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This paper provides an overview of traditional hay-making structures and the related agricultural landscapes in Europe. The information was collected using a standardised questionnaire that was completed by experts from different countries. What all countries had in common was that hay production with its corresponding structures was widespread. However, the scope and importance differed among the countries today. We found differences in type and extent, in degree of awareness, and in the cultural meaning of hay-making structures. The differences were connected with built structures, as well as with other tangible and intangible aspects of cultural heritage. The distribution of the broad variety of hay-making-related structures, especially semipermanent ones, has changed throughout history, as well as the hay-making techniques, as a result of agrarian specialisation, land reclamation, and consolidation. Today, in some countries, the relevance of hay-making was mainly connected to horse keeping and landscape management (like in Germany and Hungary), while in others (like Slovakia and Slovenia), it was still predominantly used for cattle and sheep.

The aim of the current study was to test the viability of including chicory in cows' diet. A total of 2250 data were recorded from 150 Romanian Spotted cows related to 6 forage structures: alfalfa (αα), chicory (C), mixed alfalfa and chicory (αC), mixed gramineous (G), mixed gramineous and alfalfa (Gα), mixed gramineous and chicory (GC). Data aimed total daily duration of forage consumption (TDD), daily round frequency (DRF) and average consumption round (ACR) according to forage structures. The effects of chicory were assessed based on ANOVA protocol with categorical factor "chicory". Chicory significantly influenced (p≤0.05) TDD and ACR. No significant influence (p>0.05) was recorded related to DRF. Chicory significantly increased TDD and DRF compared to G (294 vs. 190.8 min./day, 12.1 vs. 9.37 rounds/day, p≤0.001), being superior compared to αα (264 min./day, 11.3 rounds/day, p≤0.05). Also, chicory improved the forage consumption in mixed GC compared to Gα (243.6 vs. 224.4 min./day, 10.1 vs. 9.8 rounds/day, p≤0.01). In mixed αC, chicory increased TDD and DRF compared to αα (283.8 vs. 264 min./day, 12.6 vs. 11.3 rounds/day, p≤0.05). In conclusion, the use of chicory in cows' diet could improve the feeding behavioural traits with economically benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity is an factor which has a critical influence on seed germination and plant establishment. During the present study the effect of salinity on seeds germination, seedling growth and chlorophyll content of Trifolium repens was studied. Experiments were conducted in laboratory condition. The salinity was induced using three concentration of NaCl (0 mM NaCl, 40 mM and 80 mM). Determinations were recorded in three periods, after (3, 10 and 17 days) and were analysed percentage of germination, MDG and DGS, seedling growth and chlorophyll content. In normal condition Trifolium repens showed highest percentage of germination 79.33%, while in stress salt condition percentage of germination was reduced in proportion to the increase in saline concentration. In salt stress condition we observed that the mean daily germination (MDG) decreased, while daily germination speed (DGS) increased. The effect of the NaCl concentration on the growth in the clover seedlings they showed values between 2.372 cm on the V3 variant and 3.603 cm on the Vo variant. The application of treatments that induced saline stress led to a significant decrease in growth in proportion to the level of differences between treatments. Referring to the effect of the environment on the accumulation of chlorophyll, it was observed that the chlorophyll content decreased under conditions of saline stress (24.15 SPAD). Salt tolerance data may be used to select clover with the highest potential for agronomic production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research carried out refers to a study of 460 individual birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) plants in order to show relations between the cultivated seeds size and the weight of the root system, on one hand, and between the radicular system and the nodosity formation capacity of the root system (number and weight), on the other hand. The results obtained have revealed the existence of direct positive relations between these properties of the birdsfoot trefoil plants. The magnitude of these attributes values is determined by the size of the seeds used for sowing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) is a known grass for its high production capacity and feed quality under nitrogen fertilization. Optimizing fertilization can be achieved by applying the associated culture system (mixture) of Italian ryegrass with crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum). As a result of the studies carried out, in the variant with the sowing proportion of these two species of 50:50 (%), the average production of dry matter in the fertilized variant with N100 was 8.01 t/ha, and the average proportion of crimson clover participation in the floral composition of the mixture was 30%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was carried out in the Banat plain area, characterized by the uneven distribution of rainfall during the vegetation period. The