Agronomy and Crop Science, Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Plant Science
22
Scopus Publications
160
Scholar Citations
8
Scholar h-index
6
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
The Impact of Soil Tillage Systems and Fertilization Strategies on Winter Wheat Yield Under the Variable Weather Conditions of the Transylvanian Plain Felicia Chețan, Cornel Chețan, Alina Șimon, Ovidiu Adrian Ceclan, Diana Hirișcău, et al. Nitrogen Switzerland, 2026 Agronomic systems that can guarantee consistent and sufficient crop yields must be developed and implemented in order to address the problems presented by climate change, especially the increase in average annual temperatures and the unequal distribution of precipitation. Over the course of five successive growing seasons (2019–2024), a Poly-Factorial field experiment was carried out at the Agricultural Research and Development Station (ARDS) Turda, Romania, which is situated in the hilly region of the Transylvanian Plain. The study investigated the combined effects of soil tillage system (conventional tillage—CS; no-tillage—NT) and fertilization strategies (N48P48K48 at sowing vs. N48P48K48 at sowing + N40.5CaO10.5MgO7 applied in early spring at the growth resumption) on the quantitative and qualitative performance of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Results showed a modest yield difference of 206 kg ha−1 between the two tillage systems, favoring conventional tillage. However, the application of additional early-spring fertilization resulted in a significant average yield increase of 338 kg ha−1. Yield variability across the five years ranged from 262 to 1797 kg ha−1, highlighting the strong influence of climatic conditions on crop performance and emphasizing the need for adaptive management practices under changing environmental conditions.
The Role of Genotype and Sowing Time in Reducing the Risk of Infection with Fusarium spp. in Maize Laura Șopterean, Alina Șimon, Ana-Maria Vălean, Adina Tărău, Andrei Varga, et al. Agronomy, 2025 In temperate regions, Fusarium ear rot (FER) caused by Fusarium spp. is among the most important limiting factors to maize yield and kernel quality. The role of genotype and sowing date in mitigating FER risk remains insufficiently explored, particularly under the variable climatic conditions of the Transylvanian Plain, Romania. A three-year field experiment (2021–2023) was conducted to evaluate twelve early to semi-early maize hybrids across four sowing dates (very early—SD1, early—SD2, optimum—SD3, late—SD4). FER incidence and severity were assessed at harvest, and yields were analyzed in relation to genotype, disease pressure, and seasonal climate variability. Mean FER incidence reached 74.9% and severity was 3.4%, with significant variation among years, sowing dates, and hybrids. Early sowings (SD1, SD2) recorded the highest infection levels (up to 83.6% incidence and 4.6% severity). In contrast, the latest sowing (SD4) exhibited the lowest disease pressure (59.1% and 2.5%, respectively) and achieved the highest yield (9.1 t ha−1). Significant differences were noted between hybrids: Turda 332, Turda Star, and Turda 165 were highly susceptible, whereas Turda 380, HST 149, and Turda 2020 displayed higher levels of tolerance. A strong correlation between yield losses and FER severity was observed for very early sowing (r = 0.72, p < 0.01); this relationship was not evident under later sowing. These results indicate that choosing the sowing date according to seasonal climatic conditions, together with the use of the most tolerant hybrids, represents an effective strategy to reduce the risk of FER and to obtain stable maize yields in temperate regions.
Using Flint Maize for Developing New Hybrids: A Case Study in Romania Roxana Elena Călugăr, Andrei Varga, Carmen Daniela Vana, Loredana Ancuța Ceclan, Felicia Chețan, et al. Agronomy, 2025 Maize, one of the most cultivated crops worldwide, has multiple uses, one of which is human food. Maize flour intended for human consumption is preferably produced from var. indurata. This maize variety, although it has some desirable traits, generally has a lower yield capacity. In order to obtain high-yielding hybrids that would have some traits necessary to obtain flour for human consumption, fourteen lines with dent or semi-dent grains were crossed with four inbred lines with flint grain in a cyclic system. The 56 resulting hybrids were tested in two experimental years for yield, the percentage of unlodged plants, grain dry matter at harvest, as well as other traits, such as ASI (anthesis-to-silking interval), the interval from sowing to the appearance of stigmas and to physiological maturity, and plant senescence. The maternal lines A478 and A480 were noted for transmitting higher yields. Three hybrids were identified with higher yields, good silking–flowering coincidence, stay-green, and a high unlodged plants percentage: A478 × D328, A480 × B330, and A480 × D328.
