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Camellias are evergreen shrubs native to the eastern and southern regions of Asia. In Romania, camellias are popular ornamental plants grown in pots. Pestalotiopsis species have a worldwide distribution and are pathogenic to a wide range of hosts. They also represent an important group of endophytes capable of producing a variety of bioactive secondary metabolites. This paper reports the occurrence of grey blight and twig or branch dieback caused by Pestalotiopsis sp. on Camellia japonica L. grown in pots and used in the landscaping of a public garden located in Iasi city, Romania (GPS coordinates: 47°09′24.0″ N 27°35′15.6″ E). Pestalotiopsis species were identified based on morphological characteristics and Sanger sequencing. Genomic analysis of the fungal isolate coded P_CJ_24, obtained from living plants, was based on ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region amplification using the LSU primers. This first report of Pestalotiopsis species infection of ornamental plants in Romania suggests that new plant pathogens can be introduced in new environmental conditions through plant pods and their incidence increases with the widespread of plant material among gardens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pumpkin, a nutritious and economical product with health benefits, is harvested worldwide. This study investigates the feasibility of incorporating fiber-, carotenoid-, and mineral-rich pumpkin pomace powder (PPP), a by-product of pumpkin processing, into whey cheese to enhance its nutritional profile without affecting consumer acceptability. The cheese was enhanced with varying concentrations of PPP (3% and 6%), and each variant was analyzed for its nutritional content, minerals, phytochemicals, color, and sensory properties. The results demonstrate that PPP addition increased the phytochemicals (45.44–82.83 mg GAE/100 g dw) and antioxidant activity (470.25–977.41 µmol TE/g dw) of the enriched cheese. The findings show that the addition of PPP improved the nutritional, color, and minerals of the enhanced whey cheese. The sensory evaluation indicates that with up to a 3% addition of PPP, the obtained cheese was well-received by consumers, who appreciated the subtle changes in flavor and the enhanced color of the product. The structural analysis reveals that including PPP improved the moisture retention of the cheese, contributing to a creamier texture, which is a desirable attribute in cheese. The study concludes that PPP can be effectively used to enrich cheese, offering a phytochemical-enriched cheese that caters to health-conscious consumers while also addressing the issue of food waste in the pumpkin processing industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial and household pollution is linked to the alteration of our ecosystems. The presence of large amounts of polluting agents affects oxidation-reduction and acid-base balances systems, causing cascade effects over the microbiota and aquatic environment. In this study we evaluated the biochemical parameters of salt lakes from the protected area of Buzau County, using enzymatic assays in correlation with microbial abundance.

Agricultural soil microbial communities are influenced by a multitude of factors, including seasonality and local environmental conditions, management practices and their interaction, and cultivated species. Seasonality can result in variations in temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, and solar radiation, all of which drive rates of soil microbial metabolism and respiration, as well as taxonomic composition. Agricultural crop species can significantly impact the soil microbial population through the release of root exudates. Root exudates are a diverse array of organic compounds that are actively secreted by plant roots into the surrounding soil. These compounds include sugars, organic acids, amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, and other secondary metabolites. Root exudates serve various functions, including providing a carbon source for soil microorganisms, facilitating nutrient uptake by plants, and mediating plant-microbe interactions. This study investigates the dynamics in bacterial communities within the rhizosphere of winter wheat across different growth stages and geographical regions in north-eastern Romania. Soil samples were collected from two locations in Iasi County, one location in Botosani County, one location in Vaslui County, and one location in Galati County. Soil sampling occurred three times during the winter wheat growing season: in the fall of 2022, in April 2023, and in May 2023, covering three phenological stages (emergence, stem elongation, and flowering). The results obtained indicated differences between the wheat crop's phenophase and between locations; however, statistical analysis of the data demonstrated that these differences were not statistically significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malignant melanoma is a cancer of melanocytic origin, typically cutaneous. Despite recent advances, the prognosis is poor. Brain