Giurgiu County Research Articles

Anthropological analysis of a padea-panaghiurskii-kolonii incineration grave from letca veche, Giurgiu county, Romania

In March 2023, in a field outside Letca Veche, Giurgiu County, Romania, some metal detector users discovered a cremation burial from the La Tène period (Ist century BC). After the discovery was announced, a team led by Ana Ilie from the Curtea Domnească National Museum Complex in Târgoviște excavated the burial, which had an inventory typical of this type of cremation grave, consisting of a small vessel, a belt buckle, a fibula, two spears and two sicas. The bones were taken to the Francisc I. Rainer Institute of Anthropology in Bucharest, where they were subjected to an anthropological analysis by Costin Șendroiu. The purpose of this article is firstly to present the results of the anthropological analysis of the cremated human bones and secondly to integrate the find into the context of the La Tène cremation burials in this area.

ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN GIURGIU COUNTY, ROMANIA: AN INVENTORY AND DISTRIBUTION ANALYSIS

Giurgiu County, a crucial hub in the Pan-European Corridor with the sole Danube bridge to Bulgaria, plays an important role in potential pathways for introducing alien plant species. However, the information regarding the distribution of alien plants in this county is incomplete. Our study aims to address this gap by providing a comprehensive analysis of the current distribution of alien plant species based on field records collected from September 2019 to November 2022. Following the guidelines of the POIM/178/4/1/120008 project, data were collected across diverse habitats. Our findings reveal 89 alien plant taxa, including 58 newly reported at the county level. Over half of the alien plant species (66.29%) are also present in the natural protected areas. The study contributes essential information for biodiversity conservation, emphasizing ongoing monitoring and invasive species management within Giurgiu County's protected areas.

A SHORT NOTE ON WATER QUALITY AND SOME BIODIVERSITY COMPONENTS IN GURBAN VALLEY, GIURGIU COUNTY

Several field trips were carried out in 2022 and 2023, aiming to investigate the water quality parameters, ichthyofaunal and floristic diversity in some areas of Gurban Valley, located in the protected area Natural Park Comana, Giurgiu County, southern Romania. Throughout the study period were identified fish specimens belonging to nine species: Prussian carp Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782); Gobio obtusirostris Valenciennes, 1842; Dnieper chub Petroleuciscus borysthenicus (Kessler, 1859); Roach Rutilus rutilus (Linnaeus, 1758); Danubian spined loach Cobitis elongatoides Băcescu & Mayer, 1969; Belica Leucaspius delineatus (Heckel, 1843); Southern ninespine stickleback Pungitius platygaster (Kessler, 1859); European bitterling Rhodeus amarus (Bloch, 1782) and European mudminnow Umbra krameri Walbaum, 1792. A total of 147 captured specimens were measured, weighed and photographed. For the capture of fish, minnow traps and plankton nets were used, on the Gurban River, right tributary of the Neajlov River, Giurgiu County. The floristic inventory compiled so far included 58 plant species grouped into 31 families, with European, circumpolar, Eurasian, eurasiatic continental or cosmopolitan distribution. Related to physico-chemical characterization of water samples collected from four sampling points (SP), the results of laboratory analysis allowed to frame the water into quality classes and to evaluate if the water meets the requirements for aquatic organisms. Hence, on the basis of nitrite-nitrogen (N-NO2-) and nitrate-nitrogen (N-NO3-) water corresponds to Ist quality class, meanwhile chemical oxygen demand (COD), phosphate-phosphorus (P-PO43-) and ammonium-nitrogen (N-NH4+) allowed to associate water quality with IIIrd class. In addition, it has been found very significant correlations between electrical conductivity (EC) and total hardness (TH) with r=0.9230*** and between pH and TH with r=0.8821***, respectively.

ASPECTS REGARDING THE APPEARANCE AND EVOLUTION OF THE PEST TUTA ABSOLUTA (LEPIDOPTERA: GELECHIIDAE) IN TOMATO CROPS IN GREENHOUSES

The most important vegetable crop in the world in greenhouses is tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) with an yield of 182 MT per year. Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) commonly known as ”tomato leafminer” or ”South American tomato moth” is the main pest in tomato crops in greenhouses, that can cause economic losses of up to 80-100%, if appropriate control measures are not taken. The experience was carried out during 2 years (2020-2021), between July and September, in greenhouse conditions (second cycle) in Vărăști village (Giurgiu county). The pest population was dynamically monitored by placing pheromone traps in the tomato crops in the high plastic tunnels, the average of the captured adults being 3367.5. In both years, the climatic conditions were favorable for the appearance and evolution of the pest attack. To prevent the spread of the attack, chemical treatments were applied at intervals of 7-10 days. In 2021, the yield obtained was with 4.76% higher than in 2020.

