SELECTION OF BACTERIAL STRAINS USEFULL IN BIOACTIVE MULCH AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
Authors: Florica Constantinescu, Florin Oancea, Oana-Alina Sicuia, Sorina Dinu
Abstract: This study referes to the use of “bioactive mulch” (vegetal mulch suplimented with antagonistic beneficial bacteria) as an alternative to chemical fertilization of the crops and application of pesticides. Therefore, we selected two bacterial strains with biological activity in vitro against soil borne fungi Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici and Fusarium graminearum. The selected strains, Usa2 Bacillus subtilis and 56.1s Brevibacillus laterosporus were analized for important biological traits like enzimes production (amilase, lactonase and cellulase), plant growth promotion, ability to mineralize the lignocellulosic material and for their mobility. Finnaly, the inocuity test was performed to establish the toxic potential of the izolates against mammalians.
Key words: cover crop, mulch, beneficial bacteria, biocontrol
PROCEDURES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT OF PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCT
Authors: Carmen Mincea, Elena Hera, Marga Gradila, Alexandra Pasareanu, H. Iliescu
Abstract: In compliance with European legislation, the environmental risk assessment for plant protection products is a very important stage, having as aim to approve and place on the market only those products which meet certain toxicity criteria of some environmental components (such as: birds, aquatic organisms, bees, earthworms, soil microorganisms, useful insects, other than bees). To answer European standards requirements regarding the environmental risks assessment for plant protection products, in the GLP - LECO they have been developed general procedures, quality assurance procedures, and the specific technical and working procedures. Their elaboration was based on OECD Guidelines taking into account the specific conditions of our Institute test facilities that have been developed: 13 General Procedures, 2 Quality Assurance Procedures, and 8 specific Operating Procedures.
Key words: Good laboratory Practice, General procedures, Standard Operating Procedures, Quality Assurance Plan
BIRD DYNAMICS IN THE FORESTRY PLANTATION SFANTU` GHEORGHE – TULCEA COUNTY
Authors: Mircea Gogu Bogdan, Ion Teodor Vasile
Abstract: The Romanian Ornithological Center studied the bird migration from July 18th to November 11th 2007 in Sfântu - Gheorghe in the Danube Delta, Romania. The main activity was the ringing, 7494 birds from 99 different species in the forest near the mentioned village were captured and ringed. Two previously unseen subspecies in Romania were also ringed, a Common Redstart Phoenicurus phenicurus samamisicus subspecie and of a Chiffchaf Phylloscopus collybita fulvescens/tristis. The fifth observation of a Pallas’ Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus was made. 242 bird species were observed such as the Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephalos, the first record for Romania. Scarcer species such as the Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis, the Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni, the Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus and the Pallas’ Gull Larus ichthyaetus were also observed during the stay
Key words: birds, migration, ringing, monitoring
METCALFA PRUINOSA (SAY) (HEMIPTERA: FLATIDAE) IDENTIFIED IN A NEW SOUTH EASTERN AREA OF ROMANIA (BUCHAREST AREA)
Authors: Constantina Chireceanu, Catalin Gutuie
Abstract:
During August-October of 2011, the presence of Metcalfa pruinosa (Say), a nearctic invasive flatid plant-hopper introduced from North America to Europe in 1979, was detected on fruit trees, grapevines and different ornamental and shrubs plant species in private gardens, public institutions courts in Bucharest city and adjacent areas. Adults were directly observed or captured on the yellow sticky traps set up in orchards and grapevine plots with or without protective management to detect the specific phytoplasma insect vectors. The large white waxy filaments amount and the honeydew production caused unaesthetic damages to garden, terraces and ornamental plants. First detection of the pest in Romania was on plants in urban green areas and public parks in 2009. Taking into consideration that the M. pruinosa continues to spread with growing populations in new areas of country and also the way of feeding in the plants phloem, it could be suspected to pay a role in the epidemiology of important diseases with spreading through the insects, such as viruses and phytoplasmas. The Japanese maple leafhopper, Japananus hyalinus (Osbom) was detected in M. pruinosa colonies on maple trees.
Key words: Metcalfa pruinosa, fruit trees, grapevines, urban gardens areas
PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON EFFICACY OF VAPORIZED ETHYL FORMATE AND CARBON DIOXIDE FORMULATIONS AGAINST STORED-GRAIN INSECTS
Authors: Sonica Drosu, Maria Ciobanu, F. Oancea, V. Fătu
Abstract:Ethyl formate (EF) is a fumigant currently used abroad for stored grain protection against pests, being a potential alternative to methyl bromide. This paper presents the results of the efficacy of fumigant mixture of ethyl formate and carbon dioxide trials on Tribolium castaneum (red flour beetle) adults and larvae. The good efficacy of fumigant mixture of ethyl formate and carbon dioxide was demonstrated with ethyl formate 50 mg/l and carbon dioxide 1%; for the adults of T. castaneum one hour exposure was enough for the 95% mortality; for the larval stage, 98,5% mortality was obtained after 3hrs of exposure. Further studies are required to ascertain the true applicability of this fumigant mixture in order to introduce it in stored products protection.
Key words: ethyl formate, carbon dioxide, fumigation, stored grain insects
IMPLEMENTATION OF GLP PRINCIPLES IN “LECO” TESTING FACILITY - HAZARD ASSESSMENT OF PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS TOWARDS POLLINATORS
Authors: Carmen Mincea, Elena Hera, Alexandra Păsăreanu, Marga Grădilă
Abstract:OECD Good Laboratory Practice principles have been elaborated to promote the quality and validity of testing data, used to establish the safety of chemical substances and products. Aiming the chemical substances assessment and other utilizations concerning the safety of humans and environment, needs that these principles to be pursued in the testing facilities were are carried out approved studies by the national authorities. In Romania the Good Laboratory Practice implementation and application is legalized by the regulations documents such as: HG nr.63/2002, HG nr.266/2006, HG nr 448/2007, Statutes/Regulation 440/2008. For GLP principles implementation in “LECO” testing facility have been designed several types of procedures and complying with their demands have leading to the quality results of the eco-toxicological tests. The aim of this study is showing the implementation modality of OECD Good Laboratory Practice demands, regarding some aspects which are directly involved in the performing of the toxicity study for the determination of certain substances/products in acute contact toxicity test on honeybees. The study aspects were: 1) measuring and control equipments existing in endowment of honeybee laboratory 2) laboratory glassware 3) reference and control tests substances 4) biological testing system represented by honeybees
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