Agastache foeniculum is a recent species cultivated in Romania. The species has the advantage that it can withstand low winter temperatures in the Transylvanian Plain, up to -25º C in soil covered with snow. Another major advantage of the species is that from its  total mass, the plant foliage prevails which provides feedstock production materials for medicinal purposes. In the research conducted in 2011-2012 in the experimental field of Jucu were pursued issues regarding morphology, biology and plant phenology as well as productivity elements and finally the production of herba which can be done by the species in two periods of planting and three densities. It was cultivated a local population through seedling in two periods (26.04.2011 and 21.05.2011) at densities of 47 619 plants/ha (30 cm x 70 cm), 35 714 plants/ha (40 cm x 70 cm) and 28 517 plants/ha (50 cm x 70 cm). The experiences location was done by the method of subdivided parcels with 2 factors (time and planting density) in three repetitions. The surface of the experimental plot was 3 m2. Statistical interpretation was made by variance analysis method with one, two, and three factors and interpretation of the results, highlighting the significance of differences after the multiple comparisons test (Duncan test) and Student test. From measurements made ​​at green plants it resulted that leaves represent a significant share of 37.98% of the total mass of the plant, 30.8% branches, main stem 10.44% and 20.78% inflorescences . If dried plant leaves have the highest share from the total plant of 35.89%, followed by branches (25.75%), flowers (19.04%) and 19.32% stems. The results justify the extension of the cultivation of this plant in the Transylvanian Plain, harvested herba with an important phytotherapy value.

Increasing evidence indicates that fruits contain functional bio-active compounds that have several preventive and therapeutic health benefits. Our group has recently conducted studies in order to assess the potential effects of cranberry polyphenolic fractions on intestinal Caco 2/15 epithelial cells and a substantial reduction in oxidative stress and inflammation was observed. The aim of the present work was to determine the polyphenolic species most likely responsible for the observed biological activity. Low, medium and high molecular weight cranberry fractions were generated with a SephadexLH-20 column by elution with 60% MeOH, 100% MeOH and 70% acetone respectively. The total phenolic content in these fractions was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. A combination of LC-MS and MALDI-TOF methods were used to characterize the nature of polyphenolic compounds in the cranberry extracts. High resolution mass spectrometry was used to generate empirical formulae for the detected species. The low molecular weight fraction was essentially constituted of small phenolic acids (hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids). The medium fraction was mostly composed of anthocyanin, flavonols (quercetin, myricetin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol) and procyanidins monomers (epicatechin, catechin), dimers and few small oligomers. The heavy fraction was devoid of phenolic acids and anthocyanins, it contained for the most part oligomers and polymers of procyanidins. Proanthocyanidins oligomers up to n=22 were detected, which is, to our knowledge, the largest individual oligomers reported to date. With this approach it was also possible to distinguish between the A-type and B-type linkages.

Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) is an important crop pest and a vector of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) in many areas of the world. Its feeding can cause scarring and deformations on leaves and fruit, with seedlings and soft tissue particularly prone to feeding damage. Cucumbers and other vegetable are susceptible to fruit scarring. Population dynamics of western flower thrips was monitored both in field and protected spaces throughout different methods and on different ornamental and vegetables hosts. In this paper results regarding population dynamic on cucumber greenhouse crop are presented. Studies were conducted throughout five weeks. Shaken method was used. Ten leaves from the bottom of the plant, ten from the middle, ten from the tip of the plant and ten flowers were weekly sampled. Mean temperature and treatments applications were recorded. The fallen larvae and adults were counted. Females and males were separately noted. Sex ratio influence and spatial distribution was also followed. Data analysis demonstrated that thrips preferred to feed on younger leaves situated on tip of the plant. There was a very low difference between sex ratio in leaves as compared with the one in flowers. Regarding population dynamics of thrips on whole study period the trend was of increasing, thus treatment application were less efficient and proves its high pesticide resistance character.

Agastache foeniculum has its origins in North-America. In Europe has been planted for the first time as a decorative plant in flower gardens (Small E., 2006). For species Agastache foeniculum varies common names have been used: Anise hyssop, Blue giant hyssop, Giant fennel hyssop (Allen Gary, The Herbalist In The Kitchen, 2007). Multiplication of the species can be achieved by transplantation of the seedlings in cellular packages or small containers, 15 to 20 days after seeding (Armitage A.M. and Laushman J.M., 2003). Multiplication of the species can be achieved by transplantation of the seedlings in cellular packages or small containers, 15 to 20 days after seeding. The most recommended temperatures for young plants are bellow 15˚C. The plants will bloom at 12-16 weeks after seeding (Armitage A.M. and Laushman J.M., 2003).