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The challenges we face today envisaging environmental protection, starting from global warming and climate change, up to natural resources depletion, creates opportunities for developing new technologies for biofuel production. Considering that most biofuels used at the moment are based on energy-intensive crops, the question arises whether occupying large areas of land to the detriment of food is justified or not, especially as these crops generally deplete the soil of nutrients. In the present paper we propose a different approach for assessing an easily adaptable energy plant named Sweet Sorghum, that can grow with low input requirements, in difficult growing conditions, on contaminated or poor-nutrient and dry soils, and yet having a high productivity potential. Our research directions are targeted towards identifying the best opportunities for producing bioethanol from Sweet sorghum testing different varieties and sustainable planting conditions. We have been established several experimental cultures and evaluated the potential for producing biofuels using different techniques, such as juice extraction and fermentation and lignocellulose processing.

Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) is a technical plant that manages to adapt very well to unfriendly environments, even in polluted or poor in nutrients soils and may serve in the near future as an important raw material for the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. Furthermore, the plant is growing rapidly, producing large amounts of biomass and offers the possibility to be harvested up to 2 times a year, therefore presents a high potential to be used in the field of biofuel production. The plant's capacity to multiply easily by developing small tubers in the soil, allowing the production of economically advantageous crops, can be considered an advantage for biofuel producers, however this feature might be a drawback for agricultural land owners considering the very invasive behavior. The present paper aim to assess two Jerusalem Artichokes crops established on marginal soils, assessing productivity and the extensive impact on the ecosystem, paying a special attention to plant invasiveness tendencies.

The use of antibiotics in large quantities against the combat of pests in soils, indicates an increased remanence of them, which leads to major environmental risks. After entering in the soil, antibiotics are subjected to a succession of biogeochemical processes under the action of multiple environmental factors: absorption, migration, transformation, degradation or nutritional prosperity of plants. In order to know the current state of the environment and the effects of antibiotics it is essential to discover procedures for improving the degradation and combating the dissemination of antibiotic resistance. Research in recent years on the extraction of antibiotics from the soil is based on complex processes, such as: Soxhlet extraction, ultrasonic extraction or accelerated solvent extraction. Soil residue was determined using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, being the equipment that provides the highest accuracy in the analysis of polar compounds in very low concentrations. The purpose of the paper is to find an efficient and ecological solution for the elimination of antibiotics from soils and to highlight the evaluation of the contaminated land regarding the antibiotic residues and the impact on the composition of the bacterial community. Information about the effects of antibiotics accumulated in soil, persistence, resistance and sensitivity to chemical and microbiological substances, degradation and results related to soil fertility and crop production are highlighted.

A directional response for a partially filled tank with agro-food liquids incorporates the motion of the free surface due to roll and longitudinal accelerations into the dynamic tank model. This paper presents an analysis of efficaciousness of different designs of baffles for two different tank, to limit the impact of the response given by the liquid on the tank walls. In this paper modelling of the behaviour of the cross-section circular and ellipsoidal tank with baffles, partially filled with liquids agro-food, was developed, which performs a braking-in-a-turn manoeuver. Two different tank truck models have been used to simulate the sloshing effect of agro-food liquid cargo. Is also studied the two geometric models of the tank was done by using SolidWorks and simulating the behaviour of the tank ANSYS-CFX. In this study, there were simulated and modeled two models of tank-type “X”, respectively type “Y” used for the storage and transport of liquid agro-food products, namely water, for different speeds (v = 14m / s and v = 20m / s) and two filling levels of the tank trucks (40% and 80%). The results obtained were compared the behaviour of the tank partially filled into a braking-in-a-turn manoeuver, in which the total values of the deformations that appear as a result of the impact due to the movement of the liquid inside the tank trucks.