experimental device applied included three types of simple mixtures (Lolium perenne 50% + Festuca pratensis 50%, Lolium perenne 50% + Trifolium repens 50%, Lolium perenne 50% + Lotus corniculatus 50%) and a complex mixture (Lolium perenne 30% + Festuca pratensis 30% + Trifolium repens 20% + Lotus corniculatus 20%) used both by mowing and grazing directly with sheep. The fertilization was carried out uniformly, at all experimental variants (200 kg/ha of complex fertilizers was applied at the establishment, and during the vegetation a dose of N150 was applied in fractions, before the vegetation started and after each mowing or grazing cycle). The grazing variants was carried out with young males sheep of Ţurcana breed. The floral composition of temporary grassland reacts differently to the valorification methods (mowing and grazing) because the morphological and ecophysical peculiarities of the grass and legume species are different. In case of simple mixtures, Lolium perenne is very competitive in blends with Festuca pratensis with a share of 52% in mowed variants, and 73% in grazing variants. Perennial grasses and legumes used for the simple and complex mixtures were: Timis 81 (Lolium perenne), Tampa (Festuca pratensis), Danitim (Trifolium repens), Dragotim (Lotus corniculatus). In the two years of production, the complex blend recorded the highest production of dry matter, in both uses, under conditions of balanced floral ratio between the component species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last years an increasing attention has been focused on chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) use in ruminant's nutrition. Chicory is a perennial plant that is suited to well-drained or moderately drained soils, with medium to high fertility levels and a pH of 5.5 or upper. Chicory has a comparable nutritional value to alfalfa, containing similar proportions of proteins, lipids, minerals and other nutrients. It has a relatively deep taproot, which provides tolerance to drought conditions. Furthermore, due to the drought resistance it is suitable for cultivation in areas with deficit of moisture. The aim of the current study was focused on the chemical composition and nutritive value of chicory, as well as the possibility of using it in different plants mixture in cattle feeding, as an alternative source of feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Romania ranks third in the EU28 in terms of sheep numbers (9.8 millions), having a self-sufficiency for sheep meat of 150 % and therefore exports are important at national level. Objectives of the current research trials were: i) to evaluate the potential of the Turcana breed to produce organic lamb meat under highland pasture-based conditions; ii) to evaluate the overall resistance of the breed and fitness indicators, in comparison with two native breeds, reared under lowinput conditions; iii) to study the genetic base using molecular assisted selection in order to produce hypoallergenic milk and derived milk products. The conventional pasture from the current project had a potential of production of 189 kg/ha for Turcana purebreds, and of 236 kg/ha for F1German Blackheaded x Turcana (GBxTA) crossbreed lambs. While for the organic pasture, it was estimated a production potential of 191 kg of meat per hectar while rearing Turcana purebred lambs, and of 240 kg/ha for the F1GBxTA dualbreeds. In the current preliminary study, the genetic polymorphism of ovine β-casein gene in the Romanian Zackel breed was highlighted, using TaqMan assay. β-casein in sheep is strongly correlated to economically important milk quantitative traits, being a first step in introducing genomic selection for the production of organic hypoallergenic sheep milk and derived products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the current research was to evaluate the effects that crossbreeding and concentrates feeding have on growth performance of goat kids managed under pasture conditions of the Romanian highlands. Experiments were carried out at the Research and Development Station for Sheep and Goats from Caransebes, in south-western Romania. The growth performances of two kids genotypes were studied, Carpatina purebreds and F1 Boer x Carpatina crossbred kids, respectively. Under two experimental variants, with no concentrates allowance and with 300 g/day concentrates supplementation of the ration, respectively. Carpatina purebred kids had an average daily gain of 100.7±0.03 g/day when managed exclusively on pastures (control group), while the group fed with concentrates registered growth rates of 124.4±0.02 g/day (p≥0.05). The F1 Boer x Carpatina crossbreeds had growth rates of 145.2±0.02 g/day when kept exclusively on pasture, while the group fed with additional concentrates registered growth rates of 211.9±0.04 g/day (p≤0.01). Genotype of the kids affected significantly (p≤0.001) the growth rates, in both experimental variants. It was concluded that both crossbreeding and, to a leaser extent concentrates feeding of kids, are influencing the growth rates of fattening kids managed under highlands conditions of Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), used as fodder, has some favourable features: high longevity, resistance to drought and to soil conditions (acidity, alkalinity), cultivable pure or associated with different grassland species, quick recovery after mowing or grazing, high degree of consumability, high nutritive value. Research shows that chicory, sowed pure or in association with legume species or with grassland grasses, produces daily, depending on vegetation duration, important amounts of green matter, i.e. between 120 and 280 kg/day/ha without or with nitrogen fertilisation (N150). