Much of the sustained agricultural growth necessary for poverty reduction and sustainable development comes from adequate and expanded improved agricultural inputs use like hybrid seeds, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and inorganic fertilizer. However, smallholder farmers faced various and empirically unidentified constraints in the sustainable use of improved agricultural inputs. This study, therefore, is to examine the trends and challenges farmers faced to use improved inputs. The study has used secondary data from various databases such as FAOSTAT, World Bank, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research and agricultural statistics. Simple graphical sketch, tabular and percentage analysis was employed for interpretation of the data. The study revealed that the trends in the use of various improved inputs are not based on the regular basis. The sustainable improved input intensification by smallholder farmers was influenced by various socio-economic, physical, and institutional factors. Understanding trends and challenges in input utilization provide baseline information for input intensification policies and strategies. Therefore, this review pointed out that it is possible to increase inputs intensification by smallholder farmers.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) has been cultivated as an important cereal crop for more than 9,000 years and more than half of the world’s population depend on rice as it is their primary source of energy. Almost 30% of the current world cereal production is represented by the rice alone. It is estimated that the world’s population will reach 9.1 billion by 2050 i.e. 34 percent higher than today and for ensuring an ample amount of food and nutrition to such large population, global consumption of cereals will need to increase from 2.6 to 2.9 billion tonnes by 2027. On the other hand, the impacts of climate change in agriculture are expected to be negative, threatening the global food security. Besides, agriculture and global food security will be severely affected due to the COVID-19 pandemics as its after-effects are yet to be ascertained. The world needs an introduction of a new “Green revolution” in agriculture to increase crop production for food security and biofuel, because conventional breeding method have not brought much of gains not keeping its pace with the world population growth. Hence, the current study was done to review the various ongoing approaches and possible ways of designing a rice with enhanced productivity and photosynthetic capacity. One of the ways to increase yields, photosynthetic capacity accompanied by an increased Water Use Efficiency (WUE) and Nutrient Use Efficiency could be to introduce C4 traits into rice. Besides, genetic engineering using CRISPR-Cas9, molecular breeding, developing ideotype, heterosis breeding, developing apomictic rice, nitrogen fixing rice, use of nanotechnology as well as precision farming are the probable future approaches for designing a rice with high productivity. However, there are challenges and limitations in developing such rice and further research in this matter could help us get closer to developing the future rice.

The aim of the study is comparing the milk consumption habits of the students of the Department of Dairy Technology and Department of Agriculture Economy The survey was conducted with 66 students from Department of Dairy Technology and 84 students from Department of Agriculture Economy. It is indicated that 82.54% of the students from Department of Dairy Technology and 74.07% of the students from Department of Agriculture Economy get information from expert organizations (universities, private companies, etc.) about the importance of milk in nutrition. According to the Chi-square tests, there is a significant relationship between the department preference variable and the sources which are getting information and found reliable by the students and milk consumption variable. Besides, it is indicated that 98% of the students from both of the departments prefer pasteurized and UHT milk rather than raw milk.

This work reports the survival status of Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella Typhimurium in homemade fig and mulberry vinegar. Each pathogen was separately inoculated in vinegar samples at approximately 7 log CFU/mL. The survival status of pathogens was examined at 20°C for 0, 15, 30 and 60 min, and 4, 8 and 24 h. The residual populations after 24 h were below detection limit for all species assayed. S. Typhimurium was much more sensitive to mulberry vinegar ( 6 log reduction in 30 min) than it is to fig vinegar ( 6 log reduction in 24 h). L. monocytogenes had an overall quite different behaviour, being the most sensitive species to fig vinegar ( 6 log reduction in 4 h) while being the most resistant one to mulberry vinegar ( 6 log reduction in 24 h). The total phenolic content of fig vinegar (767 mg GAE/L) was higher than mulberry vinegar (557.5 mg GAE/L). The results exhibited that antimicrobial activity of vinegar is mainly related to the contact time, test pathogen and physicochemical properties of vinegar.

