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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]

Food loss and waste is a global issue worldwide, posing a real challenge to both food security and sustainability. The productivity of our food system is reduced by food loss and waste, which can result in lower incomes for farmers and higher costs for food consumers. Food loss and waste occur at different levels along the food chain supply in production, postproduction procedures, processing, distribution and consumption. Concrete targets to reduce food loss and waste are necessary to be set at country levels focused on specific particularities. Thus, for developed countries the focus should be on waste, while for developing countries the focus should be on food loss, but also considering best solutions for reducing food waste in the future. The present review considers the most important data and relevant literature on this topic in order to offer significant insights and to identify knowledge gaps within literature. The present research should increase the interest for multifaced solutions to reduce food loss and waste in order to increase food security. Thus, short and long term solutions refer to proper identification of food loss and waste gaps along food chain supply, e-commerce platforms for products marketing, rethinking standards on aesthetic requirements for fruits and vegetables, shorter value chain in order to put the farmers in direct contact with markets and consumers, improved packaging during transport of fresh products, investing in agtech, biotechnology, smart packaging and consumers' education in using food and food-related resources more efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Charcoal rot of the sunflower roots and stems is present worldwide in all the areas with arid climate where is determining major loses. The etiologic agent of this disease is the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina considered as invasive due to its great range of host plants (over 500 species) and the very high harvest loses of the cultivated crops, mostly sunflower. The present climate changes are favouring the spread of the disease in areas where it wasn't present before. The climatic simulations realised until now in Europe shows the adaptation trend of the fungus in areas from Central and Southern Europe. The survival of the pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina in soil for long time periods makes its control almost impossible. In this work it was brought to attention the state of the art of the researches regarding the symptomatology, pathogeny, epidemiology and the control of this pathogen in conjunction with the climate change. The control strategies should highlight the prevention methods and the biological ones and less attention to be addressed to the chemical ones. The fungal and bacterial agents can be in future a viable alternative for the control of the pathogen M. phaseolina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European plum (Prunus domestica) is one of the fruit tree species cultivated around the world for fresh consumption, prunes (dried fruits), smoked plums, in jams or jellies, juices, plum purée as a baby food, liqueur, distilled into a 'brandy' or spirits, having also a large potential for rural and metropolitan zones landscaping. The experiment was conducted during 2020 year to individual trees in a randomized compete block design in four replicate blocks (10 plum trees/block) within a private plum orchard in the proximity of Craiova city, Dolj county, Romania and included ʻVâlceanʼ plum variety and four rootstocks (Oteşani 8, Pixy, Miroval, Roşior văratic). The study assessed the architecture of root system, in thickness and variable depths, at 1 and 2 meters away from trunk. For 0-3 mm root thickness category Miroval rootstock has developed the highest roots number (104 roots) at 1m distance from the trunk, while at 2 m trunk distance the best root system development was noticed in Roşior văratic rootstock (58 roots). Among all plum rootstocks included in the experiment Miroval had the most performant root system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is expected to cause the spread of pathogens and pests in areas where they have not been relevant before, bringing new challenges for cropping systems based on crops diversification by minor cereals. Rye is a minor cereal that contributes to crop species diversity in Central and Eastern Europe, especially in marginal environments unfavourable for wheat production. During 2019-2020, a plant-pest-pathogen interaction profile was observed on Suceveana rye genotype in a randomized complete block design in dry area from Research and Development Station for Plant Culture on Sands Dabuleni in South of Romania. The best protection against leaf rust was provided by Dithane M 45+Bioinsekt (the 1st assessment = 2.98%; the 2nd assessment = 4.86%), while the best control against pests was provided by Mimox+Bioinsekt (the 1st assessment = 0.83%) and Mimox+ Decis Expert 100 EC (the 2nd