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Grasslands, some of the most important resources of mountain areas, have been and are subject to changes, both in time and in space, under the action of natural and/or anthropogenic factors. In this context, the research aims, in the first stage, to identify and quantify the areas of grasslands subject to changes, both through surface losses and gains, and in the second stage, to establish the general direction of changes, at regional level. As a case study, the area of the Banat Mountains, from southwest Romania, was selected, a very complex area from a physical-geographical and socio-economic point of view. The analysis of grassland areas and implicitly the changes produced, was made in the GIS environment, based on Corine Land Cover data, over a period of approximately thirty years. As a result of the research, it was found that the areas of grasslands were "mobilized" by adding areas from other categories of use (orchards, lands with natural vegetation and so on), but also by switching to other categories of use, especially in high mountain areas, through afforestation. Also, the study showed important differences in territorial profile, of great importance for local communities and the economy of the mountain area. Monitoring changes in grassland areas is also particularly important in terms of management strategies or sustainable development of mountain areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dioecious Cannabis sativa L. is grown for derived products that are of industrial, food and therapeutic importance. The research aims to highlight the therapeutic potential. The study's main objective is to examine the antibacterial activity of dioecious hemp extracts on two bacterial strains. The plant material comes from 4 varieties of dioecious hemp CS (Cannabis sativa L.): CS1-Armanca, CS2-Lovrin 110, CS 3- Silvana and CS 4- Teodora. The antibacterial property of the plant biological material was tested on two bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922). The evaluation of the antibacterial activity of plant extracts was performed by determining the bacterial growth rate (BGR%), bacterial inhibition rate (BIR%) and MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration). The antibacterial activity of the hydroalcoholic extracts of dioecious Cannabis sativa L was positively correlated with the increase of the concentration tested and inhibitory values. The results recommend them as possible candidates as compounds in products with antibacterial efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study analyzed forest vegetation in the "Bazos Dendrological Park" area, Timis County, Romania, in order to describe the seasonal variation of the vegetation through imaging analysis based on satellite images (Sentinel 2). The study took place in the period 2021-2022, and each year 7 sets of images (T1 - T7) were taken between the months of April and August. NDMI, NDVI and NBR indices were calculated from the analysis of satellite images. Among the calculated indices, very strong correlations were found between NBR and NDMI (r=-0.928, year 2021), between NBR and NDVI (r=0.947, year 2021; r=0.928, year 2022). Moderate correlations were found between NDVI and NDMI (r=-0.769, year 2021), and weak correlations were found between NDMI and t (r=-0.655, year 2021), between NDVI and NDMI (r=0.617, year 2022). Other weak intensity correlations were also recorded. The variation of the NDVI indices in relation to NDMI and the NBR index in relation to NDMI or to NDVI was described by polynomial equations of 2nd degree, under statistical safety conditions (p<0.001, R²>0.9 for the year 2021; p=0.007, R² >0.9 in the case of NDVI vs NDMI; p=0.014, R²=0.877 in the case of NBR vs NDVI, respectively p<0.001, R²>0.9 in the case of NBR vs NDMI for the year 2022). In relation to the time interval (t, days), spline models faithfully described the variation of the calculated indices during the study period, under statistical safety conditions (ε = .0 0061 in the case of NDMI vs t, ε = 0017.0 in the case of NDVI vs t, ε = 0067.0 in the case of NBR vs t, under the conditions of 2021; ε = 0317.0 in the case of NDMI vs t, ε = 0024.0 in the case of NDVI vs t, ε = 0077.0 in the case of NDMI vs t, under the conditions of 2022). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Romania's physical-geographical and lithological complexity creates a great diversity of climatic and pedological conditions, which determines the richness of the types of ecosystems and habitats, as well as the presence of five biogeographical regions, including the Alpine bioregion. In Romania this biogeographical region includes both Carpathians peaks and coniferous and mixed forests of the Carpathians, but also the intermountain depressions and higher hills along the mountain chain. Various mountains are home to endemic and relic species, virgin and quasi-virgin natural forests, virtually extinct from the rest of the European Union with a special biological diversity. The purpose of this paper is to present a study on the number and distribution of protected natural areas, their area and share in the Alpine biogeographical region of Romania in relation to the entire EU bioregion. The Digital Elevation with spatial resolution model at 25 m and geospatial data were used to develop this study. In Romania, the