In breeding for drought tolerance, availability of precise, cheap and easy to apply selection tool is critical. The aim of the present study was to identify potential screening tools that are useful for selection of drought tolerant genotypes in potato and select drought resistant potato genotypes. The study assessed sixty clones arranged in a 10×6 alpha lattice design with two replicates in a managed stress experiment. Two irrigation treatments were applied: fully watered non-stress and terminal drought, where the irrigation water supply to the crop was withheld after 50 % flowering to induce post-flowering stress. Stress indices were calculated based on tuber yield of genotypes in both stressed and non-stressed conditions. Identification of drought tolerant genotypes based on a single index was less informative as different indices identified different genotypes as drought tolerant. Hence, to determine the most desirable drought tolerant clones rank sum of indices, correlation, and bi-plot display of the principal component analysis was employed. The indices modified stress tolerance index based on non-stressed yield, Men productivity, Geometric mean productivity, Stress tolerance index, Harmonic mean, modified stress tolerance index based on stressed yield and Yield index exhibited strong association with both yield under stressed and non-stressed yield. These indices discriminated drought tolerant genotypes with higher tuber yielding potential both under stress and non-stress conditions. Genotypes CIP-398180.612, CIP-397069.5, and CIP-304371.67 were identified as drought tolerant. These genotypes could be potentially grown both under drought prone and potential environments and these selection attributes could help to develop climate resilient potato varieties.

Drought and thirst are among the most important problems in today's world where water resources are depleted more rapidly due to global warming and climate change. The use of plant species with high water needs in landscaping causes an increase in the need for irrigation and more water consumption. For this reason, the need for xeriscape design in landscape areas has increased in recent years. The aim of this study is to examine and evaluate the xeriscape landscaping in Selcuk University Alaeddin Keykubat Campus in line with the xeriscape principles. As a result of the examinations, it was determined that the xeriscape design areas in the campus were generally created in accordance with xeriscape principles.

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is an edible wild plant that is widely grown in the world, including Türkiye. Purslane plant, which is an important component of Mediterranean cuisine, can grow spontaneously in nature. Stress conditions can directly or indirectly affect its growth and development in the environment in which it is grown. In the current study, stress conditions of soil organic matter content, irrigation water amount and irrigation water salinity were investigated in pot experiments. The experiments were carried out in a 72 m2 greenhouse established on the Dokuz Eylül University Tınaztepe Campus. From the variables, soil organic matter was applied as 1%, 1.8% (control), 3% and 5% on a dry weight basis. 15 purslane seeds were planted in each pot and left to germinate. Irrigation water amounts were chosen as 100%, 75%, 50%, 30%, 15% of the field capacity. The last variable in the application was determined as the salinity of the irrigation water; the conductivity of the applied irrigation waters were control (tap water-about 0.5 mS/cm), 4 mS/cm, 8 mS/cm, 16 mS/cm. All pots were prepared in four repetitions and the study was carried out with a total of 320 pots. Experiments were carried out for 90 days from the first planting. In the study, it was observed that the increase in organic matter increased plant germination. Statistical evaluation was also made and the effects of irrigation water amount and salinity were also evaluated according to principal component analysis. As the field capacity decreased, decreases were observed in plant growth, but this was mostly observed at 30% and 15% field capacity. The negative effects of salinity on plant growth were observed at 8 mS/cm and 16 mS/cm values.

Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) is used to determine dry and humid periods according to the cumulative probability method at different time scales. . In this study, the rainfall data between the years of 1980-2018 belonging to of Kayseri Meteorology Station was simulated by CLIGEN stochastic climatic data generator. SPI indices calculated by using observed and simulated precipitation were evaluated with the statistical methods at the time scales of 3-, 6-, 9- and 12- months. The SPI values of 3-, 6-, 9- and 12- month which are observed and simulated with CLIGEN are close to each other and the performance of the model is very high in calculating the SPI values of these time series. However, as the time period increased, the model's representative ability decreased.