assessment = 1.03%). For pests and leaf rust control was noticed the synergistic effect of insecticides and fungicides used in the experiment. Negative and significant correlations of attack degrees with grain yield (r =-0.7886**, respectively r = -0.8332**) were noticed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last 20 years, the demand for spelt wheat has increased rapidly and was anticipated that it will continuate to increase with a rate of about 5% annually. The demand is determined by the consumers perceptions and by the scientific proofs that highlight that spelt wheat has a higher nutritional value compared with common wheat. The purpose of this research was to determinate the Fusarium spp. contamination level of the spelt wheat grains treated with bio-fungicide in comparison with the non-treated variants. The biological material used in this research was the spelt winter wheat variety Rokosz. The obtained results after the incubation of the samples show the presence of the fungus Fusarium spp. in the spelt wheat grains from all the variants. The contamination index determined was 73% in the non-treated variant and 80% in the treated one. The insignificant difference was considered to be influenced by the fact that spelt wheat grains are covered with hull, that being the reason why the bio-fungicide doesn't adhere to the seed surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blumeria graminis (DC) f. sp. avenae Em. Marchal (powdery mildew) fungus is considered an important foliar pathogen for oat that can affect the yield and the quality, mainly in the years with cool and humid weather. Climate conditions in the spring of 2019 in Banat Plain (Lovrin area) were favourable for infections. The research objective was to identify the oat lines with good resistance to powdery mildew. Thus, there were monitored 15 oat lines. The research method applied was the calculation of the incidence, severity and infection degree of the fungus. The relative resistance of the oat lines was set by comparing the infection degree of the tested material with the oat line that had the highest sensitivity to the attack of the pathogen. The frequency of the plants with powdery mildew symptoms was comprised between 5% and 100%. The infection severity had values between 10% and 70%. The most resistant oat line from the experience was 2509 and the most sensitive was 2515. The resistant lines could be used to the creation of some productive oat varieties with a good resistance to the attack of powdery mildew. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent statistical data and market studies have shown that the microgreens market is on a continuously upward trend in Europe and globally due to their healthier and nutritious qualities and for fast adoption of indoor and vertical farming especially in the cities. Worldwide the microgreens become of great interest due to their benefits for people`s health and beauty, being 40 times more nutritious than mature vegetables, increasing also the amount of available space that might be put into food production, with environmental benefits and economic profitability. The evolution of microgreens market to its real development potential depends of consumers behaviour and income level. Microgreens are considered ‘desert food’ by their huge potential to provide food in marginal areas affected by climate change becoming a part of sustainable farming. The present study pursued the evaluation of microgreens global market trends and forward statements in order to identify them as a potential profitable business in the era of Covid 19 pandemic when farmers should adapt food production to the new economic and social contexts. The study showed an increased consumer interest for “healthy” products, so that the change according to their behaviour shall generate an increase in the microgreens market worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Permanent grasslands in Romania represent an important resource for animal breeders because they represent a very high rate from the total agricultural land. The problems characteristic for many grassland surfaces from lowland area are mainly degradation determined by overgrazing, improper management or the lack of the management works. The aspects related with the management of permanent grasslands from Romania are regulated by a national law (34/2013 with the latest updates) that imposes to the permanent grassland owners (private and public) to elaborate a Grassland Management Planning that is based on the preliminary evaluation of the grassland’s vegetation and the problems found there. The planning sets the proper measures for permanent grassland use and maintenance of the vegetation cover. This work is a case study that takes in consideration six permanent grasslands from lowland area of western Romania that are in public ownership and rented by private animal breeders. The purpose of the work was to determinate the application of the Grassland Management Planning that is reflected in the grassland vegetation quality and biodiversity. The results