Untreated Variant Research Articles

MONITORING OF PESTICIDE RESIDUES IN GRAPEVINE LEAVES UNDER VARIANT FUNGAL DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Food contamination is the result of over-reliance on fungicides in crop production. The presence of pesticide residues in agricultural commodities needs to be strategically solved by applying gentle agrotechnical procedures. The research aimed to evaluate the effect of the treatment of grapevine with fungicides on the content and mobility of 4 active substances in the leaves of the variety Hibernal. The experiment included a control variant treated with fungicides and an untreated variant. We focused on monitoring the active substances of fungicides used in the first half of the vegetation: azoxystrobin, cyflufenamid, difenoconazole, myclobutanil, and another 25 active substances, in terms of multi-residue analysis methodologies. Grape leaves for analysis were collected on two dates: in the phenological phase of berry development BBCH 73 and 14 days after grape harvest – BBCH 91. Samples were prepared according to STN EN 15662. For qualitative analyzes of residues, we used the QuEChERS method in combination with liquid (LC-MS/MS) and gas (GC-MS/MS) chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. In the untreated variant, the contents of residues from both leaves collection were in undetectable values. In the leaf samples of the treated variant collected in BBCH 73, we established higher values of residues than the MRL determines, namely for azoxystrobin 0.083 mg/kg (MRL – 0.01 mg/kg). Azoxystrobin is the active substance of the Quadris max fungicide, and we applied this preparation 41 days before the first collection of leaves. In the analyzes of leaf sampling from the treated variant after grape harvest in BBCH 91, we found a decrease in the content of all monitored residues below detectable values. We consider the gradual degradation of residues in biological materials to be a very favorable result from the point of view of their impact on consumer health and the environment. Through visual observations of the vegetation, we found out that even the untreated variant had a perfect state of health. Hibernal is a variety suitable for biological production systems, and we assume that even in vintages with high pressure of fungal diseases, it is possible to maintain the health of the grapevine with ecological products. Using the appropriate grape variety combined with the right agrotechnical interventions makes it possible to use safer ecological practices to produce healthy food, maintaining sustainability and a healthy natural environment. The research will continue in the early Table grape varieties, where the vegetation period is shorter, and space for breaking down the residues is more difficult.

Fatigue analysis and heat treatment comparison of additively manufactured specimens from AlSi10Mg alloy

This research delves into the analysis of various properties of additively manufactured specimens from AlSi10Mg with an as-printed surface, comparing the effects of three distinct heat treatments with an untreated variant. The study assesses both static properties and fatigue responses for each heat treatment, including a detailed examination of the microstructures. In the high-cycle fatigue region, the treatment causing the silicon network to break provides the best output, while the low-cycle fatigue response is dominated by the heat treatment by artificial ageing alone. In addition, this paper introduces a novel proposal on fatigue limit estimation inspired by Luong's and Risitano's approaches based on the self-heating phenomenon. Demonstrating efficiency in its simplicity, this approach holds promise for estimating the fatigue limit. This method provides a cost-efficient and time-saving way to determine the fatigue limit transition on the basis of fewer samples than the traditional methods require.

Comparison of Different Mechanical Pretreatment Methods for the Anaerobic Digestion of Landscape Management Grass