metastases occur in approximately 7-16% of cases and leptomeningeal metastases in 5-7%. Primary central nervous system (CNS) melanoma is rare, accounting for 1% of all melanoma cases and 0.07% of brain tumors. Methods: A 65-year old man presented with haemorrhagic venous infarction of the left temporal lobe, leading to reversible motor aphasia and right-sided hemiparesis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging also revealed peculiar supratentorial cerebral and meningeal lesions suggesting neoplasia or vasculitis. Ancillary tests were unremarkable, a brain biopsy was proposed, but the patient declined. After 1.5 years symptoms recurred and imaging studies found progression of lesions, with necrosis and surrounding vasogenic oedema. The patient finally agreed to a brain biopsy for conclusive diagnosis. Results: Histopathological and immunohistochemical assessment was consistent with malignant pigmented melanoma. There were no suspicious primary lesions, but the patient recounted having had a thoracic skin lump excised some years prior, allegedly benign, yet unavailable for second opinion. Conclusion: In suspicious CNS presentations, histopathological reevaluation of previously excised skin lesions is advised, especially if brain biopsy cannot be performed. Albeit rare, primary CNS melanoma should also be considered.

Orchard crop species can influence the soil microbial population by releasing root exudates, which are compounds released by plant roots into the soil. Some crop species exude compounds that are more beneficial for certain groups of microbes, while others exude compounds that inhibit the growth of certain groups. Additionally, different crop species have different root systems, which can affect the physical structure of the soil and the availability of water and nutrients, which in turn can influence the soil microbial population. This study aimed to determine the soil microbial diversity of some orchards during different seasons to advance knowledge about the role of microbes in the balance of the orchard ecosystem. The research was carried out in a mixed orchard in Iasi county. Effects of season (i.e. autumn, spring and summer) and land use (apple orchard, plum orchard and cherry orchard) on soil microbial populations and microbial community structures were determined using the Petri dish culture method on different culture media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atherogenic dyslipidemia plays a critical role in the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS), being one of its major components, along with central obesity, insulin resistance, and hypertension. In recent years, the development of molecular genetics techniques and extended analysis at the genome or exome level has led to important progress in the identification of genetic factors (heritability) involved in lipid metabolism disorders associated with MetS. In this review, we have proposed to present the current knowledge related to the genetic etiology of atherogenic dyslipidemia, but also possible challenges for future studies. Data from the literature provided by candidate gene-based association studies or extended studies, such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and whole exome sequencing (WES,) have revealed that atherogenic dyslipidemia presents a marked genetic heterogeneity (monogenic or complex, multifactorial). Despite sustained efforts, many of the genetic factors still remain unidentified (missing heritability). In the future, the identification of new genes and the molecular mechanisms by which they intervene in lipid disorders will allow the development of innovative therapies that act on specific targets. In addition, the use of polygenic risk scores (PRS) or specific biomarkers to identify individuals at increased risk of atherogenic dyslipidemia and/or other components of MetS will allow effective preventive measures and personalized therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathogens can cause considerable quantitatively or qualitatively losses during storage both by degrading appearance, taste also can be a major food safety problem for the consumer by producing mycotoxins. Thus, the knowledge and study of the biology and morphology of the micromycetes present on fruits during storage is extremely important. Studied biological material was taken from the natural ventilated warehouse of the horticultural farm „Vasile Adamachi" from "Ion Ionescu de la Brad" Iasi University of Life Sciences (IULS), during December 2022 and March 2023 and it is represented by fruit trees as apple, pear and quince. The sampled fruits were brought to the laboratory, sorted according to the species and the present pathological manifestations, and were prepared for the pathogens identification. From the total of stored and analyzed fruits, was found that Monilinia fructigena fungus showed the highest percentage of infection, by 45% followed by Penicillium spp. fungus which showed a percentage of 43%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbiomes are the collection of all microbial inhabitants of a given system. At