obtained show that the forager value of the analysed grasslands is low according with the pastoral value obtained. Thus, biodiversity expressed as Shannon index is relatively high, but this fact is due to a great number of annual weed species that colonizes the grasslands, their origin being the surrounding access ways and the arable land from the vicinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID 19 pandemic is one of the greatest threats of the 21st century that disturbed whole human`s life and all sectors of the global economy. Due to highly infectious and spreading capacity of SARS-CoV-2 the governments took unprecedented measures worldwide with a great impact on the most vulnerable groups (people affected by chronically hunger, malnourished children and small farmers) and sectors. Agriculture is the most important economic sector that cares the responsibility for food security and human development. The present paper identifies and synthetize relevant literature to provide an integrated overview of the current state-of-knowledge on the economic impact of COVID 19 pandemic on agriculture and food security, including also forward-looking statements on future measures to mitigate the effects on crop production, food demand, agricultural products supply, inputs supply, agricultural products market, farmers` income and rural poverty. The study emphasizes that due to the mobility restrictions, decline in international trade, reduced purchasing power, disturbance in food production and food processing, food insecurity may arise affecting especially the small farmers from the regions already affected by poverty, climate change and conflicts. Therefore, the governments and international organizations should enforce the measures to control the pandemic, with minimum economic losses, without disturbing the food supply chain and re-enforcing the food security of their citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fire Blight (FB) caused by Erwinia amylovora is the most feared bacterial disease in the genus Malus and other genera belonging to Rosaceae family, causing severe losses in orchards in favourable years, unmarketable fruits quality and even completely trees dieback, especially in highly susceptible genotypes. Currently E. amylovora is of quarantine concern in many countries all over the world and continue to conquer new territories. During 2018-year, six apple genotypes ('Golden Delicious', 'Idared', 'Gala', 'Jonagold', 'Fuji' and 'Jonathan'), within an orchard located in the proximity of Craiova city, Romania, have been assessed for their response to the infection to Erwinia amylovora and the impact of the pathogen attack on fruits yield and quality. The response of apple genotypes to the Fire Blight (FB) attack ranged from moderately resistant/susceptible ('Golden Delicious' and 'Fuji') to highly susceptible ('Idared', 'Gala', 'Jonagold' and 'Jonathan') depending on genetic background and environmental conditions. Fruits chemical parameters Total Soluble Solids (TSS), Total acidity (TA), Total Sugar (TS) were significantly affected by the pathogen attack in all apple varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing temperatures and changing precipitation patterns impact plants biotic constrainers worldwide affecting host-pathogen relationship depending on geographical and temporal distribution of inoculum amount and cultivars susceptibility. Leaf rust of rye, which is caused by the obligate biotrophic basidiomycete Puccinia recondite f. sp. secalis (Roberge ex. Desmaz) has become one of the most important limiting factors for rye production in Central and Eastern Europe. During 2019-2020 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 (Serafino, Bintto), moderately susceptible (Inspector) and very susceptible (Suceveana). A negative and highly significant correlation of AUDPC with grain yield (r =-0.9194***) was found during 2019-2020 cropping season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abandonment of the arable land is a common phenomenon in Romania mostly in hill and mountain area, but sometimes is present in lowland area on small patches of land or on fields characterised by features that make their cultivation difficult. The succession of the ex-arable land to grassland is very frequent, but the duration of the process is dependent by many variables. The duration of the succession from abandoned arable land to grassland is important in the ecological restoration of these land surfaces, because in this way these fields can provide again ecological and economical services. The purpose of this research is to evaluate an ex-arable grassland surface uncultivated by 7 years for the assessment of the progress of the vegetation succession. The researches were developed on an ex-arable grassland plot from Sacoșu Turcesc, Timiș County abandoned from cultivation since 2012. The plot is bordered on a side by the road, on other side by railroad and on other side by arable land. The vegetation data were collected in 2018. Vegetation surveys were done using the linear point quadrate