Romanian Journal Of Grasslands And Forage Crops

Cluj Napoca 2018

Romanian Journal of Grassland and Forage Crops (2018)17

General Editor Nicușor SIMA, University Of Ioan ROTAR, University Of Agricultural Sciences And Agricultural Science And Veterinary Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăștur Medicine, 3-5 Mănăștur St., 400372 St., 400372 Cluj, România Cluj-Napoca, România

Lingvistic Editor Science Editor s Cristina POCOL, University Of Alexandru MOISUC, Banat University Agricultural Science And Veterinary Of Agricultural Science And Medicine, 3-5 Mănăștur St., 400372 Veterinary Medicine, 119 Aradului Cluj-Napoca, România

St., Timișoara, România Vasile VÎNTU,”ION IONESCU DE LA Technical Support BRAD” University Of Agricultural Costel SAMUIL,”ION IONESCU DE Science And Veterinary Medicine,3, LA BRAD” University Of Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, Iaşi, Agricultural Science And Veterinary 700490, România Medicine Teodor MARUȘCA, Research And Florin PĂCURAR, University Of Development Grasslands Institute, 5 Agricultural Science And Veterinary Cucului St., Brașov, 500128 Medicine, 3-5 Mănăștur St. Cluj- Napoca, România Publish er Director Adriana Felicia MOREA, University Of Mirela-Roxana VIDICAN, University Agricultural Science And Veterinary Of Agricultural Sciences And Medicine, 3-5 Mănăștur St. Cluj- Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăștur Napoca, România St., 400372 Cluj, România

Production Editor s Journal Secretary Costel SAMUIL,”ION IONESCU DE Anamaria MĂLINAŞ, University Of LA BRAD” University Of Agricultural Science And Veterinary Agricultural Science And Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Mănăștur Medicine Iași, 3, Mihail Sadoveanu St., 400372 Cluj-Napoca, România Alley, Iaşi, 700490, România

Board Editor Lucien CARLIER, Institu te For Alexandru MOISUC, Banat University Agricultural And Fischeries Research Of Agricultural Science And (ILVO), - Crop Husbandry And Veterinary Medicine, 119 Calea Environment, Burg. Van Aradului St., Timișoara, România Gansberghelaan 109, B-9820 Gheorghe MOTCĂ, University Of Merelbeke, Belgium Agronomic Science And Veterinary Ioanin IONESCU, University Of Craiova, Medicine București, 59 Bulevardul 13 Al. I. Cuza St., Craiova, România, Marăști St., București, 011464, România România Teodor MARUȘCA, Research And Dragomir NECULAI, Banat University Development Grasslands Institute, 5 Of Agricultural Science And Cucului St., Brașov, 500128, Veterinary Medicine, 119 Calea România Aradului St., Timişoara, România Romanian Journal of Grassland and Forage Crops (2018)17 3

Iosif RAZEC, SC AGRORENT SA, Baciului Vasile VÎNTU, ”ION IONESCU DE Str., No. 116, Brașov, România LA BRAD” University Of Albert REIF, Faculty Of Forestry And Agricultural Science And Veterinary Environmental Sciences, Univ. Freiburg, Medicine IAȘI, 3, Mihail Sadoveanu Tennenbacher St. 4, Germany Alley St., Iaşi, 700490, România Ioan ROTAR, University Of Agricultural Alex De VLIEGHER, Institu te For Sciences And Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Agricultural And Fischeries Mănăștur St., 400372 Cluj, România Research (ILVO), PLANT- Crop Evelyn RUȘDEA, Faculty Of Forestry And Husbandry And Environment, Burg. Environmental Sciences, Univesity Van Gansberghelaan 109, B-9820 Freiburg, Tennenbacher, St. 4, Germany Merelbeke, Belgium.

General Editor: Ioan ROTAR Science Editor: Alexandru MOISUC Vasile VÎNTU Teodor MARUȘCA © Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved. No Part Of This Publication May Be Reproduced, Stored Or Transmitted In Any Form Or By Any Means, Electronic Or Mecanical, Including Photocopying, Recording, Or Any Information Storage And Retrieval Sistem, Without Permission In Writing Form The Publisher, With The Exception Of Faire Dealing For Purposesof Research Or Private Study, Or Ciclism Or Review. The Romanian Society For Grassland Considers The Printed Version Of Romanian Journal Of Grasslands And Forage Crops As The Official Version Of Record. Printed In Cluj Napoca By Academic Press Printers ISSN 2068 – 3065 (Print) For Submission Instructions, Subscriptio n And All Other Information Visit: http://www.ropaj.usamvcluj.ro

Disclaimer The Publisher And Editors Cannot Be Held Responsible For Errors Or Any Consequences Arising From The Use Of Information Contained In This Journal; The Views And Opinions Expressed Do Not Necessarily Reflect Those Of The Publish er And Editors, Neither Does The Publication Of Advertisements Constitute Any Endorsement By The Publish er And Editor s Of The Products Advertised. Publisher Romanian Journal Of Grasslands And Forage Crops Is Publish ed By Academicpress Printers – University Of Agriculture Science And Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Mănăştur St., No. 3, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, România. Tel: 004/0264-596384, Fax: 004/0264-593792, E-Mail: @Eap Usamvcluj.Ro Typing: - Dr.Ing. Anamaria MĂLINAŞ Cover: - Lecturer Dr. Cristian MĂLINAŞ

Romanian Journal of Grassland and Forage Crops (2018)17 4 Content

7_ PhD Eng. MARUȘCA T. PĂCURAR F., CRIȘAN Dr. Ing. Ion Resmeriță, A Pioneer IOANA Of Romanian Pratology And Integration of Microorganisms into Geobotany (1907 – 1987) the Flows of Grassland and Forest Ecosystems 11_CRIŞAN IOANA, VIDICAN ROXANA, OLTEAN I., 53_ TOD MONICA STOIE A., STOIAN V. Spp. Flower Visitors: ALEXANDRINA, Pollinators vs. Thieves MARUŞCA T., OPREA GEORGETA 21_ MONDICI SUSANA, Researches Regarding the FRITEAT., ROTAR I. Promotion of Simple Mixture Researches on Floristic of Phalaris Arundinacea with Composition and Fight against Medicago sativa Herbs from Soybean 63_ TOTH Gh., ROTAR I., in the Conditions of SCDA VIDICAN ROXANA, PLEȘA Livada ANCA, VAIDA IOANA, IUGA V. 27_ OLAR M.V., OLAR M., Biodiversity of Transylvania Plain DUDA M.M., VÂRBAN D.I., Influence by Slurry MOLDOVAN CRISTINA, Fertilization after 2 Years BĂRBIERU V., GHEŢE A.B., OLAR V.M. 67_ ŢÎŢEI V. Tall Fescue Variety (Festuca Agroeconomic Value of Some arundinacea Schreber) Perennial Forage Legumes Napoca 2 83_ VAIDA Ioana, PACURAR 33_ SÂNGEORZAN D., ROTAR F.,ROTAR I., VIDICAN I. PĂCURAR F., VAIDA ROXANA, PLESA ANCA, IOANA SÂNGEORZAN D. The Definition of Oligotrophic The Influence of Organic Grasslands Fertilization on Agronomic Factors, on Festuca rubra 43_ STOIAN V., VIDICAN Grasslands in the Apuseni ROXANA, ROTAR I., Mountains

5 6 Marusca T.

Dr. ing. Ion RESMERIȚĂ, a pioneer of Romanian pratology and geobotany (1907 – 1987)

He was born on June 17, 1907 in the village of Grumazesti, Neamt County, in a family of peasants with 10 children. After attending primary school in his native village, he attended the gymnasium in Târgu Neamţ and supported the baccalaureate in 1931. In 1937 he graduated from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at a University from Iasi with the subject "Nutritional value of green fodder" a first sign of the approach to praticulture. In 1938 he started his teaching as a substitute professor at the "Iosif Vulcan" school in Oradea and from 1939 to 1951 he held different positions in the local agricultural administration from the head of the agricultural field to the director of the agricultural chamber and head of the alpine grassland inspectorate the northern part of Transylvania. Between 1952 and 1958 he worked as a scientific researcher at the Plant for Plant Breeding in Cluj, having as main object of study the pastures and meadows in the Apuseni Mountains. Between 1959 and 1966 he was a specialist in meadow design at the regional DRIFCOT from Cluj. Starting with 1967, through competition, he is a scientific researcher at the Biological Research Center, Cluj Branch of the Romanian Academy, from where he officially went to retiring in 1973, further activating in pratological and geobotanic research up to almost 80 years, until his death on 19 May 1987. In its long half-century activity in production, design and research, he remained a loyal servant of the Romanian meadows, elaborating over 330 scientific and popular works. Thematic structure of these works is 45% in the field of botany, geobotany, ecology and nature protection, 40% in the field of general agriculture, pratology, pratotehnia, pedology and forestry and 15% in the social, economic, historiographic and other fields, pages, proving multilateral professional training. Among the most important synthesis works (books), as the first author or co-author, we mention: - Practical guidelines for the production and collection of fodder herb seeds; - Agrotechnic of degraded meadows; - Clover culture (also translated into Hungarian); - Utilization of poorly productive pastures and meadows;

7 Marusca T. - Afforestation of sandy lands in north - west of the country; - Practical measures for soil conservation on pastures (also translated into Hungarian); - Pastures and meadows in the Romanian People's Republic; - Vegetation, ecology and productive potential on the slopes of the Transylvanian Plateau; - Flora, vegetation and productive potential on the Vlădeasa Massif; - Experimental research on low elevations; - Clover Monograph in Romania; - Dynamic conservation of nature and others. The Ph.D. thesis titled "The grasslands on the Vlădeasa Massif, flora, vegetation and productive potential" with an impressive volume of 756 pages was supported in 1969. The book of the same title was awarded the "Emil Racovita" Prize of the Romanian Academy, being a model of complex approach to mountain pastures. From the works of pratology and pratotehnie some more important conclusions are drawn: - on altitude, the climate regime directly influences biological processes in the soil, providing the necessary nutrients to the ; - the limiting factor of the altitude biomass biomass is the trophic regime and not the temperature; - vertically there is a decrease in the efficiency of fertilizers with increasing altitude and slope; - by fertilization of the nardettes the reinstallation of the of Festuca rubra in the first phase and Agrostis capillaris in the second phase is favored; - grubbing is the safest way to combat Nardus stricta which disappears only through the galling-induced aeration rate of 95-100%; - overgrazing on the meadows results only when the work of soil mobilization is associated one way or another and the fertilization with fertilizers; - The effect of calcium treatment on natural meadows, such as nardites, is observed 3-5 years after application depending on the resort and depending on the amount of calcium used and many other reference results. I personally met Dr. I. Resmeriţă during the Dobrogea Danube Delta, Bucegi and Făgăraş Geobotanic Conferences, where as a young researcher I appreciated his professional knowledge in the field of vegetation and the improvement of meadows. For my PhD thesis on Nardus stricta meadows, I have received many useful tips on how to classify vegetation and improve it, for which I keep a vivid memory and deep gratitude.

8 Marusca T. The agronomist and pratologist engineer Ion Resmeriţă, who left us a complex work to be followed, was an initiator and an example of dedication and professionalism for grassland research.

PhD eng. Teodor MARUȘCA General director of ICD Grassland - Brașov General secretary of SRP

9 10 Crisan Ioana et al. IRIS SPP. FLOWER VISITORS: POLLINATORS VS. NECTAR THIEVES

CRIŞAN Ioana*, VIDICAN Roxana*,**, OLTEAN I.*, STOIE A.*, STOIAN V.*

*Faculty of Agriculture,University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca **Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract In Europe bumblebees and solitary bees are main pollinators of Iris flowers, and green beetles common florivores. Irises without nectar present other strategies such as deception or providing shelter that also ensures . Nectar robbers check for nectar at the base of the avoiding contact with anthers or stigmatic lobes. Decreasing wild populations of pollinating hymenopteran raises the question how wild Iris species will be affected long term, since pollinators can act as agents of selection influencing polymorphism of native Iris populations.

Keywords: florivores, tepals, royal iris, reward,

INTRODUCTION

Most plant-pollinator of zones because the relationships are considered prerequisite for inter-specific generalist to some extent. hybridization occurrence in natural Specialization by pollinators for the conditions is mediated by plants they visit is considered an pollinators. Weak or absent important driving force for floral selection by pollinators against diversification and speciation resulting F1 hybrids could lead to (Wesselingh and Arnold, 2000). the formation of an advanced Many flowering plants evolved generation of hybrids, while mechanisms to attract flower preferences for certain hybrids visitors and to ensure the could result in uneven distribution reproductive success by offering of offspring among genotypic nutritional rewards. But besides classes (Wesselingh and Arnold, pollinators, these adaptations may 2000). also attract other visitors that do not During evolution, most Iris provide reciprocal services, instead species adapted to entomophilous exhibit nectar robbing or florivory pollination, chromatic patterns of behavior (Ye et al., 2017). the flowers serving largely the Pollinator behavior could also have same purpose. The upright tepals a role in the origin and maintenance called standards and stigmatic

11 Crisan Ioana et al. petaloid arch protect the Iris species could have role in reproductive units of the flower helping smaller insects to pollinate from rain and heat, while the lower while visiting the flowers but also tepals called falls, act as landing can act as barriers for certain platforms for insects. Different species to enter the flowers on the color patches, veins and hairs found first day of anthesis. Before it on the falls act as signals for becomes completely mature, the pollinators, leading them towards stigmatic petaloid arch is bent close nectar (Robu, 2005; figure 2a). to the falls with hairs further Hymenopteran bees are restricting entry for common considered principal pollinating pollinators such as Apis mellifera insects of Iris species. Self- that was seen to be unable to enter incompatibility of many cultivated the flower on first day, compared to and wild irises manifests with larger, stronger but more rare - different intensities and indicates to Bombus hortorum (Robu, 2005). the dependence of these plants to Each Iris flower consists of their relationship with pollinators. three pollination units (Wesselingh For example, while several Iris and Arnold, 2000) called meranthia species distributed in (Goldblatt et al., 1998), blossoms Mediterranean region are largely or gullets (Faegri and Pijl, 1980). self-incompatible, in others the The most frequent behavior selfing rates range between 21.4% observed in the pollinators of iris and 74.1%. In certain self- flowers was the tendency to visit incompatible irises was put in only one floral unit of a flower out evidence the presence of enlarged of the three and then moving to next epidermal cells in ovarian grooves flower. This was observed in Iris that produce a floccular secretion douglasiana (Uno, 1982) as well as which provides discriminatory in Iris tuberosa (Pellegrino, 2015). activity to incoming pollen tubes Contrary, for , Iris (Pellegrino, 2015). Another brevicaulis and their F1 hybrids was mechanism to promote cross- observed that bumblebees and pollination is found in protandrous often visited more flowers of Iris douglasiana (Uno, than one pollination unit of a flower 1982) and Iris alberti (Robu, (Wesselingh and Arnold, 2000). 2005). Compared to these species, Iris cedretii and Iris sofrana ssp. FLOWER REWARDS kasruwana from Middle East that do not produce nectar, were shown The most sought reward by to set fruit if cross pollinated on the Iris flower pollinators is the nectar, first day of the flower opening yet there are also Iris species that (Monty et al., 2006). The hairs do not present nectar and offer found on falls (Fig. 1a, 1b) of some indirect rewards such as shelter.

12 Crisan Ioana et al. Pollen is also another flower visits of Iris douglasiana flowers, reward for some visitors. Bombus sp. females were observed Although nectar production transferring pollen to their scopae, begins before the flower opens and aspect not observed in visiting continues throughout the life of bees. The purest pollen loads were flower, the highest flow is obtained from Bombus occidentalis occurring in early stages. with only 6% foreign pollen, Measurements conducted managed compared to Emphoropsis, the to identify that on the first day of most frequent visitor of this species opening Iris douglasiana flower that had 55% of pollen from plants produced on average 7.58 µl of other than Iris douglasiana (Uno, nectar, on second day 11.63 µl and 1982). on the third day 13.27 µl. On the 5th Structures involved in day when flowers wilted no nectar pollination and reproduction of was detected. Mean sugar content some bearded species from of Iris douglasiana nectar was Iris can be observed in figure 1. 26.9% (Uno, 1982). After 4-10

a b c

d e f Fig.1. flower structures involved in pollination and reproduction: a) section through perigonal tube with base of beard line, b) close-up of lower hairs, c) nectariferous tissue, d) receptive surface of stigmatic lip displaying papillae, e) reticulate exine surface of pollen grains, f) ovules inside ovary (Original)

Iridaceae is unique among epidermal cells as well as monocots because both types of trichomes (elaiophores). nectaries are present: oil-producing Within subfamily perigonal nectaries and

13 Crisan Ioana et al. elaiophores take several forms, central-south were reportedly with highly vascularized visited intermittently during the nectariferous regions being present day between eight in the morning on different parts of the flower and six in the evening by insects. surface in Iris species, as follows: From these, nine species were - nectaries are present at the base of identified and recognized as perigonal tube especially within effective pollinators of Iris interstaminal regions in Iris tuberosa flowers, and they belong douglasiana, Iris ensata, Iris to five genera of : foetidissima, Iris graminea, Iris Andrena, Anthophora, Colletes, pseudacorus, Iris sibirica Lasioglossum and Xylocopa. - nectaries are found around the Andrena was the dominant genus in base of the style in Iris dichotoma particular with the species Andrena - nectaries are present in a nigroaenea, A. flavipes, A. bicolor, continuous region from around the A. creberrima and A. morio base of the perigonal tube to around (Pellegrino, 2015). In , three the style in Iris chamaeiris, Iris bumblebee species (Bombus germanica, Iris kolpakowskiana, friseanus, B. religiosus, B. festivus) , , Iris were identified as main pollinators tingitana, Iris warleyensis, Iris of alpine Iris bulleyana, with Apis xiphioides mellifera only as occasional visitor - nectaries are present in a (Ye et al., 2017). At an continuous region from around the experimental location in California, base of the perigonal tube almost all visitors of Iris extending into the base of inner douglasiana flowers were long- tepals in Iris sisyrinchium (Rudall tongued nectar-collecting bees, et al., 2003). with over 80% of the visitors comprised by Emphoropsis POLLINATORS mirabilis. The rest of the pollinators belonged to the species: 1. IRISES WITH NECTAR Bombus occidentalis ssp. nigroscutatus, B. bifarius ssp. Several studies conducted nearcticus, B. vosnesenskii, in Europe mention pollinators of Anthophora bomboides ssp. Iris species. Iris sibirica from stanfordiana (Uno, 1982). At a Molinietum caeruleae Louisiana research location, the phytocoenosis in Poland were flowers of Iris fulva, Iris reportedly being pollinated by brevicaulis and their F1 hybrids bumblebees (Kostrakiewicz- were most frequently visited by Gierałt, 2013). Iris tuberosa Bombus pennsylvanicus, as well as flowers from calcareous, dry by ruby-throated hummingbirds grasslands (Festuco-Brometalia) of (Archilochus colubris) and

14 Crisan Ioana et al. carpenter bees (Xylocopa sp.) et al., 2017). A different study (Wesselingh and Arnold, 2000). conducted in United States Another study involving the same identified that is two Iris species showed that primarily pollinated by hummingbirds were more effective hummingbirds, while Iris at transferring pollen among is primarily pollinated by fulva flowers while bumblebees bumblebees (Taylor et al., 2013). were more effective at transferring In table 1 can be found the pollen among , chronologic list by publishing year compared to effectiveness of of some papers that mention Iris interspecies cross-transport (Shaw flowers pollinators.

