flowering plants and in phenology it belongs to indicator plants that mark the beginning of early spring. Hazel pollen grains contain allergens that are a cause of pollen allergy during the early spring period. The aim of the present study was to compare Corylus pollen seasons in 2020 in the following 11 citie...

Floral nectaries are important components of floral architecture and significant taxonomic traits facilitating assessment of relationships between taxa and can contribute substantially to studies on the ecology and evolution of a particular genus. Knowledge of nectary structure and functioning allows better understanding of the mutualistic interact...

Nectar is a major floral reward offered to pollinators by plants. In dichogamous plant species, differences in nectar production across sexual phases often occur, but both the male- and female-phase flowers have to attract pollinators to achieve effective pollination. Nectar-producing structures, i.e. floral nectaries, are a key component of floral...

Centaurea cyanus L. is a valuable source of many different bioactive substances. It is used in herbal medicine, but the structure of its organs used as raw material and secretory tissues has been insufficiently examined. The aim of this paper was to investigate the microstructure of C. cyanus flowers, bracts, stems and leaves with particular emphas...

Orobanche picridis is an obligate root parasite devoid of chlorophyll in aboveground organs, which infects various Picris species. Given the high level of phenotypic variability of the species, the considerable limitation of the number of taxonomically relevant traits (mainly in terms of generative elements), and the low morphological variation bet...

The aim of the study was to compare the course of Corylus pollen season in 2019 in 12 cities located in different regions of Poland: Szczecin, Bydgoszcz, Zielona Gora, Wroclaw, Opole, Sosnowiec, Cracow, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Warsaw, Lublin, Olsztyn, and Bialystok. The analyses were carried out with the volumetric method using Burkard or Lanzoni pol...

The study compares the yew and juniper pollen seasons in Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Cracow, Katowice, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Opole, Szczecin, Zielona Gora, Warsaw, Wroclaw and Lublin in 2019. The investigations were carried out using the volumetric method (Hirst type pollen sampler). Seasonal Pollen Index (SPI) was estimated as the sum of daily average p...

The paper presents the course of pollen season of plantain in Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Drawsko Pomorskie, Cracow, Lublin, Olsztyn, Opole, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Sosnowiec, Szczecin, Warsaw, Wroclaw and Zielona Gora in 2018. Measurements were performed by the volumetric method (Burkard and Lanzoni pollen samplers). Pollen season was defined as the perio...

The aim of the present study was to compare the mugwort pollen season in 2018 in Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Cracow, Drawsko-Pomorskie, Lublin, Olsztyn, Opole, Sosnowiec, Szczecin, Warsaw, Wroclaw, and Zielona Gora. Pollen concentration measurements were made by the volumetric method using Burkard or Lanzoni pollen samplers. The pollen season was conside...

Ambrosia causes most pollen allergies in North America. After several Ambrosia species were introduced to Europe, an increase in the incidence of allergy to pollen of these plants has been observed in many countries. The aim of this study was to compare Ambrosia pollen seasons in 2018 in 13 cities located in different regions of Poland: Bialystok,...

The self-incompatible flowers of Linaria vulgaris have developed a range of mechanisms for attraction of insect visitors/pollinators and deterrence of ineffective pollinators and herbivores. These adaptive traits include the flower size and symmetry, the presence of a spur as a “secondary nectar presenter,” olfactory (secondary metabolites) and sen...

Lycium barbarum L. fruits, referred to as functional food, have long been used in traditional and folk herbal medicine due to their therapeutic properties. The fruit microstructure was analysed using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopes. The distribution of bioactive compounds in drupe tissues was assessed with histochemical and fl...

This paper contains an analysis of oak pollen seasons in selected cities of Poland in 2018. Sampling sites were located in the following cities: Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Cracow, Drawsko Pomorskie, Lublin, Olsztyn, Opole, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Sosnowiec, Szczecin, Warsaw, Wroclaw and Zielona Gora. The volumetric method was applied using the Burkard or...