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research points out the effect of feeding young hybrid sheep (Black-faced German x Ţurcană) in the conditions of permanent hill grasslands with two technological systems of improving grasslands: the conventional chemical (NPK) fertilisation system and the agro-ecological organic fertilisation (sheep folding and over-sowing) system. Studies show that the changes in the floristic structure of the grasslands have influenced both fodder yield and quality and meat production and quality. Meat production depending on experimental factors ranged between 189 and 393 kg/ha in the grasslands improved conventionally and between 191 and 461 kg/ha in the grasslands fertilised organically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last three experimental years (2010-2013), the mean milk production ranged between 1140 l/ha (in the control variant) and 2556 l/ha (in the variant in which fertilisation and amendment treatments were applied during the period 1995-2007). The maximum milk production (4509 l/ha) was in 2010 in the variant fertilised, amended, and re-sowed, i.e. 3144 l/ha more than in the control variant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate conditions in any land area have a direct influence on the productivity level of natural ecosystems and agroecosystems. To assess the yield per area unit, we took into account the amounts of dry matter depending on temperature (10C) and precipitations (1 mm) during vegetation. During the experimental period, the mean annual temperature during vegetation was 9430C, with variations between 7750C (1997) and 1,1750C (2012). This multiannual variation of the thermal constant also influenced the level of dry matter yield per 10C, which ranged between 2.14 kg DM/10C and 9.08 kg DM/10C. As for the amounts of precipitations, dry matter yield varied between 6.02 kg DM/1 mm (2002) and 29.11 kg DM/1 mm (2003). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of the floristic composition of Nardus stricta grasslands improved through fertilisation, amendment and resowing for 18 years points out a structural change of the vegetal cover compared to the initial state of the floristic composition. During this time interval, the share of Nardus stricta dropped from 40 to 14% in the variants grazed rationally (without treatments), from 40 to 4% in the variant fertilised with NPK and grazed, and from 40% to the total disappearance of the species in the variants fertilised with NPK, amended, and re-sowed. The species Nardus stricta was replaced by high-fodder value species such as Agrostis capillaris, Poa pratensis, and Trifolium repens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the conditions of the Banat's Plain (Romania), chicory can be an important fodder crop well adapted to the climate conditions in the area. Research results show that this species is positively influenced by the use of chemical or organic fertilisers. Applying nitrogen fertilisers on a yearly basis at rates of N50-100 lead, in the second vegetation year, to productions higher with 22-34% than in the control variant (no fertilisation). The remnant effect of animal manure was obvious in the second year of application too, when we obtained, at a rate of 40 t/ha, an increase of 26% compared to the control variant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nutritive value of the fodder from Nardus stricta grasslands improved through fertilisation, amendment, and resowing was pointed out by some quality indices as ADF, NDF, ADL, DDM, DMO, and DMI. The values of these nutrition indices allowed the determination of a statistic assessment index called relative fodder value (RFV). Depending on the treatments applied, RFV ranged between 109 and 123 in 2011 and between 110 and 115 in 2012. The large number of quality indices assessed allowed the study of the correlation between these indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the influence of bacterial inoculation of perennial legumes (alfalfa, bird's-foot trefoil) in pure culture and cultivated in association with perennial gramineae on fodder yield, fodder quality, and atmospheric nitrogen-fixing ability. Results point out an increase of 10-12% of the yield of dry matter in the variants inoculated. Bacterial inoculation with specific bacterial stems (Sinorhizobium meliloti and Mezorhizobium loti) has a positive influence on fodder quality too, materialised in the raw protein content and the amount of nitrogen fixed biologically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen balance in silo maize based fodder systems that also contain some species of fodder legumes (red clover and winter vetch) is positive and it ensures some nitrogen amounts remained in the soil for the crops to follow in the crop rotation. Among the studied fodder systems, we noticed the fodder system Wf (winter fodder) → Sm (silo maize) → Wf (winter fodder) → Sm (silo maize) cultivated successively for two years; in this fodder system, we obtained an extra 40 kg/ha nitrogen in the variant not fertilised with nitrogen and 167 kg/ha in the variant fertilised with nitrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the