The main mycotoxin found in apples is patulin (PAT), mostly produced by Penicillium expansum, during the storage of fruits. It is very difficult to control the quality of every fruit that enters the processing line, so there is a high probability that apple juice, applesauce, apple cider, even products intended for babies, contain moldy fruits, with PAT content. This review paper provides detailed information about the extrinsic and intrinsic factors that affect PAT prevalence in apples. Extrinsic factors, such as temperature, air composition in the storage room or packaging material, play a key role in infection with P. expansum and PAT accumulation. Lower temperatures often prevent fungal growth and the production of the mycotoxin, whereas higher or unstable temperatures can promote the buildup of the toxin in infected fruits. Controlled atmosphere storage appears to inhibit the accumulation of PAT in apples. In terms of internal composition, variations in the pH of the fruits and flesh firmness significantly impact fungal growth and PAT production in the fruits. The presence of ethylene, sucrose and polyphenols are some of the decisive chemical components that regulate PAT buildup. Susceptibility of different cultivars is also genetically driven, but the size of the decay area and the toxin-producing capacity of the fungal strain have noteworthy influence as well. Knowledge of these elements helps to understand the mechanisms of PAT production.

Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) is one of the most valuable horticultural crops worldwide, due to its significant economic and nutritional contribution. This paper analyzes the importance of strawberry cultivation in the European Union and Romania, by evaluating the cultivated area, production, geographical distribution and socio-economic impact. The study combines statistical analysis of official data (Eurostat, 2023; INS, 2023) with a review of the specialized literature (Anttonen et al., 2006; Voca et al., 2008; Maltoni et al., 2009), targeting both the productive dimension and the quality of the fruit and technological adaptation. The results show that the main producing countries in the EU are Poland, Spain, Italy and Germany, due to favorable climatic conditions and the use of modern cultivation technologies. In Romania, strawberry cultivation occupies an area of ​​about 6,000 ha, concentrated in the counties of Argeș, Prahova and Dâmbovița, with a production of approximately 20,000 tons annually (Eurostat, 2022; INS, 2023). The average production, of 6,795 kg/ha, is below the European average, being influenced by pedoclimatic factors, lack of investment and deficient agricultural infrastructure. The SWOT analysis highlighted strengths such as the diversity of varieties, local tradition and pedoclimatic potential, but also limitations related to climate volatility and the high costs of modern technologies. The conclusions highlight the need to adopt sustainable practices, modernize production infrastructure and strengthen short supply chains. Strawberry cultivation can become a strategic vector of rural economic development, with long-term benefits for the Romanian agricultural economy.

Producing trees in nursery environments involves a complex and structured approach, crucial for ensuring high-quality planting material required for orchard establishment and renewal. The effectiveness of this process relies on a sequence of clearly defined stages and a careful attention to detail, ranging from the selection of genetic resources to the application of specific technological practices. Given the recent climatic changes in Romania, irrigation within nurseries has become a critical requirement rather than a mere option, essential for securing the optimal development of planting material. This study was conducted in Field II of a Romanian nursery, using two local apricot 'cultivars—'Excelsior' and 'Favorit'. Four irrigation treatments were implemented: a non-irrigated control and three irrigation levels of 10 mm, 20 mm, and 30 mm. The experiment employed a randomized block design, with each treatment replicated three times, and each replicate comprising 10 trees. The primary objective of this research was to investigate the interaction between irrigation practices and the development of a key morphological trait in apricot seedlings grown in nursery conditions—specifically, the formation of first-order branches. Irrigation served as the main factor, while cultivar represented the secondary factor. The findings demonstrated that both factors had a real and distinctively significant impact on the overall branching growth of apricot seedlings within the context of environmentally consistent experimental conditions. The results indicate that the 'Favorit' cultivar exhibited significantly greater branch development under non-irrigated conditions, whereas the 'Excelsior' seedlings responded most favorably to the 20 mm irrigation treatment.