the level of the soil, the microbiome includes four major groups of microorganisms: bacteria, fungi, archaea, and protozoa, as they are the main organisms for essential soil processes such as nutrient cycling, decomposition of organic matter, and plant growth promotion. A healthy soil microbiome is essential for sustainable agriculture and the overall health of terrestrial ecosystems. Some agricultural management practices, i.e. irrigation, can have a significant impact on the soil microbiome. The quality and quantity of irrigation water can affect the abundance and diversity of microorganisms in the soil. For example, excess irrigation can lead to waterlogging, which can create anaerobic conditions that favour the growth of certain types of bacteria. On the other hand, irrigation water in the right amounts can have a positive impact on the soil microbiome and promote plant growth. To test this hypothesis in the agricultural year 2022, a research was carried out on maize and soybean grown under irrigated conditions, to analyse the variations of microbial density during the vegetation period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversity is vital for effective ecosystem functioning and represent a part of biodiversity and ecosystem research. Parasitic fungi that grow on plants have reshaped the biosphere and caused the deaths of millions of people since the beginning of agriculture. Nowadays, interest for biodiversity conservation is intensified by concern about the conservation of genetic resources, destruction of forest, extinction of species and the effects of global warming. There are more than 70,000 species of fungi described by mycologists and over 90% of them are classified within Phylum Basidiomycota and Phylum Ascomycota. Understanding relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functions is very important in the context of global plant diversity loss. This paper presents some parasitic micromycetes identified on some estival plants from different areas of Iasi County. In our fieldwork made in the spring of 2023 were indentified some parasitic micromycetes to species as: Corydalis solida L. Clairv., Scilla bifolia L., Anemone ranunculoides, Ranunculus ficaria L. and Fritillaria meleagrioides Patrin ex Schult. & Schult. f.. Identified parasitic micromycetes during the observations that have been made were differentiated according to the disease they cause on plants. Thus, the main diseases identified are represented by: rusts, smuts and downy mildew. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural crop species can influence the soil microbial population through the influence of root exudates, which compounds released by plant roots into the soil. Some crop species exude compounds that are more beneficial for certain groups of microbes, while others exude compounds that inhibit the growth of certain groups. Additionally, different crop species have different root systems, which can affect the physical structure of the soil and the availability of water and nutrients, which in turn can influence the soil microbial population. Moreover, crop species can also influence the soil microbial population by changing the soil pH and the level of organic matter. Crop species that produce large amounts of biomass can increase the amount of organic matter in the soil, which can support a greater diversity of microorganisms. Maize and soybean are some of the most important agricultural crop globally. Both corn and soybean are important crop species for the global food system and also for the economy of many countries, including Romania. A study was conducted to determine the composition of the soil microbial community in the rhizosphere of maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill.) at different phenological stages and to determine whether the two crops influence the microbiological abundance and diversity in the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil microbial diversity is important to sustainable agriculture because microbes mediate many processes that support agricultural production. During four growing seasons of the winter wheat crop (2019-2022), the microbiota of the soil was analyzed, following its evolution during this period of time. Each year, soil samples were taken at two key times for the wheat crop: the beginning of stem elongation (BBCH 32-34) and the end of flowering (BBCH 68-70). The aim of this study was to determine and compare communities of bacteria and fungi occurring in the rhizosphere of winter wheat. The analyzed parameters included: abundance of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, abundance and genera composition of filamentous fungi. The frequency and composition of soil microbiota were examined in 4-years cultivation of winter wheat. The total number of Gram-negative bacteria was significantly higher compared to the total number of Gram-positive bacteria and filamentous fungi. The dominant groups of fungi were the genera Penicillium and Aspergillus, which accounted for more than 50% of the total number of fungal colonies identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil