Dietary diversity became a global concern in improving health conditions through the habit of food group consumption by adding health dimension to the issue of food calorie consumption. Access to nutritionally adequate and good quality diet is essential to human health, productivity and work output. However, despite the various concerns by governments all over the world on ensuring that every household can at least provide three square meals per day, food insecurity continues to be a major development problem across the globe. This study assessed the effect of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on households’ dietary diversity in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 265 households. Data was collected using well-structured questionnaire. The analytical techniques were; Descriptive statistics, Dietary Diversity index and Z-Statistics Test. Gender, age, household size, education, marital status, cooperative membership and access to credit were the socioeconomic characteristics described. Result indicate that 86% of the households had low food dietary diversity while 14% of the households had high food dietary diversity before and after the pandemic lockdown. Similarly, 18% of the households had low calorie consumption while 82% of the households had high dietary diversity before and after the pandemic lockdown. Cereals, legumes/grains, oils/fat, roots and tubers, sugar and honey and meats were the most common food consumed by the households daily before and after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Result further indicate that the pandemic lockdown had effect on the dietary diversity and food consumption patterns of the urban households. It can be concluded that the understanding of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on dietary diversity and food consumption patterns of households is important in developing policy measures such as social safety nets, home feeding programmes, the school feeding programme, conditional cash transfers schemes and improved marketing channels that will help mitigate against households falling into food insecurity during similar pandemic in the future.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of different sowing times on duration of tasselling, plant height, first ear height, ear length, ear diameter, number of ears per plant, fresh ear yield with husk, fresh ear yield unhusked, and marketable number of ears of different sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata Sturt.) varieties in Diyarbakır between the years of 2010-2012. The trial was conducted as split plots in randomised complete blocks with three replications. The main plots were sowing times, and the sub-plots were varieties. The trials were carried out at eight different sowing times (1 April, 15 April, 1 May, 15 May, 1 June, 15 June, 1 July and 15 July) with ‘Merit’, ‘Jubilee’, ‘Lumina’, ‘Vega’ and ‘Sakarya’ composite sweet corn varieties. From the variance analysis of the three-year combined average, the duration of tasselling, plant height, first ear height, ear length, ear diameter, number of ears per plant, fresh husked ear yield, fresh unhusked ear yield and marketable ear number were statistically significant for sowing times and varieties. According to the sowing time × variety interaction, except ears per plant and first ear height values, all other traits were significant. The fresh husked and unhusked ear yields varied between 8541.7-19396.8 kg ha-1 and 5065.0-13485.7 kg ha-1, respectively. The highest fresh husked and fresh unhusked ear yields were obtained from the 15 April sowing time of ‘Vega’ variety. The results state that optimal sowing dates for different varieties of sweet corn could be from 1 April to 1 May, and the most suitable variety to be planted is ‘Vega’ in Diyarbakır conditions.

The objective of this study is to diagnose the potato sector in the El Oued region by highlighting the technical and environmental situation of this sector. For this purpose, a field survey was carried out at the level of 75 farms in the El Oued region. The Oued Souf region’s Farm Sustainability Indicator (IDEA) is important. The assessment of agro-ecological, socio-territorial and economic indicators indicates that the agro-ecological indicator is the most represented by (the indicator of fertilizer and agricultural practices) by 98 out of 100. The results of this study show that this crop presents a good adaptation to the conditions of the region. This sector is undergoing significant development and is of great importance because this agricultural activity represents an economic potential at the local, regional and national levels. However, this sector remains fragile in relation to various constraints of a technical nature (unreasonable irrigation and fertilization and high seed prices), economic (price fluctuations and disorganized markets) and environmental (diseases, weeds) which directly influence the functioning of farms and therefore their profitability. This is why it is necessary to face the problems encountered and fight against the factors that can hinder the sustainability of this sector and give a competitive value.