Table 1 Pollinators of Iris flowers Mentioned visitors Iris species visited Reward Country/State Source Emphoropsis mirabilis, Iris douglasiana N, P USA, Uno, 1982 Bombus occidentalis, B. California bifarius, B. vosnesenskii, Anthophora bomboides Bombus pennsylvanicus, Iris fulva, N USA, Wesselingh et Archilochus colubris, Iris brevicaulis, Louisiana Arnold, 2000; Xylocopa sp. hybrid F1 Shaw et al., 2017 Eucera sp. , S Sapir et al., 2005 , , Iris hermona, , Iris mariae Eucera sp., Xylocopa sp., Iris cedretii S, O Monty et al., 2006 Andrena sp. Iris sofrana bumblebees, Iris hexagona N USA Taylor et al., 2013 hummingbirds Iris nelsonii bumblebees Iris sibirica N Poland Kostrakiewicz- Gierałt, 2013 Andrena, Anthophora, Iris tuberosa N, S Italy Pellegrino, 2015 Colletes, Lasioglossum, Xylocopa Bombus friseanus, Iris bulleyana N China Ye et al., 2017 B. religiosus, B. festivus, Apis mellifera bumblebees - Serbia Radović et al., 2017 Bombus sp., solitary bees - France Souto-Vilarósa et Iris pumila al., 2017 Reward: N – nectar, P – pollen, S – shelter, O – other

2. IRISES WITHOUT NECTAR reportedly visited and pollinated by bumblebees in Serbia (Radović et Reward-less flowers of Iris al., 2017) as well as in France, in pumila (Willmer, 2011) were addition, deceptive Iris lutescens

15 Crisan Ioana et al. was visited also by bumblebees, Flowers of Iris cedretii and solitary bees and Vespoidea Iris sofrana ssp. kasruwana from exhibiting typical nectar-foraging Lebanon were visited by behavior although neither of this Coleoptera, Homoptera and species presents nectar (Souto- Heteroptera with no role in Vilarósa et al., 2017). Royal irises pollination, instead by feeding on (Iris subg. Iris sect. Oncocyclus) do flower tissues caused sometimes not have nectar either but provide complete destruction of the flowers shelter as reward. For Iris cedretii (Monty et al., 2006). A common and Iris sofrana ssp. kasruwana florivore of Iris lutescens flowers from Lebanon, Eucera sp. males in Europe is Cetonia hirsuta are the most important flower (Souto-Vilarósa et al., 2017). visitors that shelter in flowers and In Iris douglasiana, act as pollinators, while visitors Andrena spp. and Bibio necotus from genera Xylocopa and Andrena were considered only incidental had lower visiting frequency visitors because they did not enter (Monty et al., 2006). the flower (Uno, 1982). The visitors of Iris bulleyana belonging FLORIVORES, to genera Andrena spp. and NECTAR THIEVES AND Hydrophoria spp. did not manage OTHER FLOWER VISITORS to pollinate because of their size (Ye et al., 2017). For the flowers of Iris fulva, In temperate climate of Iris brevicaulis and their F1 hybrids Romania - Cluj-Napoca Agro- the nectar robbers belonged to at Botanical Garden were observed least three species of butterflies Iris flowers visitors belonging to most frequently Hesperiidae, as , Andrenidae, Syrphidae and well as hummingbirds that probed especially in beardless irises: for nectar at the base of the tepals, Formicidae (figure 2). thereby avoiding contact with anthers or stigmatic lobes POLLINATOR-MEDIATED (Wesselingh and Arnold, 2000). SELECTION ON FLORAL In Iris bulleyana pollinator TRAITS visitation and seed production decreased significantly in flowers By assessing phenotypic damaged by florivores identified in pollinator-mediated selection on sawflies (Tenthredo spp.). The flower color and size for two short tongued pollinator Bombus polymorphic Iris species (Iris friseanus shifted to a robber using lutescens and Iris pumila), was the holes‐ made by sawflies to feed showed that in Iris pumila pigment on nectar without pollinating (Ye et concentration is under selective al., 2017). pressure by pollinators only for one

16 Crisan Ioana et al. color morph: blue, while Iris interspecific visitation, reducing lutescens pigment concentration gene flow between homoploid and flower size was under selection hybrid lineage and its progenitors independent of pollinators, as it was observed for Iris nelsonii suggesting that pollinators are not that is primarily pollinated by the only agents of selection on hummingbirds, while one of its floral traits for within-population progenitors – Iris hexagona, is polymorphism of these species primarily pollinated by bumblebees (Souto-Vilarósa et al., 2017). For (Taylor et al., 2013). More recently Iris tuberosa in Italy no evidence following a research conducted in for pollinator-mediated selection Israel, was found evidence that on plant and floral size could be pollinator-mediated selection is identified either (Pellegrino, 2015). responsible of increased floral size However, in a study conducted in and stem length of Iris United States, was showed that atropurpurea while the flower divergent floral morphologies may color was not (Lavi and Sapir, directly cause a reduced 2015).

a b Fig. 2. Insect visitors of some apogon Iris sp. in Agro-Botanical Garden UASVM Cluj-Napoca: a) Andrenidae, b) Formicidae (Original)

Results of previous studies be a good subject for further reveal the complexity of the research especially in Europe interaction existing between Iris within the context of decreasing flowers and their pollinators wild populations of pollinating leaving many open questions as hymenopteran insects, for well as rising future challenges for assessing how this phenomenon better describing their effect on will affect wild Iris populations on flower diversity and composition in long term. natural habitats. It is concluded that pollinator-flower interaction could

17 Crisan Ioana et al. CONCLUSIONS

Irises with nectar are visited and Reward-less flowers of Iris pumila pollinated by a variety of and Iris lutescens in Europe were Hymenoptera insects as well as by most frequently visited by hummingbirds. Notably in Europe bumblebees and solitary bees Bombus sp. and Andrena sp. are exhibiting nectar foraging important pollinators of Iris behavior, while nectar-less royal flowers. Nectar robbers were irises (Iris subg. Iris sect. identified in butterflies most Oncocyclus) from Middle East are frequently Hesperiidae, as well as primarily pollinated by Eucera sp. hummingbirds and sawflies males that shelter in flowers. (Tenthredo spp.). Studies Florivory behavior damaging to conducted on Iris douglasiana flowers can be caused by several showed that nectar production per taxonomic groups such as flower reached the peak on the third Coleoptera and Heteroptera, but day after opening with a quantity of most notably by Cetonia hirsuta as 13.27 µl while the mean sugar reported in Europe. content of nectar was 26.9%.

REFERENCES

1. Kostrakiewicz-Gierałt K. (2013) The influence of neighbouring species on ecological variation of the selected subpopulations of Iris sibirica L. Biodiv. Res. Conserv. 32: 45-52. 2. Faegri K., Van Der Pijl L. (1980) Structural blossom classes In: Principles of Pollination Ecology. Pergamon Press p. 91. 3. Goldblatt P., Manning J.C., Rudall P. (1998) In: Kubitzki K. (ed) The families and genera of vascular plants vol. III Flowering plants - . Springer p. 307. 4. Monty A., Saad L., Mahy G. (2006) Bimodal pollination system in rare endemic Oncocyclus irises (Iridaceae) of Lebanon. Can. J. Bot. 84: 1327–1338. 5. Pellegrino G. (2015) Pollinator limitation on reproductive success in Iris tuberosa. AOB Plants 7:89. 6. Radović S., Urošević A., Hočevar K., Vuleta A., Manitašević Jovanović S., Tucić B. (2017) Geometric morphometrics of functionally distinct floral organs in Iris pumila: Analyzing patterns of symmetric and asymmetric shape variations. Arch Biol Sci. 69(2): 223-231. 7. Robu T. (2005) Monografia genului Iris – fiziologie, botanică, utilizări. Ed. Ion Ionescu de la Brad, Iași. 247-255.

18 Crisan Ioana et al. 8. Rudall P.J., Manning J.C., Goldblatt P. (2003) Evolution of floral nectaries in Iridaceae. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 90(4): 613-631. 9. Sapir Y., Shmida A., Ne’eman G. (2005) Pollination of Oncocyclus irises (Iris: Iridaceae) by night-sheltering male bees. Plant Biol. 7: 417 – 424. 10. Shaw J. P., Taylor S.J., Dobson M.C., Martin N.H. (2017) Pollinator isolation in Louisiana iris: legitimacy and pollen transfer. Evol Ecol Res 18: 429-441. 11. Souto-Vilarósa D., Vuleta A., Manitašević Jovanović S., Budečević S., Wang H., Sapir Y., Imber E. (2017) Are pollinators the agents of selection on flower colour and size in irises? Oikos Journal Synthesizing ecology Published by The Nordic Society Oikos doi 10.1111/oik.04501 12. Taylor S.J., Rojas L.D., Ho S.W., Martin N.H. (2013) Genomic collinearity and the genetic architecture of floral differences between the homoploid hybrid species Iris nelsonii and one of its progenitors, Iris hexagona. Heredity (Edinb) 110: 63–70. 13. Uno G. (1982) The Influence of Pollinators on the Breeding System of Iris douglasiana. The American Midland Naturalist 108(1): 149-158. 14. Wesselingh R.A., Arnold M.L. (2000) Pollinator behavior and the evolution of Louisiana iris hybrid zones. J. Evol. Biol. 13: 171- 180. 15. Willmer P. (2011) Cheating by Flowers In: Pollination and Floral Ecology. Princeton University Press p. 532. 16. Ye Z.M., Jin X.F., Wang Q.F., Yang C.F., Inouye D.W. (2017) Pollinators shift to nectar robbers when florivory occurs, with effects on reproductive success in Iris bulleyana (Iridaceae). Plant Biol (Stuttg) 19(5): 760-766.

19 Crisan Ioana et al.

20 Mondici Susana et al. RESEARCHES ON FLORISTIC COMPOSITION AND FIGHT AGAINST HERBS FROM SOYBEAN CULTIVARS IN THE CONDITIONS OF SCDA LIVADA

MONDICI Susana*, FRITEA T.*,**, ROTAR I.***

*Research Development Station for Agriculture, Livada ***Faculty of Agriculture,University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca **Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract In order to fight against weed specific to SCDA Livada area, we placed a technological experience of soybean culture. Investigations carried out in the year 2016 aimed to establish the effectiveness of simple and associated herbicides applied in pre-emergence and post-emergence on the floral composition and the influence of herbicide treatments on production of soybean. The effectiveness of the treatments was different depending on the herbicide used and the degree of weed. It was pointed out that two herbicidal treatments are required for the soybean culture: the first pre- emergence treatment (immediately after sowing) and the second post-emergence (vegetation) applied to the stage of four true leaves of the soybean.

Keywords: soybean, floristic composition, herbicide efficacy, production

INTRODUCTION

Among legume cultivars steady production continues to soybean (Glycine max L.) is remain a priority in soybean classified as an oil plant, research. recognized for its high protein This cannot be achieved content, as well as its high oil without proper protection against content (Perkins, 1995). weeds due to the large damages Soybean has a particularly caused by them, which can exceed high nutritional value, with 50-90% of the production potential multiple uses in human nutrition, of the various varieties cultivated feed and as raw material in (Ciobanu Cornelia, 2003). industry.Achieving a large and

MATERIAL AND METHOD content of 1.8%. The experience Researches were performed at was placed in a randomized block, SCDA Livada on a typical 10 variants in three replicates, the preluvosol with pH of 5.6, clay area of one parcel being 21 square content of 22.4% and humus meters.

21 Mondici Susana et al. The experimental plots meant to test the efficacy of herbicide are detailed in table 1.

Table 1 Plan for herbicide apllication on soybean culture

Plot Dose Period of Herbicide no. l,kg/ha application Active substances 1 Dual Gold 1,5 Preem S-metolaclor 960 g/l Preem+Pos S-metolaclor 960 2 Dual Gold+Pulsar 1,5+1,2 t g/l+imazamox 40g/l 3 Pendigan 330EC 4 Preem pendimetalin 330g/l Pendigan330EC+ Preem+Pos pendimetalin 330g/l+ 4 4+1,2 Pulsar40 t imazamox 40g/l Frontier Preem+Pos dimetenamid 720g/l+ 5 1+1,2 Forte+Pulsar t imazamox 40g/l 6 Sencor 70WG 0,3 Preem metribuzin 70g/kg Agil propaquizafop100g/l+benta 7 100EC+Basagran 1+2 Post zon480g/l Forte Rango+Basagran quizalofop40g/l+bentazon4 8 2+2 Post Forte 80g/l bentazon480g/l+imazamox 9 Corum 1,9 Post 22,4g/l 10 No treatment - - -

The biological material harvesting combine for used in the experimental field was experimental plots. The weed the Onix variety. It is an early species found before the post- variety (maturity group 00), with emergence treatments were: good preference for mechanized Amaranthus retroflexus, Capsela harvesting having special qualities. bursa-pastoris, Chenopodium During the vegetation album, Galinsoga parviflora, period, after the treatments, Polygonum aviculare Sonchus observations were made on the arvensis, Raphanus raphanistrum herbicide efficacy on weeds and on and Echinochloa crus-galli production. Determination of the monocots, Eriochloa villosa, degree of weed was made by Elymus repens, Digitaria counting weeds from 1sqm/ plot. sanguinalis, Setaria viridis. Harvesting was done with the

22 Mondici Susana et al. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Analyzing the efficacy of EWRS marks also reflect the herbicides, it can be observed that efficacy of herbicide treatments, in most cases where we had a pre- with the best efficacy in V4, where emergence + post-emergence we had a Pendigan herbicide herbicide combination we had good combination applied pre- efficacy and where we applied a emergence at a dose of 4 l / ha, after single pre-emergent or post- which the Pulsar herbicide at a dose emergence herbicide, the efficacy of 1.2 l / ha . was much lower (table 2). The

Table 2 The efficacy of herbicide treatments on soybean culture Pl Efficacy ot Dose Period of Treatment no Kg,l/ha application Efficacy Note . % EWRS 1 Dual Gold 1,5 Preem 30 4 2 Dual Gold+Pulsar 1,5+1,2 Preem+Post 76 7 3 Pendigan 330EC 4 Preem 71 7 Pendigan330EC+Puls 4 4+1,2 Preem+Post 88 8 ar40 5 Frontier Forte+Pulsar 1+1,2 Preem+Post 61 6 6 Sencor 70WG 0,3 Preem 34 4 Agil 7 100EC+Basagran 1+2 Post 0 1 Forte Rango+Basagran 8 2+2 Post 21 3 Forte 9 Corum 1,9 Post 28 4 10 No treatment - - - 1 Note: EWRS : 1- very weak ; 9 – very good.

Results on soybean emergent Pendigan herbicides at a production pointed out that in all dose of 4 l / ha, after which the herbicide variants the yields were Pulsar herbicide at a rate of 1.2 l/ha clearly superior to the non- was applied in post-emergence, herbicidal variant (table 3). Based where the production increase is on the average of the experience, it ensured statistically gaining was found that the best variant was positive significance from the the variant treated with the pre- average of the experience.

23 Mondici Susana et al. Table 3 The influence of treatments with herbicide on soybean culture Plot Dose Period of Production Significa no. Treatment Kg,l/ha application q/ha D± D± tion

1 Dual Gold 1,5 Preem 26,6 9,6 -3,2 xx 2 Dual 1,5+1, Preem+Post 35,9 18,9 6,0 xx Gold+Pulsar 2 x 3 Pendigan 4 Preem 35,8 18,8 5,9 xx 330EC x 4 Pendigan330E 4+1,2 Preem+Post 37,4 20,4 7,5 xx x C+Pulsar40 x 5 Frontier 1+1,2 Preem+Post 33,3 16,3 3,4 xx Forte+Pulsar x 6 Sencor 70WG 0,3 Preem 27,1 10,1 -2,7 xx 7 Agil 1+2 Post 26,4 9,4 -3,4 xx 100EC+Basagr an Forte 8 Rango+Basagra 2+2 Post 28,5 11,5 -1,3 xx n Forte 9 Corum 1,9 Post 30,2 13,2 0,3 xx x 10 Netratat - - 17,0 DL 5% = 6,65 q/ha DL 1% = 9,12 q/ha DL 0,1% = 12,4 q/ha AverageX = average production/experience = 29,82 q/ha

CONCLUSION

For effective weed control we need achieved on the experimental plots to know the floristic composition of treated with Pendigan 330 EC 4l / weeds. A very good efficacy in ha + Pulsar 40 1.2l / ha. weed control was achieved with Based on this experience, Pendigan330EC 4l / ha + Pulsar 40 we conclude that a pure soybean 1.2l / ha followed by Dual Gold 1.5 culture can be maintained only + Pulsar 40 1.2l / ha. In the year through treatments associated with 2016, statistically assured sowing and vegetation (pre- increased in production was emergence + post-emergence).

REFERENCES

1. Ciobanu Gh., Domuţa C. (2003) Agricultural research in Crișana. Ed. Universității din Oradea. 2. Mondici Susana,Fritea T. (2017) Research and performance in agriculture. SCDA Livada. No. 2. 3. Muntean L.S., Cernea S., Duda M.M., Morar G.,Vârban D.I., Muntean S. (2011) Fitotechnics. Ed. Risoprint, Cluj-Napoca.