Impact of Tillage System and Mineral Fertilization on Weed Suppression and Yield of Winter Wheat Felicia Chețan, Adrian Ioan Pop, Cornel Chețan, Ioan Gaga, Alina Șimon, et al. Agronomy, 2025 This study, which began in the 2013/2014 agricultural year, aimed to assess the suitability of two soil tillage systems for wheat cultivation: conventional soil tillage (CS), which involved moldboard plowing to a depth of 28 cm followed by a single pass with a rotary harrow to prepare the seedbed, and no-tillage (NT). It also sought to analyze the impacts of these systems on weed infestation levels and, consequently, on yield. A moderate level of fertilization was applied. The experimental field was established with a three-year crop rotation system: soybean–winter wheat–maize. The total number of weed species was 30 in CS, the representative species being Xanthium strumarium, and in NT there were 29 species, with Xanthium strumarium, Cirsium arvense, Bromus tectorum, and Agropyron repens predominating. There was an increase in the number of perennials (dicots and monocots). The total dry matter of weeds was 35.4 t ha−1 in CS and 38.8 t ha−1 in NT. After 11 agricultural years, it was found that there were no significant differences between the two soil tillage systems in terms of wheat yield (6.55 t ha−1 in CS and 6.46 t ha−1 in NT). The uneven rainfall negatively affected wheat growth and favored the spread of weeds, especially dicotyledonous ones.
The grain yield ability of early maize hybrids under combined high densities and water stress environments Loredana Ceclan, Voichița Haș, Carmen Vana, Andrei Varga, Roxana Călugăr, et al. Journal of Central European Agriculture, 2025 Breeding early maize hybrids with high genetic potential for grain yield and stability, under different environmental conditions is an important objective for this crop management. Consequently, this study was carried out to evaluate in Transylvania-Romania: 1) the behaviour of ten early maize hybrids developed at the Agricultural Research and Development Station (A.R.D.S.) Turda, in different plant densities and water stress environments; 2) the relationship between grain yield and other agronomic traits and 3) identify the hybrids with the highest yield and the most stable under stress conditions. A split-plot design was used in a completely randomized block arrangement with three replications. The main plots were assigned to plant densities and secondary plots to ten maize hybrids. This study was conducted in three years 2021, 2022, and 2023. The hybrids were evaluated in four plant densities: low (LD = 60,000), medium (MD = 70,000), high (HD1 = 80,000 and HD2 = 90,000) plants/ha, in combination with three climatic regimes, non-irrigated. Among the recently registered maize hybrids, the following stood out for their superior grain yield, tolerance to high-density and water stress: Turda 380, Turda 2020, Turda 335, and the new hybrid SUR 18 /399. The high grain yield as well as the tolerance to high density and water stress of Turda 380, Turda 2020, and Turda 344, demonstrated the genetic value of the common parental line, to simultaneously inherit these traits.
Evaluating Maize Hybrids for Yield, Stress Tolerance, and Carotenoid Content: Insights into Breeding for Climate Resilience Călin Popa, Roxana Elena Călugăr, Andrei Varga, Edward Muntean, Ioan Băcilă, et al. Plants, 2025 To ensure food and feed security, modern maize hybrids must not only perform well under changing climate conditions but also consistently achieve higher and stable yields, exhibit maximum tolerance to stress factors, and produce high quality grains. In a study conducted in 2022 and 2023, 50 maize hybrids were developed from crosses of five elite (highly productive) inbred lines and ten lines possessing favorable genes for carotenoid content. These hybrids were tested under particularly unfavorable conditions for maize cultivation. The aim was to identify which lines effectively transmit the desired traits to the offspring (general combining ability—GCA), and to identify superior hybrids in terms of productivity, adaptability, and quality (specific combining ability—SCA). The study revealed that total carotenoids ranged from 2.30 to 40.20 μg/g for the inbred lines and from 7.45 to 25.08 μg/g for hybrids. A wider distribution of values was observed in the inbred lines compared to the hybrids for key carotenoids such as lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, and β-carotene. Among the hybrids, notable performers in yield, adaptability, and carotenoid content included E390×D302, A452×D302, and A447×D302. The paternal inbred line D302 exhibited a high general combining ability for yield (1446 kg ha−1) and, when crossed with several inbred lines, produced hybrids with enhanced yields and higher levels of zeaxanthin, lutein, and β-carotene, as well as improved unbroken plants percent.