The aim of this study was to use landscape grass from species-rich orchards for biogas production, thus preserving these very valuable areas for future generations. Since these grass clippings have high lignocellulose content, the substrate has to be pretreated before being fed into the biogas digester. In this study, three different mechanical treatment processes (cross-flow grinder, ball mill and a mounted mower) were investigated and compared with untreated grass clippings. Chemical composition, specific methane yield, degradation kinetics and microscopic images were analyzed. In order to derive recommendations, the harvesting and pretreatment processes were examined in terms of energy demand, additional methane yield, and suitability of the substrate for use in biogas plants, taking into account conservation aspects. Within the pretreatment process, ball milling leads to the highest significant increase in specific methane yield of up to 5.8% and the fastest gas formation kinetics (lag time λBM: 0.01 ± 0.0 d; duration to reach half of total gas production ½M(x)BM: 5.4 ± 0.2 d) compared to the untreated variant (λUT: 1.02 ± 0.2 d; ½M(x)UT: 6.5 ± 0.2 d). A comparison of the energy required for the mechanical disintegration of the substrates with the increased yield of methane during the digestion process shows that the mechanical processing of these substrates appears to be useful. A positive energy balance was achieved for the cross-flow grinder (12.3 kWh tVS−1) and the ball mill (21.4 kWh tVS−1), while the Amazone Grasshopper left a negative balance (−18.3 kWh tVS−1), requiring more energy for substrate pretreatment than was generated as methane surplus. In summary, the pretreatment of landscape management grass is a suitable approach for utilizing agricultural residues efficiently in a biogas plant and thus contributing to sustainable energy production.

Impact of Thermo-Mechanical Pretreatment of Sargassum muticum on Anaerobic Co-Digestion with Wheat Straw

Sargassum muticum (SM) is an invasive macroalgal species seasonally occurring in large quantities. While generally suitable for anaerobic digestion, recent studies resulted in low specific methane yields (SMYs), presumably due to salt, polyphenol, and high fiber contents of this marine biomass. In this study, the specific biogas yield (SBY) and SMY of SM alone as well as in co-digestion with wheat straw (WS) were investigated in batch tests at process temperatures of 44 ± 1.4 °C with a retention time of approx. 40 d. The pretreatment variants of SM were examined with regard to desalination and disintegration to potentially improve digestibility and to enhance the overall performance in anaerobic digestion. A sole mechanical treatment (pressing) and a thermo-mechanical treatment (heating and pressing) were tested. Batch assays showed that pressing increased the SMY by 15.1% whereas heating and pressing decreased the SMY by 15.7% compared to the untreated variant (87.64 ± 8.72 mL/gVS). Both anaerobic digestion experiments generally showed that co-digestion with WS can be recommended for SM, but the observed SBY and SMY were still similar to those of other studies in which SM was not pretreated. The mechanical pretreatment of SM, however, offers the potential to enhance the SMY in the anaerobic digestion of SM with WS, but further research is necessary to identify the optimum upgrading approaches since the overall SMY of SM is relatively low compared to other substrates that are commonly used in anaerobic digestion. In addition to anaerobic digestion, SM as an already available biomass could also be of interest for further utilization approaches such as fiber production.

Формирование урожайности зерна люпина узколистного в зависимости от предпосевной обработки семян и нормы высева

To solve the problem of providing livestock with balanced feed, it is necessary to introduce into production the cultivation of leguminous crops that effectively use the bioclimatic potential of the zone. The aim of the work is to evaluate the effectiveness of pre-sowing seed treatment in the formation of agrocenoses of narrow-leaved lupine. The study was carried out in 2020-2022 on the experimental field of the educational, scientific and industrial complex "Agrotechnopark" of the Udmurt State Agrarian University in accordance with generally accepted methods and guidelines. The soil of the experimental plots is soddy-podzolic medium loamy with low and medium content of humus (1,8–2,3 %), mobile phosphorus - high (193-282 mg/kg), mobile potassium - high and very high (200-272 mg/kg ). The exchange acidity of the soil is from medium acid to close to neutral reaction (5,0-5,6). Be-fore sowing, the seeds were treated with the inoculant Rizotorfin (Rhizobium lupine) (1 l/t), plant growth regulator Melafen (5 ml/t), complex fertilizer Agree's Forsage (2 l/t), fungicide Maxim XL (0,4 l/t), complex fertilizer Agree's Forsage together with plant growth regulator Melafen, fungicide Maxim XL together with plant growth regulator Melafen, fungicide Maxim XL together with complex fertilizer Agree's Forsage. The untreated variant was taken as a control. The seeding rate is 1.0 million, 1.2 million, 1,4 million. Based on the experimental data obtained, the efficiency of pre-sowing seed treatment, which can be recommended to agricultural production to increase the productivity of narrow-leaved lupine, was revealed. Formation of the highest yield of narrow-leaved lupine 1,54-1.62 t/ha was obtained when pre-sowing seed treatment with complex fertilizer Agree's Forsage and its joint use with plant growth regulator Melafen and fungicide Maxim XL. The effectiveness of pre-sowing seed treatment is confirmed by a weak relationship between grain yield and root rot (r = -0,08±0,10). Keywords: NARROW-LEAVED LUPIN, PRE-SOWING TREATMENT OF SEEDS, SEEDING RATE, ROOT ROT, YIELD

