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Athalia rosae larvae attack can lead to complete defoliation of the plant leaving untouched the main veins. Knowing these aspects, in the western part of Romania, research was carried out aiming to reduce the population of Athalia rosae using acetamiprid applied in four doses (0.04 kg/ha; 0.06 kg/ha; 0.08 kg/ha ; 0.1 kg/ha). The effectiveness of the treatments in respect of larval population reduction was determined at 3, 6 and 9 days after application. At the time of treatments spraying, the population level of Athalia rosea showed close and statistically undifferentiated values, between 0.23 and 0.4 larvae/plant. It was observed that, both, the period and the treatment, had a real influence on the number of larvae during the study. Six days after the treatment, the number of larvae was significantly reduced, followed by a increases in the next period. During the study, the treatment applied at 0.08 kg/ha exerted the highest efficiency in terms of Athalia rosea larvae control, registering values of 95.70 and 90.18% after six and nine days after application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficiency of the autumn wheat crop requires the application of some general technologies, but improved with innovative and specific technological sequences, depending on the evolution of the vegetation cycle and the expected production components. The researches were performed during the 2020-2022, in the experimental field of NARDI Fundulea and aimed to study the influence of agrotechnical practices on the yields and quality of wheat. The paper presents the results obtained in experiences with sowing dates and plant density, under non-irrigation condition, in the south of the country. Recording a stable and high production of autumn wheat is possible if a good sowing quality is ensured and the optimal sowing interval and plant density per m2 are observed. The variability of individual productivity of wheat plants can increase with the delay of the sowing date by up to 10-20% for the number of grains/plant and between 10-25% for the weight of grains/plant, and these lead to a decrease for production per hectare with 1000-3000 kg/ha. The variation of climatic conditions influenced negatively wheat yield and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide abiotic stress factors such as excessive temperature, precipitation, drought, salinity, soil pH, greenhouse gases, ultraviolet (UVB) radiation, and air pollution pose a persistent threat to both diseases and plants affecting hostpathogen relationship depending on geographical and temporal distribution of inoculum amount and cultivars susceptibility. Leaf rust of rye, which is caused by Puccinia recondita f. sp. secalis (Roberge ex. Desmaz) has become one of the most important limiting factors for rye production in Central and Eastern Europe. During 2020-2021 growing season, a plant-pathogen interaction profile was observed on four rye genotypes in a randomized complete block design with three replications in dry area from Research and Development Station for Plant Culture on Sands Dăbuleni in south of Romania. Adult plant partial resistance was assessed through host response and epidemiological parameters as final rust severity (FRS), area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), relative area under the disease progress curve (rAUDPC), coefficient of infection (CI) and infection rate (IR). The response of rye genotypes to leaf rust included different variation in resistance reaction ranging from moderately resistant to very susceptible. A negative and highly significant correlation of AUDPC with grain yield (r = -0.9222***) was found during 2020-2021 cropping season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to present alternative against the pathogen Pyrenophora teres (anamorph Drechslera teres) which parasitizes barley crop in western parts of Romania even beginning with late autumn period, observing the evolution and symptoms spreading of this fungus. Across the world, Pyrenophora teres causing the net blotch of barley is regarded as the major foliar disease in Hordeum vulgare L. Throughout its two form of Phyrenophora teres, however different from genetical point of view, P. teres f. sp. maculata and P. teres f. sp. teres causes economic losses by reducing yield and grain quality and poor emergence in area with a high biological pressure of the pathogen. The trial extends for two years (2019-2020, 2020-2021) in the same area of cropping (monoculture system) using same seed treatment list and following the seed-borne cereal fungi assessment protocol [(EPPO 1/19 (4)]. Trial setup consisted in complete randomized blocks, 6 treatments like fludioxinil, fluxapyroxad and mixture, every plot measuring 10 m2 and observations performed an al plants/1 m in length sample. When treated with two active ingredients the result obtained exerts an efficacy up to 98%, maintained in both trial years compared with the untreated plots where the pathogen was well