Alpine bioregion occupies an area of 5.005.266.03 ha, of which 3.726.354.88 ha, respectively 74,42% is included in different categories of protected natural areas: SPA's = 1.133.419,10 ha; SCI's = 1.760.940,84 ha; wetland of international importance = 695,93 ha; scientific reservations = 5,77 ha; natural reservations = 137.503,29 ha; biosphere reservations = 85.518,26 ha; national parks = 202.741,98 ha; natural parks = 405.520,97 ha; natural monuments = 8,73 ha. Due to a partial or total overlap of the protected areas, the range of protected areas in the territory (soil footprint) is 2.147.431.78 ha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almonds can be infected by mycotoxigenic fungi both during the vegetation and during storage after harvesting. Most of the times the almonds are healthy, but during the improper storage they can be contaminated by fungi from the genus Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium. The mentioned fungi are very dangerous for health because they are producing carcinogenic mycotoxins. The purpose of the work was to identify the fungi that are growing on the marketed almonds when they are placed on culture media after a previous sterilization. The biological material consisted in raw almonds bought from supermarket. The almonds were chosen in such manner to originate from different countries, respectively USA, Italy, Spain, South Africa and Germany, there being obtained six samples with three replicates. The almonds from all the 18 samples were placed on culture media in Petri plates and were introduced in incubator at a temperature of 25 ℃ for 7 days. On the almonds from the culture media were developed after seven days the following fungi: Fusarium sp., Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium sp., Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus sp. High contamination rate was noticed in the case of the fungus A. niger. There was highlighted the variant originating from USA with 93.18%. In the opposite situation is the variant of bio almonds from Spain contaminated in a 14% rate. The samples from Germany and Spain were massively contaminated, respectively between 72 and 83%. Regarding Aspergillus flavus fungus, the lowest contamination rate was registered in the variant from USA (18%) and the highest in the sample from Spain conventionally cultivated (79%). The variants of bio almonds were contaminated in different rates, respectively 30% (Italia) and 66% (Spain). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soils potential is the result of interdependence between the characteristics of the vegetation and the natural environment, also the level of production is the result of the influence of determining factors: natural environmental factors and technological factors. The influence of biotope relief factors on the above-ground vegetation is a direct consequence of the altitudinal differentiation of climatic conditions, a vegetation layer and implicitly a rather varied and complex area soil cover. It is unanimously appreciated that in order to have a rich and quality harvest must be ensured the quantities of fertilizers and the necessary amendments to improve the nutritional conditions of the crop species or grassland areas. In this study we use a qualitative-productive evaluation (QPE) of grasslands soils represents according to the degree of favorability (suitability) using as a comparison tool technical indices or rating notes. Based on this study a soil map and legend were developed depending on the specific properties for each soil and land unit following each group of soils limitations. The results showed in the studied area the reaction of the soil (pH) is generally weakly acidic, the weighted average pH value being 6.68, with phosphorus supply generally medium, the weighted average phosphorus content being 22.67 ppm. The supply of potassium to the soils is very good, the weighted average potassium content being 208 ppm K. Compared to those results, depending on the specific properties for each soil and land unit was identified the soils limitations and a specific fertilization to comply with the European Code of Good Agricultural Practice so as to ensure good future production potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grasslands, as specific components of the hill area from the West of Romania, belong, according to latitudinal and altitudinal zonation, to different vegetation zones, in concordance with the environmental conditions and implicitly with their own vegetal formations. Grassland classification in a certain vegetation zone offers very important information on biocenoses and biotopes, and also on its „agronomic” characteristics (productivity, grazing capacity, maintenance, etc.). This study may be considered a theoretical and practical model of identification, delimitation, classification and analysis of grassland areas according to characteristics and environmental factors, with the help of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Thus, relying on satellite images, thematic maps and direct observations in field, we will analyze the environmental factors that are „responsible” for the typological differentiation of grasslands, the repartition per altitudinal levels, the percentage of each vegetation zone within the area studied and the graphic and cartographic results obtained will be „reused” in further analyses