The Variability of Quantitative Traits Parameters of Facultative Wheat Affected by Sowing Time

Facultative wheat can be an appropriate alternative for maintained high grain yield and quality in these changing conditions. Three alternative wheat genotypes were tested in a field condition for their agronomic traits- spike length, spike weight, number of grains/spike and weight of grains/spike, qualitative indices- grain protein content, wet gluten content and Zeleny index; and rheological parameters- dough extensibility, dough tenacity, deformation energy, as effect of different sowing date, autumn sowing respectively spring sowing conditions. The reaction of studied genotypes to different sowing date regarding the morphological traits shows that genotype and genotype- sowing date interaction has a significant influence on the studied traits. Regarding the reaction of individual genotype, the variability coefficient having low and medium values (6.54 % by Ciprian variety to 15.5 % for Taisa, in spring sowing conditions) in case of spike length trait, respectively medium and high values for the other characters studied, significant differences being observed between genotypes. Superior values for qualitative and rheological indices were recorded under spring sowing conditions for all genotypes, which means that the accumulation of biochemical compounds is favored. Also, the spring sowing conditions has a positive effect on relationship between the main yield components of studied facultative wheat.         &nbsp

Use of Ecoplates in Soil Polluted with Heavy Metals

Global concern revolves around the persistent attributes of harmful non-biodegradable contaminants, especially heavy metals and metalloids, which draws attention to environmental pollution. As regards to soil ecosystem, microorganisms have a significant impact on heavy metal concentrations, either actively or passively. Heavy metal toxicity profoundly impacts the metabolic activities of microbial communities, leading to disruptions in essential cellular processes. Heavy metals interfere with the enzymatic reactions necessary for energy of metabolism, nutrient cycling, and organic matter degradation, resulting in reduced microbial growth and activity. The Biolog Ecoplate method is used as an effective tool for assessing microbial activity. The potential use of Biolog Ecoplate in the study of microbial community structure and diversity in heavy metal-polluted soil was investigated. In order to achieve this goal, multiple keywords combinations were used to filter the most important results in the field. In metal-contaminated soils, the use of Biolog Ecoplate has led to notable changes in microbial community composition, marked by increased populations of resistant and metal-reducing microorganisms

Current Scientific Insights on the Antioxidant Effects of Melissa officinalis Extracts

Melissa officinalis L. commonly known as Lemon balm, is a popular medicinal plant from Lamiaceae family, valued for its therapeutic properties since antiquity. This study aims to evaluate the current scientific literature status on antioxidant effect of Melissa extracts, highlighting geographical research trends, publication patterns, and article accessibility. Using the Web of Science (WoS) database, 283 articles published between 2015 and 2024 were initially identified. After screening and filtering, 165 eligible studies were analysed, with the majority published in recent years and originating from Iran, Turkey, Romania, and Poland. The findings underline the increasing interest in Melissa officinalis, with open-access research predominating, in agriculture, biochemistry, medicine, and food science. This review underscores the need for continued exploration to expand understanding of Melissa's antioxidant potential

Comparative Analysis on Eco-productive Technologies for Modern Timber Harvesting in Contrast with Classical Ones

The purpose of the paper is to carry out a comparative analysis of modern eco-productive technologies for logging timber in relation to classical technologies. The paper aims to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, to examine their impact on the environment and the efficiency of the harvesting and collection processes. The present work has an applicative character, it is based on real data taken from the Forest District of Izvorul Someșului Mare, in which the analysis of the collection variants and the technical-economic project regarding the logging timber mass in the felling area are presented, depending on the characteristics of the working conditions in the felling area. The analysis was carried out in the felling area 2027 Ciungi, Forest District of Izvorul Someșului Mare, Bistrița-Năsăud County, consisting of compartments 109A, 109B and 110A. In the case of modern technologies, the KMS Konrad mobile tower cableway-skidder and Woodliner Konrad self-propelled carriage were used, Ponsse HS-15 and Ponsse Bison S-15 equipment, and for the classic ones, the skidding technology and the 2012 articulated forestry tractor were used

Realization of Arcgis Online for Water Network Connection in Mitocu Dragomirnei Commune, Suceava County

A well-defined trend in the development and application of information technology in the realities of the 21st century is represented by information systems. Daily life has become deeply dependent on these systems. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are part of the larger family of information systems, with the particularity of using spatially referenced data. Thus, databases, which form the foundation of any information system, are enriched with geographic references, meaning the mapping of represented realities. This paper presents the implementation of a Geographic Information System (GIS) for planning and managing the water network in Mitocu Dragomirnei Commune, Suceava County. Given the increasing need for access to quality potable water, the use of a GIS offers significant benefits in terms of planning efficiency and precision of infrastructure

Evaluation of GEDI/ICESat-2 Satellite Lidar Datasets for Ground Surface Modelling

