Annals of the Academy of Romanian Scientists

Series on Agriculture, Silviculture and Veterinary Medicine

Volume 15, Number 1/2026

ISSN 2344-2085

18

ORGANIC AND REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE FOR SOLVING

PHYTOSANITARY AND ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS

Leonid VOLOSCIUC¹

Abstract. Against the background of strengthening food security and reducing damage

caused by harmful organisms, the impact of which reaches 25-30% or completely

compromises agricultural crops, the need to develop effective means of combating them

has become urgent. In response to the increasing impact of ecological problems and the

worsening of food security and food safety, the FAO UN declared 2020 the "International

Year of Plant Health". This represents a unique opportunity to raise global awareness

and integrates harmoniously into the "One Health" concept and contributes to ending

hunger, reducing poverty, protecting the environment and stimulating economic

development.

Key words: food security, food safety, one health, plant health, plant protection.

DOI

10.56082/annalsarsciagr.2026.1.18

Introduction

Harmful organisms (insects, fungi, bacteria, weeds) cause major economic

damage by reducing growth, decreasing crop yields, altering product quality and,

in extreme cases, plant death, affecting food security and disrupting natural

ecosystems, through the introduction of invasive species and loss of biodiversity,

with a global impact.

Given the frequent manifestation of the contradiction between the role of plants in

the biosphere and their protection functions, the need to change the plant

protection paradigm, which as a widely accepted mental construct, has provided

the human community with a consistent basis for the substantiation of the new

paradigm “Plant Health”. Applying the appropriate defining apparatus, the

spectrum of clear notions, the range of theoretical and practical visions oriented to

solving the emerging problems, it becomes necessary to modify the institutional

framework and the components in the structure of technological, extension and

educational strategies [2]. Given the special role of plants, their health is a vital

factor in supporting human and animal health and a special component in

1

Prof., Doctor habilitatus. Scientific Consultant Leonid VOLOSCIUC, Institute of Genetics,

Physiology and Plant Protection of Moldova State University, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova. E-

mail: l.volosciuc@gmail.com.

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Organic and Regenerative Agriculture for Solving Phytosanitary and Ecological Problems

maintaining optimal soil and ecosystem functioning. For these reasons, the United

Nations has declared 2020 the International Year of Plant Health [5].

The need to change the paradigm regarding plant protection, substantiated by

scientists and accepted by human society based on the practice of research and

practice “Plant Protection”, which although has reached the stage of maturity, does

not have sufficient theoretical and applied arguments for solving problems, making it

rational to change the paradigm by introducing the phrase “Plant Health”. The

paradigm is based on recognized scientific achievements, which for a period of

development of the investigated field, will provide original approaches to problems,

as well as model solutions of specialists, accepted by social communities. As a result,

models for formulating and solving problems will be offered to researchers,

practitioners and the broad masses of the population, which include elements of a

theoretical, instrumental and methodological nature, as well as various practical

solutions [9].

Protection of agricultural crops from phytosanitary agents and preservation of their

health capabilities is more cost-effective than emergency interventions, when plants

are at a high level of attack by harmful organisms. Pests and disease pathogens are

often impossible to eradicate once they have established themselves in crop

agrocenoses, and their management is costly and time-consuming. Prevention is

essential to avoid the devastating impact of pests and diseases on agriculture,

livelihoods, food security and food safety [4].

The systemic approach combines different management strategies and practices to

develop healthy crops while minimizing the use of pesticides. Avoiding the

application of chemicals to eliminate harmful organisms not only contributes to

improving plant health and reducing pesticide pressure, but also protects the

environment by protecting beneficial organisms, especially entomophagous and

pollinating insects, which are natural enemies of pests. There are still various

responsibilities that fall to people: reducing and avoiding the transportation of plants

and plant products, transferring harmful organisms to new areas, and decision-making

and executive bodies must increase their support at national or regional level for plant

protection organizations [7].

Although impressive indicators are recorded in the promotion of organic agriculture

worldwide (this type of activity already reaches 50% of conventional agriculture), the

functionality of agricultural operators and businesses in the agricultural field has been

and remains ensured based on the extractive model through the intensive exploitation

of natural resources, the creation of products and the generation of profit. The

manifestation of extreme weather phenomena, the increase in the impact of many

destructive factors (pollution, reduction of biological diversity, increased frequency

20

Leonid Volosciuc

and intensity of phytosanitary agents), causes various social disorders and a decrease

in the feeling of well-being of employees. An aggravating state is established in the

current type of management and it becomes evident that the extraction model of

human activities is no longer sustainable, which determines the need to implement

modern approaches [1]. The perspective of survival is scientifically substantiated by

expanding towards the way of regenerating natural resources and creating a healthier

economy, society and planet.