The study compares the ash pollen seasons in Szczecin, Drawsko Pomorskie, Bydgoszcz, Zielona Gora, Wroclaw, Opole, Sosnowiec, Cracow, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Warsaw, Lublin, Olsztyn and Bialystok in 2018. The investigations were carried out using the volumetric method. The ash pollen season began between April 7th and April 10th. Maximum daily pollen...

The study compares the hazel pollen seasons in Szczecin, Drawsko Pomorskie, Bydgoszcz, Zielona Gora, Wroclaw, Opole, Sosnowiec, Cracow, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Warsaw, Lublin, Olsztyn and Bialystok in 2018. The investigations were carried out using the volumetric method. The hazel pollen season began between 24th January and 7th March. Maximum daily...

Alder pollen grains constitute the important allergen sources in this respect in the Northern Hemisphere. The aim of the study was to investigate the concentration of alder (Alnus spp.) in Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Cracow, Drawsko Pomorskie, Lublin, Olsztyn, Opole, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Sosnowiec, Szczecin, Warsaw, Wroclaw and Zielona Gora in 2018. Mea...

Many Viburnum species are popular ornamental shrubs and, simultaneously, highly valued medicinal plants as a source of many bioactive compounds, including antioxidants. Viburnum bark, flowers, and fruits are widely used in traditional and folk medicine, and the fruits of some species are used as cooking ingredients. The knowledge of the microstruct...

In entomogamous plants, the presence and function of floral secretory structures, whose main role is to attract pollinators, is strictly associated with the pollination ecology and hence the reproductive success of the plant. The aims of the present paper were to analyse the micromorphology and anatomy of flower nectaries and stigmas in Viburnum op...

Trees of the genus Citrus can bloom all year round and are an abundant source of nectar for honey bees. Nectar production largely depends on nectary structure. The aim of this study was to investigate the structure of nectariferous tissues in hermaphrodite and functionally male flowers of the so-called Skierniewice lemon (Citrus limon cv. 'Ponder-o...

Trees of the genus Citrus can bloom all year round and are an abundant source of nectar for honey bees. Nectar production largely depends on nectary structure. The aim of this study was to investigate the structure of nectariferous tissues in hermaphrodite and functionally male flowers of the so-called Skierniewice lemon (Citrus limon cv. ‘Ponderos...

Given their attractive appearance and flavour, as well as high antioxidant content, Vaccinium corymbosum L. fruits are greatly appreciated by consumers. These quality traits are primarily dependent on pomological characteristics of the cultivar. Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Bluecrop’ is one of the most popular and valuable cultivars of highbush blueberry;...

The aim of this study was to investigate if there are the differences in development of qualitative traits of fruits in two cultivars of Prunus domestica: 'Bluefre' and 'President', which may affect the quality of ripe fruit. The micromorphology, anatomy, and ultrastructure of ovaries during the anthesis phase as well as the pericarp of 28-day-old...

Light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to examine the micromorphology and structure of the fruit skin as well as the phenols and flavonoids contents were determined in the mature fruits of three Prunus domestica cultivars. The fruits varied in the structure of crystalline wax, the number of microcracks and stom...

Saxifrages are plants commonly found in all continents. Many of them are adapted to flowering and reproduction under mountainous and rocky conditions. They are pollinated by various groups of insects and have intrastaminal nectaries. The Morpho- Anatomy of the flowers and nectaries of Saxifraga stolonifera L. was examined using Bright-Field light a...

The presence of ruderal and mid-field vegetation promotes conservation of biodiversity and provides an additional source of food for insect pollinators. The white dead-nettle is a common synanthropic plant visited frequently by various groups of insects, as it is a source of pollen and nectar. In 2012–2013, in the city of Lublin (Poland), signallin...

Fruit quality is closely related to the structure of the fruit peel, especially the epidermis and cuticle which form a barrier between its internal and external environments. This study used light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy to examine changes in the epidermal structures of fruits of the Polish apple cultivar Malus domestica Bork...

