RESULTS STAGE IV – 2021
Introduction
In the last decades, concerns regarding the negative impact of agricultural activities on the environment, natural resources and even human health are growing, and in this regard, there is a need to approach interdisciplinary scientific research that will lead to solutions regarding assortment, ecological pre – and post – harvest technologies.
The declaration of the fruit sector as a priority sector for Romania’s agriculture and the introduction within the PNDR 2014-2020 of a Fruit Thematic Subprogram, with substantial funding dedicated to this field, requires innovative solutions from fruit research for implementation in new orchards, in order to increase technical and economic competitiveness in the field and the reduction of fruit imports. An important part of the beneficiaries of the projects approved for Sub-measure 4.1a „Investments in fruit farms” (it is estimated that about 20,000 ha are achieved), requested ecological technologies. Thus, in the period 2016-2017, out of the total areas designed and approved by Research Institute for Fruit Growing Pitești Mărăcineni and the network of fruit resorts, over 40% require ecological technologies.
In Romania, organic agriculture comprised, at the level of 2019, an area of 395,228 ha, respectively 2.9% of the total. Perennial crops occupy only 15,905 ha in the case of Romania, respectively 4.0% of total organic agriculture nationwide (EUROSTAT 2021).
From the point of view of fruit species in the ecological system, 6,353 ha are registered in Romania, of which 4,205 ha in the complete ecological system and the rest in conversion (FIBL, 2018). In 2013, in Romania were included in the ecological system 1,420 ha of fruit trees and berries (Eurostat, 2018).
Therefore, the general objective of the project is to increase the institutional capacity of RDI in the field of organic fruit growing system of the public research organizations members of the consortium.
The increase of productive capacity and economic performance are dependent, first of all, on the assortments of fruit trees and berries suitable for organic cultivation, but also on the application of nutrition and phytoprotection technologies with products allowed in organic farming, as well as the use of storage technologies of fruit to prolong their storage and processing.
Thus, regarding the assortment, the requirements of fruit growers regarding the choice of assortment in establish the organic plantations are increasing and therefore the introduction of new Romanian varieties and rootstocks, tolerant to biotic stress accentuated by climate change in recent years, can contribute to economic revival of organic fruit production
Considering the demand for new varieties, the ecological particularities of the favorable culture areas for fruit trees and berries, the economic and social context, the results obtained so far in breeding of varieties and rootstocks and the high potential of autochthonous and foreign varieties and genetic resources available, the general objective was to identify, evaluate and promote the best varieties of fruit trees and berries, with genetic resistance / tolerance to diseases and pests, suitable for organic fruit growing system.
Regarding to nutrition of orchards, current soil management strategies depend mainly on inorganic chemical fertilizers, which have been a serious threat to human health and the environment.
Consumers and producers of organic products understand organic farming as the production of fruit without the use of synthetic chemicals. In reality, however, the problem is much more complex than excluding the use of synthetic pesticides and other chemical inputs, because a number of specific cultural measures must be applied in organic farming
In organic farming, the basis of fertilization is natural organic fertilizers, those prepared according to a special technique (biodynamic composts), bio-fertilizers (contain microorganisms) and natural mineral fertilizers (phosphorus flour, natural potassium salts, etc.).
Fertilization is an essential technological link in the formation of fruit yield, and the existence of a recipe, doses and moments of application of fertilizers for a certain crop and under certain conditions, is a necessity. Agriculture in general and fruit growing in particular is a local science, so the development of a fertilization technology valid for a specific species or even a variety, in a pedo-climatic zone and for a level of fruit production per unit area, it is very useful.
Regarding the phytoprotection of fruit plantations, it can be said that, in the context of climate change, the range of pathogens and pests is also in a continuous dynamic (new pests appear), their biological cycle undergoes changes, which require ecological control solutions (products, moments optimal, doses, etc.). At present, when the agrochemical offer has evolved spectacularly, offering a multitude of fertilizers, ecological pesticides, biotechnical and biological methods, it is necessary to try them and improve the ecological technologies of phytoprotection of plantations and fruit nurseries, with selective products for useful entomofauna, non-polluting man and the environment.
In the field of mechanization, according to Annex II to Directive 2009/128 / EC, pesticide application equipment must operate reliably and be used properly for the purpose for which it was designed to ensure that pesticides can be dosed and distributed exactly.