The present paper investigates the comparative impact of vibrations on operator safety for two diesel and electric agricultural tractors under real operating conditions. Vibrations were measured using four triaxial accelerometers installed at critical points, including the seat base, backrest, floor, and operator's head. Tests were conducted on two comparable tractor models, a diesel New Holland TCE 50 and an electric prototype TE-0, across four types of terrains (concrete, grass, uneven agricultural road, and plowed land) and at two working speeds (5 km/h and 10 km/h). The root mean square (RMS) accelerations, seat-to-head transmissibility, and isolation efficiency were calculated in compliance with ISO 2631 standards to evaluate the effects on operator health and comfort. The results showed superior vibration isolation efficiency for the electric tractor, particularly within the critical frequency range of 4–12 Hz, where human health risks are most significant and a better isolation efficiency of 98%, significantly reducing operator exposure to harmful vibrations. These findings highlight the potential of electric tractors to improve operator comfort, safety, and long-term health in agricultural applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poultry-processing industries generate substantial quantities of waste, posing significant environmental challenges due to the complexity of handling and disposal. This study explores an innovative solution that combines thermochemical treatment of poultry waste with furrow-diking technology to transform non-recyclable feathers and bones into biochar—a nutrient-rich soil amendment. The research identifies optimal pyrolysis conditions for biochar production and evaluates its effects on soil moisture retention, compaction reduction, and erosion control. Experimental trials on sloped terrains reveal that incorporating biochar into compartmentalized furrows enhances water-holding capacity and soil structure, providing a sustainable approach to addressing agricultural challenges. Pyrolyzing poultry waste at 500 °C produced biochar with high nitrogen content and stability, capable of retaining up to 90% of its mass in water and significantly reducing soil compaction. Furthermore, applying 10 metric tons of biochar per hectare can sequester 5–8 metric tons of carbon annually, contributing to long-term carbon mitigation and regenerative agriculture. This integrated methodology combines waste valorization with ecological restoration, unlocking new opportunities for scalable and sustainable soil-management solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar is a form of charcoal produced (generally) by burning biomass at high temperatures in the absence of air, in a process called pyrolysis. This substance has the potential to have a positive impact on the environment. The positive impact on the environment is manifested through the improvement of soil fertility, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, improvement of water quality, and reduction of dependence on fossil fuels. The presence of biochar in the germination bed of plants provides an improvement in the soil’s water retention capacity, which can lead to an increase in crop yields. However, the use of biochar must be carefully managed to prevent unwanted side effects and to maximize its benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological agriculture advocates for sustainable, diversified, and harmonious production systems to mitigate crop and environmental contamination. Ecological plant cultivation, which abstains from the use of harmful conventional substances, has been a prominent focus in economically advanced nations for many decades. Ecological agriculture emerged as a counterbalance to intensive, conventional (industrialized) farming practices that prioritize maximizing output by employing large quantities of fertilizers and energy–intensive production enhancers, all aimed at sustaining agricultural production for a continuously expanding, mainly urban population. Agricultural robots have emerged as a response to farmers' needs for automating repetitive, time–consuming tasks, enabling them to focus on improving production quality and increasing yields. While we commonly refer to them as robots, these devices come in various forms with varying degrees of mobility. They include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones, milking robots, automatic harvesting systems, autonomous tractors, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) used in nurseries or greenhouses, sorting and packing robots, and weed control systems. The paper explores various equipment employed for mechanical weed control in ecological agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar is a product obtained using thermal conversion of biomass and can be a viable option for the valorization of plant resources. The technology for exploiting plant resources in the form of biochar develops significant potential for improving soil quality, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting sustainable waste management practices. There are several methods of producing biochar, including slow pyrolysis, fast pyrolysis, and gasification. The choice of technology will depend on factors such as the type and availability of raw materials, the desired end product, and the economic aspects of the process. The process of producing biochar can also generate syngas, a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen that can be used as a fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pandemic crisis has created significant challenges for small farms, leading to increased energy costs, higher prices for feed and nutrients, unreliable supplies of chemical fertilizers, and disruptions in product sales markets. These factors have collectively compromised the operational viability and economic sustainability of small-scale agricultural enterprises. To address these challenges, this paper explores the concept of a self-sufficient farming system, focusing on locally producing most of the resources needed to sustain operations and reduce dependence on external sources. A self-sufficient integrated pisciculture farming system is proposed and evaluated, promoting an autonomous circular model that prioritizes environmental sustainability. This system incorporates the integration of local livestock into fish diets, production of renewable energy sources, and efficient water and sludge management to reduce reliance on external resources. The detailed methodology used to evaluate sustainability indicators objectively demonstrates that the proposed system can be self-sustainable and autonomous; however, it requires considerable initial investments that can be recovered within at least six years. Optimizing the energy management plan can reduce daily power consumption by up to 25%. However, local conditions may challenge the efficiency of photovoltaic–hybrid energy production, requiring slight oversizing of the system. The research indicated that rearing carp with cereal-based feed mixtures produces growth results comparable to those achieved with commercially purchased feed. The indicators of resource efficiency, reliability, flexibility, productivity, environmental impact, and social impact were met as