Influence of Changing Weather on Old and New Maize Hybrids: A Case Study in Romania Roxana Elena Călugăr, Andrei Varga, Carmen Daniela Vana, Loredana Ancuța Ceclan, Ionuț Racz, et al. Plants, 2024 Maize is affected by drought and heat, abiotic stress factors that have been encountered more often in recent years in various parts of Europe. In the area of Turda, Romania, extreme temperatures and heat waves combined with an uneven distribution of precipitation have been recorded that had an unfavorable influence on the maize crop. In this study, the ASI (anthesis-to-silking interval), yield, and stability of 35 old and new maize hybrids created at the Agricultural Research and Development Station Turda were studied under drought and heat conditions. An increase in temperature was observed during vegetative growth and grain filling, and rainfall was deficient during and after flowering. These conditions had a negative influence on ASI, grain filling, and, indirectly, yield, which varied significantly during the seven experimental years. The five newest hybrids (Turda335, Turda2020, Turda380, Sur18/399, and HST148) stood out, with average yields of over 8400 kg ha−1 in unfavorable years and over 15–16,000 kg ha−1 under favorable conditions. They generally outperformed the mean by 29–33%. In contrast, the old hybrids achieved yields up to 22% lower than the experimental mean. Yield was 43.1% lower in 2022 and 31.8% lower in 2023 compared to the best year (2021).
THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND GENETIC PROGRESS ON PERFORMANCE OF OLD AND RECENT RELEASED MAIZE HYBRIDS CREATED AT THE ARDS TURDA Romanian Agricultural Research, 2022
The effect of simulating hail and late spring frost on certain parental forms of registered maize hybrids in the north west of Transylvania Romanian Agricultural Research, 2019
Study on the isonuclear inbred lines reaction under natural infection conditions with fusarium spp. Romanian Agricultural Research, 2018
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
The Impact of Soil Tillage Systems and Fertilization Strategies on Winter Wheat Yield Under the Variable Weather Conditions of the Transylvanian Plain F Chețan, C Chețan, A Șimon, OA Ceclan, D Hirișcău, R Rezi, A Popa, ... Nitrogen 7 (1), 12 , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
The Impact of Soil Tillage Systems and Fertilization Strategies on Winter Wheat Yield Under the Variable Weather Conditions of the Transylvanian Plain A Popa, M Bărdas, C Urdă, RE Călugăr, PI Moraru, T Rusu 2026
Recent Advances in Winter Triticale Breeding: New Highly-Performing Cultivars M Voica, M Bălțatu, AM Delcea, CM Marinciu, C Popescu ROMANIAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 43, 387-395 , 2026 2026
Influence of Soil Tillage System and Fertilization on Soil Compaction, Water Reserve and Soybean Yield F Cheţan, A Șimon, RE Călugăr, C Urdă, R Rezi, A Popa, A Ceclan, ... ROMANIAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 43, 49-56 , 2026 2026
The Role of Genotype and Sowing Time in Reducing the Risk of Infection with Fusarium spp. in Maize L Șopterean, A Șimon, AM Vălean, A Tărău, A Varga, RE Călugăr, ... Agronomy 15 (11), 2525 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Using Flint Maize for Developing New Hybrids: A Case Study in Romania RE Călugăr, A Varga, CD Vana, LA Ceclan, F Chețan, A Fodor, N Tritean Agronomy 15 (9), 2215 , 2025 2025
Impact of Tillage System and Mineral Fertilization on Weed Suppression and Yield of Winter Wheat F Chețan, AI Pop, C Chețan, I Gaga, A Șimon, C Urdă, A Popa, ... Agronomy 15 (8), 1904 , 2025 2025