Confirmation of the presence of steppe polecat Mustela eversmanii (Carnivora: Mustelidae) in Giurgiu County (Romania) after more than 5 decades

This paper confirms the presence of steppe polecat Mustela eversmanii in Giurgiu County after more than 50 years. Mustela eversmanii is considered a vulnerable species, being listed in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive. The specimen was found within the Site of Community Importance - ROSCI0043 Comana, included in the Natura 2000 network, which significantly overlaps with the protected natural area (Comana Natural Park). Currently, the steppe polecat is not added to the list of the Standard Form, because its presence was uncertain. We consider that this discovery is valuable and has important implications for the conservation of the species.

MONITORING AND CONTROL OF THE PEST TUTA ABSOLUTA (MEYRICK) IN TOMATO CROPS UNDER HIGH PLASTIC TUNNELS

Tuta absoluta – tomato leafminer (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a major pest of tomato crops in protected areas, which attacks both foliage and fruit, in all phases of plant growth. Its invasion has led to yield and quality decrease, increased costs to control and high dependence on chemical insecticides. With pheromone traps it is possible to monitor and reduce the density of the pest population. The experience was established in 2020, at a farmer in Dobreni village (Giurgiu county). In the first and second crop cycle, the population of the pest Tuta absoluta was monitored, by placing Delta pheromone traps in tomato crops. The Sahmat F1 tomato hybrid was planted in both crop cycles. Pest monitoring was performed weekly, by changing the adhesive plates with pheromones from Delta traps, on the dates: 03.06, 10.06, 17.06, 24.06, 01.07, 08.07, 15.07, 22.07 in the first cycle of crop and on the dates: 29.07, 05.08, 12.08, 19.08, 02.09 , 09.09, 16.09, 23.09 in the second cycle. The appearance and evolution of the attack were recorded in the both crop cycles and its influence on production was established.

A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF WATER QUALITY RELATED TO AQUATIC ORGANISMS IN COMANA POND

In the protected area Natural Park Comana located in Giurgiu County, a survey was carried out between April and June 2021, in order to analyze the water quality related to the aquatic diversity. In the samples collected from Comana Pond, several representatives belonging to four kingdoms were identified: Bacteria (blue-green algae, bacteria), Protista (single-celled and colonial green algae, diatoms, euglenoid flagellates, ciliates), Plantae (filamentous green algae, aquatic freshwater plants) and Animalia (European perch, rudd, pike, Prussian carp). Plankton organisms Achromatium sp., Merismopedia sp., Spirilla sp., Spirulina sp. (bacteria); Gomphonema sp., Melosira sp., Paramecium caudatum (chromists); Desmococcus sp, Ulothrix sp., Volvox sp. (chlorophyte green algae) and also the parasitic nematode Philometroides sanguineus were mentioned for the first time in the Comana Pond. A biometric analysis was performed on a total number of 91 Carassius gibelio individuals and negative pattern of growth and also a fish well-being were postulated. The parasite P. sanguineus was detected in the caudal fin of two Prussian carp individuals. Water samples were collected from 7 sampling points (SP) and were subjected to physico-chemical analysis. It were determined the following parameters: pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total hardness (TH), chemical oxygen demand (COD), phosphate phosphorus (P-PO<sub<4</sub<<sup<3-</sup<), nitrate nitrogen (N-NO<sub<3</sub<<sup<-</sup<), nitrite nitrogen (N-NO<sub<2</sub<<sup<-</sup<). Generally, it was concluded that Comana Pond is a dynamic ecosystem that meets favorable conditions for the growth and development of aquatic organisms.

Trichinella spp. Infection in European Polecats (Mustela Putorius Linnaeus, 1758) from Romania.

SummaryThe European polecat (Mustela putorius Linnaeus, 1758) is in decline in Romania, often living near human settlements, from mountains to lowlands. They feed on a wide variety of small animals, including rodents, such as mice or rats. The occurrence of this parasite in polecats from Romania was mentioned only once in 1991, but the parasite species was not confirmed by molecular biology. The study aimed to investigate the occurrence of Trichinella spp. in European polecats from Romania and to identify the parasite species by molecular tools. A total of 75 wild European polecats were examined by trichinoscopy and artificial digestion. A large number of animals were examined because of their wide distribution in Romanian territory and their presence near human settlements. For species determination, the positive muscle samples and the larvae recovered from artificial digestion were collected for DNA isolation and further processed by means of Multiplex PCR.Only two polecats from southern Romania tested positive for Trichinella spp. infection. During trichinoscopy examination, 48 (in a polecat from Giurgiu County) and 78 (in a polecat from Ialomița County) cysts were found in the tested (56 samples/animal) tissue samples. Artificial digestion revealed infection with 2466 larvae/100 g of muscle in the polecat from Ialomița and 254/100 g in the polecat from Giurgiu. The Multiplex PCR indicated the occurrence of Trichinella spiralis in the polecat from Giurgiu and a co-infection with T. spiralis and T. britovi in the polecat from Ialomița.The current study confirms through molecular biology, the occurrence of T. spiralis and T. britovi, as well as the occurrence of co-infection with these two Trichinella species in European polecats from Romania.

