FACULTY OF BIOTECHNOLOGY AND HORTICULTURE
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HISTORY
The history of teaching horticulture is related to the activity of the Jagiellonian University, where the Agricultural College was founded, and in 1890, an outstanding botanist and enthusiastic gardener, prof. Edward Janczewski started his activity. Professor Janczewski together with his assistant, a subsequent professor, Piotr Brzeziński, conducted the first horticulture courses, using the farm in Prądnik Czerwony for practical demonstrations. In addition to educational and scientific tasks, this garden, as a model horticultural plant, was a source of information for practitioners about new varieties of vegetables and fruits. It was the first university experimental facility and the first facility of this type in Galicia.
In 1919, the Department of Horticulture was established at the Agricultural College of the Jagiellonian University, and prof. Brzezinski became its head. This department was later included in the structures of the Faculty of Agriculture established in 1923.
The Department of Horticulture conducted vigorous activity in the field: projects were developed for the regionalization of vegetables and orchards in southern Poland, projects of raw material bases for the processing industry, selection of the Hungarian plum was carried out in Sądecczyzna, the causes of alternating fruiting of apple trees were investigated, methods of soil cultivation, pest control in orchards and vegetables were developed.
The most important facts from the history of horticultural sciences:
• 1924 - 2-year Horticultural Courses were established at the Faculty of Agriculture. The students received university-level education.
• 1938 – Horticultural Courses were transformed into three-year Horticultural Studies. Until the outbreak of the war, the Department of Horticulture not only conducted extremely lively scientific and didactic activities, but also disseminated the results of experiments, thanks to which the Krakow horticultural center became a leader in the country.
• 1945/46 – Establishment of the Department of Horticulture with the Experimental Station by the Faculty of Agriculture of the Jagiellonian University under the supervision of prof. Franciszek Zabłocki, and then prof. Stefan Ziobrowski.
• 1953 – establishment of the Department of Horticulture within the Faculty of Agriculture of the Higher School of Agriculture (head prof. dr Stefan Ziobrowski)
• 1968 –The Faculty of Horticulture is established on the 1st of July. Its first dean was the later long-term Rector of the Academy of Agriculture in Krakow, prof. dr hab. Tadeusz Wojtaszek.
• 1978 – opening of the new seat of the Faculty of Horticulture, January 22nd, 1978.
• 2009 - opening of new experimental greenhouses at the Faculty of Horticulture
• 2014 – inclusion of the Biotechnology into the Faculty and change of the name to the Faculty of Biotechnology and Horticulture
FACULTY AUTHORITIES
Dean
prof. dr hab. eng. Edward Kunicki
Address: 29 Listopada Ave. 54, 31-425 Kraków
Phone No.: +48 12 662 54 53, 662 52 54
e-mail: e.kunicki@urk.edu.pl
Vice-Dean for Student and Didactic Affairs
dr hab. Ewa Grzebelus professor of the University of Agriculture
Address: 29 Listopada Ave., 31-425 Kraków
Phone No.: (12) 662 54 00
E-mail: e.grzebelus@urk.edu.pl
FACULTY STRUCTURE
Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology
address: 29 Listopada Ave, 31-425 Kraków
phone No.: 12 662 51 87
prof. dr hab. eng. Rafał Barański
Head of the Department
phone No.: 12 662 51 87, 53 11
e-mail: rafal.baranski@urk.edu.pl
prof. dr hab. eng. Adela Adamus
phone No.: 12 662 51 88
e-mail: adela.adamus@urk.edu.pl
prof. dr hab. eng. Dariusz Grzebelus
phone No.: 12 662 51 91
e-mail: dariusz.grzebelus@urk.edu.pl
prof. dr hab. eng. Sylwester Smoleń
phone No.: 12 662 52 39
e-mail: sylwester.smolen@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. eng. Iwona Domagała-Świątkiewicz professor of the University of Agriculture
phone No.: 12 662 52 38
e-mail: iwona.domagala-swiatkiewicz@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. eng. Ewa Grzebelus professor of the University of Agriculture
phone No.: 12 662 51 90
e-mail: ewa.grzebelus@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. eng. Barbara Jagosz professor of the University of Agriculture
phone No.: 12 662 51 86
e-mail: barbara.jagosz@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. Paweł Kaszycki professor of the University of Agriculture
phone No.: 12 662 51 93
e-mail: pawel.kaszycki@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. eng. Agnieszka Kiełkowska professor of the University of Agriculture
phone No.: 12 662 51 90
e-mail: agnieszka.kielkowska@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. eng. Iwona Kowalska professor of the University of Agriculture
phone No.: 12 662 52 36
e-mail: iwona.kowalska@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. Marek Szklarczyk professor of the University of Agriculture
phone No.: 12 662 53 31
e-mail: marek.szklarczyk@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. Alicja Macko-Podgórni professor of the University of Agriculture
phone No.: 12 662 51 89