24 Mondici Susana et al. 4. Vlăduţu I.(1970) Researches regarding the use of herbicide on corn and soybean cultures on soil specific N-W Transylvania. PhD thesis. 5. Urdă Camelia, Rezi Raluca, Mureșan E. (2017) Field crop culture. Agricultura Transilvană. Informative Bulletin. No. 26. 6. http://hibrizi.ro/hibridul-onix

25

Mondici Susana et al.

26

Olar M.V. et al. TALL FESCUE VARIETY (FESTUCA ARUNDINACEA SCHREBER) NAPOCA 2

OLAR M.V.*, OLAR M.*,**, DUDA M.M.*, VÂRBAN D.I.*, MOLDOVAN Cristina*, BĂRBIERU V.*, GHEŢE A.B.*, OLAR V.M.*

*Faculty of Agriculture. Department of Plant Crops. University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Manăstur street, 3-5, 400372,Romania *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract Syntetictall fescuevariety Syn J-2 wastested between 2009-2011 in five Centers of variety testing (Şimleul Silvaniei, Dej, Satu Mare, Sibiu and Rădăuţi) from I.S.T.I.S. Bucuresti. The testing was done regarding feed production as well as regarding the morfo-physiological traits, such as: regrowth capacity after scythe, drough resistance, disease and fall resistance. Because of the very goodr esults registered at the tests done in the five Centers of testing for three years, syntetic variety Syn J-2 wasregisteredunderthename of NAPOCA 2-the varietyhasmedium waist of plants, very good regrown capacity after sew, fall resistance as well as good drought and disease resistance, suitable for the establishment of sown meadow utilised as pastures in then conveys of meadows.

Keywords: tall fescue, syntetic variety , grassland

INTRODUCTION

Festuca arundinacea is a convoys for pasture. Syntetic valuable fodder plant for meadows variety of tall fescue Syn J-2 was and lawns, given its agricultural tested between 2009-2011 in five and landscape qualities: high Centers of variety testing (Şimleul perennial, winter, drought, disease Silvaniei, Dej, Satu Mare, Sibiu and ironing resistance and high and Rădăuţi) from I.S.T.I.S. production capacity. Bucuresti. The testing was done In recent years in Romania regarding the production of fodder, there were created new varieties of as well as in regards of morfo- tall fescue, and variety NAPOCA physiological attributes like: 2, created by USAMV Cluj- regrowth after scything, drought Napoca is highlighted by its resistance, disease and drop suitability for the production of resistance. fodder and the establishment of

27 Olar M.V. et al. MATERIAL AND METHOD

Three synthetic varieties of tall five Centers for variety testing fescue were used: Syn J-2 under different soil-climatic perspective variety, as well as the conditions: Şimleul Silvaniei, Dej, registered varieties VIO JUCU and Satu Mare, Sibiu and Rădăuţi), JUCU 5 taken as a control of feed using the method of randomized production capacity. It was sown in blocks in three replicates.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Analyzing the production results of where were sufficient dry matter obtained in the second precipitations (over 20 t S.U ha), year of vegetation (figure 1), the variety NAPOCA 2 surpassing the three varieties of tall fescue are control at Sibiu, Simleul Silvaniei found to have a higher production and Dej. of dry matter obtained at CTS Sibiu

Average production of dry matter obtained for second year in testing centers of ISTIS 25

20 15 10 5 Variety VIO JUCU Mt.1

Producția tone/ha Producția 0 Silvaniei Mare t/ha JUCU 5 Mt.2 Simleu Dej Satu Sibiu Rădăuţi Media NAPOCA 2

Fig. 1. The production of dry matterLocatia obtained in the second year of vegetation at three varieties of tall fescue in I.S.T.I.S.

Regarding the production In the third year of vegetation, the of dry matter registered at the three highest production of dry matter varieties of tall fescue studied, was made at CTS Sibiu and Satu averagely on five test centers, Mare, the NAPOCA 2 variety syntetic variety NAPOCA 2 exceeding the witness VIO JUCUI surpassed VIO JUCU, the in CTS Sibiu, Satu Mare, Şimleul difference being signifiant positive Silvaniei and Rădăuţi (figure 2) (table 1).

28 Olar M.V. et al. Table 1 The influence of tall fascue variety over dry matter production Dry matter Variety production Difference(t/ha) Semnification U(t/ha) VioJucu 15.12 0.00 Mt. Jucu 5 15.46 0.34 *** Napoca 2 15.94 0.81 *** DL (5%) 0.15 (t/ha) DL (1%) 0.1 (t/ha) DL (0.1%) 0.26 (t/ha) Average production of dry matter obtained for third year in testing centers of ISTIS

25 20 15 10 5 Variety tonne/ha Production 0 VIO JUCU Mt.1 Silvaniei Mare t/ha JUCU 5 Mt.2 Simleu Dej Satu Sibiu RădăuţiMedia NAPOCA 2

Location

Fig. 2. Production of dry matter obtained in the third year of vegatation for three varieties of tall vescue from I.S.T.I.S.

Taking into account the recorded production results on average for two years, there is a high production capacity of dry matter of the three high- breasted varieties created at U.S.A.M.V. Cluj-Napoca, especially NAPOCA 2 (figure 3).

Average production for 2 years(second and third year), obtained in the testing centers of ISTIS

25

20

15

10

tone/ha 5 Production Variety 0 Silvaniei Mare t/ha VIO JUCU Mt.1

Simleu Dej Satu Sibiu Rădăuţi Media JUCU 5 Mt.2 NAPOCA 2

Location

Fig. 3. Production of dry matter obtained on average of two years of vegetation at three tall fescue varieties in the five C.S.S studied at I.S.T.I.S.

29 Olar M.V. et al.

The highest dry matter production, highly tested strains of varieties averagely over two years of recorded over 20 tons per hectare production, was made at the Sibiu (table 2). Variety Test Center, where the

Table 2 The influence of location over the production of dry matter registered at three tall fescue varieties: VIO JUCU, JUCU 5 and NAPOCA2 (average of second and third years) Production dry Location Difference semnification matter (t/ha) Media 15.51 - Mt. imnleul Ș 15.60 0.09 - Silvaniei Dej 14.58 -0.92 000 Satu Mare 15.64 0.14 - Sibiu 20.46 4.95 *** Rădăuți 11.24 -4.26 000 DL (5%) 0.17 (t/ha) DL (1%) 0.23 (t/ha) DL (0.1%) 0.32 (t/ha)

Taking into consideration Centers of testing of ISTIS the influence of interacting tall Bucuresti from the point of view of fescue variety X location, on the morfo-physiological attributes like: production of dry substance, it’s regrowth capacy after scythe, noticed that tall fescue variety drought resistance, disease and fall NAPOCA 2, which under the resistance. conditions that were at Sibiu, Tall fescue variety realised constant productions of NAPOCA 2 is remarked by a very over 20 tons of dry matter per good regeneration capability after hectare (table 3). The tall fescue sew, drought resistance, disease varieties were studied in the five and fall resistance (figure 4).

30 Olar M.V. et al. Table 3 Influence of variety interaction X location, on the production of dry substance to three syntetic varieties of tall fescue created at U..A.S.V.M. Cluj -Napoca Dry matter Variety Location production Diference(t/ha) Semnification (t/ha) VioJucu 14.92 - Mt. imnleul Jucu 5 Ș 15.57 0.65 *** Silvaniei Napoca 2 16.32 1.40 *** VioJucu 14.85 - Mt. Jucu 5 Dej 13.92 -0.93 000 Napoca 2 14.98 0.13 - VioJucu 14.50 - Mt. Jucu 5 Satu Mare 16.55 2.05 *** Napoca 2 15.88 1.38 *** VioJucu 20.02 - Mt. Jucu 5 Sibiu 19.83 -0.18 - Napoca 2 21.53 1.52 *** VioJucu 11.33 - Mt. Jucu 5 Rădăuți 11.43 0.10 - Napoca 2 10.97 -0.37 0 DL (5%) 0.34 (t/ha) DL (1%) 0.45 (t/ha) DL (0.1%) 0.59 (t/ha)

Morfo-physiological traits of tall fescue variety NAPOCA 2

9 8 7 6 5 4 Note 3 Year 2 2 1 Year 3 0 Regrowth Fall resistance Drought Disease capacity after resistance resistance scythe (note)

Fig. 4. Morfo-phyisiological traits of tall fescue variety NAPOCA 2, recorded averagedly in five centers of study, in the second and third year of vegetation

31 Olar M.V. et al. CONCLUSIONS

Because of the very good regrown capacity after sew, fall results registered at the tests done resistance as well as good drought in the five Centers of testing for and disease resistance, suitable for three years, syntetic variety Syn J- the establishment of sown 2 was registered under the name of meadows utilised as pastures in the NAPOCA 2-the variety has conveys of meadows. medium waist of plants, very good

REFERENCES

1. Dragomir N. (2005) Pastures and fodder plants. Ed. Eurolit, Timişoara, p. 394. 2. Olar M. (2008) Study of heterozis of species Festuca arundinacea Schreber. PhD thesis, U.A.S.V.M. Cluj Napoca. 3. Moga I., Schitea Maria (2005) Modern technologies of seed production for fodder plants. Ed. Ceres, Bucharesti, p. 41-43,70- 71, 115. 4. Savatti M., Savatti M. Jr., Muntean L. (2003) Plant breeding, theory and practical. Ed. AcademicPres, Cluj-Napoca. 5. Savatti M., Nedelea G., Ardelean M. (2004) Plant breeding treaty. Ed. Marineasa, Timişoara. 6. Varga P., Moisuc A., Savatti M., Schitea M., Olaru C., Dragomir N., Savatti M. jr. (1998) Fodder plant breeding and seed production. Ed. Lumina, România.

32 Sangeorzan D. et al. THE DEFINITION OF OLIGOTROPHIC GRASSLANDS

SÂNGEORZAN D.*, ROTAR I.*,**, PĂCURAR F.*, VAIDA I.*

*Faculty of Agriculture. Department of Plant Crops. University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Manăstur way, 3-5, 400372, Romania. **Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract In the 25 years since the Convention on Biological Diversity was signed, the idea of biodiversity has spread well into science and popular culture and is often portrayed by images of rich rainforests. In this paper we try to define a less popular instance of biodiversity, oligotrophic grasslands, by describing what they mean and what the context is for understanding them in terms of ecology and management applications. We look at the oligotrophic grasslands of Europe as a case for understanding these habitats, protecting them, researching them and managing them, and we present a meaningful context in which to understand and consider oligotrophic grasslands.

Keywords: oligotrophic grasslands, biodiversity, high nature value, oligohemerobic

DEFINING GRASSLANDS From an agronomic point of Juncaceae, along which live various view, grasslands are areas of land other herbaceous species from used for the production of animal families like Fabaceae or feed consumed by means of Asteraceae i.e. Encroachment from pasturing and/or mowing, or for the woody species is usually a sign of production of biomass for use as a disturbance. biofuel. Grassland vegetation A grassland habitat also consists mostly of grass, along with includes the micro-flora, fauna and legumes and various forb and micro-fauna; and between all the occasional woody plants. individuals, species, biotope and Grasslands can be temporary or geophysical environmental factors permanent (Peeters et al., 2014). there form complex specific From the ecological point of interconnections, building up to a view, grasslands are communities functional ecosystem we call “a dominated by species from the grass grassland” (Puia et al., 1984; Rotar families, Poaceae, Cyperaceae, and Carlier, 2010).

33 Sangeorzan D. et al. THE MEANING OF OLIGOTROPHY IN THE CONTEXT OF GRASSLANDS Oligotrophic, with the root type of grassland. Due to the variety “trophic” meaning food or of low nutrient soils on Earth, nourishment and the suffix “oligo” oligotrophic grasslands (OG) do not meaning little or a small quantity, is describe a specific assembly of a characteristic of an individual species or families, but a type of organism or of a habitat which exists grassland dominated by native and even thrives on a low nutrient plants which are often endemic, level. Because individual species plants which are adapted to survive and habitats evolved together, this and to thrive in more severe characteristic is shared between conditions, plants which have them. Grassland plant species that managed to colonize more extreme have this oligotrophic characteristic biotopes to bring life to new areas or become a determining factor in the to amplify biodiversity.

THE ECOLOGY OF OLIGOTROPHIC GRASSLANDS The degree of naturalness where we have cultural landscapes is an indicator which provides with grasslands. Naturalness is the nuance to ecological analysis of quality of being natural. This seems habitats by allowing us to describe a bit circular and, for contrast, we and measure areas which are under have another indicator which is anthropic influence, especially complementary, “hemeroby” – from where this influence has been the Greek “to tame” meaning the exerted for a long time, but the degree of tamed nature. anthropic factor is not dominant. Oligotrophic grasslands are mostly E.g. the case of grasslands part of habitats with 1st and 2nd in Central and Eastern Europe degree of naturalness (table 1).

Table 1 Degrees of naturalness Type of habitat Formations Definition Unchanged remnants of No management. Natural habitat 1 Natural natural vegetation dynamics (oligohemerobic) Use without direct impact and Changed remnants of 2 Semi-natural without nutrient replacement (oligo- natural vegetation mezohemerobic) Controlled vegetation Pre-industrial Use with impact, occasional nutrient 3 originating in pre- anthropogenic replacement (mezohemerobic) industrial times Controlled vegetation Industrial Powerful human impact 4 originating from the anthropogenic (euhemerobic) industrial era

34 Sangeorzan D. et al.

Type of habitat Formations Definition Total conversion of habitat, chemical Vegetation controlled 5 Artificial treatments, exotic plant cover largely by humans (polyhemerobic) (Source: Christian et al., 2018)

BIODIVERSITY OF OLIGOTROPHIC GRASSLANDS If we view plants’ access to soils that are oligotrophic or very nutrients as an equation in which all oligotrophic (Chalmandrier et al., environmental characteristics are 2017). Europe’s story is a strong parameters, it will become apparent example of underestimation of that there are many combinations biodiversity; although the overall between the parameters that can flora of Europe is lacking in variety, result in a low value, in a low level there are habitats in Europe which of nutrition. have some of highest levels of  Alpine OG, where plants grow on biodiversity density – especially at levigated soils with thin top layers the level of semi-natural grasslands  Halophyte OG, where the plants (Habel et al., 2013). grow on soils with a high salt load, In figure 1 the results are usually near seashores, mangroves, more precise for Western Europe, marshes while in Eastern Europe there is less  Xerophyte OG, where plants are well adapted to dryness (e.g. data, less power and more errors, grasslands in the Mediterranean and it does not account sufficiently, area) for example, for the flora of the  Hydrophyte OG, where the plants Carpathian Mountains and their grow in temporary or permanent basin (shown as nitrophilous). In the swamps. chart next to the map we can see the  Arctic OG, where plants can tolerate large number of species in the 2nd extreme cold (e.g. tundra) category and in the 3rd category, And many others. representing plants that are In Europe, over 1320 oligotrophic or semi-oligotrophic. endemic plant species belong to The widespread distribution grasslands – areas which occupy a of grasslands in Europe has also small slice of the total European increased the vulnerability to poor landmass. The importance of these management due to national grasslands is strongly limitations and a lack of cooperation underestimated (Bruchmann et al., between countries relative to the 2010). The pool of European plant need for conservation of endemic species tends towards species plants, leading to loss in both quality adapted to oligotrophic habitats; and quantity (Bruchmann and from 7394 species, 49.9% prefer Hobohm, 2010).

35 Sangeorzan D. et al.

Fig. 1. An incomplete map of European flora, converted to grayscale, indicating trophic preferences based on the Landolt indicator for Nitrogen; low Landolt N values indicate species with preferences for oligotrophy. The dashed line marks the area where this map is low in errors due to the inclusion of over 50% of the species (Western and Northern Europe)

(Source: Chalmandrier et al., 2017, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017- 15334-4/figures/5)

36 Sangeorzan D. et al.

Fig. 2. The land areas of the World with the highest species richness. The size of the circles is logarithmically scaled to the studied area and some circles are slightly displaced for visibility. Light – temperate grasslands; dark – tropical forest

(Source: Wilson et al., 2012)

On the figure 2 map we can Brachypodietalia pinnati (Rusina see the richness of grasslands in and Kuzemko, 2009). Central and Eastern Europe. A The correlation between grassland in Romania holds the biodiversity and productivity, the record for species richness per unit way in which assemblies of species of area: a semi-xerophyte basiphile in oligotrophic grasslands manage grassland with a record number of to prosper in difficult trophic plant species at the scale 0.1-10 m2. conditions is a good example of the In Transylvania, the success of diversity: while highest density of species in a similarity of niche specialization grassland was found in mezoxerice causes more intense intraspecific meadows of the type competition, interspecific

37 Sangeorzan D. et al. competition is reduced, thus oligotrophic conditions (François et fostering a more varied community al., 2016; Chalmandrier et al., that occupies niches more 2017). This effect also hints at the efficiently and leading to higher problem of biodiversity loss due to productivity in the context of application of fertilizers.

THE INFLUENCE OF NITROGEN ON BIODIVERSITY The main pathways by o Inhibiting nitrification and which the addition of Nitrogen to a accumulation of NH4+ habitat can lead to a reduction in the o Decrease in the quantity of basic number of species and to the cations and increase in metal ones simplification of community (Al3+) structure and composition (Bobbink As management involves and Hicks, 2014): directly or indirectly altering soil  Increase in disturbance and nutrient levels, it is very relevant in stress the quest to protect biodiversity.  Direct toxicity from NO2, NH3, In oligotrophic grassland NH4 communities, the effects of  Increase in N accessibility: management may be masked by o Increased sensibility to diseases edaphic and climatic factors, and pests leading to an underestimation of the o Increased competition for light results of management (Barbaro et and resources al., 2004). o Imbalance in the N-P nutrient The influence of Phosphorus balance in these grasslands also needs to be o Nitrogen Cycle amplification considered more, since it may be a (more productivity - more biomass - decisive trophic parameter, as more mineralization) evidenced by the Rengen grassland  Soil acidification: experiments (Milan et al., 2014).