Modelling of a drip irrigation system operation for greenhouses rose cultivation using PDD in EPANET 2.2

The present study focuses on the operation of a drip irrigation system for greenhouses rose cultivation in Adunatii-Copaceni, Giurgiu County, Romania. The numerical modelling of the irrigation system was performed in EPANET 2.2, using the pressure driven demand model. The pumping schedule fits the real operation, where five greenhouses are irrigated successively each morning, directly through pumping from a groundwater source. Fertigation is applied for each greenhouse every 5 days, in the evening, through pumping from a storage tank. Despite the hydraulic assumptions adopted to model the groundwater well and dripper lines, the computed results match the values of the outflow rates measured for the dripper lines of the real drip irrigation system. Simulations are useful to investigate, at no cost, different scenarios attached to the operation of the studied drip irrigation system.

Influence of Mineral Fertilization and Liming on Maize Production on Argic Chernozem in the Burnas Plain

In order to elucidate some aspects regarding the content of nutrients in the soil or humus, the bioaccumulation and mineralization process of organic matter and correction of the soils reaction in the experimental field, within the agricultural holding SC Orhideea SRL Plopsoru, Locality Daia, Giurgiu County, research has been done with chemical fertilizers with NPK and liming - Ca(OH)2 on argic chernozem in maize culture from the Burnas Plain in different doses.Obtaining appropriate agricultural production on argic chernozems is limited by a number of factors such as relief, clay loam, low-medium permeability just below the plowed horizon advanced degree of soil compaction, located between 20-35 cm from the surface (plow sole) and climatic conditions.

The new structure of the dava at Popeşti (Giurgiu County, southeastern Romania, 2nd century BC – ca. AD 6), based on the 2019–2020 preventive excavations. The first data

Scopul acestui raport preliminar asupra săpăturilor preventive desfășurate în 2019– 2020 în Așezarea B a cunoscutei dave de la Popești (jud. Giurgiu) – situl identificat de Radu Vulpe ca Argedava din izvoarele antice – este acela de a atrage atenția asupra nevoii de a modifica imaginea noastră cu privire la structura davei, precum și asupra faptului că zona din sit care este sursa acestor noi informații – respectiv cimitirul satului actual – este distrusă treptat de înmormântări, în timp ce resursele disponibile pentru salvarea informației arheologice sunt disproporționat de reduse după orice standarde, și cu atât mai mult prin comparație cu importanța descoperirilor in discuție. Locuirile pre‑ și post‑dava nu vor fi tratate aici. Chiar și acelea aparținând davei sunt prezentate selectiv și în principal pe baza observațiilor făcute în timpul săpăturii, deoarece, până acum, cea mai mare parte a artefactelor nu au putut fi curățate și deci cu atât mai puțin interpretate. Ce rezultă din săpăturile din 2019– 2020 din aria cimitirului este că Aşezarea B nu era o zonă utilizată exclusiv pentru locuire de către populaţia de rând, aşa cum s‑a crezut anterior, ci avea cartiere specializate pe ritualuri publice (cu clădiri mari şi vetre decorate), probabil metalurgia fierului, sigur producţie şi comerţ cu vin. Astfel, dava în întregul său devine o aşezare urbană de complexitate mult sporită faţă de ce s‑a ştiut anterior. Aceste date contribuie la mai buna înţelegere a proceselor economice, sociale şi politice care au făcut posibilă extraordinara realizare care a fost formarea primului stat dac. Totuşi, dacă nu se vor lua rapid măsuri pentru conservare sau/ şi cercetare adecvată, mare parte a acestui potenţial de informaţie va fi pierdut.

