Talinum triangulare is an herbaceous succulent plant eaten as a vegetable throughout the tropics including many countries in West and Central Africa and are an essential ingredient in traditional dishes. Experiments were made on the plant to examine the influence of foraging behavior of flowering insect on pollination and yields of this plant species in 2018 and 2019 at Bafut. Observations were made on 1615 to 4055 flowers per treatment. The treatments included unlimited floral access by visitors and bagged flowers to deny all visits. The study focused on the foraging behavior of flowering insects and their pollination activity (fruiting rate). The results show that 14 insect species visited waterleaf flowers and Camponotus flavomarginatus was the most frequent (33.20%). Insects foraged throughout the day light period. Their activity was highest between 10 am and 12 pm. Insect species foraged the flowers for pollen and nectar. The fructification rate of unrestricted floral access was significantly high than that of protected flowers to deny all visits. The maintenance of insect nest close to T. triangulare field is recommended to improve it fruits production.

Fig vinegar is a special product which has a long history and is handed down from generation to generation. In the current study, characteristics of homemade fig vinegars supplied from different cities of Turkey were compared in terms of their physicochemical, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Physicochemical properties of the samples were very diverse. Total phenolic and flavonoid content, and ABTS+ and DPPH radical scavenging activities of the samples were ranged from 313.5 to 594.25 mg GAE/L and 42.52-132.42 mg catechin/L, and 0.44-3.98 µg TE/mL and 1.25-7.51 µg TE/mL, respectively. The antioxidant activity of vinegars is highly correlated with their phenolic and flavonoid contents. Furthermore, vinegar samples exhibited inhibitive effect on all test microorganisms and the minimum inhibition concentration values were ranged between 0.39 and 25% (v/v). These results indicated the distinct properties of homemade fig vinegars and the potential of them as antimicrobial and antioxidant substances.

White and red cocoyam starches were physically modified by heat moisture treatment at 16, 24 and 32 % moisture levels. The functional and pasting properties of the modified and native starches were evaluated using standard methods. The swelling power at 60oC, water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, least gelation concentration, packed bulk density and loose bulk density of heat moisture treated white and red cocoyam starches ranged between 1.90 - 2.18 and 1.89 – 2.21; 1.00 – 1.80 ml/g and 0.80 – 1.60 ml/g; 1.40 – 1.80 ml/g and 1.20 – 1.40 ml/g; 8.00 – 10.00% and 8.00 – 10.00%; 0.51 – 0.62 g/ml and 0.54 – 0.64 g/ml; 0.41 – 0.51 g/ml and 0.43 – 0.53 g/ml respectively. For both white and red cocoyam starches, heat moisture treated starches at 16% moisture content level had the highest swelling power in the temperature range 60oC to 90oC; also starches treated at 32% moisture level had the highest water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, packed bulk density and loose bulk density. Red cocoyam native starch had higher peak, trough, breakdown, final and setback viscosity than white cocoyam starch. Heat moisture treatment generally increased the pasting properties of white cocoyam starch. The modification of red cocoyam starch at moisture levels of 16% and 24% reduced the pasting properties, however at higher moisture level, the pasting properties increased. These results suggest that moisture level of cocoyam starches influence their physicochemical properties during heat moisture modification; this will increase the array of food products in which the starches can be used.