established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fire blight (FB) caused by Erwinia amylovora, is a bacterial plant disease that poses a significant threat to pome fruit production worldwide. It can cause extensive losses in fruit yields, damage orchards and lead to trade restrictions on fruit exports. Fire Blight (FB) can also affect the longevity and productivity of fruit trees, further exacerbating the economic burden on growers and increasing management expenses. Because Erwinia amylovora is a regulated pest in most countries of the EPPO region its phytosanitary monitoring is mandatory in order to prevent the disease extension and new outbreaks. The inspections were required during the growing season (from after flowering until late summer), when the signs were obvious to find the disease. Thus, during 2022 a phytosanitary monitoring plan of Fire Blight was organized by Phytosanitary Office from Dolj County, Romania and the results emphasized that the apple area infected with Erwinia amylovora represents 3.85% from the total apple trees area (1,558 ha), 27% from the total surface of pear trees (36 ha) and 100 % for quince trees (2 ha). Comparatively with the results of Fire Blight monitoring realized previous year (2021), in 2022 was identified one new outbreak, but only for apple trees. Also, among all assessed trees (348) 260 trees include Malus domestica (apple). Among the measures applied for Fire Blight control the most effective were reducing the bacterial inoculum by manual removal of infected shoots and even uprooting of trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to climate change and human activity, biotic constrainers are anticipated to expand to regions where they were previously irrelevant. This will present new management challenges for crops, particularly in cropping systems dependent on minor cereals diversification. In Central and Eastern Europe, Secale cereale is a minor cereal that contributes to the diversity of crop species, particularly in marginal areas where wheat cultivation is unfavourable. During 2020-2021, using different chemical and biological pesticide formulations, a plant-pest-pathogen interaction profile was observed on Suceveana rye genotype in a randomized complete block design with three replications in dry area from South of Romania. The best protection against leaf rust (Puccinia recondita f. sp. secalis) was provided by Poliversum (Pythium oligandrum M1, 1×10.000.000 oospors/g product) for the 1st assessment - attack degree = 0.65% and for the 2nd assessment - attack degree = 1.42%, while against pests was provided by Bioinsekt and deltametrin (0.75 ml/ha). Negative and significant correlation of leaf rust attack with grain yield (r =-0.8561***) and pests attack with grain yield (r =-0.8631***) were found during 2020-2021 cropping season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Romanian agricultural production, autumn rape is in present an indispensable component of crop rotations because helps to maintain soil fertility and contributes to sustainable production therefore. Behavior against fungal diseases and insect pests for modern rape varieties represents an essential agronomic property. Rape pest and disease control is a priority to minimize quantitative and qualitative production losses. In plant protection, fungicides and insecticides must to be used only when is necessary and at optimal times and doses. The notations were made during the vegetation period of 2020, 2021 and 2022. Both fungicides applied (125 g/l azoxistrobin + 125 g/l difenoconazol and 125g/l fluopiram + 125 g/l protioconazol) showed high efficacy against alternaria, black leg and powdery mildew, and in the variants where both fungicides were applied, the highest efficacy was 98.8% against black leg and 98.9% anti powdery-mildew. The effectiveness of the two insecticides applied (240 g/l tiacloprid and 5% lambda-cihalotrin) varied between 87.2 and 97.3 against Ceutorhynchus napi, C. assimilis, Phyllotreta atra, Ph. nemorum and Brevicoryne brassicae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of the relationship between the crop plant and the technological measures is very important for establishing the best management to increase the yield, to preserve water in the soil and to reduce weed pressure. This article emphasizes the influence of tillage systems: conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT) and no-tillage (NT) on soil moisture, weed control and maize yield over three years (2020-2022) on a chernozem soil type at NARDI Fundulea, Romania. Determinations of soil moisture contributed to the climatic characterization of the agricultural year and supplied yearly reference data. In 2022, very low soil moisture values were recorded, being differentiated by the tillage system, leading to a minimum value of only 15.0% (517.5 m3 ha-1) for the CT system with spring plowing, a maximum of 19.4% (640.2 m3 ha-1) in the NT system and intermediate values in the MT system with 15.8% (564.9 m3 ha-1) for chisel variant. The