Volume 33, No. 2 (2024)
Articles
EVALUATING THE EFFICIENCY OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES WITH KAIROMONAL PROPERTIES ON THE BEHAVIOR OF THE ENTOMOPHAGOUS TRICHOGRAMMA EVANESCENS W.
LIDIA GAVRILIȚĂ(*), TUDOR NASTAS
The research conducted during the years 2020-2023 has demonstrated that in the experimental variant (in the presence of biologically active substances), the prolificity of Trichogramma evanescens females increased by approximately 1.4-1.5 times compared to the prolificity of females in the control variant. As a result, there is a quantitative saving of Sitotroga cerealella eggs in the reproduction process by 20-25%, and of the elite entomophage Trichogramma spp. by about 15-20%. The searching capacity of the entomophage Trichogramma evanescens, as a result of the influence of biologically active substances with kairomonal properties, showed results approximately 1.6 times higher in the control, indicating that females in the control move more slowly than in the experimental variant. The obtained results demonstrate a significant activation of the entomophage females in the presence of biologically active substances with kairomonal properties. Due to the influence of kairomonal substances, the females of the entomophage Trichogramma evanescens are more active in searching for eggs for parasitization, leading to approximately a 10% increase in the rate of parasitized eggs compared to the control variant. In the case of experiments conducted under field conditions, the action of kairomonal substances was confirmed to significantly increase the rate of parasitized eggs compared to the control variant (Td = 2.5-4.8 > 1.96 = T0.05). Biologically active substances play a crucial role in the biological protection of plants.
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF SOME SPONTANEOUS PLANTS FROM THE APIACEAE FAMILY FROM THE TERRITORY OF ROMANIA
MILIAN GURĂU(*)
In the spontaneous Flora of Romania there are 124 species with 15 typical subspecies and 25 atypical subspieces, to which there are added 9 critical species and 1 hybrid. From all these species 100 of them can be used for some properties that have 175 uses. Only volatile substances are described for some of them, others plants are still under study. From all of these, we selected 62 species with therapeutic value, 5 species for veterinary medicine, 19 seasoning plants, 4 species for cosmetics, 4 species for food industry, 8 species for fodder in agriculture, 17 species with poor melliferous value, 10 decorative species, 16 toxic species, 22 species contain insecticidal substances, 6 species contain fungidal substances, 1 species contains herbicidal substances, 2 species for ecological restauration, 1 coloring species.
THE ONTOGENETIC DEVELOPMENT CYCLE OF THE SPECIES PLODIA INTERPUNCTELLA Hbn. UNDER CONTROLLED CONDITIONS
CORINA GLIBICIUC(*), TUDOR NASTAS
The biological indices of the species Plodia interpunctella, propagated under controlled laboratory conditions, were evaluated. It has been demonstrated that the biological indicators and the development period of an ontogenetic cycle of this species can be used as an alternative host for the multiplication of the entomophagous Bracon hebetor. A nutrient environment was developed, which allows the development of an ontogenetic cycle of the Plodia interpunctella species in controlled laboratory conditions during about 22-25 days.
ASPECTS OF THE ECOLOGY OF THE EURASIAN KESTREL (FALCO TINNUNCULUS) IN IAȘI CITY, ROMANIA
IOANA-GABRIELA FILIPIUC(*), MĂDĂLINA-ELENA ROȘU, CARMEN GACHE
The Eurasian kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a diurnal raptor that has been associated with urban areas for several decades and has gotten used to living within cities all over Europe. At the same time, the population trend shows a slow decline on a continental level. In our study, we combined and compared observations introduced in the national database Ornitodata during the years 2021 and 2022 with our data from 2022 and 2023. The quantitative data shows a positive trend in the population compared to the previous year. The 52 individuals present within the city in 2022 were grouped in areas defined as favourable, and for the 11 breeding pairs observed all fledged at least one chick. We have also determined a preference for nesting on the roofs or in the attics of tall buildings, located very close to the green areas that serve as hunting grounds. During the colder months, a large part of the population migrates either to the outskirts or outside of the city. Analysing two sets of pellets from one breeding pair, we have found that the main prey items were small rodents, followed by insects and birds. We have also observed the birds’ interaction with the urban habitat and present data regarding the benefits and challenges of synanthropization for this kestrel species.