e-mail: alicja.macko-podgorni@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. eng. Agnieszka Lis-Krzyścin
phone No.: 12 662 52 37
e-mail: agnieszka.lis-krzyscin@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. Małgorzata Czernicka
phone No.: 12 662 53 67
e-mail: malgorzata.czernicka@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. Magdalena Klimek-Chodacka
phone No.: 12 662 51 89
e-mail: magdalena.klimek-chodacka@urk.edu.pl
dr Anna Kostecka-Gugała
phone No.: 12 662 52 61
e-mail: anna.kostecka-gugala@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. Iwona Ledwożyw-Smoleń
phone No.: 12 662 52 61
e-mail: iwona.ledwozyw-smolen@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. Przemysław Petryszak
phone No.: 12 662 51 94
e-mail: przemyslaw.petryszak@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. Paulina Supel
phone No.: 12 662 51 94
e-mail: paulina.supel@urk.edu.pl
RESEARCH DIRECTIONS
Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology
Biochemistry Team
The team's research focuses on the issues of biotechnology and environmental biochemistry in the field of transformations of monocarbon xenobiotics, anthropogenic pollutants, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives, as well as selected heavy metals. It allows for understanding of bioremediation mechanisms and the implementation of the developed technologies of biological liquidation of harmful pollutants in industrial wastewater, soils and sediments. The species and environmental isolates of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms are used, as well as specialized consortia of microorganisms are produced, acting synergistically and being capable of biological decomposition of a wide spectrum of pollutants. The studies also cover the use of plants (phytoremediation). Analyzes of soil microbiota are also carried out, including beneficial bacteria from the PGPM group (plant growth-promoting microorganisms), plant root zone microorganisms (rhizosphere), lactic acid fermentation bacteria during silage production and microorganisms colonizing the environment of degraded and contaminated soils. The team also conducts research on the presence of compounds with antioxidant properties in fruits and vegetables, in particular carotenoids and phenolic compounds important for human health. The techniques of gas and liquid chromatography, electrophoresis and UV-VIS spectroscopy, fluorimetry and EPR spectrometry are used. Laboratories are also equipped with a set of devices - bioreactors for conducting microbiological cultures on a laboratory and semi-technical scale.
Plant Genetics Team
The team's research focuses on topics related to broadly understood plant genetics and biotechnology. Research topics are focused on learning about the genetic basis of the mechanisms of development and functioning of crops and the use of knowledge and achievements of biotechnology for the improvement of crops. Research is conducted in the field of genetics, genomics, cytogenetics, seed production and breeding of vegetable varieties, mainly carrots, cabbage, onions and garlic, red beet, tomato and cucumber, as well as selected economically important species of crops, including sugar beet, lupine and wild plants or related species. Research is conducted using microscopic techniques, DNA, RNA and protein analyzes, both qualitative and quantitative, nucleic acid engineering, the latest techniques of in vitro cultures, controlled pollination and reproduction, testing responses to abiotic and biotic stresses, as well as seed evaluation and refinement. In addition, advanced bioinformatic methods are used to analyze sequence data, including those obtained from projects using Next Generation Sequencing or associative mapping techniques.
Plant Nutrition Team
The team's research focuses on topics related to the broadly understood nutrition of crops and the effects of the nutrition on the functioning of plants and human health. The fertilization needs of horticultural plants are diagnosed, the relationship between plant nutrition and crop quality, the impact of physical and chemical properties of soils and substrates as well as new fertilizing and stimulating agents on plant development, yielding and biological value of crops are examined. The studies also cover culture media in terms of optimizing their physico-chemical properties, the use of waste materials in the cultivation of plants under covers and in the technology of green roofs. Research is carried out for plants grown in soil, in containers under covers and in a soilless system with an open and closed medium circulation. Studies cover both cultivated species of economic importance, mainly vegetable and fruit plants, as well as species used to establish green areas, including green roofs. They are focused on implementing modern solutions that meet the pro-ecological requirements of sustainable agricultural and horticultural production. Soil, substrate and plant analyzes are carried out in terms of, among others, the content of macro- and microelements, as well as trace elements and heavy metals using techniques such as ICP-OES mass spectrometry, capillary electrophoresis and liquid chromatography.
