The National Institute of Research – Development for Machines and Installations Designed for Agriculture and Food Industry

Nanopriming enhances seed germination and early vigor by delivering micronutrients at the nanoscale level. This study evaluated the size-dependent effects of ZnO (7 nm, 100 nm) and Fe₂O₃ (4.5 nm, 16.7 nm) nanoparticles (NPs) on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) germination dynamics. Seeds were primed with 10–100 μg/mL NPs, and germination was assessed through mean germination time (MGT), germination speed index (GSI), and synchrony (CV). NP type and size, but not concentration, significantly affected MGT and GSI. ZnO 7 nm enhanced speed and uniformity, while Fe₂O₃ 4.5 nm delayed and desynchronized germination. These results show that nanoparticle physicochemical properties critically modulate germination, highlighting ZnO nanopriming for improved seedling emergence.

The study investigates the influence of different substrates on seed germination and early plant development under controlled environmental conditions, using a specially designed intelligent plant growth simulation system. Experiments were conducted with lettuce and radish seeds sown in peat, garden compost, and podzol. The system allowed precise control of temperature, humidity, soil moisture, light, and carbon dioxide, enabling a reliable comparison of treatments. The initial physical and chemical properties of the substrates were characterized, showing the lowest moisture and density in peat, while compost and podzol displayed higher values and more balanced nutrient content. The results demonstrated that lettuce germinated successfully across all substrates, although peat delayed germination by 5–7 hours and true leaves appearance by up to 12 hours. In radish, the effect was more pronounced: compost and podzol ensured rapid germination (94–95 hours) with high success rates (~98%), whereas peat resulted in delays exceeding 100 hours and germination rates below 25%. Correlation analyses highlighted strong links between delayed germination and reduced performance, especially in peat. Overall, the study confirmed that substrate choice is critical for achieving uniform and efficient germination, with compost and podzol providing optimal conditions, and emphasized the practical value of simulation systems for improving crop establishment.

The management of organic nutrients at farm level is essential for agricultural sustainability and environmental protection, with the main objective of efficiently using the farm's own resources (manure, plant residues etc.) and reducing pollution (especially with nitrates). An efficient management requires an integrated vision at farm level, treating animal manure and plant residuesnot as garbage but as valuable resources for soil fertility. Maximizing the use of nutrients from animal manure and plant residues on the farm (part of the plant-animal cycle) must be achieved in accordance with regulations regarding compliance with legal norms, in particular those of the Nitrates Directive, which impose restrictions on the quantity (max. 170 kg/ha/year organic fertilizers), but also those regarding the period of their application, namely the prohibition of the application of organic fertilizers during periods of vegetative dormancy or when the risk of runoff/leakage is high (for example - on frozen, flooded or snow-covered soil). The study conducted in the development macro regions 1 and 2 was based on the method of questionnaires addressed directly to farmers in the mentioned area who use organic fertilizers (manure, plant residues or sewage sludge) on their farms. From the total number of respondents, 50% mentioned the use of this practice on a regular basis, and 66.7% stated that they have been using this practice for over 10 years, having as their source of manure exclusively their own farm. Another aspect highlighted by the research was that relating to the average amount of organic fertilizer applied per unit area, a dose that ranged between 10 t/ha and 20 t/ha of fermented or semi-fermented manure together with the plant residues of the crops established on the farm.

The increasing demand for sustainable aquafeeds necessitates the development of alternative protein sources that support both economic efficiency and ecological responsibility. This study evaluates the potential of using hempseed meal (a nutrient-dense agro-industrial by-product) as a functional ingredient in carp aquaculture diets. The paper presents a proof-of-concept evaluation demonstrating the potential of hempseed meal as a circular bio-ingredient that aligns with the principles of sustainable aquaculture, rather than providing a comprehensive assessment of its long-term physiological effects on fish. A 90-day feeding trial was conducted under controlled pond conditions to assess the effects of graded hempseeds meal inclusion levels on growth performance, feed utilization, and environmental sustainability indicators for three Cyprinus carpio varieties. Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated: a control diet (R1) based on conventional plant protein sources such as soybean and pea meal, and three experimental diets containing 5%, 10%, and 20% hempseed meal (R2–R4). Growth indices including absolute weight gain (WG), average daily gain (ADG), specific growth rate (SGR), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined, and data was analyzed via two-way ANOVA with Tukey HSD post hoc testing. Results indicated that 10% hempseed meal inclusion produced optimal growth responses, improving specific growth rate by 12.6% and reduced feed conversion ratio by 10.8% compared to the control. The most pronounced effects were observed for Frăsinet carp variety (SGR 1.23%·day−1; FCR 1.39). Environmental assessments demonstrated that substituting conventional protein sources (soybean and pea meal) with hempseed meal at 20% inclusion valorized 200 kg of hemp press cake per ton of feed, reduced conventional protein use by 33.3%, diverted up to 80% of waste from disposal. These findings validate hempseed meal as a sustainable, cost-effective, and nutritionally viable alternative to conventional protein sources in freshwater aquaculture, advancing circular bioeconomy strategies and supporting low-carbon fish production systems.

