The Republic of Moldova is part of the region with a major risk of the ecological state, characterized by the super intensive use of agricultural landscapes. In the last decades, many eco-pedological problems have worsened considerably in connection with the degradation of the potential of soil resources, the decrease in the efficiency of ecological control and, as a result, the reduction of people's standard of living. It is possible to prevent the intensification of negative processes through a detailed assessment of determining factors. The use of artificial intelligence allows us to quickly and effectively identify and assess the main forms of soil degradation, evaluate the degree of their severity, develop measures to stop and combat them in order to improve the ecosystem situation. Given the results of the research, the analysis reveals that the "Land Use/Land Cover Data Collection Methodology", an innovative approach using geostatistical modeling combined with satellite imagery, has been developed. The concept for "Methodology of data collection for the potential indicator of land productivity and soil carbon stocks" was also developed. The scientific approach based on geospatial analysis and Artificial Intelligence (AI) enables the automation of information in an efficient, fast, and cost-effective way for documenting and systematizing baseline data for land degradation neutrality that will enable advanced and evidence-based operational decisions, including the development of sustainable land use strategies. Methodologies provide time-efficient means with minimal expense to identify the best areas for a given crop based on multifactor analysis and they have an impact on increasing the operational capacities of decision-making, planning, evaluation, monitoring and control for central and local public authorities and agricultural producers with a reduction of expenses of up to 50%.

Circular economy is a development strategy that is based on the principle of reduction, reuse and recycling, also called the 3-R principle aiming to create a closed-loop system where the outputs of one process become the inputs for another, fostering efficiency and resilience. The development of the circular economy by production sectors involves implementation of sustainable practices working towards minimizing waste, optimizing resource efficiency by use of by-products and regenerate natural systems. In agrofood sector, this can be practically translated in various strategies such as recycling organic waste to create fertilisers for soil enrichment, employing precision farming techniques to minimize input use while maximizing yields, adopting agroecology practices to enhance biodiversity and soil health, and promoting local food systems to reduce transportation emissions. In this context, the purpose of the paper is to analyse the dynamics of circular economy indicators with impact on the agrifood sector at the level of the EU countries, thus comparing the diversity of circular economy implementation levels.

The observations were made in a sunflower crop in the north-western extremity of Arad County, in the immediate vicinity of the town Adea, using two variants: Variant 1 (V1), where there were no treatments for the chemical control of the pathogenic agents of the pests; Variant 2 (V2), where chemical treatments were made to the seeds and during the vegetation period against pathogens and pests. In the ecological variant, a larger number of specimens and species were collected in each of the 10 collections compared to the conventional variant, where chemical treatments were carried out to combat pathogens and pests. The most frequently collected carabid species were Pterostichus cylindricus, Pseudophonus pubescens, and Pseudophonus griseus, in both variants. In total, 501 carabid specimens belonging to 16 species were collected in the ecological variant, and 243 specimens belonging to a total of 10 species were collected in the conventional variant.

Being necessary both for a normal plant physiology and for the improvement of acid soil properties, calcium (Ca2+) applied alone and together with magnesium (Mg2+) is permanently required in agricultural crops. Recent research has shown some positive effects of the two chemical elements in the case of the winter wheat crop. Thus, as an effect of dolomite, the height of the plants increased by 6-7 cm, and the straw thickened by 0.3 mm. The spike was 0.5 cm longer, formed 0.7 extra spikelets and was 0.1 g heavier. The spikelet membranes (glume, palea) fluctuated less in length, and the awns elongated slightly. In one spike, 0.3 extra grains were formed and weighed approx. 0.1 g. TGW experienced modest reductions against the backdrop of chemical fertilizers. The most favorable correlations were obtained between the morphological characters of the Ursita variety fertilized only with dolomite. The obtained results recommend the application of the amendment to the white clay soil existing in the South and to the winter wheat crop.