method [DAGET & POISSONET, 1971]. There was analysed the considering the following aspects: floristic composition based on the main grassland functional groups (grasses, legumes, forbs, rushes and sedges and shrubs and trees); biodiversity (species richness, Shannon index and Simpson index); ecological spectres (phytogeographical elements, life-forms, and indicator values for light, temperature, moisture, soil pH and nitrogen); and typological classification of the vegetation. The results regarding the floristic composition had evidenced a vegetation cover specific for permanent grassland, the perennial grasses being dominant. The results regarding biodiversity were highlighted high values. The structure of the vegetation by biogeographical elements shows high complexity, but the number and contribution of the adventive species was very low, contrary to our expectations. The vegetation structure by life-forms was from far dominated by the hemicryptophyte species, as is in the case of permanent grasslands. The indicator values for nitrogen suggest the former cultivation of the land due to the presence of some species with high and very high demands for this element, but this situation can be found also in the case of eutrophic and even mesotrophic permanent grasslands. The successful and rapid succession process can be associated with the soil seed-bank and to the vicinity of the vegetation stripes from the edge of the road and railroad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to develop an application for the recognition of five pathogens in wheat culture based on artificial intelligence (AI). Machine learning (ML), an important branch of AI, was the basis for the application of the pathogens recognition in wheat culture. Five pathogens in wheat cultivation were studied, Blumeria graminis, Pyrenophora tritici repentis, Puccinia recondita, Puccinia striiformis and Puccinia graminis. A data set of 323 images with pathogens studied in wheat culture was used. The images have been processed and transformed so that the model receives the same size for each image. The first step in building the data set to train the ML model was data augmentation, in order to increase the number of data through known changes. A training set and a validation set were used. Google Colaboratory was used to build the ML model. The React Native framework was used to have an application available on both iOS and Android. Heroku and Flask were used to integrate the systems. In order to evaluate the model the "Class Activation Map visualization" (CAM) was used. One of the techniques that CAM uses is to produce heatmaps (areas of interest) on the parts of the image that correspond to the different classes, over the input images. The class activation heatmap is a 2D network of scores associated with a specific output class, calculated for each area of the input image, indicating how important each area is relative to the output class. To view these heatmaps on the images taken in the study, the ClassificationInterpretation class was used. Another method used in evaluating the model was the confusion matrix which will show for each label how many times it was correctly predicted. The model correctly predicted in a percentage of 88.4% for Puccinia striiformis, 72.03% for Puccinia recondita and 94.67% for Blumeria graminis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic wood infections caused by Cytospora species can be devastating to fruit trees. The Cytospora canker can be produced by many species of the genus Cytospora. Cytospora fungi commonly found in orchards are Cytospora cincta and Cytospora leucostoma. From a morphological point of view, the two species are difficult to differentiate. Cytospora species mainly affect branches, but can cause destructive infections in trunks and large branches, severely limiting the longevity and productivity of orchards. This cancer is considered serious in declining or poorly maintained orchards, where the trees are no longer vigorous. Due to infections, the trees can dry out and the economic losses are major. It can be found frequently in the improper managed orchards or old orchards were is producing important loses by the drying of the branches and even the death of the trees following the infection through lesions produced by hailstone, frost, insects and tools. Usually the most sensitive trees are the weakened ones. In the last years the fungi from the genus Cytospora become more frequent in the cherry orchards from Romania. It is problematic the fact that frequently the infected trees are young. This research is a case study based on the infection with a fungus from Cytospora genus from a cherry orchard from western Romania. The main purpose of the paper was to correctly identify the above mentioned orchard pathogen by laboratory analyses (macroscopic and microscopic). Tissue samples from branches and sprouts were placed on the culture medium for the observation of the mycelia. The prepared samples were incubated at a temperature of 24 oC, for 5 days. The results obtained show that the fungus