Teodor Cristea

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) belongs to the Cactaceae family and is a species cultivated for fruit consumption due to its rich content of vitamins, minerals and an excellent source of antioxidants (betacyanin), but also vegetable albumin, vitamins and water-soluble fibres. The best method for rapid plant multiplication is cell and tissue culture, so in this study we followed the influence of different growth hormones on micropropagation and rooting, in two varieties of pitaya (Vietnamese White dragon fruit and Red Jiana Dragon Fruit). Thus, the shoots obtained from the seeds were grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) culture medium supplemented with two types of cytokinins: 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP) – 2.5 mg/l and kinetin (KIN) – 2 mg/ l, respectively naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) – 1 mg/l, for multiplication, and for the rooting of the shoots, Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1 mg/l IBA, respectively the medium without growth regulators, was used. The results obtained were different depending on the variety, but also on the type of growth regulators used.

Agaricus bisporus, the most widely consumed mushroom species globally, was the focus of this study. Mushrooms are widely recognized as important sources of dietary fiber, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins and minerals. However, they also have the capacity to accumulate toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury. Due to the presence of polysaccharides, peptides, essential amino acids, glycoproteins, nucleosides, triterpenoids, fatty acids and lectins, Agaricus bisporus has been reported to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-hyper-cholesterolemic, antidiabetic, antihypertensive and hepatoprotective activities. We aimed to determine the mineral profile of Agaricus bisporus samples available on the Romanian market using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry. The results regarding the mushrooms samples minerals content (mg/kg dry weight), obtained by using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry, are ranging between: K (31443-50579), Ca (1229-4838), Fe (337-580), Mn (105-130), Zn (113-312), Cu (25-86), Se (0-11). The analysis of obtained data was made using Excel, Statistica 11 and MVSP programs. These findings are consistent with previous studies indicating that potassium is the predominant mineral in mushrooms, followed by calcium. Therefore, regular mushroom consumption can contribute to meeting the daily requirements for these essential elements, alongside other nutritional benefits.

Drought is one of the main factors that limit the production level, causing harvest losses of over 50%, depending on the duration and intensity of the water deficit. Production losses due to drought can be increased by interaction with other stress factors such as high temperatures. Many selection indices based on seed yield were developed and used for the evaluations of common bean germplasm for drought tolerance. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the yield response to drought stress for six Romanian varieties of common bean using 14 tolerance indices, to establish the efficiency of these selection criteria and the varieties with good drought tolerance. The biological material for this study was composed by six Romanian varieties of common bean studied in Timisoara during 2022-2024, under different levels of drought stress. Based on the obtained results, the following indices: yield index, drought resistance index, stress susceptibility percentage index, stress tolerance index, geometric mean productivity, mean productivity, shows very strong positive correlations with both yield under stress and non-stress conditions, indicating that they can be used with high efficiency for the selection of genotypes with superior yields under different water stress conditions. ‘Star’ and ‘Avans’ varieties showed a moderate tolerance to drought, achieving reasonable levels of plant yield under conditions with and without water stress.

The wooly cupgrass (Eriochloa villosa) is an invasive weed species originating from East Asia that rapidly expanded into agricultural and disturbed land. Its tolerance to herbicides and ecological adaptations enable it to become persistent and difficult to remove with limited control methods. This review synthesizes existing research on its distribution, biology, biochemistry, ecology, management and agricultural impact. Lipid synthesis inhibitor herbicides are reported to provide good results when applied early. Others such as Nicosulfuron and Foramsulfuron, although still effective in many populations, have been linked to emerging resistance in others. Chemical control is still widely used and developing resistance is an increasing concern, so various other control methods are also discussed and encouraged. Row crops such as corn (Zea mays) and soybeans (Glycine max) are particularly vulnerable. Despite being problematic, this species presents potential as a medicinal plant as well as in phytoremediation. Regardless, numerous research gaps remain, particularly in chemical control, its economic impact, biochemical properties, community dynamics and distribution. We aim to provide a comprehensive basis for future research with a focus on interdisciplinary approaches in order to contain its spread as much as possible, as well as explore the benefits it may provide.