Water is essential to maximize crop yield and quality. This natural resource has assumed huge importance, especially in the warmest areas, where drought and environmental degradation has affected agricultural production. In order to identify drought tolerance of some groundnut genotypes and to investigate the relationships between seed yield, quality and drought tolerance indices a study was made using 10 promising genotypes. The experiment was carried out during 2014-2017 and sowed under randomized block design with four replicates. It included three factors: two levels of irrigation (a₁ – non - irrigated and a₂ - irrigated), two levels of fertilization (b₁ – non-fertilized and b₂ - 100 active Nitrogen/ha) and genotype (C₁-C₁₀). Seed yield depending on the influence of the factor, varied from 535.95 Kg/ha (non-irrigated) to 2020.95 Kg/ha (irrigated); from 1055.30 Kg/ha (non-fertilized) to 1501 Kg/ha (fertilized) and from 1111.30 Kg/ha to 1388 Kg/ha depending on genotype. Same influence factors for protein content varied from 25.65% (irrigated) to 28.61% (non-irrigated); from 26.33% (non-fertilized) to 27.93% (fertilized) and from 25.59% to 28.52% depending on genotype. Stress susceptibility index (SSI) varied from 0.964 to 1.040; Stress Tolerance Index (STI) from 0.138 to 0.435; Mean Productivity (MP) from 883.5 to 1616.0; Geometric Mean Productivity (GMP) from 750.3 to 1332.7; Tolerance index (TOL) from 933.0 to 1844.0; Harmonic Mean (HM) from 637.2 to 1099.0; Yield Index (YI) 0.777 to 1.308 and Yield Stability Index (YSI) from 0.236 to 0.309. High values of SSI, STI, YI, DI, RDI and SSPI indicate drought tolerance and those variants present high stability.

Sicyos angulatus (Cucurbitaceae) is an invasive species because of its rapid growth rate, intensive dispersal and ability to adapt to a wide range of environments. It has become an invasive species in the Ostroveni area, an area at the confluence of the Jiu River and the Danube River in the Oltenia region of Romania. This species spreads, climbs and takes over everything in its path. It can also outcompete native plants very quickly as it is a prolific breeder. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the invasive potential of S. angulatus in the forests of the Jiu and Danube confluence area by calculating several indicator values. The results showed that the number of plants varies depending on factors such as location, water availability and shade. They also showed that S. angulatus is a plant that occupies its niche in the ecosystem and has a negative impact on the local flora. Population control should therefore start with early detection, so that control and eradication are less costly.

There are few reports related to the presence of Spiranthes spiralis in the Oltenia region in southern Romania. This study develops the information concerning the presence of this type of orchid in Gorj County. The studies on the populations of this orchid species have been conducted in the Natura 2000 site of the Community ROSCI0045 Jiului Corridor. In the researched territory, during the investigations, twelve populations of Spiranthes spiralis were sampled for the first time. In 2022–2023, we studied the distribution of this species and assessed its population densities. Our observations indicate that it is a relatively widespread species in the studied area and its populations are more abundant in meadows, in the Medicagini minimae–Festucetum valesiacae plant community.

Pontechium maculatum (Boraginaceae) is a species of high conservation concern in the Romanian flora. It is assigned the national IUCN category “vulnerable”, legally protected according to the national Biological Diversity Act, and listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC). P. maculatum, formerly known as Echium russicum, is a biennial herbaceous plant, rare in many parts of its range and even critically endangered in some countries. In Romania, populations of this species are found in several areas of Transylvania, Moldova, Dobrogea, and Oltenia, mostly within protected areas, with the number of individuals reaching over 1500, and the populations being stable with a favorable conservation status. In the present study, ten populations of P. maculatum from the “Iron Gates” Natural Park in SW Romania were analyzed. For each density, the composition of the plant community was assessed, as well as some morphological and physiological parameters of the plants. The results indicated the phytocoenotic variability of the species, with a different dominant abundance in the floristic composition of several plant communities. Statistical analysis of quantitative traits revealed variability depending on density (at lower densities, plants have a higher number of leaves and photosynthetic rate). Also, the photosynthetic rate was mainly temperature-dependent, rising with this factor. This research found that in some areas, there are insufficient numbers of individuals due to invasive species. The identified variability of Pontechium maculatum in the “Iron Gates” Natural Park is demonstrated by the interplay of ecological factors, human influence, and conservation efforts. Our findings suggest that effective conservation strategies should focus on managing invasive species and enhancing habitat conditions to support P. maculatum populations.

Organic agriculture is the most important source of healthy food for the population, as well as a real solution against environmental pollution. Practicing organic agriculture represents a concrete opportunity and a real chance for rural economies, contributing to sustainable development. The purpose of this paper is to present the dynamics of the operators and surfaces in organic agriculture, in the period 2018-2023 in Romania. The data collected for the studied interval show that the total areas used in organic agriculture in Romania have increased constantly, from 326259.51 ha in 2018 to 693998.31 ha in 2023. Among the cultivated areas, the largest were occupied with cereals, followed by those with industrial and fodder plants. A spectacular increase is observed in the areas of pastures and hays, more than four times in the analyzed interval. Also, the number of operators certified in organic agriculture showed a constant increase during the analyzed period, starting from 9008 operators in 2018 and reaching 14061 operators in 2023. It can be stated that the ecologically cultivated area in Romania has registered a slight revival considering that by the percentage of certified areas is far below the EU average.

Romanian flora includes a high diversity of orchids, any with a high conservationist interest, but many 0f themnot yet sufficiently investigated from an ecological, phytosociological or genetic point of view. Phenotypically analysis is also scarce and only a few data have been published in relation to the effects of site factors on the morphological and anatomical characteristics of the family Orchidaceae. This study analyses the variability of two populations of Anacamptis coriophora, based on their coenological affiliations, morphological observations and biometrical measurements. The data were collected from two grassland areas in Romania Stoenesti, Vâlcea County and Cobia, Dâmbovița County. The results showed that both populations are influenced by temperature, light and humidity and develop normally under optimal conditions. In the most favorable conditions encountered in Vâlcea county, orchids offer the splendor of flowers for a long time. Orchids in our country usually bloom in March, sometimes lasting until August, they have a delicate appearance, varied colors and the most diverse perfumes. The information obtained regarding the morphological diversity of the two populations could be suitable for designing strategies for their conservation in both locations.