szczepy

Szczepy is a Polish term with multiple uses in science and agriculture. In microbiology and medicine, a szczep denotes a genetically and phenotypically distinct lineage within a species, typically derived from a single ancestor. In bacteria and viruses, szczepy (strains) are used to classify and study variation, track outbreaks, test antimicrobial susceptibility, and support vaccine development. A strain can differ in serotype, genotype, virulence, or resistance to drugs, and may be closely related to other isolates or distinct from them.

In horticulture and agriculture, szczep refers to a graft or scion—a shoot or bud taken from a donor plant and joined to a rootstock to propagate or improve traits such as fruit quality, disease resistance, or vigor. Grafting is performed with techniques like whip-and-tongue or cleft grafting, and the resulting union is known as the graft junction. The related term szczepienie is used for the grafting operation in this context, as well as in general plant propagation.

In summary, szczepy describe distinct biological lines or plant grafts, depending on the field. See also: szczep, szczepienie, grafting, bacterial strain, plant breeding.