DISCUSSION The idea of oligotrophic that depend on extensive and grasslands should be understood traditional management. Romania’s within 3 dimensions: the evolution situation is special, but not unique, of species and natural or semi- as the challenge of protecting OG is natural habitats under limited shared with the rest of Europe. trophic conditions, the importance Management at the national of OG to biodiversity and level is behind Western Europe due conservation, and their connection to the lack of a coherent application to human influence, especially in of tools and resources and due to the the case of semi-natural grasslands lack of investment in data and

38 Sangeorzan D. et al. research, information being In Romania, in 2007, there essential to good planning. were approximatively 4.8 million ha Figure 1 shows the spread of of agricultural land with high nature oligotrophic plants, but Romania is value (HNV), mostly oligotrophic covered by a fog of errors due to the and oligo-mesotrophic grasslands information deficit. (figure 3).

Fig. 3. The likelihood of HNV flora in agricultural lands

(Source: Paracchini et al., 2008)

39 Sangeorzan D. et al. Two relevant cases in Romania Apuseni Mountains near the village portray the spectrum of HNV Gârda de Sus; a project that habitats: SÂRBU et al. presented, continues today with research on in 2009, the high botanical value of those OG communities and the 2 unprotected areas in the SE of the influence of local management Dobrogea region, Coroana and styles on them (Rotar et al., 2018). Vânători. These areas had We hope that this framing of what inaccessible calciphile OG with oligotrophic grasslands are can over 35 rare species that had help in future discussion and can significant populations. Brinkmann increase support for conservation, et al., in 2009, explored the value of management and research where it OG with Arnica montana in the is needed most.

REFERENCES 1. Milan C., Michal H., Hennekens M.S., Jürgen S. (2018) Changes in vegetation types and Ellenberg indicator values after 65 years of fertilizer application in the Rengen Grassland Experiment, Germany. Applied Vegetation Science, 12:167-176. 2. Rotar I., Carlier L. (2010) Cultura Pajiştilor. Ed. Risoprint Cluj- Napoca, p. 973-656. 3. S.Rusina, A. Kuzemko (2009) EDGG cooperation on syntaxonomy and biodiversity of Festuco-Brometea communities in Transylvania (Romania): report and pre-liminary results. Bull. Eur. Dry Grassl. Group, 4:13-19. 4. Habel J.C., Dengler J., Janišová M., Török P., Wellstein C., Wiezik M. (2013) European grassland ecosystems: threatened hotspots of biodiversity, Biodiversity and Conservation 22:2131-2138. 5. Bobbink R., Hicks W.K. (2014) Factors Affecting Nitrogen Deposition Impacts on Biodiversity: An Overview. SpringerLink , p.127-138. 6. Peeters A., Beaufoy G., Canals R.M., Vliegher A.., Huyghe C., Isselstein J., Jones G., Kessler W., Kirilov A., Mosquera-Losada M.R., Nilsdotter-Linde N., Parente G., Peyraud J.L., Pickert J., Plantureux S., Porqueddu C., Rataj D., Stypinski P., Tonn B., Pol- van Dasselaar A. v. d., Vintu V., Wilkins R.J. (2014) Grassland term definitions and classifications adapted to the diversity of European grassland-based systems, EGF at 50: The future of European grasslands. Proceedings of the 25th General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation, Aberystwyth, Wales, 7-11 September 2014, p.743-750.

40 Sangeorzan D. et al. 7. Bruchmann, Hobohm C. (2010) Halting the loss of biodiversity: endemic vascular plants in grassland of Europe, Grassland in a changing world. Proceedings of the 23rd General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation. Mecke, Duderstadt, p.776-778. 8. Paracchini M.L., Petersen J.-E., Hoogeveen Y., Bamps C., Burfield I., van Swaay C. (2008) High nature value farmland in Europe, An estimate of the distribution patterns on the basis of land cover and biodiversity data. EUR 23480. 9. Bastow W.J., Peet Robert K., Jürgen D., Meelis P. (2018) Plant species richness: the world records, J Veg Sci, 23: 796-802. 10. Puia I., Pavel C., Bărbulescu A., Ionel C. (1984) Producerea și păstrarea furajelor. Ed. Didactică și Pedagogică, București. 11. François G., Leslie M., Pierre-Marie B., Arnaud M. (2018) Recent changes in mountain grasslands: a vegetation resampling study. Ecol Evol., 6:2333-2345. 12. Christian B., Anja A., Maike I., Florian J., Tiemo T., Jürgen D. (2018) Red Lists and conservation prioritization of plant communities - a methodological framework. Appl Veg Sci., 17:504-515. 13. Barbaro L., Dutoit T., Anthelme F., Corcket E. (2004) Respective influence of habitat conditions and management regimes on prealpine calcareous grasslands. Journal of Environmental Management, 72: 261-275. 14. Chalmandrier L., Albouy C., Pellissier L. (2017) Species pool distributions along functional trade-offs shape plant productivity-- diversity relationships. Scientific Reports, 7:15405. 15. Rotar I., Pacurar F., Stoie A., Gârda Nicoleta, Dale Laura (2018) The evolution of Arnica montana L. Grasslands Depending on the performed management (Apuseni Mountains, Romania). 16. Brinkmann K., Păcurar F., Rotar I., Ruşdea Evelyn, Auch E., Reif A. (2009) The grasslands of the Apuseni Mountains, Romania. Grasslands in Europe of high nature value, p.226-237. 17. Sârbu A., Sârbu I., Mihai D. (2009) Unprotected grassland areas from Dobrogea, of high botanical value. Contributii Botanice , 44: 67-75.

41

Sangeorzan D. et al.

42

Stoian V. et al. INTEGRATION OF MICROORGANISMS INTO THE FLOWS OF GRASSLAND AND FOREST ECOSYSTEMS

STOIAN V.*, VIDICAN Roxana*,**, ROTAR I.*, PĂCURAR F.*, CRIȘAN Ioana *

*Faculty of Agriculture,University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca **Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract Terrestrial ecosystems are dominated by higher plants as major biomass producers. Microorganisms present in the soil complete the energy and carbon circuits, mediating information and substance fluxes in plant-soil system. Bacteria and Actinomycetes act as successional groups, populations having dimensions directly proportional with the pressure of ecological factors. Heterotrophy and autotrophy succeed each other, due to the amount of substances present in ecosystem, the way it is arranged influencing aero-anaerobiosis processes. Geographic gradients work in complex with management to select a flora adapted to the specific conditions of each ecosystem.

Keywords: grasslands, soil, bacteria, biogeochemical circuits

INTRODUCTION

In terrestrial ecosystems, 2013). Because of this, they are primary biomass producers are particularly sensitive and respond superior plants, releasing energy quickly to the occurrence of and carbon in the soil through roots environmental pressors or and dead vegetal biomass contaminants, even at low (Jorgensen and Fath, 2014; i concentrations (Classen et al., Guillén and Camarasa, 2000). 2015; Grenni et al., 2018; Zhang et Primary decomposers in these al., 2016). ecosystems are bacteria and fungi, Grasslands and forests are at the base of the trophic chain as ecosystems spread across all types food for protozoa and nematodes of eco-regions, with a high (Maboreke et al., 2018). dynamics of the processes for The key position of matter transformation (Chapin, microorganisms in the food chain, 2003; Hillel and Hatfield, 2005). the reduced size and the high Plant diversity in the vegetation surface / volume ratio make them cover is completed by an infinite have a high affinity for low variety of microorganisms, with a concentrations of substrates present role in mediating information and in ecosystem (Cotner and material flows between plants and Biddanda, 2002; Schulz et al., soil (Lange et al., 2014).

43 Stoian V. et al. Microorganisms possess abundant microbial group is that of the unique feature of being bacteria with a high metabolic invisible to the eye, with capacity and use of a high variety dimensions of 0.2 - 200 μm. The of substrates. global distribution of these Adaptation of the microscopic organisms is at the rhizospheric potential of plants to level of each ecosystem due to the microbial functional groups has led evolutionary adaptation to any to a selection of organisms directed living environment (Hibbing et al., towards the equilibrium and 2010; Ponomarova and Patil, temporal stability of grasslands 2015). The most complex and (Jacoby et al., 2017; Paul, 2014).

INTEGRATION OF MICROORGANISMS IN SOIL PROCESSES

For evaluating a whole biomass and especially lignin. In ecosystem, the stresses due to direct contact with the roots of the eutrophication, drought, plants there are ectomycorrhizal acidification or the impact of fungi, capable of symbiosis and human management are extension of the root system of the considered. The direct effect of trees (Johnson and Gehring, 2008; environmental changes include the Smith and Read, 1997). These reduction of biodiversity, and the fungi have the role of absorbing modification of vital functions nutrients and transferring them to related to the use and conversion of the trees, receiving instead nutrients, which requires the products synthesized from selection of high sensitivity photosynthesis processes. indicators (Amedie, 2013; Bellard The presence of et al., 2012). microorganisms in the functional Forest ecosystems are processes of terrestrial ecosystems dominated by tall species, which offers the perspective of a translates into a lower amount of phenomenon of orientation plant light at ground level. The lack of diversity toward values related to light and the high amount of leaves the transfer processes (Taylor et al., the trees have left on the surface of 2014). At the same time, plant the soil is more difficult to diversity is an activator of decompose by the microbial microbial diversity by enhancing community over a much longer the diversity of nutritional period of time (Sayer, 2006). In resources as a result of the export of terms of microbial diversity, forests root exudates into the soil and of are dominated by fungi, these plant decomposition resources. microorganisms being more For the fungal component, effective in degrading wood capable of symbiotic partnerships

44 Stoian V. et al. with plant rhizosphere, diversity is incentive for biomass production directly correlated with the number and efficient use of resources of species present in the ecosystem (Allan et al., 2011; Hedlund et al., (Hassani et al., 2018; Steinauer et 2003; Uddin and Robinson, 2017; al., 2016). Wohlgemuth et al., 2016). Interaction with Increasing the level of CO2 in the microorganisms is one of the atmosphere produces strong crucial components of a plant's changes in the microbial specificity presence in an ecosystem. From a of the meadows, altering the plant perspective, dominant species operation of related processes in tend to apply a high selection the soil. Microbial diazotrophic pressure to microorganisms, communities in areas with higher stimulating the emergence of a amounts of CO2 react by attracting microflora with high functionality and stimulating the activity of non- for their own requirements symbiotic N2 fixation, which leads (Bardgett et al., 2005;Bever et al., to a change in the natural ratio 2012; Nolan et al., 2015). between the two types of functional From the perspective of groups (Santi et al., 2013; Tu et al., microbial community, the pressure 2016). applied in the rhizosphere is In assessing a grassland or balanced between species and forest ecosystem microorganisms stimulates the conservation of can play a role of bioindicators due plants diversity. The properties of to their high genetic diversity, with the dominant species, in conditions large differences in microbial of reduction of the floristic populations that architect a diversity, act in complex with its community (Cheng et al, 2013; own microbial component and Karimi et al., 2017). Another create negative changes in the feature is their high abundance in functioning of the meadows; the relation to the small dimension, synergistic interactions between which is a solution of the geometric the microbial component and the ladder problem and the direct high diversity of plants are located results reporting at the level of the at the opposite end, leading to an harvested samples.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SOIL MICROFLORA

Soil microorganisms are algae - and at the level of processes involved as key factors in they carry (Balestrini et al., 2015; transforming matter and making it Gougoulias et al., 2014; Kennedy available for plants. Microbial and Gewin, 1997). diversity is high both at group level Soil bacteria are - bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, considered to be the most abundant

45 Stoian V. et al. microorganisms in this area with in arid areas, on dry and alkaline high diversity, with specific soils. oxygen and substrate requirements: Cultivating bacteria on they can be autotrophic or culture media are present in the heterotrophic, aerobic, anaerobic or range of 107 - 108 / g of soil, while optionally anaerobic (Koorem et all bacterial populations reach 1010 al., 2014; Lartey, 2006; Meliani et individuals / g soil and their al., 2012; Ward, 2011). Within this diversity / g soil can reach values of microbial group a segment of over 10,000 species. filamentous microorganisms These microorganisms are known as actinomycetes has been present in soil with generally lower developed. Both bacteria and values than bacteria with at least actinomycetes are known for their one or two orders of magnitude. importance in the nutrient circuit Bacterial and dominant and the decomposition of organic actinomycete genres are contaminants. In addition, they are Arthrobater, Streptomyces, found in interaction with plants as Pseudomonas and Bacillus. rhizospheric microorganisms Medium cultivation of around their roots (Das et al., 2007; bacteria from the associated Dixon and Tilston, 2010; microflora samples (Lv et al., Maheshwari, 2010; de Jesus Sousa 2014; Reitner and Thiel, 2011; Wei and Olivares, 2016). Some of the et al., 2017; Yun et al., 2016) is existing soil populations are dominated by phylums pathogenic for plants Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and (Agrobacterium tumefaciens) and Actinobacteria. Instead, a humans (Clostridium perfringens monospecific culture analysis or Bacillus anthracis). shows a dominance of phylums At the surface of agar Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria culture media, bacteria form (especially Alphaproteobacteria viscous colonies, ranging from and Deltaproteobacteria, with a colorless colonies to bright colors lower level of with orange, yellow or pink tones. Gammaproteobacteria), On the opposite side, respectively Acidobacteria and actinomycetes have a filamentous Bacteroidetes. growth which visually These aspects indicate a differentiates them from bacteria, different capacity for competition with white, colony, hard and low across the microbial community of pressure-resistant that break easily. each species and a higher potential Actinomycetes are more resistant to for cultivation of actinomycetes on water stress, with an ecological environments in monospecific advantage over bacteria, especially cultures.

46 Stoian V. et al. REACTION OF MICROFLORA TO PRESSORS Grazing acts to increase filter character for microbial the abundance of microorganisms architecture (Zuo et al., 2012; Yan associated with nitrification et al., 2015; Yashiro et al., 2016; processes as an immediate response When et al., 2017). Under to the manure, but is reduced as a dominant conditions of a small group in the community number of plant species, immediately after the end of this mycorrhizal microflora can reduce type of activity (Le Roux et al., its diversity, but without affecting 2008; Griffiths and Philippot, the symbiotic potential and 2013). Microbial diversity stimulating plant growth. decreases with increasing altitude, Current soil fertility is a especially belowground fungi, but much more restrictive parameter increases as a specificity in high for mycorrhizal fungi than for altitude ecosystems (França et al., bacteria in the rhizosphere, and the 2016; Siles and Margesin, 2017). reduction in diversity acts to lower Increasing the altitude gradient the quality of substrate available to stimulates the installation of saprophytic fungi and reduces their autotrophic microorganisms as the diversity (Asmelash et al., 201; dominant group in the soil Denison and Kiers, 2011; Gahan microflora, a phenomenon and Schmalenberger, 2014; correlated positively with the Philippot et al., 2013; Rillig and capture of a higher amount of CO2, Mummey, 2006). An excess of visible in alpine grasslands. The nutrients in soil leads to a change in lower amount of plant biomass and the community towards tolerant the origin of a small variety of populations of this phenomenon, species act more strongly to reduce concealing the ephemeral the abundance of microorganisms distribution of microorganisms in than to reduce diversity, which relation to the stress factor but means that the latitudinal and enhancing the complexity of the longitudinal gradients have a lower community. A modification of the effect than the altitude on the C and N ratio, especially in composition of microbial grassland ecosystems converted to community in soil. arable land, propagates in the level The installation of certain of transformation and microbial taxa as dominant in the accumulation of amino acids, grasslands is correlated with the reducing the effective functionality local climate and soil pH, while the of the microbial population richness of species is correlated complex (Panpatte et al., 2017). with the annual precipitation level, For meadows, the duration which imprint to this parameter of maintenance of a management

47 Stoian V. et al. system imprints a selective gram negative bacteria biomass dynamics of microbial groups - in indicates an increase in the nutrient stable systems, microbial biomass circuit in the medium and a stability has higher values, while short-term of microbial mediated processes changes reduce this parameter. (Abbasi et al., 2015; Berruti et al., Fungal biomass decreases after a 2016). period of 10 years in favor of total At the microbial bacterial biomass (Blagodatskaya community level, low abundance and Kuzyakov, 2013; Truu et al., taxa are much more distant than the 2009). abundant ones, indicating their A related increase in subsequent occurrence in the vesicular-arbuscular fungi and ecosystem.

CONCLUSIONS

Taxa present in grassland emergence of successive biological and forest ecosystems are directly processes. The complexity of dependent on nutrients and applied microbial communities is closely management. Geo-positioning related to the carbon / nitrogen ratio amplifies the pressors present in and the availability of organic ecosystem, stimulating the matter.

REFERENCES

1. Abbasi H., Akhta A., Sharf R. (2015) Vesicular Arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi: a tool for sustainable agriculture. Am J Plant Nutr Fertil Technol, 5, 40-49.ity composition in constructed wetlands. Science of the total environment, 407(13): 3958-3971. 2. Allan E., Weisser W., Weigelt A., Roscher C., Fischer M., Hillebrand H. (2011) More diverse plant communities have higher functioning over time due to turnover in complementary dominant species. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(41): 17034-17039. 3. Amedie F.A. (2013) Impacts of Climate Change on Plant Growth, Ecosystem Services, Biodiversity, and Potential Adaptation Measure (Doctoral dissertation, MS thesis in Atmospheric Science, University of Gothenburg, Sweden) 4. Asmelash F., Bekele T., Birhane E. (2016) The potential role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the restoration of degraded lands. Frontiers in microbiology, 7: 1095.

