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Celtis australis L., is a tree up to 20 m tall. The range is Mediterranean to the Caucasus, in Romania it is found sporadically in Banat, Oltenia and Dobrogea, the species being used in green spaces where it is planted in alignment, isolated or in massifs, but also on the Black Sea Coast has adapted very well. The genus includes about 70 species, trees and shrubs widespread in the northern hemisphere, from tropical to temperate regions. The elm-like branch is distichous. The stalk has a broken marrow, made up of very thick blades, asymmetrical leaves with 3 ribs at the base, polygamous, andromonoic flowers, the male ones in bundles at the base of the stalk, the hermaphroditic ones arranged at the base of the petiole of the leaves, usually solitary. Fruits are spherical or ovoid drupes, with a strong stone and a thin, fleshy mesocarp. The purpose of this experiment is to speed up the germination of seeds that have been prepared in the four variants: stratification, wetting with hot water, scarification, wetting with cold water. Biometric measurements were performed on the following morphological features: seedling stem height, stem diameter, number of roots, root length, number of leaves, leaf area. Analyzing the four methods of seed treatment related to chemical treatment (control) it is observed that the best results are at V1 (stratification) for all analyzed characters.

Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Sieb. & Zucc. Ex Steud. (syn. P. Imperialis Sieb. & Zucc.), is a native species to China, popularly being called “Princess Tree”. In Romania, the species is sensitive to the early frosts, which cause frostbite of non-lignified stems. Unprotected trees can be destroyed to ground level, but recover vigorously from shoots. Paulownia tomentosa is an invasive species introduced to the US from China as an ornamental and landscape tree in the mid-1800s. The family name derives from its genus Paulownia Siebold & Zucc., 1835 whose name was given in honour of the Danish princess Anna Paulowna or Pavlovna (1795-1865), the consort of King William II of the Netherlands and the daughter of Tsar Paul I of Russia (Gledhill, D., 2008). The aim of the research was to speed up the germination of Paulownia tomentosa seeds with Nitrozyme (based upon a highly concentrated and purified extract of marine kelp) in different concentrations: 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%, 0.7%, 0.9%. The germination capacity of the seeds decreases from the moment of dispersal even in optimal conditions of storage in the laboratory. In the case of treated seeds with 0.1% Nitrozyme the values of height and diameter of the seedling increased slightly.

In the assortment of cut flowers, carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) fall in the first places, with a large number of varieties, of various colors, being appreciated on the cut flowers market. Carnations flowers that cannot be sold immediately after harvest, being a time of year when the market offers an abundance of cut flower species, they are prone to rapid depreciation under normal environmental conditions. Carnation is an important ornamental plant, which is used as a potted plant as well as a cut flower. One factor that influences the shelf life is temperature. From the flowering stage to the total depreciation of the inflorescence, it plays an important role. In this experiment, the flowers were harvested on two different dates for about a month. The temperatures at which the varieties were kept had 6 graduations (from 10 to 22 °C). The parameters followed were: bud height, corolla height above the calyx, bud diameter and flower stem length. Storing flowers in water at 4 °C for 6 to 15 days, did not increase the diameter of the flower bud. In flowers kept at 22 °C for 6 days, the values of several parameters of cell senescence fell below the values of fresh flowers. However, in flowers kept at 4 °C there was no expected slow decrease in these parameters, but rather an increase above the levels found in fresh flowers. We conclude that storage at low temperatures has effects on carnation cut flowers, other than slowing down the aging process.

Dehydrated plums are distinguished by a pleasant taste, but at the same time they are also distinguished by a special nutritional value, which brings many benefits to human health. After apples, plums are the most cultivated fruits in Romania. Quality as a notion is a general and specific characteristic being represented by certain features that condition both the marketing and the use of the finished product. The physical condition of dehydrated plums is determined by the anatomical structure, structural firmness, water content and appearance. The composition of the soluble dry matter is influenced by the variety, the degree of maturation, at which the raw material has been processed and by the qualitative changes undergone by each component, during dehydration. In this paper, we followed the influence of blanching treatment on 4 varieties of plums, dehydrated in a stream of warm air, at a temperature of 70 °C. The fruits taken into analysis were characterized by a water content of 75-84%, soluble dry matter 9-24%, total sugar 7-13%, acidity 0.45-0.98% and 2-17 mg ascorbic acid. After dehydration, the analyzed parameters were as follows: 16-24% water, total sugar 31-51%, total acidity 1.1-2.3%.