structure of the weeds present in the maize crop was 36% monocotyledonous and 64% dicotyledonous. The best weeds management does not involve their eradication, but keeping them under economic threshold using technological measures, such as soil tillage systems. Statistical analyzes showed significant effects of all soil tillage on maize yield and of their interactions with other technological measures. The three-year average results showed that the highest yields were recorded with MT (4.51 t ha-1), while the averages for CT and NT were lower (4.81 t ha-1 and, respectively, 3.38 t ha-1). The application of technological measures in accordance with the climate forecast led to an increase in the chances that maize crop will go well through the vegetation period and give high and stable yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium graminearum (Fusarium Head Blight - FHB) is a dangerous pathogen of the cereals producing mycotoxins harmful for human and animal health. The quality of the wheat grains is severely affected in the years with FHB epidemics due to the high mycotoxins level that can overpass maximum allowable concentrations, with implications for food safety. The purpose of the work was to investigate some variables involved in the contamination of the wheat grains with several harmful mycotoxins (DON, ZON and T-2) in conditions of FHB natural infection in an epidemic year. The main finding of the results highlighted that the low ears densities of wheat crop canopy determinate high FHB attack frequency, too. Climate conditions from May 2019 were very favourable for the evolution of FHB epidemics in western Romania. This fact was confirmed by the experimental results of FHB attack, and later by the concentrations of mycotoxins (DON) over the maximum allowable concentrations from the wheat grains at the harvesting moment. The overpass of DON concentration was found in 15 from the total 16 wheat varieties from the experiment. Positive significant correlations were found between DON and T-2 and between DON and fungus attack intensity. According with the results, in FHB epidemic year some of the most influential factors in the contamination of the wheat grains with DON, ZON and T-2 in the order of their importance are: ears density, frequency of the attack on ear, number of diseased ears and attack intensity on ears. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phomopsis mali Roberts (Phomopsis fruit tree canker) is a fungus that infects the fruit tree trunks, branches and sprigs. There were described more than 60 species of Phomopsis. Every of the species is identified in general after the size of the conidia and after the host from which was isolated, the precise identification being sometimes difficult. Phomopsis is a fungus that can produce serious damages in production because it affects the fruitful sprigs. On the other hand, in case of massive attacks it can lead to the fruit trees decline. In the young orchards cultivated in ecologic super-intensive system, the young trees can die in the case of severe infections. The purpose of this research was to identify the Phomopsis fungus in an ecologic super-intensive apple orchard from Arad County (western Romania), in the first two years after the plantation. The biological material used was consisting in six samples sets (sprigs, stems, branches and roots) collected from four apple varieties (Primiera/M9, Crimson Crisp/M9, Golden Orange/M9 and GoldRush/M9). The identification of the disease and of the pathogen was done using visual and laboratory methods. In laboratory was identified the fungus with the humid chamber method and by placement of diseased tissue samples on culture medium followed by incubation at 23 - 24oC for seven days. The branches, sprigs and stems were analysed at stereomicroscope too. Under the cracked bark were identified numerous pycnidia of black colour and pear shaped, specific to the Phomopsis mali fungus. There were noticed young and old fructifications, the old ones were from the previous year or even from the precedent years. The obtained results after the visual analysis of the trees in the orchard and after the laboratory analyses highlighted the presence of the fungus Phomopsis mali. There were highlighted at the microscope the alpha and beta conidia, typical for this fungus. In the orchard all the trees were presenting symptoms specific to the Phomopsis fruit tree canker. The trees covered with numerous canker lesions were died. At the assessment time the dead trees rate on varieties was the following: Primiera – 16.5%, Crimson Crisp – 1.7%, Golden Orange – 16.1%, and Gold Rush – 17.2%. From all the analysed apple varieties only Crimson Crisp had reacted well to the attack of the Phomopsis mali fungus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present overview aims to statistically enlighten the similarities and differences of the agricultural sector between Romania and Turkey. Our overview uses official statistical data from the year 2021 to compare the agricultural