Volume 32, No. 1 (2023)
Articles
INVASIVE PLANTS IN THE MEADOWS OF ROSCI 0354 PROTECTED AREA COTMEANA PLATFORM
MILIAN GURĂU(*), IONUŢ DĂNUŢ COSTACHE
Adventive species are found countrywide in Romania and significant efforts are necessary to prevent them from becoming an aggression even to reservations. In the perimeters in which invasive species have spread, extraction works were necessary to the purpose of containing them under 5%. Species such as Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Amorpha fruticosa, Carpinus betulus, Crataegus monogyna, Helianthus tuberosus, Phytolaca americana, Reynoutria bohemica, Robinia pseudacacia, Rubus caesius end Sambucus ebulus have been extracted. Even so, the balance of the abiotic and biotic parameters of the affected areas is relatively delicate.
MONITORING THE SPREAD OF 'CANDIDATUS PHYTOPLASMA SOLANI' IN MOLDAVIAN TOMATO VARIETIES
AIGHIUNI BAHSIEV(1*), IRINA ZAMORZAEVA(1), NADEJDA MIHNEA(2)
The molecular diagnosis of the spread of the pathogen 'Candidatus Phytoplasmasolani' was carried out in two local Moldavian varieties of tomato, Desteptarea and Mary Gratefully, at the stage of mass fruit ripening during two growing seasons (2020 and 2022). A relatively low level of infection of the tomato field was revealed for both studied varieties in these years, especially compared with the data of the phytoplasma distribution for the previous years of the study, 2018 and 2019. Possible reasons for the sharp decrease of tomato infection in recent years, requiring further additional study, are discussed. The main result of the research is that both studied varieties, Desteptarea and Mary Gratefully, are not resistant to 'Ca. P. solani' as the variety with the highest / lowest level of the infection alternated between the growing seasons. Thus, the level of infection with phytoplasma in two varieties of tomato varied according to the conditions of the year, without being a characteristic of the genotype.
IDENTIFICATION OF THE MOST VALUABLE GRAPEVINE VARIETIES OF WHITE WINE FOR HUŞI VINEYARD BY ANALYTICAL HIERARCHICAL PROCESS
ELENA-COCUŢA BUCIUMEANU(1), DIANA ELENA VIZITIU(1*), LUCIAN DINCĂ(2), VLAD CRIŞAN(2)
The work purpose was to apply the analytical hierarchical process (AHP) method for ranking and selecting grapevine varieties, to assess the market demands for developing a program of setting up new plantations in a near future in Huşi Vineyard, one of the oldest vineyards of the Moldavian Hills Viticultural Region. Seven grapevine varieties of white wine (Aligoté, Băbească gri, Donaris, Ozana, Pinot gris, Riesling italian, Fetească regală) and fourteen criteria (quantitative and qualitative)were used in the AHP exercise. The analyses were carried out using the Expert Choice Desktop software. Ozana, Băbească gris and Aligoté genotypeswere selected as having the greatest potential for Huşi vineyardfrom the group of white wine genotypes taken into the study.The work can contribute to the maintaining of a durable viticulture, to quality white wines production and a more reliable future of the viticultural area.
