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The landscapes and, implicitly, the surfaces of secondary grasslands in the mountain areas have been intensively modified and transformed by humans. In this context, this paper analyses the spatial and temporal changes of grassland surfaces following the impact of human population reduction. Thus, the study proposes the implementation of the Grassland Anthropic Impact Index (GAII) as a "measurement tool" to functionally link the two components, grassland surface and human population. The spatiotemporal analyses are based on Corine Land Cover data and demographic data, processed via Geographic Information Systems (GIS) methods and the Land Change Modeler (LCM) tool. The research shows that over a period of 28 years, the population, which was continuously decreasing, caused a series of transformations to the grasslands over an area of 33343 ha. The influence of the reduction in the number of inhabitants was also demonstrated by the direction of the changes produced in the grassland surfaces: in the better populated areas, the grasslands expanded over lands with other uses, and in the sparsely populated areas, they were abandoned. GAII values generally increase with the decrease of the population in the target area, meaning that for an inhabitant (potential user) a greater grassland surface is reported, resulting in a greater responsibility for the management of this resource on a space and time scale. Following the evaluation of the trend of the last 28 years, it was observed that the depopulation of mountain areas can be seen as a threat to grassland ecosystems, either through the transition to other categories of use, or through abandonment. The implications of these phenomena are much broader: they produce chain reactions and affect other components of the regional geosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study analyzed three genotypes of industrial hemp, Cannabis sativa L., under the aspect of fiber productivity indices in relation to plant parameters. The study took place in ARDS Lovrin, Romania. The genotypes Silvana (control), Teodora and Lv-300 were evaluated. The experiment took place under the conditions of a chernozem type soil, non-irrigated system. Several parameters and indexes were analyzed: total plant weight (TPW), stem length (SL), inflorescence length (IL), technical length (TL), middle stem diameter (MSD), dry sample weight (DSW), dry fiber content (DFC), pure fiber weight (PFW), and technical fiber (TF). The DFC index showed positive correlations with SL (r=0.708***), with MSD (r=0.712***), with DSW (r=0.739***), with TPW (r=0.546**), and with TL (r=0.399*). The PFW index showed negative correlations with TPW (r=-0.493**) and with DSW (r=- 0.373*). Technical fiber (TF) showed very strong, positive correlations with PFW (r=0.999***) and negative correlations with other parameters (e.g. with TPW, r=-0.493**, with DSW, r=-0.373*). From the comparative analysis of Teodora in relation to Silvana, average values TFT=31.355 (Teodora) and TFS=28.388 (Silvana) resulted, and the differences showed statistical certainty (t=2.5948, with p=0.013; U=72, p=0.0045; p<0.05). From the comparative analysis of Lv-300 in relation to Silvana (control), mean values TFT=29.357 (Lv-300) and TFS=28.388 (Silvana) resulted, but the differences did not show statistical certainty (t=0.763, with p=0.451; U=117, p=0.158; p>0.05). The regression analysis led to equations and graphic models that described the variation of fiber productivity indices in relation to plant biometric parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study comparatively analyzed the productivity level of 48 commercial sunflower hybrids, under the specific crops conditions of the Western Plain of Romania. The field experiment took place within ARDS Lovrin, agricultural year 2021-2022. 27 hybrids from the Imazamox class (IH; IH1 to IH27) and 21 hybrids from the Tribenuron Methyl class (TMH; TMH1 to TMH21) were cultivated. The cultivation of the 48 hybrids was carried out under the conditions of a chernozem type soil, and non-irrigated system. In the case of Imazamox class hybrids (IH), the production varied between 2012.47 kg ha-1 (IH4) and 3,545.08 kg ha-1 (IH1, and IH23). In the case of hybrids from the Tribenuron Methyl class (TMH), production varied between 2,437.64 kg ha-1 (TMH17) and 3,713.15 kg ha-1 (TMH4, and TMH19). Based on the production data recorded for each hybrid, the average value was calculated for each class of hybrids (IH-Avg=3,038.13 kg ha-1, TMH-Avg=3,287.98 kg ha-1). In order to verify whether there are differences between the two groups IH (N=27) and TMH (N=21) regarding the recorded production, the Null Hypothesis (H0) was defined. The application of the t-test for Equality of Means, led to the value of t=2.302 with p=0.02. Additionally, the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test was applied. The U=180 value with p=0.03 also indicated significantly different productions between the related series of the two classes of hybrids. The increase in production (kg ha-1, %) was calculated for each class of hybrids (ΔIH, ΔTMH) and a classification was made within each class. The cluster analysis facilitated the clustering