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Non-aerated compost tea (CT) was prepared from compost derived from rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) and fish (cod, common ling, haddock, saithe) residues that fermented in water. Electrical conductivity, pH, concentrations of dry matter, ash, C, macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg), and micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, and Zn) of CT prepared under different fermentation conditions were measured. The effects of process factors, i.e., water/compost mass ratio (4.2–9.8 g/g) and fermentation time (4.2–9.8 days = 100–236 h), on the physicochemical properties of CT were quantified using quadratic polynomial models. CT obtained at optimal levels of process factors (4.2 g/g and 5.6 days = 134 h) was tested for lettuce seed germination and seedling growth. Diluted CT (25% CT + 75% ultrapure water) improved seedling growth while achieving a high germination percentage (97%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing of functional foods is a promising strategy to reduce the increasing burden of colorectal cancer worldwide. Fruit pomace, particularly polyphenol and anthocyanin-rich chokeberry and blueberry, is a valuable ingredient for functional foods and nutraceuticals. Our study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects of chokeberry and blueberry pomace extracts on C2BBe1 colorectal carcinoma cells and explore the underlying signaling pathways. We analyzed both pomace extracts for total polyphenols and anthocyanins using Folin-Ciocalteu method and ultra-performance liquid chromatography, while antioxidative activity was assessed via the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging method. We evaluated the in vitro anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects using trypan blue exclusion, MTT and LDH assays, and assessed protein levels of p-Erk1/2, Akt-1, STAT1, STAT3, occludin, oxidized proteins, and MDA-protein adducts through western blotting, as well as analysis of a 37-plex panel of inflammatory markers. Chokeberry extracts exhibited higher total polyphenol content, anthocyanin levels, and antioxidative activity compared to blueberry extracts, however, blueberry extracts effects on cell viability and proliferation in C2BBe1 cells were stronger. Both fruit pomaces induced non-inflammatory cell death characterized by membrane integrity loss, beneficial in cancer therapy. Our data suggests chokeberry's cytotoxicity may be mediated by Erk signaling and Akt-1 inhibition, while blueberry uniquely decreased occludin levels. These berries pomaces' potential to mitigate cancer risks and enhance treatment efficacy is promising, warranting further investigation for functional foods development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blueberries are considered super-food because of their richness in antioxidants and vitamin C, essential for strengthening the immune system and protecting the brain. Breeders strive to improve the blueberries' fruit quality treats, so these fruits will have flavors and unique tastes, considerable size, and intense colors, which makes them even more appreciated by consumers. The firmness of fruits, their juiciness, taste, aroma, size, and color are all indicators used to appreciate the 30 blueberry varieties used in this study. Eight Romanian varieties and 22 foreign varieties were analyzed in a testing session in August 2023 with 51 accessors. The highest ranking is attributed to the 'Brigitta' variety. The 'Pink Lemonade' variety scored the best results for flavor, taste, firmness, and juiciness. The Romanian variety 'Delicia' was in the top 3 for 3 indicators. The results of the present study could be used by breeders to select promising varieties as genitors in blueberry breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to present the life cycle cost (LCC) for 1 kg of pear produced using organic technology in Southern Romania. Two principal stages were depicted: production stage costs (PC) and Transport costs (TC). For each stage, investment and operational costs were determined. Pear orchard establishment (POE), the first I-III years of orchard management (without harvest) (OM.I-III), and IV-XX years of orchard management (OM.IV-XX) were analyzed considering the elemental activities included. Three scenarios were applied for fertilization: (S1) compost produced at the farm level using a composter Oklin GG-50S combined with the one produced on outdoor platform in the farm, mainly from vegetable sources. (S2) compost from the outdoor platform for organic residues, and (S3) acquisition of a commercial organic fertilizer. The total LCC for 1 kg of pear ranged between 0.400 € (S2), 0.481 € (S3), and 0.496 € (S1). Details regarding the LCC components and optimization were presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxin contamination in animal feed is a significant point of concern within the European food supply network. These toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi have the potential to contaminate feed and pose a risk of making their way into the human diet via animal products like meat, milk, and eggs. The consequences of mycotoxin contamination extend beyond animal health, affecting economies and public health, presenting complex issues for agricultural producers, regulatory bodies, and