Romania
The seventh international “Fascination of Plants Day” around 18 May 2024 will be launched by plant scientists across the world under the umbrella of the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO).
The goal of this activity is to get as many people as possible around the world fascinated by plants and enthused about the importance of plant science for agriculture and sustainable production of nutritious food, as well as for horticulture, forestry and the production of plant-based non-food products such as paper, timber, chemicals, energy and pharmaceuticals. The role of plants in environmental conservation is also a key message.
Everybody is welcome to join this initiative!
Robin Rose Bannet sais:’’Mother nature’s chest is full of healing herbs of inestimable value’’
Medicinal plants have been used for centuries for their therapeutic effect. The use of natural resources for the purpose of treating some diseases is part of the tradition of many countries even today. These are an inexhaustible source of resources in the pharmaceutical world. At “Vasile Fati” Botanical Garden Jibou, in the medicinal plant collection there are also plants from the spontaneous flora that we presented in the suggestive mini-brochure “First aid kit from nature”. It is intended to be an activity for children, adults and families.
This activity aims to introduce participants to the culinary possibilities of edible flowers, including their selection, preparation, and incorporation into various dishes, while also discussing their cultural significance and health benefits. Edible flowers have been gaining popularity among researchers, nutritionists and chefs all around the world. Nowadays, flowers are used to make food look and/or taste better; however, they are also a very good source of valuable nutrients (antioxidants, vitamins, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, macro and microelements). The exposition will include ways to valorise edible flowers in different vegetable matrices. By exploring the nutritional aspects of edible flowers, participants gain a deeper appreciation for these unique ingredients and the diverse culinary experiences they can offer. This event is organized by the Faculty of Food Science and Technology and coordinated by Assoc. prof. dr. Anamaria Pop, Lecturer dr. Georgiana Smaranda Marțiș.
The botanical garden can be considered as a living book of botany. Visitors are invited to a guided tour where they will learn how to “read” this book to understand the plant world and occasionally even aspects of the animal kingdom. The Agro-Botanical Garden from Cluj has, similar to the chapters, 4 thematic sectors: the Sector of Ornamental Plants, the Sector of Plant Ecology, the Sector of Systematic Classification and the Sector of Biodiversity. They are further subdivided into 36 sub-sectors. In the month of flowers, visitors will observe in the exploration through these thematic sectors and sub-sectors a lot of species in all the splendour of their vitality.
The Agro-Botanical Garden of UASVM Cluj-Napoca is a member of the international organization of botanical gardens (BGCI – Botanic Gardens Conservation International), annually exchanges biological material with several hundred botanical gardens from all over the world, being a member of the IPEN community – The International Plant Exchange Network and publishing the Index Seminum annually.
Assoc. prof. dr. Andrei Stoie (co-ordinator of Agro-Botanical Garden Cluj-Napoca)
The museum offers a true story of Romanian botany, written by some of the greatest researchers in the field: from Pater Bela – the first director of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences and, at the same time, the first researcher of medicinal plants in Romania to Iuliu Prodan, professor of botany in this discipline and collaborator in the still unsurpassed Flora of Romania. The Scientific Herbarium of USAMV Cluj-Napoca was established in 1904, being linked from its beginnings to the activity of the botany department that operated within the institution. Currently, the USAMV Cluj-Napoca Scientific Herbarium has over 30000 herbarium sheets and specimens registered, this herbarium being listed in the International Index of Scientific Herbaria (Index Herbariorum), under the acronym CLA. The importance of scientific herbaria is also noted in the modern era, through the need to keep material records of botanical specimens included in scientific studies and research, for consultation.
Prof. dr. Rodica Vârban, Assist prof. Ioana Crișan, dr. eng. Liliana Istrate
The workshop will present creative ways to “transform” various specimens of vegetation that have lost their ornamental value through defoliation, chaotic growth or crown damage, into topiary forms, plant sculptures or even bonsai. The exposition will include a description of the pruning principles that apply in these cases, and the ways to maintain and improve the quality of the plants and will be accompanied by the presentation of the tools used, the work techniques, and practical examples of interventions in the crown of the plants will be shown. At the end of the workshop, there will be an interactive session, accompanied by discussions, questions and answers on the topics discussed. Assoc. prof. dr. Valentin Dan.
The activity proposes a more attentive approach regarding how we perceive life, through senses. As humans, we take it for granted that we can run when we hear a threatening sound, think and speak about our emotions, or change the environment so that we can feel comfortable. But, how intriguing is it to note the difference between us and plants, regarding the sensitivity to various stimulants? During the presentation, we will discover how a plant can ”hear”, communicate or even ”dance”. We will find out about examples of different plant senses, and learn why the universe of such living organisms is so fascinating. Coordinators: Assoc.prof.dr. Catalina Dan and Assoc.prof.dr.Denisa Jucan.