microbial communities in agricultural ecosystems are affected by soil type, climate conditions, plant species, and crop management (i.e. soil tillage, fertilizers, plant protection products, irrigation management). To highlight the influence of irrigation water on soil bacterial communities in maize (Zea mays L.), soil sample were taken in four growth stages of maize crop, between May and August 2022. The dynamics of bacterial community during the vegetation period show an increase from May to July and a slight decrease until the end of August. Our result suggest that irrigation water has a positive impact on bacterial communities in soil, being an additional reason to invest and use irrigation systems in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunflower diseases represent one of the most serious constraints in sunflower crop in Romania. Dobrogea region has around 24% of the area cultivated with sunflower in Romania. The pathogens attack is frequently severe and yield losses can reach up to 50 - 70 %. In the last years, climate change has an influence on the development of the pathogens, also on the host/pathogens interaction. Some changes occur between pathogenic races, some pathogens increase their attack, according with their thermal preferences Our studies have demonstrated that some of the most important pathogens in sunflower have changed their behavior in different climatic conditions. Some pathogens (Macrophomina phaseolina, Puccinia helianthi) which in the past did not attack too much this crop, in Romania, are present in some cultivated areas with sunflower, in Dobrogea, in the last three years. Also, the pathogen Plasmopara halstedii has developed more virulent races, during the last period. The parasite broomrape (Orobanche cumana Wallr.) has also developed new and more virulent races, comparing with those present four years ago, especially in Constanta area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary (1884) is a fungal plant pathogen with worldwide distribution and causes diseses as white mold, Sclerotinia stalk rot, Sclerotinia head rot, watery pod rot or cottony soft rot. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is capabile of infecting many plant species from different botanical families and can cause damage to a large variety of crops as sunflower, soybean, dry bean, canola, some vegetables or in ornamental plants. In Romania, there are very few informations about Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in ornamental plants. In the spring of 2021, we found symptoms of white mold on Forsythia spp. plants from arboretum park of Iasi University of Life Sciences (IULS), located in Iasi city, Romania. The symptoms appeared in water soaked lesions form on flower petals and leaves, infections that has progressed into branch tissue resulting wilt of individual branches. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum isolations were made from leaf and branch tissue fragment from Forsythia spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aerial surfaces of plants, or phyllosphere, represent unique and wide habitats for microbial communities, which play a key role in plant growth and adaptation to adverse conditions. The phyllosphere microbiota is composed mainly of bacteria and fungi, and less frequently are present viruses, cyanobacteria, and protozoans. Leaf-inhabiting fungi and bacteria are important, but often overlooked component of biodiversity studies. To understand their diversity and function in relation to plant species and climate, the phyllospheres of five phylogenetically diverse ornamental plant species (Vinca minor, Aster dumosus, Chrysanthemum indicum, Stachys lanata, and Sedum spectabile) were analyzed under indoor and outdoor conditions. For both environment, Stachys lanata showed the lowest absolute abundance and diversity of fungi and bacteria, while Aster dumosus had the highest abundance and the diversity of fungi in comparacy to the other four plant species. Fungal isolates were abundantly ascomycetes and predominated by commonly known endophytic genera, such as Penicillium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Rhizopus, and Fusarium. In the outdoor environment was a smaller proportion of shared fungal genera among the five different plants, in comparacy to indoor controlled greenhouse. For a better knowledge of the impact of plant species, UV radiation, variable temperature, nutritional resources, and relative humidity on microbial biodiversity, fungal genera from inside and outside cultivated species were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Permanent knowledge of distribution, diversity and interactions between organisms, plants and the environment in which they live is extremely important for the conservation of biodiversity. Interest for biodiversity conservation is intensified by concern bout the conservation of genetic resources, destruction of forest, extinction of species and the effects of global warming. This paper presents some parasitic micromycetes identified on plant species from different areas of Iasi County. In our fieldwork made in the spring of 2021 year were indentified some parasitic micromycetes to spontaneous flora species as: fumewort (Corydalis solida L. Clairv.), alpine squill (Scilla bifolia L.), buttercup anemone (Anemone ranunculoides), lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria L.) și snake's head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagrioides Patrin ex Schult. & Schult. f.) Identified micromycetes cause some plant diseases as downy mildew or rust and this fungi species belong to some different taxonomy: Those who cause downy mildew are from Oomycetes class, and rust are from Teliomycetes class as Tranzschelia, Puccinia.