The inconspicuous Euonymus L. flowers are equipped with open receptacular floral nectaries forming a quadrilateral green disc around the base of the superior ovary. The morphology and anatomy of the nectaries in Euonymus fortunei (Turcz.) Hand.-Mazz. and Euonymus europaeus L. flowers were analysed under a bright-field light microscope as well as st...

Jonagold' and 'Szampion' are winter apple cultivars, whose fruits are suitable for long-term storage. However, fruits of these cultivars differ markedly in the type of the surface and the rate and volume of water transpiration, which is manifested in fruit quality after storage and the length of apple shelf life. A majority of factors responsible f...

The structure of floral nectaries of ivy (Hedera helix) was investigated under light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopes. The nectar of ivy is located on top of the inferior ovary forming a distinct undulating disc between the base of petals and the style. The ivy nectary represents open and persistent nectaries. During consecutive day...

Orobanche alba Stephan ex Willd is an achlorophyllous root parasite rare in Poland. It prefers dry and sunny slopes, xerothermic grasslands and pastures, mountain pastures, light scrubs, and rock fissures and ledges. The hosts of O. alba include Thymus polytrichus A. ern. ex Borbás, Clinopodium vulgare L. and Origanum vulgare L. The tick and fleshy...

Orobanche alsatica Kirschl. is a very rare perennial plant included in the Polish Red Data Book. The hosts of this European-West Asian parasite are representatives of the family Apiaceae, primarily from the genera Peucedanum and Seseli. The species prefers alkaline substrates and sun-exposed slopes and hills. In Poland, it occurs most frequently in...

The research of the anatomy of nectaries of six species from Pomoideae was carried out. The observations concerned the flowers longitudinal sections of the following species: Malus silvestris Mill., Pyrus communis L., P. ussuriensis Maxim., Cydonia oblonga Mill., Chaenomeles japonica Ldl. and Ch. speciosa Nakai. It was stated, that the nectary glan...

Tilia cordata is a good source of food attractants for bees. These insects are the primary pollinators of flowers of this species. Nectar is produced in the floral trichoma-tous nectaries located on a projection of the adaxial, basal part of the sepals. There were two types of non-glandular hairs on the sepals; the first one to prevent the nectar f...

The flavour and nutritional values of pears are appreciated by consumers worldwide, who, however, demand specific fruit quality, that is, attractive appearance, firmness and flavour, and health safety as well as long-term shelf life and storability. Pear cultivars differ in terms of the above-mentioned traits; therefore, we undertook investigations...

The peel of fruits of Pyrus communisL. cv. ‘Klapsa’, harvested at commercial maturity in September 2011, was examined using bright-field and fluorescence microscopy as well as scanning electron and transmission microscopy. The fruit peel was found to be composed of an epidermis covered by a cuticle and several layers of hypodermis. SEM observations...

The structure of floral nectary surface of Sorbus intermedia in different phases of flower development was examined using scanning electron microscopy. Nectaries in S. intermedia flowers represent a receptacle type. The sculpture of cuticule on nectary epidermis and overlaying cells was described. The differences in the size of striaes on the outer...

The effect of aluminum was investigated on the cell ultrastructure of roots of fourteen-day-old 'Trapez' red pepper seedlings grown in water culture. Disorders in the cell structure were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). An analysis of longitudinal sections of the apical region of the control plants' roots showed that cells of...

The biology of flowering and the micromorphology of Cornus alba flowers were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. The flowering of white dogwood in 2008 lasted 35 days, and the lifespan of a single flower was 3 days. The number of flowers per inflorescence was variable (on the average, it was 89). The largest group of insects visit...

The study of floral nectary structures of thirteen ornamental apple cultivars examined using light microscope (MS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) was performed. It was found that nectary glands in the selected cultivars were located in the upper part of the flower receptacle, between the ovary of the pistil and the base of stamen filaments,...

The seedlings of the red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cv. Trapez grown in water culture for a period of 14 days with Al (0, 10, 20 and 40 mg·dm-3 AlCl3·6 H2O). Some morphological and anatomical features of red pepper shoots were analyzed. Reduction in height and diameter of stems as well as decrease in fresh mass of shoots were observed after Al-tre...