This study evaluates the potential of GEDI and ICESat-2 datasets, for modelling the ground surface for mostly forested terrain characterized by complex relief. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted, using a high-accuracy DTM derived from airborne laser scanning data as reference. Results indicate that ICESat-2 data has higher individual footprint accuracy (RMSE of 1.21 meters, compared to RMSE of 2.66 meters for GEDI). GEDI offers improved spatial coverage and thus higher quality DTMs (RMSEs of 13-14 meters), especially after outlier removal. The research demonstrates that GEDI is more suitable for large-scale terrain modeling due to its significantly better spatial distribution of observations, while ICESat-2 is better suited for estimating ground surface elevation at the footprint level and is ideal for monitoring repeated ground tracks. Overall, we find that both datasets provide valuable insights for ground surface modeling and are unprecedented in terms of spatial coverage and temporal repeatability

Past, Present and Future Premises on Technical Approaches Regrading the Afforestation of Lands Outside the Forest Fund in the Apuseni Mountains

The lands afforested outside the forest fund are, mostly, degraded or in the process of degradation, and to a small extent they are abandoned agricultural lands or on which shelter-belts are installed. A series of studies and technical guidelines elaborated for the afforestation of some areas in Romania, which include mountain and hilly areas from the period 1950-1990, were analyzed, in parallel with those drawn up today. Site-mapping methodology refers to the sampling of climatic factors from nearby weather stations, the characterization of existing soils and vegetation. The afforestation of degraded lands in the Apuseni Mountains began towards the end of the 19th century and three periods can be distinguished: 1890 - 1918; 1918 - 1944 and 1944 - 1989. As species used, priority was: Scots pine, Black pine, Larch, Strobe pine and Spruce. After 1989, afforestation was carried out with difficulty, they were carried out according to a technical project drawn up by specialists in the field. In the present paper, some research developed since the 50s until the 90s were analyzed, these being compared with the current site-mapping works, establishing the main differences between them, and based on the differences, the directions of future technologies were established

Identification Of Biotic Factors Present on Woody Ornamental Plants

The demand for arborescent and shrubby ornamental plants has increased a lot in recent years, therefore, both forestry and private nurseries have recorded increases in the production of these plants. Due to the increase in production, much of the planting material was imported, and with it, various diseases and pests were propagated. Field trips were made both to nurseries and to alignments of ornamental plants, observations were made in the field and samples were taken for laboratory analysis. In order to identify pathogenic agents, the analyzes carried out consisted of taking samples from the infested material on PGA (potato-glucose-agar) culture medium. Within nurseries, the biotic agents identified are from both the disease and pest spectrums. Thus, the pathogen Kabatina thujae and the pest Ovalisia festiva were identified in the thuja crops, and the pathogen Phoma dura was identified in the fir crop. Within the alignments studied, the pests Cydalima perspectalis were identified in buxus, and in the case of thuja alignments, the pathogens Seimatosporium berckmansii and Kabatina thujae were identified. The identified biotic agents cause significant damage, especially in plantations on green spaces, and combating them is quite difficult due to the regulations in force, especially those of civil protection

Development and Characterisation of a New Product Based on Kelp Powder

Seaweed has been consumed for hundreds of years due to its biologically active properties, particularly its high antioxidant activity. It is low in fat and a good source of fiber and minerals, and is considered nearly a complete protein. The new product, in addition to the kelp powder content, is distinguished by the addition of Lactobacillus paracasei culture and spelt flour. This study highlights the development and characterization of a novel kelp powder-based bakery product. Three experimental variants (B1 - muffin with 5% kelp powder, B2 - muffin with 10% kelp powder, and B3 - muffin with 15% kelp powder) were comparatively analysed. The muffins were subjected to physicochemical, microbiological, and spectrophotometric analyses. The finished product was monitored over a period of 5 days, stored at room temperature. The acceptability of the new probiotic muffin assortment was evaluated with a sample of 137 participants, mostly consumers of bakery products. The results of the analyses showed that the muffins exhibited microbiological characteristics within the allowed limits for up to 3 days of storage at room temperature, after which an increase in the total number of yeasts and molds was observed. The new product is high in bioactive compounds but low in fat due to the addition of brown seaweed

Evolution of Spontaneous Forest Vegetation Established Ooutside the Forest Fund in the Apuseni Mountains

The Apuseni Mountains are a mountain group found in the central-western part of Romania, that once were being densely forested, Lately, part of these lands were no longer used for agricultural purposes, becoming naturally.In the present work, naturally afforested areas outside the forest fund were identified and the main tree growth parameters were determined. The data were taken within the National Forest Inventory (NFI), the sample areas being materialized in the field during 2008-2011, when the first measurements were made. It returned with measurements in the period 2014-2017 and in 2020-2024 period. Most of the surfaces were identified and materialized near the national forest fund, some along some valleys, and few are within agricultural or grazing lands. The main species identified were: birch, aspen and over time spruce and beech settled in. The agricultural lands that, in the past, served the needs of agricultural crops and grazing, currently uncultivated, are naturally afforested, with pioneer species (silver birch, poplars, willows), and lately with valuable species such as spruce, beech, etc. These extensions of the vegetation outside the forest area have an important role in the future increase of the forest fund and preventing the occurrence of soil degradation phenomena