FEEDING ECOLOGY OF SQUALIUS CEPHALUS POPULATIONS FROM RIVER OITUZ
ROXANA MAXIM(1*), ANGELICA RUSU(1), GABRIEL-IONUȚ PLAVAN(2), DOREL URECHE(3), ION COJOCARU(2), MIRCEA NICOARĂ(1,2)
In the present study, the aim was the quantitative and qualitative analysis of macroinvertebrates from the stomach content of the Squalius cephalus population living in the Oituz River basin. The stomach contents were investigated using a binocular stereomicroscope and the macroinvertebrates were identified to the smallest possible taxon. In the stomach of 60 specimens of Squalius cephalus, 10 macroinvertebrate groups were identified with 184 specimens. Among the macroinvertebrate groups identified, Coleoptera and Nematoda were the most common, with 75% and 36.6%, respectively. The highest dominance index was calculated for the Coleoptera group with 60.68% followed by Nematoda with 28.8%. In 14 of these 60 stomachs, we found fish remains, represented by: scales, vertebrae, radii, heads, and even larger pieces of undigested or digested fish. In addition to these, we also identified: feathers, plant fibers, pebbles, fat drops, and microplastics. In the stomachs of the 60 specimens of chub, we identified 124 microplastics in the form of microfibers of different colors and sizes: 42 purple, 38 blue, 19 red, 13 black, and 12 brown. This material's widespread occurrence and ingestion indicate that future research is needed for an ample range of species and habitats to fully establish the potential effects of microplastics in the aquatic environment.
IMPROVING ECOLOGICAL RESILIENCE AND SWEET PEPPER (CAPSICUM ANNUUM L.) CROP YIELD VIA BIOCHAR AND WOOD VINEGAR APPLICATION
DAN IOAN AVASILOAIEI, MARIANA CALARA(*), CLAUDIA BĂLĂIȚĂ, ANDREEA ANTAL-TREMURICI
Modern agriculture is increasingly focused on sustainable and eco-friendly practices to meet growing global food demands while reducing the environmental footprint. This study investigates the application of biochar and wood vinegar as potential eco-agricultural tools to improve the growth, yield, and ecological sustainability of DarianaBac sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) variety in an ecological farming system. Over the course of 2023 growing season, field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of the two horticultural applications and the outcome highlighted that biochar and wood vinegar treatments had a synergistic effect, leading to increased sweet pepper plant growth, including greater plant height, leaf and flower number per plant, and overall biomass production. Moreover, an improved quality of the sweet pepper harvest was underscored. These findings highlight the potential of the two treatments of enhancing the ecological sustainability of sweet pepper cultivation in an eco-agricultural system while reducing the environmental impact associated with conventional farming practices. Further studies are warranted to optimize application methods and dosages, as well as to assess the potential of these amendments in other ecological crop systems.
ASPECTS REGARDING THE DIVERSITY OF THE BIRD FAUNA IN THE PERIMETER OF SOME RESERVOIRS ON THE VALLEY OF SIRET RIVER (BACĂU COUNTY, ROMANIA)
MĂDĂLINA-ELENA ROȘU(*), IOANA-GABRIELA FILIPIUC, CARMEN GACHE
In this study, we present the results of our monitoring activity on the bird fauna of three reservoirs (Galbeni, Răcăciuni and Berești), located in the middle basin of Siret River and part of ROSPA0063 Buhuși – Bacău – Berești Nature 2000 site. Our study began in June 2022 and ended in May 2023, following the dynamic of bird fauna during the breeding season, migration, and wintering time. We identified 152 bird species in the investigated area, and we present quantitative data for each studied reservoir. The breeding populations are small, but these three reservoirs shelter significant waterfowl population during the migration and wintering time. We notice the relevance of this territory as flyway for white stork (Ciconia ciconia) and raptor birds (Accipitriformes, Falconiformes) in the eastern Romania. We mention the presence of 39 protected bird species through Annex 1 of Birds’ Directive. We recorded 30 bird species mentioned in the Romanian Red Book of Vertebrates, including four which are considered critically endangered bird species: Pelecanus crispus, Haliaeetus albicilla, Clanga clanga, and Milvus migrans. We also give data about trends of the bird species in comparison with similar studies done more than two decades ago in this perimeter. We identified the main threatening risks for the bird fauna, and we assess the level of anthropogenic impact on the presence of bird species in the area.