ALLELOPATHIC EFFECT OF AILANTHUS ALTISSIMAEXTRACT ON THE GERMINATION OF ZEA MAYS, OCIMUM BASILICUM AND PHACELIA TANACETIFOLIA SEEDS
DINA ELISOVETCAIA(*), RAISA IVANOVA
Extracts from various parts of the plant Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, due to the content of phenolic compounds and quassinoids, may have herbicidal or allelopathic properties against various plant species. The most valuable are natural herbicides with selective action. Therefore, the purpose of our work was to study the allelopathic effect of the ethanol extract from leaves of A. altissima on the germination of seeds of both cultivated (Zea mays L.) and weed (Ocimum basilicum L. and Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth.) plants. It was found that under laboratory conditions, the extract of A. altissima at a concentration of 1.25–2.50% significantly (p≤0.05) suppressed the germination of all tested seeds, and also completely suppressed the growth of the shoots. The length of the roots in the variants with the extract was significantly lower than the control (41.7–43.3 times for Z. mays, 31.3–31.4 times for O. basilicum and 7.4–7.7 times for P. tanacetifolia) and at the level of a chemical standard (0.30–0.50 cm). The most significant allelopathic effect was found in the extract of A. altissima at a concentration of 2.5% dry matter – the suppression of germination was 91.5-99.0%, depending on the species of seed: the highest rate of germinated seeds (8.5%) was noted for the cultivated plant Z. mays, while the lowest (1.0%) is found for the seeds of P. tanacetifolia. It was established that the seeds treated with the extract from A. altissima, as well as in the standard, had low germination energy, which was an order of magnitude less than in both control and chemical standard variants. The least sensitive to the effects of the A. altissima extract at a concentration of 1.25% were the seeds of O. basilicum – germination was 37.75%, which was still significantly (2.5–2.6 times) lower than in the control and standard. Therefore, A. altissima ethanolic extract did not show selectivity of action and showed allelopathic properties both in relation to the dicotyledonous weeds of O. basilicum and P. tanacetifolia, and in relation to the cultivated monocotyledonous Z. mays plant.
AN INVESTIGATION BASED ON PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOUND REMOVAL IN MULTIPLE CULTURES STREPTOMYCES MIUG 4.89 AND ACTIVATED SLUDGE
CLAUDIA-VERONICA UNGUREANU(1*), DUMITRA RĂDUCANU(2*), ANA –MARIA GEORGESCU(3)
The consumption of pharmaceuticals has increased worldwide and new compounds are continually being introduced in the market. Studies on the occurrence of pharmaceuticals show that the widely used pharmaceuticals acid clofibric are present in relevant concentrations in the environment. This molecule is recognized as highly resistant to biodegradation (WWTP biomass or bacteria) and has high persistence in the environment. Hence, to date, the elimination of this molecule continues to be a subject of interest. This study employs a viable alternative for micropollutant removal. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of selected strain to degrade CLA and their adaptability in multiple cultures with activated sludge. Additionally, the possibility of biostimulation of the activity of microorganisms from the consortium by optimizing their functionality in the biodegradation process of pharmaceutical compound was also examined. The results showed a removal efficiency of CLA of 58.5% when the wet biomass ratio Streptomyces MIUG 4.89: activated sludge was 1:1. This work represents the first study of the ability of multiple cultures Streptomyces MIUG 4.89 and activated sludge to remove this refractory compound
PHYTOTOXIC EFFECTS OF A COMMON LAUNDRY DETERGENT ON LETTUCE (LACTUCA SATIVA L.) USING THE MATHEMATICAL MODELLING OF FACTORIAL TYPE
ANA-MARIA GEORGESCU(1*), CLAUDIA URSACHI(2), CLAUDIA –VERONICA UNGUREANU(3), DUMITRA RĂDUCANU(4*)
Laundry detergents are mixtures of chemical compounds commonly used as cleaning agents for clothes and various objects. Their different degree of decomposition and transformation make wastewater to contain a variable proportion of such contaminants. There is a possibility of contamination of the soil, but also of plant crops with detergents, if these insufficiently treated waters are used in irrigation.The aim of this study is to evaluate the degree of phytotoxicity of lavender powder detergent on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). The effect of the detergent was highlighted through the germination of seeds and the growth of lettuce seedlings.The use of lettuce as a test plant is recommended by OECD 208 and is a species that can be easily handled in pilot conditions but also in the field.
ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTS OF SOME ESSENTIAL OILS AGAINST UROPATHOGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI STRAINS
IONUT-ALEXANDRU CHELARU, IOANA-MADALINA SION, DUMITRA RĂDUCANU(*)
Now, there is a big interest on the discovering and developing a new antimicrobial product with efficient actions on pathogen bacteries. Also, a lot of attention has been focused on the antimicrobial activity screening and methodology of this. A lot of study aims antibacterial activity of the plants like phytotherapeutic alternatives of the antibiotics resistance (Giamarellou H., 2005, Foxman B., 2010, Schmiedel J. et al., 2014, Zangane Matin F., et al. 2021). In this paper, evaluated a number of 408 urocultures and antibiograms and tested some essentials oils from : Mentha piperita, Origanum vulgare and Thymus vulgaris. The results showed that all theessentials oils tested has a good antibacterial activity in urinary infections, compared with antibiotics.
