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Soil and water resources represent some of the great wealth with which nature has endowed our planet. The purpose of the paper is the study of these resources (soil and water), from Zăvoi commune, Caraș Severin county, considering the recent climate changes, which tend to negatively influence this area as well, with repercussions on the entire evolution plant development. The health of the soil and the purity of the water are essential to be able to talk about the quality of life, environmental factors (soil, water, climate, air, etc.) can influence the well-being and health of people. For the preparation of the paper, data obtained both from observations in the field and data taken from previous researches, including OSPA Caraș Severin, were used. The town of Zăvoi has a total area of 39600 ha, of which 53.66% (21249 ha) are agricultural land and 43.30%, i.e. 17145 ha, is forest. The diversity of the relief units made the area divided: the area of the hills, where luvosol and eutricambosol soils are found and which offer the possibility of a more varied agriculture and obtaining large productions; the hilly floor, which includes a mixed agricultural area, thanks to various soils, represented by regosols, lithosols, districambosols, prepodzols and antrosols, here the largest area of land is forested and the meadow area, where we find alluvial soils, along with stagnosols and gleosols, the most common being soils with excess phreatic moisture and requiring drainage improvement works. In this area, a number of plants are cultivated such as: wheat, corn, sunflower, oats, orzoaica, up to vegetables, potatoes and beets. The general capacity of these soils in terms of agricultural production capacity is medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and variability have significant impacts on pastoral communities in Kenya. The effects include reduced livestock productivity, food insecurity, and increased conflicts over resources amongst other adverse effects. Examining such effects makes it possible to suggest adaptive and sustainable practices that can be used to improve the conditions of Arid and semi-arid areas in Kenya where majority of the pastoral communities live. The goal of this paper is to review the effects of climate change and variability on pastoral communities in Kenya. The study employs a desk review of recent journal articles that have comprehensively documented the research topic. As per the research findings, pastoral communities in Kenya face significant challenges due to climate change and variability. They have, however, used a variety of adaptation strategies, such as diversifying their sources of income, managing resources as a group, and using new technologies. The use of secondary sources of information and the potential biases in the selection of journal articles are the study's shortcomings. The study has generated relevant knowledge that policymakers and development agencies can use in designing climate change adaptation and mitigation interventions that are responsive to the specific needs and circumstances of pastoral communities in Kenya, Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the conditions of global climate change, when the distribution of precipitation is constantly changing, and the intensity with which it occurs, increasingly affects the flow of water into rivers. Watercourses, if not arranged and left to nature, affect human settlements through the destructive effect of water. Floods can lead to human and animal losses, make people sick and leave residents homeless. They can also affect the environment, infrastructure and property. Under these conditions, it is necessary to carry out flood defence works and they will be done only after an analysis of the risk of occurrence and the importance of the defended objectives. In this paper, the Mures hydrographic basin, Săvîrșin sector is analyzed, the evolution of precipitation, flow and water level in 2021-2022 is monitored. It was noted that the highest amounts of precipitation fell in 2022, of 173 mm, and the lowest of 22.1 mm in October 2021. The maximum flow rate was in May 2021, of 576 m³/s, and the minimum of 36 m³/s in October of the same year. The maximum water level was recorded was in May (277) and the minimum was recorded in October -22, both values in 2021. However, there were no flood problems in the Săvîrșin sector during the analyzed period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fig tree, Ficus carica L., 1753, is a woody species native to southwest Asia, common in the Mediterranean area. Although it sporadically appeared as a spontaneous plant in southern and southeastern Romania, it hardly survives the cold season. Therefore, in central and northern Romania it appeared mostly as a small shrub. This paper aims to signal the expansion of the species to the north, as a result of climate change in the region (Transylvania). Our studies are based on measuring and tracking the dynamics of stem diameter each winter for six years (2016 - 2021). The experimentally planted fig plants in Cluj - Napoca show an increase in the diameter of the stem in the last four years to a size that will allow them to withstand the frost of winter. Thus, from a creeping shrub (Ficus carica L., 1753), the plant begins to take on the appearance of a tree with erect stems. Measurement data are presented in the paper. Even if global warming is considered by some authors to be a fact, and by others a spontaneous geological trend and only with regional effects, we can say that, at the country level, climate warming is certain in Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper refers to the soils in Giarmata, Timiș County, the occupied areas and the way of use, presenting the main limiting factors and the classification in quality and fertility classes of the main agricultural crops in the current context of climatic changes. The objectives referred to: description and presentation of the soil and climatic conditions of the area; presentation of the main soil types in the Giamata area and description of those taken in the study; listing the main classes of quality, respectively fertility; determination of limiting factors and description of the processes taking