MONITORING OF THE MAIN PATHOGENS FOUND IN APPLE PLANTATIONS AT SCDP IASI

The observations took place at RSFG Iasi, Development Center Falticeni in 2022, in apple plantations where a number of 9 phytosanitary treatments were applied to the warning, with the spray machine of the type Agroma. A total of 3 varieties (Jonathan, Golden delicious, Stakrimson) were studied compared to the untreated variant. The phytosanitary treatment program covered a wide range of phytopharmaceuticals, using 8 contact and systemic fungicides to prevent and combat pathogens that produce Venturia inaequalis, Erwinia amylovora,, Podosphaera leucotricha (Ell. et Ev) Salm and Monilinia laxa. Thus, in the untreated variant, the degree of attack for rapeseed on the fruit was 82.8%, and for Podosphaera leucotricha on the shoots the attack was 35% in the Jonathan variety. In the treated plot, the degree of Venturia inaequalis attack on fruit was reduced to 11.3% and 3.0% in the Starkrimson and Golden delicious varieties, and in the Jonathan variety up to 0.5%.

Features of the development of the primary roots of wheat seedlings after the removal of abiotic electromagnetic stress

The study considers the features of the development of the primary roots of spring wheat seedlings after pre-sowing exposure to a UHF EMF under conditions of pre-moistening of seeds. The object of the experiment was the seeds of soft spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties Novosibirskaya 31, Alyoshina, Trizo, Iren, Pamyati Aphrodite, and Altayskaya 70. In the experimental variants, the duration of the microwave EMF (0, 5, 10, 15 s) and the seed moisture (15, 20, 25, 30%) were combined. The influence of the UHF EMF on the intensity of the development of the primary roots of spring wheat seedlings was significant. For example, one of the varieties (Triso) shows a slight decrease in the intensity of growth processes during a fifteen-second treatment. The decrease in root mass was 18.18% (moisture content 15%) and 2.20 times (moisture content 20%) compared to the control. Wheat variety Iren had a decrease in root weight relative to the untreated variant by 2.59 times (at a moisture content of 15%) and 7.33 times (at a moisture content of 20%). The features of root growth at the initial stages of plant development were variety-specific and also depended on the modes of microwave processing. An unfavorable variant of microwave irradiation was a combination of the duration of exposure of 15 s and the preliminary humidity of the processed grain of 30%. The variant of EMF exposure for 5 s stimulated growth processes in germinating grains expressed in a relative increase in the number of roots and their wet weight compared to the control. The variant of exposure to an EMF for 5 s stimulates growth processes in germinating grains, which is expressed in a relative increase in the number of roots compared to the control. This difference is 13.47% for the Novosibirskaya 31 variety, for the Trizo variety – 14.99%, Iren – 12.44%, Pamyati Aphrodite – 8.97%, and Alyoshina – 13.93% on average. According to the totality of the studied indicators, two varieties of spring wheat were distinguished: the variety of Pamyati Aphrodite as the most stable and the variety Alyoshina as the most plastic. The results obtained can be used in practical plant growing to increase the adaptive capacity of plants and, consequently, increase productivity. A well-developed root system will allow wheat to withstand adverse weather conditions and form a higher grain productivity.