combined impact of some mixtures of grasses and perennial legumes and of chemical and organic fertilisation on fodder floristic composition and quality in the conditions of temporary cultivated grassland in the hill area of the Caraş-Severin County. The floristic composition of the mixtures and the type of fertilisation had a strong impact on fodder quality due to their content in protein, cellulose, mineral nutrients and nutrient value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In certain agricultural species, particularly in perennial legumes, optimum germination capacity in seeds is strongly influenced by the share of hard seeds. This seed category can germinate in a certain share, after a longer period, depending on environmental conditions. Research show that, after a period of six months, hard seeds germinated differently, depending on their size: 71% in the seed group that was not selected depending on size, 35% in small seeds, 67% in medium seeds, and 57% in large seeds. After 266 days of germination, and after previous treatment with ultrasounds, they showed a germination capacity between 46.9% and 68.9%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper points out the impact of some fodder systems based on Italian ray grass (Lolium multiflorum L.) - nitrogen balance - depending on the fodder system and on type of fertilisation. Introducing legume species even in the variants not fertilised with nitrogen, though increasing the amount of nitrogen exported through fodder biomass, also results in a decrease of the nitrogen deficit in the soil for the crops to following the crop rotation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extraction activity, transportation and processing of crude oil caused soil contamination with total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH). The develop phytoremediation process of contaminated soils with 2.8 % TPH, were studied in pots, with a tolerant grass species, Lolium perenne. Four treatments, each consisting of three replicates, were realized in randomized block design. The experimental variants are: control, uncontaminated soil, untreated and treated contaminated soil with anaerobic stabilized sewage sludge (50 t/ha) in absence/presence volcanic indigenous tuff amendment (5 t/ha). Removal efficiencies of TPH from the contaminated soils variants treated with organic fertilizer without volcanic indigenous tuff and mixed with tuff after eight months was 73.4 % and 78.9 % respectively. The results are supported by healthy plants with roots system well developed. The green biomass harvested from the variant fertilized with sludge mixed with volcanic tuff was similar to the harvested from control variant, 15.1-17.9 g / pot of vegetation The obtained results show that, the tolerant grass species, Lolium perenne must be applied safely to phytoremediation, on TPH contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Miscanthus giganteus is a large, perennial (up to 20 years) grass hybrid of M. sinensis and M. sacchariflorus native to Japan. Is a C4 carbon fixation plant, and thus exhibits greater photosynthetic efficiency and lower water use requirements than other kinds of plants. It has very low nutritional requirements - it has high nitrogen use efficiency and therefore is capable of growing well on barren land without the aid of heavy fertilization. M. giganteus is a sterile hybrid, therefore propagates vegetative through its rhizomes and that it is a completely non-invasive species. In this paper are presented the results of this grass species growing on fly ash deposit Utvin after the first year from the planting. Order to stimulate the process of vegetative from the first year, have used three different fertilizing: with sewage sludge, with cattle manure and mineral supplement such as N.P.K. We have also provided an adequate irrigation during dry periods of the summer. The best germination percentage was obtained in variants fertilized with sewage sludge and manure of cattle. Further the same variations recorded a good growth rate and higher biomass production. However, good production of biomass produced in the first year of all variants show a good adaptability of the species M. giganteus to arid biotope conditions of the fly ash dump. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) has a series of important quality features due to both its human food value and to its animal feed value. As animal feed, the nutrient value of chicory is give mainly by its high content of organic substances which makes it a competitor of perennial fodder legumes. The paper presents the impact if fertilisation with chemical fertilisers (N50-100) and with manure (20-40 t/ha) on dry matter production in chicory in the first vegetation year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper points out the combined effect of thermal and ultrasound treatments on vegetal biomass from hard seed germination. Exposing hard seeds to temperatures of -30°C for 72 h and then treating them with ultrasounds increased the amount of biomass of the germs with 75.4% compared to the control variant (not treated). