In this study, taxonomic investigations were conducted on six lichenized fungi species from Robert Island (Antarctic Peninsula). The anatomical and morphological characteristics of the specimens were examined, along with molecular data. Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) primers were used as molecular markers for six species. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using sequences obtained from both the collected specimens and reference data from GenBank. The phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary tree construction were based on the Maximum Likelihood method. As a result of the study, the following lichenized fungi species were identified: Austrolecia antarctica Hertel, Lecanora polytropa (Ehrh.) Rabenh., Placopsis antarctica (Nyl.) I.M.Lamb, Rhizocarpon geminatum Körb., Rhizocarpon polycarpum (Hepp) Th.Fr., Usnea aurantiacoatra (Jacq) Bory

Coridorul Jiului is a Natura 2000 area located in the south-western part of Romania, benefiting from a climate with sub-Mediterranean influences that favours the presence of thermophilous species of the genus Cerambyx. Observations carried out in May-September 2022-2023 led to the identification of four species of Cerambyx, out of the five species present in the Romanian fauna: C. cerdo, C. miles, C. welensii, and C. scopolii. Although the suitable habitat is represented by forests with secular trees, the species have also been recorded in younger oak habitats, 50, 60 and 70 years old, with prematurely aged trees, due to the present in the area of forests planted on sandy soil that provides a poor nutrient environment for the trees. The species C. cerdo recorded the highest numerical abundance values, 154 individuals, compared to 4 and 7 individuals, respectively, for the other three species. The species populations are particularly notable in habitat 91M0 in Dealul Branului-Bâlteni (north of the area) and Dâlga (south of the area). Our observations reveal that the oak forests in southwestern Romania are an important reservoir for populations of Cerambyx species, contributing to the conservation of longicorns biodiversity under the implementation of appropriate forest management strategies.

This study explores a sustainable strategy for recovering and assessing the bioactivity of resveratrol from Burgund grape pomace. Wet and dried pomace were milled and subjected to microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) with 99.9% ethanol (1:10 w/v, 20 min). Wet pomace yielded a slightly higher total polyphenol content (6.25 mg GAE/g) than dried samples (6.13 mg GAE/g). UHPLC analysis confirmed resveratrol levels of 0.047–0.055 µg/mL in wet pomace, exceeding those in dried samples. Antioxidant activity (DPPH assay) correlated strongly with polyphenol content. In silico profiling indicated compliance with Lipinski’s and Veber’s rules, high intestinal absorption (~91%), moderate permeability, CYP3A4-mediated metabolism, and a favorable safety profile. These findings demonstrate the efficiency of MAE and underline the therapeutic potential of resveratrol, supporting grape pomace as a reproducible, ethical, and eco-responsible resource.

Strawberry is one of the important berries grown widely in the world. In parallel with the increase in strawberry production, the need for quality strawberry seedlings also increases. This study was carried out on the Kabarla strawberry variety. The study investigated the effect of 4 treatments (Control, Glycine + Humic acid, Glycine + IBA, Humic acid + IBA) on strawberry seedling production. The study was designed according to the randomized block trial design with three replications for each application and six plants in each replication. Strawberry seedlings were planted in the first week of May, spacing 50 cm x 1 m. Applications were carried out 4 times with an interval of 15 days when the first stolons on the plants were ready for rooting. Seedlings were divided into three quality groups: A+, A, and B. At the end of the study, it was determined that all applications positively affected the number and quality of strawberry seedlings. While the Humic acid + IBA application was found to be the most effective application to obtain A+ quality seedlings, the Glycine + IBA application was found to be the most effective application to obtain A and B quality seedlings.

The effects of heat stress on the relative water content (RWC), turgidity loss, total soluble protein (TSP), SDS-PAGE protein profiles, and heat shock protein of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. "Kandil") leaves were studied. During the seedling stage, leaf samples were obtained from the plants and subjected to heat stress treatments in a water bath at 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 °C in 30-minute increments. Heat stress tolerance (LT50) was then computed. The results revealed that the LT50 value for the bell pepper cultivar was 41.2 °C. As temperature rose, leaf RWC decreased and turgor loss increased. The TSP content was higher in the 35 and 40 °C treatments compared to the control group, a significant decrease was observed at 60 °C. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed various polymorphic protein bands ranging from 7 to 54 kDa. The HSP60 antibody identified a band around 54 kDa under all temperature treatments. Moreover, the intensity of 54 kDa protein in plants at 35, 40, and 55 °C was higher than in the control group. Furthermore, the strength of this band fell considerably at 60 °C. These results suggest that the 54 kDa protein may play a role in enhancing HST in bell pepper plants.

Barberry species' flowers, fruits, and leaves are widely consumed due to their rich nutritional content and positive effects on health. This study determined the leaf mineral content levels of Berberis crataegina DC. genotypes collected from Kayseri province in the center of Turkey. The study material consisted of 10 genotypes collected from the Alidağı region of Kayseri province. A total of 13 mineral substances (Al, B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, S, and Zn) were determined in the leaves of the genotypes. The mineral content of leaves differed among genotypes. The most abundant mineral substances in Barberry leaves were determined as Ca (906.32 - 3017.62 mg/kg), Mg (250.75 - 950. 50 mg/kg), K (240.50 - 850.50 mg/kg), P (150.50 -350.00 mg/kg), S (60.30 - 175.75 mg/kg) and Na (40.25 - 95.50 mg/kg). The leaves' lowest mineral substances were Ni (0.20 - 0.05 mg/kg) and Cu (0.85 - 1.95 mg/kg). As a result of the study, it was observed that barberry leaves growing naturally in the region have rich mineral content.