When we look at a landscape we see it as a whole, but in its structure, there are several layers that define it and give a special atmosphere. Every plant looks and feels differently. Following the GPS coordinates set on the campus map by using a smartphone, you will find a pathway that will immerse you into the green landscape of our campus made of mysterious species. Discover colorful flowers, impressive trees, smelling shrubs, prickly leaves, find them, smell them, taste them and read about the benefits and the importance of each one on the page that opens when you reach the plant! Coordinators Lecturer dr. Bodea Sonia and Assoc.Prof.dr. Denisa Jucan
Ms Simona Ciupe associate professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is a passionate photographer. If from love to passion is a single step, translating it into images means moments of eternity……
On this special day, we invite you to get the message of plants, flowers and their friends through the eyes and soul of a great nature lover.
Population increase, poverty, environmental degradation, and the use of synthetic herbicides are interdependent and closely linked and hence influence global food safety and stability of world agriculture. On the one hand, varied weeds, insects, and other pests caused losses in agricultural crop productivity annually. On the other hand, the use of synthetic insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other pesticides significantly disturbs the ecology of biotic communities in agricultural and natural ecosystems. In nature, survival through competitive environments for space, light, water and nutrients, as well as defence against microorganisms and insects is accomplished through a variety of adapting mechanisms that depict a biochemical interaction among living systems. This phenomenon was later called allelopathy.
The adaptations of plants, such as cacti, insectivorous plants, or aquatic plants, to various living conditions, have piqued the interest of researchers since ancient times. If you are interested in learning more about these adaptations and how to care for these plants, we invite you to participate in the guided tours organized by the botanical garden on this topic.
These tours will take place on May 18, 2024, at 10:00, 12:00, and 14:00. Participation in the guided tour is based on the entrance ticket to the botanical garden. Each tour will accommodate a maximum of 20 participants and appointments can be made via email at liliana.jarda@ubbcluj.ro
Plants are living creatures that covers most part of the earth. You see them all around yourself. But perceptions of what constitutes a plant have changed over time. There are several reasons why one might want to be concerned about plants: food security, medicinal value, climate regulation, ecosystem services, environmental impact, aesthetic and cultural value. Plants are humanity’s prime source of inspiration, as it seeks to order chaos and gain insight into life. In nature, plants are life with complexity and perplexity. The appetite for plants understanding is a reflection of the profound human need to grasp the patterns of living. Our botanical inspired installation will focus not just as an intellectual exercise, but within a very personal, emotional experience.
Essential oils are concentrated extracts from plants, obtained through hydrodistillation processes, which capture the compounds responsible for the aroma and the therapeutic effect of the plant. They are obtained from different parts of the plant: flowers, bark, leaves or fruits. In addition to their aromatic properties, essential oils also perform other functions. Each essential oil has a unique composition of chemicals, and this gives its distinctive aroma that has beneficial effects on the body. Visitors are invited to an aromatherapy with essential oils obtained from local crops: lavender, sage, hyssop, tarragon, basil and thyme. Out of these, lavender and sage oils are recognized at European level as products of USAMV Cluj. Along with these oils, there will be presented some aromatic plant seedlings: mint, lavender, sage, hyssop and basil. Prof. dr. Dan Ioan Vârban
Every minute, air currents, insects, and any moving object disperse millions of pollen grains. Thanks to the genetic information contained within each grain and the unique morphological features of their outer shell (exine), pollen analysis offers valuable insights, including the origin place and botanical identity (Sawer, 2006). Palynology is the science that deals with the study of pollen and spores, both viable and fossil. The most important object of study is pollen grains, which are analysed morphologically and botanically (Hesse et al., 2009). The study of palynology, through its applicability in fields such as taxonomy and plant evolution, medicine, identification of the botanical and geographical origin of honey, entomology, ecology, plant culture, or forensics, is of particular importance for our society. Many countries such as the USA, France, Italy, Austria, Turkey and Spain have invested considerable resources to develop this science. National programs have been developed to monitor the risk of allergies caused by anemophilic pollen, laboratories specialising in melisopalinological analysis have been developed, and databases have been set up to study the characteristics of pollen grains. CSII Rodica Margaoan PhD.
The Cluj Horticultural Days, conducted within the Faculty of Horticulture and Business in Rural Development, UASVM Cluj-Napoca reached the 3rd edition where the business in the field of horticulture, landscape architecture, tourism and rural development present the products and services to the people and entrepreneurial sectors. Also, during these days a lot of exhibitions and student activities bring the newest products in the field of horticulture, thus creating a connection between students and young people, which makes these days a good chance to show our business opportunities and student life on our campus.