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research carried out at the Mountain Grassland Research Basis of Blana (Bucegi Mountains) aimed at improving the grassland of Nardus stricta locate 1,800 m above sea level. Research started in the year 2000 with the establishment of a trial made up of five variants: T - natural grassland (control); A - natural grassland fertilised with NPK; B - natural grassland fertilised with NPK + animal folding; C - natural grassland, amended + fertilised with NPK + animal folding. The paper presents the effect of long-term treatments (applied every single year starting with the year 1995) on dry matter production and on the floristic composition in the year 2011. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physic-chemical characteristics of the upper layers of fly ash dumps are very important when phytostabilization plant selection is carried out. Plants with topsoil well developed roots, like cereals are used to stabilize fly ash dumps in order to eliminate the deflation, erosion, etc. These plant species could be used in the phytostabilization/phytoextraction variant taking into account their metal hyper accumulation capacity, and also in phytostabilization variant by adequate topsoil treatments when a decrease mobility of metals from soil to plants is achieved and thus a less toxic crop is obtained. This study presents a comparative analysis of the metal bioaccumulation degree in plant tissues (grain and straw) of barley cultivated on fly ash variants treated with different quantities of compost in the absence/presence of natural zeolite materials, indigenous volcanic tuff. The addition of plant debris and sewage sludge compost mixed with natural zeolite materials has lowered the bioaccumulation of Cr with 49%, of Cu with 29%, Fe with more than 77.5%, in grains and straw when compared to untreated fly ash. Barley plants does not allow for Pb and Ni transfer from the fly ash in the aerial part of tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The power plant ash is an inorganic residue with a variable chemical buildup according to the type of charcoal used and quality. Depositing, stabilizing and eventually reintegrating the ash in the natural circuit raises a series of problems due to its disastrous effect on biodiversity. Even with these problems, at a moderate micro and macro mineral content, power plant ash could present interesting agro technical and ecological alternatives. For this reason, the controlled integration of ash could put a stop to pollution with ash by reintegrating the material in the agricultural ecosystems. For this purpose, in the field of research of Ecological and Forage Crops from Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnologies Timisoara, research was conducted over the influence of the reintegration of 40 t of ash per ha, produced by C.E.T. Timisoara, on the biomass production of oatmeal (Avena sativa L), fertilized by levels of 25 and 50 t per ha of manure. After harvesting, the analysis of the total biomass quantity, both above and underground, revealed similar results in all trials. In conditions that include heavy metal concentrations beneath normal geological values, conclude that the application of 40t per ha may be an agro technical solution for the integration of power plant ash in the agricultural ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chicory is a herbaceous, perennial, edible plant from the Genus Chicorium of the Family Asteraceae. In Romania, chicory is known mainly for its medicinal uses due to its high content of diuretic and laxative, hypoglycaemic, anti-thyroid and depurative substances. Its particular resistance to climate conditions, particularly prolonged droughts, and its high nutritive value have determined the introduction into cultivation of chicory in different fodder crop structures, particularly in moisture-deficit areas, where it is cultivated both in pure culture and in different temporary grassland mixtures. Chicory is a herbaceous, perennial, edible plant from the Genus Chicorium of the Family Asteraceae. It has been known ever since Ancient times: in Ancient Egypt, it was cultivated as a medicinal plant and was used to treat liver and bile, and kidney diseases. Nowadays, chicory root is a very popular coffee surrogate and its aerial parts are used in medicine and gastronomy (basal leaves, slightly bitter, are used in salads). Chicory is native from North Africa, Europe and Asia; it can be seen in different ecological areas, but it is spread mainly in grasslands and in haymaking fields, in uncultivated areas, from the plain area to the hill and mountain areas. In Romania, chicory is known mainly for its medicinal uses due to its high content of diuretic and laxative, hypoglycaemic, anti-thyroid and depurative substances. Though very frequent in the spontaneous flora, chicory is still very little known in Romania as a forage crop. Its particular resistance to climate conditions, particularly prolonged drought, and its high nutritive value (superior to other well-known fodder species such as alfalfa, cock's foot, and clover) determined its introduction in different fodder crop structures, particularly in moist-deficit areas, where it is cultivated both in monoculture and in different temporary grassland mixtures. The last decades, the cultivation of forage chicory has spread to all Mediterranean countries as well as to New Zealand and Australia, U.S.A. and Canada, France, Italy, India, and China (SANDERSON et al., 2001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present agricultural crop structure is dominated by grains (48%) and by technical plants (21%), detrimental to legumes that share only 11% of the cultivated arable area on Earth. If the area cultivated with legumes doubled, the