Population Dynamics and Effect of Seed Treatment on Plutella xylostella Control in Romania

This paper presents a three-year study concerning the effectiveness of the OSR seed treatment with the cyantraniliprole active ingredient in controlling the DBM larvae attack in autumn and four-year monitoring of the DBM flight pattern, using pheromone sticky traps. The experiment and the monitoring were conducted at the experimental field from the National Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NARDI) Fundulea in Southeast Romania. For the field assessments, each OSR sampled plant was photographed in macro mode, and then images were downloaded and magnified on the PC screen to determine the DBM larva attack. The traps were placed in the OSR crop from mid-March till December and checked twice weekly. Data from the field assessment revealed a higher pest attack on OSR plants on 11 November 2020, when the DBM larvae attack degree was 16.26% in the untreated variant and 11.24% in the variant with treated seeds. The results evidenced unusually higher activity for the diamondback moths during November 2019, 2020, and 2022; the beginning of December 2020 and 2021; and mid-December 2022. This is the first report from the Romanian scientific literature concerning higher DBM attacks at OSR plants in autumn and high moth activity during November and December.

Effects of Pretreatment with a Ball Mill on Methane Yield of Horse Manure

Lignocellulosic biomass is an abundant organic material, which can be utilised in biogas plants for sustainable production of biogas. Since these substrates usually have high lignin contents and consist of rather elongated particles, a special pretreatment is required for an economical and process-stable utilisation in the biogas plant. The mechanical pretreatment of horse manure was carried out with the prototype of a ball mill at different speeds. The aim of ball milling is to comminute the substrate and disintegrate the lignocellulosic bond. Mechanical pretreatment in the ball mill resulted in a significant increase in specific methane yield of more than 37% in anaerobic batch digestion (up to 243 LCH4 kgVS−1) of horse manure. The kinetics of the methane gas formation process was analysed by a modified Gompertz model fitting and showed a higher methane production potential and maximum daily methane production rate as well as a lower duration of the lag phase after pretreatment at 6 rpm. This was further confirmed by sieve analyses, which showed a significant reduction of particle size compared to the untreated variant. Thus, the use of the ball mill increases the specific methane yield and improves the fermentation of lignocellulosic substrates such as horse manure.Graphical

Effect of Protein Gel Treatments on Biometric and Biochemical Attributes of Tomato Seedlings in Greenhouse Condition

Protein hydrolysates are widely used in agricultural crops for improving plant nutrient uptake, growth, yield, and fruit quality. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of the most important vegetables consumed around the world both for its good taste and rich content in vitamins, minerals, lycopene, and β-carotene. The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of new stimulant products based on protein hydrolysates obtained from animal tissue by-products on tomato seedlings. Given the increased intake of amino acids, it is expected that this treatment will exert beneficial effects on the development of certain vigorous seedlings, representing the premise for obtaining superior tomato plants and the improvement of the production and quality of tomato fruit. Two variants of protein gels based on gelatin and keratin hydrolysates were obtained by processing bovine hide and wool and were used for periodical root applications on tomato seedlings cultivated in a greenhouse. During the experiment, the biometric characteristics of seedlings were measured weekly. The content of photosynthetic pigments, dry weight, sugars, and polyphenols were analyzed, and the antioxidant activity was assessed in the leaves. The research performed showed that applied biostimulant treatments increased the content of photosynthetic pigments by 10%, the content of sugars by 75%, and the content of polyphenols by 16% compared to the control untreated variant. Between the variants of protein gels tested, the best results were obtained by applying a mixture of bovine gelatin and keratin.