The cut flowers are living organs, with intense metabolic activity, subjected to a rapid aging process compared to the undetached flowers from the mother plant. Improving the life of cut flowers is one of the most important factors for customer satisfaction. The effect of silver thiosulphate (STS) and commercial mixtures was studied in carnation cut flowers and kept in randomized vases according to experimental factors. Three commercial mixtures were used (Chrysal, Flower Food, Fleur̛ Rose) and for thiosulphate four levels (0 or control, 0.03, 0.06 and 0.9 mM). The interaction of the two factors studied was insignificant for most traits, including wilting percentage and vase lifespan, which may involve the application of both substances alone is sufficient to improve post-harvest quality and is not necessary to use simultaneously in the preservative solution. The results also showed that following the interaction of the two factors, treatment with 0.06 mM silver thiosulphate can be applied to improve the post-harvest quality of blossom cut flowers and commercial chemical mixtures can be successfully replaced.

Catalpa is a tree with an attractive ornamental value and compact shape. Catalpa bignonioides Walt., is a tree with heights of up to 35 meters and a large trunk. It is an exotic species in North America areal. It grows well in a warm and humid climate, on alluvial, fertile, deep, temperate soils. It has a light temperament, withstands winter frosts well, but is sensitive to late frosts. The degree of germination varies both between species and within them. Within batches of seeds of the same species varies depending on the origin, year of harvest and individual trees. There are different methods and techniques for overcoming drowsiness depending on the seeds. Various pre-treatments are used such as scarification and hot and cold aeration to stimulate the embryo. The paper presents the stimulation of seed germination at catalpa, using different concentrations of Nitragin: 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%, 0.7%, 0.9% and following the seed germination interval.

Traditional tomato varieties are of particular importance for vegetable cultivation, by capitalizing on the diversity of local populations and increasing the number of crops. The study of local populations of cultivated tomatoes determines the accumulation of additional knowledge on how the shape, size and taste of fruits evolve, helping to identify new varieties with a role in improving the productivity, quality and nutritional value of tomatoes. In this paper, 2 local varieties from the Cluj County area were studied, from the point of view of the dynamics of certain chemical components when, after harvest, the tomatoes are stored at different stages of maturity. The lowest water loss, of 7.5%, was presented by the pink variety, stored for 7 days at a temperature of 8 °C. Vitamin C was better preserved in the case of the red variety, presenting after 7 days of storage at 8 °C, values of 27.23% at green maturity and 46.58% at consumption maturity. The pectic substances, in the case of the studied varieties, do not show significant variations depending on the maturity phase or the storage method, these registering values between 0.11 and 0.27%.

Zizyphus jujuba Mill. belongs to the Rhamnales order, Rhamnaceae family, Rhamnus genus. The genus includes about 40 species native to tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres, as well as the Mediterranean region. Species Zizyphus jujuba Mill. it is native to SW Asia, has ornamental features and is found spontaneously on the Danube coast. The first cultivated varieties were introduced at the Faculty of Horticulture in Bucharest in Shanxi Province, China in a joint research project in 1997. In our study, the fruits were harvested from two genotypes in the Botanical Park of Timisoara. For the harvested fruits were analyzed: fruit weight (g), seed weight (g), fruit length (mm), fruit width (mm) and chemical analyses were performed: soluble dry matter (%), C vitamin (mg 100 g-1), total potassium content (mg 100 g-1) and protein (%). In the analyzed fruits, the soluble dry matter varied between 28.3-29.81%, C vitamin between 247.97-288.17 mg 100g-1, proteins between 4.84-5.63% and potassium between 79.53 -79.63 mg 100 g-1.

In the history of mankind, the use of canned vegetables has been a source of ensuring a diverse range of vegetables in winter and has led to the development of cropping systems with technological features specific to industrialization. The effects of blanching temperature on the texture and quality of cucumber fruits under the conditions of lactic fermentation have been important topics of study over time. In comparison, in this paper we studied the complex influence of fermentation time (25 days) and temperature level (22 °C) on qualitative aspects such as pH level, total acidity and salt concentration change. Two different temperatures were also used for blanching with the salt solutions, 96 °C and 67 °C. The results of this study show that iodized sea salt was useful for whole pickles because they showed a better taste and texture. Pickled cucumbers blanched at 96 °C showed a better texture and lower acidity than those at 67 °C.

The importance of bell peppers and its share in the culture has increased greatly in recent years, due to the intensification of demand for this product on the market. In the technology of capitalization of fresh bell peppers, the achievement of an appropriate technological flow requires many specific technical and organizational specifications. At the same time, it is necessary to maintain the quality of the peppers during different transport periods, in normal or refrigerated conditions. In the technological flow of capitalizing on bell peppers, the transit period can be extended depending on the hybrid by 7-10 days in uncooled spaces and with 20-32 days in cooled spaces, by covering the products packed in boxes with polyethylene foil to achieve a relative humidity of almost 98%. Covering the boxes with polyethylene foil reduces weight loss during transport with 4.57% in uncooled spaces and with 1.29% in refrigerated spaces. In 30 days of storage, the content of vitamin C in the Belladonna F1 hybrid decreased by 24 mg and with 21 mg in the Blondy F1 hybrid.

