Plant fibers are sustainable sources of materials for many industries, and can be obtained from a variety of plants. Cellulose is the main constituent of plant-based fibers, and its properties give the characteristics of the fibers obtained. Detailed characterization of cellulosic fibers is often performed after lengthy extraction procedures, while fast screening might bring the benefit of quick qualitative assessment of unprocessed stems. The aim of this research was to define some marker spectral regions that could serve for fast, preliminary qualitative characterization of unprocessed stems from some textile plants through a practical and minimally invasive method without lengthy extraction procedures. This could serve as a screening method for sorting raw materials by providing an accurate overall fingerprint of chemical composition. For this purpose, we conducted comparative Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) prospecting for quality markers in stems of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), velvet leaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik.), hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) and jute (Corchorus olitorius L.). Analysis confirmed the presence of major components in the stems of the studied plants. Fingerprint regions for cellulose signals were attributed to bands at 1420–1428 cm⁻¹ assigned to the crystalline region and 896–898 cm⁻¹ assigned to the amorphous region of cellulose. The optimization of characterization methods for raw materials is important and can find immediate practical applications.

Lavender is in the research spotlight due to its increasing economic importance, while market demand is expected to continue to grow. Among the hundreds of essential-oil-bearing plants, Lavandula angustifolia Mill. remains one of the most valuable. This paper explores the lavender chain timeline from crop to products, examining the expanding knowledge on the characteristics, phytochemical profile and functional potential of lavender that could lead to new products and uses. Lavender crops can be expanded without competing for productive land, instead using marginal, contaminated or unproductive land. A novel cultivation trend proposes leveraging agri-background biodiversity, arbuscular mycorrhiza and the natural enemies of pests for healthy crops. Together with breeding efforts targeting highly performant genotypes with complex volatile profiles coupled with resistance to specific biotic (particularly Phytoplasma) and abiotic (salt, heavy metals) stressors, industry could have a steady supply of high-quality raw material. Besides the expansion of the uses of essential oil in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food and environmental and agri-applications, novel channels have appeared for the use of the solid by-product, which is rich in polyphenols and polysaccharides; these channels have the potential to create additional streams of value. The stabilization and optimization of techno-functional delivery systems through the encapsulation of essential oil can extend shelf-life and enhance biological activity efficiency.

During the process of maize seed production, in order to ensure the genetic purity of parental forms of hybrid maize, an important work performed is the removal of male inflorescences from plants on mother rows. Hand detasseling has high precision but is labor-intensive. Mechanical detasseling offers the possibility to cover large acreages in a short period of time, but the number of leaves removed has a varying influence on plant performance and seed yield. The aim of this study was to simulate three types of damages on plants similar to those induced through mechanical detasseling and to assess the effects for five inbred lines during the course of three years. Results show that when tassels alone were removed, the average seed yield decreased an average of 4–21%. When two leaves were removed with the tassel, yield decreased an average of 22–31%, while when plants were cut above the main ear, seed yield decreased an average of 31–66%. Environmental conditions influenced seed yield, especially high temperatures during flowering. Yield response to tassel and leaves removal varied between the inbred lines. Genotype controls maize ear and kernel characters, while environmental factors exercise a strong influence on seed yield, due to the succession of years with contrasting weather conditions in a key phenophase. Within the trend of full mechanization in agriculture, identification of inbred lines that cope better with plant damage can assist in optimizing seed production.

Essential oils are a category of agro-based industrial products experiencing increasing demand. In this research, three essential oils obtained by steam distillation from lavender, sage and basil plants cultivated in temperate continental conditions of Transylvania were investigated for chemical composition, physical characteristics and biological activity (antimicrobial and cytotoxic effect on cancer cell lines). The number of identified compounds varied: 38 for lavender, 29 for sage essential oil and 41 for basil. The volatile profile was dominated by terpenes and terpenoids (>80%). Major components were beta-linalool and linalool acetate in lavender essential oil; thujones and camphor in sage essential oil; beta-linalool, thujone, camphor and eucalyptol in basil essential oil. Refractive index of the essential oils was lowest for lavender and highest for sage. Antibacterial activity was strongest for basil, moderate for lavender and weakest for sage essential oil. The most active on both colon adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) and ovary carcinoma (A2780) was sage essential oil.

Iris germanica L. is an ornamental and medicinal plant used since ancient times for their rhizomes, still utilized today to obtain orris butter highly valued in perfumery. Iris germanica presents special root adaptations, which confers certain tolerance to water and salt stress, making it a good option in the context of the current climate trend. Aim of this study was to prospect the potential for biofortification of rhizomes using commercial arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) application in field conditions for six Iris germanica cultivars. Plants presented Paris-type AM colonization. Rhizome samples collected after nine months from treatment and maturated, presented FT-IR (fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) spectra variation between experimental variants. Presence of the main metabolites in rhizome could be confirmed based on literature. Screening focused on two rhizome quality markers: carbohydrates, which influence plant development, and fatty acids, which are extractable from rhizome. Results suggest potential to enhance their accumulation in certain cultivars, such as ‘Pinafore Pink’ following AM application.