necessary nitrogen fertilisers would reduce with 50% and production costs would reduce with 30%. The increase of areas cultivated with legumes would also balance the protein balance due to a larger amount of vegetal protein. The present paper points out the impact of nitrogen fertilisation on the nodulation capacity and on atmospheric nitrogen fixation in fodder peas (Pisum arvense L.). Research in the field of nitrogen fixation has pointed out the complexity of the impact of environmental nitrogen taken over by the plants on atmospheric nitrogen fixation. Legumes use nitrogen under nitric form (NO3-), as a result of the oxidation of ammonium nitrogen (NH4+) from the mineral fertilisers of from organic nitrogen. These two sources of nitrogen used by the plants (NO3- and fixed N2) are strongly dependent on the plant species, on the bacterial pool and on the environmental factors. Literature presents a consolidated scientific opinion concerning the impact of mineral nitrogen on biological nitrogen fixation: an increase of the concentration of nitrate or ammonium correlates with a decrease of the legume nodulation activity (DAVIDSON and ROBSON, 1986; EAGLESHAM, 1989). Following this work resulted in the following conclusions:Research in the field of nitrogen fixation points out the complexity of the impact of the nitrogen taken over by the plants from the environment on atmospheric nitrogen fixation. Legumes use nitrogen under nitric form (NO3-) as a result of the oxidation of ammonium nitrogen (NH4+) from mineral fertilisers or from organic nitrogen. Nitrogen fertilisation also impact TN and RP plant content. Daily nitrogen fixation decreases from 0.60 mg/plant/day in the control variant to 0.05 mg/plant/day in the variant treated with N100, while the nitrogen fixation rate in relation to dry matter varies between 14.57 mg/g DM and 1.79 mg/g DM in the variant fertilised with N100. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The forage system proposed by the continuous land cultivation has taken under research 5 structures of forage plants, grown one after the other over a period of 2 agricultural years (2009/2010, 2010/2011). In every type of structure the silage corn culture was introduced. Each structure has been studied both under conditions of non fertilization with nitrogen (N0) and with fertilization (N+). As compared to the cultivation structure of the silage corn in monoculture, for 2 years, in other structures, in which were introduced legumes sowed in association, the cumulated quantities of forage biomass have been 30-50% bigger, and the soil has been covered with vegetation in a proportion of over 80% during the entire period of the forage system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The permanent productions in Caraş- Severin county take the second place in terms of surface on national level and represent over 70% of the county surface. The natural potential is little exploited as compared to the economic value of the products that can be obtained. The estimation of conversion capacity of permanent grassland production in animal production has been made according to some studies based on the research in the field of grasslands, on areas similar to the ones in this county. At a medium level of production, its conversion in the meat production would lead to achieving an average increase of kg/ha, at the unfertilized grassland and of 125 kg/ha, at the fertilized grassland. The efficiency in milk production would amount to 1154 l/ha, at unfertilized grasslands and to 2500 l/ha at the fertilized ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study results show that over 70% of the permanent grasslands are affected by soil acidity and moisture excess. In addition, 54% of the floristic structure of these grasslands is made up of invasive species of no value as fodder plants. Among these species, (common) bracken (Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn) has spread extensively these 20 years, covering about 20% of the floristically degraded grassland areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amount of seeds per plant is one of the three features (besides density and seeds weight) conditioning seed production in agricultural crops. In its turn, density is influenced by the sowing distance between the rows and by the seeding rate. Using a lower seeding rate (5 kg/ha) has a stronger impact on the amount of seeds per plant in bird'sfoot trefoil compared to a larger rate (20 kg/ha). The analysis of the impact of trial factors on the amount of seeds per plant in Festuca rubra L. shows that the variants sowed at sowing distances of 12.5 cm or 25 cm at a rate of 5 kg/ha ensure the highest increase of the amount of seeds per plant [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For achieving some culture structures that would ensure, through rotation, a continuous coverage of the agricultural land, 6 types of such structures have been studied, based on aristate ryegrass. Each forage structure, that covers the land for a consecutive period of two years, has been cultivated in two variants: one non fertilized with nitrogen (N0) and the other fertilized (N+) according to the specific dose to each culture. Based on results obtained it has been demonstrated that: in natural experimental conditions, the forage system of continuous cultivation of the land ensures a growth of 2-3 times higher in the forage production as compared to the conventional