In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, cognitive, cultural, and entrepreneurial factors affect the farm decision-making and sustainable practices of exemplary farmers. The research used qualitative methodologies and thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with eight exemplary farmers from (KEFO) organization in Erbil, Duhok, Sulaimani, and Halabja to clarify the impact of strategic planning, supervision, and emotional commitment on their management practices. The results show that farmers perceive farming as both a way of life and a business that requires planning, organisation, and adaptability. Their concepts are in line with worldwide trends that support entrepreneurial resilience and strategic leadership. Good farmers also know how to mix traditional knowledge and cultural identity with market adaptability and systematic management. This makes them local leaders and innovators who show others how to execute their work by setting an example and showing them the best ways to do things. The study states that in order to improve farm management in transitional agricultural economies like Kurdistan, individual experiences need to be connected with policy and institutional aid to encourage sustainability, diversity, and resilience in rural areas.
Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) is a cash crop that is very rich in nutrients. Knowledge of the agronomic performance of genotypes cultivated for broad adaptation in growing environments is necessary. The objective of this study was to identify high-performance genotypes in Burkina Faso. Thus, 42 genotypes were evaluated using an Alpha Lattice design of 21 genotypes × 2 blocks in four replicates during the 2021-2022 growing season. The combined analysis of variance showed significant effects of genotype, environment, and genotype x environment interaction for most of the measured variables. The representation of the effect of genotypes and the genotype x environment interaction revealed high-performing and specific genotypes in each environment. For the number of leafy shoots, genotypes K35J and B45J have performed well in environment 2 (E2) and N1MC have performed well in environment 1 (E1). For tuber yield, B44MC and K25MC performed best in E2 and K35J and K28J in E1. These genotypes could be promoted for the production of tiger nut in the Sudanese and Sudano-Sahelian zones of Burkina Faso, taking into account the needs of producers and consumers.
Sweet cherry is a horticultural crop of major importance both nationally and internationally. Spring frosts are a limiting factor for quality yields, while data on the susceptibility of new cultivars remain scarce. Thermal variability during critical flowering and fruiting stages necessitates the assessment of cultivar resilience to thermal stress. This 2025 study at the Moara Domnească Experimental Station, in a 2021 plantation, evaluates sweet cherry resilience to thermal stress in a frost-prone continental climate. The study aimed to assess the resilience of sweet cherry cultivars to thermal stress from late frosts by comparing their morphological and physiological performance under subcritical temperatures. The research sought to identify highly adaptable cultivars suitable for cultivation under current climate change conditions. Two commercial cultivars of interest, 'Kordia' and 'Regina', were analyzed under similar soil and agricultural technology conditions. Post-frost assessments included fruit weight, size (height and diameter), firmness, pH, sugar content (%BRIX), titratable acidity, and dry matter, with data collected using standardized laboratory methods and statistical analysis, while meteorological conditions were monitored via an automated weather station. 'Kordia' showed superior fruit quality after late frost, with higher weight (6.87 g vs. 4.42 g), diameter (22.93 mm vs. 18.79 mm), height (23.64 mm vs. 20.58 mm), and sugar content (16.33 %Brix vs. 15.48 %Brix). Frost damage to buds was similar: 29% for 'Regina' (‘Gisela 5’) and 30% for 'Kordia' (‘Gisela 6’). Despite this, 'Regina' yielded more, indicating better production tolerance to frost. Differences in firmness, pH, and citric acid were minor. Overall, 'Kordia' excelled in quality, 'Regina' in yield under frost-prone conditions. Assessing sweet cherry resilience to late frosts supports climate change adaptation and informed cultivar choice. 'Kordia' offers high fruit quality for frost-prone markets, while 'Regina' ensures better yields in stable climates. Matching cultivars to site conditions can optimize profitability and reduce economic losses from frost damage.