Department of Horticulture
address: 29 Listopada Ave. 54, 31-425 Kraków
dr hab. eng. Maciej Gąstoł professor of the University of Agriculture
Head of the Department
phone No.: 12 662 52 30
e-mail: maciej.gastol@urk.edu.pl
prof. dr hab. eng. Edward Kunicki
phone No.: 12 662 52 20, 54 53
e-mail: edward.kunicki@urk.edu.pl
prof. dr hab. eng. Marek Grabowski
phone No.: 12 662 52 65
e-mail: marek.grabowski@urk.edu.pl
prof. dr hab. eng. Andrzej Kalisz
phone No.: 12 662 52 14
e-mail: andrzej.kalisz@urk.edu.pl
prof. dr hab. eng. Piotr Siwek
phone No.: 12 662 52 17
e-mail: piotr.siwek@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. eng. Monika Bieniasz professor of the University of Agriculture
phone No.: 12 662 52 29
e-mail: monika.bieniasz@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. eng. Ewa Capecka professor of the University of Agriculture
phone No.: 12 662 52 19
e-mail: ewa.capecka@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. Agnieszka Sękara professor of the University of Agriculture
phone No.: 12 662 52 16
e-mail: agnieszka.sekara@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. eng. Jan Błaszczyk
phone No.: 12 662 52 27
fax: 12 662 52 26
e-mail: jblaszcz@ogr.ur.krakow.pl
dr hab. eng. Ewa Dziedzic
phone No.: 12 662 52 32
e-mail: ewa.dziedzic@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. eng. Elżbieta Jędrszczyk
phone No.: 12 662 52 15
e-mail: elzbieta.jedrszczyk@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. Aneta Grabowska
phone No.: 12 662 52 16
e-mail: aneta.grabowska@urk.edu.pl
RESEARCH DIRECTIONS
Department of Horticulture
Research work carried out at the Department of Horticulture covers the following issues:
· introduction of new species and varieties of vegetable, fruit and herbal plants in Poland,
· biodiversity of horticultural plants and fungi today and in the historical context,
· development of methods for accelerating yield and optimizing yield and nutritional value of vegetables,
· assessment of the possibility of using polymers, including degradable materials (pioneering research) in the form of covers for plants and soil, and pots,
· improvement of the methods for cultivation and storing vegetable, fruit and herbal plants,
· modification and modernization of the technology of growing vegetables under cover, by controlling their development,
· seedling quality control as a factor determining plant growth, development and yield,
· use of nanoparticles and biostimulants in vegetable and herbal crops,
· developing methods of increasing the quality of the crop, including the content of health-promoting substances, vegetable, fruit and herbal plants,
· plant response to abiotic stress factors (stress memory and cross-tolerance),
· relationships between organisms and the environment in horticultural ecosystems,
· phytoremediation,
· improving the methods of micro-propagation of numerous species of fruit trees and shrubs, work on regulating the intensity of fruiting of apple and cherry trees with the use of growth regulators,
· using low-growing rootstocks for intense apple orchards,
· using growth regulators and mycorrhizal vaccines in nursery production,
· off-root dwarfing of trees,
· biology of flowering and pollination of vegetable and fruit plants as well as selection of pollinators for orchards,
· fruit storage
· modification of horticultural agrotechnics, with particular emphasis on viticulture,
· cultivation and use of little-known fruit species (Kamchatka berry, sea buckthorn, Chinese boxthorn, quince, lemon tree, dogwood).
