Ion Oltean

Preliminary Research Concerning the Application of Viermicompost on Aphid Control in Fruit Growing

There is a growing interest for sustainable agriculture as a response to consumer’s health interest. Vermicompost is a product that answers to this demand. Due to the complex chemical composition it can be used both as a fertilizer, and pesticide. The experiment was conducted in laboratory conditions. On infested branches with black cherries aphids, three different concentrations of liquid vermicompost were applied. The variants were separated by an insulator made from solid framework covered with gauze and each of them consisted in three replicates. The data was registered at 24h, 48h, and 72h when the number of dead individuals was rated and at seven days when both alive and dead individuals were counted. Regarding the effect of liquid vermicompost concentration, the highest mortality was obtained in variant 2 (1:5) with a percentage of 82.72%. Variant 3 follows with the most concentrated solution of vermicompost (1:3), but a lower percentage 73.84%. In variant 1 (1:10) the mortality was of 70.59%, this represents the lowest value registered. Â

Pristiphora abietina Christ., defoliator in resinous forest stands of Lunca Bradului Forestry Department.

Pristiphora abietina Christ. is one of the most dangerous pests of coniferous forest stands, especially at those that are located outside their natural vegetation area. During four years this species was monitored in Lunca Bradului Forestry Department and it has been found that there is a trend of reduced infested areas and the degree of infestation. Infested area decreased from 2.85% (in 2010) to 0.39% (in 2013) of the total area of the Forestry Department. As a result of soil surveys it was found that larval hibernating density ranged from: 1.3 to 25.2 larvae / m² (in 2010, from 1.2 to 6.5 larvae / m² (in 2011) , between 1.1 to 2.9 larvae / m² (in 2012), and between 1.1 to 2.2 larvae / m² (2013). This trend is determined both by the action of chemical control of larvae and due to the contribution of useful entomofauna. In this infested stands, we proceeded to multiplying the ant mounds. Entomofauna of predatory Carabidae collected in Barber traps is represented by 36 species. The dominant species are: Carabus ulrichii Germar. and Harpalus distinguendus Duft.

Aspects concerning external morphology of the Monarthropalpus buxi species.

The aspects of external morphology in the Monarthopalpus buxi species (Rubsaamen) - (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) are important in recognizing and distinguishing this species among other pests, and then in establishing strategies for prevention and fight against this pest. With the purpose of studying morphological aspects, the biological material, that is eggs, larvae, chrysalis, adults, has been collected from the Buxus serpenvirens bushes considered for the study. The biological material has been collected on the leaves (egg, larva, adult), whilst the chrysalis from the interior of the leaf, nearby the median nervure, with the help of utensils (brushes, bolds, spatula, scalpel, scissors). The adults have been captured with the help of colored panels and a brush with 70% alcohol, on leaves, and then introduced in sterile test-tubes with 70% alcohol, and ultimately brought in the laboratory for photos. The eggs and larvae have been collected directly on leaves; three small branches have been collected from each bush and brought in the laboratory for photos within one hour. The chrysalis has been collected from the interior of the leaf; 10 leaves have been collected from each Buxus serpenvirens bush considered for the study, and dissected in the laboratory with the help of two entomological bolds, and then photographed. The photos have been made in the laboratory, at the University of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences in Cluj-Napoca, with a binocular magnifying-glass type Motic (Szm-143, Input 220-240 Vac) and a Sony (Zeiss-Carl, 7,2 Mega pixel, Full Hd-1080) camera.