Advances in Agriculture
and Botanics

In order to preserve ecological balance, human health, and sustainable development, plant biodiversity must be conserved using both in-situ and ex-situ methods. Through protected places like national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, and community-driven projects like sacred groves, in-situ strategies maintain species in their natural habitats. Ex-situ methods, such as tissue culture, botanical gardens, and seed banks, offer backup assistance by protecting species away from their natural habitats, facilitating subsequent reintroduction initiatives. India and other countries integrate traditional knowledge with legal frameworks, including the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, to meet local conservation needs. The importance of international collaborations is demonstrated by the way organizations work together globally through initiatives like the Millennium Seed Bank and conventions like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). However, issues like habitat loss, climate change, resource scarcity, and illicit trafficking still exist, necessitating a concerted effort that incorporates community involvement, scientific breakthroughs, and flexible conservation strategies.

Biofertilizers have emerged as promising tools for supporting sustainable and organic agriculture by improving nutrient availability, enhancing soil fertility, and promoting plant growth through natural biological processes. Increasing concerns regarding the environmental impacts of synthetic fertilizers have intensified interest in biological alternatives capable of maintaining agricultural productivity while reducing ecological pressures. This review examines the role of biofertilizers in sustainable agricultural systems, focusing on their classification, mechanisms of action, and contributions to soil health and environmental sustainability. The analysis highlights the ability of biofertilizers to improve nutrient cycling, stimulate beneficial microbial activity, enhance soil biodiversity, and reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers. Their application may contribute to water quality protection, pollution reduction, and the preservation of ecosystem services essential for long-term agricultural productivity. In addition, the review discusses the challenges associated with biofertilizer use, including variable field performance, formulation stability, regulatory constraints, and farmer adoption. Recent advances in microbial biotechnology, microbiome research, and precision agriculture have created new opportunities for improving biofertilizer effectiveness and expanding their agricultural applications. Overall, biofertilizers represent an important component of environmentally responsible farming systems and may play a significant role in the transition toward more sustainable and resilient agricultural practices.

Groundwater contamination by agricultural fertilizers has become a major environmental concern due to the widespread use of nitrogen- and phosphorus-based inputs aimed at sustaining crop productivity. Excessive or poorly managed fertilizer applications contribute to nitrate accumulation in the unsaturated zone and elevated nitrate concentrations in groundwater, with potential implications for drinking water quality, ecosystem functioning, and human health. However, the magnitude of groundwater contamination is influenced by multiple interacting factors, including soil properties, hydrological conditions, climatic variability, and the legacy effects of historical fertilization practices. This review synthesizes current evidence regarding the relationships between fertilizer inputs and groundwater contamination dynamics. Particular emphasis is placed on nitrate leaching associated with nitrogen fertilization, the hydrological and soil factors controlling contaminant transport, and the effectiveness of mitigation strategies designed to reduce groundwater pollution. In addition, the review discusses the indirect implications of phosphorus and fertilizer-derived heavy metals for groundwater quality and highlights the importance of integrated nutrient management approaches. The available evidence indicates that groundwater quality responses to fertilizer use are highly context-dependent and may reflect both present and past agricultural practices. Improved fertilizer management, enhanced-efficiency products, optimized application timing, and policy interventions can substantially reduce contamination risks. Understanding these complex interactions is essential for developing agricultural systems capable of maintaining productivity while protecting groundwater resources.

Mycotoxins are secondary fungal metabolites with high toxic potential, produced primarily by species of the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium, and represent one of the most significant food safety challenges worldwide. In the Romanian context, where cereal production covers extensive areas and serves both domestic consumption and export within the European market, mycotoxin contamination — particularly aflatoxins, zearalenone, and deoxynivalenol — constitutes a documented ecotoxicological risk with direct consequences for human and animal health. This paper synthesizes current ecotoxicological knowledge on mycotoxins in cereals, contextualizes it within Romanian agro-industrial realities, examines published evidence on the occurrence and prevalence of mycotoxin contamination in Romanian cereal crops, and offers a critical appraisal of the gap between existing regulatory frameworks and their practical enforcement.

