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The cultivation of alfalfa is crucial for farmers as it is an excellent forage crop with a high nitrogen-fixing capacity, making it indispensable in crop rotations. Breeding programs face challenges in advancing more rapidly in genetic diversity to achieve a higher heterosis effect and, consequently, greater yield. In this study, we used 30 alfalfa varieties, which were used for molecular analyses by 5 ISSR primers and 13 RAPD primers. The results obtained highlighted the greater efficiency of ISSR primers in identifying genetic diversity. On the other hand, the simultaneous use of ISSR + RAPD allowed for clearer clustering of varieties that enabled more efficiently distinguishing the genetic diversity. The most efficient ISSR primer, A17, generated 31 polymorphic bands, while the most efficient RAPD primer, L-07, generated only 21 bands. Varieties such as "Pastoral" and "F1413-02" exhibited low similarity coefficients (0.39), suggesting their potential for enhancing genetic variability through crossbreeding, thereby increasing the potential of achieving a greater heterosis effect. Conversely, varieties with high similarity coefficients, such as "Cristal" and "Viking" (0.81) are less suited for this purpose. The correlation between specific markers highlights that using both ISSR and RAPD markers together offers a clear understanding of genetic diversity in alfalfa, aiding in more effective selection for crossbreeding in breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Permanent grasslands are characterized by herbaceous flora adapted to local conditions, with deep root systems that facilitate resource uptake and provide resistance to anthropogenic and abiotic stresses. This study aimed to develop and implement efficient diagnostic and agronomic management tools for farmers. In order to demonstrate the methodology, we selected five diverse grasslands with different characteristics. The research tested the grass typology method to diagnose these areas and establish optimal management practices based on floristic composition. The method was applied to achieve the rational management of the grasslands studied. The results provided valuable data on floristic composition, species frequency, and specific functional indices. The characterization of the five grasslands in Moșnița Nouă in Timiș County enabled us to recognize optimal grassland strategies for each area, maximizing production based on the grass typology. Thus, the study demonstrated the impact of using simplified tools to improve grassland diagnosis and management, significantly contributing to the more sustainable maintenance of the permanent grasslands for farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree species with high ecological plasticity are recommended for use in urban green infrastructures. This study explores the genetic diversity of Tilia cordata, Tilia platyphyllos, and Tilia argentea, highlighting their contribution to urban landscapes. In this respect, the genetic variability of individuals from four populations of the Tilia genus has been analyzed using Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) molecular markers, and some of their phenotypic characters were naked-eyed observed or determined by dendrometric measurements. Significant variability between the populations studied was determined. Cluster analysis identified two main groups: Tilia cordata I and Tilia cordata II populations formed the first cluster, and Tilia platyphyllos and Tilia argentea populations formed the second cluster. The results of the phenotypic analysis confirmed the genetic results separating the two populations of Tilia cordata from the populations of Tilia platyphyllos and Tilia argentea in relation to their visible morphological characters. Results obtained from dendrometric measurements analysis represent the foundation for further investigations on urban ecology. An essential potential practical use of the results: the establishment of more efficient ISSR primers to identify the Tilia species analyzed: UBC864, A12, UBC840, and A7 for Tilia cordata, A13 for Tilia platyphyllos and A7 for Tilia argentea has been demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development is a worldwide concern. This paper presents an analysis of the influence of the final consumption expenditure on the total consumption of households in Romania. The regression function of the association between "the amount of municipal waste" and "the total consumption of households" has a direct linear relationship. The regression variable "total household consumption" (X) has a regression coefficient of −0.03031, which indicates that the amount of municipal waste decreases by one unit as household consumption increases by 30.31 units. Therefore, this regression coefficient indicates that the volume of municipal waste decreases by 30.31 tons to an increase in the final consumption expenditure of households of EUR 1 million. The influence of the final consumption expenditure of households by consumption purpose on the quantity of municipal waste is in the following order: health; housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; clothing and footwear; miscellaneous goods and services; recreation and culture; food and non-alcoholic goods; restaurants and hotels; furnishing and household equipment and routine household maintenance; alcoholic and tobacco goods; communications; and education. The value of the Significance F must be less than 0.05. In the case of the model, it is found that this value exceeds the threshold of 0.05 in the case of consumption generated by health services, recreation and culture, restaurants and hotels, alcohol and tobacco goods, and communications. Regarding the high value of Significance F in relation to consumption, we find the sectors that generate the least amount of waste (services). In the case of all of the independent variables, we can note that the relationship is a negative one, which proves that an increase in the quantity of any expenditure of the households generates a decrease of the municipal waste quantity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the state of food security in Romania and its place in the world. We analysed the level of food security indicators for 1990-2012, in Romania, and their average levels worldwide. References are also made to developed and developing countries. The research seeks to answer the questions: Is food security achieved in Romania and, if so, what kind of structural changes can be made towards improving food quality and people's living standards? As indicators show, the findings indicate that food security is ensured, on average, in Romania. Dietary energy supply is above dietary energy requirements, the ratio of cereals import dependency is below its average level worldwide, and the daily diet is balanced between vegetal and animal origin food. Having solved the quantitative aspect of food security, Romania can look towards improving the qualitative aspects of it. In this regard, organic food may be considered as a direction of developing sustainable agricultural economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]