EVALUATION OF THE DOWNY MILDEW (Plasmopara viticola) AND OF THE GRAY ROT (Botrytis cinerea) ATTACK CORRELATED WITH THE LEAF TREATMENTS AND THE SOIL FERTILIZATION

" The purpose of the study was to establish the degree of attack of grapevine downy mildew and gray rot on the Muscat Ottonel variety in different technological variants organized in the southern part of Muntenia region in a farm from Hotarele, Giurgiu County in the climatic and meteorological conditions of 2021. The results showed that in the experimental plots treated with 0.5 and 0.6% foliar fertilizers and 200 kg phosphorus and potassium active substance per ha, the degree of attack of the two diseases decreases (0.01% for Plasmopara vitícola and 0.04% for Botrytis cinerea) comparatively to the untreated control (0.13% and 0.54 % respectively). "

Topoare de silex descoperite în așezările culturii Gumelnița de la Urlați (jud. Prahova), Ciolăneștii din Deal, Țigănești (jud. Teleorman), Surdulești (jud. Argeș) și Uzunu (jud. Giurgiu)

Although flint axes are characteristic discoveries in the settlements of the Gumelnița culture, their approach in specialized studies is rather isolated. This type of piece is the proof of the skill of the prehistoric craftsmen and shows the existence of complex woodworking techniques. In this study, we analysed nine unique pieces coming from three distinct areas, respectively the north of Muntenia (Urlați), south (Uzunu) and the southwest of the same region (Ciolăneștii din Deal, Țigănești and Surdulești). From the Urlați settlement we publish an axe discovered during the systematic investigations in 2018. The five axes from Ciolăneștii din Deal were discovered in the Măgura Țui tell, located in the meadows of the Câinelui stream/rivulet, a tributary of the Vedea River. This site was archaeologically surveyed in 1964-1965 and systematically investigated in 1966 by A. Nițu and Al. Marinescu. From the tell Țigănești comes a large axe representing an isolated find, without no connection to the 19th century researches of C. Bolliac and D. Butculescu. The axe from Surdulești comes from the excavations performed by M. Petrescu-Dîmbovița in the tell settlement called Movila de la Eleșteu. It was located on the right bank of the Burdea River, a tributary of the Vedea River and was surveyed in 1946. The large axe from Uzunu (Giurgiu County) is part of the patrimony of the Prahova County Museum of History and Archeology, being purchased along with other 124 other pieces by the respective institution in 1959.

Ejecución de un instrumento musical y actitudes hacia la escuela en una muestra de estudiantes rumanos

El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar si existe diferencia significativa de actitudes hacia la escuela entre los estudiantes que estudian un instrumento musical y los que no lo hacen, en una muestra de 110 alumnos de entre 8 y 15 años del condado de Giurgiu, Rumania. Para la medición de la actitud hacia la escuela se utilizó el instrumento denominado School Attitude Assessment Survey. Una prueba t de Student para muestras independientes, mostró que existe una diferencia significativa entre ambos grupos. El estudiar la ejecución de un instrumento musical tuvo un impacto benéfico y promovió una actitud positiva hacia la escuela.

IMPROVEMENT OF FROST RESISTANCE OF GRAPEVINE

"The experiments took place in the village Hotarele (Giurgiu County) comprising a vineyard area of 1.5 ha, with the Muscat Ottonel variety. From batches treated with copper sulphate with a concentration of 1.5% before the fall of the leaves and 3% after the fall of the leaves, samples were taken and their evolution was constantly monitored before and after the cold season. The buds and wood viability at negative temperatures of -15, -18, -21°C and the content in reserve substances were analyzed. It was found that the vines treated with copper sulfate have a higher viability, therefore a better resistance to frost as well as biochemical characteristics - higher content of reserve substances, which support this resistance."

Testing for the Association Between ACE DD (RS1799752) Polymorphism and the Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Hypertension

High blood pressure (HBP) is a complex multifactorial condition which has a polygenic predisposition. The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is one of the candidate genes for HBP, and the ACE ID polymorphism with DD genotype presents a high risk for myocardial infarction, obesity (OB), stroke, type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1), type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), diabetic nephropathy. The purpose of the study is to identify the high risk of developing MS in ACE DD gene (RS1799752) on the basis of clinical data, biochemical laboratory investigations, genotyping and sequencing of ACE gene in patients with HBP, by using the mathematical algorithm ANOVA One Way as a linear model, with the help of the MDR, Graph Pad Prism and MATLAB software. This study includes 68 subjects, selected from Giurgiu County Emergency Hospital based on clinical data, biochemical investigations, RFLP-PCR genotyping and Advanced NGx sequencing of the ACE gene with the DD genotype to identify the increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with hypertension. The results was taken by using as a linear model the mathematical algorithm ANOVA One Way using the programs MDR, Graph Pad Prism and MATLAB. In conclusion the ACE DD polymorphism is significantly associated with MS in patients with hypertension.