place; description of soil types on which the research has been carried out; classification of land in quality classes according to the credit marks obtained for the main agricultural crops (maize, wheat, barley and sunflower) during 2021-2022. The studied material refers to the identification, presentation and description of the main types of soils identified in this area, namely: preluvosols, alluvials, chernozems, vertosols, pelosols, gleysols and stagnosols. Giarmata commune is located in the central-northern part of Timis County, at a distance of 11 km from Timişoara and 1.3 km from Timişoara International Airport. The locality is situated at an altitude between 100 and 150 m, with a weak fragmentation and low relief energy, occupying a total area of 7150 ha, of which 6292 ha represents agricultural land and 43.5 ha forest. The studies were carried out on 158 ha, divided into 5 plots, with areas between 22 and 43 ha. The main crops were maize (83 ha), wheat (44 ha), sunflower (20 ha and barley (8 ha). The lowest average temperature was recorded in February, 2021, namely -2.0°C. The absolute minimum temperature during the same period was -27.2°C on 16 February 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is the one of the most important priorities and economic activities in developing countries. Climate change, which is already affecting the society at a global level, has an impact on the increase in magnitude and frequency of severe weather events. As such, both agriculture and industry are affected by climate change and their revenues decrease, thus affecting the entire economic cycle. The aim of this paper is to present theoretical considerations regarding climate change induced severe weather events and to highlight some practical techniques used in operational meteorology in order to improve the forecast of severe weather events. By analysing the morphology and dynamics of thunderstorms, by applying the correct parametrization in weather forecast models, nowcasting and by issuing on time weather alerts, financial losses may be limited. Throughout this paper, the parametrization of convective cells will be described, operational forecasting techniques will be presented and the application of ingredient-based forecasting methodology will be discussed. Severe weather associated hazards like hail, heavy rainfall, damaging winds and even frost will be analysed in order to establish a local climatology of these phenomena. With the aid of Weather Surveillance Doppler Radar (WSDR) and by associating some instability convection indices with synoptic charts, the agriculture-related severe weather events can be identified and their formation pattern can be established. Further on, by establishing an analysis methodology and by compelling all available data, weather-related hazard maps are to be compelled and are to be used by agrometeorology forecasters in order to seek viable solutions. The Western part of Romania is characterized as having a moderatecontinental climate, with hot influences from the Southern part of Europe and with humid advections from the South-Western part of Europe. In combination with cold advections from the Northern Europe, both summer as well as winter specific agriculture-related severe weather events are present [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunflower is a plant of origin from North America, one of the four important cultures grown for oil, along with soy, rapeseed, and peanuts. The most common species is Helianthus annus L., which is cultivated all over the globe as an oil and ornamental plant. In Romania, it became the main oleaginous plant shortly, due to excellent conditions of culture. Climate change is occurring in Romania and is interacting with agroecological factors to increase biotic stress in sunflower. The uneven distribution of precipitation has increased the chances of infection with necrotrophic pathogens. The main objective of this paper was to study the dynamics of pathogens in the sunflower culture influenced by both the use of fertilizers and the genetic characteristics of the hybrids, correlated with the economic potential offered by pedo-climatic condition found in the Transylvania Plains area. Following the determinations made in the experimental field regarding the level of attack, we identified two pathogens (Diaporthe helianthi, respectively Plenodomus linquistii). We can say that the highest degree of attack was found in the case of Phomopsis stem canker, whit an average attack at 11.72 %. The second pathogen identified in the experimental field was noted, with a meager attack degree (below 2%). Of the six hybrids, the least susceptible to pathogen attack was the Adagio hybrid with 4.25% and the most sensitive Neoma hybrid with an attack degree of over 20%. Data analysis show that from hybrids sensitivity to the attack of pathogens point of view, they can be divided into three groups: Adagio and Klarika slightly sensitive, Gracia and Europe mean sensitive, Neoma and NHK 12MO10 with an above-average sensitivity. The main objective of this paper was to study the dynamics of pathogens in the sunflower culture influenced by both the use of fertilizers and the genetic characteristics of the hybrids, correlated with the economic potential offered by pedo-climatic condition found in the Transylvania Plains area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under current conditions marked by significant effects of changing climatic conditions due to global warming, first of all, the increase in the demand for agricultural products and the change of mentality regarding the way of interaction with nature, the specialists are looking for solutions for the full rethinking of performance agriculture. Given the growing demand for agricultural products and the global warming that is already making its presence felt, makes it increasingly difficult to produce them, it is important to find solutions for expanding cultivated areas, in an environmentally friendly way and respecting the concept of biodiversity, also ensuring the best development conditions for crops. In addition to new discoveries and technological innovations (equipment, seed varieties, fertilizers), the way to make an environmentally friendly agriculture is defining in the