PRELIMINARY RESEARCH REGARDING THE STRESS INDUCED IN LEMNA SP. AND IN FOLSOMIA SP. BY SOME CHLORINE COMPOUNDS USED DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC
DUMITRA RĂDUCANU(1*), RAMONA-ALEXANDRA CIAUŞU(1), IONUŢ -VIOREL STOICA(1), DIANA-ELENA MAFTEI(1), CLAUDIA UNGUREANU(2), ANA-MARIA GEORGESCU(3*)
The chlorine-base compounds (traded as solutions, gel, or tablets, widely used as disinfectants of surfaces, of clothes, or as a sanitizer, may be toxic for the environment, to some extent). This instantly affects the organisms in direct contact with the chlorine products, and the long term chronic effect may cause significant shifts to the impacted ecological niche. During this scientific study there were observed some test organisms, as a screening tool for the chlorine compounds from their environment. Both test species (Lemna sp. and Folsomia sp.) can be tested in the laboratory at low costs. This present study comprises preliminary results, that will be continued by a factorial analysis of other chlorine compounds concentrations and their impact reflected by the juvenile sprintailsț number, by the number of altered Lemna sp. fronds, and the root regrowth.
PRELIMINARY RESEARCH REGARDING SOME GENOTYPES OF ROSEHIP IN LOCAL POPULATIONS FROM BACĂU COUNTY
DIANA-ELENA MAFTEI(*), DELIA-ANDREEA IANĂU
This present paper comprises a research on the biology and importance of a well-known species, namely the rosehip (Rosa canina L.). All the experimental data may represent a starting point for its medicinal and phytotherapeutical research. The rosehip is a perennial shrub. The fruit colour ranges from red to orange. The rosehips contain large amounts of vitamins (mainly C vitamin) (Egea I. et al, 2010), minerals, fatty acids, carotenoids, flavonoids, sugars, aminoacids, and essential oils. Their therapeutic properties are: fortifying, tonic, facilitate the peripheral blood circulation through capillary blood vessels, stimulate bile secretion, soothen liver damage, stomach aches, intestinal inflammation, prevent kidney stones, ameliorate cough and hoarse voice. There were studied nine genotypes of Rosa canina L., belonging to five native populations from Bacău county. The rosehips were harvested and observed (200 fruit/each GPS location). A rather large variability was noticed in our survey on rosehip fruit, regarding fruit number/plant, fruit shape and size, as well as colour range (dark red to orange). Based on the turnover of the investigated five plant populations, the highest score was provided by population number 3 (from Racova village). This population lies in the Bistrița river’s major river bed and meadow. The microclimate is nevertheless more favourable, compared to the other populations’ we observed. Further studies on other rosehip populations will complete our research.
FUTURE PERSPECTIVES FOR PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT IN BRASSICA: A REVIEW
GABRIEL-ALIN IOSOB(*), TINA OANA CRISTEA, ALEXANDRU BUTE
In this review, potential strategies for minimizing pest and disease challenges associated with Brassica crops are explored and discussed. Through a systematic literature review, we analyze the different methods and approaches used for pest and disease management. Key findings highlight promising approaches to sustainable pest management, including the use of biological control agents and environmentally friendly insecticides. We also discuss the importance of crop rotation, variety selection, and integrated pest management practices in reducing the impact of pests and diseases on Brassica. It was concluded that the future perspectives are critical to their long-term health and productivity. This review provides valuable insights for researchers, farmers, and government agencies seeking innovative approaches to improve pest and disease management in Brassica crops.
ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT SPONTANEOUS PLANTS OF THE FAMILY BRASSICACEAE FROM THE TERRITORY OF ROMANIA
MILIAN GURĂU(*)
Plants from the Brassicaceae family, found in the wild flora of Romania, are reputed for their value for nutrition, medicine, agriculture, environmental protection, horticulture and toxicology. There are 73 spontaneous species with different uses, which contain characteristic, spicy substances and impose a limitation in their consumption. Over 30 species are of interest for phytomedicine, 17 species have seasoning value as food, 2 species are of use in veterinary medicine, only 18 species are toxic, while for industry there are no species of particular economic value although 6 species contain oil. A new category of uses has emerged, including 10 species of plants that resist the accumulation of polluting substances in the soil and that contribute to the phytoremediation of areas contaminated with polluting and sometimes very dangerous substances. Only 9 species belong to the category of melliferous plants and they have no economic importance. 11 species can be cultivated for decoration. For cosmetics, there are only 6 species, whose oils are more valuable for soap making. A small number of species are useful for biological treatments in agriculture: of these, 6 species can be used to control insects and 1 species is effective to control fungi. Excepting rape, Brassica rapa, the wild species of this family are not of melliferous importance.
BROCCOLI: INSIGHTS OF SOME IN VITRO CELLS AND TISSUE CULTURE RESEARCH
TINA OANA CRISTEA(*), GABRIEL ALIN IOSOB, ALEXANDRU BUTE, DENISA SEVERIN, ANDREEA BEATRICE CATANĂ, CLAUDIA BĂLĂIŢĂ
Cole crop vegetables (Brassica oleracea L.) are cool-season crops that include broccoli (B. oleracea Italica), cauliflower (B. oleracea Botrytis), and cabbage (B. oleracea Capitata). Brassica oleracea, convar. botrytis, var Italica, Fam. Brassicaceae (Cruciferae), is grown for its dark green inflorescences. Its English name derives from the Italian “brocco” and the Latin “bracchium”, which means arm or branch (Boswell, cited by Singh et al., 2004). Biotechnology is part of the broader field of genetic mapping, analysis and research called genomics. In contrast to earlier methods of plant breeding, the new techniques allowed a much wider set of traits to be introduced into plants, in a much shorter period of time. These included resistance to herbicides, pest resistance, cold and drought tolerance, tolerance to salt in soils, enhanced nutrition and vitamin content and many other traits. Brassica biotechnology includes organo¬genesis, somatic embryogenesis, microspore culture and doubled haploids, somatic cell fusion, molecular markers for genetic fidelity of in vitro-grown plants, marker-assisted selection, and transformtation. In the present mini-review we outline the main achievements presented by the literature on the main and more often employed techniques used as tools for amplifying classic breeding results.
ECONOMICALLY AND ECOLOGICALLY IMPORTANT SPONTANEAOUS SPECIES OF FABACEAE FAMILY FROM THE TERRITORY OF ROMANIA
MILIAN GURĂU(*)
The current study involves 120 spontaneous species with economic value, which were selected from the Fabaceae family from the territory of Romania and which cover the following categories: 59 fodder species, 48 melliferous species, 57 medicinal species, 3 industrial species, 7 species for vegetable dyes, 4 insecticide species, 8 cosmetic species and 17 decorative species. Some species have multiple uses, but most of them, i.e. 108 species are ecologically important, of which some are suitable for ecological restoration. There are 23 toxic species of which 2 cause major problems. Useful species can be found in this family to solve future economy and ecological problems.
AN OVERVIEW OF PHARMACEUTICAL POLLUTANTS IN THE ENVIRONMENT
IONUŢ-ALEXANDRU CHELARU(1*), ALEXANDRA SĂVUCĂ(1), ALIN STELIAN CIOBÎCĂ(2), MIRCEA NICUŞOR NICOARĂ(1)
Pharmaceutical pollution is a new area that has attracted interest because of its environmental detrimental effects. A major issue currently is the usage that leads to abuse, which leads to the further release of chemicals into the environment. A very wide range of pharmaceutical substances, from anti-epileptics, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, antidepressants or anti-diabetics, are present in the environment. These substances have been frequently detected in recent years from waste water, surface water, groundwater and even in drinking water. This has raised public health concerns and therefore further research studies are needed to fill the information gaps in this field.