expected. The weakest indicator was the technology's potential for scalability, due to its strong dependence on various regional factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing the efficacy of biofertilizers and biopesticides for horticultural applications presents numerous challenges, given the need to balance effectiveness with environmental and economic factors. Achieving these goals requires rigorous research into advanced technologies and formulations capable of effectively replacing or complementing traditional chemical inputs, without compromising crop yield or quality. The present study aimed to develop a versatile and yet accessible hybrid percolation–sonication system and method, designed to optimize polyphenol extraction from nettle and sage plants. The resulting extracts were combined and applied on organic tomato crops, to evaluate their biofertilizer and biopesticide effectiveness, in comparison to conventional chemical inputs. Operating the equipment in a hybrid percolation–sonication system led to a 36% increase in polyphenols extraction for nettle and a 29% increase from sage. Regarding the effect on tomatoes, data showed that plants treated with biofertilizer extracts were over 42.88% more productive than control samples and 17.67% more productive than tomatoes treated with chemical fertilizers. Tomato plants treated with biofertilizers grew approximately 10% taller and developed stems that were 5% thicker compared to those treated with chemical fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar is a form of charcoal produced (generally) by burning biomass at high temperatures in the absence of air, in a process called pyrolysis. This substance has the potential to have a positive impact on the environment. The positive impact on the environment is manifested through the improvement of soil fertility, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, improvement of water quality, and reduction of dependence on fossil fuels. The presence of biochar in the germination bed of plants provides an improvement in the soil's water retention capacity, which can lead to an increase in crop yields. However, the use of biochar must be carefully managed to prevent unwanted side effects and to maximize its benefits. In our country, there areseveral biochar producers, both for use in agriculture and other fields. Generally, biochar production in our country focuses on local biomass such as wood, straw, or agricultural residues. There are also research projects exploring the use of biochar in various fields, such as combating climate change, soil improvement, and energy production. In recent years, interest in the use of biochar in Romania has grown due to its potential benefits for agriculture and the environment, as well as the increasing global demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agricultural sector has never ceased to innovate, and each generation brings new technological and organizational improvements, as well as new skills. However, the accelerated pace of technological innovation is faster than ever, and it is crucial for European farmers to fully benefit from this “digital revolution”. The challenge lies in truly understanding the added value of these technologies, in deciding which ones are worth investing in, when to make these investments, and to what extent. In the European Union (EU), the “digital transformation” already plays an essential role in rural environments and in the agricultural sector. For example, the adoption of modern agricultural technologies, including those involving robots, the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data analysis, has significant potential to lead to more productive, sustainable, and environmentally friendly food production. Smart farming systems can assist farmers in making better decisions and developing more efficient operational and management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils (EOs) extracted from various medicinal plants offer a promising alternative to non-selective chemical substances commonly employed in conventional agriculture. Their chemical composition includes several classes of chemical compounds with beneficial properties, such as monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and phenylpropanoids, which can selectively control microbiological elements in soil and plants. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the essential oils and floral waters obtained from a new variety of marigold (Tagetes patula L., fam. Asteraceae, "Nanuk" variety) across various parameters, including biochemical characterization using GC-MS, antioxidant activity evaluated under three methods (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP), antimicrobial properties (for three G− bacteria: Perctobacterium carotovorum, Pseudomonas marginalis, Pseudomonas syringae and against three phytopathogenic fungi: Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Botrytis cinerea), and insecticidal activity. The results showed that when applied in high concentrations, marigold essential oil has a potential bactericidal effect on P. carotovorum, as well as a potential fungicidal effect on B. cinerea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is an important branch of any national economy, with functions between the most diverse: biological, main source of economic activity and use of the labor force, ecological factor of environmental protection and combat against desertification in many areas of the Earth, a way of life, a technical tradition and cultural and, last but not least, agriculture is a side of civilization. Smart agriculture takes into account soil evaluation and environmental aspects from all perspectives and applies technological solutions for efficient fertilization, plant protection measures, and nutrient extraction. In recent years, the significant development of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies has made the integration of communication, automation, and control information into farms a very trendy "trend". Agriculture will be the field with the greatest digitization in the coming years; intelligence artificial in agriculture will be massive and unstoppable. The capability of drones is constantly expanding, the devices being equipped with high-definition photo-video cameras, thermal imaging sensors, infrared filming, parcel mapping and zoning systems, and simultaneously the volume of data increases fast. In the long term, "connected farms" will prove extremely valuable to the entire population of the planet considering the need to maximize production agricultural. