This study was carried out during the summer of 2014 to determine alternative quality forage sources that could be grown in the Aydın ecological conditions. In the study, effects of 3 different mixtures and 2 pure species (100% Buckwheat, 25% Buckwheat -75% Soybean, 50% Buckwheat -5 0% Soybean, 75% Buckwheat - 25% Soybean, 100% Soybean) and 2 different harvesting times (50%-100% flowering/buckwheat) on yield and quality characteristics were investigated. According to measurements, the highest average herbage yield was obtained from 75% Buckwheat-25% Soybean application (3100 kg/da) at 2nd harvest time. When the average of hay yield was examined, the results were similar to herbage yield. When ADF and NDF were examined, the highest values were seen at the 2nd harvest. When the crude protein ratios were examined, it was found that they decreased at the 2nd harvesting time and the highest value was determined at 100% soybean application at the 1st harvesting time (21.08%). When Digestible Dry Matter (DDM) and Relative Feed Value (RFV) were examined, the highest values were determined in 100%Soybean applications at first harvest time and when the mixture applications were examined, the highest values were determined to be 75% Buckwheat - 25% Soybean application. As a result of the study, it was determined that the yields obtained at the 2nd harvest time were higher but the forage quality decreased. When the mixtures were examined, it was determined that the mixture having the highest roughage value was 75% buckwheat + 25% soybean application. In this study, the buckwheat which have short vegetation and good quality and the soybean, which is infront of with high quality, mixtures were examined. It has also been found that these mixtures may be important for obtaining high-quality forage in the short and intermediate periods.

Se seleccionaron 79 introducciones de zapallo (Cucurbita moschata Duch) teniendo en cuenta el contenido de extracto etéreo (EE) de las semillas. El EE fue estable física y químicamente, con propiedades organolépticas óptimas de aceite comestible, no presentó características de rancidez; aceite semisecante (122.90 mg/g de KOH.); índice de acidez 3.25 mg/g de KOH; la prueba presuntiva de yodo supone presencia de polinsaturación y sin formación de cristales. La composición de ácidos grasos mostró: palmítico C16:0 (25.11 - 36.94%); esteárico C18:0 (10.79 - 13.37%); linoleíco C18:2 (48.23 - 62.41%); linolénico C18:3 (0.66%) y araquídico C20:0 (0.53 - 0.78%). El aceite de semilla de zapallo contiene 55.28% de ácidos grasos insaturados con una cantidad apreciable de linoleíco (55.11%). La torta de semilla presentó proteína (51.11 ± 0.95%) y energía (4604. 66 ± 134.08 kcal/kg). | In accordance with of ethereal extract (EE) of seeds 79 varieties of squash was selected. The EE was physical and chemically stable, with good organoleptic properties of edible oil: no rancidity character was present; saponification index was 122.90 mg KOH/g characteristics of semi dried oil; acid index was 3.25 mg KOH/gm typical of edible oil. The iodine presumptive test revealed the presence of polyunsaturation and the absence of crystals. The composition of fatty acid revealed: Palmitic acid C16:0 (25.11 - 36.94%); Stearic acid C18:0 (10.79 - 13.37%); linoleic acid C18:2 (48.23 - 62.41%); linolenic acid C18:3 (0.66%); arachidic acid C20:0 (0.53 - 0.78%). The extracted oil from squash seeds contained 55.28% of unsaturated fatty acid with an appreciable amount of linoleic acid (55.11%). The squash oilseed cake presented a protein (51.11 ± 0.95%) and energy (4604. 66 ± 134.08 kcal/kg).

Se seleccionaron 79 introducciones de zapallo (Cucurbita moschata Duch) teniendo en cuenta el contenido de extracto etéreo (EE) de las semillas. El EE fue estable física y químicamente, con propiedades organolépticas óptimas de aceite comestible, no presentó características de rancidez; aceite semisecante (122.90 mg/g de KOH.); índice de acidez 3.25 mg/g de KOH; la prueba presuntiva de yodo supone presencia de polinsaturación y sin formación de cristales. La composición de ácidos grasos mostró: palmítico C16:0 (25.11 – 36.94%); esteárico C18:0 (10.79 – 13.37%); linoleíco C18:2 (48.23 – 62.41%); linolénico C18:3 (0.66%) y araquídico C20:0 (0.53 – 0.78%). El aceite de semilla de zapallo contiene 55.28% de ácidos grasos insaturados con una cantidad apreciable de linoleíco (55.11%). La torta de semilla presentó proteína (51.11 ± 0.95%) y energía (4604. 66 ± 134.08 kcal/kg)

This study was performed to investigate how to smoke solution affects dry matter loss, crude protein (CP) and toxic compound ODAP contents of grass pea in hydroponic media during seven days period. Three doses of smoke solutions (1, 5 and 10%, V: V) by diluting with tap water were applied to seeds as priming agent, and tap water was used as a control (0%). The experiment was arranged according to the split-plot design with three replications. Compared to seed, significant change was detected in hydroponic sprouts depending on the day in terms of dry matter loss and chemical content. Grass pea sprouts had higher CP and lower ODAP content than seed, even in control treatment. Furthermore, smoke solution increased the efficiency of system by increase CP, decrease ODAP content and also decreases dry matter loss, with significant effect on doses. CP of sprouts increased day by day and was the highest on day 6 (36.27%) at the 10% dose of smoke solution followed by 5% on day 7 (36.09%). ODAP decreased up to day 6 and then began to increase, but it was lower than control at all doses of solution during to experiment. This study showed that grass pea is suitable crop for hydroponic forage produce and that smoke solution can make a significant contribution to yield and quality of sprouts, especially at the dose of 10%. However, when the yield, nutritional value, and safe use were evaluated together, it was observed that the best time for harvesting was the end of the 6th day and delaying did not provide a significant advantage and even occurred undesirable results in terms of ODAP and dry matter.

Improving nutrient management of soils is important in subsistence farming systems in the tropics due to declining soil fertility resulting from continuous cropping coupled with inadequate nutrient replenishment. Balancing nutrient inputs with crop removal is crucial in reducing the build-up of nutrients and minimises nutrient losses through different pathways, thus reducing the cost of production. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of N and P fertiliser on sorghum N uptake at Kampi ya Mawe (KYM) in Makueni County and Katumani (KAT) in Machakos County, Kenya. Two factors (nitrogen and phosphorus) each at two levels (0 and 75 kg ha-1) were evaluated, resulting in four treatments, each replicated thrice. At KYM, N content in sorghum tissues increased by 24.2% in comparison with the control following application of N at 75 kg ha-1. At KAT, plots amended with N and P at 75 kg ha-1 resulted in the highest N content in sorghum tissues at the three sorghum development stages assessed. At the seedling stage, an increase of 18.8% was observed. Sole N application led to an increase in N content in sorghum tissues of 17.6% at the seedling stage. A positive linear relationship between NO3- N and N content in sorghum tissues was also observed. The study showed that soil N uptake was higher in the early growth stages of sorghum. The results of this study are essential to farmers and extension officers as a guide to ensure timely fertiliser application to ensure optimum utilisation of nutrients during crop growth.