și Uromyces genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to evaluate the influence of five seed-protectant pesticide (fluxapiroxad, triticonazol, tetraconazol + tiofant metil, difenoconazol + fludioxonil and teflutrin + fludioxonil) at recommended concentration (for wheat seed treatment) on the numerical concentration in soil of Azotobacter spp. and Clostridium spp. nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The control variant was represend by soil sample where no seed treatment was applied. Soil samples were taken periodically and analyzed for the numerical determination of nitrogen-fixing bacteria of the genera Azotobacter and Clostridium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study based on the aforementioned theme puts to distinguish specifics agrometeorological characteristics of the agricultural year 2019-2020 in the North-East part of Moldova, and its influence on growth and yield in winter wheat crop. It's presented the average values of precipitations and air temperature for the last decade and the values of precipitations and air temperature recorded between September 2019 and July 2020 and its influence in winter wheat crop. The climatic conditions encountered during the agricultural year 2019-2020 and, especially in the first half of 2020 made this year a very special one, being characterized by the presence of a severe drought, with strong negative influences on growth of cultivated plants and especially of winter wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cereals and cereal products are of unique importance because they are consumed by millions of people and are considered, from a nutritional point of view, the main source of carbohydrates for humans and animals. Thus, the microbiological and mycotoxicological safety of cereals is considered very important both for food and for animal feed. The paper presents the results of research on the level of mycotoxin contamination of cereals and cereal products in Iasi County in the 2015-2019 study interval. The aim was to study the incidence of mycotoxins that have a negative influence on the safety of agri-food products, with subsequent negative impact on human and animal health. The obtained results were within the maximum allowed limits provided by the specific legislation in force (EC Reg. 1881/2006). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunflower broomrape (Orobanche cumana Wallr.) is a parasitic plant which has a significant negative impact on seed yield. The parasite is spread in large areas of Europe, Asia and it has identified recently, in North Africa. Breeding for resistance is regarded as the most effective, feasible and environmentally friendly solution to control sunflower broomrape. However, breeding for resistance is challenging as new races of the parasite have evolved. The use of resistant hybrids of monogenic resistance type, is followed by the appearance of new more virulent races that overcome the existing resistance genes. So, it is necessary to develop sunflower hybrids which can accumulate qualitative and quantitative resistance in a single one, in order to have a durable resistance. Among this, by developing Clearfield Production System in sunflower it could have an important control strategy and complemented the genetic resistance against the parasite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Instant noodles and the accompanying seasonings have gained popularity because of its convenience and affordability among young population in most country of the World. In this study the microbial quality (bacteria and fungi) of three different brands of noodles (designated as A, B and C) with their accompanying seasonings commonly marketed and consumed in Romania were investigated. The samples were serially diluted and poured in Petri plates. One gram of each brand of noodles and seasonings was aseptically transferred into 9 ml of sterile distilled water. Potato dextrose agar (PDA) in different compositions (classic, with streptomycin and rose-bengal stain) were the media used in this research. The least microbial load was obtained by heating samples at 100°C for 10 min. Sample B had the highest bacterial count of 16*10³ cfu/g for cold noodles, and also the highest count of 6.6*10³ cfu/g for hot noodles. For the seasonings, the total bacterial count varied from 6.6*10³ cfu/g (sample A) to 33*10³ cfu/g (sample B). The total fungal count of all samples was slightly higher than that of the