The box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis Walker, 1859) is a harmful species native to subtropical regions of Asia. Its introduction into areas of America and Europe has led to it being classified as a biological invasion. This moth poses a significant threat to boxwood plants (Buxus spp.), as its larvae feed voraciously on the leaves and stems, causing defoliation and weakening of the plants. This study was conducted during 2023 within an ornamental nursery located in the Iași County both in the greenhouse and the outdoor production fields of buxus. The aim of this paper focuses on the identification and monitoring of Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) using pheromonal traps placed between May-September. In the greenhouse, the first adult moths were identified on April 3rd. Subsequently, the monitoring efforts in the outdoor production fields revealed the flight activity of the overwintered generation adults from May 15th to June 21st, while the flight activity of the following generation adults occurred 28 days later, beginning with July 19th and until August 24th. The results obtained were processed and interpreted statistically and will constitute preliminary aspects in the control strategies of Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) substantiated and adapted to the zonal ecosystem.

This work present the behaviour to diseases and pests of 12 apple cultivars with different origin (‘Aura’, ‘Rumina’, ‘Jonaprim’, ‘Rustic’, ‘Rebra’, ‘Redix’, ‘Orion’, ‘Luna’, ‘Rubinola’, ‘Topaz’, ‘Goldrush’ and ‘Crimson Crisp’), located in a field trial of RIFG Pitești, Romania, managed in ecological system. In 2023 observations regarding the behaviour of these cultivars at the fire blight and the codling moth were made. In order to prevent bacterial infections, in the ecological variants the product Blossom Protect (2 applications during the flowering period) was used. Observations regarding the attack caused by Erwinia amylovora, were made on short fruit formations (100 leaves) and on shoots (50). The results were expressed as a percentage as a frequency of the attack. Of the 12 cultivars studied, the ‘Topaz’ cv. proved to be the most sensitive, the frequency of attack in the lot treated with Blossom Protect being 8.25% on short fruiting shoots and 0.08% on shoots, much smaller compared to the group standard (F=20.55% on short fruiting formations, 0.24% on shoots). For the monitoring of the pest Cydia pomonella, AtraPom pheromone traps were used. In the first generation, the frequency of the attack was between 0.0-0.4% depending on the cultivar, compared to the untreated variant where the frequency was 20.2%. In the second generation the frequency of the attack was between 0.0-0.5% compared to the untreated variant where the frequency was 33%.

In the gardens of Sălaj county, you can still find apple specimens from old traditional varieties. They represent both a genetic heritage and a very valuable raw material for processing, from which new value-added products can be obtained. This study presents the apple specimens of old traditional varieties from the gardens of farmers in the communes located in Sălaj County, with GPS coordinates, nominal identification and technical datasheets for each individual apple variety, with the observed fruit characteristics. Using a data sheet, which looks like a variety determiner, helps farmers and processors recognize the apple variety more easily and with greater precision, based only on the morphological characteristics of the fruit. The identified and studied old apple varieties from the HNV areas in Sălaj county were Raluca apple variety, Oarzăn apple variety (BARLEY), Poinic apple variety, Mărul Anii apple variety (ANII'S APPLE), Dulce apple variety (SWEET), Clar Alb apple variety (CLEAR WHITE), London Pepping apple variety, Cormoș apple variety, Zguros apple variety (SLAGGY APPLE), Gustav apple variety, Albuț apple variety (LITTLE WHITE), Pătul apple variety (BED APPLE), Mărul din Mierța apple variety (APPLE from MIERȚA), Șovar apple variety (GRAY APPLE), Dulce Roșu apple variety (SWEET RED), Statin apple variety (RED STETTIN), Mustos apple variety (JUICY), Vară apple variety (SUMMER), Parmen Auriu apple variety (GOLD PARMEN), Jonathan apple variety, Franc apple variety, Ronean apple variety, Țigănesc apple variety (GYPSY APPLE), Roșu apple variety (RED), some, also known in other geographical areas. The identified apple trees are between 40 and 100 years old and still productive. Among the established apple varieties, those with yellow or shades of yellow are: Cormoș, Albuț, Dulce, Mărul Ralucăi, Oarzăn, Zguros, Poinic, Clar Alb, London Pepping. The apple varieties with a sweet taste are Poinic, Dulce, Gustav, Măr din Mierța, Roșu Dulce, Jonathan, while the apple varieties with a sour or sweet-sour taste are Mărul Ralucăi, Oarzăn, London Pepping, Mărul Anii, Clar Alb, Zguros, Albuț, Pătul, Cormoș, Șovar, Statin, Țigănesc, Parmen Auriu, Vară, Mustos, Roșu. The fruits of Jonathan, Şovar, Franc, Pătul, Statin, London Pepping, Vară and Poinic varieties contained worms inside the pulp, showing that the varieties have no resistance and have some predisposition to infestation, which leads to difficulty in processing and use.