system based on one culture sown in an agricultural land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The determination of the colonization capacity with permanent nitrogen fixating bacteria has been achieved indirectly through the method of using soil extracts, taken from the rhizosphere of leguminous species existing in the 4 types of permanent grasslands, located on different altitudinal levels (90m, 330m, 900m, 1800m). Treatments with soil extracts taken have been made at three species of legumes (Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Trifolium pratense), seeded on a sown perlite layer and grown in the growth chamber. Between the total amount of nodosities formed and the altitude of grasslands there is a negative correlation. At treatments with extracts taken from grasslands situated between 90-330m, there has been observed the highest number of nodosities formed on roots of tested leguminous species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research on soil nitrogen dynamics of crop structures of the feed system studied had se purpose to reveal the amounts of Nt made at the end of the vegetation periods and on the entire cumulative period of each system, both in unfertilized and fertilized variants with nitrogen. Following the obtained results there was found that the introduction into the feed of corn silage and aristed ryegrass the cumulative amount of Nt in soil was 181.5 kg / ha, at the unfertilized variants and 190.2 kg/ha in the nitrogen fertilized variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Festuca rubra L. is a good competitive species that makes up the floristic structure of temporary meadows and that are used for grazing or mixed use (haymaking field - grassland) together with Festuca pratensis L., Phleum pratense L., Poa pratense L., Trifolium repens L. and Lotus corniculatus L. The paper aims at pointing out the evolution of the floristic composition of the vegetal cover in different mixtures based on (creeping) red fescue (Festuca rubra L.), Dutch / white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.). Analysis of mean results concerning the structure of the floristic composition of mixtures based on Festuca rubra L. (60%) shows that in all 9 types of mixtures there was balance between the degree of participation of (creeping) red fescue and the share of the other two legume species studied. In the control variants, in the two simple mixtures, the share of Dutch / white clover was 48% and that of bird's-foot trefoil was 44%. These values decreased, on the average, with 10% when applying a rate of N50 and with 14% when applying a rate of N100. In the complex mixture, there was a mean value of the degree of participation of the two species of legumes of 46% (with a higher share of the bird's-foot trefoil) in the control variant, of 34% in the variant treated with N50 and of 30% in the variant treated with N100. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) is a perennial species with lower seed germination ability because of the large share of hard seeds. To increase germinating ability, the trial was based on treating bird's-foot trefoil seeds with ultrasounds (at different intensities and for different periods of time); they were then kept for a few days at -3 0°C. Treatment results show that the control variant (not treated) reached a germination level of 57.80%, while the variant treated with ultrasounds and thermally reached a germination level of 94.53% (i.e. 63.5% more). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study refers to the assessment of the effectiveness of treatments of topsoil of fly ash from a fresh deposit. Bioavailability reduction of metals: chromium, copper and lead from soil to the plant tissue, for a healthy vegetation cover of a leguminous plant species is aimed. The modification of metal mobility in the top layer of fly ash through the use of biosolids (municipal sludge) as organic fertilizers alone or mixed with pillared indigenous tuff is indicated by a bioavailability index of metal accumulation in plant tissue. This indicator of bioavailability of heavy metals is called transfer factor (TF) and is the ratio of metal content in plant tissue QP mg/kg DM of total metal content in fly ash treated or untreated site QS mg/kg DM TF = QP/QS. Transfer factor from soil to plant tissue for chromium and copper decreases from 0.11 - 0.18 to 0.06 - 0.08 and from 0.28 to 0.03 for lead when treating the top layer of fly ash with biosolids mixed with pillared indigenous tuff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large variety of seed size at the Bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) affects their quality by the proportion of "hard" and "moldy" seeds. Studies found that germination energy, performed at a 5 days interval, varies depending on seed size: 71.8% at the class of medium seeds, 77% at small seeds, 82.2% at ungrouped seeds and 88.7% at large seeds. The average of results shows an increase in the proportion of "hard" seeds at the version with ungrouped seeds (3.11%) and a decrease in seeds grouped by size classes (1.77-2.42%). At the small and medium-sized groups of seeds there was no record of "moldy" seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most Romanian power plants were built in a period when environmental impact of their operation was undervalued, and constraints related to environmental protection were relatively few. Location of power plants