As predators of phytophagous insects and potential vectors of pathogens, ground beetles (Carabidae) are vital in agroecosystems. In this work, their interaction with entomopathogenic fungi and bacteria is presented to highlight the dual role of ground beetles as biocontrol agents and pathogen vectors. This includes understanding how disease propagation and dispersion in multitrophic complexes interact with parasitism, predation, and competition. Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that consider the potential ofground beetles are evaluated in terms of their ability to enhance biological control methods. The current state of knowledge regarding the long-term ecological consequences and the function of these strategies as vectors of organisms, however, limits their scope. This work underscores the necessity of understanding multitrophic interactions to inform the integration of ground beetles into pest control strategies.
Halophyte plants, which thrive in saline environments (non-competitive agriculture areas), have garnered significant attention in recent years due to their potential as a rich source of bioactive compounds. These plants have evolved unique mechanisms to tolerate high salt concentrations, and in the process, they have accumulated a diverse array of secondary metabolites that are chemically and economically significant. Researchers have identified a wide range of bioactive compounds from halophytes, including phenolic compounds, terpenoids, alkaloids, and polysaccharides, each with their own distinct biological activities. These specialized metabolites often serve as osmoprotectants, antioxidants, and signalling molecules in the plants, conferring their characteristic resilience to high-salinity environments. This review synthesizes and examines the academic literature on secondary metabolites generated by halophyte plants.
The paper presents a case study for evaluating the productivity of permanent grasslands of Festuco rubrae-Agrostetum and Nardo-Festucetum rubrae fallax, from Codru-Moma Mountains, based on floristic relev & eacute;es. Following the floristic study and the assessment of the participation weight of the component species in each type of grassland, the production of green mass and animal load was determined for each type of grassland studied. Among the studied plant associations, the highest productivity was found in Trifolio-Lolietum perennis Krippelov & aacute; 1967, with productions of 18.15 t/ha of green mass and a capacity of 1.59 livestock/ha, Festuco rubrae-Agrostetum capillaris Horvat 1951 with productions of 11.64 t/ha of green mass and a capacity of 1.02 livestock/ha loading with animals. The lowest productions were evaluated in the grasslands of Nardo-Festucetum rubrae fallax, with productions of 3.86 t/ha of green mass and a capacity of 0.37 livestock/ha. The data provided by the present study are useful in characterizing the pastoral quality of these grasslands in the context of the improvement and rational use of the pastoral fund.
Heavy metals pollution is a global issue in the whole word. All soils contain heavy metals, but their concentrations usually are very low. According to the literature, bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) is used as adsorbent of heavy metals from soil. The study was achieved in Copsa Mic & abreve; area, known for a long time in the top of the most polluted cities in Europe, due to the emissions from two factories. In article it is described the correlation between total forms and DTPA extractable forms and concentrations in Lotus corniculatus plants of cadmium, lead, copper and zinc. In conclusion, cadmium was most easily absorbed of Lotus corniculatus, while lead was identified as having the lowest accumulation in Lotus corniculatus, so it can be used for the removal of some heavy metals from soil.
Different types of composts have gained attention for their potential applications in sustainable agriculture and for their inhibitory effects against plant pathogens. This study investigates the suppressive effects of lavender compost extracts on common plant and soil pathogens and evaluates the composts' microbial composition. Pathogenic fungi, including Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Fusarium oxysporum, Botrytis cinerea, and Alternaria alternata, were subjected to in vitro assays with varying concentrations of the extracts. The results revealed inhibitory effects due to compost microbiota; several fungal genera (Aspergillus, Penicillium, Trichoderma) and bacteria were detected. Microbial analysis of the compost extracts indicated the presence of beneficial microorganisms, such as Trichoderma spp., which may contribute to plant pathogen suppression. These findings suggest that lavender compost extracts can be a natural, eco-friendly alternative for managing plant pathogens and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Further studies regarding the mechanisms underlying their biocontrol properties are recommended.