Almond mushroom, Agaricus blazei Murrill, is the so-called secondary saprophyte, developing on partially processed substrate, in which microorganisms reduced complex ligno-cellulose compounds. Numerous authors have shown that due to the similar life cycle in the cultivation of almond mushroom technologies developed for white button mushroom may be applied. However, almond mushroom requires high temperature and high humidity as well as access to light to form fruiting bodies. In Brazil, due to the advantageous climatic conditions this species is frequently grown outdoors; however, in other countries - mainly due to its high temperature requirements - such cultivation system is risky and may only be successful during very warm summers. In this study, we analyzed four kind of compost studded by Agaricus blazei Murrill mushroom mycelium. We recorded every hour the air and compost temperature and the air relative humidity. The best studded compost was the classical, followed by synthetic and then by the mixt compost.

Agaricus spp. mushrooms are edible fungi of commercial and medicinal importance. Mushrooms convert nutritionally valueless substances into proteinous food with a very efficient bioconversion. Consumption of mushrooms, has increased substantially due to their delicacy, flavour, nutritional and medicinal value, being considered an excellent source of protein, which can contribute to the formulation of a balanced diet. Three species of Agaricus spp. mushrooms were used in this study: Agaricus campestris (L. ex Fr.), Agaricus bisporus (J.E. Lange) and Agaricus blazei (Murrill). This study aims to examine the effects of blanching, soaking and manufacturing processes (sun drying, oven drying and canning) on some chemical constituents of mushrooms (soluble dry matter, protein and total sugars). The analyses were performed initially at conservation and they were repeated after 6, 12 and 18 months of preservation. Since all treatments caused reduction of the dry matter content, it can be concluded that the smallest decrease during the storage period was recorded by soaked and sun dried A. blazei (1.6 g 100 g -1 FM). The maximum soluble dry matter loss was recorded at blanched and canned A. bisporus (2.8 g 100 g -1 FM). Blanching treatment of preheated (sun dried and oven dried) samples, after storage period, led the protein content to slightly decrease, between 0.4 g 100 g -1 DM and 0.8 g 100 g -1 DM. The smallest decrease of total sugars during the storage period was registered by canned, untreated A. campestris with 1.2 g 100 g -1 DM and the largest decrease was registered by blanched oven dried A. blazei with 2.9 g 100 g -1 DM.

The researches done at UASVM Cluj-Napoca in the frame of Horticultural product technology Department between 2014-2015 years followed the behavior of five apple cultivars at processing as clear juice. The apple juice characteristics (soluble solids content, organic acids content and clarification grade) were analyzed at processing of apples as clear juice and three months later, in order to determine how the initial characteristics of raw material were found again in the finished product. In order to provide the microbiological stability of juice, preservation was done with two chemical methods (sulfur dioxide – SO2 and sodium benzoate) and one physical method (pasteurization). The obtained results revealed ‘Florina’ cultivar, which had a processing efficiency as juice about 60%, high soluble solids content, 1% acidity, good clarification grade of juice, and pasteurization as microbiological stabilization method.

The mushrooms provide important sources of protein extracted from materials with very low economic value, such as manure, waste from agriculture, forestry, timber industry. It is used with maximum efficiency the created nutrient substrate, which after a crop cycle of 3-5 months can be reused as fertilizer in agriculture (Agaricus mushrooms, Coprinus, Stropharia), or as animal feed or as fuel (oyster mushrooms). Ammonia is eliminated during composting and pasteurization and the nitrogen that will remain will become digestible nitrogen protein, which provide the food for the mushrooms mycelium. This paper presents the dynamic of the chemical transformation of compost for Agaricus ssp. mushroom growing during the pasteurization process.

The researches done between the years 2012-2013 at Horticultural products technology Department of Horticulture Faculty of UASVM Cluj-Napoca followed the influence of preservative solution on the decorative period in vase of four indigenous and four non-indigenous (Dutch origin) rose cultivars. The obtained results shown that the interaction of preservative solution with cultivar pointed out the Avalance and Samba Romanian cultivars which in Chrysal preservative solution recorded very significant positive differences in comparison with control (Merci cultivar), for all the three studied characteristics (diameter of floral bud, the aspect of floral bud and the aspect of leaves on the floral stem).