consumers. Even with stringent controls and surveillance in place, mycotoxins remain a persistent issue. This study provides updated findings on the prevalence of mycotoxins globally and specifically in Europe, with a focus on analyzing the incidence of ochratoxin A both worldwide and within European contexts. The dispersion of mycotoxina within a given region can have considerable economic consequences for the trade of animal feed, directing stakeholders toward making informed decisions about the types of analyses in which they should allocate more resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the concept of soil health is characterised by three fundamental parameters such as: physical, chemical and biological soil properties. These parameters are in a continuous interaction when are influenced by climatic changes, soil types and the usage of different management practices. The importance of the microbial communities in soil is represented by their ability to decompose the soil organic matter and to transform, mineralize and release essential nutrients important for plant development. In addition, they are important in the detoxification of environmental pollutants and maintenance of soil fertility. In soil, microorganisms are abundant and diverse and include some important taxonomic categories such as: bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, algae and soil protozoa. This review is focused on the role of beneficial microorganisms in soil health, highlighting the recent advances in this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climatic conditions are the most important for the development of tomato culture, namely temperature, humidity and the level of carbon dioxide concentration. The study was carried out in research greenhouses, which belongs to the UASVM in Bucharest on variety Cheramy F1. The environmental factors in the greenhouse, temperature, atmospheric humidity, CO2 concentration inside the greenhouse. Also, the obtained productions were registered. In this paper we aimed to demonstrate the difference in production of tomatoes obtained in a culture compartment with normal air conditioning equipment and in a compartment in which the climatic conditions were improved by installing heat pump systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greenhouses provide a controlled environment where temperature, humidity, and light can be optimized for tomato growth. The present study was carried out to estimate the growth, biochemical, and physiological responses of cherry tomatoes to some environmental conditions. Data was collected on different dates during the period extending from December 2022 to March 2023. Based on collected data, the potential growth rate of plants has been predicted: plant height, 2.43 cm/day to 2.98 cm/day; leaf growth, 0017 cm/day; three leaves per week. Plants with a high day length were high in height and produced more leaves. A significant relationship found between the inflorescence and the data collected for total mass/inflorescence, average size of fruits/inflorescence, diameter of fruit/inflorescence, and fruit height/inflorescence. A non-significant interaction found between the fruit keeping quality, fruit size, and inflorescence number. Regarding their biochemical responses, every inflorescence differs significantly from the others. A nonsignificant relationship was also found between fruit acidity and inflorescence order. The current study confirms a direct relationship between biochemical, growth, and productivity indicator under greenhouse conditions. An analysis of variance was used to statistically assess the collected data at a confidence level of p 0.05. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) is one of the most appreciated fruits in the world. According to FAO, the annual production in 2021 was about 886.000 t, with Europe which reached the largest input (approximately 68%). Due to the perishable nature of the fruits, there is a continuous need for improving the storage condition. The aim of the paper is to present the influence of storage conditions on organic raspberry fruits. Raspberries from 'Plapink' cultivar, were harvested in 2021 and stored in three different conditions: 1) normal atmosphere (NA) with 1°C and 85% relative humidity (RH), 2) controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions with 1°C, 85% RH, 5% O2 and 15% CO2, and 3) CA conditions with 1°C, 85% RH, 5% O2, and 15% CO2 for 3 days followed by NA for 6 days. Several quality indicators and physiological parameters were assed in order to verify the variations during the storage period. The total phenolic content values in NA decreased with about 6.28% compared to the initial moment, but no decreases were recorded during 3 days of storage in CA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intercropping system promotes biological interactions, increasing plant resources efficiency such as nutrients, water and light use. The study was carried out in polytunnels using the organic Amandine® strawberry variety in the Baragan plain, in the southeast of Romania. Along the polytunnel's pole lines, Borago officinalis L. flower strip was seeded. For soil sampling were chosen two moments (April and October 2022) and were analysed the following physicochemical and microbiological parameters: pH, electrical conductivity, total soluble salts, total