Vine age is believed to correlate with grape and wine quality. In this study two vine age categories were investigated - Fetească neagră young vines (8 years) and old vines (58 years) - at the Tohani Vineyard in the Dealu Mare region, over three consecutive vintages. Physico-chemical analyses were determined using standardized laboratory methods. Considering vintage as an independent factor, the 2017 vintage exhibits significantly higher values for grape sugar content (249.83 g/L), wine alcohol content (14.9% v/v), and total dry extract (38.19 g/L). Grape total acidity, wine total acidity, and non-sugar dry extract remained relatively constant across the 2015-2017 vintages. The interaction between vine age and vintage revealed that older vines show significantly higher values for grape sugar concentration, wine alcohol content, total dry extract, and non-sugar dry extract in 2015 and 2016, but not in 2017. When analyzing vine age as an isolated factor, older vines consistently exhibit higher grape sugar concentrations (245.44 g/L), alcohol content (14.63% v/v), and both total (37.51 g/L) and non-sugar dry extract (33.92 g/L) values. Vine age did not influence the total acidity. In conclusion, older vines demonstrate a higher potential for producing superior quality grapes and wines, although this potential is partially influenced by vintage variation.
Changing climate patterns especially in spring, negatively influences the flowering process, hence the yields in stone and pome fruits. During flowering period in sweet cherry orchard (BBCH 60-65) negative temperatures were recorded in five consecutive days between 06-11.04.2025, culminating with -5.5 ⁰C, which caused important fruit losses. In the present study we investigate the effects of frost on flower buds of ‘Tamara’, ‘Kordia’, ‘Lapins’ cultivars grafted on ‘GiSelA 3,5,6’ rootstocks in different combinations and several autochthonous (‘Cociuvaș’, ‘Tentant’, ‘Superb’, ‘Severin’, ‘Adreiași’, ‘Spectral’, ‘Daria’, ‘Ludovan’, ‘Romaria’, ‘Jubileu 30’) as well as foreign cultivars (Sweatheart, Bigareau Burlat) grafted on ‘IP-C5’ and ‘IP-C7’ rootstocks. Sweet cherry trees in the research plots showed significant frost damage, with cultivars sufefring a yield loss of 98-100%. The damage caused within apple trees had the same pattern, whereas over 90% of floral buds were severely affected. The apple trees which were between the green bud stage (BBCH 56) and the pink bud stage (BBCH 57) phenophases, suffered severe frost damage. The cultivars 'Willtons Star Red Jonaprince Select Eco'/B9 and 'Golden Reinders'/M9 were severely affected. The complex planting system, cultivars, rootstocks, location of the orchard, the age of trees, influenced the different frost resistance of cultivars and species.
Buckwheat is cultivated for its nutrient-dense seeds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different types of N - fertilizers on buckwheat’s crop, under drought stress. A field experiment was set up in the Agricultural University of Athens during 2024. The experimental design was split – plot, with 2 factors (fertilization and irrigation) and 3 replications. The fertilizers used were urea (U) (46 – 0 – 0) and urea with urease inhibitor (UI) (46 – 0 – 0 + urease inhibitors). For the full irrigation condition (M) 400 mm of water were applied, in contrast to the 250 mm in the reduced treatment (X). The traits of the crop were assessed at 30, 60, and 90 days after the sowing. Measurements included plants’ height, dry weight, number of inflorescences, thousand seeds weight, and the yield. According to the results, buckwheat was mainly affected by fertilization. All the agronomic traits were significantly higher on treatments with N – fertilization. Yield increased, with the use of fertilization (U+UI was 26% higher than C). The crop’s tolerance to drought stress and its insignificant effect on the crop’s yield dictate buckwheat’s suitability for climate-susceptible regions that are prone to droughts.
Education has an important role in achieving sustainable development. Specialized universities train students for a sustainable profession in rural areas. The purpose of this research is to identify the intention of UASVM CN students to practice in rural areas and the factors that influence this intention. An online and physical questionnaire was applied between 04.12.2024-23.01.2025 to a number of 205 students. The number of responses received was 161. Ordinal logistic regression was employed to determine the factors influencing respondents’ intention to practice in rural areas. Students intend to practice in rural areas with an average of 3.20. The intention of students from Other Regions is higher than that of those from N-W Region. The statistical results show that the intention is positively influenced by coming from a rural area and male gender. Also, the role of the library was demonstrated, the loan positively influences respondents’ intention.
Recently, the terms "good governance" are being increasingly utilized in sustainable development. The contemporary globe confronts issues of environmental deterioration and resource mismanagement, prompting various nations to utilize resources judiciously. Good governance plays a pivotal role in promoting sustainable agriculture through the prudent allocation and conservation of resources. This research aim was to assess good governance role in sustainable managing of summer crops. A qualitative methodology was employed, comprising Face-to Face interviews in two focus groups discussions with six members of local authorities at Penjwen district to address research questions related to sustainable crop management. The data were analysed thematically to identify key patterns and insights, which were subsequently utilized to evaluate and interpret good governance dimensions in accordance with SAFA guidelines. The investigation reveals that the local governing bodies within the Penjwen district have attained levels of sustainability that fluctuate between inadequate and intolerable. The authorities have achieved levels of sustainability in accountability, participation, rule of law, and integrated management, which have been assigned a red designation indicating an unacceptable evaluation; meanwhile, corporate ethics has received an orange designation. This outcome underscores the deficiencies of the governmental structures in this particular domain.
