Plant selection, input, and field management are proven strategies that produce high yields of crops bearing selected desirable characteristics for the nutraceutical and cosmeceutical industry. This study reports on the effect of substrate and light on selected quantitative and qualitative bioactive properties of two cultivars of Rubus idaeus L. ('Ruvi' and 'Cayuga'). Our results demonstrated that the quantitative and qualitative fruit characteristics (yield, fruit dimensions, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids contents), plant growth, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and total antioxidant capacity, are significantly affected by genotype, light intensity, and substrate type. Fruits from 'Ruvi' plants cultivated under low light conditions, on soil/peat substrate exhibited high levels of antioxidant capacity, phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and high inhibitory potency towards the skin-regulating enzymes tyrosinase and elastase. Extract derived from these fruits was formulated into a topical skin care cream. This cream exhibited excellent compatibility and stability characteristics. Our research concluded that quantity and quality of Rubus idaeus L. fruits could be efficiently managed through conventional agronomic practices. Our project determined the optimal agronomic management practices to produce desirable characteristics and maximize bioactive content that determine the nutraceutical and cosmeceutical quality of the red raspberry.

Our findings conclude that Rubus fruticosus L. cultivation may be efficiently and effectively manipulated through conventional cultivation techniques to produce promising bioactive ingredients with potential use in commercial cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Vinca major L. is a Mediterranean species, hemicryptophyte, cultivated in Romania as ornamental plan on walls or cliff arrangements. Due to its biologic characteristics it can be easily cultivated on roofs and harmoniously associated with species Arabis caucasica L. for the setup of green roofs. A species native to the mountain areas of Asia and Northern Africa, Arabis caucasica L. (syn. A.albida Stev.) has been introduced and naturalized in almost all of Europe, including Romania, and at the present time it is part of the ornamental assortment of alpine gardens insuring, through their color and flowering abundance the specific décor in the summer period. The paper has the purpose of analyzing the influence of some culture systems on the ornamental potential of Vinca major plants 'Variegata' L. și Arabis caucasica 'Deep Rose' L. For this purpose we have analyzed the influence of the culture location and the used substrate on the plan growing and development abilities. Experiences were based on the installation of roof and field culture, as well as on the use of three culture substrates of different compositions: a 1-forest soil; a 2-Novobalt peat mixture (43%), coconut fiber (30%), composted bark (23%), alginate (4%); a 3blonde peat (40%), brown peat (30%), sand (10%) and forest soil (20%). Planting the Vinca major 'Variegata' and Arabis caucasica 'Deep Rose' plants in different culture systems and different types of substrates has determined a differential behavior, with better results, for both species, in case of the substrate comprised of: Novobalt (43%), coconut (30%), composted bark (23%), alginate (4%). Taking into consideration the specifics of the Vinca sort, it is highlighted that it had a remarkable evolution which convinced me to recommend it in landscape arrangements made on roofs and terraces.