STUDY ON THE QUALITY OF BOTTLED DRINKING WATER
ELISA FERENȚ, RADU-CORNELIU GHIMPU, ROXANA-ELENA VOICU(*)
This study presents a comparative analysis of twelve commercial brands of still bottled water from Romania. To this end, we compared the placement of chemical parameters below the maximum permissible limit of each compound. It was also verified whether the information is inscribed on the label according to the legislation in force. To evaluate population awareness of the importance of drinking water’s quality, a questionnaire was created to which 117 people from several different counties of Romania answered. So it was found that the most popular aspect on wich the respondents based on their preferences in purchasing the water they drink, is represented by the organoleptic properties, most of them (33.33%), preferring the brand Aqua carpatica. The study found that all the analysed still water assortments fall within the accepted standards for the chemical parameters of drinking water.
ASPECTS REGARDING THE INCIDENCE OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
DANIELA TIȚĂ(1), TATIANA CIUREA(2), IONUȚ STOICA(3*), DUMITRA RĂDUCANU(3*), DIANA IOANA TIȚĂ(4)
Chronic renal failure (CKD) affects approx. 10% of the global population, being a serious public health problem. To detect chronic kidney disease (CKD), it is necessary to evaluate the glomerular filtration rate, because the disease is asymptomatic until the kidneys fail. Evaluation of the glomerular filtration rate based on the determination of the creatinine level is useful for the detection of kidney disease in the early stage. Therapeutic interventions can limit the progression of BCR and the occurrence of complications.
THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES ON THE HUMAN MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS – A REVIEW
ALINA-BEATRIS DAVID1, DIANA-ELENA MAFTEI(2*)
The mesenchymal stem cells (mesenchymal stem cells – MSCs) are thoroughly researched and explored by the regenerative medicine and tissular engineering, due to their immunosuppressive and renewal properties, replacement and regeneration of the injured or dead tissues. They differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondroblasts during standard in vitro differentiation parameters (according to the International Society for Cellular Therapy). The known sources of mesenchymal stem cells are: the bone marrow, the fatty tissue, the umbilical cord, the amniotic fluid, the placental tissue, the dental pulp. There are numerous clinical studies that research the mesenchymal stem cells therapeutically, aiming to cure many diseases, such as the autoimmune ones, or the inflammatory pathologies and the post - transplant complications. It is customary that, post excision and prelevation, these cells are cultivated by means of various lab methods, and then used directly, as they are, or preserved frozen and banked for shorter or longer periods of time before their usage. The mesenchymal stem cells derived from the umbilical cord are valuable in the cure of numerous diseases, due to the fact that, along with their biological anti-inflammatory and immunomodulator properties, they do not imply any ethical matters and are easily prelevated by non-invasive methods, at birth. Regarding the MSCs-based therapy, the clinical trials proved to be safe and well accepted by their host-organism. For a certain therapeutic effect, one should consider stability, reproductibility, capacity to preserve their biological properties post-manipulation and potential freezing, as well as their migration to the injured or inflamed tissues. Only few MSCs products were authorized to be marketed, which represents merely a small fraction compared to the conventional chemical and the biological drugs. This current scientific approach will be continued with further studies on the banking procedures and regulations regarding the use of the MSCs in Romania, EU, and worldwide.