Materials and Methods

For the isolation and identification of microbiological agents, protocol methods in

microbiological and virological research were applied and adapted to the objects

used in the processes of developing microbiological plant protection products [6].

The development and improvement of technological production processes were

carried out with the application of in vivo and in vitro cultivation, using the

production of biological agents on the surface, in depth and mixed, as well as the

application of phytophagous insect lines to obtain biomass of entomopathogenic

microorganisms (entomopathogenic viruses and bacteria).

For the quality control of biological agents and products in the process of

production, storage and application, microscopic methods, physicochemical and

molecular-biological methods were applied, as well as testing in laboratory

conditions and in the field of experience of microbiological plant protection

products [1].

The study represents a multidimensional approach to information in the field of

the "One Health" concept, oriented towards solving ecological problems and the

prosperity of agricultural businesses, using the inductive method, with a consistent

basis in the analysis of specialized bibliographic resources.

Results and discussions

Changing the paradigm of plant protection – a result of human unrest and a

way to solve the problems of agriculture, public health and environmental

protection

Over the past decades, agriculture has been increasingly shaped by climate

variability, the action of biotic and abiotic factors, the increase in the frequency

and intensity of the action of harmful organisms, demographic pressure, resource

constraints and economic uncertainty.

The increasing impact of harmful organisms against the background of climate

change and the increase in their prevalence through the manifestation of various

21

Organic and Regenerative Agriculture for Solving Phytosanitary and Ecological Problems

difficulties, emphasizes the role of technological processes for the production and

protection of agricultural crops.

Climate change and extensive agricultural activities have affected ecosystems,

reduced biodiversity and creating new niches for the uncontrolled development of

phytosanitary agents, accelerating the spread of harmful organisms on Earth and

increasing their impact on the yield of phytotechnical activities and the

environment [9].

Reduced attention to plant protection actions and unfavourable climatic conditions

have created serious economic and ecological problems, determined by the

considerable increase in the density and degree of damage of various species of

pests and pathogens of cultivated plants (Table 1).

Table 1. Impact of pests in agriculture

INDICES

IMPACT IN DIFFERENT REGIONS

On Earth

CIS

Republic of Moldova

<1990

>1990

Pest species:

Pest insects

21,000

1,500

600

140

200

120

8,000

6,000

2,000

130

200

120

Pathogenic fungi

400

Phytopathogenic

bacteria

200

Phytopathogenic

viruses

1,600

800

100

50

100

50

Weeds

Periodicity of

Locally

2-4 years

Pathogens – 2-4 years

Pathogens – 2-3 years

uncontrolled risks every year

Pests – 5-7 years

Pests – 4-5 years

Volume of

pesticides

15 million t.

750,000 t.

46,000 t.

2.5-3 thousand t.

Expenditure

pesticide

application:

Brazil,

on $14.3 billion

$13.3 billion

The application of widely used pesticides in the global plant

protection system costs $1.4-2.2 trillion annually (2-3% of

global GDP) and $0.6 trillion to the environment. (Sust.

Pulce, 10 Dec. 2025)

USA

(FAO, 2025)

Losses caused

$185.0

billion

-

2.5 – 3.0 billion lei

22

Leonid Volosciuc

The information presented confirms the conclusion of the UNESCO Report

(IAASTD Commission) on the lack of development prospects for traditional

agriculture and the need to implement new directions of agriculture based on

natural circuits (Paris, UNESCO, April 15, 2008).

The increase in losses caused by harmful organisms against the background of

climate change, which lies in the modification of the invasive and epidemiological

characteristics of phytosanitary agents, increases the prevalence of pathogens of

diseases and harmful arthropods through the presence of various difficulties in

carrying out technological processes for the production of agricultural crops.

Plants provide us with air, food and an optimal environment, and starting from the

threats to plant health, which also represent a threat to human well-being and

prosperity, which determined, according to the decision of the UN General

Assembly, the designation of 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health.

Recognizing that maintaining plant health protects the environment and

biodiversity from plant pests, the concept addresses the effects of climate change

and supports efforts to reduce malnutrition and stimulate economic development,

and plant health is a key factor in strategies to eliminate rural poverty [5].

