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This paper presents an overview of the specialized literature on the use of intercropping system for runner bean crop (Phaseolus coccineus L.). The aim of this paper is to present the state of knowledge on the use of the interrow or the intercropping system, for increasing the quantity and quality of runner bean production in terms of economic efficiency. The research was made based on comparative studies and case studies, using data from the specialized literature. Intercropping system can be viewed as a managerial practice of increasing the production of certain crops suitable to this system. A situation diversity was highlighted, regarding various combinations and ways of arranging the runner bean with other cultivated species. Their advantages and disadvantages have been analyzed, as well as the possibilities of their application in Romania. As a general conclusion, runner bean is a species that can successfully suit the intercropping system in the ecological conditions of Romania.

Flooding is an important factor, decreasing Allium cepa bulb yield and quality. A comparison, in terms of biometrical and biochemical parameters, of five Allium cepa cultivars, grown at two different locations, characterized by contrasting conditions of water availability, i.e., precipitation excess at the end (A) or at the beginning (B) of plant growth, revealed a significant decrease in bulb weight, height, and diameter, and an increase in oxidative stress parameters, such as total antioxidant activity and polyphenol content, monosaccharides, proline, malonic dialdehyde in the condition of excessive soil humidity at the end of the vegetation period (A). Among the five cultivars studied (Zolotnichok, Zolotie cupola, Black prince, Globus, and Myachkovsky), the lowest variations of the above parameters under precipitation excess at cycle end or beginning were recorded in Zolotnichok and Zolotie cupola, which was in accordance with their high adaptability. Cultivar Myachkovsky showed the highest differences of the parameters examined between A and B conditions. Outer scale biochemical parameters demonstrated the highest stability in both regions. The participation of proline, monosaccharides, total polyphenols, and total antioxidant activity in plant defense against hypoxia, caused by waterlogging, was proved by high correlation coefficients between inner scale parameters (‘r’ from +0.714 to +0.920) and the latter with bulb yield (‘r’ from −0.745 to −0.924). High adaptability cultivars (Zolotie cupola, Zolotnichok, Black prince) showed significantly lower MDA inner/outer scales ratio and lipids outer/inner scales ratio compared to cultivars with moderate adaptability in (B) conditions. The results provide important information regarding biochemical peculiarities of Allium cepa in diverse soil humidity, which should be considered in future breeding activities of onion genotypes, characterized by high adaptability to different water excess conditions.

In order to improve the soil fertility, several eco-friendly alternatives to traditional cultivation practices have been proposed. The use of biofertilizers, such as rhizobacteria with different plant growth promoting properties is an environmentally-friendly option to achieve sustainability in agriculture. In this context, two bacterial strains (Bacillus pumilus R3 and Pseudomonas lini R7) isolated from the rhizosphere of runner bean plants were assessed for their plant growth promoting abilities. R3 was found positive for phosphate solubilization and R7 for indol-acetic acid production (IAA). In a greenhouse experiment, runner bean seeds were inoculated with a single strain (R3/R7) or with a combination of strains (R3+R7) in order to confirm their potential as biofertilizers. Thus, growth parameters (length of the aerial parts, number of flowers), physiological indicators (photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration, water use efficiency -WUE, chlorophyll content) and yield characteristic were observed during vegetative, flowering and fruiting stages. The results showed that all the parameters were influenced by the presence of the bacterial strains. In particular, the plants inoculated with R3+R7 generally outperformed those with the other treatments or the non-inoculated plants. They significantly increased the length of the aerial parts, the number of flowers, the photosynthetic activity and WUE during late vegetative and flowering stages, the chlorophyll content at 34 and 83 days after inoculation and the grain yield. These could indicate the synergistic effect of the tested strains. The results suggest that our rhizobacterial strains may be used as biofertilizer for vegetable production in organic agricultural systems.