In this elaboration, effective methods of in vitro propagation of a Paulownia tomentosa × Paulownia fortunei hybrid are presented, and the variable costs of commercial production evaluated. Plant regeneration of the P. tomentosa × P. fortunei hybrid was achieved through organogenesis in nodal explants. Different concentrations of BAP (6-benzylaminopurine), 0.2, 0.5, 1 mg/L, and light conditions were investigated. The best results were obtained using a half-strength MS medium containing 0.5 mg/L BAP. In standard light conditions, 2 shoots were grown with 3.5 culturable nodes on each, and in 70% reduced light, 2 new shoots were grown with 6 culturable nodes on each. Rooting was successfully achieved when using a hormone-free half-strength MS medium containing vitamin, and 2% sucrose with 95% efficiency. Acclimatization and survival were shown to be 90% in regenerated plants. The cost of production of a single plant of P. tomentosa × P.fortunei hybrid grown in standard light conditions was $0.084 and $0.082 when grown in 70% reduced light where only variable costs were considered. Two major factors affecting P. tomentosa × P fortunei hybrid micropropagation is labor, materials and chemicals. Focusing on reducing this cost can highly lower plantlet price.

The amount of energy used in agricultural production, processing and distribution is constantly increasing. During the winter months in the greenhouse production industry, the supplemental lighting required to keep up production levels results in high expenditure. Current technology uses broadband high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps, which is not the most efficient light source for crop production. Recent breakthroughs in the development of light source technologies have led to new opportunities for the use of sustainable and highly efficient light sources in the form of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) for greenhouse lighting. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of using photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) light for cucumber yielding, production processes and its influence on the variable costs in the cultivation of cucumbers using three different types of lighting. The research was carried out using three individual greenhouse growing area compartments, whereby the plants contained within were lit using three combinations: 1. HPS standard illumination from top HPS sodium lamps—control, 2. HPS-LED—HPS toplighting and LED interlighting, and 3. LED-LED—100% LED lighting, both toplighting and interlighting with LED. The research was conducted in two independent winter crop cycles. The results of the research conducted indicate that the efficiency of light use was the highest in the LED-LED combination and the lowest in HPS, and the use of supplemental lamp lighting in the LED-LED combination (interlighting and toplighting) gives the most favorable surplus of all the variable costs over the value of production to be obtained. Despite the highest absolute level of variable costs in this type of supplemental lighting, the production value was higher by as much as 32.55% in relation to the HPS combination, which also translated into a gross margin that was higher by about ¾. However, it is worth pointing out that, in the HPS-LED combination, the share of lighting and heating costs in the total value of production was the lowest. It is also a combination currently recommended in the literature as being the most beneficial in greenhouse production.

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The aim of the study was to evaluate an impact of selected characteristics of apples as potential demand factors. It seemed interesting to find if an increasing this awareness could increase demand for these fruits. Apples, because of their pro-health properties and especially the antoxidant action, should be consumed regularly and in high amounts. Unfortunately, for the last years a downward trend in fruit consumption in Poland has been observed. The survey made on consumers’ preferences shows that the pro-health properties have the smallest impact on purchase of apples for most of consumers and only 20% buyers take this property into account. For 75% respondents the most important feature affecting a scale of apple purchase is fruit appearance. Therefore, even if some consumers buy apples because of their pro-health properties this feature is not the most important for their decision.