Over several decades of activity, accumulating a considerable body of theoretical

and applied results, we have demonstrated the possibility of applying natural

mechanisms to regulate the density of populations of harmful organisms. This

represents a significant contribution to achieving high indicators of the quantity

and quality of agricultural crops, which is an indispensable element for

strengthening the “One Health” concept aimed at preserving the balance and

overall health in the biosphere [9].

Organic farming differs in essential aspects from conventional production. In

plant cultivation, organic farming tends to preserve the natural basis of

agricultural production in the long term, which is regulated by law. Currently, in

the Republic of Moldova, the regulatory framework in the field of organic agri-

food production is reflected primarily by Law No. 115-XVI of 09.06.2005 on

organic agriculture, which transposed the provisions of European regulations, and

for the approval of activities in 2023, Law No. 237 adopted the requirements for

obtaining and labeling organic products [14].

In response to the increasing impact of environmental factors, the scientific

community is taking a separate and integrated approach, recognizing the

interdependence between human, animal, plant, soil and ecosystem health. This

approach emphasizes the need for collaboration between various fields to address

health challenges and prevent or manage zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial

resistance, serious phytopathogenic phenomena, soil fatigue and other threats to

global health [7].

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Organic and Regenerative Agriculture for Solving Phytosanitary and Ecological Problems

On the path to solving phytosanitary and environmental problems, only by

approaching and applying natural mechanisms, applied in organic and

regenerative agriculture systems, it becomes possible to develop intensive organic

farming systems, which, thanks to the effects of management on human, animal,

soil and plant health, are the basis for understanding the possible links between

soil, animal, plant and human health and are the key to improving the quality and

safety of food grown in all agricultural systems [3].

The need to initiate scientific research in the field of plant health is determined by

the impact of harmful organisms, which is manifested by annual losses of 40% in

global food production. With the scarcity of land, the intensification of

agricultural production becomes the main option available to ensure food security.

Well-managed ecosystems are essential for creating a healthy agri-food resource

base. Achieving this goal requires increased investment in research and

communication capacities that focus on plant health [6].

Plant health is increasingly recognized as a vital part of the “One Health” concept,

which, although there are some conceptual gaps, related to poor integration in

practice, especially in the manifestation of zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance,

which requires the recognition of plant health as an essential factor in achieving

its objectives by optimizing the health of people, animals, plants, soil and the

environment.

The “One Health” Concept from the Perspective of Agricultural Sciences

The “One Health” concept has been approved as a fundamental solution,

representing a global strategy to expand interdisciplinary collaborations and

communications in all aspects of human, plant, domestic animal or wildlife health,

which can no longer be addressed separately, but only jointly, integrally. One

Health has been defined as an integrated approach that aims to sustainably balance

and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems. The concept refers not

only to concerns related to harmful organisms that occur in humans and animals,

but also to aspects related to lifestyle, diet, the impact of different types of human-

animal-plant-soil relationships and environmental exposures that can affect all

population categories. To achieve the expected effects, it becomes necessary to

educate the population, oriented towards knowledge and awareness of the effects

of risk factors and the benefits of prognosis, but also communication and

understanding between patients and health service providers [2, 7].

The term is essential in that agricultural sciences can draw attention to the need to

consider the health of plants and their microbiome as a whole within the

framework of the "One Health" concept, closely linked to the health of soil,

plants, animals and humans. In the context of agroecological production based on

24

Leonid Volosciuc

the sustainable management of natural resources, integrated pest management has

been promoted to reduce the use of pesticides and mitigate negative effects on

human health and the environment.

The "One Health" concept recognizes that all types of health are closely

interconnected, which implies the application of a coordinated multidisciplinary

and intersectoral approach to identify existing or potential risks that arise at the

interface between the integrated "soil - plant - animal - human" system and natural

and anthropogenic ecosystems. The activities are based on the design and

implementation of programs, policies, legislation and research carried out in a

coordinated manner by specialists involved in human, animal, plant,

environmental and environmental health to achieve more valuable public health

outcomes and to address challenges, which are progressing [10].

In addition to affecting food safety, the spread of mycotoxins produced by

representatives of the Fusarium, Aspergillus and Penicillium fungi in plant-based

foods is increasing, posing a major threat to human and animal health [11].

Agrochemicals can also have a negative impact on the environment. This concern

has led to the search for alternative strategies, based on the One Health concept.

We note in the context of agroecological production based on the sustainable

management of natural resources (soil, water, air, biodiversity) that integrated

plant protection reduces negative effects on human health and the environment.