Millets, including pearl millet, foxtail millet, and finger millet, among others, offer a complementary solution to traditional staple crops such as wheat, rice and maize, particularly in the context of climate change. Known for their resilience to heat, drought, and poor soil conditions, millets can be integrated into existing agricultural systems to enhance food security and nutritional diversity in regions increasingly affected by climate change. While millets may not replace staple crops, their cultivation alongside these staples provide several benefits, including improved nutritional outcomes and reduced environmental impact. Pearl millet, for instance, is rich in iron and zinc, addressing micronutrient deficiencies that are common in many developing regions. Finger millet’s high calcium content makes it a valuable addition to diets in areas with limited access to dairy. These grains thrive in marginal environments, contributing to more sustainable farming practices with a lower environmental footprint. Incorporating millets into agricultural systems can reduce dependency on water-intensive crops, lower the risk of crop failure, and provide a buffer against the impacts of climate change. By diversifying cropping systems, millets could help to stabilize food production and improve nutritional outcomes without displacing the critical role of traditional staples in global diets. To maximize the benefits of millets, efforts should focus on improving value chains, supporting smallholder farmers, and increasing consumer awareness. Moreover, targeted research and supportive policies are critical to unlocking their full potential and integrating them effectively into global food systems. As the world faces the dual challenges of climate change and malnutrition, millets offer a viable pathway to enhance resilience and sustainability in agriculture, complementing staple crops and enriching global food systems.

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the recent increase in the frequency of drought conditions and Root-Crown Rot (Fusarium pseudograminearum, Fusarium culmorum) in rainfed wheat growing areas of Central Anatolia. In 2018, the experiment was established in the greenhouse of Konya Bahri Dağdaş International Agricultural Research Institute using 25 registered wheat varieties in a randomised block split-plot experimental design with 4 replications. Irrigation levels (100% field capacity and 50% field capacity) were designed as main plots, inoculation (+ and -) as subplots and varieties as sub-subplots. In the study, the response of the cultivars to inoculation under artificial drought conditions was evaluated by measuring Crown Score (CR), Lesion Length (LL), Number of Diseased Leaves from outside to inside (NDL) and Plant Height (PH) from five plants in each pot. Statistically, the differences between inoculation, irrigation, NDL and LL were found to be significant at P<0.0001 level, while the differences between varieties were found to be significant at P<0.001 level for the CR parameter. On the other hand, when the interactions were evaluated for the NDL parameter, the differences were found to be significant at P<0.0001 level for all three interactions of cultivar*inoculation, cultivar*irrigation and cultivar*inoculation*irrigation. When the effect of reduced water application intended to be used in resistance breeding was evaluated for 25 different varieties under Fusarium culmorum inoculation, there was an increase in CR from 41,7% (Gerek-79) to 487,5% (Altay-2000), NDL from 7,14% (Kirgiz-95) to 200% (Alpu-2001), LL from -36,84% (Karahan-99) to 283,33% (Altay-2000) and in PH reduction from 12,41% (Seval) to 32,22% (Kirgiz-95). The results showed that drought-stressed plants were already weakened and therefore more easily and severely infected by pathogens. According to these results, it has been determined that it is very important for the region to obtain resistance to drought and crown rot diseases, which have such an obvious relationship, in breeding studies.