INFLUENCE OF LEAF AND RADICULAR FERTILIZATION ON APPLE GROWTH AND FRUITING PROCESSES

Fertilization is a basic condition of agriculture, as a branch of sustainable development. It is often recommended to supplement mineral nutrition with organic product administration because, through their bio-stimulating effect, it potentiates mineral nutrition. Under these conditions, between 2020 and 2022, a bifactorial study was carried out on three apple cultivars (5-7 years after planting), grown at the Research Institute for Fruit Growing Pitesti-Maracineni, in a high-density orchard. The influence of five foliar and one soil fertilizers, on the background of standard mineral fertilization, over the mineral elements and chlorophyll content of the foliar apparatus for 'Red Braeburn', 'Jonagold Boerekamp', and 'Jonagold Novajo' cvs. was studied. Indicators of growth, fruiting processes, and fruit quality were also assessed. The foliar diagnosis results indicated that the level of mineral elements (N, P, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, and Fe) was within the limits of normality established for apple leaves, except for manganese, which accumulated in slightly excess (108.8, compared to 100.0 ppm). On average, during the experiment, the fertilization variants significantly increased the foliar level of mineral elements such as K, Cu, and Fe, compared to the control. Regarding the growth-fruiting processes, the mean of the tree trunk cross-sectional area annual growth was 6.6 cm2. Given that the percentage of fruit set fluctuated around 66.9%, a fruit yield of 66.8 t/ha was obtained. On average, the percentage of fruit set increased significantly by 16.9-19.5% when CropMax (0.2%), M1 (0.5%), and M2 (0.5%) products were applied, and fruit yield by 19.3-21.2% for Poly-Feed (1%) and Fertisol (2 kg/tree). The fruit weight ranged from 72.3 to 443.2 g, with an average of 166.5 g. The average values recorded for firmness, juice pH and total soluble content were 76.4 units HPE-II- FFF Bareiss, 3.6, and 12.7°Brix respectively. All fertilization treatments significantly increased the average weight of the fruit, by 6.2-9.2%, compared to the untreated variant. The results of the study certify the favorable effect of supplementing the fertilization plans with the studied products, containing biostimulators that enhance and harmonize the physiological processes of the apple in a high-density system.

Effect of Entomopathogenic Fungi, Beauveria bassiana (Cordycipitaceae), on the Bark Beetle, Ips typographus (L.), under Field Conditions.

Simple SummaryThe effect of B. bassiana fungal treatment on spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus (L.), was tested under field conditions. Altogether, it was detected that the effect of B. bassiana preparations on bark beetle infestations in terms of possible environmental effects is minimal compared to the severe damage and hence yield loss caused by this insect species worldwide. Even if the relatively low effects on I. typographus stages, including adults, larvae, pupae and even next-generation young adults, were reported, it remains clear that the present novel approach using a natural biological control agent rather than toxic synthetic insecticides is timely and may be potentially beneficial to the forestry industry as a rational control approach to combat this pest.The spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus (L.), attack progression (adult and larval galleries) and parental and offspring mortality rate were assessed in managed forests of the Poiana Ruscă and Bihor Mountains, along with Western Romanian Carpathians using fungal (Beauveria bassiana) treatments. The results show that the effect of B. bassiana on adult (maternal) gallery length was similar to the untreated variant and was less effective than the synthetic insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin applied at a dose of 50 g/L. Additionally, its effect on the mean larval gallery number per maternal gallery was low. B. bassiana did not have a significant influence on the attack progression. Significant correlations between log diameter and I. typographus attack progression were detected; such differences were higher than the effect of any treatment. Altogether, abiotic (low humidity, high temperature) and biotic factors (log diameter) influenced the bark beetles’ attack progression and reduced the entomopathogenic fungal effects. Considering the efficacy of the B. bassiana treatment on logs infested with I. typographus, the results showed that parents and offspring were infected, but even if the fungal treatment was applied in high concentrations, the mortality rate remained relatively low. Further research is necessary to test if different B. bassiana strains and their commercially recommended concentrations might be more effective under dry and warm climate conditions, respectively.