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trends, challenges and global guidelines facing agriculture and the agri-food system are multiple, a process of reflection by decision-makers, researches and businessmen being timely and necessary. The expansion of the agricultural and agri-food sector may be significantly limited by the already existing pressure on agricultural land and water resources. Innovative production models are needed to increase productivity while maintaining biodiversity and the quality of natural resources. Aquaponics can be considered a sustainable agricultural production system because it combines plant and animal production, integrates the flow of nutrients through natural biological cycles of nitrification, is carried out without exhausting available resources and without destroying the environment, so without compromising the possibilities of satisfaction of the needs of future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaponics combines hydroponics and recirculating aquaculture elements. Conventional hydroponics requires mineral fertilizers to provide plants with the necessary nutrients, but aquaponics systems use available fish water, rich in fish waste, as nutrients for plant growth. Another advantage of these combinations is that excess nutrients do not have to be removed by periodic exchange of freshwater enrichment, as is practiced in aquaculture systems. The system results in a symbiosis between fish, microorganisms and plants and encourages the sustainable use of water and nutrients, including their recycling. Within this synergistic interaction, the respective ecological weaknesses of aquaculture and hydroponics are turned into strengths. This combination substantially minimizes the need for nutrient input and waste removal, unlike when they are used as separate systems, so in the article we have a presentation of the evolution of aquaponic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cereals are essential for human nutrition. Unfortunately, the worldwide demographic evolution (continually increasing) makes it difficult to maintain the security of this food source. To overcome this situation, increasing the yield of these species is necessary. The aim of the present research is to make a comparative economic analysis between different varieties of winter barley, winter wheat and triticale varieties in the period 2018-2023 at Agricultural Research and Development Station (ARDS) Secuieni, Neamt County, Romania. The economic indicators taken into consideration were: yield, production value, production cost, total expenditures, gross and net profit. The data were processed and statistically interpreted based on variance analysis, coefficient of variation, using Microsoft Excel and ANOVA 2013 programs. The results regarding yield showed that on the first place is winter wheat with an average yield of 7,413 kg · ha-1, the second place is winter barley with an average yield of 6,340 kg · ha-1, and the last place is triticales, with an average yield of 6,145 kg · ha-1. From an economic point of view, winter wheat is on first place, with a net profit of approximately double compared to the other two cereals. The net profit was 3,109 lei · ha-1 for winter wheat, 1,766 lei · ha-1 for winter barley, and 1,635 lei · ha-1 for triticale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microgreens represent a healthy alternative in nutrition, due to their high nutritional value and unique sensory characteristics. The light, the temperature or the density influences the photosynthetic and metabolic activity of microgreens, having a beneficial effect on their nutritional quality. In 2023, an experiment was carried out with microgreens from a hemp variety at IULS Iasi. This explored two growing environments, controlled versus uncontrolled (growth chamber versus window) and seven different seeding densities ranging from 40 to 280 microgreens/100 cm². The results revealed that the variant with 280 microgreens/100 cm² in the growth chamber recorded the highest fresh matter of 12.864 g/100 cm², while the variant with 40 microgreens/100 cm² in the growth chamber presented the highest content of chlorophyll pigments (13.1 CCI). The highest value of vitamin C (58.0 mg/100 g product) was found in D160 variant and the highest content in total soluble solids (4.33°Bx) belongs to the D200 variant, both from the growth chamber. Results underline the importance of selecting appropriate growth conditions and seeding densities for optimizing the qualitative and quantitative properties of hemp microgreens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating degraded or contaminated lands into food production chains poses significant challenges and expenses. This study explores a novel technology for cultivating vegetables on degraded lands employing vegetal substrates in the form of bales. These multi-layered vegetal structures are strategically designed to offer essential support, nutrients, water, warmth, and protection against pests for the cultivated plants. The fertile layer within these structures was produced through composting vegetable waste produced from horticulture. The protective surface of the bale was made from a mixture of agricultural wastes, ensuring both a resilient structure and permeability. The structure was enhanced with two layers made of recycled cotton, aimed at retaining moisture efficiently. The research showed that the adopted technological solution can yield a 30-40% improvement in production of tomato and eggplant. Moreover, it demonstrates high adaptability, being easily applicable for crops establishing in contaminated, degraded environments, or even on concrete surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass is abundantly present in diverse ecosystems, and is considered to be a highly valuable energy source worldwide due to its high diversity. Agricultural residues contribute substantially to the overall biomass potential. Although all agricultural residues can be used as fuel, their range is limited in practice by the possibilities of production, compaction, transport and use. The present paper presents a technology and the associated technical equipment developed and tested by INMA Bucharest for processing Miscanthus biomass that can be used for various energy purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of antibiotics in the animal husbandry technologies is a practice known for decades, being usually included in the feed as a growth promoter and to prevent several diseases. However, the uncontrolled, excessive and unregulated use of antibiotics has shown multiple negative effects on animal growth, but also on human health and the ecosystem. Unmetabolized antibiotics contaminate the environment by releasing wastes into the soil, leading to the spread of antimicrobial resistance towards the human food chain. It is therefore important to analyze animal waste management practices in order to find other treatment solutions and to lower the negative impact of residues generated from animal husbandry on public health and the ecosystem. Health organizations have emphasized the need for improved regulatory controls for antibiotics and clear guidelines for farmers and veterinary professionals, in order to use antibiotics responsibly. The current paper evaluates the potential risks of using antibiotics in animal husbandry and identifies strategies for reducing unwanted hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to clause 4.4 of the ISO 17043:2010 standard, the development of the statistical project is of particular importance in the competence testing process. The criteria used in choosing the type of statistical design are clearly stated in ISO 17043 and their implementation depends on the proficiency testing provider. According to ISO 13528:2015, it is important that the statistical design is appropriate for the type and purpose of the proficiency testing scheme (PT). Entities participating in PT, according to ISO 