In this study, the responses of 20 different bean genotypes (13 pole and 7 dwarf) to salt (NaCl) stress at 0 mM, 25 mM and 50 mM were investigated. Salt application was performed together with irrigation water in the same time every day during 4 days. In the study, which was prepared according to randomized plot design with 3 replications, the plants were grown in the pots containing peat-perlite in a ratio of 2:1 under climatic conditions of 23±2°C. Root dry matter, root fresh and dry weight and some nutrient contents (Phosphorus-P, Copper-Cu, Zinc-Zn, Manganese-Mn, Iron-Fe and Magnesium-Mg) were investigated in order to determine salinity tolerance in bean genotypes. The data obtained from the study revealed that salt stress responds differently in both genotypes and applications. When the average of applications of 25 mM and 50 mM salt stress was examined, it was found that while root fresh and dry weight, root dry matter (%) and Fe content increased compared to control group, Mn and P content decreased. Among the genotypes exposed to salt stress, while four genotypes [two pole (numbered as 13 and 19) and two dwarf (numbered as 8 and 11)] were determined to be tolerant to salt, 3 genotypes [one pole (numbered as 14) and two dwarf (numbered as 18 and 20)] were evaluated as sensitive.

This research was conducted to overcome the problem of slow and erratic emergence in okra and to find out the effects of priming on germination, growth performance and yield in okra at Research Field of Nepal Polytechnic Institute (NPI) Bharatpur-11, Chitwan, Nepal (April-July, 2019). Arka Anamika variety was used for experiment. The experiment was laid out in Randomize Complete Block Design with 5 treatments and 4 replications, i.e. T1 (hormonal priming with IBA), T2 (hydro priming with fresh tap water), T3 (halo priming with NaCl), T4 (chemo priming with liquid urea) and T5 (un-primed seeds). Field experiment results showed that priming proved effective in improving germination percent except the chemo priming, reducing the mean germination time (MGT), improving the growth parameters (plant height, number of branches, plant canopy and number of leaves) and improving yield contributing characters like fruit length, fruit diameter as compared to un-primed seeds. The highest and lowest germination percentages were found in hydro priming and hormonal priming respectively while better growth performance in hormonal and chemo priming. Similarly, hormonal and hydro priming resulted in higher yield. Hence, it is suggested that seed priming is important to improve the overall germination, growth performance and yield in okra.

In this study, we compared the growth and survival characteristics of Romanov × Morkaraman (F1 Rom), Romanov × F1 Romanov (G1 Rom) and Charollais × F1 Romanov (Charom) crossbreed lambs weaning weight at different ages. After birth, from three genotypes lambs were weaned at two different ages of 50 and 75 days and growth performance after weaning was examined at 120 days of age. The effect of three different genotypes and birth type on birth weight was very important, and sex effect was insignificant. In weaning weight, only the effect of birth type was found to be significant. Lamb birth and weaning weights were in Charom, F1 Rom, G1 Rom lambs, 3.38-15.28; 3.98-15.04; 3.21-15.55 kg, respectively. The type of birth showed variation in the birth weight of the lamb and the decrease in lamb birth weights (Single: 4.19 kg: Twin: 3.42 kg; Triplet: 3.15 kg and Quadrature: 2.88 kg) was observed as the number of offspring increased. The effect of the birth type on weaning weights was similar in single and triplet. Single-born lambs have higher weaning weights than those of twins and quadruplets. Average daily live weight gain (ADG) from weaning in single lambs, 247.37 g were found higher than twin (190.67 g), triplets (201.44 g) and quadruplets (178.57 g). The effect of weaning age was insignificant on weaning weights. The first month weight after weaning, effect of the genotype of the lamb, the birth type and the sex were insignificant; but effect of weaning age was significant weaning weights and first month after weaning weights the ADG. The late weaned lambs had higher next first month live weight (18.62-17.89 kg) and ADG (179.45-81.32 g). The live weights of the lambs on the 120 days were similar and none of the factors investigated were found to be effective.