Development of winter wheat leaf blotches depending on meteorological conditions

Tan spot (caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis) and Septoria tritici blotch (caused by Zymoseptoria tritici) are the most widespread winter wheat leaf blotches in Latvia. Precipitation and air temperature are important factors in the development of fungal diseases. The aim of the present research was to clarify the development of leaf blotches in winter wheat depending on meteorological conditions. A field trial was conducted at the Research and Study farm “Peterlauki” (Latvia) of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies in 2018–2021. The disease impact during the vegetation periods was estimated by calculating the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). The severity of leaf blotches in winter wheat leaves differed significantly during the four vegetation seasons. Tan spot was the dominant disease in 2018, 2019 and 2021 (respectively 2.12%, 18.7% and 4.1% in the untreated variant at the time of grain ripening (GS 75–79)), when weather conditions were dry and warm. The first symptoms of tan spot were observed already at GS 31–32, but rapid development of the disease began at the time of grain ripening (GS 73–79 depending on year). In such conditions, Septoria tritici blotch started later and its progression was slower than that of tan spot. Septoria tritici blotch dominated in 2020 (11.4% in the untreated variant at GS 75–79), when precipitation amount was high. The first symptoms were observed at GS 31–32, but rapid disease development started at GS 73 (2.7% in untreated variant) which coincided with rainfall. The differences in average AUDPC values during investigation years fluctuated within a range of 13–142 units for tan spot and 1–57 units for Septoria tritici blotch. The research was supported by the EIP–Agri project “The development of the decision–making support system for restriction of the diseases, affecting leaves and ears of winter wheat”.

ORGANIC FERTILIZATION INFLUENCE ON GROWTH AND FRUITING PROCESSES OF THREE APPLE CULTIVARS GROWN IN THE MARACINENI-ARGES AREA

The present paper studied the influence of organic biostimulators and fertilizers, administrated in three applications between 70-75 BBCH, on growth and fruiting processes of three apple cultivars grown in five and six years high-density orchards at the Research Institute for Fruit Growing, Maracineni, Arges (southern part of Romania). During 2020-2021, the increase of the trunk cross-sectional area registered an average of 5.25 cm2 (0.02-21.19 cm2), and the fruit yield averaged 55.64 t/ha (0-166.98 t/ha). The mean values recorded for the fruit weight and pulp firmness, were 173.22 g (74.13-558.76) and 76.50 units Bareiss HPE-II-FFF (53.60-89.10), while the pH of the fruit juice and total soluble solids fluctuated around 3.55 (3.09-4.68) and 13.3 ⁰Brix (9.45-18.20). Foliar treatment with Cifamin BK (1.5 l/plant) significantly increased fruit yield by 49.5% compared to the untreated variant. Fruit weight increased in all three fertilization treatments on ´Decosta Jonagold de Coster´ and ´Red Braeburn´. Organic biostimulators and fertilizers improved pulp firmness on ´Golden Reinders Delicious´, juice pH on ´Decosta Jonagold de Coster´ and total soluble content on ´Red Braeburn´. The results of the study showed that, on the mineral nutrition background, Cifamin BK and Biohumus treatments in apple orchards improved fruit yield and quality.

Makropokusi kao važan čimbenik u procjeni agronomskih svojstava hibrida suncokreta

Provedba makropokusa predstavlja jedan od bitnih elemenata u kvantifikaciji agronomskih svojstava hibrida suncokreta. Stoga su, s ciljem procjene prinosa zrna, sadržaja ulja te učinka fungicida na dominantne bolesti hibrida suncokreta, analizirani rezultati makropokusa na lokalitetu Čepin u razdoblju 2010. – 2020. godine. U pokusima je sudjelovalo 17 sjemenskih kuća, a ukupan broj hibrida tijekom istraživanja bio je 439. Najmanji broj hibrida bio je u 2010. godini (27), a najveći u 2018. godini (66). Prosječan prinos zrna u netretiranoj varijanti bio je 3,7 t ha-1, a u tretiranoj 3,8 t ha-1. Najveći prinos zrna ostvaren je 2017. godine: 4,6 t ha-1 u tretiranoj, a 4,5 t ha-1 u netretiranoj varijanti. Pojedinačno je po hibridu iste godine ostvaren i najveći prinos zrna u tretiranoj varijanti (5,8 t ha-1). Prosječan sadržaj ulja u netretiranoj varijanti iznosio je 44,04 %, a u tretiranoj 44,69 %. Najveći sadržaj ulja ostvaren je u tretiranoj varijanti 2011. godine, i to 46,73 %, a u netretiranoj varijanti 2012. godine, i iznosio je 45,78 %. Pojedinačno je po hibridu najveći sadržaj ulja (50,08 %) bio 2012. godine u tretiranoj varijanti. Najučinkovitije tretiranje suncokreta fungicidima bilo je u 2019. godini, kada je ostvareno povećanje prinosa zrna za 0,54 t ha-1 i sadržaja ulja za 0,78 %. Ostvareni prinos zrna, sadržaj ulja i učinak djelovanja fungicida u proizvodnji suncokreta u velikoj mjeri ovise o godini. Kvalitetne i pravovremeno primijenjene agrotehničke mjere, uz visok nivo znanja i iskustva proizvođača, od izuzetnoga su značenja za postignuće visokih i stabilnih prinosa zrna i sadržaja ulja suncokreta.