17025:2018, must be aware of the statistical project from the stage of registration to the scheme. The aim of the study was to identify the effect produced by the choice of the assigned value in the calculation of the performance indicator of a laboratory when using the same test object. The paper presents the influence of the assigned value in the evaluation of the testing performance of laboratories according to the recommendations of the international standard ISO 13528 regarding the statistical calculation of the z–score. The study was carried out by simulating the z–score for a number of 30 participants who analyzed the ash content of wheat flour. The z–score was calculated for two assigned values (CRM value and consensus value). For the same standard deviation, significant differences were found between the z–score values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study focuses on analyzing the impact of integrating an optical sorter in a seed-separation technological flow, in terms of increasing the quality of the maize seeds appropriate for sowing. The study showed that there are situations when the use of optical separation may result in a number of difficulties in removing a variable rate of good seeds from the raw mass, which can bring economic disadvantages. The identified issue encouraged the development of several flow assessment approaches in order to determine the problem's essence and to develop the best strategy for action. The key finding was that the evaluated optical sorting equipment cannot eliminate impurities without also removing good seeds, resulting in every 1% increase in impurity level and a rate of 0.70% of the good seeds lost. Therefore, farmers must carefully consider the scenarios where integrating optical sorting into their technological flow is a suitable option, considering the input material quality, the selling price of the product, and the risk of missing an important quantity of high-quality seeds. The working method described may be of significant importance to other farmers who intend to choose the components of grain-cleaning processes effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the preparationand storage of grains, seed cleaning is a highly important phase. There has been extensive research regarding the cleaning and classifying grains. The grain seeds are usually contaminated right from the harvest with the seeds from other plants, with other materials (soil, plant residues, etc.) or even with their own degraded seeds. Since they are the same size and weight, they are difficult to be sorted mechanically. The degree of seed purity may be significantly increased by optical sorting after dedusting and mechanical sorting. The separation of seed mixtures by colour is achieved by using photoelectric devices, which, being sensitive to differences in the intensity of the reflected light beam, emit pulses that are used to carry out orders to separate the seeds of the wrong color. This article emphasizes the importance of introducing new or innovative methods in the seed separation process, especially optical systems. Various ways of sorting were discussed, the design of super interesting sorting systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of agricultural soil degradation caused by the extensive use of chemical amendments, ecological alternatives with minimal detrimental impact on ecosystems are gaining popularity. Recent advancements in processing technologies have improved the quality and extraction efficiency of bioactive compounds, particularly when multiple conventional or innovative techniques are being used to potentially overcome the most common limitations. This paper proposes the development and testing of a hybrid technology design that employs two extraction techniques, namely ultrasound and high pressure, that can be used either separately or in tandem. An initial assessment of the prototype potential for isolating the desired compounds was made, by testing three various working regimens for the processing of a mixture of onion, pea, and soybean. By incorporating the bioactive compounds produced during the experimental phase in the seedling transplantation holes, we were able to test the potential of stimulating the development rate of vegetables and reducing the attack of pests. The extracts obtained using the hybrid technology showed positive results when used to reduce pest attacks (decreasing average attack frequency by 7%), however had negative effects when used to promote biostimulation, when acted as an inhibitor. The hybrid extraction approach improved the mass transfer into solvent by 14% when compared to high-pressure processing and by 7% when compared to sonication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starting from the influencing parameters of threshing and separation and implicit seed losses that occur within this process, this paper searched for and identified the optimal threshing regimes to minimize losses depending on the process parameters. The evacuation losses (pev) depend on threshing rotor speed (n) and implicit rotor peripheral speed (vp), material feed speed (va), the space between the rotor and counter-rotor (δ), material feed flow (Q), material density (ρ), and the length of the threshing apparatus (L). As the parameters ρ and L are constant, the variation of losses in relation to each of the arguments was followed: vp, Q, ρ, and va, respectively, for the minimization of losses by the variation of the loss function by two arguments each (represented graphically); the four arguments targeted being: vp, va, ρ, and Q. Using these input parameters, it was possible to determine the optimal threshing regimes for the variation of losses in relation to the rotor peripheral speed, the feed flow, the space between the rotor and the counter-rotor, and the feed speed, so as to obtain a seed separation percentage (Ss) as close as possible to 100% (and implicitly the smallest threshing losses—towards zero) in relation to these parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Productivity in viticultural practices is highly dependent on seasonal availability of rainfall and the efficiency of soil and water conservation strategies. Sustainable water consumption has been regarded as a business, social, and environmental responsibility, since resource availability becomes more challenging. The present research evaluates a new agricultural equipment design, employed in furrow compartmentalization works, with the aim of improving the efficiency of rainwater storage in the soil, reducing the runoff and the erosion on sloping soils. The newly developed equipment operates on the basis of a rigid memory and employs the cam-tappet mechanism, known for its high customization potential. The system functionality has been improved by integrating enhanced hoe shapes, adapted for the demanding working conditions encountered in vineyards. The evaluated performance indicators showed an increased up to 7% of the water storage effectiveness, while the micro-basins construction performance improved by 10%. The furrow diking phase is integrated into the weeding works, and recorded low additional fuel consumption of only 3–5%, being appreciated by farmers due to its constructive simplicity. As a result, the equipment has shown a significant