48 Stoian V. et al. 5. Balestrini R., Lumini E., Borriello R., Bianciotto V. (2015) Plant-soil biota interactions. Soil Microbiology, Ecology and Biochemistry, p. 311-338. 6. Bardgett R., Hopkins D., Usher M. (Eds.) (2005) Biological diversity and function in soils. Cambridge University Press. 7. Bellard C., Bertelsmeier C., Leadley P., Thuiller W., Courchamp F. (2012) Impacts of climate change on the future of biodiversity. Ecology letters, 15(4): 365-377. 8. Berruti A., Lumini E., Balestrini R., Bianciotto V. (2016) Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as natural biofertilizers: let's benefit from past successes. Frontiers in microbiology, 6: 1559. 9. Bever J.D., Platt T.G., Morton E.R. (2012) Microbial population and community dynamics on plant roots and their feedbacks on plant communities. Annual review of microbiology, 66: 265-283. 10. Blagodatskaya E., Kuzyakov Y. (2013) Active microorganisms in soil: critical review of estimation criteria and approaches. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 67: 192-211. 11. Chapin III F.S. (2003) Effects of plant traits on ecosystem and regional processes: a conceptual framework for predicting the consequences of global change. Annals of Botany, 91(4): 455-463. 12. Cheng F., Peng X., Zhao P., Yuan J., Zhong C., Cheng Y., Zhang S. (2013) Soil microbial biomass, basal respiration and enzyme activity of main forest types in the Qinling Mountains. PLoS One, 8(6): e67353. 13. Classen A.T., Sundqvist M.K., Henning J.A., Newman G.S., Moore, J.A., Cregger M.A., Patterson C.M. (2015) Direct and indirect effects of climate change on soil microbial and soil microbial plant interactions: What lies ahead?. Ecosphere, 6(8): 1- 21. 14. Cotner J.B.,‐ Biddanda B.A. (2002) Small players, large role: microbial influence on biogeochemical processes in pelagic aquatic ecosystems. Ecosystems, 5(2): 105-121. 15. Das M., Royer T.V., Leff L.G. (2007) Diversity of fungi, bacteria, and actinomycetes on leaves decomposing in a stream. Applied and environmental microbiology, 73(3): 756-767. 16. de Jesus Sousa J.A., Olivares F.L. (2016) Plant growth promotion by streptomycetes: ecophysiology, mechanisms and applications. Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture, 3(1): 24. 17. Denison R.F., Kiers E.T. (2011) Life histories of symbiotic rhizobia and mycorrhizal fungi. Current Biology, 21(18): R775- R785.

49 Stoian V. et al. 18. Dixon G.R., Tilston E.L. (Eds.) (2010) Soil microbiology and sustainable crop production. Springer Science & Business Media. 19. França L., Sannino C., Turchetti B., Buzzini P., Margesin R. (2016) Seasonal and altitudinal changes of culturable bacterial and yeast diversity in Alpine forest soils. Extremophiles, 20(6): 855- 873. 20. Gahan J., Schmalenberger A. (2014) The role of bacteria and mycorrhiza in plant sulfur supply. Frontiers in plant science, 5: 723. 21. Gougoulias C., Clark J.M., Shaw L.J. (2014) The role of soil microbes in the global carbon cycle: tracking the below ground microbial processing of plant derived carbon for manipulating carbon dynamics in agricultural systems. Journal of the Science‐ of Food and Agriculture, 94(12): 2362‐ -2371. 22. Grenni P., Ancona V., Caracciolo A.B. (2018) Ecological effects of antibiotics on natural ecosystems: A review. Microchemical Journal, 136: 25-39. 23. Griffiths B.S., Philippot L. (2013) Insights into the resistance and resilience of the soil microbial community. FEMS microbiology reviews, 37(2): 112-129. 24. Hassani M.A., Durán P., Hacquard S. (2018) Microbial interactions within the plant holobiont. Microbiome, 6(1): 58. 25. Hedlund K., Santa Regina I., Van der Putten W.H., Lepš J., Diaz T., Korthals G.W., ... Rodríguez Barrueco C. (2003) Plant species diversity, plant biomass and responses of the soil community on abandoned land across Europe: idiosyncracy or above belowground time lags. Oikos, 103(1): 45-58. 26. Hibbing M.E., Fuqua C., Parsek M.R., Peterson S.B. (2010)‐ Bacterial competition: surviving and thriving in the microbial jungle. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 8(1): 15. 27. Hillel D., Hatfield J.L. (Eds.) (2005) Encyclopedia of Soils in the Environment (Vol. 3) Amsterdam: Elsevier. 28. i Guillén R.F., Camarasa J. M. (Eds.) (2000) Encyclopedia of the biosphere: Deciduous forests (Vol. 7) Gale/Cengage Learning. 29. Jacoby R., Peukert M., Succurro A., Koprivova A., Kopriva S. (2017) The role of soil microorganisms in plant mineral nutrition—current knowledge and future directions. Frontiers in Plant Science, 8: 1617. 30. Johnson N.C., Gehring C.A. (2007) Mycorrhizas: symbiotic mediators of rhizosphere and ecosystem processes. In The Rhizosphere, p. 73-100. 31. Jorgensen S.E., Fath B. (2014) Encyclopedia of ecology. Newnes.

50 Stoian V. et al. 32. Karimi B., Maron P.A., Boure N.C.P., Bernard N., Gilbert D., Ranjard L. (2017) Microbial diversity and ecological networks as indicators of environmental quality. Environmental Chemistry Letters, 15(2): 265-281. 33. Kennedy A.C., Gewin V.L. (1997) Soil microbial diversity: present and future considerations. Soil Science, 162(9): 607-617. 34. Koorem K., Gazol A., Öpik M., Moora M., Saks Ü., Uibopuu A., Zobel M. (2014) Soil nutrient content influences the abundance of soil microbes but not plant biomass at the small-scale. PLoS One, 9(3): e91998. 35. Lange M., Habekost M., Eisenhauer N., Roscher C., Bessler H., Engels C., Gleixner G. (2014) Biotic and abiotic properties mediating plant diversity effects on soil microbial communities in an experimental grassland. PloS one, 9(5): e96182. 36. Lartey R.T. (2006) Dynamics of soil flora and fauna in biological control of soil inhabiting plant pathogens. Plant Pathol. J, 5: 125- 142. 37. Le Roux X., Poly F., Currey P., Commeaux C., Hai B., Nicol G. W., ... Klumpp K. (2008) Effects of aboveground grazing on coupling among nitrifier activity, abundance and community structure. The ISME journal, 2(2): 221. 38. Lv X., Yu J., Fu Y., Ma B., Qu F., Ning K., Wu H. (2014) A meta- analysis of the bacterial and archaeal diversity observed in wetland soils. The Scientific World Journal. 39. Maboreke H.R., Bartel V., Seiml-Buchinger R., Ruess L. (2018) Micro-Food Web Structure Shapes Rhizosphere Microbial Communities and Growth in . Diversity, 10(1): 15. 40. Maheshwari D.K. (Ed.) (2010) Plant growth and health promoting bacteria (Vol. 18) Springer Science & Business Media. 41. Meliani A., Bensoltane A., Mederbel K. (2012) Microbial diversity and abundance in soil: related to plant and soil type. American Journal of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization Technology, 2(1): 10- 18. 42. Nolan N.E., Kulmatiski A., Beard K.H., Norton J.M. (2015) Activated carbon decreases invasive plant growth by mediating plant–microbe interactions. AoB Plants, 7. 43. Panpatte D.G., Jhala Y.K., Vyas R.V., Shelat H.N. (Eds.)(2017) Microorganisms for Green Revolution. 44. Paul E.A. (2014) Soil microbiology, ecology and biochemistry. Academic press.

51 Stoian V. et al. 45. Philippot L., Raaijmakers J.M., Lemanceau P., Van Der Putten W.H. (2013) Going back to the roots: the microbial ecology of the rhizosphere. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 11(11): 789. 46. Ponomarova O., Patil K.R. (2015) Metabolic interactions in microbial communities: untangling the Gordian knot. Current opinion in microbiology, 27: 37-44. 47. Reitner J., Thiel V. (Eds.) (2011) Encyclopedia of geobiology. Dordrecht: Springer. 48. Rillig M.C., Mummey D.L. (2006) Mycorrhizas and soil structure. New Phytologist, 171(1): 41-53. 49. Santi C., Bogusz D., Franche C. (2013) Biological nitrogen fixation in non-legume plants. Annals of botany, 111(5): 743-767. 50. Sayer E.J. (2006) Using experimental manipulation to assess the roles of leaf litter in the functioning of forest ecosystems. Biological reviews, 81(1): 1-31. 51. Schulz S., Brankatschk R., Dümig A., Kögel-Knabner I., Schloter M., Zeyer J. (2013) The role of microorganisms at different stages of ecosystem development for soil formation. Biogeosciences, 10(6): 3983-3996. 52. Siles J.A., Margesin R. (2017) Seasonal soil microbial responses are limited to changes in functionality at two Alpine forest sites differing in altitude and vegetation. Scientific Reports, 7(1): 2204. 53. Smith S.E., Read D.J. (1997) Structure and development of ectomycorrhizal roots. Mycorrrhizal symbiosis. Academic Press, London, 163-232. 54. Steinauer K., Chatzinotas A., Eisenhauer N. (2016) Root exudate cocktails: the link between plant diversity and soil microorganisms? Ecology and evolution, 6(20): 7387-7396. 55. Taylor T.N., Krings M., Taylor E.L. (2014) Fossil fungi. Academic Press. 56. Truu M., Juhanson J., Truu J. (2009) Microbial biomass, activity and commun 57. Tu Q., Zhou X., He Z., Xue K., Wu L., Reich P., Zhou J. (2016) The diversity and co-occurrence patterns of N 2-fixing communities in a CO 2-enriched grassland ecosystem. Microbial ecology, 71(3): 604-615. 58. Uddin M.N., Robinson R.W. (2017) Responses of plant species diversity and soil physical-chemical-microbial properties to Phragmites australis invasion along a density gradient. Scientific reports, 7(1): 11007.

52 Stoian V. et al. 59. Ward B.B. (2011) Nitrification: an introduction and overview of the state of the field. In Nitrification (pp. 3-8) American Society of Microbiology. 60. Wehn S., Taugourdeau S., Johansen L., Hovstad K.A. (2017) Effects of abandonment on plant diversity in semi natural grasslands along soil and climate gradients. Journal of Vegetation Science. ‐ 61. Wei Z., Hu X., Li X., Zhang Y., Jiang L., Li J., Liao X. (2017) The rhizospheric microbial community structure and diversity of deciduous and evergreen forests in Taihu Lake area, China. PloS one, 12(4): e0174411. 62. Wohlgemuth D., Solan M., Godbold J. A. (2016) Specific arrangements of species dominance can be more influential than evenness in maintaining ecosystem process and function. Scientific reports, 6: 39325. 63. Yan H., Liang C., Li Z., Liu Z., Miao B., He C., Sheng L. (2015) Impact of precipitation patterns on biomass and species richness of annuals in a dry steppe. PloS one, 10(4): e0125300. 64. Yashiro E., Pinto-Figueroa E., Buri A., Spangenberg J.E., Adatte T., Niculita-Hirzel H., van der Meer J. R. (2016) Local environmental factors drive divergent grassland soil bacterial communities in the western Swiss Alps. Applied and environmental microbiology, 82(21): 6303-6316. 65. Yun Y., Wang H., Man B., Xiang X., Zhou J., Qiu X., Engel A. S. (2016) The Relationship between pH and Bacterial Communities in a Single Karst Ecosystem and Its Implication for Soil Acidification. Frontiers in microbiology, 7: 1955. 66. Zhang Q., Wu J., Yang F., Lei Y., Zhang Q., Cheng X. (2016) Alterations in soil microbial community composition and biomass following agricultural land use change. Scientific reports, 6: 36587. 67. Zuo X.A., Knops J.M.H., Zhao X.Y., Zhao H.L., Zhang T.H., Li Y.Q., Guo Y.R. (2012) Indirect drivers of plant diversity- productivity relationship in semiarid sandy grasslands. Biogeosciences, 9(4): 1277.

53

Stoian V. et al.

54

Tod Monica Alexandrina et al. RESEARCHES REGARDING THE PROMOTION OF SIMPLE MIXTURE OF PHALARIS ARUNDINACEA WITH MEDICAGO SATIVA

TOD Monica Alexandrina*, MARUŞCA T.*,**, OPREA Georgeta*

*Grassland Research and Development Institute, Braşov 5 Cucului str., 500128, Brasov, Romania Phone: + 40 268 472704, Fax: 040 268 475295 **Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract The research was carried out at Grassland Research Institute Brasov, in the period 2009-2011, on a sandy loam chernozem soil. Biological material is composed by two simple mixtures: Dactylis glomerata + Medicago sativa, Phalaris arundinacea and Medicago sativa. The highest production obtained after fertilization with different nitrogen doses (N0P22K42, N50P22K42, N100P22K42,), was registred by Phalaris arundinacea + Medicago sativa mixture. Dry matter production increased proportionally with doses of fertilizer applied. Chemical analysis has showed that Phalaris arundinacea + Medicago sativa mixture has a content of 1313 kg / ha of crude protein, at dose N100P22K42 increased by 4.1% compared the mixture of Dactylis glomerata + Medicago sativa, which at the same dose fertilization obtained 1261 kg / ha crude protein. Lignin content (ADL) is recorded with values less than 7% (best) at both mixtures on the three levels of fertilization.

Keywords: Phalaris arundinacea, Medicago sativa, Dactylis glomerata, simple mixtures, fertilization

INTRODUCTION

Simple grassland mixture economy of nitrogen based between a grass and a leguminous fertilizer, due to fixing nitrogen used for improving forage quality from the atmosphere by the have a long practice. So, there are bacterial genus of Rhizobium sp. mixture recommended for different (Stefan, 1999). Dactylis glomerata areas as well for our country as for is a very popular species in our Europe. Culture of perennial grass country and is one of the most and legumes mixtures have several valuable grasses (Moga, 1996). advantages: high productivity due This species is establish, as to usage of ecological niches in that participation in mixtures with biotope, high yields of protein due legumes. Phalaris arundinacea to presence of legumes, and species is very resistant at increasing the protein content of continues changing conditions of grasses in the presence of legumes, environment, it represents a future

55 Tod Monica Alexandrina et al. for obtain the forage in our country, benefits are known, for compairing in different conditions, flood areas, with a new mixture, not studied in periods of drought, etc. (Marusca, our country Phalaris arundinacea 1985; Samfira, 2001). For this + Medicago sativa. reason, in this study we chose Both have been studied in simple mixture of Dactylis the same stationary conditions, and glomerata + Medicago sativa, a at the same levels of fertilization. consecrated mixture, whose

MATERIALS AND METHOD

The research was carried 3 - N50+50P22K42, kg / ha out at Grassland Research Institute The biological material Brasov, during 2009 -2011 on a used is Dactylis glomerata Regent sandy loam chernozem soil, pH 6.5 15 kg / ha, Phalaris arundinacea well supplied with phosphorus 109 Premier 10 kg / ha and Medicago ppm and potassium 361 ppm. The sativa La Bella Campagniola 10 kg annual average temperature was / ha and 50% grasses with 50% 8.6 0C and the annual average legumes. The exploitation mode rainfall of 688 mm. was as hayfield, and were harvested The two factors studied are: three annual sews. Determinations Factor A: Simple mixtures were made regarding dry matter 1 - Dactylis glomerata (50%) + production and chemical Medicago sativa (50%) composition of forage. The 2 - Phalaris arundinacea (50%) + processing and interpreting of data, Medicago sativa (50%) in terms of statistical synthesis, was Factor B: Level of fertilization performed annually in the period of 1 - N0P22K42, kg / ha experimentation 2009-2011 (Tod, 2 – N50P22K42, kg / ha 2011).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Dry matter production

Dry matter production production of dry matter. The obtained in the 2-year average is maximum dry matter production is 9.83 t / ha in mixture of Dactylis 12.27 t / ha and has been obtained glomerata + Medicago sativa, with at fertilization N100, with 3.46 t / ha 1.26 t / ha DM less then Phalaris DM, more than a witness. arundinacea + Medicago sativa (N0P22K42), who obtained 8.81 t / mixture how obtained 11.07 t / ha ha DM. At the N50 has been DM (figure 1). Fertilization level obtained an average of 10.27 t / ha has a great influence on the DM (figure 2).

56 Tod Monica Alexandrina et al.

DL 5% = 0.98 t/ha 11.07 9.83 12 10 8 6 DM t/ha DM 4 2 0 D.gl.(50%) + M.sat.(50%) Ph.ar.(50%) + M.sat.(50%)

Fig. 1. The influence of mixtures on dry matter production (mean years)

14 12.27 12 10.27 10 8.81 8 6

DM t/ha 4 2 DL 5% = 1.01 t/ha 0 N0P50K50 N50P50K50 N100P50K50 N level

Fig. 2. The influence of fertilizers on dry matter production (mean years)

In the interaction between dose of one about 2 t / ha DM in each fertilizer and mixture, the dry fraction of 50 kg of nitrogen matter production increases with applied (figure 3). dose of fertilizer, it is increasing by

57 Tod Monica Alexandrina et al.

12.75 11.13 9.33 15 11.79 8.28 9.41 10 5 Ph.ar.(50%) + M.sat.(50%) DM t/ha DM D.gl.(50%) + M.sat.(50%) 0 N0P50K50 N50P50K50 N100P50K50 DL 5% = 1.0 t/ha

Fig. 3. Influence of interaction between mixtures and dose of fertilizer (mean years)

Mixture that consists of Phalaris 11.75.t/ha DM at Dactylis arundinacea species is superior in glomerata + Medicago sativa terms of dry matter production on mixture. all three levels of fertilization, to To study relationship between the Dactylis glomerata + fertility and production of DM was Medicago sativa mixture. used a parabolic shape function y = Highest yields of forage are ax2 + bx + c. Correlation between obtained at N100, by 12.75 t / ha the dose of nitrogen and production DM, at Phalaris arundinacea + of DM in the two years, is very Medicago sativa mixture and close, (R2 = 0.99; figure 4).

14 2 DM Ph.ar + M.sat =-0,00004x + 0,03x + 9,3 12 R = 0,999 ; R2 = 0,99

10

8 2 SU D.gl + M.sat = 0,0003x + 0,01x + 8,3 R = 0,999 ; R2 = 0,99

DM DM t/ha 6

4

2

0 -10 10 30 50 70 90 110 N level (kg/ha)

Fig.4. The sum cut of mixture (average years)

58 Tod Monica Alexandrina et al. Phalaris arundinacea + Medicago So this forage mixture provide a sativa mixture obtained higher higher production than the Dactylis production, the curve evolves glomerata + Medicago sativa almost linearly, increasing the dose mixture. Differences of dry matter of fertilizer. are smaller at doses N0 and N100.

The forage quality

The forage quality is is greatly influenced by floral determined by the complexity of structure of mixtures of species, technology for growing various including legumes who play an feed structures has great important role in achieving a importance on animal nutrition. For nutritionally balanced in fodder temporary pastures, forage quality (table1).