Updates on the distribution and diversity of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Romania

BackgroundPhlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) are haematophagous insects that transmit the protozoan parasite Leishmania infantum (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae), the main causative agent of both zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and canine leishmaniasis (CanL) in the Mediterranean basin. Eight species of sand flies have been previously recorded in Romania: Phlebotomus papatasi, Phlebotomus alexandri, Phlebotomus sergenti, Phlebotomus perfiliewi, Phlebotomus neglectus, Phlebotomus longiductus, Phlebotomus balcanicus and Sergentomyia minuta. Three of them (P. perfiliewi, P. neglectus and P. balcanicus) were incriminated as vectors of L. infantum. Recent reports of autochthonous CanL in Romania require updates on sand fly distribution and diversity in this country.MethodsBetween 2013–2014 and 2016–2018, CDC light traps and mouth aspirators were used to collect sand flies in 132 locations from Romania, indoors and around various animal species shelters. Species identification of collected specimens was done using morphological keys, genetic tools and MALDI-TOF protein profiling.ResultsSand flies were present in seven localities (5.3%): Eibenthal, Baia Nouă, Gura Văii (south-western Romania, Mehedinţi County); Fundătura, Pâhneşti, Epureni (eastern Romania, Vaslui County); and Schitu (southern Romania, Giurgiu County). Of the total number of collected sand flies (n = 251), 209 (83.27%) were Phlebotomus neglectus, 39 (15.53%) P. perfiliewi, 1 (0.40%) P. papatasi, 1 (0.40%) P. balcanicus and 1 (0.40%) P. sergenti (sensu lato).ConclusionsWe confirmed the presence of five sand fly species previously recorded in Romania. However, their updated distribution differs from historical data. The diversity of sand fly species in Romania and their presence in areas with Mediterranean climatic influences constitutes a threat for the reemergence of vector-borne diseases. In the context of CanL and VL reemergence in Romania, but also due to imported cases of the diseases in both humans and dogs, updates on vector distribution are imperative.

Socio-economic impact of photovoltaic park: The Giurgiu County rural area, Romania

The paper aims to analyse the socio-economic territorial impact of photovoltaic parks in the rural area of Giurgiu County. The analysis valorises two types of data: the statistical information on the local socio-economic features provided by the National Institute of Statistics and the Giurgiu County Statistics Office, and the specific information about the photovoltaic parks revealed by the interviews applied to the local authorities during field investigation. The case-studies discussed in this paper reflect the socio-economic effects of building and operating the six photovoltaic parks as in the three rural local administrative units – LAU2: Izvoarele, Stăneşti and Malu. This study emphasizes four types of the socio-economic effects of investment in a photovoltaic project on: local rural economy, land use changes, local investments, budget and local labour market.

Rain Use Efficiency in Southern Romania after Using the Device for Soil Modelling in Interrupted Furrows for Weeding Crops -DMBC-5

The global impact of climate change, with the potential to affect agriculture through changes in temperature, rainwater distribution and amount, leads to the need to develop integrated technologies that increase rain use efficiency and support soil and environmental quality, ensuring higher agricultural outputs with lower costs. Soil modeling in interrupted furrows is a very efficient rainwater harvesting system, but has not yet been scientifically assessed for the conditions in Southern Romania as the other soil working systems have been. For this purpose, a soil modeling device consisting of a frame with triangle for coupling to the tractor, wheels for adjusting and limiting the working depth, soil loosening knives, ridge ploughs and furrow compartmenting equipment was compared with the conventional technology for sunflower culture in two localities in Southern Romania: Crânguri in Giurgiu County and Mărculeşti in Calarasi County. The device for soil modeling in interrupted furrows for weeding crops provides a viable option that has positive effects on soil properties and ensures increased crop yields compared to conventional works as well as the opportunity to increase the efficiency of water recovery in agriculture by harvesting rainwater.

Solar Energy Industry as a Part of the Romanian Renewable Energy Industry: A Multi-level Territorial Approach

Abstract The green economy emerges differently depending on each region particular features, as well as local economic strengths and weaknesses; solar energy however, represents the way regional and local natural potentials are valorized. The current paper brings to our attention aspects related to the economic and legislative factors influencing the use and territorial distribution of solar energy, as a component of the Romanian renewable energy industry at all territorial levels: the national characteristics of the use of renewable energy resources are highlighted through the analysis of dynamics of official statistical variables (National Institute of Statistics); at regional and county levels, the analysis highlights the territorial differences in the use of solar energy; analysis at local level reveals the environmental and socio-economic effects of the of solar energy use (i.e. photovoltaic parks), as indicated by the information provided by a questionnaire survey carry out in Giurgiu County (case study).