The interaction between organic and inorganic nutrients, bacterial communities, and soil fertility has been well documented over time. Conventional agricultural systems heavily utilize both inorganic and organic fertilizers, each exerting distinct effects on soil microbial dynamics and plant growth. The objective of our experiments was to identify the most effective fertilization strategy for improving the biological quality of a microbiologically impoverished and low-productivity soil. To this end, four fertilization strategies were evaluated: (i) organic fertilizers characterized by a high content of organic carbon (Fertil 4-5-7—variant 1); (ii) organic fertilizers with 12% organic nitrogen from proteins (Bio Ostara N—variant 2) (iii) combined inorganic–organic fertilizers (P35 Bio—variant 3) and (iv) mineral (inorganic) fertilizers (BioAktiv—variant V4). This study aimed to assess the short-term effects of fertilizers with varying chemical compositions on the density of cultivable heterotrophic bacteria and their associated dehydrogenase (DH) activity in a petrocalcic chernozem soil containing pedogenic carbonates. Soil sampling was conducted according to a randomized block design, comprising four replicates per treatment (control plus four fertilizer types). The enumeration of cultivable bacteria was performed using Nutrient Agar and A2R Agar media, whereas dehydrogenase activity (DHA) was quantified based on the reduction of 2,3,5-triphenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride (TTC) to 1,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium formazan (TPF) by bacterial dehydrogenase enzymes. Marked differences were observed in both parameters between the plots amended with inorganic fertilizers and those treated with organic fertilizers, as well as among the organic fertilizer treatments of varying composition. The most pronounced increases in both bacterial density and dehydrogenase activity (DHA) were recorded in the plots receiving the fertilizer with a high organic nitrogen content. In this treatment, the maximum bacterial population density reached 6.25 log₁₀ CFU g⁻¹ dry soil after approximately two months (May), followed by a significant decline starting in July. In contrast, DHA exhibited a more rapid response, reaching its peak in April (42.75 µg TPF g⁻¹ soil), indicating an earlier DHA activation of microbial metabolism. This temporal lag between the two parameters suggests that enzymatic activity responded more swiftly to the nutrient inputs than did microbial biomass proliferation. For the other two organic fertilizer variants, bacterial population dynamics were broadly similar, with peak densities recorded in June, ranging from 5.98 log₁₀ CFU g⁻¹ soil (V3) to 6.03 log₁₀ CFU g⁻¹ soil (V1). A comparable trend was observed in DHA: in V3, maximum DHA was attained in June (30 µg TPF g⁻¹ soil), after which it remained relatively stable, whereas in V1, it peaked in June (24.05 µg TPF g⁻¹ soil) and subsequently declined slightly toward the end of the experimental period. Overall, the temporal dynamics of bacterial density and DHA demonstrated a strong dependence on the quality and biodegradability of the organic matter supplied by each fertilizer. Both parameters were consistently lower under inorganic fertilization compared with organic treatments, suggesting that the observed increases in microbial density and activity were primarily mediated by the enhanced availability of organic substrates. The relationship between the density of culturable heterotrophic bacteria and dehydrogenase (DH) activity was strongly positive (r = 0.79), indicating a close functional linkage between bacterial density and oxidative enzyme activity. This connection suggests that the culturable fraction of the heterotrophic microbial community plays a key role in the early stages of organic matter mineralization derived from the applied fertilizers, particularly in the decomposition of easily degradable substrates.

This study evaluated the effects of hybrid, climatic variability, and tillage systems on maize grain quality and antioxidant composition under sprinkler irrigation in South-Eastern Romania during 2023–2025. Three maize hybrids (P0900, P0937, and P1441) and three tillage systems (conventional, minimum, and no-tillage) were investigated under field conditions. Grain quality was assessed using hectoliter weight, protein, starch, and moisture content, while antioxidant composition was assessed using tocopherols and β-carotene. The hybrid was the main factor influencing grain quality and antioxidant composition. P0900 recorded the highest hectoliter weight (74.13 kg hL⁻¹), P1441 showed the highest protein content (9.14% DM), α-tocopherol concentration (9.18 µg g⁻¹ DW), and β-carotene content (4.41 µg g⁻¹ DW), whereas P0937 exhibited the highest starch content (74.39% DM). A strong inverse relationship between protein and starch accumulation was observed (r = −0.84, p < 0.01). Climatic variability significantly affected grain quality, with protein content increasing by 28.9%, grain moisture by 7.1% and hectoliter weight by 1.9% from 2024 to 2025, whereas starch content decreased by 1.6%. Tillage systems had comparatively minor effects, with reduced soil disturbance increasing protein and moisture content while slightly decreasing starch concentration. These findings highlight the dominant role of hybrid selection in determining maize grain quality and antioxidant composition under irrigated conditions.

The establishment of a more diverse community of organisms in a certain territory is surrounded by the existence of several methods for minimizing the negative side effects of human activities, maximizing diversity, and improving the viticultural landscape.Biodiversity can be measured by a number of indicators: frequency, relative abundance, dominance, constancy, fidelity, and fairness.In the present work, the main species existing at ground level are presented, monitored with the help of Barber traps in order to determine if there are changes in the agro-ecosystem of the vine culture.In the 2021-2022 period, the objectives of faunal research were achieved by analysing the state of the agro-ecosystem of the vine culture and specifying the groups of invertebrates, in order to be taken conservation and protection measures.

The use of organic fertilisers in agricultural systems has positive effects on the environment, and as a result, the use of organic inputs has become a safer alternative. In this situation, the aim of the present study was to assess the effect of ecological inputs’ application on the production components of the fennel culture. Foliar fertilization during the vegetation period with Cropmax and nettle maceration was included in the field of experience. The obtained results indicated that both applied fertilizers showed a tendency to increase production at higher levels than those identified for the control variant. On the basis of the achieved data, it was found that the application of Cropmax was more effective than nettle maceration and stimulated formation of seeds.