carbon and nitrogen and total number of bacteria and fungi. The results pointed out that the number of bacteria in the soil covered with flower strips increased significantly during the vegetation period for borage strips. In addition, Borage proved to be a companion species that inhibit weeds growth successfully, including in high infestation of Johnsongrass. After the first year, no significant differences regarding the soil physicochemical properties between the sampling periods were noticed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet cherry, Prunus avium L. belongs to the Rosaceae family, and nowadays is cultivated worldwide in temperate climates. Currently, plant breeders are using molecular markers, such as RAPD to reduce the time required to create new hybrids and valuable varieties. In the present study, seven RAPD markers were used to study the genetic variability and genetic relationships between 15 sweet cherry genotypes present in the orchard collection of USAMV Bucharest, 14 Romanian ('George', 'Ludovan', 'Bucium', 'Maria', Iașirom', Cociuvaș', 'Alexus', 'Andreiaș', 'Rubin', 'Severin', 'Paulică', 'Boambe de Cotnari', 'Cetățuia', and 'Putna') and the Swedish cultivar 'Rivan'. All RAPD markers proved to be polymorphic, allowing for amplification of 144 loci, with P63 amplifying the highest number of loci (27). The UPGMA dendrogram build on RAPD data grouped the genotypes studied into 2 clusters, one cluster containing mostly descendent of 'Van' and 'Boambe de Cotnari', and the second cluster grouping varieties with German genitors. The present study demonstrates the genetic variability among the Romanian genotypes present in the USAMV of Bucharest orchard collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The indoor climate of a greenhouse provides the plants with favorable growing conditions that can result in faster growth and higher yields. Important parameters to control in a greenhouse are the temperature, the humidity, and the level of CO2 concentrations. In southern Europe, both heating and cooling are required to control the greenhouse temperatures throughout the year. In this study, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations is employed to study the fluid flow through air distribution hoses (ADHs) in a research greenhouse in Bucharest, Romania. The ADHs are part of a novel, energy-efficient concept at the greenhouse, comprised of an integrated heat pump system, air handling units (AHUs), a dry cooler, and borehole thermal energy storage. The heat pump system provides both heating and cooling, while the greenhouse humidity is controlled by the AHUs. CO2-enrichment to the greenhouse is provided from installed CO2 tanks. The CO2-enriched air is circulated from the AHUs to the ADHs, which have a series of perforated holes along their lengths. In these preliminary simulations, different configurations of the perforated holes are simulated to optimize the mixing of the climate-controlled air with the greenhouse air. Both the diameters of the holes and the opening of the ADH outlet are varied to study the mass flow rates out of the holes. The CFD simulations provide suitable design criteria for the installation of ADHs in a greenhouse environment and for optimizing the efficiency of ADHs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fruit sector in Romania and, particularly, the apple production sector, is considered to have been in decline in recent decades. Changes in the behavior and consumption habits of the population, together with climate change and the increase in fruit imports, have caused shortages in this sector. Apples are regarded as a national fruit in Romania, but recently, there have been significant transformations in apple production and consumption. In order to practically observe the recorded information published in a database for this sector, we developed a questionnaire, which was completed by people in Romania. The aim of this paper was to identify the types of apple consumer profiles in Romania. The reason for choosing this specific fruit was linked to the investigated objective of the projects to which this article is related. Regarding the approached methodology, the paper focused on analyzing descriptive statistics, frequencies and clustering, by which means we designed a pattern of the apple consumer profiles in Romania. Furthermore, the profiles of respondents from two regions of Romania (South-Muntenia and South-East Regions) were explored in more detail. The findings of this research indicate a young, educated consumer profile and a distinct pattern revealed by the three clusters from the specific regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apples (Malus × domestica Borkh.) are the most economically important fruits over the world due to their nutritional and bioactive constituents, with significant value for human healthy. Maintaining these attributes during the post-harvest period is a major concern of all those involved in the field, including researchers. In the present synthesis, the results obtained in the last period of time are reviewed, regarding the sustainable management of post-harvest apples diseases, considering the eco-friendly approaches applied both in the pre harvest period and after the fruit harvest. Promising results were obtained regarding: (i) improving plants growing environmental conditions and pre