The structure of fruit peel of two apple varieties 'Szampion' and 'Jonagold' was investigated using light microscopy as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The samples were taken immediately after harvest and after 6-month controlled atmosphere storage. The Szampion and Jonagold fruit differed in terms of the surface type, number...

Malus fruits are covered with peel, which consists of the cuticle, epidermis and several layers of hypodermis. This peel, and especially the cuticle and epicuticular wax formed on the fruit surface, plays a crucial role in preserving the fruit life by preventing water evaporation and the penetration of pathogen, as well as maintaining fruit firmnes...

The structure of the floral nectaries of Cornus alba was studied using light microscopy as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the nectary gland of white dogwood had the shape of a fleshy ring surrounding the base of the style of the inferior ovary. Nectar secretion occurs through slightly depressed stomata, eve...

Four-day-old seedlings of red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cv. “Trapez” were grown in nutrient solution containing 0, 10, 20 and 40mgdm−3 of AlCl3·6H2O for 14days. Observations of leaves were carried out by light microscopy, as well as transmission and scanning electron microscopies. Exposure to aluminum resulted in reduction in the size and thickne...

Toxic effect of aluminum on roots was studied using seedlings of Capsicum annuum L. Subjected to water culture with different concentrations of AlCl3·6 H2O (10, 20, 30 and 40 mg·dm-3) for a period of 14 days. Observations of red pepper root tissues were carried out by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The roots Al-treated were char...

The structure of receptacular surfaces of floral nectaries at two flowering stages and the structure of the outer surface of the receptacle of Sorbus aucuparia were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Changes in the development of the cuticular epithelium of the nectary epidermis and differences in the degree of aperture of stomata wer...

The performed studies focused on the surface structure of floral nectaries of four species from the following genus: C. coccinea L. , C. crus-galli L., C. curvisepala Lindm and C. prunifolia (Poiret) Pers. The observations of the epidermis area were made in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). A nectary appears to be shaped like a slightly curved...

The structure of floral nectary of Malus sylvestris was examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. Nectaries in M. sylvestris flowers were situated on the adaxial surface of the receptacle, between the style and the base of filaments. The middle part of the nectary was covered epidermal cells with striated cuticle. The remaining part of...

Water culture experiments were undertaken for 14 days to examine the effect of increasing aluminum level (0, 10, 20 40 mg·dm-3 AlCl3·6 H2O) on growth of sunflower, red pepper and radish leaves. The early stage of Al toxicity was characterized by curling or rolling of young leaves, marginal and veinal chlorosis, dark green leaves as soon as purpling...

Roots of radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. radicula Pers.) of Rowa cv. seedlings grown in water cultures (pH 4.3) have been tested. Aluminum as AlCl3·6H2O has been applied at 0, 10, 20 and 40 mg·dm-3 concentrations. Inhibition of the growth of root elon- gation and the following changes of root morphology have been observed after aluminum treatment:...

The structure of floral nectaries of Crataegus coccinea and C. crus-galli was examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. The radial length of the floral nectary, measured from longitudinal sections of flowers, was 30% larger in C. crus-galli than in C. coccinea. For both Crataegus species the glandular tissue thickness was similar – app...

The surface of the floral nectaries of 4 species: Aronia melanocarpa Ell., Chaenomeles japonica Ldl., Ch. speciosa Nakai and Cydonia oblonga Mill., was examined by means of scanning-electron and light microscopy. The amount of nectar secreted and its sugar concentration was determined for each species. Differences in ornamentation of cuticle and nu...

The nectaries anatomical features of nine species of Pomoideae subfamily Aronia melanocarpa Ell., Cotoneaster horizontalis Decne, C. praecox Vilm.-Andr., C. lucida Schlecht., Crataegus monogyna Jacq., C. coccinea L., C. crus-galli L., Sorbus aucuparia L., Sorbus intermedia Pers. were compared. The flower longitudinal sections by means of vibratome...