Crop architecture in winter wheat is shaped by cultivar, sowing density (s.d.) and seasonal growing conditions. This study assessed the effects of cultivar and s.d. on selected agromorphological traits and productive tillering in four winter wheat cultivars — Glosa, FDL Abund, Python and Promitor — grown under the pedoclimatic conditions of Moara Domnească, Ilfov County, Romania, during the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 agricultural years. The experiment was arranged as a bifactorial 4 × 5 split-plot design, with four replications. The tested s.d. were 350, 450, 550, 650 and 750 germinating seeds (g.s.) m⁻²; Glosa and 550 g.s. m⁻² were used as the cultivar and s.d. controls, respectively. Spring plant density, productive tillering coefficient (PTC), plant height, number of spikelets per spike and number of grains per spike were analysed separately for each year. The two seasons differed in precipitation regime, with 445.0 mm recorded in 2022–2023 and 623.2 mm in 2023–2024, compared with the multiannual average of 640.6 mm. Higher sowing densities were associated with increased spring plant density, with maximum values recorded at 750 g.s. m⁻² in both years. Conversely, the lowest s.d., 350 g.s. m⁻², was associated with higher PTC, greater plant height and more developed spike traits, suggesting a greater expression of individual plant productivity under lower interplant competition. Cultivar response differed according to trait: Glosa (control) and Python showed favourable productive tillering capacities, FDL Abund recorded higher plant height and grain number per spike and Promitor tended to form more spikelets per spike. Overall, the results suggest that cultivar and s.d. should be evaluated together when interpreting winter wheat crop architecture under the pedoclimatic conditions of southern Romania.

Grain technological quality in winter wheat is influenced by cultivar and growing season conditions. This study characterised selected grain quality traits of four winter wheat cultivars — Glosa, FDL Abund, Python and Promitor — grown at Moara Domnească, Ilfov County, Romania, during the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 growing seasons. Protein content, wet gluten content and gluten deformation index were determined in composite milled grain samples and expressed on a 14% moisture basis. The two seasons differed in precipitation, with 445.0 mm recorded in 2022–2023 and 623.2 mm in 2023–2024, compared with the multiannual average of 640.6 mm. In 2022–2023, protein content ranged from 12.10% in Promitor to 13.45% in FDL Abund, while wet gluten content ranged from 30.05% in FDL Abund to 40.70% in Promitor. In 2023–2024, protein content increased in all cultivars, reaching the highest value in Python at 15.00%, while Promitor again recorded the highest wet gluten content at 40.85%. Across both seasons, Python recorded the highest mean protein content, Promitor showed the highest wet gluten content and gluten deformation index, while FDL Abund combined above-control protein levels with the lowest gluten-related values. The results suggest that protein content and gluten-related parameters may follow different cultivar-dependent patterns, indicating that the combined evaluation of multiple grain quality indicators may provide a more comprehensive assessment of the technological quality potential of winter wheat.

This study investigated the diversity, distribution, population status, habitat characteristics, and conservation status of Nepenthes species in Rokan Hulu Regency, Riau Province, Indonesia. Field surveys were conducted from June to December 2025 using direct habitat exploration across forest, shrubland, and riparian ecosystems. Species identification was performed through detailed morphological examination, focusing on pitcher shape, coloration, peristome structure, leaf morphology, and tendril characteristics, with reference to standard taxonomic literature. A total of three species were documented: Nepenthes eustachya, N. gracilis, N. longifolia. All recorded species are listed under Appendix II of CITES and are generally classified as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN, indicating low extinction risk but requiring regulated trade and monitoring. Species distribution was relatively balanced between the Rokan IV Koto and Sungai Bungo areas, indicating the persistence of suitable microhabitats despite extensive land-use change. Most recorded species were associated with upland and nutrient-poor environments characterized by high humidity and heterogeneous vegetation structure. Although large portions of natural forest in Rokan Hulu have been converted into oil palm plantations, observed populations appeared relatively stable at the time of study; however, ongoing habitat transformation poses potential long-term risks.

Organic soil amendments have become key components of sustainable and organic agriculture because of their capacity to improve soil fertility while simultaneously enhancing environmental sustainability. Unlike conventional mineral fertilizers, these materials contribute to long-term soil functionality by increasing soil organic matter, stimulating microbial activity, improving nutrient cycling, and strengthening soil structure. This review synthesizes current scientific evidence regarding the classification, mechanisms of action, and agronomic importance of organic soil amendments, with particular emphasis on their effects on soil health, soil organic carbon sequestration, and climate change mitigation. The available literature indicates that amendment effectiveness depends on multiple interacting factors, including amendment type, soil characteristics, climatic conditions, and management practices, highlighting the need for site-specific management strategies rather than universal recommendations. Furthermore, this review critically discusses the environmental benefits associated with nutrient recycling, waste valorization, greenhouse gas mitigation, and ecosystem restoration, while also addressing current limitations related to amendment quality, field performance, and implementation. Overall, organic soil amendments represent fundamental tools for improving agricultural sustainability, supporting climate-resilient farming systems, and promoting integrated soil management approaches capable of simultaneously enhancing productivity, ecosystem functioning, and long-term environmental quality.