Table 1 The value of quality indices, first cut

CP Ash Fibre ADF ADL NDF DMD OMD Mixture N level % % % % % % % %

Dactylis N0P22K42 10.7 8.6 34.0 35.7 3.8 58.4 58.9 58.2 glomerata + N50P22K42 11.4 9.4 32.4 34.7 3.7 56.6 60.2 60.0 Medicago

sativa N100P22K42 12.4 9.6 31.5 33.7 3.6 54.3 62.9 61.5

Phalaris N0P22K42 9.9 8.9 37.2 38.9 4.0 63.4 58.0 54.4 arundinac ea + N50P22K42 10.9 9.2 34.6 36.5 3.8 59.4 59.8 57.6 Medicago sativa N100P22K42 11.4 9.5 33.9 35.7 3.8 57.1 59.8 58.1

Crude protein content is dose of fertilizer, and Phalaris between 10.7% and 12.4% at arundinacea with Medicago sativa Dactylis glomerata mixture with mixture it had a higher value of Medicago sativa, and between lignocellulose at dose N50P22K42. 9.9% and 11.4% for Phalaris Lignin content (ADL) is arundinacea mixture with part of the cellular constituents of Medicago sativa. plants indigestible in the rumen of Lignocellulose (ADF), , and is recorded with increased at variants mixture sown values less than 7% (optimal) at with Dactylis glomerata and both mixtures on the three levels of Medicago sativa, depending on the fertilization.

59 Tod Monica Alexandrina et al. Ash content increased by optimal (56.6% and 58, 4%). 1% at N100P22K42 dose applied at Phalaris arundinacea with Dactylis glomerata with Medicago Medicago sativa mixture exceeds sativa mixture, from variant not optimal NDF on all three levels of fertilized with nitrogen. This fertilization. Organic matter increase was registered for the digestibility (OMD) and dry matter second mixture too, but in a digestibility (DMD), decreases smaller percentage (just 0.3%). with increasing dose of nitrogen in Total fiber content (NDF) is both mixtures. recorded between optimal values From chemical analysis (44-55%) only with the mixture of data presented in table 2, at second Dactylis glomerata, Medicago cut, the forage has a slight sativa, at dose of N100P22K42 the improvement in increasing quality other two doses were more than at main indices.

Table 2 The value of quality indices second cut As AD ND DM OM CP Fibr AD Mixture N level h L F D D % e % F % % % % % %

N P K 10.7 10.0 34.3 37.0 2.9 65.3 59.5 56.8 Dactylis 0 22 42 glomerata + N P K 12.4 10.7 32.1 35.6 3.1 63.5 62.1 59.8 Medicago 50 22 42 sativa N P K 100 22 4 13.2 11.1 32.5 45.2 3.3 63.9 43.6 58.1 2

N0P22K42 9.7 9.6 35.6 37.8 3.4 64.4 57.9 56.0 Phalaris arundinacea + Medicago N50P22K42 11.5 10.0 35.1 40.7 3.4 63.2 59.7 56.0 sativa N P K 100 22 4 11.2 9.9 33.6 35.9 3.4 60.7 60.0 56.9 2

60 Tod Monica Alexandrina et al. Crude protein content is higher arundinacea with Medicago sativa than at first cut in both mixtures. mixture lignin content is 3.4% Crude protein content at Dactylis regardless of dose of fertilizer glomerata with Medicago sativa applied. mixture it increases with increasing Total fiber content (NDF) dose of nitrogen. For the second is over 60% at both mixtures. mixture the content in crude Organic matter digestibility protein was largest recorded in (OMD) and dry matter digestibility N50P22K42 with a value of 11.5%. (DMD) have lower values than at Lignin content (ADL), present the first cut. Highest yields of crude smaller values than the first cut. protein per hectare were obtained Between the two mixtures the at fertilization level N100P22K42, Dactylis glomerata has a lower namely 1261 kg / ha CP, at lignin content. and this increases by Dactylis glomerata + Medicago 0.4% from the dose without sativa mixture, and 1313 kg / ha CP nitrogen, at maximum dose of at Phalaris arundinacea + nitrogen applied. To Phalaris Medicago sativa mixture (table 3).

Table 3 Crude protein (CP) content of the three levels of fertilization (kg / ha) Dactylis glomerata + Phalaris arundinacea + N level % Medicago sativa Medicago sativa

N0P22K42 1060 1055 99.5

N50P22K42 1120 1191 106.3

N100P22K42 1261 1313 104.1 Mean 1147 1186 103.4

At level fertilization without From the three levels of nitrogen, crude protein yields was fertilization was obtained an very close,the mixture with average production of crude Dactylis glomeata obtaining a protein, by 1147 kg / ha CP at production of 1060 kg / ha and the Dactylis glomerata + Medicago mixture with Phalaris arundinacea sativa mixture, and 3.4% more than obtained a lower production by 0.5 Phalaris arundinacea + Medicago respectively 1055 kg / ha PB. sativa, 1186 kg / ha.

CONCLUSIONS

Cultivated variants with production than 12.7 t / ha with 5 t Phalaris arundinacea + Medicago DM / ha more than the variant not sativa simple mixture and fertilized fertilized with nitrogen. Phalaris with N 100 dose has obtained arundinacea + Medicago sativa,

61 Tod Monica Alexandrina et al. mixture is superior in terms of arundinacea mixture + Medicago production, at Dactylis glomerata sativa. Phalaris arundinacea, + Medicago sativa mixture. mixed with a perennial Highest production of crude protein leguminous,can be a alternative to per hectare were obtained in the those temporary meadows where fertilization level N100P22K42, no are suitable established mixture. namely 1313 kg / ha CP at Phalaris

REFERENCES

1. Maruşca T., Marușca Letiția Felicia (1985) Consideraţii privind introducerea în cultură a speciei Typhoides arundinacea (L) Mnch pentru producţia de furaje. Revista de creşterea animalelor, 6: 24- 30. 2. Maruşca T., Samfira I. (1999) Morphological and physiological variability of Phalaris arundinacea in Romania. IPGRI, Seventh Meeting of the ECP/GR Workong Group on Forages, p. 196-199. 3. Marusca T., Motcă Gh., Moisuc Al. (2010) Soiul de ierbăluţă (Phalaris arundinacea (L) Mnch) Premier, Ministerul agriculturii şi dezvoltării durabile, Oferta cercetării ştiinţifice pentru transfer tehnologic în agricultură, industria alimentară şi silvicultură. Ed. Printech Bucureşti, 13: 12. 4. Moga I., Schitea Maria (1996) Plante furajere. Ed. Ceres, București. 5. Samfira I. (2001) Cercetari privind biologia si ameliorarea speciei Phalaris arundinacea. PhD thesis, UASVMB Timisoara. 6. Ştefan Silvia (1999) Cercetari privind biologia si tehnologia producerii de sămânţă la Typhoides arundinacea în Campia Româna. PhD thesis, UASVM Bucuresti. 7. Tod Monica Alexandrina (2011) Contribuții la extinderea în cultură pentru furaj și biomasă a speciei Phalaris arundinacea L. în condiții extreme de umiditate. PhD thesis, UASVMB Timișoara.

62 Toth Gh. et al. BIODIVERSITY OF TRANSYLVANIA PLAIN INFLUENCE BY SLURRY FERTILIZATION AFTER 2 YEARS

TOTH Gh.*, ROTAR I.*, VIDICAN Roxana*, PLEȘA Anca*,**, VAIDA I.*, IUGA V.*

*Faculty of Agriculture. Department of Plant Crops. University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Manăstur street, 3-5, 400372, Romania. **Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract Over the years the grasslands biodiversity decrease a lot. Grasslands are the one who are shelter for insects, butterfly, species and so on and this is the reason why maintaining grassland as natural as can it become a target. The purpose of this research is to assess the state of the biodiversity and pastoral value for grasslands from the Transylvanian Plateau area. The analyzed grasslands are placed in the perimeter of Gheorgheni village, from Cluj County. Experience includes 16 experimental variants with organic fertilization with slurry, 4 variants in 4 rehearsals. Each experimental variant is 2 m long X 5 m wide. In most hill meadows the economic efficiency is relatively low, and in order to be increased, it is necessary to apply the whole complex of measures for their improvement, care and exploitation, of which a special role is the application of appropriate treatments that stimulate the development of valuable species.

Keywords: semi-natural grasslands, mineral fertilizers, grassland management

INTRODUCTION

The livestock sector has ubiquitous and important plant expanded rapidly in recent decades groups in the world. The grass and demand for livestock products family, Poaceae, includes an is expected to continue to grow estimated 12,000 species (GPWG strongly through the middle of this 2000; www. grassportal.org), and century, driven by population over one-third of the terrestrial land growth, rising affluence and surface on Earth is comprised of urbanization (FAO, 2009). natural occurring, grass dominated Decisive action is required ecosystems (e.g., prairie, savanna, to satisfy this growth in ways that steppe, etc.; Coupland, 1979; support society’s goals for poverty Anderson, 2006). The economic reduction and food security, development of Europe provides environmental sustainability and advantages to people, but in the improved human health (FAO, same time represents a potential 2009). Grasses are one of the most risk too (Cojocariu et al., 2010).

63 Toth Gh. et al. MATERIAL AND METHOD

Study site The analyzed grasslands are farm from the same village and located within the perimeter of the spread manually. The area shows a village of Gheorgheni, in Cluj typical plain until hillside climate County. The experience includes and the landscape is undulating. It 16 experimental variants with is characterized by a high variation slurry fertilization 4 variants in 4 of land use and topoclimatic rehearsals. conditions in the area and fine- Each experimental variant grained mosaic of different land is 2 m long x 5 m wide. The uses, including substantial amounts experimental variants are V1- of semi natural vegetation with witness, unfertilized, V2-10 kg 7.2°C average temperature. The slurry, V3-20 kg slurry, V4-40 kg vegetation observations were made slurry. Slurry was pick from a cow on 16 plots.

Data analysis

The floristic composition fodder value was performed on a was interpreted using an improved scale from 1 (poor sward, quality Braun-Blanquet scale with dominated by toxic species) to 9 subdivisions (Păcurar and Rotar, (excellent) after Păcurar and Rotar 2014). Sward fodder value was (2014). Data regarding the share of calculated based on species quality economic groups (Poaceae, score on a scale from 1 (poor) to 9 Cyperaceae-Juncaceae, Fabaceae (excellent), after Dierschke and and other botanical families- OFB), Briemle (2002), as modified by species number were processed by Păcurar and Rotar (2014). Sward analysis of variance.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The application of the meadow falls in the 6th grade, the fertilizer with slurry resulted in grassland category is medium and important changes both at the crop supports 1.01-1.20 UVM / ha. In level and at the level of the floral the floristic composition, Poaceae composition. family have in the witness an The determinate type of average participation of 35%, and grassland was Festuca rupicola- once by increasing the dose of Bromus erectus. The type of slurry fertilization the Poaceae Festuca rupicola-Bromus erectus increase also their number. In the has a pastoral value of 5.04, so this variant with 40 l/ha slurry (V4) the

64 Toth Gh. et al. number of Poaceae increase untill decrease until 23% in variant 55%. Regarding Fabaceae family it fertilized with 40 l/ha slurry. can be noticed that after 2 years of The dry matter production applied fertilizer, the percent of for the fertilized fertilizer participation decrease. We believe experience records values between this is due to N-fertilizer. The 4.5 t / ha SU in the control variant highest percent is in V2 (variant and 7.05 t / ha SU in the most with 10 l/ha slurry) where the fertilized variant. Production species Trifolium ochroleucum spores are statistically assured in have an important influence (figure the fertilized mineral variant with 1). Plants from other botanical the highest doses and in the families (OFB) are present with fertilized variant with the highest 57% coverage in the witness and doses, as can be seen in table 1.

60

50

40 Poaceae % 30 Fabaceae %

20 OBF %

10

0 V1 V2 V3 V4

Fig. 1. The floristic composition under slurry fertilization after 2 years

Table 1 Influence of slurry fertilization on dry matter yield after 2 years (t / ha) Year Experimental variants t/ha % Difference Significance DM V 1 – witness 4.5 100.0 0.00 0 V 2 – 10 t/ha slurry 4.79 106.4 0.29 - 2017 V 3 – 20 t/ha slurry 4.85 107.8 0.35 - V 4 – 40 t/ha slurry 7.15 158.9 2.65 ** DL(p 5%) – 1.45; DL(p 1%) – 2.08; DL(p 0,1%) – 3.06

65 Toth Gh. et al. CONCLUSIONS

For an intense management second year. It can be noticed that the slurry fertilization have an the production also are significant important role on floristic when apply 40l /ha slurry. composition which is noticed until

REFERENCES

1. Anderson R.C. (2006) Evolution and origin of the central grassland of North America: climate, fire, and mammalian grazers. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society, 133: 626-647. 2. Cojocariu Luminiţa, Marinel N. Horablaga F.M., Bostan C., Mazăre V., Stroia M.S. (2010) Implementation of the ecological european network “NATURA 2000” in the area of grasslands and hayfields. Research Journal of Agricultural Science, 42(1). 3. Coupland R.T. (1979) Grassland ecosystems of the world: analysis of grasslands and their uses. International Biological Programme 18, Cambridge University Press, Great Britain. p. 432. 4. GPWG 2000 GPWG - Grass Phylogeny Working Group (2000) Phylogeny and sub familial classification of the grasses (Poaceae). Annuals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 88:373-457. 5. Păcurar F., Rotar I. (2014) Metode de studiu si interpretare a vegetatiei pajistilor. Risoprint, Cluj Napoca. 6. www. grassportal.org

66 Titei V. AGROECONOMIC VALUE OF SOME PERENNIAL FORAGE LEGUMES

ŢÎŢEI V.*,**

“Alexandru Ciubotaru” National Botanical Garden (Institute), Republic of Moldova, MD 2002 Chişinău, 18 Pădurii str., *Corresponding author e-mail: vic.titei@ gmail.com

Abstract The results of the evaluation of the growth and development rates, the seed productivity, the green mass yield, the biochemical composition, the content of amino acids, macro and micro elements, the nutritive and energy value of the forage, as well as the biomethane productivity of native perennial leguminous species maintained in monoculture in the National Botanical Garden (Institute) from Moldova: Astragalus cicer L., Coronilla varia L., Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Vicia tenuifolia Roth., are presented in this scientific paper. Control variants – the traditional forage legumes: Medicago sativa and Onobrychis viciifolia. The local ecotypes of the studied leguminous species were characterised by different growth and development rates, their green mass yield varied from 3.05 to 4.08 kg/m2, the nutritional and energy value reached amounts of 0.20-0.26 nutritive units/kg and 2.21- 2.93 MJ/kg metabolizable energy, the content of digestible protein in fodder 129- 161 g/nutritive unit and met the zootechnical standards. The species Astragalus cicer contained the highest amount of essential amino acids, Glycyrrhiza glabra was distinguished by a higher content of lysine, valine, leucine, Vicia tenuifolia and Coronilla varia – optimal content of methionine. The studied ecotypes can serve as starting material in improving and implementing new varieties of leguminous species in the production of protein rich forage, as well feedstock for biogas production.

Keywords: biochemical composition, biological peculiarities, economic value, perennial forage legumes

INTRODUCTION

Agriculture is challenged forming and maintaining by an increasing demand for food phytocoenoses, contribute to and feed combined with a biological nitrogen accumulation in decreasing availability of the soil, to the improvement of resources. soil’s physical and chemical Current agricultural characteristics, the reduction of production is highly N limited, erosion processes. Many legume while the provision of industrial N crops are also excellent honey plants, is largely based on fossil energy other plants can be used as raw with its associated emission of material in various branches of the greenhouse gases. Leguminous economy, cosmetology, plants play an important role in pharmaceutics and bioenergetics

67 Titei V. industry (Duke, 1981; Stoddard, The flora of the Republic of 2013). Moldova is relatively rich and Forage legumes offer includes 5568 species of plants great potential to cope with a major (superior plants – 2044 species, challenge for modern agriculture: inferior plants– 3524 species),family to produce more food and feed with Fabaceae Lindl. – 25 genera and less resources. Legumes from 120 species. The spontaneous flora of pastures and meadows contribute the country includes over 700 species nitrogen to a complex and dynamic of fodder plants, about 71 species recycling system, organic matter leguminous plants. containing legume proteins may be The grasslands from the mineralized in soil, liberating N as Republic of Moldova cover about nitrates (NO3) and NH4 that may be 14 % of the territory, they are in a used by grasses and other species of deplorable condition and have very plants. low productivity, with a share of The use of legumes in leguminous plants decreasing from grassland livestock systems year to year (Bahcivanji et al., constitutes one of the pillars for 2012; Negru, 2007). sustainable and competitive ruminant The collection of non- production systems, because they traditional forage plants of have the potential to extend the “Alexandru Ciubotaru” National grazing season, increase the quantity Botanical Garden (Institute) totals of grazed forage and hay, and reduce nearly 339 botanical taxa (species, the amount of N fertilizer needed. varieties), including 78 leguminous Legume feed not only improves plants (Teleuta and Titei, 2012; forage quality, but also increases the 2016). intake of the ration, hence, gives The objective of this better performance in terms of research was to evaluate some livestock production. Several forage biological peculiarities, the legumes possess plant secondary biochemical composition, the content metabolites that include tannins and of amino acids, macro and micro polyphenol oxidase. Tanniferous elements of the local ecotype of legumes such as sainfoin (Onobrychis perennial leguminous plant species viciifolia), crownvetch (Coronilla Astragalus cicer, Coronilla varia, varia) and cicer milkvetch Glycyrrhiza glabra, Vicia (Astragalus cicer) can prevent bloat tenuifolia and the possibility to use of animals, have anthelmintic them as forage for ruminant animals or bioactivity (Acharya et al., 2006; as biogas substrate in the Republic of Lüscher et al., 2016). Moldova.