Demand for fishery products rich in protein, vitamin, mineral and omega fatty acids is increasing day by day in order to meet the increasing nutritional needs of the world population. Despite being very beneficial fisheries, the amount of consumption in Turkey is very low compared to other countries. For this purpose, as an exemplary study, it has been tried to reveal the fishery consumption habits of students studying at Ege University. Faculties in Ege University have been considered as layers. In the study, a 25-question questionnaire was conducted face-to-face to 381 students selected according to the random sampling method between February and March 2019, and the results were obtained. The survey results obtained from the participants were evaluated using IBM SPSS 25.0 package program. The obtained results were evaluated by Chi-square analysis and Principal Component Analysis. Two group consumers emerged, representing coastal region 54.8% and Terrestrial region 45.2%. It has been determined that the most important reason for fish consumption in preference factors and availability is price. Ege University of students’ Consumer profiles; It was found to be different in terms of socio-demographic factors, consumption patterns, attitudes towards health and healthy food. As a result, it was determined that the fishery products were not consumed at the desired level in Ege University students. Accordingly, Ege University students should be made aware of increasing their consumption of fisheries. For this purpose, it is recommended to carry out promotions, advertisements and promotions that prove healthy.

According to FAOSTAT 2017 data, Turkey located ranks second after China in terms of world honey production and ranks third in terms of the number of colonies. According to Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT) 2018 data, Turkey had 7.904.502 colonies and total honey production of 107.920 tons while the average honey yield was calculated 13.7 kg per colony. It is economically important that informing to beekeepers and policymakers the expected change in the number of colonies and honey yield in the next years. This study aims to estimate the production values for the next 5 years by using the number of colonies and honey yields of the past years. For this purpose, the next five years (2019-2023) forecast has been made by using data from the last 50 years (1969-2018). ARIMA (1,1,0) first-degree autoregressive time series model was used for the number of colonies and honey yields from the data obtained from TURKSTAT and FAOSTAT. SPSS package program was used for forecasting. According to the results, compared to 2018 an increase of 1.3% and 7.4% is expected in the number of colonies between 2019 and 2023. In addition, the honey yield is expected to increase between 2.77% and 3.12% compared to 2018. It seems that increasing the number of colonies and expecting a less increase in honey yield per colony will increase the production costs in the next years. Hence, consumers will consume honey and honeybee products at a higher price. It can be suggested that, beekeepers should take care about increasing the number of colonies as well as increase the honey yield per colony to beekeeping economy, consumers and the economy of the country.

Protected areas are one the most important nature conservation landscapes and during the last few decades, the importance of natural areas have been considered as a priority for lifestyle preferences of people around the world. Karatepe Aslantaş National Park is one of the examples for these protected areas in Turkey, however; there have been limited studies focusing on the preservation and development of a socioeconomic plan for the aforementioned national park. Therefore, this study aims to develop planning and management priorities of Karatepe Aslantaş National Park and determine tourism potential towards future-oriented conservation. In this regard, a SWOT analysis was performed to develop sustainable planning and design proposals. To determine the historical transformation of a protected area and its surroundings, Land use/land cover-change (LUCC) detection was performed using Landsat 7 ETM and Landsat TIRS/OLI satellites images of the study area for the years 1990 and 2018. The results showed that in 1990, the mixed forest class dominated the study area (2376.6 ha), likewise, it was the most effective land cover class in 2018 (2178.14 ha). Agricultural land with natural vegetation class occupied the second largest area for both 1990 and 2018 with 1264.72 ha and 880.13 ha, respectively. A marked decrease was found for the transitional woodland/shrubs cover (565.8 ha in 1990 to 330.35 ha in 2018). Among the all land use classes, the highest percentage of change was found for broad-leaved forest cover at 200% between 1990 and 2018, while the lowest percentage of change occurred to water bodies with 8.82% in the same time frame. Regarding the findings, management proposals have been developed to conserve the protected area considering its tourism potential and archeological heritage values. Therefore, it is recommended that the lack of planning and management strategies needs to be fulfilled as a legal commitment by government agencies.