In terms of fruit storage, post-harvest technologies have the role of prolonging the life of the fruit, fresh or processed, being a component that adds value to organic production and also reduces production losses during peak periods. At European level, the European Commission finances through the CORE Organic program a series of projects that contribute to finding technological solutions that ensure the quality and food safety of organic products throughout the production / storage / processing flow.
The objectives of the fourth stage of the ECOTEHNOPOM complex project, 2021 are:
Project component 1:
– Validation of the results by elaboration of assortment schemes suitable for organic culture in Romania and preparation of flyers with the presentation of the assortment suitable and recommended for organic fruit growing.
Project component 2:
– Verification of the repeatability of indicators, biometric and biological parameters obtained in the second year of experimentation by including sequences in the set of components of technologies in all species studied.
– Carrying out a technical-economic study; Calculation and interpretation of technical and economic indicators on the efficiency of ecological technologies.
– Analysis and interpretation of experimental data in order to develop documentation on ecological pre-harvest technologies for propagation and exploitation of fruit species.
– Elaboration of the practical guide – Ecological technologies in fruit growing.
Project component 3:
– Preparation of technical documentation of nutrition and plant protection products for technology transfer.
Project component 4:
– Validation of the sets of indicators regarding the quality of organic fruits preserved and processed, in different technological conditions in order to improve the technology.- Elaboration of a joint RDI program.
Results obtained in the fourth stage of the ECOTEHNOPOM complex project, 2021:
Project component 1:
– Experimental report -1;
– Ecological assortment schemes – 29;
– Scientific papers in ISI / BDI volumes – 1;
– Scientific communication – 1;
– Flyers with ecological assortment – 10.
Project component 2:
– Experimental report – ecological technologies – 1;
– Study technical-economic – 1;
– Ecological technologies new or improved for the propagation and exploitation of fruit species – 10;
– Technology for the application with precision and variable standards of organic products in fruit orchards – 1
– Scientific communication – 5;
– Participation in TV shows – 2;
– Diplomas obtained at International Salons of Invention – 2;
– Practical guide – Ecological technologies in fruit growing.
Project component 3:
– Technical documentation for organic plant protection product in fruit growing – 1.
– Technical documentation for organic nutrition product in fruit growing – 1.
– Patent applications – 2.
Project component 4:
– Experimental report: New / Improved post-harvest ecological technologies – 3;
– Research report tests qualitative indicators – 1;
– Training guide on paper and / or magnetic support – 3;
– Training of potential beneficiaries -1;
– Project presentation posters – 1;
– Scientific articles – 1.
To improve the skills of human resources, type B checks were carry out: working visits for 2 experienced researchers from RIFG Piteşti Mărăcineni to USAMV Bucharest and training courses for 1 young researcher from RSFG Iasi to RIFG Piteşti Mărăcineni.
To increase the visibility of scientific results: 1 workshop was organized, participated in TV shows and published and are being published articles and scientific papers at conferences in the country and abroad, such as:
- The workshop “Ecological technologies pre and post harvest in support of the farmer”, organized by USAMV Bucharest on May 14, 2021, where 9 scientific papers were presented:
– Assortments suitable for organic fruit growing, authors: Butac M., Sturzeanu M., Chivu M., Mareși E., Hera O., Gavăt C., Sîrbu S., Botu M.;
– Technological solutions for protected organic system for some species of fruit berries, authors: Asănică A., Popescu D.;
– Ecological technologies of nutrition and phytoprotection applied to some species of fruit trees and berries, authors: Sumedrea M., Chițu E., Butac M., Mazilu I., Achim Gh., Iurea E.;
– The evolution of the effectiveness of some ecological products in the control of plum aphids, authors: Moldovan C., Zagrai I., Zagrai L., Maxim A.;
– Technology for monitoring Microlepidoptera in the peach variety Catherine sel. 1 in ecological system, author Moale C.;
– Spraying equipment equipped with automatic system for detecting the characteristics of the target culture, author Manea D.;
– Biological effectiveness of emulsions based on oils and vegetable extracts in control of scab and powdery mildew at apple, authors: Călinescu M., Ducu C., Bubueanu C.
– Technologies for storing organic fruits in a controlled atmosphere, authors: Stan A., Frîncu M., Cătuneanu I., Bădulescu L.