Plant pests and disease pathogens, often overlooked until the emergence of plant

pandemics, cause significant crop losses, food and feed insecurity and disruption

of livelihoods. The use of pesticides for plant protection poses health risks,

causing numerous cases of human and animal poisoning and the accumulation of

chemicals in food of animal origin. Pesticide pollution in air, water, soil and

ecosystems creates major health hazards for biodiversity and people. Pesticide

resistance amplifies these threats, as it can lead to the application of higher doses,

more toxic products and dangerous mixtures. Strategies for managing resistance

exist, but this requires stronger integration between agriculture and public health

to address risks related to food security, food safety, public health and

environmental sustainability. Mycotoxins in staple crops pose significant risks to

human, animal, soil and environmental health [6].

Plants and their health underpin ecosystem health. Unhealthy crops lose their

efficiency in sequestering carbon, reduce soil fertility and increase erosion risks.

There is ample evidence of the impact of plant health on other areas of health.

Given the ubiquity and epidemic or pandemic potential of zoonoses, we note that

they represent a compelling case for the need for collaboration between human,

animal and soil health disciplines.

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Organic and Regenerative Agriculture for Solving Phytosanitary and Ecological Problems

Given that plant health is currently included in the “One Health” concept, it

should be noted that any activity related to human, animal, plant, soil and

environmental health determines the need for cooperation between specialists

responsible for the health of these biosphere elements. This demonstrates the

additional benefits of addressing the health of people, animals, plants, soil and

ecosystems, which highlights the reality that plant health is an integral part of the

“One Health” concept.

Biological Plant Protection – an indispensable element for strengthening the

“One Health” concept

The multi-year scientific research activity was the basis for the accumulation of

significant scientific batches for the development of modern biotechnologies

aimed at increasing and improving agri-food production, increasing the degree of

application of mechanisms and natural resources with higher yields and high

indicators of resilience to harmful organisms, protecting the environment and

reducing the impact of climate change. As a result, it was demonstrated that this

improves the situation in agriculture and contributes to ensuring food security,

proposing innovative solutions and new directions for reducing the impact of the

challenges manifested over the past decades. Very relevant are the achievements

recorded in the field of biological plant protection (entomophages, biological

preparations, biologically active substances) related to the use of natural

mechanisms, excluding synthetic means with respect for the environment and

promoting organic agriculture [11].

From climate change to antimicrobial resistance, many of the threats to health and

well-being that human activity faces are linked to unsustainable patterns. The

promotion of the “One Health” concept demonstrates that these threats can only

be addressed through multisectoral and transdisciplinary collaboration in the

fields of human, animal, plant and ecosystem health. The following recognized

achievements contribute to this:

• Development of technological processes for the production of 15 entomophages,

especially those applied in crop protection in protected areas;

• Selection of promising microorganisms and development of technologies for the

production and application of microbiological agents to combat harmful

organisms and the approval of 16 biological preparations based on them;

• Identification and synthesis of sex pheromones of 18 species of harmful insects

and development of schemes for the original synthesis of pheromones of 72

species of insects and technological processes for their production and use for

monitoring, mass capture, sterilization and disorientation of harmful insects.

26

Leonid Volosciuc

Based on the recorded achievements and in accordance with the concept of “One

Health”, a huge amount of information has been accumulated on the application

of the named means to an impressive range of crops, controlling the density of

populations of harmful organisms, recording attractive levels of profitability of

agricultural crops [12]. Prevention, detection and development of ways to respond

to health threats has become real only by using the interconnections between

human, animal, plant and ecosystem health. The concept, as an integrated

approach, recognizes the interdependence of human, animal, plant, soil and

ecosystem health and the interdependence between them.

At the global level, the “One Health” concept is a worldwide strategy to expand

interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects related to

health care of all biosphere elements. In order to achieve the main objectives and

achieve the expected effects, it becomes necessary to develop and implement

effectively promotional and educational policies regarding awareness of risk

factors in this area.

Regenerative approach aimed at increasing the sustainability of production

and business prosperity

Determining the future paths of agroecosystems and the biosphere is

indispensable in relation to the regeneration capacity of ecosystems based on the

natural possibility of their renewal and healing. This is determined by the ability

of human society to move from the extraction mode of economic activities to the

regeneration one. The foundation of such an approach is represented by

regenerative thinking, as a philosophical way for agriculture aimed at creating

systems capable of self-reproduction and based not only on the capabilities of

generating financial profit, but also ensuring ecological, social and human

resilience [7].