68 Titei V. MATERIAL AND METHOD

The native perennial per hectare. The leaves/stems ratio species of the family Fabaceae was determined by separating the Lindl.: cicer milkvetch Astragalus leaves, buds and flowers from the cicer L., crown vetch Coronilla stem, weighing them separately and varia L., liquorice Glycyrrhiza establishing the ratios for these glabra L., cow vetch Vicia quantities (leaves/stems). The dry tenuifolia Roth., (seeds collected matter content was detected by from the wild flora of the Republic drying samples up to constant of Moldova), grown in weight at 105 °C; crude protein – monoculture on experimental land by Kjeldahl method; crude fat – by in “Alexandru Ciubotaru” National Soxhlet method; crude cellulose – Botanical Garden (Institute), by Van Soest method; ash – in latitude 46°58′25.7″ and longitude muffle furnace at 550 °C; nitrogen- N28°52′57.8″E, served as subjects free extract (NFE) was of the research, and the traditional mathematically appreciated, as leguminous fodder crops alfalfa difference between organic matter Medicago sativa L. and common values and analytically assessed sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia Scop., organic compounds; organic dry were used as control. The matter, or volatile solids (VS), was experimental design was a calculated through differentiation, randomised complete block design the crude ash being subtracted from with four replications, and the dry matter. The carbon content of experimental plots measured 10 m2. the substrates was obtained from The seeds were sown at a depth of data on volatile solids, using an 2.0-3.0 cm with soil compaction empirical equation reported by before and after sowing. The (Badger et. al., 1979). The amount scientific research on growth, of macro elements contained in development and productivity of biomass was determined using the plants was carried out according standardized methods. Amino acid to the methodical indications analysis was performed with a T (Novosiolov et al., 1983). The 339 Amino Acid Analyzer (INGOS green mass was harvested Ltd., Prague, Czech Republic) after manually; the first cut was done in samples were hydrolysed in 6M the budding-flowering stage. Green HCl. The biogas production mass productivity was determined potential and the specific methane by weighing the yield obtained yields were evaluated by the from a harvested area of 10 m2, parameter “content of fermentable which was afterwards transformed organic matter” (Weissbach, 2008).

69 Titei V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

We could mention, as a result clover, bird's foot trefoil and of the phenological observations, alfalfa. In the following years, the that the studied perennial forage leguminous species, studied by us, legumes are characterised by resumed their growth and different growth and development development in spring, when rates, in the first growing season. temperatures above 5-17 °C were Thus, it was determined that the established. plantlets of Vicia tenuifolia The species Astragalus cicer, emerged non uniformly at the soil Coronilla varia, Vicia tenuifolia, surface, 23 days after sowing, 16 resumed growth in the second half of days later as compared with the March, like the traditional control, Medicago sativa, and 10 leguminous fodder crops Medicago days later as compared with sativa and Onobrychis viciifolia, but Onobrychis viciifolia. the Glycyrrhiza glabra buds from The plantlets of the species: the basal part of last year's shoots Astragalus cicer and Glycyrrhiza started growing when the average glabra emerged 11 days after Vicia air temperature was 15-17 °C, at the tenuifolia, but the plantlets of middle of April. Coronilla varia emerged massively The species: Coronilla varia the latest, that is, about 45 days and Vicia tenuifolia are after sowing. characterised by a faster grow and The plants of Glycyrrhiza development rhythm. Thus, by the glabra and Vicia tenuifolia are end of April (table 1), the plants of distinguished by a very slow Coronilla varia and Vicia growth and development of the tenuifolia reached 47-54 cm high, aerial part, by the end of the while the control species – about 38- growing season, the rosette with 40 cm. leaves developed, while Astragalus The plants of Glycyrrhiza cicer and Coronilla varia reached glabra, in this period, reached a the budding stage and the height of 4 cm. The budding stage of beginning of the flowering stage. In Vicia tenuifolia began 16 days the first growing season, the earlier in comparison with controls. studied perennial leguminous The plants of Astragalus cicer species weren’t mowed, but were had a slower development rate. The suitable for grazing. flowering stage of Vicia tenuifolia Peiffer et al. (1972), and Coronilla varia started 74-77 remarked that Coronilla varia was days after the resumption of characterized by slow , growth. The plants of Astragalus seedling emergence and cicer and Glycyrrhiza glabra begin development as compared with red to bloom the last. During the

70 Titei V. flowering stage, the shoots of flowering until the full ripening of Astragalus cicer, Coronilla varia, seeds.So, Vicia tenuifolia and Vicia tenuifolia reach 104-122 cm Glycyrrhiza glabra need 30-39 in lenght, Glycyrrhiza glabra – days, Astragalus cicer and 165 cm, but the controls – 83- Coronilla varia – 46-64 days, while 86 cm. The studied species need a Onobrychis viciifolia needs 34 days different period of time from and Medicago sativa – 61 days.

Table 1 Biological peculiarities of the studied species of the family Fabaceae

Indices o a his cicer Vicia sativa glabra a varia tenuifoli Coronill Medicag Onobryc viciifolia Astragalus Glycyrrhiza Resumption of vegetation up to: 79 70 63 75 75 59 - budding 99 77 85 82 99 74 - flowering 145 141 124 143 133 104 - seed ripening Plant height, cm 39.60 47.20 3.70 38.10 35.90 53.96 - at the end of April 103.80 122.10 165.5 83.20 85.50 105.70 - at flowering 0

Table 2 The agro-characteristic of the studied species of the family Fabaceae

Indices cicer varia Vicia sativa glabra viciifolia tenuifolia Coronilla Medicago s Onobrychi Astragalus Glycyrrhiza Seed production, g/m2 34.33 19.00 62.30 27.14 112.22 140.00 Weight of 1000 seeds, g 3.10 3.54 11.05 2.67 14.09 22.19 Fresh mass yield , kg/m2 3.50 3.92 4.38 3.11 3.95 3.05 Dry matter yield, kg/m2 0.98 0.87 1.10 0.82 1.03 0.95 Leaf content, % 56 63 55 44 39 56

Seed production is a key pillar in 1000 seeds. All the studied species the capacity of maintenance, have bigger seeds as compared expansion and cultivation of the with Medicago sativa, but Vicia species. Analysing the seed tenuifolia has bigger seeds than productivity (table 2), we conclude Onobrychis viciifolia. We have that the studied leguminous species also found that Astragalus cicer differ from traditional leguminous produces approximately the same fodder crops in the quantity of number of seeds as Medicago produced seeds and in the weight of sativa The total yield, the quality

71 Titei V. and the seasonal distribution of liquorice, Glycyrrhiza glabra, forage may be of greater under the climatic conditions of importance to the livestock Lower Volga region, Russia, varied producer. As mentioned above, the from 22 t/ha, on non irrigated land, studied leguminous forage species up to 55 t/ha, on irrigated land have different growth and (Astafyev et al., 2016); in India, the development rates that influence shoot biomass of liquorice, the productivity of natural forage harvested on different alkali soils, and the dry matter yields. Thus, a varied from 5.63 to 7.95 t/ha, in the higher yield of natural forage from first year and 11.07-15.03 t/ha of the 1-st cut, was produced by dry matter in the next year, forage Glycyrrhiza glabra (4.38 kg/m2) biomass production was better on and Coronilla varia (3.92 kg/m2 soil with higher pH than normal kg/m2), a lower one – by Vicia soil (Dagar et al., 2015). tenuifolia (3.05 kg/m2). For the growth, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Astragalus development, reproduction, as well cicer, Vicia tenuifolia is as for the production of high quality distinguished by a higher milk or meat, cattle need many productivity of dry matter as nutrients they receive from feed. compared with Onobrychis Proteins are the most important and viciifolia, but Coronilla varia – as the largest group of natural compared with Medicago sativa. macromolecular compounds, It is well known that essential for life, are a source of animals eat mainly leaves, due to nitrogen for the body and play a their high content of nutrients, and crucial role in the valorification of the ratio leaves/stems influences the genetic productive potential. the forage value. The forage of the The natural forage of Vicia studied leguminous species is tenuifolia, is characterised by a characterized by a high content of high content of raw protein, leaves (55-63 %). 18.44 % of dry matter (table 3), in In some papers, the results of the comparison with Medicago sativa research on the productivity of the and Onobrychis viciifolia, while studied leguminous forage species Coronilla varia and Glycyrrhiza are given. It was mentioned that the glabra have moderately content of productivity of Coronilla varia raw protein. under the climatic conditions of Fats are the main source of Russia reached 65 t/ha green mass energy for animals because they are (Dronova et al., 2009); in South necessary for the organism in order Africa crown vetch yielded 10.6 to ensure the normal development t/ha of dry matter, but alfalfa – 7.1 of vital processes and t/ha (Le Roux et al., 1988). The transportation of soluble vitamins green mass productivity of in fatty acids and it also contributes

72 Titei V. to the accumulation of fat in milk. activate a number of enzymes, The natural forage of Vicia moderate neuromuscular activities tenuifolia and Glycyrrhiza glabra and prevent the emergence and contains a high amount of raw fats development of diseases in (3.39-3.65 %), at the same level as animals. The presence of minerals Onobrychis viciifolia, greatly in animal feed is indispensable for exceeding Medicago sativa. The their growth and health. The forage forage of Astragalus cicer has a low of Vicia tenuifolia, Astragalus content of raw fats (1.70 %). cicer and Coronilla varia is The content of raw cellulose characterized by optimal content of is quite low in the dry matter of the minerals (6.83-7.90 %), higher as species Vicia tenuifolia, compared with that of Onobrychis Glycyrrhiza glabra, Astragalus viciifolia, but the forage of cicer and very high in Coronilla Glycyrrhiza glabra – by a lower varia. We also mention that the one (5.40 %), in comparison with optimal cellulose content has a the control species. beneficial effect on the synthesis of Some authors mentioned protein substances in the rumen of various findings about the quality of animals and on the reduction of the fodder. ACAR et al., 2001, remarked nitrate content. that Coronilla varia spp. varia in The nitrogen-free extract Pakistan contained 14.86 % protein (NFE), along with fats, provides and 9.99 % ash. According to the necessary energetic material for Dronova et al., 2009, the chemical vital processes, contributing to the composition of dry matter of crown formation and storage of fats. The vetch was: 25.2 % protein, 3.3 % fat, content of nitrogen-free extract 25.5 % cellulose, 34.3 % nitrogen- varies from 39.74 % to 47.75 % dry free extractive, but alfalfa – 21.8 %, matter, it is very high in the species 2.3 %, 22.0 % and 35.0 %, Glycyrrhiza glabra, high in Vicia respectively. Reynolds et al., 1967, tenuifolia and Astragalus cicer, this reported than crown vetch forage fact influences the possibility of the contained 21.7% protein and 22.2% forage to provide energy. fibre, the digestibility in sheep was The vegetal forage contains 65.6 % protein and 46.2% fibre, but minerals in variable quantities, slightly less than the digestibility of regarding the type of the elements alfalfa forage. and the proportion between them Alekseeva (2007) remarked and other chemical compounds. that the biomass of Glycyrrhiza Minerals are essential components glabra ecotypes, in the conditions of all tissues and organs that of Kalmykia, Russia, contained maintain constant osmotic 6.80-11.50 % sugars, 15.67-25.67 % pressure, participate in the protein, 12.80-21.40 % cellulose, regulation of acid-base balance, 5.67-17.40 % ash and 1.30-1.70 %

73 Titei V. flavonoids. According to Toderich et as Medicago sativa, but is lower in al. (2014), in Kyzylkesek, comparison with Onobrychis , the chemical viciifolia. The content of digestible composition and gross energy value protein in fodder is 129- of air dried matter of liquorice (fruit 161 g/nutritive unit and meets the maturation stage) was: 20.7 % zootechnical standards. protein, 4.2 % fat, 33.4 % cellulose, The production of animal 33.3 % nitrogen-free extract, 7.51 % protein has an essential function in ash and 18.4 MJ/kg, but alfalfa livestock farming. The quality of (flowering stage) – 16.1 %, 1.6 %, protein supply is determined by its 11.6 %, 60.8 %, 9.1 % and potential to cover the physiological 17.4 MJ/kg, respectively. Astafyev et requirements in terms of amino al., in 2016, reported that liquorice acids, for maintenance and forage, in Lower Volga region, performance (growth, Russia, contained 8.2 % protein, reproduction, production of milk 4.8 % fat, 25.4 % fibre, 53.3 % and meat). nitrogen-free extract and The determination of the 33.94 mg/kg carotene. amino acid composition of proteins Larin (1951) reported that the in forage is of great importance, the nutritive values of Vicia tenuifolia amino acid level is one of the ranged from 18.7 to 22.3 % crude indicators of the nutritional value protein, 2.4 to 4.2 % fats, 24.2 to of fodder. 32.6 % cellulose, 35.5 to 42.9 % The protein quality is nitrogen-free extract and 6.9 to determined by the ratio of certain 9.1 % ash, but Astragalus cicer amino acids, which provide the respectively 24-27% crude protein, biological value of the feed. The 3.5-3.6% fats, 21.0-22.4% cellulose, efficiency of using protein crops in 39.1 to 41.8 % nitrogen-free extract animal feed production strongly and 8.1 to 8.2 % ash content. The depends on the content of essential nutritional and energy value is amino acids in various crops and determined by the biochemical the composition of compound composition and the digestibility of feedstuffs. By analyzing the amino the organic substances from the acid content (table 4), we have forage, which influence the health found that the forage obtained from and the productivity of animals. We the studied species contains can mention that the natural forage of different amounts of essential the studied species reaches amounts amino acids. The species of 0.20-0.26 nutritive units/kg and Astragalus cicer contain the 2.16-2.93 MJ/kg. The nutritional and highest amount of essential amino energy value of the forage of Vicia acids, but Coronilla varia contain tenuifolia, Glycyrrhiza glabra and low amount. It has been found that Coronilla varia is at the same level all the studied species have a lower

74 Titei V. content of methionine than Coronilla varia – a lower one. In Medicago sativa, but the species comparison with traditional forage Vicia tenuifolia and Coronilla crops, Astragalus cicer is varia are distinguished by a higher characterized by a very high content of methionine in content of histidine, higher content comparison with Onobrychis of threonine, isoleucine and viciifolia. leucine; Glycyrrhiza glabra is very The species Glycyrrhiza rich in valine and leucine; Vicia glabra and Vicia tenuifolia contain tenuifolia – very rich in leucine, a higher amount of lysine than the isoleucine and poor in histidine and traditional crops, but the species phenylalanine.

Table 3 Biochemical composition and nutritional value of the studied species of the family Fabaceae cicer glabra sativa viciifolia Indices tenuifolia Coronilla varia Vicia Astragalus Medicago Glycyrrhiza Onobrychis Raw protein, % d.m. 16.30 14.72 13.80 17.03 17.44 18.44 Raw fats, % d.m. 1.70 2.81 3.65 2.30 3.39 3.07 Raw cellulose, % d.m. 30.61 35.46 29.40 33.31 33.50 28.50 Nitrogen free extract, % d.m. 43.49 39.74 47.75 39.41 39.43 43.16 Minerals, % d.m. 8.35 7.90 7.27 5.40 8.01 6.24 6.83 Nutritive units/ kg f.m. 0.26 0.20 0.21 0.21 0.23 0.20 Metabolizable energy, MJ/kg 2.93 2.22 2.16 2.28 2.86 2.21 f.m. 225.09 224.20 263.7 274.00 218.0 Dry matter, g/kg f.m. 33.70 26.42 51.00 0 35.80 32.16 Digestible protein, g/kg f.m. 129.62 132.10 27.10 34.50 156.00 160.80 Digestible protein, g/ 129.00 164.29 nutritive unit

75 Titei V. Table 4 The content of amino acids in fodder of the studied Fabaceae species (g/kg dry matter)

Amino acids cicer varia Vicia sativa glabra viciifolia tenuifolia Coronilla Medicago Astragalus Onobrychis Glycyrrhiza Asparagine 20.24 18.57 15.52 17.11 17.51 20.71 Threonine 6.04 5.51 5.20 5.64 5.65 6.45 Serine 6.81 6.78 5.50 6.87 6.85 8.94 Glutamine 15.07 14.18 16.72 13.60 13.98 13.94 Proline 10.77 14.80 9.06 9.22 11.54 13.74 Glycine 5.93 8.52 6.76 5.50 5.57 4.70 Alanine 6.78 7.12 5.64 6.74 6.72 4.41 Valine 6.57 4.59 8.40 5.59 6.54 5.48 Methionine 0.88 1.01 0.82 1.39 0.91 1.37 Isoleucine 4.80 3.44 4.57 4.59 4.59 5.19 Leucine 9.83 8.98 12.49 9.13 9.20 11.43 Tyrosine 5.09 4.42 3.24 4.58 4.91 4.02 Phenylalanine 8.78 6.47 5.24 8.50 9.37 5.61 Histidine 6.02 2.39 2.76 3.26 3.71 1.18 Lysine 7.00 5.24 7.62 6.19 7.06 7.67 Arginine 6.07 5.17 4.68 6.55 5.87 6.39 The sum of essential amino 49.92 37.63 47.11 44.29 47.03 44.38 acids

Table 5 The content of minerals of the studied species of the family Fabaceae per kg dry matter

Minerals cicer varia Vicia sativa glabra viciifolia tenuifolia Coronilla Medicago s Onobrychi Astragalus Glycyrrhiza Calcium, g 13.61 12.90 9.05 16.94 11.20 11.80 Phosphorus, g 5.16 5.67 6.16 4.42 7.53 6.43 Magnesium, g 3.06 2.31 1.08 2.71 3.28 2.27 Potassium, g 13.93 21.45 15.67 15.38 15.17 19.17 Sodium, mg 153.60 52.85 121.41 349.5 366.20 82.16 Iron, mg 190.60 389.8 221.5 250.83 343.20 262.90 Manganese, mg 72.47 63.39 60.21 50.90 91.55 61.34 Zink, mg 68.00 26.96 28.03 22.37 26.15 23.55 Copper, mg 6.41 5.35 11.15 7.00 6.75 5.75 Strontium, mg 39.59 35.41 22.57 49.77 34.53 26.02

76 Titei V. Table 6 Gas-producing potential of the fermentable organic matter (FOM) from the studied Fabaceae species

Indices cicer varia Vicia sativa glabra viciifolia tenuifolia Coronilla Medicago Astragalus Onobrychis Glycyrrhiza Ratio carbon/nitrogen 20 22 25 19 19 18 FOM, g/kg VS 672 626 709 642 658 708 Biogas, litre/kg VS 537 501 567 514 526 563 Methane, litre/kg VS 282 263 298 270 276 296 Methane productivity, m3/ha 2764 2311 3274 2214 2843 2812