and assessments. Successive to the researches performed, we may draw the conclusion that most grassland areas are classified in the silvo-steppe and nemoral zones, suggesting the complexity of the vegetal cover and implicitly differentiations in the technical approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteria from rhizosphere have an important role in nutrients disponibility from soil. From chemical elements which take part in plants nutrition, nitrogen is an important agent which could limit plants growing. There are rhizosphere bacteria which are involved in nitrogen transforming in organic forms. Association between Azotobacter and Clostridium bacteria and plants presents lately a real interest. Free nitrogen fixing bacteria from Azotobacter and Clostridium were isolated from two kinds of soils: eutricambosoil weak gleyed and eutricambosoil moderate gleyed, both of them cultivated with vetch (Vicia sativa L). Soils are from western Romania. Soil samples are taken in autumn, from 0-20 cm, from three zones: rizoplan, rhizosphere and edaphosphere. Soil samples preparation and the isolation of the two kinds of bacteria was done on a mineral medium, in lab conditions. After one week incubation of free nitrogen fixing bacteria was observed that in moderate gleyed eutricambosoil Azotobacter was the dominant type in rhizosphere. On the other hand, in weak gleyed eutricambosoil, Azotobacter bacteria are dominant in rizoplan and edaphosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensification of forage plant production is a topical issue, being a means for increasing livestock and livestock production in Romania. In order to increase the yield of forage plants, one must have an open and positive attitude towards intensive technologies that are at the same time "environment-friendly". The objective of our study was to optimize the results regarding the dry matter productiveness obtained for Lolium multiflorum, as an effect of applying manure in the presence /absence of foliar biostimulators MF, FB and CM., and to find the technical solutions that work best under the conditions in Banat area, Romania. Following this study, we obtained mathematical models of the functional dependence (square functions) of the dry matter yield obtained for Lolium multiflorum depending on the application of manure and the three foliar biostimulators. The best production optimization is given by CM + high content of cattle manure (60-80 t.ha-1). Choice of the most convenient solutions is made by selecting those values that determine better framing of the result within the limits set by the restrictions that characterize the intended purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scandium, the Mendeleev's hypothetical element "eka-boron" is considered one of the Rare Earth Elements (REE) group, in abundance in the earth's crust of 16 ppm. The specific health effects of superior concentrations of REEs in the environment from mining REE containing materials are not well understood. The aim of the present study was to conduct a more complete literature review of health and ecological impacts of scandium. Some studies affirm that scandium has no known biological role and it seems that only trace amounts reach the food chain. One of the surprises is that diluted solutions of scandium sulfate induce germination of plant seeds. According to some researcher only very few analyzed plants presented scandium. It is considered that scandium is not toxic, but some studies suggest that a few scandium compounds might be carcinogenic [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil is a dynamic, living system being an ideal environment for developing a heterogeneous group of microorganisms. By his activity each microorganisms group is responsible for the changes and transformations that are taking place in the soil. In this study we followed the time dynamics of soil actinobacteria under the influence of last generation insecticides: thiamethoxam-Tx (0.02%) and cypermethrin-Cx (0.03%). According to literature the most effective way for the degradation and inactivation of xenobiotics toxicity is the microbial one. The results of this study show that during time intervals that were preceding the treatment, there is a slight increase in this microbial segment compared to the control. The insecticides treatment also lead to changes in the studied microbiota composition, changes resulting in the appearance and disappearance of some actinobacteria species present in treated variants compared with untreated variant. These results suggest the need for ongoing monitoring of the evolution of microbiota in insecticides treated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to measure the levels of heavy metals (Cu, Co, Cr) in contaminated mining areas compared with those in reference clear areas, to determine their potential Contaminations Factors and Pollution Index and to predict the evolution in time by using mathematical models. Compared with the reference, in soil, higher values than intervention threshold values (ITV) were found for Cu and Cr. The results of this study regarding metal contents in mining contaminated soils, recommend a permanent monitoring of the mineral contents of the studied areas and suggest that the consumption of some plants cultivated in this areas are not free of risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]