Research results have shown that the application of regenerative ecological

practices contributes to the improvement of soils affected by various

anthropogenic factors, catalyses carbon sequestration and increases the capacity to

restore biodiversity, as well as maintains the dynamic balance between harmful

and beneficial organisms, strengthening plant health. It is worth noting that this is

also manifested by changing the extractive type of the company and increasing

their sustainability, switching to regenerative production practices. By transferring

part of the profits into regenerative capital, companies participate in financing

ecological restoration projects, initiatives aimed at increasing the well-being of

enterprises and solving ecological problems, thus switching to the regenerative

type of production [6, 8].

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Organic and Regenerative Agriculture for Solving Phytosanitary and Ecological Problems

On the way to the regenerative mode of production, the implementation of the

principles of the circular economy is currently being recorded (designing

sustainable activities, reusing enterprises and offering ecological products and

services, strengthening businesses aimed at improving environmental health,

facilitating activities in the field of organic agriculture). Thus, the stimulation of

the transfer of extractive enterprises within the framework of regeneration agents,

in economic and ecological systems is recorded. These practices not only restore

ecological and social systems, but also contribute to the establishment of more

resilient businesses [13].

We note that regenerative systems do not offer instant returns, they, by promoting

the active resilience of the constituent elements, do not advance towards

extracting efficiency, but rather strengthen regenerative businesses. Organizations

established through regeneration will create more vigorous economies and

societies within healthier ecosystems.

Conclusions

The damage caused to phytotechnical crops by harmful organisms constitutes 25-

30%, and under the conditions of epiphytotic development of pathogens and

invasions of pests and weeds, crop losses exceed the level of 50-60% or they

completely compromise agricultural crops, and plant health is threatened by

representatives of plant harmful entities. Perspectives on integrated pest

management are a primary source of reliable and updated information on a wide

range of topics of interest and importance for practitioners in ensuring integrated

protection of agricultural crops. An essential first step in addressing pest or

disease outbreaks is understanding the relevant biology, thus allowing the

identification of aspects that can form the basis for the design and optimization of

control approaches. It is tempting to hope that the emergence of artificial

intelligence techniques could provide the potential for in-depth and training

models to improve the accuracy of assessments of determining the appropriate

dynamics of the expansion of frequency, areas of spread and intensity of

development of harmful organisms.

The recorded results and the advancement of concepts for the development and

application of biological protection of plants in strengthening the health of

biological entities affected by the impact of harmful organisms reveal the driving

forces behind a faulty protection system and propose a path oriented towards the

establishment of true resilience of plants, animals, biological diversity and human

health.

Incorporating plant health into One Health concept implies a stronger emphasis on

ecological health through the trade-off between food security and planetary

28

Leonid Volosciuc

boundaries. The concept of “One Health”, in addition to substantiating the

multitude of natural mechanisms for strengthening human health, animals, plants,

soil and ecosystems, highlights and implements deep knowledge for health

specialists, students, as well as for the broad masses of the population. Analogous

to a strategic plan, the concept plays a key role in generating knowledge and

technologies, acting in accordance with the single health approach.

The interconnection between human, animal and environmental health has

become increasingly evident in recent years, accompanied by global challenges,

ecological disasters and climate change. This awareness requires a paradigm shift

in the way we approach health and environmental issues.

Biogeocenotic regulatory mechanisms in natural ecosystems represent a perfect

model for developing integrated plant protection systems. An example of the

manifestation of these mechanisms is biological plant protection consisting of

various alternative means to chemical ones (entomophages, biological

preparations and biologically active substances). For their effective application,

models for forecasting and monitoring the development of harmful organisms are

proposed. The perspective directions of scientific research in the field of plant

protection have been put forward and the role of organic agriculture in the

national economy of the Republic of Moldova has been determined. Although not

as developed as in other countries, this branch is already starting to concern

Moldovan farmers.

This activity is a representation of how regenerative practices can solve various

technological problems, heal humans, animals and the earth, support doctors,

veterinarians and farmers in solving current problems and, possessing the

capabilities and resources to use natural mechanisms, continue to build levers for

approaching and solving health and environmental problems.

Acknowledgments: The research was carried out within the project 25.80012.5107.12SE

"Determination of the relationships between symbiotic nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, biotic and

abiotic factors, in order to increase the level of protection and productivity of soybean", funded by

the National Agency for Research and Development.

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