application potential to increase deep water storage in vineyards and reduce the negative impacts of climate change on agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent agricultural research aims to identify novel applications for plant extracts as efficient defenses against weeds, insects, or phytopathogenic agents. The main goal of the present study was to evaluate two new varieties of basil (Ocimum basilicum L., fam. Lamiaceae), Yellow basil, "Aromat de Buzau" variety and Red-violet basil, "Serafim" variety. The basil varieties were studied under different aspects regarding biochemical characterization using GC-MS, antioxidant activity evaluated under three methods (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP), and antimicrobial properties (for three G-bacteria: Perctobacterium carotovorum, Pseudomonas marginalis, Pseudomonas syringae and three phytopathogenic fungi: Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Botrytis cinerea). The results showed that linalool (39.28%; 55.51%), estragole (31.48%; 9.78%), and eugenol (5.42%; 7.63%) are the main compounds identified in the extracts, validating the high antioxidant activity of the studied essential oils and floral waters. When applied in high concentrations, essential oils have shown a potential bactericidal effect on P. carotovorum as well as a potential fungicidal effect on R. solani and B. cinerea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inadequate production practices are widely used in aquaculture management, causing excessive water and energy usage, as well as ecological damage. New approaches to sustainable aquaculture attempt to increase production efficiency, while reducing the quantities generated of wastewater and sludge. The sustainable operating techniques are often ineffective, expensive, and difficult to implement. The present article proposes a zero-waste production system, designed for growing fish and vegetables, using a new circular operational concept that creates synergies between fish farming and horticulture. In order to optimize the operational flows with resources, products, and wastes in an integrated zero-waste food production cluster, a business model was designed associating three ecological production practices: a closed fishing pond, a technology for growing vegetables in straw bales, and a composting system. The design had the role to assist the transition toward multiple circular material flows, where the waste can be fully reintegrated into the production processes. A comparative evaluation was conducted in three alternative growing environments, namely, a soilless culture established in straw bales, a culture grown in soil that had received compost fertilizer, and the conventional farming technique. When compared to conventional methods, experiments showed a significant increase in the cluster's cumulative productivity, resulting in a 12% improvement in energy efficiency, 18% increase in food production, and 25% decrease in operating expenses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water is the primary limiting factor in dryland crop production, therefore emerging approaches for preserving rainwater to be more accessible to plants, for extended periods of time, can significantly improve agricultural system efficiency. Furrow diking, a method involving compartmentalizing micro-basins to increase infiltration and soil water storage is one of the most promising water conservation solutions, particularly for sloping terrain. Moreover, furrow diking is associated with water conservation practices and regenerative agriculture as adaptive to dryland crop production. The present research study aims at improving the process of building soil compartmentalized segments using furrow diking technology, by designing and testing optimal geometries for the active soil modeling component. Three new constructive designs of a furrow diking active subassembly were built and tested in comparison with the standard version. In accordance with the considered quality indicators, the most efficient constructive shape was the curved rotor blade due to the higher volume of managed soil and fewer soil losses. Furthermore, the technology applied on three non-irrigated sunflower experimental crops grown on sloping land showed very good effectiveness with respect to the studied climatic and pedological conditions in southern Romania. When compared with non-compartmentalized crops, the most efficient rotor geometry design increased seed production by 11–13%. Water storage efficiency contributed the most to the yield increase, with moisture retention from the root zone improving by an average of 20%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Walnut is a species that can be grown in a temperate climate, has a fruit with a high content of essential nutrients, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and amino acids, necessary to maintain human health and can be consumed both fresh and after processing or maturation. In order to obtain the walnut kernel for direct consumption, the walnut must pass through a whole processing flux. After harvesting, which can be done both manually or using mechanized means, the walnut kernel must be cleaned of both the green coating and the shell. First apply the process of washing and cleaning of impurities and green peel, calibration of nuts, then enter the process of splitting walnuts, separating them, sizing walnut kernels into fractions, cleaning the core of dust and various foreign particles. The last steps can be, drying, packing or storing them depending on how we intend to preserve the nuts (with box or just the core) and market requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the recent rise in the price of energy and grains, purchasing high-quality pelletized food has caused significant challenges for small and medium-sized fishing farms. The present article aims to assist breeders and farmers with limited financial resources in producing high quality feed by providing in detail the design and performance of a wet pelletizing equipment. The proposed pelletizing technology demonstrated high efficiency in use, reduced operating expenses, and a high productivity. Four different feed mixes were processed using the pelleting equipment, functioning with a 5 mm die. The experimental results indicated a maximum processing rate of 100 kg/h at an average pelletizing efficiency of 91.5%. The total pelletizing capacity of 0.8 - 1 tons per day is sufficient to provide feed for a medium-sized fishing farm, reducing dependence on the feed market and allowing for a simple nutritional mix customization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poultry processing industry is one of the most rapidly growing sectors from food industry chain, with large quantities of waste generated every year. Worldwide there were generated over 10 million tons of poultry residues eliminated in present by incineration. Chicken feathers as poultry processing industry waste represents a source of pollution for air, water and soil affecting also human health and the quality of environment. This paper presents the poultry processing industry waste to assess their potential as renewable energy source. The High Heating Value of chicken feathers is 26000 kJ/kg (dry basis) which recommends