A greenhouse study at increasing salt concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mM NaCl) with or without hydrogel amendment was conducted during a 10‐week period in order to examine growth and aesthetic responses of three Salvia species. Subsequent analyses revealed that 25, 50 and 75 mM NaCl concentrations had a positive impact on the plant growth (plant height, plant width, fresh weight, and root system volume), while 100 mM NaCl implied a negative response. The positive effect of the hydrogel was most notable in the plant fresh and dry weight, K+ and Ca2+ content, and root system volume. The results further indicate that the amended hydrogel provided sufficient amount of available water and ions that are usually in competition and are limited by excessive Na+ ion amounts. The hydrogel also mitigated the negative influence of higher salt concentrations (75 and 100 mM NaCl), thereby decreasing leaf damage, defoliation, and petal loss, while also improving vitality and aesthetic value of S. farinacea and S. coccinea. In S. splendens, the hydrogel contributed to better vitality but slightly decreased decorativeness. Both qualitative (visual salt damage) and quantitative (growth) parameters proved to be reliable criteria for assessing salt tolerance of the studied Salvia species, while ion removal contributes to the understanding of salt tolerance mechanisms and possible usages.

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The paper presents a protocol for micropropagation of Prunus sp. rootstocks included in the sweet and sour cherry breeding program. Germplasm diversity for rootstock breeding derives from natural populations, where conditions and biological vectors for systematic infection with viral diseases are constantly present. The establishment of aseptic culture depends primarily on the explant type, as all selections were collected from natural habitat. For nearly all investigated selections, dormant buds were the favored source, due to enabling rosette initiation in more than 58% cases. In P. cerasus L. selections, 100% contamination was noted when shoot tips were used as an explant source. Significant influence of the doublephase medium on the number and height of multiplied shoots was observed in the standard cherry rootstock, 'Gisela 6'. For P. fruticosa Pall., selection 'SV1' and 'SV2', and P. cerasus 'D6' selection, the double-phase medium also had a significant effect on the height of multiplied shoots, when compared to solid DKW (Driver and Kuniyuki Walnut) medium. Genetic variability of selections within the investigated species resulted in variable plant rooting success. Adding Fe-EDDHA (Ethylenediamine di-2-hydroxy-phenyl acetate ferric) in the 200 mg l -1 concentration to the rooting medium significantly enhanced the percentage of rooted plants. The highest rooting percentage was noted for 'Gisela 6' and 'D6' genotype at 1 mg l -1 IBA (indole-3-butyric acid), while 0.8 mg l -1 was the optimum concentration for P. mahaleb L. 'M1' selection. P. fruticosa genotypes required significantly higher IBA concentration for rooting (2.5 and 3.5 mg l -1 ).

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