responsible for the cherry tree death belongs to the genus Cytospora. The form and colour of the pycnidia from beneath the bark is specific to the species Cytospora leucostoma, this species being reported by other researchers too as present in the orchards from Romania. The perfect form of the fungus (Valsa) wasn't observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proven to be the first pathogenic bacterium of plants, Erwinia amylovora causes Fire Blight which is nowadays one of the most devastating disease of apples and pears in many parts of the world, especially in temperate ones. The current paper assessed in natural conditions of infection in 2016 year, the impact of fire blight on four pear genotypes (cv. Napoca, Red Bartlett, Beurre Bosc, Curè) within a plantation located in the proximity of Craiova city, using Area under the Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) and the impact of pathogen attack on fruits yield and sugars content. The response of tested pear genotypes to the fire blight attack ranged on a large scale of variability depending on the genotype resistance or sensitivity to disease and environmental conditions. The most susceptible pear variety to fire blight was Curè, which also proved the lowest yielding capacity and sugar content in fruits under fire blight impact. AUDPC values ranged from 164 to 376 with unfavorable impact on fruits yield and sugar content (R2 = 0.9799; R2 = 0.9557). [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]

Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) can be attacked by many pathogens both in field and in deposits. Most of the time the peanuts are healthy, but during improper storage they can be contaminated with fungi. The myco-flora associated with the peanut seeds is formed mainly by fungi from the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium and Rhizopus. The mentioned fungi are very harmful for health because they are producing carcinogenic mycotoxins. Mainly the Aspergillus species can infect peanuts during the vegetation period, especially in the case very high humidity conditions in field. Thus, the infection can continue during the harvesting, transport and storage. Due to this fact, the problem of the accumulation of aflatoxins is very serious in the big peanut cultivating countries. Many researches show the presence of the aflatoxins in the sold peanuts. The approached topic in this research is actually and presents interests for the consumers in special. The identification if the myco - toxigenous from peanuts from supermarket was realised on seeds that were originating from four countries (Romania, Brasil, U. S. A. and Egypt). The main objective of this laboratory study was to identify the myco - toxigenous fungi, mainly those that grow on and from peanuts sold in supermarkets in Timisoara. During the sample collection there was considered the origin of the peanuts to comprise different parts of the world. The peanuts were bought from big supermarkets. The obtained results regarding the fungal contamination index of the peanuts seeds with fungi show the presence in myco - flora of some myco - toxigenous fungi harmful for health. Fusarium sp. is highlighted in all the samples by a quite great contamination rate comprised between 5.12% (the peanut crust samples from U. S. A.). The contamination of the seeds with the myco-toxigenous fungus Aspergillus flavus is obvious in the case of the peanuts from U. S. A. where was registered the greatest infection rate of 25.89% in seeds and 10.25% in crusts. The third fungus that was determined in quite great rates on the peanuts seeds was Penicillium sp. The greatest infection level was registered in the samples from China (24.56%) and U. S. A. (22.32%). Aside the three myco - toxigenous fungi was grown in a great rate in some samples the fungus Rhizopus sp., that usually is present in the peanuts seeds. The greatest infection level of the infection was determined in the peanuts from Egypt (65.85%) and those from Romania (64.56%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is one of the most important sectors of many countries economy worldwide and it is highly dependent on the climate. Along with climate impact a range of regional and global political and economic factors intensify food insecurity and long term vulnerability in certain regions. Despite the findings suggesting that increases in carbon dioxide level (CO2) and temperatures can increase plant growth, the changes in global temperatures, frequency and intensity of droughts, extreme rain and snow falls, flooding and heat waves have already started to have significant impact on crop yields and concerning about future food security. The impact of climate change also need to be considered along with other factors that affect crop yields, such as specific biotic constrainers (pathogens) and its impact on the host-pathogen relationship. Moreover extreme temperatures and precipitation have been associated with changes in pathogens life cycles, increased incidence, pathogenicity, genetically recombination and aggressiveness