them as an energy source. Based on the experimental results, the paper proposes some waste to energy conversion solutions for energetic potential recovery of poultry processing industry waste using thermo-chemical processes. Net electric output generation for a poultry processing unit (86 t/day waste) using some energy conversion solutions can reach 4 MW for completely dried product. This solution is an alternative to incineration allowing the poultry processing industry to become its own energy producer with positive impact on expenses with incineration process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proficiency testing (PT) and inter--laboratory comparison schemes (ILC) provide laboratories with a useful tool for increasing their testing and calibration standards. These two interlaboratory testing practices are often neglected since they are regarded just as a requirement to fulfill and not an approach for continuous development. Proficiency testing provides for an independent assessment of laboratory findings, in comparison to reference values or the performance of other laboratories. A positive evaluation is a confirmation of the laboratory ability to show high technical competence and provide credibility in the accuracy, reliability, and security of the test data it delivers. This paper aims to analyze Inter--laboratory testing practices, focusing on their benefits and their implementation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A wide range of novel waste management machinery have been researched recently, due to the growing interest in composting technologies. Applying novel processing technologies for organic wastes has 2 major benefits: size and volume reduction and production of a natural fertilizer that can improve the soil quality and reestablish the properties of the soil where is needed. Due to the generation in high quantities of the organic waste, a rapid, viable solution is needed. The goal of this study was to provide a proof of concept for an urban pre--composting equipment. The advantage of using a bioreactor for the decentralized organic waste treatment is the considerable reduction of the total volume of the waste, allowing a higher quantity of processed material, in safe working conditions for both the environment and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In research and development, demonstration of appropriate quality level is essential. Using an applicable international quality standard and official accreditation/certification is the best approach for laboratories to formally show their quality. A broad range of international and professional organizations recognize and encourage the use of certified reference materials (CRM) in analytical chemistry for quality control objectives. The production of certified reference materials (MRC) for cereals, used in the production of superior flour is generally an expensive and difficult operation. The present paper proposes a new subassembly model that is mounted inside the rotating sieves, in order to separate the grain seeds more effectively according to their size. The proposed subassembly has a high level of customization and adaptation for a wide variety of processes and types of seeds, and can be mounted in the form of a helical coil, a thresher or a harvester. In compared to other seed separation systems, wheat seed sorting equipment that uses cylindrical rotating sieves offers various benefits. Because a more intensive mixing of particles may be performed, cylindrical sorting equipment can be employed with great efficiency in circumstances where a more aggressive processing of the seeds is required. When compared to flat vibrating sieves, it has a relatively simple design, compact size, and low power consumption, as well as cheaper maintenance and repair costs and lower noise levels. The paper presents a new interior element design that can be adapted to rotating cylindrical sieves with the role of achieving a better separation of seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Establishment of walnut plantations can be a successful business in the medium and long period of time. In terms of planting technology, maintenance, harvesting and recovery of the walnut kernel, it is not needed for a considerable effort from both the financial and the labor force. Harvesting and peeling walnuts from the green cover can become one of the easiest stages in the exploitation of walnut plantations. In this context, existing walnut harvesting machines and equipment on the market can ensure and meet the farmer's requirements. Self-propelled, or towed walnut harvesters can also be used on sloping land. The existence of nut shakers makes it possible to shorten the harvesting period and increase the harvesting efficiency for large plantation areas. The harvesting period of walnuts differs from one variety to another and even from one tree to another. It can be considered that even at the level of a tree the nuts have different harvesting phases (nuts usually have a massive crown), depending on their position. Depending on the variety that has been planted, and the geographical position of the walnut culture, distinguishes three categories of walnut ripening periods - early, semi-early and late. If the harvesting and preservation of walnuts is done in strict compliance with the harvesting technologies and their preservation, can last for years without losing the taste qualities. Due to the very high demand on the market, the development of a walnut plantation business on large areas can become very attractive. Considering that young walnuts have the crown formed without the intervention of the human factor, we have new evidence that walnut plantations are easy to maintain compared to other types of plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a series of experimental studies on the use of an oleic extract, produced by steam separation utilizing a prototype distillation equipment. The separation process is performed with the use of wet saturated steam under pressure, using as raw material twigs and buds of dwarf silver fir. Since the volatile extracts of aromatic plants do not bring a direct nutritional contribution to the seeds subjected to germination, the germination increase and the root growth of the plants can be obtained only from the exercise of the anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and insect-repellent effect. The use of essential oils in the protection of seeds and rhizosphere is an ecological method because it does not negatively affect the number and frequency of species of useful microorganisms. The nutritional relationship that is established between the seeds treated with volatile oils and the germination bed can be influenced by the changing proportions of microbial populations with beneficial effects on productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The constant pressure to increase food, fiber, and fuel production in order to meet the increasing global demand and prevent malnutrition has put significant pressure on soil resources. Minimal attention to soil protection and conservation, inadequately aggressive management, as well as climate change have resulted in abandoned, degraded, and the expansion of agricultural marginal areas with major agricultural limitations. Agricultural