To examine polyamines (PAs) effect in modulating the drought induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings (variety Khoibhutta, 8 day seedlings grown in petri dish in incubator) were subjected to 20% PEG (polyethylene glycol) followed by 20 µmol PAs, Putrescine (Put), Spermidine (Spd) and Spermine (Spm) with PEG solution for 48 hours. Sharp decrease in Relative Water Content (RWC), Chl a, Chl b, carotenoid (Car) and total pigment content was observed under drought compared to control condition, while PAs application reversed their decreasing trends. PEG significantly increased Reactive Oxidative Species (ROS) [superoxide (O2•−) and H2O2], Methyl Glyoxal (MG), Melondialdehyde (MDA) and Lipoxigenase (LOX) activity, while Pas decreased the contents considerably (except MG) as compared to those under drought. Drought increased proline content, which was further augmented in PA treatments. PAs failed to incline glyoxalase’s (Gly-I and Gly-II) activities, reduced under PEG. The activity and western blot confirmed the accumulation of Glutathione S-Transferase (GST) under drought, but PAs failed to augment the activity. Ascorbic Acid (AsA) and Glutathione (GSH) got oxidized into Dehydroascorbate (DHA) and oxidized Glutathione (GSSG) under drought but PAs effectively maintained homeostasis. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Peroxidase (POD), Ascorbate Peroxidase (APX), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX), Monodehydroascorbatereductase (MDHAR), Dehydroascorbatereductase (DHAR), and Glutathione Reductase (GR) inclined in drought stressed seedlings, while Catalase (CAT) activity decreased under drought. PAs addition increased SOD, POD, GPX, CAT, MDHAR, and GR activities, but declined DHAR activity. These findings suggested important role of PAs in increasing tolerance under short term drought by modulating antioxidant effect.

In this study, Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) and Percent of Normal Index (PNI) values were found in order to determine the drought conditions between 2012-2020 in Ankara province. Drought severity interpretations were made according to the index values obtained and these values were evaluated together with some grain yields grown in the region. Separate regression analysis was performed between the different drought index values obtained within the scope of the study and the irrigated and dry agricultural yield values of wheat, barley and triticale. According to the index values calculated between 2012 and 2020 according to the SPI method, drought conditions are generally close to normal in the region. According to the PNI values, it was determined that 2013 had mildly dry conditions and other years had near-normal drought conditions. According to both indices, a drought close to normal was observed during the research period. In the regression analysis made according to wheat, barley and triticale yields, the highest linearity was obtained in barley, and values close to barley were found in triticale. Wheat is the cereal with the lowest linearity. The regression coefficients obtained as 0.4294 for barley, 0.3331 for triticale, and 0.0502 for wheat were found to be 0.0584 for SPI and 0.0013 for PNI. According to the results obtained, it can be said that statistically linearity is in barley and triticale. In average yields, an increase of 47% in wheat, 55% in barley and 34% in triticale was observed with irrigation. In order to ensure sustainable grain cultivation in drought conditions, it is recommended to expand modern irrigation practices in coordination with drought analysis studies and to increase scientific studies on this subject.

In this study, Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) and Percent of Normal Index (PNI) values were found in order to determine the drought conditions between 2012-2020 in Ankara province. Drought severity interpretations were made according to the index values obtained and these values were evaluated together with some grain yields grown in the region. Separate regression analysis was performed between the different drought index values obtained within the scope of the study and the irrigated and dry agricultural yield values of wheat, barley and triticale. According to the index values calculated between 2012 and 2020 according to the SPI method, drought conditions are generally close to normal in the region. According to the PNI values, it was determined that 2013 had mildly dry conditions and other years had near-normal drought conditions. According to both indices, a drought close to normal was observed during the research period. In the regression analysis made according to wheat, barley and triticale yields, the highest linearity was obtained in barley, and values close to barley were found in triticale. Wheat is the cereal with the lowest linearity. The regression coefficients obtained as 0.4294 for barley, 0.3331 for triticale, and 0.0502 for wheat were found to be 0.0584 for SPI and 0.0013 for PNI. According to the results obtained, it can be said that statistically linearity is in barley and triticale. In average yields, an increase of 47% in wheat, 55% in barley and 34% in triticale was observed with irrigation. In order to ensure sustainable grain cultivation in drought conditions, it is recommended to expand modern irrigation practices in coordination with drought analysis studies and to increase scientific studies on this subject.