– Models of minimum dehydration processing applicable to fruit obtained from organic fruit growing, authors: Vintilă M., Singh M.
- Article and scientific papers:
– The influences of post-harvest technologies on ‘Centenar’ plums quality, authors: A. Stan, M. Butac, V.A. Ion, I. Bezdadea-Cătuneanu, M. Frîncu, L. Bădulescu, XIII INTERNATIONAL CONTROLLED AND MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE RESEARCH CONFERENCE („fulltext received” and „Await review”).
– Modified atmosphere influence in organic ‘Tita’ plums quality, authors: Andreea Stan, Mihai Frîncu, Violeta Alexandra Ion, Liliana Bădulescu, in “Agriculture for Life, Life for Agriculture” organized during 03-05.06.2021 at USAMV Bucharest – accepted.
– Preliminary results concerning organic plums dehydration, authors Toma Mariana, Vintilă M, Popescu Simona, Moise Daniela, Tănase Veronica, Dumitrescu I.L. published in “ISB-INMA-TEH 2020 Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering”, pg. 913 – 919. http://isbinmateh.inma.ro/archive.html.
– Monitoring of physiological parameters in post-harvest technologies applicable to organic fruits, authors: ACS dr. Ioana Cătuneanu, CS III dr. Andreea Stan, Lumea Satului, May, 27, 2021 (https://www.lumeasatului.ro/articole-revista/actualitate/7539-monitorizarea-parametrilor-fiziologici-in-tehnologiile-post-recolta-aplicabile-fructelor-ecologice.html
- Participate in TV shows:
– Show „Viata satului” from May 9, 2021;
– Show „Viata satului” from May 14, 2021;
– Show „Viata satului” from May 30, 2021.
- Participation in International Invention Shows: IDEA – Expo Hungary and PROINVENT International Salon, 18th edition, November 18-20, 2020, Cluj-Napoca, where 2 diplomas were obtained:
– Diploma and Gold Medal at the International Invention Fair IDEA-EXPO 2020, Hungary;
– Diploma of Excellence and Gold Medal at the PROINVENT International Salon, 18th edition, November 18-20, 2020, Cluj-Napoca
Authors: Manea D., Matache M., Marin E., Gheorghe G.
The implementation stage of the project is in accordance with the calendar of activities provided in the Implementation Plan – Annex II.b to the Financing Contract no. 12PCCDI / 2018, stage no. 4 of the project being fully realized, without requiring modifications, fully achieving the proposed objectives.
GENERAL CONCLUSIONS
The objectives of the complex project 12 PCCDI were fully achieved in the 4 stages carried out between 29.03.2018-31.05.2021.
Research Institute for Fruit Growing Pitești-Mărăcineni, as coordinator of the ECOTEHNOPOM complex project, together with the 9 partners of the consortium (P1 – SCDP Constanța, P2 – SCDP Iași, P3 – UCV – SCDP Vâlcea, P4 – USAMV Bucharest, P5 – INMA Bucharest, P6 – SCDP Bistrița, P7 – University of Pitești, P8 – ICCF Bucharest and P9 – HORTING Bucharest), contributed to the realization of all activities in the implementation plan, fulfillment of objectives and result indicators that were fully achieved. The project was finished with the elaboration of 10 flyers with the assortment suitable for organic fruit growing; elaboration of 10 new and / or improved ecological technologies for the propagation and exploitation of fruit species; developing a technology for the application with precision and variable standards of organic products in fruit orchards; editing the Practical Guide – Ecological technologies in fruit growing; editing of 3 guides (storage and freeze-drying processes); registration of 5 new varieties (apple, plum, cherry, peach, walnut); patenting of two organic nutrition and plant protection products; patenting a controlled and modified atmosphere storage technology; patenting a fruit dehydration technology; patenting of an automatic system for detecting the characteristics of the target crop, applied on the tractor’s spraying equipment. These results were disseminated through the publication of articles and scientific papers, the organization of workshops attended by private farmers, participation in fairs, exhibitions and International Invention Shows.
Project manager contact details
PhD. Mădălina Butac
e-mail: office@icdp-pitesti.ro, madalinabutac@yahoo.com
Tel: +40-248-278066;
Fax: +40-248-278477