harvest practices using fungicides and the application of complementary, environmentally friendly measures; (ii) exploring the epiphytic and endophytic flora with a view to some microorganisms exploitation as biological control agents; (iii) nanomaterials using and of plant extracts, as well as of some resistance chemical inducers; (iv) genetic engineering, omics-based approaches and machine learning algorithms. With a view to the successful implementation of the most appropriate innovative strategies for apples fruits diseases post-harvest management it is necessary to continue such studies through a close collaboration between researchers and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Now the current trend in agriculture around the world deals with promoting growth and controlling crop diseases and pests organically by reducing or even eliminating the application of chemicals. In the present study, soil and foliar biostimulating products containing Bacillus spp. (Bactilis, Leaf Power, NitroStim and Rizobac) were tested in the greenhouse on three tomato hybrids in order to increase production through a more environmentally friendly technology. The following parameters were monitored: stem diameter in the lower part, the plants height, the sequence of the inflorescences, the number of flowers and fruits on the plant and on the inflorescences, the percentage of fruits on the plant and in inflorescences, the production of fruits on the plant, fruits firmness, total dry matter, total soluble solids, titratable acidity. The results showed that, the application of Rizobac on Kingset and Bucanero hybrids, led to an increase of the number of inflorescences and fruits.. The size of the fruit was most positively influenced by the application of Bactilis fertilizers, the increase being between 6-15% depending on the hybrid. The hybrid-fertilizer combination is important and influences the production obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of the morphological characteristics of Dahlia leaves (leaves area, the perimeter, the length of the leaves, width of leaf), physiological processes (photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration) and chlorophyll content determined at 5 Dahlia cultivars 'Topmix Red', 'Hy Pimento', 'Babylon Red', 'Marble Ball' and 'Thomas Edison'. The average leaf area has varied from 5.35 cm² ('Topmix Red') to 68.41 cm2 ('Babylon Red'). As for the perimeter, 'Babylon Red' had the highest value (67.49 cm) and 'Topmix Red' had the lowest value (9.72 cm). The length of the leaves was between 14.19 cm for 'Babylon Red' and 4.43 cm for 'Topmix Red'. The width of the leaves was between 10,18 cm for 'Babylon Red' variant and 2.26 cm for 'Topmix Red'.The intensity of photosynthesis varied between 12.85 μmol CO2 m-2s-1 for 'Babylon Red' and 15.24 μmol CO2 m-2s-1 for 'Topmix Red', intensity of transpiration 4.69 mmol H2O m-2s-1 for 'Hy Pimento' and 6.17 mmol H2O m-2s-1 for 'Thomas Edison', intensity respiration 7.46 μmol CO2 m-2s-1 for 'Hy Pimento' and 13.43 μmol CO2 m-2s-1 to 'Marble Ball'. The total chlorophyll content was higher in the case of 'Marble Ball', at a value of 163.90 mg/100g, and the smallest quantity was recorded for the 'Babylon Red' at the value of 102.15 mg/100g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) is part of the life cycle evaluation methods, highlighting the overall economic cost of a specific product, service or system. The life cycle costs are the sum of the direct, indirect, recurring, nonrecurring and other related costs incurred or estimated to be incurred during the useful life span. This method can be a powerful technique enabling to make the most cost-effective decisions at different life cycle stages. An integrated life cycle evaluation study could combine more methods: Life cycle assessment (ISO 14040:2006), Life cycle cost analysis and social Life cycle assessment. So far, several specific instruments had been developed, IT tools and methods for LCCA method, alone or combined with LCA or other methods. The objective of this study was to present a review of the software instruments used in the Life cycle cost analysis. The LCCA method can be used in particular to model different scenarios. It allows the simulation of several analysis alternatives by resizing the volume of costs from key points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds for animals and humans, naturally produced by different types of fungi. Exposure to mycotoxins through the consumption of contaminated food or feed leads, among others, to gastrointestinal and renal disorders to the point of immune deficiency and cancer. Most mycotoxins are chemically stable and persist in food processing. Given the implementation of the requirements of the European Green Deal, especially those related to organic products, and in the context of climate change, especially regarding temperature and humidity fluctuations, the increase of the presence of mycotoxins in food and feed is highly expected. However, the evaluation of the degree of mycotoxin contamination in different steps on the food chain, with fast and accurate methods, is still an issue for farmers, especially those producing inputs for feed. In the context of a rising organic products market, the frequency and severity of issues related to mycotoxins contaminations are expected to increase. The current work presents