The prices of raw materials necessary for production play an important role in the production decisions of farmers, and thus in shaping the level of supply of agricultural raw materials. The constant increase in the prices of raw materials for production increases its costs. Therefore, it should be noted that the rising prices of fuel and fertilizers affect the decisions and profitability of plant production. In connection with the above, this study attempts to indicate the impact of changes in fertilizer and fuel prices on the profitability of production of selected agricultural crops in Poland. The paper uses secondary data on the price level of fertilizers, fuels and selected agricultural products, as well as the structure of their production costs. Based on the sensitivity analysis, the potential impact of the increase in fuel and fertilizer prices on the profitability of the production of selected species was indicated. The results showed that the increase in the prices of the above-mentioned raw materials can significantly affect the economic efficiency of the production activity.

Yapılan çalışmada, iç mekân tasarımının kurumsal kimlik ilkesiyle nitelikli hale getirilmesi hedeflenerek eğitim mekânlarında, duvar yüzeyi tasarımının yapılması, uygulanması ve böylece belirlenen örneklem alanlarının iç mekân tasarımıyla kurumsal kimliği kapsayıcı şekilde kullanıcıya kazandırılması amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmada materyal olarak Selçuk Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü ve Selçuk Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi’nin girişinde bulunan duvar yüzeyleri kullanılmıştır. Çalışmanın metodunda, literatür araştırması yapılarak iç mimarlık disiplini üzerinden kurumsal kimlik ve eğitim mekânlarına odaklanılmıştır. Sonrasında örneklem alanlarını sürekli kullanan personel ve öğrencilerin görüş ve önerileri alınarak gözlem ve analizlerde bulunulmuştur. Buna bağlı olarak ele alınan eğitim mekânlarının girişlerinde kurumsal kimliği logo ile temsil eden, odaklayıcı aydınlatmalarla pekiştirilmiş, gelen misafir ve öğrencilerin fotoğraf çekinebilecekleri duvar yüzeylerinin olması gerektiği gözlemlenmiştir. Edinilen verilere göre, materyal olarak ele alınan eğitim mekânlarının kurumsal kimliğine göre duvar yüzeyi tasarımı yapılmış ve uygulanmıştır. Tasarımın uygulanmasından sonra, yerinde gözlem ve analizlere dayanarak personel ve öğrencilerin kuruma karşı aidiyetlik duygusunun geliştiği, gelen misafirlerin ve mezunların günümüzde yaygın olarak gerçekleştirilen fotoğraf çekme eyleminde bulunarak kurumun tanınırlığını arttırdığı, tasarımı yapılan duvar yüzeyinin ait olduğu mekâna kazandırılarak aktif hale geldiği görülmektedir.