This study examines gender-based differences in perceptions of agritourism services, focusing on how male and female tourists evaluate key attributes such as service quality, comfort, pricing, cultural value, and educational experiences. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 336 respondents (168 males and 168 females) who had participated in agritourism activities. Descriptive statistics and independent-sample t-tests were applied to compare mean scores between genders. The results revealed that both male and female participants expressed generally positive perceptions across all items, with mean values exceeding the neutral midpoint of 3.00 on a five-point Likert scale. Female respondents reported slightly higher satisfaction in areas such as farm services and accommodation prices, while male respondents rated the inclusiveness of tourism activities marginally higher. However, all observed differences were statistically non-significant (p > 0.05), indicating homogeneity in perceptions across gender.
This study evaluated the physico-chemical characteristics of red wines produced by household winemakers across the Dealu Mare vineyard and compared them with both legal standards and benchmark wines from authorized wineries in the same region. Twelve wines were analyzed, including eight artisanal samples and four control wines (DOC-certified Merlot and Fetească neagră). Standard methods approved by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV, 2023) were used to assess alcoholic strength, density, total dry extract, total and volatile acidity, sulfur dioxide content, and the presence of artificial colorants. Results revealed high variability among artisanal wines. While some samples complied with legal limits and matched control wines, others showed sub-legal alcoholic strength, excessive volatile acidity, low extract, and traces of artificial colorants. Free SO₂ concentrations were often below recommended levels, indicating inadequate stabilization. In contrast, all control wines met legal requirements and exhibited stable quality. The findings suggest that many household producers lack access to appropriate vinification technologies and familiarity with regulatory requirements. Improving hygienic practices, applying correct stabilization treatments, and raising awareness of legal standards are essential steps toward enhancing artisanal wine quality and supporting their integration into regulated markets.
Legumes play a crucial role in promoting agricultural sustainability, not just for their nutritional benefits, but also by improving soil health through the process of biological nitrogen fixation. This mechanism decreases reliance on chemical fertilizers, thus fostering better soil conditions and greater environmental robustness. With the worsening impacts of climate change and land degradation, breeding legumes for enhanced nitrogen fixation has become ever more critical. This review compiles recent findings regarding the genetic foundations of nitrogen fixation, along with the implementation of marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS) to enhance soil quality. Examples from soybean, pea, and chickpea demonstrate effective breeding initiatives and the resulting agronomic advantages. Additionally, the paper addresses significant challenges such as narrow genetic diversity and environmental pressures and suggests future paths that include the combination of precision breeding techniques with climate modeling. Progressing legume breeding focused on nitrogen fixation is essential for developing sustainable, low-input farming systems.
Shoot tips from ten Prunus domestica L. cultivars, maintained as pathogen-free pre-basic material and preserved ex situ under insect-proof conditions, were encapsulated in calcium alginate, to evaluate their short-term conservation potential. The germination and regrowth capacity of encapsulated explants, developed under different carbon sources, storage conditions and dehydration treatments were assessed. Two experimental approaches were performed: (i) shoot tips encapsulated in MS medium supplemented with 3% sucrose, sorbitol, or mannitol, stored at 4 °C in darkness for 90 days; (ii) shoot tips encapsulated in MS medium supplemented with 3% sucrose, with or without prior dehydration in sucrose solution, and stored either at 22 °C or 4 °C under 16/8 h photoperiod for eight weeks. All cultivars exhibited vigorous shoot formation in vitro, and the encapsulated shoot tips showed a good regrowth capacity for storage. Sucrose encapsulated explants regenerated successfully after 60 days in the first experiment, with rates of 50% for ‘Geta’ and 36.7% for ‘Gras Ameliorat’. In the second one, the highest regrowth rate was observed at 4 °C after six weeks for ‘Geta’ (67.8%), and after eight weeks under sucrose-induce dehydration for ‘Gras Ameliorat’ (67.8%). These results demonstrate that synthetic seed technology, when combined with optimized storage conditions can effectively support the short-term conservation of the tested plum cultivars.