new thinking in the field. Finally, it is our duty to find solutions. The paper presents a method of approaching the problem of improving saline soils, present insular in a soil to be prepared by land improvement works, to be planted with hazelnuts. Land improvement works can also contribute to the improvement of saline-affected soils, through specific actions. The case study reveals the problems encountered that determined these works, their solution, the agrotechnology used (stages, equipment, materials) and the land improvement works executed as support, as well as the results, one and two years after the execution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, larger and larger areas of land within the Romanian Plain are affected by the desertification phenomenon (in various stages, up to real deserts with dunes, for example in the southwest of Dolj County). This phenomenon, resulting from a combination of factors, such as poor management of agricultural land, intensification of erosion (especially wind erosion) on the background of deforestation of protective belts installed in the 60s - 80s of last century, and with an increasing contribution of climate changes (reduction of precipitation in general, prolonged intervals with high temperatures and lack of precipitations, high and sudden variations of temperatures, etc.), since it affects the main agricultural area of the country, is able to threaten the food security of Romania. In this context, it is necessary to identify solutions that are as fast as possible and at the same time technically and economically viable for the reintroduction of these lands in the productive circuits. Based on these considerations, but also taking into account some present realities (related to abrupt rise of energy and fuel prices, as well as a much discussed and expected food crisis), in this paper we set out to analyze, at a conceptual level, the possibility and the opportunity to use the central pivot irrigation systems as the main solution within the complex of works necessary for the reintroduction of the lands affected by desertification in the agricultural productive circuits. Also, we specify that the present study was restricted to the southwestern part of the Romanaților Plain (subdivision of the Romanian Plain), located in Dolj County, without excluding the possibility for this solution to be adopted in other regions affected by desertification in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the conditions of the current climatic changes, the increase of temperatures during the summer periods is observed, respectively the accentuation of the drought, which leads to the necessity of irrigating the agricultural surfaces. This involves modernizing, expanding and increasing existing irrigation capacity. Most of the existing irrigation systems in Romania, due to their age and the accentuation of the drought, no longer meet the needs for obtaining a constant agricultural production, respectively an efficient agricultural production. This will be materialized by replacing the irrigation pipes with new pipes made of modern materials with lower roughness that ensure a higher transported flow, the replacement of hydrants and accessories as well as irrigation equipment. Increasing irrigation capacity leads to a substantial increase in water demand, which requires the replacement of existing pumps with new pumps with higher flows and high energy efficiency. This paper presents such a project for the modernization of an irrigation system composed of a pumping station, a network of underground pipes and irrigation equipment serving an area of 1245 ha. The proposed works will be limited to the improvement of the SPP44 pressure pumping station and irrigation system pipe replacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Romanian state faces the negative effects of drought, insufficient water reserves and poorly functioning, deficient irrigation systems. The absence or degree of degradation of irrigation infrastructure has caused about 48% of the total agricultural area ( 7.1 million in 2019 ) to be affected by these unfortunate phenomena. The most affected areas were the Romanian Plain, Southern Moldova and Dobrogea). Adapting agriculture to climate change, adapting the food production system and reducing its effects on agricultural production, mainly but also on other components of the environment and population, involves the rehabilitation of existing irrigation infrastructure and, in particular, the construction of new irrigation systems. The aim of the paper is to identify the most suitable solutions for the rehabilitation and modernization of the irrigation infrastructure, as a whole. For this, the refurbishment works done in the plot number 37 owned by the Irrigation Water Users Association from the Great Braila Island, have been inventoried. Based on these observations and measurements, the behavior of the exploitation and the technical and economic efficiency of irrigation and the recommendation of rehabilitation solutions for arrangements in areas with similar characteristics of the framework and socio-economic characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for food production, for a growing population, in sufficient quantities and of high quality, in the conditions of today's global climate changes represents an important challenge related to the necessity of rational management for water irrigation. In the case of the production of certified organic tomatoes, grown in the solariums, it is necessary to establish the correct water requirement administered by drip irrigation, the scheduling and warning of the waterings and the correct management of the soil moisture, in order to maximize the production. This paper proposes a simple but effective method of determining the water requirement, the scheduling and warning of watering and management of soil moisture, for the ecological culture of tomatoes grown in the solarium, in Husasau de Tinca, Bihor county, starting from the average air temperature, measured inside or outside the solarium. Potential evapotranspiration (ETP) determined with the help of air temperature using the Thornthwaite (ETP Th) and Blaney Criddle (ETP BC) relationships, have significant and distinctly significant correlative