As part's of the “Researchers at Schools” program, researchers Olesea Nemerenco and Corina Glibiciuc helped bring students closer to the world of research by giving them the opportunity to discover the scientific work carried out at the Institute of Genetics, Physiology and Plant Protection at Moldova State University.

The visit to the Laboratory of Phytopharmacy and Ecotoxicology was led by the laboratory director, Dr. habil. Tudor Nastas, who introduced the students to the main areas of research and the team’s work.

Researcher Olesea Nemerenco spoke to them about monitoring the cutworm species Helicoverpa armigera and Agrotis segetum in the context of climate change, the phenological development of agricultural crops, and the damage caused by these pests.

Researchers Iuliana Rusu and Maria Zavatin presented to the students aspects related to monitoring the invasive species Halyomorpha halys using pheromone traps, its life cycle, and the risks it poses to agricultural crops in the Republic of Moldova.

Also in this laboratory, entomologist Ana Buzatu and technician Maria Butucel conducted practical demonstrations on the rearing and propagation of the entomophagous insects Trichogramma sp. and Bracon hebetor, the preparation of nutrient media, and the role of beneficial organisms in the biological control of agricultural pests.

In the Entomology and Biocenology Laboratory, Dr. Elena Iordosopol, Ph.D. in Biology, captured the students’ attention by presenting the entomological collection and explaining how to make entomological boxes and prepare insect specimens for collections. The students learned about the main stages of development—egg, larva, pupa, and adult—of several ladybug species: Propylea quatuordecimpunctata, Harmonia axyridis, Adalia bipunctata, and Coccinella septempunctata.

Engineer-technician Victor Gorban, from the Integrated Plant Protection Laboratory, presented technical solutions to the students for designing and constructing light traps with enhanced attractiveness for agricultural pests, as well as devices for distributing biological control agents using drones. These technologies contribute to the modernization of integrated plant protection methods.

During the visit, the students showed great interest, asking questions and seeking further explanations. The hands-on demonstrations provided them with valuable insight into the work of researchers and the importance of modern methods for monitoring and controlling pests to protect agricultural crops and the environment.

Through the “Researchers at Schools” program, research is brought closer to young people, stimulating their curiosity, powers of observation, and interest in science and innovation.

The activities of promoting research in schools and facilitating students’ access to science labs are carried out with financial support from the European Union, as part of the Sci-TRUST project  “Fostering trust in science: European Researchers’ Night” funded through the Horizon Europe program, grant agreement 101305415. 

The Sci-TRUST consortium is coordinated by the Technical University of Moldova and includes the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, “Alecu Russo” State University in Bălți, “Nicolae Testemițanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy and the InfoGroup NGO.

Source: https://asm.md/