The sustainable management of urban pruning residues is increasingly important for promoting circular bioeconomy practices and reducing green waste disposal. This study evaluated the composting potential of pruning biomass from 18 urban tree species (11 deciduous and 7 coniferous) and assessed the effects of biomass type and feedstock ratio on compost quality. Plant residues were composted with fresh cow manure using two compost ratios: V1 (700 g manure + 100 g plant biomass) and V2 (700 g manure + 700 g plant biomass). Compost quality was evaluated through pH, macroelement (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) and total microelement (Mn, Cu, and Zn) and heavy metal (Pb, Cd, and Ni) concentrations. The composting ratio was the primary factor controlling compost properties. V1 produced alkaline composts (pH 7.96–9.42) with higher nutrient concentrations, whereas V2 generated composts with pH values closer to neutrality (7.39–9.44). Increasing the proportion of plant biomass reduced macronutrient concentrations, with total N ranging from 2.23% in V1 to 0.72% in V2, and potassium decreasing by 50–80% relative to V1. In contrast, micronutrient concentrations increased in V2, reaching 1142.7 mg·kg⁻¹ Mn and 481.1 mg·kg⁻¹ Zn. Total heavy metal concentrations also increased with greater biomass incorporation, although values generally remained low; the highest Ni concentration (15.77 mg·kg⁻¹) was recorded in Paulownia tomentosa compost. Species-specific responses were observed for nutrient release and metal accumulation, highlighting differences between deciduous and coniferous feedstocks. The findings demonstrate that compost quality is primarily determined by the manure-to-biomass ratio, while tree species influence nutrient dynamics and trace element accumulation. Composts with higher manure proportions are suitable for nutrient enrichment and acidic soil amelioration, whereas biomass-rich composts provide enhanced micronutrient contents but require monitoring of heavy metal accumulation.

Apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) are widely cultivated due to their storability, adaptability to diverse climatic conditions, versatility, and affordability. In addition to these agronomic advantages, apples are a significant dietary source of nutrients and bioactive compounds, particularly polyphenols, a major class of phytochemicals with several beneficial health effects. The aim of this study was to quantify and compare the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of peel and flesh of eighteen traditional old apple cultivars from the Banat region of Romania, evaluate their antioxidant activity, and characterize the colour parameters and individual phenolic profiles of two selected cultivars. The results showed considerable variation among cultivars, with ‘Caslere’ and ‘Măr de Jupani’ exhibiting the highest contents of bioactive compounds. Across the 18 cultivars, phenolic contents ranged from 218.17–1497.35 µg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry matter (DM) in the peel and 323.54–1111.65 µg GAE/g DM in the flesh, while flavonoid contents ranged from 1157.43–4796.05 and 1426.01–3697.16 µg rutin equivalents (RE)/g DM, respectively. Antioxidant activity ranged from 33.55–99.51% in the peel and 44.41–88.88% in the flesh, highlighting pronounced tissue-specific differences in bioactive compound distribution. Positive correlation was found between phenolic content and antioxidant activity. High-performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed cultivar-specific phenolic profiles, with rosmarinic acid and resveratrol among the predominant compounds, while epicatechin was particularly abundant in the peel of ‘Caslere’ cultivar. Colour analysis further demonstrated distinct differences between the two cultivars, reflecting variation in peel pigmentation and biochemical composition. These findings highlight the nutritional and functional value of traditional apple cultivars and support their conservation and valorization as valuable genetic resources and sources of health-promoting phytochemicals.

The links between fertilizer dosages and irrigation guidelines on the one hand, and the changes they cause to the soil, leaves, and fruit production on the other, are discussed in this study based on experimental results conducted on the pear species, Lucas cultivar. The study was carried out on an area in the northwest part of Romania. Six fertilization and four irrigation versions were used in the tests. The variants were placed in randomized blocks, in four repetitions for the variants involving different types and dosages of boron and NPK fertilizers, and in three repetitions for the variants involving irrigation regime. The application of NPK in pear cultivation has improved the concentration of these elements in the soil and leaves, leading to a 30–48% increase in yield and evident cost-effectiveness in trees fertilized with NPK. Compared to trees with a boron deficiency, fertilizing with a 0.5% boric acid solution enhanced production by 71% on average over five years, and all fertilized trees produced fruit of a higher quality (55–60%).