of sunflower hybrids in relation to the recorded production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study used the technique based on aerial images (UAV) to estimate the production of the sunflower crop, hybrid P64LE25. The experiment was organized within SCDA Lovrin, Timis County, Romania, in the 2021-2022 agricultural year, under the conditions of a chernozem type soil, non-irrigated system. The images were taken with the drone (DJI Phantom 4), at variable heights (H, 3 to 50 m). From the analysis of the digital images, the values of the RGB color parameters were obtained. The distribution of the RGB data series was of normal type (r = 0.950 for R, r = 0.960 for G and r = 0.965 for B). Very strong correlations were recorded between color parameters (r = 0.994 for R and G, r = 0.954 for R and B, r = 0.948 for G and B), and weak correlations between RGB and H. From PCA, PC1 explained 97.698% of variance, and PC2 explained 2.1027% of variance. Regression analysis facilitated the prediction of sunflower production based on RGB values, under statistical safety conditions (p<0.001; RMSEP = 1.7907 in relatin to R and G; RMSEP = 4.5869 in relation to R and B; RMSEP = 3.6978 in relation to G and B). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the analysis of 15 cultivated maize hybrids for further selection of the hybrids that present a high yield potential and favourable agronomical traits, in the context of actual climate change. The analysis and interpretation of the obtained results was performed with the help of the IBM Spss statistical software. Descriptive characteristics were calculated: average, median, standard deviation, minimum values and maximum values. In order to analyse the significant differences, the ANOVA and Duncan statistical test was applied, respectively Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney. For the study of the links between the variables, the Pearson correlation coefficients and the regression lines were determined. The results are indicating the existence of significant differences between the analysed parameters Also, the results are corelated to the meteorological data, registered during the corresponding development phase of the plants. [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]

Nowadays the species Triticosecale has started to gain ground in Banatului Plain and in Romania, mainly due to the increased yields of biomass and grains in comparison with other cereals and due to the high adaptability to different climate and soil conditions. Triticale is interesting for inbreeding due to its features mainly as fodder plant. Triticale proved during time that it is sensitive to the attack of the cereals pathogens. In Banatului Plain triticale is sensitive to the attack of the fungi Puccinia striiformis (yellow stripe rust) and Drechslera tritici repentis (tan spot). In Banatului Plain tan spot appears in every year, but yellow stripe rust isn't appearing yearly due to its demand for special conditions of temperature and moisture. This research is a case study developed in the spring of year 2018 when climate conditions were favourable to the development of the fungus Puccinia striiformis. Thus, there was monitored an experimental filed comprising nine lines and one variety of triticale in conditions of natural infection. There was evaluated the resistance to this dangerous pathogen of the cereals. The biological material used was: KT 1430 - 10, KWT 13069, 202.567, KT 390, 10T70126, 08TF01, 141 TRICAL, WINTER MAX and TM 01. Attack severity was comprised between 10% (line 10 T 70126) and 90% in line 202.567 that had proved to be the most sensitive from entire experimental field. Frequency of the plants with symptoms was maximal in five triticale lines from experience (F = 100%). Winter Max variety was highlighted by a low attack frequency of 5% plants with symptoms, the lowest from the experiment. All the analysed genotypes were reacted differently to the pathogen attack. Five triticale lines have manifested high sensitivity (FS) to the attack of Puccinia striiformis. Triticale lines 08TF01 and 141Trical and the variety Winter Max have manifested a reaction of sensitivity to the pathogen (S). Moderate resistance was noticed in only one triticale line from experimental field, respectively the line 10T70126. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the pollution reduction project is to facilitate exchange and evaluation of interventions on environment and health exposure reduction measures on a regional level, and promote implementation of successful initiatives in Hungarian-Romanian cross-border area. One of the problems addressed by the present project is the pollution caused by the improper management of domestic and agricultural waste in the neighbouring communities of the border area. The area is evaluated by the parteners as being of community importance and will be proposed to be included the exchange of useful practices in two key areas in environmental health policy: (1) the reduction of transport-related health hazards (air pollution and noise) and (2) the improvement of the indoor environment by reducing indoor exposure to environmental health hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]