Comparing each macro- 5.75 mg/kg). Astragalus cicer and micro- element separately with fodder contained large amounts of traditional fodder leguminous crops magnesium, manganese, zinc and (table 5), we could mention that the poor – of iron, in comparison with content varies from species to Medicago sativa. species. The dry matter of the In Canada it was studied species Vicia tenuifolia, determined that Coronilla varia Astragalus cicer and Coronilla fodder contained: 17.9-18.4 g/kg varia in comparison with calcium, 2.2-2.8 g/kg phosphorus, Medicago sativa is distinguished 27.2-31.1 g/kg potassium, 1.7- by low content of calcium (11.80- 1.6 g/kg magnesium, 0.15-0.16 13.61 g/kg) and higher content of g/kg sodium, 8.0-9.3 mg/kg copper, phosphorus (5.16-6.43 g/kg), but 34-40 mg/kg zinc, 36-40 mg/kg inversely proportional to manganese, 169-179 mg/kg iron Onobrychis viciifolia fodder. (Gervais, 2000); in Russia crown Glycyrrhiza glabra has an optimal vetch forage harvested in the ratio of calcium and phosphorus, budding period contained 40 g/kg contains a high amount of copper, calcium, 8 g/kg phosphorus, 0.6 zinc and very low – of magnesium g/kg magnesium, 2.48 mg/kg (1.08 g/kg), low – of sodium, iron, copper, 14 mg/kg zinc, 49 mg/kg manganese and strontium in manganese, 105 mg/kg iron comparison with Onobrychis (Kshnikatkina et al., 2005); in viciifolia. The fodder of Coronilla Pakistan 22.2 g/kg calcium, varia and Vicia tenuifolia is 22.4 g/kg potassium, 1.88 g/kg characterized by high level of magnesium, 14.46 mg/kg copper, potassium (19.17-21.54 g/kg), but 67.35 mg/kg zinc, 40.37 mg/kg lower – of magnesium (2.27- manganese, 482.6 mg/kg iron 2.31 g/kg), sodium (52.85- (ACAR et al., 2001); under the 82.16 mg/kg) and copper (5.35- conditions of Kalmykia, Russia,

77 Titei V. depending on the ecotypes of ratio of carbon and nitrogen (C/N). Glycyrrhiza glabra, the biomass The biomass of the crops investigated contained 9.61-16.30 g/kg calcium, in the present study revealed C/N 0.14-0.43 g/kg phosphorus, 5.27- ratios in a wide range, on average 18- 9.05 g/kg magnesium, 3.20- 25 (table.6). In general, a C/N ratioof 15.25 mg/kg copper, 18.90- 20/1 to 30/1 is regarded as optimal for 50.62 mg/kg zinc, 22.80- methanogenesis. Fermentable 104.10 mg/kg manganese and 112- organic matter (FOM) represents the 486 mg/kg iron (Alekseeva, 2007). proportion of organic matter that can Biorefining offers a way for be biologically degraded under combining feed and bioenergy anaerobic conditions and, thus, can be production. The use of forage potentially used in biogas facilities legumes as biogas substrate (Weissbach, 2008). The calculated contributes to an increase in the content of fermentable organic matter potential of bioenergy and can help and the gas-producing potential of reduce the greenhouse gas investigated perennial forage emissions. Through symbiotic legumes biomass varied from 626 to nitrogen fixation, they compensate 709 g/kg VS or 501- 567 L/kg VS, inorganic N fertilizer in Coronilla varia – lower than conventional farms, if the digestate Medicago sativa, but Glycyrrhiza is applied as a fertilizer to the non- glabra, Astragalus cicer and Vicia legume crops (Stoddard, 2013; tenuifolia – exceeding Onobrychis Stinner, 2015; Toderich et al., viciifolia. The potential methane 2015). yield per ha of Glycyrrhiza glabra, The stability and Astragalus cicer and Vicia productivity of anaerobic digestion tenuifolia (first mowing) ranged is mostly influenced by the content from 2774 to 3274 m3/ha, exceeding of organic matter, biochemical Medicago sativa. composition, biodegradability and

CONCLUSIONS

1. The studied Fabaceae species productivity of 3.92-4.38 kg/m2 need to be scarified, differ in the green mass, at the same level as rates of growth and development, Onobrychis viciifolia, but by 26- productivity and chemical 31 % higher than Medicago sativa. composition of the harvested mass, 3. The nutritional and energy value this fact can help provide fresh of the studied Fabaceae species diversified fodder for livestock reached amounts of 0.20- during a long period. 0.26 nutritive units/kg and 2.21- 2. The species Coronilla varia and 2.93 MJ/kg metabolizable energy, Glycyrrhiza glabra have a the content of digestible protein in

78 Titei V. fodder 129-161 g/nutritive unit and be used as forage because they met the zootechnical standards. don’t cause bloating in ruminant 4. The species Astragalus cicer animals, during earlier grazing. contained the highest amount of 6. essential amino acids, Glycyrrhiza The potential methane yield per ha of glabra was distinguished by a Glycyrrhiza glabra, Astragalus higher content of lysine, valine, cicer and Vicia tenuifolia ranged leucine, Vicia tenuifolia and from 2774 to 3274 m3/ha, exceeding Coronilla varia – optimal content Medicago sativa. of methionine, indicates that these The studied ecotypes of crops could be can establish perennial forage legumes can serve reasonable nutrient levels for as starting material in improving livestock feeds, demising used and implementing new varieties of chemical produced amino acids. leguminous species in the 5. The species Astragalus cicer and production of protein rich forage, Coronilla varia could be used for as well feedstock for biogas reseeding pastures and could also production.

REFERENCES

1. Acar Z., Ayan I., Gulser C. (2001) Some morphological and nutritional properties of legumes under natural conditions. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 4(11): 1312-1315. 2. Acharya S.N., Kastelic J.P., Beauchemin K.A., Messenger D.F. (2006) A review of research progress on cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.). Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 86:49–62. 3. Alekseeva T.B. (2007) Ecologo - cenotical and biochemical features of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) in Kalmykia. Abstract doctoral thesis. Saratov, 21 (in Russian). www.sgu.ru/sites/default/files/dissnews/old/.../_news_618_0.doc 4.Astafyev S.V., Radzhabov T.K., Mayevskiy V.V., Gorbunov V.S., Larina T.V., Gudkova E.V. (2016) Licorice perspective crops for the Lower Volga region. (in Russian). http://www.arisersar.ru/files2/sb_2016.pdf 5. Badger C.M., Bogue M.J., Stewart D.J. (1979) Biogas production from crops and organic wastes. New Zeland Journal of Science, 22:11 -20. 6. Bahcivanji M., Coşman S., Carauş S., Coşman V. (2012) Caracteristica şi valorificarea raţională a plantelor furajere naturale şi cultivate. Chişinău: Edit. Ştiinţa, 378p. 7. Dagar J.C, Yadav R.K, Dar S.R, Ahamad S. (2015) Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): a potential salt-tolerant, highly remunerative

79 Titei V. medicinal crop for remediation of alkali soils. Current Science 108(9):1683–1688. 8. Dronova T.N., Burtseva N.I., Nevezhin S.Y., Boldyrev V.V., Molokantseva E.I. (2009) Nontraditional perennial legumes herbs under irrigation. Proceedings of Nizhnevolzhskiy agrouniversity complex, 1(13): 40-48 (in Russian). 9. Duke J.A. (1981). Handbook of legumes of world economic importance. New York and London: Edit. Plenum Press, p. 345. 10. Gervais P. (2000) L’astragale pois chiche, la coronille bigarrée et le sainfoin (cicer milkvetch, crown vetch and sainfoin). Université Laval, Québec, p. 190. 11. Kshnikatkina, A.N., Gushchina, V.A., Galiullin, A. A., Varlamov, V.A., Kshnikatkin, S.A. (2005) Nontraditional fodder crops. RIO PGSKHA Penza, p. 240 (in Russian). 12. Larin Y.V. (1951) Forage plants of hayfields and pastures of the USSR. Vol.2 Seligozizdat, Leningrad; Moscow p. 948 (in Russian). 13. Le Roux C.J.G., Howe L.G., Du Toit L.P. (1988) A comparison of the dry matter yields of perennial legumes in the Dohne Sourveld, South Africa. Journal of the Grassland Society of South Africa, 5: 146-149. 14. Lüscher A., Suter M., Finn J.A. (2016) Legumes and grasses in mixtures complement each other ideally for sustainable forage production. Legume Perspectives, 12: 8-10. 15. Negru A. (2007). Determinator de plante din flora Republicii Moldova. Chişinău: Edit. Universul, p. 391. 16. Novoselov Y. K., Kharkov G.D., Shekhovtsova N.S. (1983) Methodical instructions for conducting field experiments with forage crops. Moscow: Edit.VNNIK 197pp. [in Russian] 17. Peiffer R.A., McKee G.W., Risius M.L. (1972) Germination and emergence of crown vetch as affected by seed maturity and depth of planting. Agronomy Journal, 64: 772-774. 18. Reynolds P.J., Jackson C., Lindahl I.L., Henson P.R. (1967) Consumption and digestibility of crown vetch (Coronilla varia L.) forage by sheep. Agronomy Journal, 59: 589-591. 19. Stinner P.W. (2015) The use of legumes as a biogas substrate - potentials for saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Energy, Sustainability and Society 5:4. DOI 10.1186/s13705-015-0034-z 20. Stoddard F.L. (2013) Novel feed and non-food uses of legumes. Legume Futures Report.1.3 Available from www.legumefutures.de

80 Titei V. 21. Teleuta A., Titei V. (2012) Non-traditional plants of the legume family: their feeding value and productivity under the conditions of the Republic of Moldova. Tavricheskii naukovii visnic, 80(2): 338-342 (in Russian). 22. Teleuta A., Titei V. (2016) Mobilization, acclimatization and use of fodder and energy crops. Journal of Botany 1(12):112-120. 23. Toderich K.N., Popova V.V., Aralova D.B., Gismatullina L.G., Mourad R., Rabbimov A.R. (2015) Halophytes and salt tolerant forages as animal feed at farm level in Karakalpakstan. https://mel.cgiar.org/reporting/download/hash/WLDTYLFF 24. Weissbach F. (2008) On assessing the gas production potential of renewable primary products. Landtechnik, 6:356-358.

81 Titei V.

82 Vaida Ioana et al. THE INFLUENCE OF ORGANIC FERTILIZATION ON AGRONOMIC FACTORS, ON FESTUCA RUBRA GRASSLANDS IN THE APUSENI MOUNTAINS

VAIDA Ioana*, PACURAR F.*, ROTAR I.*, VIDICAN Roxana*, PLESA Anca*, SÂNGEORZAN D.*

*Faculty of Agriculture. Department of Plant Crops. University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Manăstur street, 3-5, 400372,Romania. *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract For the semi-natural grasslands of the Apuseni Mountains, over the years, traditional management has been practiced by mowing and grazing, which in some areas is still practiced today. Agronomic factors are of particular importance in the growth and development of plants or even for their existence. Agronomic factors determine an indication of use (agronomic or utility value), being the tolerance for mechanical disturbances and fodder value. Knowing the tolerance of species to mechanical pressure (perturbations - tolerance to mowing, crushing and grazing) is essential in the elaboration of grassland management for certain ecosystems of grasslands with special conservation status and possibly others. The results come from an experiment with 4 treatments (V1 – control, V2 – 10 t/ha manure, V3 -20 t/ha manure and V4 - 30 t/ha manure).

Keywords: semi-natural grasslands, agronomic factors, Festuca rubra, grassland management

INTRODUCTION

Agronomic factors are of particular importance in the growth and development of plants or even for their existence. Agronomic factors determine an indication of how to use (agronomic or utility value). They can provide additional information, particularly useful in explaining the phenomena within the floristic cover. Often, the abundant presence of a species in a particular ecosystem or the existence of another species at a minimum can be explained by agronomic factors integrated into a specific grassland management. All these factors help to establish the agronomic value of grassland ecosystems and to develop maintenance and practical standards. Agronomic factors are represented by the tolerance to mechanical disturbance and the fodder value. Knowing the tolerance of species to mechanical pressure (perturbations - tolerance to mowing, crushing and grazing) is essential in the elaboration of grassland management for certain ecosystems of grasslands with special conservation status and much more (Păcurar et al., 2014).

83 Vaida Ioana et al.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Studies on the influence of obtained from a long-lasting organic fertilizers have been experience for a period of 3 years carried out on a long-term (2015, 2016 and 2017). experience in The Apuseni Floristic studies were Mountains with the intensity of carried out using the Braun- organic fertilization as a factor. Blanquet method, modified after The study had 4 Păcurar and Rotar, 2014. The experimental variants with 4 processing of the data from the repetitions each. We used 3 levels floristic studies and the of fertilization (V1 – control, V2 – interpretation of the results were 10 t/ha manure, V3 – 20 t/ha elaborated with the help of the manure and V4 – 30 t/ha manure). programs Excel and PC – ORD. The paper will present the results .

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Agronomic factors are represented from the ranking, we can observe by the tolerance of species to that the exigencies of the species on grazing, crushing and fodder value grazing and crushing are inversely (figure 1). According to the proportional to the fodder value. graphical representation resulting

Tipul Agrostis capillaris - Trisetum flavescens V1R2_17 V4R1_17 Tipul Festuca rubra - Agrostis capillaris V4R3_15 V4R4_17 V1R1_17 Axis 2 V4R1_16 V1R4_15 4 V4R3_17 V1R1_16 N_30 t/ha V4R3_16 V4R1_15 V1R2_15 V4R2_15 V4R4_16 V1R2_16 V1R4_16 V4R2_16 1 V4R2_17 V4R4_15 V1R1_15 V1R3_17 N_0

V1R3_15 Manag V1R4_17 1 V1R3_16 V3R1_16 Axis 1 P 2 S VF 3 V3R4_17 N_20 t/ha V3R3_17 4 3 V3R3_15 V3R2_17 V3R3_16 V3R4_16 V3R4_15

V2R1_17 V3R2_15 V3R2_16 V2R3_16 V3R1_17 V2R2_17 V2R4_17 V3R1_15 V2R4_16 V2R3_17 2 V2R2_15 V2R3_15 V2R1_15 Tipul Agrostis capillaris - Trisetum flavescens, cod. Centaurea pseudophrygia V2R4_15

V2R2_16 N_10 t/ha

Tipul Agrostis capillaris - Festuca rubra

V2R1_16 Fig. 1. The influence of organic fertilization upon floristic composition

84 Vaida Ioana et al. Phytocenosis of the control this experience (V2, V3, V4) has a (Festuca rubra - Agrostis capillaris moderately tolerant character (P – type) shows an average tolerance to 4.96; P – 4.61; P – 4.59; figure 2). grazing (P – 5.29; figure 2), where Phytocenoses of grasslands type he or she carries at least one Agrostis capillaris – Festuca rubra occasionally spring or autumn (V2 – fertilized with 10 t/ha grazing (semi-extensive grazing manure) shows an average with tarpaulin system. The squashed tolerance (figure 3). tolerance of other phytocoenoses in

GRAZING 5.4 5.29 5.2

5 4.96

4.8 GRAZING 4.6 4.61 4.59 4.4 4.2 V1 V2 V3 V4

Fig. 2. Tolerance of phytocoenoses to grazing V1 –control, V2 –10 t/ha manure, V3 -20 t/ha manure, V4 -30 t/ha manure

SQUASHED 4.8 4.73 4.7

4.6 4.61

4.5 SQUASHED 4.4 4.39 4.39 4.3

4.2 V1 V2 V3 V4

Fig. 3 Tolerance of phytocoenoses to squashed V1 – control, V2 – 10 t/ha manure, V3 -20 t/ha manure, V4 - 30 t/ha manure

85 Vaida Ioana et al. The analysis of agronomic phytocoenoses increases from an factors is important in order to be average category (FV – 5.42; 0.61 – able to understand how grassland 0.8 UVM) predominant species and intensity of use are used, to with average fodder value. The identify plant species with negative UVM/ha capacity increases for the effects on animals and grassland last phytocoenosis, which was vegetation, to determine the fertilized with 30 t/ha manure, to agronomic value of phytocenosis 0.8 – 1 UVM/ha (VF-6.1; figure 4). and its classification in the class This implies the grassland and category of grassland. The is dominated by species which have fodder value of studied an average to high feed value.

FODDER VALUE 6.2 6.1 6 5.93 5.85 5.8

5.6 FODDER VALUE 5.4 5.42

5.2

5 V1 V2 V3 V4 Fig. 4. Fodder values of phytocoenoses

V1 – control, V2 – 10 t/ha manure, V3 -20 t/ha manure, V4 - 30 t/ha manure CONCLUSIONS

As we intensified the Species requirements on phytocoenoses by applying organic grazing and crushing are inversely inputs, we identified 4 types of proportional to fodder value. different meadows.

86 Vaida Ioana et al. REFERENCES

1. Mccune Mefford B.M.J. (2011) PC-ORD. Multivariate Analysis of Ecological Data. Version 6. MjM Software, Gleneden Beach, Oregon, U.S.A. 2. Pacurar F., Rotar I. (2014) Metode de studiu si interpretare a vegetatiei pajistilor, Risoprint, Cluj Napoca. 3. Pacurar F., Rotar I., Balazsi A., Vidican R (2014) Influence of long term organic and mineral fertilization on Festuca rubra grasslands. 4. Peck J.E. (2010). Multivariate Analysis for Community Ecologists: Step-by-Step using PC-ORD. MjM Software Design, Gleneden Beach, OR. 5. Rotar I., Păcurar F., Balázsi Á., Vidican Roxana, Mălinaş Anamaria, (2014) Effects of low-input treatments on Agrostis capillaris L. - Festuca rubra L. grasslands. Grassland Science in Europe, 19 - EGF at 50: the Future of European Grasslands, p. 298-301.

87

The n ty for

Romania Socie Grasslands

he u n S f Gr

T Burea of The Romaniat: R ocietyR or asslands t: V V President: MOTAUCIoan Viceal –SPresiden MARUSCAÎNTU asile Teodor Vice – Presiden POC OIS Alexandru Gener ecretary: Censor: OL Cristina of F M s of T e Roma S ty f

Committee ounding ember h nian ocie or Grasslands R Teod DRAGOMIUC A Neculaiu Pav MARUŞCA I or MOIS lexandrR el RAZECUIL Coosif ROTAN M Ioan SAM U Vasilestel VIDICA irela-Roxana VÎNT hesion to The n S f Gr

Ad Romaniase usociety at ouror asslands A ess he n S f Gr Plea contact M UR S No 3 no 4 Contact ddr t of T e Romania sr ociety or asslands: CLUJ-NAPOCA, ĂNĂŞT treet, . – 5, Room : 46, 00372,

Distric CLUJ, -mail: [email protected] www.ropaj.usamvcluj.ro Romanian Journal of Grassland and Forage Crops (2018)17 88