Drought and soil degradation represent critical challenges to sustainable agriculture and global food security, because they limit crop productivity and disrupt ecosystem services. The paper explores novel solutions designed to mitigate the impacts of drought and restore soil functionality in agricultural systems. The proposed approaches integrate innovative soil amendments, such as biochar and compost-based bioproducts, with advanced water conservation techniques and biological interventions aimed at improving soil structure, fertility, and moisture retention. Furthermore, the study examines the role of microbial inoculants and organic matter management in enhancing soil resilience to climatic stressors. This paper focuses on the analysis of case studies that illustrate notable advances in mitigating the effects of drought and improving the quality of agricultural soils through the use of unconventional and innovative technologies. The results highlight the effectiveness of integrating biological, physical, and chemical strategies, carefully adapted to specific site conditions. The adoption of these novel approaches has the potential to enhance the resilience of agricultural systems to climate variability, while simultaneously supporting productivity and long-term sustainability. This research supports the development of climate-smart agricultural approaches that harmonize productive farming with long-term environmental sustainability. This paper synthesizes and critically evaluates the most effective and current strategies identified in recent literature, offering a comprehensive overview aimed at advancing efforts to combat climate change.

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the global state of research and technological advancements in irrigation systems for agricultural crops, with a focus on the development of an energy-independent subsystem designed by the authors – SEMSI (Self-sustaining Energy Mobile Subsystem for Irrigation). SEMSI operates using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power and is intended for use in areas lacking access to the electrical grid but with available water resources. To support the conceptualization and future optimization of this subsystem, the study outlines key principles of irrigation, reviews existing technologies and their performance, and analyses the functionality of both traditional and modern irrigation systems, including gravity, sprinkler, and drip methods. This documentation lays the groundwork for further development of the SEMSI system and serves as a reference base for theoretical modeling and experimental validation in future research stages.

Gasification of municipal solid waste and other biogenic residues (e.g., biomass and biowaste) is increasingly recognized as a promising thermochemical pathway for converting non-recyclable fractions into valuable energy carriers, with applications in electricity generation, district heating, hydrogen production, and synthetic fuels. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of major gasification technologies, including fixed bed, fluidized bed, entrained flow, plasma, supercritical water, microwave-assisted, high-temperature steam, and rotary kiln systems. Key aspects such as feedstock compatibility, operating parameters, technology readiness level, and integration within circular economy frameworks are critically evaluated. A comparative assessment of incineration and pyrolysis highlights the environmental and energetic advantages of gasification. The valorization pathways for main product (syngas) and by-products (syngas, ash, tar, and biochar) are also explored, emphasizing their reuse in environmental, agricultural, and industrial applications. Despite progress, large-scale adoption in Europe is constrained by economic, legislative, and technical barriers. Future research should prioritize scaling emerging systems, optimizing by-product recovery, and improving integration with carbon capture and circular energy infrastructures. Supported by recent European policy frameworks, gasification is positioned to play a key role in sustainable waste-to-energy strategies, biomass valorization, and the transition to a low-emission economy.

The livestock farming sector is undergoing digitalization, where blockchain technologies are more and more integrated into smart platforms in order to ensure traceability, accountability, and food safety. This paper presents the performance evaluation of a novel smart beef cattle farm management system that makes use of IoT sensor networks, smart contracts, and machine learning to support real-time decision-making and environmental monitoring, while providing end-to-end traceability and data integrity via blockchain. After designing and implementing the platform, we conducted a performance evaluation, simulating different farm conditions. The obtained results offer the basis for a discussion on blockchain-based infrastructure in agriculture, and its applicability for real-world deployment, depending on farm features.

Plowing is recognized as an essential agricultural task that cannot yet easily be substituted with alternative soil processing methods due to its significance. However, it is also one of the most fuel-intensive operations. The main objective of this paper is to determine the optimal operational parameters (working speed and working width) of a plowing aggregate composed of a 180 HP tractor and a 5-moldboard plow, which ensures the full utilization of the tractor engine's power and the use of the aggregate at its maximum working capacity, respectively, achieving an optimal power balance.

(1) Background: Hibernation in Lutrasil-covered enclosures led to elevated mortality rates for Cornu aspersum on Romanian farms. This two-year study evaluated the feasibility of adapting indoor hibernation technology to the Italian outdoor snail farming (IOSF) system as a solution for overwintering mature C. aspersum snails. (2) Methods: Body weight, survival rates, and mortality factors during key hibernation phases (purging and overwintering) were monitored in three commercial snail farms using different hibernation scenarios. Labor efficiency was evaluated, comparing the use of micro shelters vs. hand-picking for snail collection. We analyzed post-purging/post-hibernation weight loss and mortality in hibernation spaces with and without proper thermal insulation. Mortality causes were also investigated. (3) Results: Using micro shelters significantly reduced labor time for snail collection. Weight loss during purging, but not during overwintering, were similar between groups. Post-hibernation survival ranged from 69% to 79% for comparable hibernation durations. Significantly lower survival was associated with significantly higher weight loss and using hibernation spaces with minimal thermal insulation. Predators exerted a very limited effect on post-hibernation survival, with most death appearing to be related to environmental causes. (4) Integrating indoor hibernation into the IOSF system is a promising strategy for the successful rearing of C. aspersum in colder climates.