Eurygaster integriceps, commonly known as the sunn pest, begins its biological activity in the second decade of April, when adults emerge from hibernation at temperatures of 12–16°C, with mass flights occurring on sunny days at temperatures above 18°C. Males appear a few days before females, and the migration to wheat fields is completed by May. After feeding, mating takes place, and females lay between 70 and 100 eggs, grouped in batches of 14, on leaves, stems, and preferably on emerging spikes. Egg hatching occurs within 7–15 days, from early May to mid-June. The larvae go through four instars and three molts, followed by the nymph stage. The full development cycle lasts 30–40 days, with new adults emerging between the second half of June and July. These adults feed intensively for about 10 days to accumulate fat reserves necessary for hibernation, after which they migrate to deciduous forests. Comparative studies between Gorban and Țuțora (2020–2024) reveal differences in the development rate, influenced by microclimatic conditions: maturation occurs faster in Gorban, while delays in hatching, larval development, and adult emergence are observed in Țuțora.

The monitoring of the state of the environment through the method of biological monitoring based on the principle of eco-bioindication, i.e. non-instrumental method - direction promoted at the European level and by art. 7 "b" of the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Geneva, 1979). The most well-known bioindicators of air quality are lichens, successfully used in active and passive ecological monitoring in many countries of the world. In the Chisinau area, laws were established regarding the modification of the chlorophyll content or the total degradation of the lichen thallus under the action of SO2 and the capacity to accumulate heavy metals, depending on the source of pollution, geographical conditions, the species sensitivity, the exposure duration, etc. We propose the Parmelia sulcata species as a reference object (standard) in the air quality monitoring at the national level.

inoculated PGPR (Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria) applications on the growth of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The experiment was carried out under unheated greenhouse conditions using a commercial NPK fertilizer (18:18:18) and five different PGPR isolates: Bacillus megaterium U2-1, Pseudomonas putida 9-4-2, Bacillus thuringiensis 2B-2-2, Bacillus spp. 2B-3-1, and Bacillus pumilus EU-20. The bacterial treatments were applied by soaking the seeds for one minute in bacterial suspensions at a concentration of 1×10³ cfu; the control group was treated with sterile distilled water under the same conditions. Observations were conducted until the beginning of the flowering stage to evaluate the effects of PGPR on plant development. The results revealed that bacterial applications significantly enhanced plant height, stem diameter, fresh and dry plant weight, root fresh and dry weight, root length, leaf area, and leaf number compared to the control. Overall, the effects of different rhizobacterial isolates on growth parameters were found to be comparable to those of commercial fertilizer applications. These findings highlight the potential of PGPR formulations as promising biostimulants agents in vegetable production and their role in promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly cultivation practices.

The research was conducted to comprise the forage yield, quality and nutritional values of newly developed hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.) genotypes. The experiment was carried out in subtropical ecological conditions at Güveçli village Süleymanpaşa-Tekirdağ, Türkiye with three replications in randomize block design. Nineteen newly developed hairy vetch lines and cv. Ceylan were used as seed materials. The genotypes were harvested at full-bloom stage to determine green and dry fodder yields (t ha-1). According to the results of the study, natural plant height of hairy vetch genotypes varied between 54.30-100 cm, plant height 124.16-187.85 cm, green fodder yield 41.89-63.29 t ha-1, dry fodder yield 6.35-16.73 t ha-1, dry matter ratio 88.98-89.99%, crude protein ratio 16.72-16.99%, crude fiber ratio 23.51-24.00%, crude ash ratio 7.48-8.10%, NDF 45.63-45.97%, ADF 35.59-35.61%, ADL 12.15-12.20%, P 0.51-0.47%, K 1.93-1.96%, Ca 3.93-4.12%, Mg 0.47-0.50%, tetany ratio 0.42-0.44, digestible dry matter (DDM) 61.16-61.25%, dry matter intake (DMI) 2.61-2.63%, total digestible nutrients (TDN) 55.40-55.54%, net energy for lactation (Nel) 0.5631-0.5647(Mcal lb-1), net energy for maintenance (Nem) 0.5982-0.6000 (Mcal lb-1), net energy for gain (Neg) 0.2712-0.2730 (Mcal lb-1) and relative feed value (RFV) 123.93-124.69%. The highest green fodder yield was recorded in genotypes TYF16 and TYF12, and the highest dry fodder yield in genotype TYF14. The highest crude protein ratio was found in genotype TYF17. When the RFV were examined, it is seen that the hairy vetch genotypes have the characteristic of being high quality roughage. The highest RFV was found in lines TYF16 and TYF9 and cv. Ceylan. The TYF9, TYF12, TYF14, TYF16 and TYF17 genotypes have enough potential and come to the fore to be used for forage production in sub-tropical ecological conditions.