This study, conducted at SCDP Băneasa, Bucharest, investigated the phenotypic variation of three Morus alba L. cultivars under local climatic conditions. Mulberry, valued for fruits, leaves, and adaptability, is increasingly affected by climate change, influencing growth, pest incidence, and product quality. In 2024, three cultivars (‘Kinriu’, ‘Kokuso 21’, ‘No. 24’) were planted in a randomized block, 30 trees each, equally split between bush form and semi-tall trunk systems. Soil properties were analyzed at multiple depths over consecutive years. A μMETOS 300-USW weather station monitored climatic parameters. In the 2025 growing season (March–September), climatic assay concluded that the mean air temperature was 17.1 °C, total precipitation encountered 347 mm, relative humidity was 69.8 %, and sunshine exceeded 1,520 h. Growth varied among cultivars and training systems: bush form favored shoot elongation, while semi-tall trunk promoted stem thickening. Cultivar choice and training system significantly affected mulberry growth under ecological conditions in Băneasa, suggesting orchard designs should match production goals, maximizing biomass for sericulture or enhancing structural growth for fruit production. The ‘Kinriu’ cultivar trained in the semi-tall trunk system showed the highest vegetative growth, while the bush form, especially in ‘No. 24’, resulted in the lowest performance.
This study investigates the sensory profiles of wines made from two autochthonous varieties from historic Moldova: Fetească albă and Fetească regală. The analysis was conducted on 16 samples of Fetească albă and 9 samples of Fetească regală, sourced from wineries in Romania and the Republic of Moldova, evaluated by a trained panel. Descriptive sensory analysis focused on olfactory and gustatory descriptors to characterize the variability and common traits among the samples. Results revealed distinct aromatic and gustatory complexities for each variety: Fetească albă exhibited floral and fruity notes such as wildflowers, white fruits, and honey, with balanced acidity and smooth, rounded mouthfeel. In contrast, Fetească regală displayed more intense citrus and vegetal notes, associated with freshness and a persistent aromatic finish. These findings confirm the potential of both varieties to meet modern market demands for authenticity, sensory identity, and heritage-based products. The research underscores Moldova’s role as a viticultural reference area in Eastern Europe, where native grape varieties can enhance competitiveness and gain international recognition, promoting the region’s rich winemaking tradition.
Nature-based tourism creates an opportunity to capitalize on the benefits protected areas provide while contributing to sustainable development. Besides the positive effects of contact with nature, national and natural parks host numerous activities and learning opportunities that enrich visitors’ lives and raise environmental awareness. Understanding tourists’ attitudes can improve the tourism-nature balance. This study aims to outline the profile of nature-based tourists who visited any Romanian park between 2021 and 2023, and examines their motivations and satisfaction. An online questionnaire was applied, resulting in 106 valid responses, analyzed through descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Socio-demographic trends and visitor behavior were revealed, with over 50% of the respondents being men, aged 30-49, and over 90% holding college degrees. Camping, hiking, photography and learning about medicinal plants were the preferred activities. Ceahlău and Bucegi were the most visited parks, motivated mostly by getting close to nature. Satisfaction with existing infrastructure was generally moderate, but the sanitary facilities need improvement. Knowledge about visiting conditions varied among respondents, but respondents expressed interest in learning more. This paper emphasizes how tourists, service providers, local communities and park authorities can all benefit from understanding the visitor trends and enhance the long-term use of Romania’s protected areas.
Hydrosols, also referred to as hydrolates, are valuable yet underutilized byproducts of essential oil distillation. They consist of residual essential oil compounds combined with water-soluble phytochemicals, many of which exhibit notable biological activities. Research has demonstrated antimicrobial effects - including the inhibition of biofilm formation - as well as antioxidant properties that counteract oxidative stress. These biofunctional features make hydrosols attractive for diverse applications: in agriculture as biopesticides, in food preservation as natural additives and anti-browning agents, in pharmaceuticals as antimicrobial or antitumor agents, and in cosmetics as bioactive ingredients. The present study focuses on the chemical profile of hydrosols derived from four Artemisia species and evaluates their potential uses. Water distillation remains the dominant extraction method, accounting for around 93% of global essential oil production, typically performed via hydro-distillation or steam distillation. This process generates two phases: the essential oil and its aqueous counterpart, the hydrosol. Analytical results confirmed the presence of key compounds such as trans-pinocarveol, 1.8-cineole, and spathulenol, supporting their multifunctional properties. Overall, these findings highlight hydrosols as sustainable natural products with promising roles across multiple industries. From a circular economy perspective, valorizing such byproducts enhances resource efficiency and provides environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional synthetic additives.