bacterial counts. Microbial analysis showed the presence of Gram negative bacteria as predominant bacteria type (e.g. Pseudomonas spp), while Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Penicillum were the three isolated genera of fungi. Penicillum was the most frequently isolated genera of fungi in case of all brands of noodles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents information on deoxynivalenol contamination of cereals and food products derived from them, in Iasi County, in the 2015-2019 study interval. Data are presented on the incidence of deoxynivalenol, which has a negative influence on food safety, with a negative impact on the consumer's health. The study was conducted to assess the level of contamination of cereals and food products derived from them in Iasi County and to adopt European Commission regulations on maximum levels of mycotoxins in various raw materials and products for human consumption.The method used for the study is a direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which allows to obtain exact concentrations for the studied mycotoxin, expressed in µg / kg. The obtained results were within the maximum limits allowed by the current specific legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examined the diversity and abundance of microbial communities isolated from chernozem soil type in response to crop species and season from southeast region of Moldavia, Romania. Soil types, plant species, season, human activities and various land management regimes all have great impact on soil biology, but our knowledge of biodiversity of soil microorganisms is still very limited. Therefore, during 2018 we assessed the variation of microbial community in chernozem soil and its response to plant species (rapeseed, sunflower, sugar beet, wheat and maize) and season (spring, autumn). At each site, five replicate bulk samples were taken, consisting of 10 randomly collected subsamples from the surface soil (10-15 cm horizon). The samples were transported to the laboratory, stored overnight at 4°C, air-dried at room temperature and sieved (2-mm mesh) prior to further use in the experiment. The influence of crop species and season on the total number of microorganisms (CFU g-1), relationships between the main groups (bacteria and fungi) and the spectrum of filamentous fungi from our experiment were established. The abundance of the microbial community from all crop species were ranked as follows: wheat (19.2 x 106 CFU g-1) > sunflower (1.3 x 106 CFU g-1) > maize (1.1 x 106 CFU g-1) > sugar beet (0.6 x 106 CFU g-1) > rapeseed (0.4 x 106 CFU g-1). In case of yearly seasons, the microbial abundance decreased from spring to autumn. Occurrence and distribution of filamentous fungi isolated from soil samples provide new insights into ecology and niche specialization of several soil-borne species. Overall, genera composition of filamentous fungi from chernozem soil cultivated with different crop species was not very heterogeneous and most fungal genera were common to all location. Our results suggest that crop species and yearly seasons have a significant impact on microbial richness and diversity. Extensive use of xenobiotic compounds in agriculture will degrade soil microbial communities, because they affect directly microbial abundance and composition, and indirectly soil texture and fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Septoria tritici blotch, caused by Zymoseptoria tritici, is a major disease of wheat in many areas of the world. Optimal conditions for development of Zymoseptoria tritici take place during April and May. High risk of Septoria tritici blotch disease periods are defined as days with at least 10 mm rain, or else up to three consecutive days with 10 mm or more rain. The research was conducted during 2015-2019 (four agricultural years). The climatic conditions specific for these interval of time made it to be present in wheat fields Zymoseptoria tritici which causes Septoria tritici blotch disease of wheat. The aim of this paper is to describe the behaviour of eleven Romanian winter wheat varieties (Glosa, Izvor, Miranda FDL, Otilia, Pajura, Pitar, Semnal, Ursita, Andrada, Codru and Bezostaia 1) under natural infection conditions with Zymoseptoria tritici. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate elements, such as temperature and atmospheric precipitation, are driving factors in plant diseases developmenet and vary widely between years. Weather factors play a decisive role in achieving higher yields and in the development of plant pathogens. Besides temperature and atmospheric precipitation, wind and relative humidity of the air, play an important role in the development of diseases. In this study are presented the results obtained during the period 2015-2018, in the northeastern part of Romania, Iasi county. During the three agricultural years studied, the climatic conditions were different from one year to the next. The influence of climatic factors was observed as a result of differences in production yields and the presence of the pathogens and the frequency with which they were