sector of Romania and Turkey. The data of this study were collected from the National Institute of Statistics of Romania (NSI Romania) and from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK). Also, Turkey is one of the largest wide-range agricultural product producers worldwide, with a 5.54 percent share of total gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021. In Romania, the share of the agricultural sector in 2021 was 4.4. Arable land represents 64.22% from the total agricultural land in Romania and 52.20% in Turkey; this fact highlighting the agricultural specificity of each of the analysed countries. The structure of the agricultural production is very different in the analysed countries, because the greatest productions in Romania are obtained by the cereals for grain and green fodder cultivated in arable land, while in Turkey the most important from the perspective of the production are fruits, nuts and vegetables. Turkey has a very divert range of vegetable crops, dominated from far by tomatoes, while in Romania cabbage and tomatoes are the greatest production. The sector of fruits and nuts in Turkey is represented by a great range of species, from those citrus fruits have the greatest production. In Romania, the greatest fruit production is given by grapes. Regarding the animal breeding, Romania has the greatest number of poultry, while in Turkey sheep are dominant. The greatest animal production in Romania was obtained in poultry sector and in Turkey in the raw milk. The latest available data on agricultural sector of Romanian and Turkey shows that both agricultural sectors are complementary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular techniques require isolation of genomic DNA of suitable purity. High-quality genomic DNA is one of the major requirements for sharp band amplicons in a polymerase chain reaction for molecular detection of viruses on okra. The presence of mucilaginous acidic polysaccharides, polyphenols, and different secondary metabolites in okra leaves interfere with this process to a large extent as it makes DNA unmanageable in pipetting and inhibit Taq DNA polymerase activity. In this study, we reviewed improved and reliable extraction protocols which are efficient for highly purity DNA isolation from okra leaves, flowers and seeds. Several procedures have been adopted in recent years such as the modifications of conventional CTAB; increase the volume of DNA extracting buffer (1.5ml/sample), decrease sample volume (50-60 mg), higher salt concentration (5M NaCl), use of polyvinylpolypyrrolidone, omission of chloroform. Other procedures employed high concentration of Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and Potassium Chloride (KCl). The yield and quality of the isolated DNA was free of contaminants, suitable for further genomic analysis through PCR, RAPD, and high-throughput DNA isolation. These modified methods are very easy to conduct, do not necessarily require liquid nitrogen, use of cost-effective laboratory materials and can be carried out within a short period of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trifolium repens (white trefoil) is an important perennial leguminous species from permanent and artificial pastures. White trefoil is usually cultivated in mixture with a grass species, respectively Lolium perenne because they are forming together a balanced source of forage from nutritional point of view. The research analyses the variation of the seasonal growth of Trifolium repens and Lolium perenne in pure stands and as mixture in the conditions of grazing with sheep and cutting. The research was performed at Research and Development Station for Sheep and Goats Breeding Caransebeș on an albic luvisol, pseudo-gleyic, low acid, moderate provisioned with phosphorus and potassium. The formation, growth and development of Trifolium repens stolons was assessed at every grazing cycle and after every cut. Also, there was assessed the plant height before every cutting or grazing cycle. The experimental factors considered were exploitation mode (cutting, grazing 2 LU/ha and 4 LU / ha) and distance between rows at seeding (12.5 and 25 cm). The assessed features for Trifolium repens were: length of the stolons per plant, number of nodes per stolon and the distance between two nodes per 10 plants from each replicate. Distance between rows hasn’t been influenced by the analysed stolons features. Also, once with the increase of the nodes number decreases the length of an internode, these two features of the stolons being corelated negatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jerusalem artichoke grows underground tubers that store fructans, primarily inulin, which are considered as prebiotics and functional dietary fibre with positive physiological benefits on human health. The aim of this study was to assess the yield and nutritional quality of Jerusalem artichoke tubers according to different cropping systems on dry sandy soils from Southern Romania. The experiments were carried out during 