Mountain regions are marked by unique economic traits that present both challenges and opportunities for sustainable diversification. Geographic isolation, limited infrastructure, and environmental vulnerabilities constrain development and create dependence on a narrow range of industries, particularly agriculture and tourism. This makes these regions especially vulnerable to economic volatility and environmental degradation. The hereby study explores the economic characteristics of mountain areas and proposes strategies for sustainable diversification to enhance financial resilience and reduce sectoral dependency. A mixed-methods approach combined quantitative analysis of industry composition, employment, income, and environmental indicators with qualitative case studies. These methods identified economic vulnerabilities and successful diversification strategies in various mountain regions. Regions with better market access and infrastructure successfully integrated higher-value activities such as agro-processing and niche tourism. The sustainable diversification of mountainous regions requires an integrated approach that harmonizes economic, social, and environmental objectives. By prioritizing context-specific strategies, fostering local engagement, promoting cross-regional collaboration, and embedding sustainability into all aspects of development, these regions can unlock their full potential. In doing so, not only will they contribute to national and regional economic growth, but they will also preserve their unique natural and cultural heritage for future generations. Tailored strategies are necessary to address the specific economic, social, and environmental contexts of mountain regions. Recommendations also include fostering public-private partnerships, infrastructure investment, improving education and vocational training, as well as promoting innovation in sustainable sectors.
Climate change represents a significant challenge characterized by long-term increases in global temperatures, which subsequently alter plant phenology and growth cycles. Higher temperatures can advance the timing of flowering and fruiting in plants, potentially leading to earlier harvests. Extreme heat events can induce physiological stress in plants, adversely affecting fruit quality. Furthermore, severe weather phenomena, such as hail, can cause damage to plants, including those with higher resistance, such as chokeberry. This study aims to reveal the effects of global warming on Aronia growth by comparing two growing seasons (2024 and 2023). Phenological observations indicated that the start of the vegetative period and the growth stages occurred almost one month earlier in 2024 as compared to 2023, which determined that the harvesting of the fruits was much earlier than usual. The impact of climate change on plant systems is complex, affecting phenological stages, geographic distribution, ecological interactions, and vulnerability to pests and diseases.
The almond is a species that it is highly appreciated due to its nutritional properties, showing interest to fruit growers. This makes it necessary to adopt modern culture technologies for the species. The global demand for almonds is increasing due to their nutritional value and versatility in the food industry. Romania currently relies on imports to meet domestic demand. Developing suitable cultivation technologies can optimize almond growth in this area, contributing to agricultural diversification and resilience in the face of climate change. In this study is presented the conversion of a vase canopy into a parallel U one, in an almond orchard at RSFG Constanta. The conversion was performed in 2021 and 2022 in vegetative seasons, to Veronica, Mirela, Tuono and Supernova cultivars. The paper presents the amount of wood fell during cutting and the benefits of this conversion. The current study is useful for fruit growers who want to have an easier management within the orchard.
The novel DNA marker technique, namely Start Codon Targeted (SCoT), was used to assess genetic stability of in vitro raised plants of Prunus dulcis. The plantlets were produced by the multiplication of axillary buds and from callus regeneration. Within the experiment, eight different almond genotypes, collected from different parts of Duhok Provence, considered as mother plants, as well as their 16 micropropagated plantlets, were subjected to molecular analysis, using 15 primers of SCoT Polymerase Chain Reaction markers for all 24 samples. A high degree of polymorphism was detected among the plantlets obtained both from the buds and from the indirect callus regeneration, revealing a vast array of genetic changes compared to the mother plants. The results of DNA banding patterns between the eight almond mother plants produced a total of 181 reproducible and scorable bands, out of which 169 bands were polymorphic, leading to a rate of polymorphism ranging 72.7 to 100 %. The results of this study evidenced that SCoT markers are reliable for genetic stability analysis of Prunus dulcis and may suggest their application in the commercial micropropagation for detection of true-to-type to mother plants plantlets.