The workshop is a competition initiated three years ago, at Fascination of Plants Day, now at its third edition.
Sustainable gastronomy presents a significant opportunity for fostering green recovery in various ways promoting local and seasonal foods, reducing food waste, putting emphasis on plant-based and low-impact ingredients and innovating food technology. It aims to select the best recipes, green gastronomy concepts, and methods to combine various vegetables, in a tasty plate. The winners of this competition will be selected by representatives of different food industry professionals. Diplomas and other awards are provided for the best high school students. This event is organized by the Faculty of Food Science and Technology and coordinated by Assoc. prof. dr. Anamaria Pop, Lecturer dr. Georgiana Smaranda Marțiș and Lecturer dr. Lucian Cuibus.
” When there is no more agriculture, the Romanian village will disappear and our national identity will be lost!”
Motivated by this belief, on Friday, 17th May 2024, starting at 10 a.m., we organised the Agricultural Exhibition Fair of the local producers and the students from the “Alexiu Berinde” Technical Agricultural High School, in Seini, Maramureș county. The event is included in the regional project ”Ecological Agriculture – a bridge between the past and the future” (approved in C.A.E.R., no. 1241/01.02.2024). It offered a great opportunity to celebrate the Fascination of Plants Day.
Through our Exhibition Fair, we wanted to present examples of best practices for raising vegetable and flower seedlings in the greenhouses of our school, cultivating vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, cucumbers, zucchinis) and selling them at the local market. All these activities also gave us the chance to promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, while presenting the career opportunities offered by a mostly agricultural high school to its future students.
This event paid homage to agriculture, to agricultural education, to the Romanian village and the fundamental values of our nation.
The Vth European Horticulture Congress, the most important event in Europe concerning horticulture and related fields will be held from 12 – 16 May 2024 in Bucharest, Romania. “Horticulture at crossroads” is addressing issues facing horticulture in our times and the 10 symposia will search for solutions for sustainable development in the near future.
The University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest and the Romanian Society of Horticulturists organizes the Vth European Horticulture Congress, under the auspices of the International Society of Horticultural Sciences (ISHS) and with the patronage of the Romanian Academy.
The EHC 2024 scientific program is structured in 10 Symposia, each covering a theme open to original results, innovative methods and multidisciplinary cross-cutting views.
S01 History of Horticulture in Europe
S02 Sustainable Vegetable Production from Seed to Health Booster Sources
S03 Fruit Production Systems for a Sustainable and Resilient Development
S04 Viticulture and Winemaking between Tradition and Innovation
S05 Berries in Europe between Opportunities and Challenges
S06 Ornamental Horticulture at the Service of the European Society
S07 Urban horticulture: from vertical farming to planting design
S08 Genetic Resources in Horticulture: screening, propagation, use, and conservation
S09 Robotics, mechanization and smart horticulture
S10 Post-harvest and horticultural products quality
We are honored to invite you to be a Keynote Speaker at the S03 Fruit Production Systems for a Sustainable and Resilient Development. Your expertise and insights would greatly contribute to the discussions on Fruit Production Systems for Sustainable and Resilient Development. We are confident that your participation as a Keynote Speaker will enhance the overall quality and depth of our event. Looking forward to your positive response and the opportunity to welcome you to Bucharest in May 2024 for this significant event!
The Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, within the Faculty of Environmental Protection, University of Oradea, through the teaching staff involved in the educational and research activity, is always concerned with the diversity of agricultural projects, the implementation of various practices and policies, the guidance and learning of students from the Agriculture, Horticulture and Landscape programs, so that in the future, they can ensure ecologically viable operations and conservation of plant biodiversity. It is not for nothing that agronomists as a whole are called “plant doctors”. This is because they are concerned about the health of the crops so that they can be safely used for food production, land reclamation, and also for their use as fuel. Together with our students from the 3 study programs of the Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, and other colleagues, including the staff of the Research Station, we develop and carry out various works specific to the agricultural and horticultural fields. In the experimental fields, but also in the laboratories, our students benefit from the best guidance and involvement in carrying out specific works and activities. Also, because we are open to presenting our efficiency and our experience in the field, we participate in various projects in the field, together with the local community, our students, the other teaching staff of the other departments of the faculty, and even with local public administration institutions. One such example is Plantăm speranță project, which since 2016 has also been running with our participation – students and teaching staff – alongside communities and local administrations. It is an international project, in which volunteers (over 6,300 people) participate who have planted and cared for approximately 83,800 trees on an area of over 17 hectares of public land from 5 counties.