traits, which involves the urge to rethink the integrated management strategies. Although, many previous studies have emphasized the sensitivity of plants to various biotic constrainers, the host-pathogen interactions are poorly understood in the context of climatic change. Therefore, it is a particular interest for those wheat pathogens that might affect yield dramatically with potentially serious implications for food security. The present review is focused on the impact of climate change on wheat diseases and host pathogen interactions taking into consideration case studies in order to understand better how the components of disease cycle are affected and to identify disease risk and prevent potential food security crisis. The response of pathosystems to climate change is of high interest currently in order to estimate disease risk on a large scale and to introduce new understandings in developing management strategies. However, further investigation need to be done in order to highlight how improving plant diseases management can enhance global food security in a changing climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxicogenous fungi Fusarium graminearum and Aspergillus flavus are producing mycotoxins in the cereal grains, that through the nutritive value and the increase of the toxicity of the plant products, these cannot guarantee health and they will not provide the security of the life. From this reason these two fungi are in the attention of the researchers and cereals cultivators from the worldwide. The antifungal action of the thyme essential oil on these two fungi was tested through diffusion in the culture medium Sabouraud with chloramfenicol in Petri plates in three doses: 1 μl, 5 μl and 10 μl. The obtained results in the framework of this research are evidencing the great capacity the thyme oil on the inhibition of the development of the two fungi. On the media treated with essential oil in different doses the number of the colonies was very low (between 1 and 7) in comparison with the control tester were growth between 31 and 38 mycelian colonies. Inhibitory capacity of the thyme on the two mycotoxicogenous fungi was proved to be very good, the growth speed being very low in all variants in comparison with the non-treated testers. The present researches show that in the antifungal activity are implied the fenolic compounds carvacrole and thymole. The very good antifungal capacity of the thyme volatile oil recommends it for the use in the control of some storage pathogens that cannot be kept under control through other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tan spot caused by the necrothrophic pathogen Drechslera tritici repentis (Died.) Shoemaker becomes an important disease of winter wheat worldwide under a changing global climate and new resource conserving technologies. Beside the positive impact of minimum tillage and no-tillage systems on the soil physical and chemical properties as well as soil erosion reduction, soil moisture conservation, productivity of labor and machinery, energy conservation, environmental benefits (reduced Greenhouse gas emissions) and increased crop yields, practicing minimum tillage and no-tillage systems with residues have a major impact on the risk of Drechslera tritici repentis in wheat comparatively with conventional tillage system without residues, due to the pathogen`s ability to survive in the previous year`s crop residues especially if those crops are bread wheat, durum wheat or triticale. Under both minimum and no-tillage systems with residues the onset of tan spot epidemic occurs earlier than under conventional tillage and higher levels of disease severity are recorded during grain filling stage. Thus, an adequate management of crop residues is required because they are an important source of inoculum for Tan spot and it is also important to introduce additional control measures beside chemical ones, biological control and host resistance as a part of an integrated disease management. Considerable reduction in disease severity has been observed on those plots where it is practiced crop rotation in all tillage systems. Thus, lower percent of area with leaf tan spots have been assessed in wheat after non cereal crops than in continuous monoculture demonstrating the benefits of alternative crops preceding wheat for both minimum and no-tillage systems with residues. Even crop rotation and an efficient residue management are effective tools for reducing tan spot in winter wheat, farmers should not rely on few management practices to minimize tan spot risk, but rather to develop a sustainable long-term strategy for disease management to protect their crops and conserve natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Etiologic agent responsible for the powdery mildew disease in winter wheat is the fungus Blumeria graminis (D.C.) Speer. Powdery mildew is one of the main wheat diseases, present in all cultivation areas and it produces quantitative and qualitative yield losses by the shrinking of the grains. This fungus is present in every year