Department of Ornamental Plants and Garden Art
address: 29 Listopada Ave. 54, 31-425 Kraków
prof. dr hab. eng. Bożena Pawłowska
Head of the Department
phone No.: 12 662 52 47
e-mail: bozena.pawlowska@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. eng. Anna Kapczyńska
phone No.: 12 662 52 49
e-mail: anna.kapczynska@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. eng. Zofia Włodarczyk
phone No.: 12 662 52 48
e-mail: zofia.wlodarczyk@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. Monika Cioć
phone No.: 12 662 52 44
e-mail: monika.cioc@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. Monika Czaja
phone No.: 12 662 52 56
e-mail: monika.czaja@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. Magdalena Kulig
phone No.: 12 662 53 74
e-mail: magdalena.kulig@urk.edu.pl
dr Małgorzata Locher
phone No.: 12 662 53 93
e-mail: malgorzata.locher@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. Małgorzata Malik
phone No.: 12 662 52 44
e-mail: malgorzata.malik@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. Małgorzata Maślanka
phone No.: 12 662 52 49
e-mail: malgorzata.maslanka@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. Justyna Mazur
phone No.: 12 662 52 45
e-mail: justyna.mazur@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. Magdalena Nawrotek
phone No.: 12 662 53 87
e-mail: magdalena.nawrotek@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. Bożena Szewczyk-Taranek
phone No.: 12 662 52 84
e-mail: bozena.szewczyk-taranek@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. arch. Tatiana Tokarczuk-Błażusiak
phone No.: 12 662 53 73
e-mail: tokarczukt@ogr.ur.krakow.pl
MSc eng. Łukasz Marjański
phone No.: 12 662 52 56
e-mail: lukasz.marjanski@urk.edu.pl
RESEARCH DIRECTIONS
Department of Ornamental Plants and Garden Art
The main directions of research include:
• development of reproduction technology and methods of cultivating ornamental plants, as well as breeding and acclimation of new varieties, - cultivation and assessing the suitability of perennials in gardens and green areas (Iris hybrids), improving the technology of growing ornamental plants: ground roses, container cultivation of lachenalia, reproduction and container production of ornamental grasses, breeding and acclimation of plants of the genera: Rhododendron, Stewartia, Betula,
• intensification of the production of ornamental plants with the use of biotechnological methods - organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis, liquid and bioreactor cultures and quality assessment of plants reproduced in vitro (species from the genera Rosa, Lilium, Tulipa, Narcissus, Galanthus, Lachenalia, Hepatica, Staphylea, Gerbera),
• storage of plant material in liquid nitrogen to preserve biodiversity - optimization of cryopreservation methods: vitrification, encapsulation, droplet and combined methods, multi-faceted assessment of the quality of regenerants obtained after cryopreservation,
• assessment of the conservation status of ornamental plant resources - threats and transformations of green areas, cultural landscape, the natural environment of Poland and the conditions of in situ occurrence of perennials and shrubs for use in ornamental horticulture and active protection; research on the inventory and collection of plant resources from rural and historical gardens in Lesser Poland; phenology of valuable and endangered ornamental plants,
• valorization of plants and space management in parks and housing estate squares, in historical gardens in the context of revalorization, special purpose gardens (educational, therapeutic), cemeteries, along the streets,
• assessment of the impact of urban stresses and climatic conditions on selected species of herbaceous and woody plants and verification of the selection - analysis of the condition of plants, diagnosis of anticipated threats and plant development prospects, physiological changes in the leaves of selected ornamental trees and shrubs,
• assessment of changes in plant cover in the extensive green roof community - use of native species for cultivation in the extensive green roof technology,
• methods of examining the condition of space to improve the quality of the urban environment - revitalization of recreational, residential and service-related areas,
• the influence of ornamental plants on the quality of human life and improvement of the aesthetics of the environment
• extending the life of flowers and cut greenery, analysis of consumer preferences of the ornamental plant market, issues related to floristics and plant compositions in interior design and biblical gardens.
• horticultural therapy as a method of occupational therapy, therapeutic gardens.
• plant motifs and chiaroscuro symbolism in shaping a new design quality.