links with those measured inside the solarium using the Piche evaporimeter (ETP P) between 1999-2001. Knowing the water consumption of tomatoes grown in the solarium, for the period 1999- 2001, specific crop coefficients (Kc) were determined, starting from the ETP Th. For the two systems of culture and distribution of water: without mulching (WM) and the distribution of water at the plant with T type drips and respectively mulching with black foil (mbf) and the distribution of water with microtubes (capillary tubes), the Kc have close values, between 0.55 in September and 1.03 in the May and July months. The optimum real evapotranspiration (ETRO), which is similar to the water requirement of tomatoes, for the hottest vegetation period (April - September) recorded in 2018 (T med = 20.08 ˚C) is 7543.2 m³ha-1, for the WM variant and respectively of 7262.4 m³ha-1 in the MBF variant. The values of Water Utilisation Efficiency coefficient (WUE = 96.1 lkg-1) and the Efficiency of Consumed Water (ECW = 10.5 kg m-3) in the hottest growing season (2018) demonstrate the need to irrigate the organic tomatoes grown in the closed spaces and the superior utilization of water in MBF variant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the present paper is to present the dynamic of main foliar diseases of corn caused by the fungus Helminthosporium turcicum. The biologic material consists from an assortment of six corn hybrids. In the experimental field the technology used was the standard technology applied for this location area. The experience was implemented on the meadow soil and climatic conditions from Almajului Valley, near the town of Bozovici. Last three years bring a very significant change of the main climatic factors (temperature and rain water) with a direct influence in dynamic of majority of diseases caused by fungus and bacteria. Taking all this in consideration we try to reveal in the present paper the behavior of six from the most cultivated Dekalb corn hybrids from the western part of Romania, at the fungus Helminthosporium turcicum attack under the last three years climatic changes. The experience results were calculated after normal statistic method for experiences with three factors, where the first factor is the experimental year, the second factor was the hybrid and the third factor the nitrogen amount. The achievements bring by the present work consist from the authors experience in research of the corn diseases under climatic change and in technological conditions of intensive agriculture. Also it is interesting from the point of view of possible reactions of the pathogen relating to local biocoenosis factors. Limits of the research are that data refer strictly to the relation between hybrid, nitrogen amount and fungus Helminthosporium turcicum. Practical implications of the research are that all data presented in the present paper are a part of a complex study of corn diseases protection strategy. This strategy is important for the fungus Helminthosporium turcicum because it can be considered as endemic disease for corn in the western part of Romania. The originality of the work comes from the fact that data are relevant in view of corn hybrids behavior under specific conditions. The relevant data, experimental results give an overview of pathogen behavior in relation to experimental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper proposes to highlight the evolution of the generating factors of the cold wave, which from February 25 to March 2, expanded from the northern and northeast of the European continent and affected much of it, including the Romanian geographic space. After a relatively warm winter as thermal aspect, with an ephemeral snow cover in the low relief areas, the last decade of February and the beginning of March, it creates the classic pattern for a genuine winter episode in Romania. Its location in the contact area between an anti-cyclonic field centered on northern and northeastern Europe and a cyclone in the south-east of the continent will facilitate in the first phase the transport of cold air. Then another factor climatic risk, was of interest, namely the blizzard, with the classic area of manifestation in the south, southeastern and eastern Romania. The thermobaric coupling made in this way ensures severe weather conditions, but normal for the cold season. Besides these triggering factors, it is important to mention the risks induced and associated with this severe weather episode, causing damage to agricultural crops, communication routes, to society in general and to the entire environment, affecting the quality of life as a whole. Special attention will be given to another phenomenon, which followed the cold wave, namely the freezing rain. The practical applicability of the study carried out in operative activity, as well as its actuality, consists in the fact that it is a useful support material, referring to an issue as alarming, as normal for the temperate climate zone during the cold season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the current climate changes and the increasing anthropogenic stress, maintaining the quality of natural resources is increasingly stringent. Water, a vital yet limited in time and space natural resource, deserves more and more attention. To maintain water quality at accepted values, we need monitoring measures to reduce the impact of human activities on water resources. This paper presents a study of downstream Mures River water quality. Water was sampled in February, April, May, June, July, August and September 2016 in the Ilia Pod sector. Analyses show that water was slightly basic and that the water flow was fluctuating (it depends on the amount of precipitation in the river basin. As for the oxygen regime, it was good: it decreased only in July while biochemical and chemical consumption of oxygen increased in April, May and June, pointing to a water nutrient load. Nitrate, nitrite and total nitrogen content was higher, ranking the water in the 2nd quality class, unlike phosphorus content, whose values are very low. The impact of human activities on Mures River water quality was low, with values slightly above maximum admitted limits in nitrogen and oxygen regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]