Capacitatea de producție a unor hibrizi timpurii în condiții de stres combinat: desime ridicată și stres hidric LA CECLAN, VV HAȘ, CD VANA, A VARGA, RE CĂLUGĂR, N TRITEAN, ... Journal of Central European Agriculture 26 (1), 84-97 , 2025 2025
Evaluating maize hybrids for yield, stress tolerance, and carotenoid content: insights into breeding for climate resilience C Popa, RE Călugăr, A Varga, E Muntean, I Băcilă, CD Vana, I Racz, ... Plants 14 (1), 138 , 2025 2025 Citations: 9
THE INFLUENCE OF TILLAGE SYSTEMS ON THE OCCURRENCE OF DISEASES AND PESTS ON SPRING CEREALS, IN THE TRANSYLVANIAN PLATEAU F Chețan, A Tărău, AM Vălean, L Șopterean, A Șimon, C Urdă, ... Romanian Journal for Plant Protection 18 , 2025 2025
Use of Genetic and Phenotypic Variability of Romanian Local Population Maize A Varga, RE Călugăr, CD Vana, V Haș, AL Ceclan, N Tritean, I Racz, ... ROMANIAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 42 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
The grain yield ability of early maize hybrids under combined high densities and water stress environments L Ceclan, V Haș, C Vana, A Varga, R Călugăr, N Tritean, A Șimon, ... Journal of Central European Agriculture 26 (1), 84-97 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Influence of Cytoplasmic Male Sterility on Grain Yield of the “Turda” Maize Hybrids under Different Environmental Conditions V Haş, N Tritean, A Varga, RE Călugăr, LA Ceclan, F Russu Romanian Agril Res 42, 53-62 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Influence of changing weather on old and new maize hybrids: A case study in Romania RE Călugăr, A Varga, CD Vana, LA Ceclan, I Racz, F Chețan, A Șimon, ... Plants 13 (23), 3322 , 2024 2024 Citations: 10
The influence of sowing date on the primary yield components of maize Z Domokos, A Șimon, F Chețan, OA Ceclan, E Filip, RE Călugăr, ... Agronomy 14 (9), 2120 , 2024 2024 Citations: 10
THE YIELD AND GRAINS QUALITY OF SOME MAIZE HYBRIDS CREATED AT ARDS TURDA. AL CECLAN, RE CĂLUGĂR, A VARGA, CD VANA, C URDĂ, VV HAȘ, ... Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy 67 (2) , 2024 2024
Breeding maize for heat and drought tolerance: a necessity, nowadays, in Romania R Călugăr, A Varga, C Vana, L Ceclan, C Popa, F Chețan, A Șimon, ... MDPI , 2024 2024
Comportarea hibrizilor de porumb, creații ale SCDA Turda, la semănatul în diferite epoci, în contextul schimbărilor climatice A Simonov, F Chețan, A Varga, F Rusu, N Tritean, T Rusu, R Călugăr, ... Realizări ştiinţifice în ameliorarea porumbului şi altor culturi cerealiere … , 2024 2024 Citations: 1
The Reaction of Some Maize Hybrids to Several Plant Densities, In the Cultivation Conditions of the Central-northwest Part of Romania CD Vana, A Varga, RE Călugăr, LA Ceclan, C Popa, L Șopterean, ... Romanian Agricultural Research 41 , 2024 2024 Citations: 5
Study of phenotypic and genetic variability in maize crossings between Cycle I inbred lines and elite lines (Cycle II) D Vana AgroLife Scientific Journal , 2023 2023 Citations: 3
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Research on the interdependence linkages between soil tillage systems and climate factors on maize crop F Cheţan, T Rusu, RE Călugăr, C Chețan, A Şimon, A Ceclan, M Bărdaș, ... Land 11 (10), 1731 , 2022 2022.0 Citations: 17
The impact of climate change and genetic progress on performance of old and recent released maize hybrids created at the ards turda. V Haş, N Tritean, A Copândean, C Vana, A Varga, R Călugar, L Ceclan, ... Romanian Agricultural Research , 2022 2022.0 Citations: 12