Spiders are one of the groups that best adapted to terrestrial life among in invertebrates and are represented by approximately 48,000 species in the world. Although all spiders do not weave webs, the webs of spiders are literally a work of art. The main reason for spider web weaving is hunting. Some spider species live in the nature dependent on the own web, while others continue to live without being dependent on the own web. Although basic taxonomic features generally remain unchanged, some spider-silk weaving apparatus may undergo adaptive variations. In this study, the web structure of the weaving web spider, Argiope bruennichi (Scopoli, 1772) and the structural organization of the web weaving apparatus was observed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The web structure of A. bruennichi, spinnerets especially posterior spinneret and arrangement of its spigots are shown and discussed in the light of the literature.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) improves the uptake of nutrients and water to the plants through mutual symbiosis. Only AMF produces glomalin related soil protein (GRSP). Acaulospora morroaiae, Glomus luteum, Glomus verruculosum, Glomus versiforme are the effective glomalin producing AMFs. Mixed primary forest, tropical rainforest, soil organic matter, clay soil, no tillage, quality and quantity of fertilizers, crop rotation, and water stable aggregates are also suitable to increase glomalin production. Glomalin is a glycoprotein that contains 30–40% carbon (C) which is assumed to be stable and persistent in soil. The glomalin can sequestrate more carbon in the soil due to its high carbon and aggregate stability. Greater aggregate stability leads to high organic carbon protection in terrestrial ecosystems. The lowest glomalin content (0.007 mg per gram soil) was found in Antarctic region, and the highest glomalin content (13.50 mg per gram soil) was observed in tropical rainforest. In agricultural soil, glomalin content varies between 0.30 and 0.70 mg per gram soil. The GRSP containing soil organic carbon (SOC) in deeper soil layers was 1.34 to 1.50 times higher than in surface layers. Glomalin can sequestrate 0.24 Mg C ha-1 in soil when present at 1.10±0.04 mg g-1. At elevated CO2 (700 µmol mol-1) level, easily extractable glomalin (EEG) and total glomalin (TG) were 2.76 and 5.67% SOC in the surface soil layer over ambient carbon dioxide (CO2) level. This finding indicates the effective function of GRSP C sequestration in soil under global environmental change scenarios. Glomalin can also protect labile carbon that can help regulating nutrient supply to the plants. No tillage practice causes higher AMF hyphal length, GRSP and water stable aggregate (WSA) compared to that of conventional tillage practice. The current review demonstrated that GRSP is an important tool for carbon storage in deep soils. Glomalin mediates soil aggregates, improves soil quality, increases carbon sequestration and crop production, and mitigates climate change.

Today, the honeybee parasite Varroa destructor is thought to be the most dangerous creature in the beekeeping industry worldwide. In this study, the efficacy of using drone brood cells (known to have no residue concerns in bee products and harmless on bee health) as traps against V. destructor was investigated. A total of 16 honeybee (Apis mellıfera) colonies with V. destructor infestation percentage of less than 5% were used for the trial. The treatment group consisted of 8 colonies that were randomly assigned to molded drone comb (comb with 5.4 mm hexagonal cells). The other 8 were assigned to unmolded comb to form the control group. In the trial groups, after 20 days (from 10th May), all drone combs with complete pupation were removed and destroyed on 30th May, 20th June, 10th July, 30th July, and 20th August. During the trial, varroa mite infestation rate (mean abundance), colony development, and varroa mite preference for drone and work bee brood cells were determined. The results showed that the application of drone brood cells as a control method was statistically significant against V. destructor, and did not negatively affect colony development. On the other hand, V.destructor's preference for both drone and worker bee brood cells among the groups was not statistically significant. In conclusion, drone brood cells ensured an approximately 43% success rate as traps against V. destructor compared to the control group. The effective application of drone brood cells as traps in combination with other Varroa mite control methods should be investigated.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of production system, slaughter age, and gender on the nutrient composition, fatty acids profile, and index values of breast and thigh meat in Alectoris chukar partridges. Partridges were slaughtered at 14, 16, and 18 weeks of age and skinless breast and thigh meat of male and female were used in the study (a total of 96 samples in 2 replicates). The production system affected only the crude fat level of the thigh meat in terms of nutrient composition and it was found higher in the intensive system compared to the free-range system. Age and gender did not significantly affect the composition of breast and thigh meat. In terms of fatty acid profile, erucic acid (C22:1n9) level in breast meat was higher in intensive system, while it was higher in thigh meat in free-range. While the percentage of docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n3) increased with age in breast meat, it decreased in thigh meat with age. While eicosenoic acid (C20:1) percentage was higher in breast meat of male birds compared to females, only stearic acid (C18:0) was found to be higher in thigh meat. Saturated fatty acids (SFA), linolenic acid (n3), thrombogenic index (TI) and atherogenic index (AI) values were higher in thigh meat produced in free-range system, while polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), total unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), linoleic acid (n6) and hypocholesterolaemic / hypercholesterolaemic ratio (h/H) were significantly higher in intensive system. While SFA and TI levels in thigh meat decreased with age, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), UFA and oleic acid (n9) percentages increased. MUFA / SFA in thigh meat of females was higher than males, other indexes were found insignificant. The results shows that partridges had desirable fatty acid composition. Especially, the increase in MUFA and UFA values with age in thigh meat compared to breast indicates that thigh meat is enriched in terms of unsaturated fatty acids. However, the higher SFA and AI values obtained in the free-range system could be considered a negative outcome for alternative production systems that prioritize bird welfare and consumer demands.