the most recent data on mycotoxins occurrence in the world and in Europe and review the mycotoxins monitoring regulations in Europe and Romania. In the same time, the paper analyses the diverse array of methods of analysis developed in recent years and propose a non-exhaustive list of authorized and accredited laboratories in Romania, where players of the agri-food chain can check the quality of the feed inputs and manage the quality of their products. Our analysis shows an increased interest of the Romanian producers on food and feed safety issues, which led to a diversification of services in mycotoxins analysis field in Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out in the greenhouses of the Research Center for the Study of the Quality of Horticultural Products, within the USAMV of Bucharest, Romania, on a tomato crop, the cultivar Cheramy F1, carried out in an unconventional system on a coconut substrate. The effect of temperature variation on the growth, development and yield of the tomato crop (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) was studied. The observations made on tomato plants led to the conclusion that temperatures above the optimal parameters, especially in the period from May to July, determined the formation of leaves with a smaller leaf surface but also a decrease in fruiting, therefore lower production which led when clearing the crop because it was ineffective. The aim of the study was to identify the effect of temperature variations on the vegetative mass formed and tomato production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a continuous interest in developing experimental technologies that can be further transferred to small producers or house fields with limited soil surface area. The aim of this study was to implement a hi-grow tabletop technology for strawberry in the USAMV of Bucharest experimental open field. This growing technology will allow experimentation with different fertilization treatments and strawberry cultivars as well as an evaluation of abiotic and biotic stress on plant growth. ‘Albion’ variety used as the day-neutral strawberry cultivar bore fruit from June to the end of October. In the first year the plants developed well, despite various stress factors (heat, pests, diseases). This study will continue with the implementation of a shading system to protect the plants from direct solar radiation, reduce the temperature, and prevent the sunburn of the fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their compounds and their beneficial properties for the body, vegetables are important ingredients in a balanced daily diet. By definition, vegetables are edible parts of the plant that can include: stems, roots, tubers, bulbs, leaves, flowers and beams. It is recommended to eat fresh vegetables, but when this is not possible, they can be preserved in various forms. One of the oldest techniques for preserving vegetables is drying, which involves reducing the water content of vegetables by exposing them to the sun or artificial heat sources. Dried vegetables are produced by different processes. In general, dried vegetables follow the same steps: selection of vegetables according to their shape and quality, peeling, slicing, preservation, dehydration (natural or artificial), sweating or salting, visual inspection and packaging. Drying is beneficial because it extends the shelf life, reduces postharvest waste, and massively helps reduce storage and transportation costs. This article reviews various methods of pre-processing of organic vegetables (cutting forms, different forms of bleaching, etc.) and different drying methods (classic by varying the temperature, vacuum, etc.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted under controlled conditions in a greenhouse during a crop cycle during September-April. The culture was established on a coconut substrate. All parameters of vegetation, temperature, light, humidity, carbon dioxide content in the greenhouse were monitored. Fruit mass determinations were performed on each inflorescence, as well as carbohydrate and nitrate content. The production obtained by fruiting stages was determined as well as the total production. The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of some parameters of growth and fruiting on the total production and its quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To prevail on the agricultural market, greenhouse grown cherry tomatoes need to meet certain quality standards. The quality can be assessed by determining several chemical and physical characteristics. The aim of the current study is to analyse such parameters of two cherry tomato varieties (Cheramy and Flaviola) in relation to their flowering stage and to the growing conditions within the greenhouse: air temperature, relative humidity and CO2 concentration. The soluble solids, titratable acidity and dry matter were determined. Furthermore, the β-carotene, lycopene and ascorbic acid contents were analysed. Tomato fruit size and firmness were also assessed. The current study illustrates a limited correlation between the environmental factors and the quality parameters. Thus, future research should be pursued for a better understanding of the effect of these climatic conditions on greenhouse grown tomatoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetables are important elements for rational