Influence of insecticides on the harvest and quality of potato stubs in the conditions of West Kazakhstan region

The article presents the results on the yield of potatoes, on the starch content in the tubers, which determined a certain degree of damage to the tops of the Colorado potato beetle. The lowest yield was obtained in the control, and in the variants with the use of insecticides against the Colorado potato beetle, compared with the control, it increased in all experimental variants, depending on the chemical preparation used, in 2017 by 1.8-4.5 times, the lowest indicator by the variant with the preparation cytcor, in 2018 the yield showed a difference of 1.8-4.05 times, it was also the smallest on the variant with cytcor, in 2019 the yield increased 1.81-4.41 times and here the lowest indicator was also when using cytkor. Potato yield on average for 3 years with the use of insecticides in the fight against the Colorado potato beetle was obtained in the range of 12.6 - 16.9 t / ha in the variants of cytkor, aktara, akarin, confidor, bankol, kinmix. A high yield (25.4 t / ha) was obtained when potato plantings were treated with fastacprofi, 28.8 t / ha - in the variant using karate zeon and 29.6 t / ha when decis expert was used. The starch content in potato tubers in the control untreated variant was 10.1 - 10.3%, and in the variants with pesticides - 15.0 - 16.4%, or 4.9 - 6.1% more than in the control. Potato yield and starch content in tubers depend directly on damage to potato plants by the Colorado potato beetle.

Research Regarding the Ostrinia Nubilalis Hbn. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Attack at Maize Crops under the Central of Moldova Conditions, Romania

The Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn. larvae causes attacks and production losses by feeding with different parts of the plant (stem, cobs, inflorescence). The insect is spread throughout Romania, the frequency of attack is, on average, between 30.3% and 70%. The importance of Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn. attacks produced at maize led to the initiation of studies in 2017 at ARDS Secuieni with the purpose to establish the role of technological links in reducing the attack caused by insect larvae. The result obtained regarding the experimentation of five sowing epochs highlighted the high attack on larvae of maize sown in epochs IV and V in comparation with the optimal epoch. The attack produced by larvae at different genotype under the conditions of Central of Moldova, was between 28.59% (Turda 248) and 35.83% (Turda 165), compared with the average experience of 33.34%. Regarding the positioning of the attack on the plant, it is found that highest number of gallery were identified in the area under the cobs compared to the panicle area, where their number was much lower. The application of insecticides through treatments on vegetation reduced the attack of larvae ensuring the protection of maize plants, the variant treated with the active substance cyantraniliprol 200 g/l registered the lowest attack of 9.4%. In the variants treated with insecticides, the attack had values between 11.6% and 15.4% compared to the untreated variant, which registered an attack of 22.5%. In the period 2017-2020, under the conditions in Central Moldova, the sowing epoch and treatment with insecticides on vegetation significantly influenced the attack, and in terms of cultivated hybrid, the differences were insignificant.

Divergence in Corn Mycorrhizal Colonization Patterns Due to Organic Treatment.