manifested. In view of climate change and unfavorable influence on the agricultural sector, cultivation of the most suitable varieties can lead to higher yields, even in years when climatic conditions are unfavorable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black point is a common disease in all wheat growing regions of the world and is an important quality defect of the wheat kernel. Black point can be characterized by a dark brown to black discoloration of the pericarp and testa, primarily embryo sides of the grains. Wheat kernel black point disease is associated with many microorganisms, both fungi or bacteria, but those most usually responsable for these symptoms are species of the fungus Alternaria alternata, Cochliobolus sativus, Fusarium graminearum, Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp. This study was undertaken to investigate the incidence of black point on some winter wheat cultivars in the nord-est area of Romania. Twenty-eight (Triticum aestivum L.) winter wheat varieties were compared for reaction to black point in a 2-years field trials. There were individual varietal differences in black point incidence within each of the varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The destructive disease of tomato worldwide, fusarium wilt, is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Sacc) W. C. Synder & H. N. Hans., a vascular wilt pathogen. The fungus affects greenhouse and field grown tomatoes in warm vegetable production areas. Yellowed leaves and wilted plants with low or absent crop yield are the main symptoms of the disease. In this paper we have analyzed possible substitutes to synthetic fungicides in controlling the pathogen. Since the potential of essential oils as antimicrobial agents is well established and farmers around the world already use traditional recipes, we have decided to test a fair amount of essential oils and four homemade fungicides against the growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici mycelium. For the experiment, 1 ml of essential oil serial dilutions of 0.1%, 1% and 10% were used along with the most used worldwide homemade fungicides. Fungal growth measurements were taken every 24h for 13 days, until no fungal growth was registered. Results show that 0.1% essential oils concentration had no inhibitory effect, while at 1% oil concentration only oregano essential oil was 61% effective. At 10% cinnamon, cloves, thyme, oregano and lemon essential oils showed cidal effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The levels of airborne microbe in different educational buildings from urban and rural environments are unknown previously in Neamt County, Romania. Air contamination by airborne fungal spores was investigated in 2017 over a period of 3 months (April-June) using the Petri plate gravitational settling (passive) method. Petri plates contained nutrient media (PDA) in three different compositions (classic, with rose-bengal and with streptomycin) were exposed to room air for a 15-min period face upwards to collect particles settling by gravity. The location differed in habitat characteristics, such as urbanization level, vegetation and microclimate and these characteristics could affect spore occurrence in indoor air. The identification of the fungi was made according to their microscopic properties and through references. The most common culturable airborne fungal genera were Penicillium, Aspergillus and Cladosporium (89.4, 7.3 and 1.4% of the total, respectively). Our results showed that fungal spores concentrations in the educational institutions air was situated at low level, with exception of one kindergarten classroom from the rural area, which has potential to develop adverse health effects to the occupants (957 CFU/m3 air). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat crop are damaged by numerous pathogens which cause diseases which produce quantitative and qualitative yield losses under Moldovian area pedoclimatic conditions. It is well know that wheat is one of the most important crop for world agriculture and the continuous diversification of the wheat range varieties can be an effective measure for increasing and stabilizing wheat production. This paper presents the research results concerning the behavior of 32 Romanian winter wheat cultivars, based on the data obtained during 2015-2017, performing at Didactic Station Iasi - Ezăreni Farm. The research was designed according to the randomized block method in three replications, containing 25 variants; every variant was represented by one of the winter wheat cultivars. The control variant of the experience was the Bezostaia 1 wheat variety. The winter wheat varieties under study exhibited a wide variability over the studied factors. During the study period, the pathogens present in the winter wheat crop were represented by Blumeria graminis f.sp. tritici (DC) Speer., Septoria tritici Rob. et Desm. and Puccinia recondita f.sp. tritici Rob. et Desm. The degree of attack (DA%) of pathogens were determined with frequency (F%) and intensity (I%) of attack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]