Citrus spp. fruits belonging to the Rutaceae family include sour and bitter oranges, sweet oranges, pomelo, grapefruit, citrons, lemons, oranges, bergamots, mandarins, limes, etc, consists of a wide variety of hybrids and hybrid individuals. In this study, it was aimed to determine the stomatal morphology of 6 different Citrus spp. species (C. lemon L., C. paradisi L., C. aurantium L, C. sinensis L., C. bergamia L., C. reticulata) grown in the ecological conditions of Hatay/Türkiye. Stoma width: 16.66±2.31 (‘Citrus paradisi L.’)-24.32±1.75 (‘Citrus bergamia L.’) µm; stoma length: 18.84±2.39 (‘Citrus paradisi L.’)-29.59±3.27 (‘Citrus bergamia L.’) µm; stoma density varied between 1007±83.56 (‘Citrus reticulata L.’) and 1172±84.67 (‘Citrus paradisi L.’) stoma/mm². As a result of the correlation matrix analysis, a positive correlation was found between stoma width and stoma length (r=0.90, p<0.05). According to principal component analysis, the first three components explain 96.8% of the total variation. According to the heatmap analysis, Citrus reticula L. formed a group, while other Citrus spp. species formed a group. Stoma morphology was divided into two groups. Stomatal density, stomatal shape coefficient and pore width were included in one group, while other morphological criteria were included in another group.

Galindez Island (65° 15′ S, 64° 15′ W) is one of the Argentine Islands located in the West Antarctic Peninsula, 5-6 km away from the main continent. It has a total surface area of 0.8 km2 and an annual temperature range of 9–13°С. There are not many studies providing information about lichenized fungi on Galindez Island. This study aimed to DNA barcode some lichenized and lichenicolous fungi from Galindez Island (Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica). Lichenized fungi were collected from Galindez Island during the 2016-2017 Austral Summer. Stereo and light microscopes were used for the identification of lichen samples. After being anatomically and morphologically identified, DNA barcoding was carried out using the nrITS gene. As a result of the study, DNA barcoding of the following samples was successfully carried out: Lecanora intricata (Ach.) Ach., Mastodia tessellata (Hook. f. & Harv.) Hook. f. & Harv., Raesaenenia usneae (C.W. Dodge) Etayo & Pino-Bodas, Rhizocarpon grande (Flörke ex Flot.) Arnold, Umbilicaria umbilicarioides (Stein) Krog & Swinscow.

The current study investigates the relationship between prosocialness and solitude with a particular focus on the negative and positive sides of solitude. Prosocialness and solitude are seen as essential elements in the dynamic process of individual self-regulation process that integrates the need to belong and the necessity to renew or to conserve energy for future pro social interactions. The main purposes were: 1.to test the correlation between prosocialness and solitude; 2. to design and to implement a creative meditation group metaphor (the magic garden) to increase the prosocialness dimension and to attenuate the negative experiences of solitude. Multiple methods were used in this study: experimental design, observation, psychodiagnostic instruments, and statistical methods (Correlation and Paired-Samples T Test). Results suggest that if someone prefers to involve in proactive actions such as sharing, helping, taking care of, feeling emphatic with others, it is more likely to prefer less time spent in negative solitude. The creative meditation group metaphor enhanced feelings of connection and allowed the participants to explore the self-transformative and restorative effects of solitude (the positive side of solitude) in the form of self-reflection, creative insights and relaxation. It is the balance between prosocialness and solitude that can better support and contribute to a healthy and meaningful life.