Influence of changing weather on old and new maize hybrids: A case study in Romania RE Călugăr, A Varga, CD Vana, LA Ceclan, I Racz, F Chețan, A Șimon, ... Plants 13 (23), 3322 , 2024 2024.0 Citations: 10
The influence of sowing date on the primary yield components of maize Z Domokos, A Șimon, F Chețan, OA Ceclan, E Filip, RE Călugăr, ... Agronomy 14 (9), 2120 , 2024 2024.0 Citations: 10
The role of cytoplasmatic diversification on some productivity traits of maize RE Calugar, VV Has, A Varga, CD Vana, A Copandean, I Has Euphytica 214 (6), 90 , 2018 2018.0 Citations: 10
Chet, an F Chetan, T Rusu, RE Călugăr health 39, 40 , 0 Citations: 10
Evaluating maize hybrids for yield, stress tolerance, and carotenoid content: insights into breeding for climate resilience C Popa, RE Călugăr, A Varga, E Muntean, I Băcilă, CD Vana, I Racz, ... Plants 14 (1), 138 , 2025 2025.0 Citations: 9
Improving the Carotenoid Content in Maize by Using Isonuclear Lines RE Calugar, E Muntean, A Varga, CD Vana, VV Has, N Tritean, ... Plants 11 (13), 1632 , 2022 2022.0 Citations: 8
Screening of the Romanian maize (Zea Mays L.) germplasm for CrtRB1 and LcyE alleles enhancing the provitamin A concentration in endosperm I Băcilă, HAȘ Voichița, D ȘUTEU, M MiclăuȘ, A Coste, E Muntean, ... Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca 50 (3), 12621-12621 , 2022 2022.0 Citations: 6
Chet, an RE Călugăr, A Varga, CD Vana, LA Ceclan, I Racz F , 0 Citations: 6
The Reaction of Some Maize Hybrids to Several Plant Densities, In the Cultivation Conditions of the Central-northwest Part of Romania CD Vana, A Varga, RE Călugăr, LA Ceclan, C Popa, L Șopterean, ... Romanian Agricultural Research 41 , 2024 2024.0 Citations: 5
Reconsideration of barley in human food from the aspect of digestive fiber content I CRISAN, AM VALEAN, F CHEȚAN, AD TĂRĂU, R CĂLUGĂR, ... Hop and Medicinal Plants 31 (1-2), 110-119 , 2023 2023.0 Citations: 5
Effect of climate change on the behavior of some released maize hybrids, created at ards turda. V Has, N Tritean, A Copândean, C Vana, A Varga, R Cãlugãr, L Ceclan, ... 2021.0 Citations: 5
Assessment of the Degree of Relatedness of Some Inbred Lines Created at ARDS Turda A Varga, RE Călugăr, C Vana, L Ceclan, I Racz, N Tritean Agronomy 13 (6), 1505 , 2023 2023.0 Citations: 4
Moisture loss dynamics in some inbred lines, parental forms of maize hybrids, created at ARDS Turda. A Gheţe, A Copândean, I Haş, V Haş, M Duda, E Tinca, RE Călugăr, ... Research Journal of Agricultural Science 48 (1) , 2016 2016.0 Citations: 4
Study of phenotypic and genetic variability in maize crossings between Cycle I inbred lines and elite lines (Cycle II) D Vana AgroLife Scientific Journal , 2023 2023.0 Citations: 3
Hibrid de nouă generație semitimpuriu Turda 380 adaptat schimbărilor climatice din zona de centru a țării A Varga, V Haș, N Tritean, C Vana, R Călugăr, F Mureșanu, L Șopterean Analele INCDA Fundulea 90, 63-71 , 2022 2022.0 Citations: 3
New achievements in the field of maize improvement at ARDS Turda. V Haş, A Copândean, N Tritean, A Varga, C Vana, R Călugăr, ... 2021.0 Citations: 3
Cytoplasmic diversification effect on certain plant vegetative traits of some maize ( Zea mays L.) inbred lines. R Calugar, I Rotar, V Has 2016.0 Citations: 3
Germplasm collection–valuable resources of variability for plant and ear traits in maize breeding RE Călugăr, A VARGA, LA CECLAN, N TRITEAN, AB GHEȚE Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca 51 (2), 13141-13141 , 2023 2023.0 Citations: 2