In this study, the effect of different photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) provided by LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) and photoperiod on biomass production, morphological traits, photosynthetic performance, sensory attributes, and image texture parameters of indoor cultivated romaine lettuce was evaluated. Two cultivars of lettuce Lactuca sativa var. longifolium namely ‘Casual’ (Syngenta)—midi romaine lettuce with medium-compact heads—and ‘Elizium’ (Enza Zaden)—a mini type (Little Gem) with compact heavy heads—were used. PPFD of 160 and 240 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ and photoperiod of 16 and 20 h were applied, and Daily Light Integral (DLI) values were 9.2, 11.5, 13.8, and 17.3 mol m⁻² day⁻¹. The experiment lasted 30 days in the Indoor Controlled Environment Agriculture facility. DLI equal to 17.3 mol m⁻² per day for cv. ‘Casual’ and 11.5–17.3 mol m⁻² per day for cv. ‘Elizium’ allowed to obtain a very high fresh weight, 350 and 240 g, respectively, within 30 days of cultivation in an indoor plant production facility. The application of the lowest PPFD 160 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ and 16 h photoperiod (9.2 mol m⁻² per day DLI) resulted in the lowest fresh weight, the number of leaves and head circumference. The level of nitrate, even at the lowest DLI, was below the limit imposed by European Community Regulation. The cv. ‘Elizium’ lettuce grown at PPFD 240 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ and 16 h photoperiod had the highest overall sensory quality. The cv. ‘Casual’ lettuce grown at PPFD 160 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ and 20 h photoperiod had the lowest sensory quality. The samples subjected to different photoperiod and PPFD were also successively distinguished in an objective and non-destructive way using image features and machine learning algorithms. The average accuracy for the leaf samples of cv. ‘Casual’ lettuce reached 98.75% and for cv. ‘Elizium’ cultivar—86.25%. The obtained relationship between DLI and yield, as well as the quality of romaine lettuce, can be used in practice to improve romaine lettuce production in an Indoor Controlled Environment.

Among the fungal diseases of apple trees, serious yield losses are due to an apple scab caused by Venturia inaequalis. Protection against this disease is based mainly on chemical treatments, which are currently very limited. Therefore, it is extremely important to introduce cultivars with reduced susceptibility to this pathogen. One of the important sources of variability for breeding is the process of polyploidization. Newly obtained polyploids may acquire new features, including increased resistance to diseases. In our earlier studies, numerous tetraploids have been obtained for several apple cultivars with ‘Free Redstar’ tetraploids manifesting enhanced resistance to apple scab. In the present study, tetraploids of ‘Free Redstar’ were assessed in terms of phenotype and genotype with particular emphasis on the genetic background of their increased resistance to apple scab. Compared to diploid plants, tetraploids (own-rooted plants) were characterized with poor growth, especially during first growing season. They had considerably shorter shoots, fewer branches, smaller stem diameter, and reshaped leaves. In contrast to own-rooted plants, in M9-grafted three-year old trees, no significant differences between diplo- and tetraploids were observed, either in morphological or physiological parameters, with the exceptions of the increased leaf thickness and chlorophyll content recorded in tetraploids. Significant differences between sibling tetraploid clones were recorded, particularly in leaf shape and some physiological parameters. The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis confirmed genetic polymorphism of tetraploid clones. Methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) analysis showed that the level of DNA methylation was twice as high in young tetraploid plants as in a diploid donor tree, which may explain the weaker vigour of neotetraploids in the early period of their growth in the juvenile phase. Molecular analysis showed that ‘Free Redstar’ cultivar and their tetraploids bear six Rvi genes (Rvi5, Rvi6, Rvi8, Rvi11, Rvi14 and Rvi17). Transcriptome analysis confirmed enhanced resistance to apple scab of ‘Free Redstar’ tetraploids since the expression levels of genes related to resistance were strongly enhanced in tetraploids compared to their diploid counterparts.

The study examined the influence of light quality on the growth and nutritional status of romaine lettuce grown in deep water culture with a floating raft system using two different nutrient solutions. Four spectra of LED light were used with different ratios of R, G, and B lights (80:10:10, 70:10:20, 60:10:30, and 70:18:12). Two nutrient solutions with a low (A) and moderately high (B) nutrient content were used. Regardless of the nutrient solution, the RGB 70:18:12 light promoted the production of leaf biomass as well as inhibited the accumulation of K and Mg in the leaves. Moreover, those plants were characterized by a low Nitrogen Balance Index (NBI) and a high flavonol index. In the last week of cultivation, there was a strong decrease in K, P, and nitrates in the nutrient solution, and an increase in Ca. In the final stage of growth, symptoms of withering of the tips of young leaves (tipburn) were observed on the plants. The most damage was observed on the plants growing under 70:10:20, 70:18:12, and with the higher concentration of minerals in the solution (B).

Due to their richness of bioactive substances, rose hips are a valuable raw material for obtaining extracts with potential antimicrobial activity. The aim of the study was to determine the antagonistic potential of whole pseudo-fruit and flesh extracts of three Rosa sp. varieties against Staphylococcus spp. bacteria isolated as food contaminants. The biological material in this study consisted of seven strains of bacteria from the genus Staphylococcus. Two strains—Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Staphylococcus epidermidis DSMZ 3270—were used as reference strains. The other five strains were food-derived isolates—S. epidermidis A5, S. xylosus M5, S. haemolyticus M6, S. capitis KR6, and S. warneri KR2A. The material was the pseudo-fruits of Rosa canina, Rosa pomifera Karpatia, and Rosa rugosa. The polyphenols were extracted from the fleshy part and the whole pseudo-fruit for all rose varieties. The tested preparations differed significantly in their polyphenol composition. The sum of polyphenols ranged from 28 862 to 35 358 mg/100 g of lyophilisate. The main groups of polyphenols found in the preparations were flavanols and ellagitannins. All of the tested extracts inhibited the growth of staphylococci at a concentration of 500 mg/mL. Rosa rugosa fruit extract showed the strongest antimicrobial properties among the studied extracts. For all the strains, the growth inhibition had a diameter of 20.3–29.0 mm. Moreover, six out of the seven tested strains showed the highest inhibition with the use of this extract. The MIC of rose extracts was in the range of 3.125–500 mg/mL and was strictly dependent on the bacterial species, the species of the rose, and the part of the fruit from which the extract was obtained. Correlations were assessed between the main groups of polyphenols in the extracts and their inhibition of bacterial growth. In the case of pseudo-fruit extracts, the inhibitory effect on bacterial growth positively correlated with the content of ellagitannins, and this effect was observed for almost all the tested strains. The results presented herein follow the current trend of minimising the use of chemical preservatives in food; from this point of view, rose extracts are very promising.