and fly ash dumps was chosen most often by arbitrary criteria, and never after the impact that it may have on the environment. Building fly ash dumps have an effect of destruction of soils not only on the surface equivalent to those of dumps but also of the contiguous lands. Old fly ash dumps are a major risk because of the dispersion of pollutants in water and soil by percolation and soil leaching, and because of the unwanted invasion of weeds that are adaptable to arid conditions of the dumps and then invade surrounding areas jeopardizing the surrounding crops. In attempting to install vegetation an old fly ash dumps, the area were invaded by two species of weeds that quickly overgrown the experimental parcel and the surroundings. The present study followed the invasion degree of fly ash dumps with weeds and aspects regarding their development and breeding in the new formed ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During two years, was studied the phytoextraction potential of some perennial species (Medicago sativa and Trifolium pretense, Festuca arundinacea and Lolium perenne), for Zn, Cd, and Pb from soils polluted with waste mining. The experiment was done on kernozem soil with adding of 20 kg waste mining/m2 and 8 kg biosolid/m2. The results showed that in all experiments, rye-grass is a good extractor for Zn and Cd, and leguminous species for Pb. Both leguminous species, especially M. sativa, presented a high tolerance for lead toxicity, even with 3-4 times greater values than maximum allowable level from actual legislation. In all cases, regardless of the experimental variant, raygrass (Lolium perenne) is a good accumulator of Zn and Cd, and red clover (Trifolium pratense) of Pb. The values of metal bioaccumulation increase gradually with their concentration in soil. Quality of very good extractor of Pb displayed by Trifolium pratense species are kept even in case of excessive pollution with Pb, when it exceed 3.4 times the maximum permissible norms. This proves, as Medicago sativa species, a good tolerance and resistance to toxicity of this metal. In case of addition of natural zeolite-volcanic tuff there was no increase in the rate of Zn bioaccumulation. Only in case of Cd at Lolium perenne and Pb at Trifolium pratense appear the favourable effect of metallic ions bioavailability in soil for plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The compost tested in this study resulted from the anaerobic fermentation process of sewage sludge with cereal straw. Processing and post-treatment were made by Biotechnological Research Centre within INCD ECOIND from Bucharest. Experimental program included testing the effect of fertilizer in quantities of 25 t, 50 t and 100 t compost / ha on the production of soya beans. It was also investigated the influence of the combination of fertilization with compost and inorganic fertilization with levels of 200 kg, respectively, 400 kg NPK / ha. Was analyzed the following productivity indicators: plant density, number of floors of pods, number and weight of pods and total beans production, in full ripening stage. In the case of fertilization only with composted sludge, production of peas and beans was higher in variants with 50 t / ha and 100 t / ha (2095 kg and 1990 kg grain / ha). Therefore, doubling the amount of compost does not provide corresponding increase yields of soybeans. Combining organic and inorganic fertilization determine a proportional production increase only for the total biomass production. The tested compost is a good organic fertilizer and the amount that provides the greatest soybeans production is 50 t / ha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In sewage sludge from urban wastewater treatment stations can often be find high levels of Ni, Pb, Cu, Zn, Mn and Cd. Aerobic or anaerobic composting of this sewage sludge does not eliminate the possibility of bioaccumulation of these metals in plants through metabolic processes of phytoextraction type. Researches regarding the accumulation degree of heavy metals through phytoextraction processes were performed on soybean plants (Glycine max), Condor variety. Plants were fertilized with anaerobic composted sludge in amounts of 25 t of / ha, 50 t / ha and 100 t / ha. The chemical analysis was done on an average sample of three repetitions. Metal concentration in soybeans was analyzed by reporting to the maximum allowance level for sheep, considered one of the most sensitive farm species to heavy metal toxicity. Our results showed a higher level than normal with 5.8 mg / kg only in the case of copper ions. Zn, Pb, Mn and Cd concentration in soybeans was below the maximum allowance limits set by the rules of feeding farm animals. Also, heavy metal content of soybeans was not affected by the amount of composted sludge used as fertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In all conventional agricultural systems based on the application of mineral or organic fertilisers, their impact is assessed depending on the final product (production of green matter or of seeds) and on its quality. At plant level, the impact of fertilisers differentiates depending on the structure and morphological features of the plants. This paper presents the differentiated impact of applying organic and mineral fertilisers on the growth and development of the root system and of the aerial vegetative system in bird's-foot-trefoil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]