in the wheat crops in Banat Plain, and is manifesting with different attack intensities depending by the climatic conditions. The evaluation of the fungus attack was realised on six wheat varieties: Apache, Azimut, Kalango, Karolinum, Soissons and Renan. The experimental field was placed within the perimeter of the Didactic Farm of Banat`s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine "King Michael I of Romania, from Timisoara. Intensity of the fungus attack was monitored as dynamics during two experimental years (2012 and 2013) during March - Aprilie period. There were realised observations in dynamics at every 10 in 10 days and from 12 to in 12 days. The attack of Blumeria graminis was evaluated by the calculation of AUDPC (area under the disease progress curve). The average value of AUDPC calculated for the two experimental years was comprised between 671.34 in Apache variety and 114.08 in Renan variety. The results obtained during the two experimental years shows the uniformity of the pathogen virulence, due to the climatic conditions very similar, both from point of view of the average temperatures registered and the rainfalls. Thus, the amplitude of the attack of Blumeria graminis fungus was comprised between 25.33 % (variety Renan) and 60.76% in 2012 is framing in the interval 20.78% (Renan) and 60.88% (Apache). According with the obtained results we can affirm that the most sensitive variety from the experimental plots was Apache ant the most resistant to powdery mildew was Renan. The other varieties from the research were tolerated well the pathogen, and the registered intensity was comprised between 40% and 50% in both experimental years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The straweberry represents the spiece with a big economical and alimentary attention, with a big production which is adapted to a large climate variety because of its large created spiecies. the strawberry culture was made in the spring of 2009, like classical, multianual culture in free plain the sort red gaunttlet, with ripening at the ending of may, this sort has a good resistance to the whitening spot of the leaves, at grey rot. the biofertilizations used Bionat plus and Bionex were applicated to two treatements with recomandated pesticides, in the two treatements: the first was the full infusion, and the second was to the showing inflorescence. the results reduced the attack frequency on the leaves with white spots (Mycosplaerella fragariac) in the first variant where were applicated biofertilizations Bionat plus and Bionex. the superior effectiveness was get in the first variant treated with Bionax plus, concentration 0,2% and Bionex, concentrated 0,2% towards the second variant treated with Bionex 0,2%. the treatements were applicated two times using the pesticides dithane, concentrated 0,2%in second variant to each treatement (t1, t2) where were good results by reducing the attack frequency caused by grey rot and flouring. from the production results we can see the best results came from strawberry in variant i were was applicated Bionat plus and the second treatement Bionex made a production of 7200kg/ha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cherry leaf spot (Blumeriella jaapii HIGG. syn Coccomyces hiemalis) produces considerable damage in young plantations of fructifying cherry trees. The pathogen attacks the leaves and, under proper conditions, even fruit and shoots. The symptoms characteristic to the attack are the appearance of 1 - 3 cm purple - reddish spots on the upper side of the leaves, spots that often unite covering large areas of the leaves of even the entire leaf. On the other side of the leaves, there are whitepinkish spots containing white-pinkish pustules (acervules). As a result, the leaves start to dry and fall prematurely. Research regarding the introduction and extension of the cultivation of cherry trees of some cultivars resistant to cherry leaf spot was carried aut in the Lugos cheery tree plantation (Far, no. 4) of the Teaching and Experimental Station of the Banat's University fo Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine „King Michael I" from Timisoara. Te cherry tree cultivars we studied were: Van, Germersdorf, Bing, Rubin, Stella. In each cultivar, starting with the end of May, when there was maximum attack by cherry leaf spot (reddish spotting) we monitored 900 leaves on 3 branches differently set in the fruit tree canopy, noting the frequency, intensity and attack degree in 3 cherry trees from each cultivar monitored. In the cherry tree plantation, we applied, upon warning during vegetation 4 phyto - sanitary treatments using fungicides and insecticides. The observation of the behaviour to the attack by cherry leaf spot (Blumeriella jaapii) allowed us to group the cherry trees into: slightly attacked (Seneca, Cerna, Ulster); medium attacked (Timpurii de mai, Roşii de Bistriţa); strongly attacked (Van, Bing, Germersdorf). We recommend the extension of the cultivation of the cherry tree in south - western Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]