The fact that in a number of locations in Giurgiu, Dâmboviţa and Arges County rape crop was severely affected by the presence of the Vulpia myuros species this spring, has led us to take the survey and analyse the premises that favoured the species installation and development. Soil samples and Vulpia plants were taken to establish their characteristics. Soil features correspond to the ecological requirements of the species. The morphometric values recorded on field plant are exceeding the data recorded in the literature. Any herbicide used had no effect on Vulpia plants growth. The establishment by direct seeding of rapeseed crops and bare spots in the field were the precondition for the installation and propagation of Vulpia myuros plants that caused severe harvest decrease.

It was studied the Senna alexandrina Mill. Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae subfamily, synonym Cassia angustifolia Vahl. that has high pharmaceutical importance. The assessment was done using the plants growth in the research field of Botanical Garden. There were assessed the morphological characteristics and anatomical analysis were done in the stem and leaves. In the Romanian climatic conditions the Senna alexandrina is annual plant with taproot and the size of the stem is 40-70 cm. The leaves are alternate, pinnately compound with 3 to 7 pairs of minor leaflets and small stipules (2-3 mm). The leaflets are 2.5 - 4.5 cm length and 7-10 mm width, lanceolate to ovate in shape, entire blade, glabrous, acute apex, cuneate base, green to yellow-green colour. The flowers are yellow, with the terminal racemes of 10-15 cm length with 7-12 (19) flowers. The flowering starts in July until September. The fruit is a glabrous dehiscent pod, with 4-6 cm length, including 10-17 seeds. In the internal structure of the stem and rachis there are collaterally opened vascular bundles.The leaflets are amphystomatic with paracytic stomata and dorsiventrally mesophyll.

No abstract

In Europe, the goji crop is expanding rapidly, to satisfy the increased market demand for functional foods, with effects in chronic diseases treatment (cancer, diabetes, atherosclerosis, etc.). Romania has become in recent years one of the most important growers of goji berry, especially for organic production, as the species was quite resistant to main pests and diseases. Still, in 2008, a non-indigenous species of Eriophyid mites, called Aceria kuko, was identified on goji plants in UK and spread rapidly throughout the EU. The plant protection institutions took eradication measures, however the pest continued to spread in new plantations and recently on spontaneous plants. Based on GBIF, iNaturalist, personal observations and communication, the paper presents the current distribution of goji berry gall mite in Europe and in Romania and also suggests the use of new citizen science tool - ProtectGoji maps, that aims both to increase awareness of goji producers and consumers about this pest and to geolocate the species expansion in Romania for a better containment and control strategy.