Excessive application of chemical fertilizers and other agrochemicals can cause large imbalances in soils and agricultural ecosystems. In this context, mycorrhizae represent a viable solution to mitigate these negative effects. Arbuscular mycorrhizae are vital symbionts due to the multiple benefits they bring to both crops and the entire agroecosystem. The main purpose of this study was to observe whether differentiated fertilization has an influence on mycorrhizal colonization patterns in corn. Observed frequencies and intensities of colonization varied widely between phenophases and treatments, with 20% variation for frequency and 14% for intensity, which implies the constant development of both partners during the vegetation period. Arbuscules and vesicles were present in all development stages, but the overall mean was lower than 4% for arbuscules and 1% for vesicles in the analyzed root fragments. Intensity was highly correlated with frequency of colonization compared with arbuscules, where the coefficient was 0.54, and vesicles, with a coefficient of 0.16. Both PCA and NMDS provided good graphical solutions, with a high resolution due to explained variance and good spatial position of vectors. The use of mycorrhizal maps permits the full exploration of colonization patterns and fungal strategy, and the assessment of mycorrhizae-free areas. For the untreated variant, the strategy was oriented toward a longitudinal colonization followed by an irregular development of hyphae with multiple non-colonized areas. Treatment acts to stimulate the appearance of mycorrhizal spots, which further develop radially.

THE IMPORTANCE OF USEFUL ARTHROPOD FAUNA IN LIMITING WHEAT PESTS IN THE CENTER OF TRANSYLVANIA

The important role of entomophagous present in the trophic network of biocenoses, is widely debated in numerous papers. Throughout the vegetation period, field crops are invaded by a host of entomophagous, their role being important in limiting pests. Due to the importance of useful arthropod fauna for limiting wheat pests, during 2016-2017, its monitoring was carried out on the winter wheat culture, in two locations: at Turda, open field and in Bolduţ, field with agroforestry curtains, from ARDS Turda. The entomophagous collection was performed decadally with entomological net, a hundred double threads for each sample, in two variants: untreated with insecticides, and treated with insecticides. The data obtained indicates the fact that in the field with agroforestry curtains, the abundance of entomophagous it was higher, and in the variant where vegetation treatments with insecticides have been applied, the number of entomophagous was lower, compared to the untreated variant.

Technological qualities of common winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in conditions of unconventional agriculture

Abstract During the period 2019 - 2020, a study was conducted on soil type calcic chernozem with Venka 1 common winter wheat variety. The experiment is based on the block method, in four replications with a size of the experimental plot of 10 m2. Sowing was carried out in October with a sowing rate of 500 sprouts/m2 after the predecessor sugar beet. In the appropriate periods, treatments were made in 4 variants: 1) Control - untreated variant, 2) Treatment with biodynamic preparations: 500 + Fladen preparation + preparation 501, 3) Treatment with biological preparations: Heliosulfur + Free N. 4) Combined treatment with the same biodynamic and biological preparations. Preparation 500 was applied in the phase of autumn and spring wheat tillering - 5% solution. Preparation 501 was applied in the phase ear formation - 1.5 g for 30 l of water/da. Fladen preparation is applied in the phase of autumn and spring tillering - 1.5% solution. Heliosulfur was applied in the ear formation phase - flowering at a dose of 50 ml/da, at an appropriate date on the biodynamic calendar. Free N was applied to the soil in the phase of autumn and spring tillering at a dose of 50 ml/da, at an appropriate date on the biodynamic calendar. The analysis of the technological qualities is made according to the respective ISO methodology. The statistical data processing was performed with the STATGRAPH program. The application of biodynamic and biological preparations and their joint use leads to an increase in the yield of wet gluten, as well as an increase in the content of N, P, K and protein in wheat grain. It has been proven that the combined use of biodynamic and biological preparations increases the content of dry matter, organic matter and the content of nitrogen-free extracts in wheat grain. The content of crude proteins has been shown to increase only in the varieties treated with biodynamic and biological preparations.