and healthy diet due to active compounds and their nutritive values. Currently, technical progress in food industry offer new solution for processing vegetables. The purpose of this study was to determine the nutritional composition of different organic vegetables which can be used as raw materials for healthy chips. Several vegetables (beets, carrot, sweet potato, and turnip) were purchased from organic certified farms and further analysed in terms of dry matter content, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and ascorbic acid. When comparing the vegetables in terms of total phenolic content and antioxidant activity, ‘Detroit’ beets variety registered the highest values, followed by sweet potato and turnip. The ascorbic acid content of sweet potato registered the highest values, but the ‘Detroit’ and ‘Albino’ beets varieties registered values below limit of quantification. The total phenolic content and antioxidant activity registered similar trend for all analysed samples. All studied organic vegetables can be successfully used for healthy crispy snacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lophantus anisatus Nett. belongs to the Lamiaceae (Labiatae) family, and it is an aromatic, medicinal, and honey plant. Due to its high content of substances with nutritional and sensory value, the powder obtained from the naturally dried plants can be used as aromatic and nutraceutic ingredients for vegetable chips. In addition to its sensory quality, this powder also stands out by having high antioxidant activity, with beneficial effects on the human body. The aim of this study was to obtain fine powder from natural dried lophantus leaves, which can be further used as aromatic ingredient. The lophantus powder was characterized in terms of dry matter content, total polyphenols, antioxidant activity using DPPH method, ascorbic acid, total pigments, and volatile compounds. The main compounds identified in the volatile oil were: methyl chavicole, methyleugenol, caryophyllene, and germacrene D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plum (Prunus domestica L.) is the dominant fruit tree species in Romania and has an ancient tradition in growing all over the country. The assortment of the plum varieties has known a continuous increase in time, enhancing its genetic variability. In the current work, RAPD analysis was carried out in order to assess the genetic relationships between seven Romanian plum cultivars (‘Brumării de Voinești’, Record’, ‘Gemenea’, ‘Elena’, ‘Centenar’, ‘Silvia’, and ’Pescăruș’) existent in the germplasm collection of the Faculty of Horticulture, USAMV Bucharest, Romania. Five random decamer primers identified 28 polymorphic and 11 monomorphic RAPD loci. The constructed UPGMA dendrogram associated the cultivars studied into 2 clusters, one cluster with the varieties ‘Record’ and ‘Gemenea’, and another cluster grouping the rest of the varieties. The genetic fingerprints obtained following amplification with the RAPD markers, are specific for each variety, and may be used for molecular identification of the varieties in the germplasm collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulphur plays a vital role in plant nutrition. Its deficiency can have severe effects on crops, being essential in many biological processes. For an optimal supply it is necessary to know the content of elements of both the soil and the inputs used in agriculture. With the conversion from conventional to organic farming, an increasing number of analyses are needed on soil, the used inputs, and the obtained products. In general, sulphur determination methods are tedious and time consuming. This study proposes a dry combustion method for sulphur determination, which can gain ground due to the speed and ease of application. This elemental analysis method is sensitive and accurate, and can be applied for the determination of total S content in many types of sample matrices, including fertilizers. Different validation parameters were measured to ensure that the method can be used successfully applied and the procedure can be standardized, fully validated and nationally accepted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen is one of the most important component of fertilizers. Quantifying nitrogen, along with other elements, is an essential operation for calculating the efficiency of these inputs. Because Romanian regulations doesn't provide any methodology for determining nitrogen from inputs used in organic agriculture, each laboratory uses its own method for these determinations. This study presents a fast and efficient dry combustion method of determining the total nitrogen from organic inputs, using a CHNS elemental analyzer (Eurovector EA 3100). This Automated Pregl-Dumas technique is a very good alternative to the classic Kjeldahl method, which has several drawbacks: it does not quantify nitrogen from nitrates (although fertilizers contain a large amount of nitrogen in this form), needs a longer time for the sample to be analysed, it is not environmental friendly, and has lower accuracy of the results. To ensure the quality of the results, the necessary parameters for the validation of this method were calculated according to international guidelines, and the acceptance criteria of results were verified based on certified reference materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]