Roots play an important role in improving crop yield by affecting the amount of water uptake and nutrient acquisition. The objective of this study was to characterize variability in root and above-ground characteristics among three diverse semi-dwarf spring wheat cultivars, ‘Vida’, ‘Oneal’ and ‘Duclair’ and a wild-type cultivar, ‘Scholar’ at early and late growth stages in a greenhouse. Plants were grown in 45-cm long tree pots in a greenhouse under optimal growth conditions. As soil-less media, a mixture of peat (70%) and perlite (30%) was used. Plants were harvested at tillering (GS25-26) with 5-6 tillers, booting (GS43-45), and maturity (GS92). Root and shoot traits indicated significant variability among wild-type and semi-dwarf spring wheat cultivars at those growth stages. The study results showed that root mass per plant at tillering, booting, and maturity ranged from 0.10 to 0.14 g, 0.47 to 0.9 g, and 0.55 to 0.85 g, respectively, while shoot mass per plant varied from 1.7 to 2.5 g, 6.5 to 10.7 g, and 21.2 to 24.5 g, respectively. From booting to maturity, root mass was relatively constant, however, shoot mass increased considerably. Moreover, the average root mass of semi-dwarf spring wheat cultivars was 37% lower at booting and 30% lower at maturity compared to the wild-type cultivar, even though there was no significant variation among the cultivars at the early growth stage. Based on the results of the variability identified in this research, wild-type cultivar, Scholar can be evaluated for the improvement of genotypes with superior root system in breeding programs.

The level of yield among sweet potato farmers is on a decline; low output and yield differences was observed, indicating the existence of inefficiency in production systems and variations in input utilization. Efficiency in resource use must be sustained in order to improve productivity and maximize farm output. This study therefore analyzed the technical efficiency of sweet potato production. Multi-stage sampling techniques were adopted in selecting 94 respondents for this study. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and stochastic frontier production function. The socioeconomic variables of the respondents affected their farm efficiency and level of farm output. The estimated ratio of the L/R test was 0.579; indicating a goodness of fit of the frontier model and thus a rejection of the null hypothesis. The coefficients of sweet potato seeds (vines) (0.362) and labour (0.439) were positive and statistically significant at 5% level of probability, while the coefficients of farm size (-1.333), fertilizer (-0.452) and herbicides (-0.766) were negative but statistically significant at 5% level of probability. The inefficiency model revealed that the coefficient of farm capital (-0.172), education (-2.281), access to credit (-0.472), farming experience (-0.639), extension contact (-0.733) and membership of cooperatives (-0.396) were negative and statistically significant at 5% level of probability. The mean technical efficiency was 0.62 (62%) implying that the sweet potato farmers in the study area were not producing at optimal capacity. The constraints identified significantly affected sweet potato production in the study area. Subsidizing input costs; sensitizing farmers on appropriate farming practices, cooperative formation and efficiency in resource utilization; improving access to agricultural inputs, technology, farm capital, credit and extension services, market linkages, farm labour supply and the development of indigenous technologies in sweet potato production are strongly recommended.

Bu araştırma, atık reçel karışımı ilavesinin yonca silajlarının fermantasyonu ve in vitro sindirilebilirlik üzerine etkilerini belirlemek amacıyla planlanmıştır. Yonca, ekim ayında çiçeklenme başlangıcında hasat edilerek soldurulmuştur. Atık reçel karışımı önce bir süzgeç yardımıyla katı ve sıvı olarak iki kısıma ayrılmıştır. Kontrol grubuna, 20 ml saf su ilavesi yapılmıştır. Sıvı kısım; Reçel-I silajı (RI), 50 mg sıvı reçel+20 ml saf su /kg yonca; Reçel-II silajı (RII), 100 mg sıvı reçel+20 ml saf su /kg yonca olacak şekilde ilave edilmiştir. Katı kısım ise; Reçel Parçacık-I silajı (RPI), 30 mg reçel parçacıkları +30 ml saf su /kg yonca; Reçel Parçacık-II silajı (RPII), 60 mg reçel parçacıkları +60 ml saf su /kg yonca olacak şekilde hazırlanmıştır. Silajlar, kapalı bir depoda 60 gün süresince fermantasyona bırakılmıştır. Reçel ve reçel parçacıkları ilave edilmesi yonca silajının pH ve nötral deterjanda çözünmeyen lif (NDF) içeriklerini düşürmüştür. Araştırmada, en yüksek laktik asit (LA) içeriği RII grubunda kuru madde (KM) de 100,28 g/kg olarak belirlenirken en düşük ise kontrol grubunda 23.07 g/kg KM olarak belirlenmiştir. Yoncaya reçel ve reçel parçaçıkları ilavesi, kontrol grubuna göre enzimde çözünen organik madde (EÇOM) içeriğini önemli düzeyde arttırmıştır (P