production on degrading land necessitates increasing amounts of chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides with a negative longterm effect. In recent years, many activities have been proposed to improve soil characteristics starting with the change of cultivation methods, grazing, mulching, composting, soil conservation, green manuring, soil remineralization, however no clear strategies are known to integrate all these measures in a unitary way. which helps farmers to restore degraded soils, while obtaining high yields in organic farming. To reverse these trends, fundamental adjustments in productive systems are required, including the implementation of sustainable natural resource management. Our study proposes a strategy that successfully integrates several soil regeneration techniques, as well as design new planning that allow farmers to benefit from the services offered by agroecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to identify new mathematical models and strategies that can characterize the behavior of pollutants accumulating in the soil over time, considering the special characteristics of these chemicals that cannot be degraded or destroyed easily. The paper proposes a statistical model for assessing the accumulation of Zn in the lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), based on three indicators that characterize the development of lettuce plants over time. The experimental data can be used to obtain interpolated variations of the mass increase functions and to determine several functions that express the time dependence of heavy metal accumulation in the plant. The resulting interpolation functions have multiple applications, being useful in generating predictions for plant growth parameters when they are grown in contaminated environments, determining whether pollutant concentrations may be hazardous for human health, and may be used to verify and validate dynamic mathematical contamination models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent technological development aimed on increasing performances of electrochemical energy storage systems and the new advances of electric motors have created new opportunities for electrical equipment manufacturers in terms of autonomy, performance and stability over time. The development of electric vehicles reported a strong expansion lately, however, electric farm tractors operating in off-road environment are not yet considered interesting for the large equipment manufacturers, due to their high-power operation needs and the small capacity that energy storage systems may offer. One interesting research direction is assessing the opportunity of charging batteries directly in the field, using photovoltaic sources, located close to the land to be processed. In order to address to this important electric vehicle limitation, new technology is needed which will allow the batteries to be charged during the operation of the vehicle, or to recharge near the area to be tilled. Some models are equipped with replaceable battery pack, which can be easily sent on charging and replaced with a new fully charged pack. The present paper examines the ground area requirements for the installation of a photovoltaic station, designed to charge a prototype tractor model, produced by INMA Bucharest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotary seed sorters used for wheat processing show some functional advantages in eliminating persistent contaminants, especially due to the more aggressive treatment applied to the processed material. The objective of this paper was to design a new constructive subassembly that would increase the performance of rotary sorters used for extracting various contaminants from seeds. By testing a pilot stand that reproduces the operation of a professional equipment and developing mathematical models that fits the main operating parameters, it was possible to identify the new characteristics needed to improve cylindrical sieves and to optimize the functioning of this equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food waste generation is increasing at an exponential rate, affecting the environment, food security, and causing major economic issues worldwide. The main aim of the current research is to investigate a novel composting technology that is still in its early stages of development. The proposed composting technology combining thermophilic composting with the use of advanced automated processing reactors. Starting from a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the waste generated at retail-stores, the most significant difficulties associated to waste management as well as the main characteristics of the discarded waste were identified. The findings allowed to design and evaluate the real operating performance of an automated thermophilic composting prototype (working in a decentralized regime), with the goal of delivering a faster processing system, improving operational efficiency, reducing expenses, and lowering environmental impacts. The proposed operating technique showed a high capacity for pathogens and seeds removal, the waste input mass reduction of 88%, and efficiency in food processing (2235 kg of fruits and vegetables in a 14-days timeframe). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New global directions align agricultural land resources towards food production; therefore, marginal lands could provide opportunities for second-generation energy crops, assuming that in the difficult conditions of plant development, productivity can be maintained at relatively high levels. Sustainable bioenergy production on marginal lands represents an ambitious objective, offering high-quality biofuels without competing with the agri-food industry, since it allows successful feedstock production to be performed on unmanaged areas. However, marginal land feedstock production generally shows several agronomic, techno-economic, and methodological challenges, leading to decreases in the obtained quantities of biomass and profitability. Sweet Sorghum is a technical plant that has the needed qualities to produce large amounts of biofuels on marginal lands. It is a high biomass- and sugar-yielding crop, characterized by a high photosynthetic efficiency and low fertilizer requirement, is resistant to drought, and adapts well to different climate areas. Marginal lands and contaminated soils provide a favorable development environment for plants such as sweet sorghum; however, in-depth research studies on biomass productivity must be carried out, as well as advanced quality evaluation of the products, in order to develop combined technologies that use resources efficiently. The present study starts with a comparative evaluation of two sweet sorghum crops established on both marginal and regular lands, assessing plant development characteristics and juice production, and an evaluation of bioethanol generation potential. The vegetal wastes resulting from the processing were treated by pyrolysis, with the aim of maximizing the productivity of high-quality liquid biofuels and chemicals. The charcoal obtained in the thermal processes was considered as an amendment of the soil so that marginal land quality could be improved over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]