Department of Botany, Physiology and Plant Protection
address: 29 Listopada Ave. 54, 31-425 Kraków
dr hab. eng. Ewa Hanus-Fajerska professor of the University of Agriculture
Head of the Department
phone No.: 12 662 51 99
e-mail: ewa.hanus-fajerska@urk.edu.pl
prof. dr hab. eng. Stanisław Mazur
phone No.: 12 662 52 54
e-mail: stanislaw.mazur@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. Joanna Augustynowicz professor of the University of Agriculture
phone No.: 12 662 52 07
e-mail: joanna.augustynowicz@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. eng. Alina Wiszniewska professor of the University of Agriculture
phone No.: 12 662 52 01
e-mail: alina.wiszniewska@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. eng. Renata Wojciechowska professor of the University of Agriculture
phone No.: 12 662 52 08
e-mail: renata.wojciechowska@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. Anna Kołton professor of the University of Agriculture
phone No.: 12 662 52 11
e-mail: anna.kolton@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. Barbara Tokarz professor of the University of Agriculture
phone No.: 12 662 52 02
e-mail: barbara.tokarz@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. Krzysztof Tokarz professor of the University of Agriculture
phone No.: 12 662 52 02
e-mail: krzysztof.tokarz@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. eng. Zbigniew Gajewski
phone No.: 12 662 52 03
e-mail: zbigniew.gajewski@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. eng. Jacek Nawrocki
phone No.: 12 662 52 62
e-mail: jacek.nawrocki@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. eng. Barbara Nowak
phone No.: 12 662 51 98
e-mail: barbara.nowak@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. eng. Maria Pobożniak
phone No.: 12 662 52 58
e-mail: maria.pobozniak@urk.edu.pl
dr hab. eng. Elżbieta Wojciechowicz-Żytko
phone No.: 12 662 53 76
e-mail: elzbieta.wojciechowicz-zytko@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. Iwona Kamińska
phone No.: 12 662 52 05
e-mail: iwona.kaminska@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. Aleksandra Koźmińska
phone No.: 12 662 52 55
e-mail: aleksandra.kozminska@urk.edu.pl
dr eng. Ewa Sitek
phone No.: 12 662 52 03
e-mail: ewa.sitek@urk.edu.pl
dr Piotr Stolarczyk
phone No.: 12 662 52 03
e-mail: piotr.stolarczyk@urk.edu.pl
Research carried out at the department includes the following issues:
• documentation of changes in plant cover as a result of anthropogenic pressure,
• optimization of toxicological tests, among others electrophoresis of individual cells (comet test) for their use in plant ecotoxicology,
• experimental work on the efficiency of regeneration of wild and useful plants from protoplasts, cells and organs, among others in the presence of biologically active compounds,
• in vivo and in vitro reproduction of a number of rare or endangered species with the intention of their final introduction into natural conditions,
• the use of innovative technologies for reclamation and phytoremediation of contaminated environmental matrices and biomonitoring of the environment using lichens and plants,
• conducting development works supporting biodiversity of flora and fauna, and allowing for the removal of pollutants from urban areas and adjacent suburban areas as well as rural areas,
• testing the tolerance of organisms to diverse biotic (viruses and other pests, pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria, fungi) and abiotic stress factors (light stress, trace elements, salinity, water stress: drought / hypoxia and reduced oxygen content in the substrate / nutrient solution),
• determination of the physiological reactions of important groups of crop plants, mainly aimed at obtaining lines showing an increased degree of resistance to biotic and / or abiotic stress factors,
• research in the field of plant virology, mainly in the aspect of developing methods of increasing the resistance of populations / lines of utility species to viral diseases and identification of yet unknown in Poland causal agents of viral diseases, development of protocols for removal of viruses from the plant material – mainly with the use of tissue culture methods,
• assessment of the harmfulness of individual pathogenic factors to plants, determination of the impact of agrotechnical and/or chemical treatments on the health condition of crops, verification of the effectiveness of methods of combating economically important crop diseases,
• improvement of integrated pest management methods,
• development or improvement of environmentally- and human-friendly methods for the protection of vegetable, herbal, fruit and ornamental plants,
• analysis of the impact of plant illumination with LED light on physiological processes and parameters related to the high biological crop value,
• improvement of physiological methods of assessing the productivity and quality of horticultural crops, with particular emphasis on nitrate metabolism,
• conducting research in the field of taxonomy and ecology of beneficial insects, aphids, thrips and other economically important plant pests.
FIELDS OF STUDY
1st degree studies
• Horticulture
• Biotechnology
• Garden Art
• Technology of Medicinal and Pro-Health Plants
2nd degree studies
• Horticulture
• Biotechnology
• Garden Art
• Technology of Medicinal and Pro-Health Plants
• Viticulture and Enology
• International Master of Horticultural Science - Apply
• Environmental and Plant Biotechnology (EPB) - Apply