2018-2020 at the Research and Development Station for Plant Culture on Sands Dăbuleni, using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experimental combined factors applied were fertilization with plants density (5×2). After the tubers were harvested, their quality was evaluated using standard methods. The results suggest that Jerusalem artichoke crop has minimal requirements for fertilization and tolerates very well high plants density without affecting significantly the yield and the nutritional features analysed, respectively the contents in total dry matter, soluble dry matter, inulin, soluble carbo-hydrates and C vitamin. A significant positive correlation was determined between the soluble dry matter and soluble carbohydrates content. The assessed biochemical compounds displayed high values in both fertilized and unfertilized conditions and in both densities, showing that Jerusalem artichoke is a perennial crop with multifunctional high growing potential in marginal terrains usually improper for the conventional crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the report is to analyse the main agricultural activities that are important in the rural economic context of Kenya. A critical aspect to note is that the most popular agricultural activities differ in the country due to different soil and climatic conditions. Also, the traditional agricultural practices are focused on local consumption and local markets, this being the most dominant type of agriculture in Kenya. In the highland areas are tea and coffee plantations which are designated mainly for export. The cereals (maize, sugarcane, rice, wheat) are the main agricultural crops followed by vegetables (eg. kale, spinach, cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower), potato and cassava. They are primarily produced for the satisfaction of the national demands. Fishing is an important branch of agriculture for the population's needs, Lake Victoria being the main source of fish. From an agricultural perspective, man-made fishing ponds supply the local market with fish, mostly in the central part of the country. Poultry and dairy farming are also important sections of the agricultural sector whereby the former is part of the base of the nation’s food industry while the latter is based on forage crops that support the animals that produce milk, primarily for national consumption. Pastoralism is an activity that supports the people's livelihood in areas rich in permanent grasslands. The most popular animals that feed directly on grasslands are cows, goats, and camels. Furthermore, the coastal area of the country is defined by a small-scale farm production of coconut and palm oil for the local market. Other popular crops designated mostly for export are cut vegetables, aloe vera, hemp, avocado, bananas, mango, pineapple, watermelon, spices (cinnamon, cloves, black pepper), beans, hibiscus, and oranges. Kenya offers a wide range of conditions for numerous agricultural activities, an aspect that makes its rural economy diverse and rich. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this work is to report the presence of the new pest, Lasioptera tomaticola (Yukawa et Harris) in tomato and cucumber crops from the southwest and western of Romania. In the last three years (2020-2022) the tomato and cucumber crops in Dolj and Timiș counties were invaded by the new pest, known as Lasioptera tomaticola (Mediterranean tomato weevil), classified in Class Insecta, Order Diptera, Family Cecidomyiidae, Subfamily Cecidomyiinae, Supertribe: Lasiopteridae, Tribe: Lasiopterini, Genus: Lasioptera. The origin of the species is uncertain, however studies carried out to date attribute it to the Palearctic ecozone as its place of origin. So far, the species has been reported on two continents: Asia and Europe (Japan, Turkey, Greece and Romania). The species was reported for the first time in 2001, in Greece. In Romania, the first signs of the attack, produced by the Mediterranean tomato fly, were observed in 2011 by Mirela Cean. Lasioptera tomaticola (Mediterranean tomato weevil) attacks plants belonging to the family Solanaceae (such as Solanum lycopersicum) and Cucurbitaceae (Cucumis sativus). Observations carried out on the territory of Romania, in the three years (2020-2022), highlighted the presence of the species on tomato and cucumber plants in protected areas. Damage caused by Lasioptera tomaticola (Mediterranean tomato weevil) is manifested by quality deterioration and reduced production. The attack produced by Lasioptera tomaticola is manifested by the appearance of necrosis on the stem, shoots, petiole, peduncle (at the point of insertion of the fruit) and on the fruit (under the receptacle). Attacked plants stagnate in growth, wilt and dry out. The stems breaks. We believe that it is necessary to study this species in Romania, to establish its distribution, biology, ecology, host plants, the damage produced as well as to investigate control methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]