SEASONAL VARIATION IN THE NUMBER OF HERBACEOUS PLANT SPECIES IN THE GRASSED STRIPS OF AN ORGANIC APPLE ORCHARD

Abstract

The study aimed to assess species richness and the seasonal dynamics of herbaceous vegetation in the grassed strips of an organic apple orchard located in Turceni, Gorj County, Romania. The research was conducted in 2025, with observations carried out in three different seasons. A total of 42 plant species belonging to 15 botanical families were identified, with Asteraceae (29 %) and Fabaceae (22 %) being the most represented families. Species richness progressively declined from spring to summer and autumn. The high proportion of accidental species (64–72 %) highlighted the spatial heterogeneity of the vegetation, while
similarity indices revealed substantial seasonal changes in floristic composition.