The squash fruit provides provitamin A in form of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and lutein that can be degraded when dehydrated to stabilize dry matter. The objective of the research was to analyze the carotene retention in response to the osmo dehydration conditioning process (OD) with pure molasses and hot air drying (HA) without sun exposure vs. partial sun exposure (S). The best stable dry matter yield corresponded to HA with and without sodium eritorbate protection (SE) in 5% solution with 8.5 and 14 hours of permanence in the process and mass yield between 99.45% and 98.5% respectively, that corresponded to the following humid-solid loss models: Y = 454.66935e-0.2648339x (r=0.965) and Y = 463.07976e-0.16167667x (r=0.978) respectively. Total fresh fruit carotene oscillated between 1114.9 and 1365.8 mg gr-1, and 222.2, 60.2 and 157.5 mg gr-1 of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and lutein respectively. The squash fruit conditioning process to a 12% stable dry matter moisture, requires hot air drying (55C for 9 hours with an air flow of 10 m.s-1) in absence of sun exposure, to retain up to 45% of total carotene and achieve enough raw material up to 66.8, 33.5 and 44.7 mg gr-1 of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and lutein respectively. | El fruto de zapallo aporta provitamina A en forma de a-caroteno, b-caroteno y luteína que se pueden degradar al deshidratarlo para estabilizar la materia seca. El objetivo de la investigación fue analizar la retención de carotenos en respuesta al proceso de acondicionado por osmodeshidratación (DO) con melaza pura y secado con aire caliente (AC) sin exposición al sol Vs. secado a exposición parcial al sol (S). El mejor rendimiento de materia seca estable correspondió a AC con protección de eritorbato de sodio (ES) y sin él en solución al 5% con 8.5 y 14 horas de permanencia en el proceso y rendimiento másico entre 99.45% y 98.5% respectivamente, que correspondió a los siguientes modelos de pérdida de sólido húmedo:Y = 454.66935e -0.2648339x r=0.965) y Y = 463.07976e-0.16167667x (r=0.978) respectivamente. El caroteno total en fruto fresco osciló entre 1114.9 y 1365.8 mg. g-1, y 222.2, 60.2 y 158.5 de a-caroteno, b-caroteno y luteína respectivamente El proceso de acondicionado de fruto de zapallo hasta materia seca estable con 12% de humedad, requiere secado con aire caliente (55°C durante nueve horas con flujo de aire de 10 m.s-1) en ausencia de brillo solar, para retener hasta 45% de carotenos totales y lograr materia prima idónea hasta con 66.8, 33.5 y 44.7 mg. g-1 de a-caroteno, b-caroteno y luteína respectivamente.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is known as the causative agent of enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL), which is a worldwide distributed disease and has also been detected in marketed beef and dairy products. BLV causes significant economic losses due to the loss of milk and yield or the slaughter of animals without adequate development. It has been reported in epidemiological studies that this infection is common in Türkiye, especially in the western provinces. There is no data on the possible presence or prevalence of BLV infection and its seroepidemiology in Muş province. The aim of this study is to determine the possible presence and prevalence of the infection, its role in yield losses, and to obtain epidemiological data on cattle farming in the Muş district. For this purpose, 300 blood serum samples were collected from cattle aged six months and older in the province of Muş and its different districts. The blood serum samples taken were tested for the presence of BLV-specific antibodies by agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (C-ELISA) methods. As a result of the study, all of the controlled districts were evaluated as negative in the AGID and C-ELISA tests for the presence of BLV-specific antibodies. In conclusion, for the first time, it was demonstrated that cattle farming in the Muş province were BLV-free during the sampling period. Although BLV seropositivity was not detected in the tested animals, it is emphasized that the control of infection and eradication program should not be ignored.

Los cortes se realizaron a los 28, 35 y 42 días en la hacienda Lucerna, norte del Valle del Cauca, Colombia (960 msnm, 24°C, 1100 mm anuales, 75% 80% de humedad relativa, 3.6 mm de evaporación promedia mínima diaria. El diseño experimental fue de parcelas divididas con cuatro repeticiones, con dos épocas secas y dos de lluvias. La altura en estrella asociada fue significativamente superior (P

A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy farm of Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), Khumaltar, Lalitpur to evaluate the effect of sowing dates and seed rates on yield and yield attributes of wheat. The experiment was laid in a split-plot design with three replications treated with 4 sowing dates as the main plot factor (12th Nov, 27th Nov, 12th Dec, and 27th Dec) and 4 seed rates as subplot factor (100 kg ha-1, 120 kg ha-1, 140 kg ha-1 and 160 kg ha-1). Results revealed that the leaf area index was significantly affected by sowing dates and was comparatively superior in 2nd sowing date (27th Nov) wheat. Similarly, in the case of seed rates, the leaf area index was influenced significantly and was recorded to be increasing with an increase in seed rates. Phenological parameters like days to 50% heading, flowering, and maturity were observed maximum (116, 123, and 179 days, respectively) in early sown wheat and reduced with the subsequent delay in sowing. Maximum values of yield and yield attributes like effective tillers per meter square (635.6), spike length (9.56 cm), grains per spike (41.49), grain yield (7.59 Mt ha-1), and straw yield (9.58 Mt ha-1) were observed in the wheat sown in 2nd date (on 27th Nov) which differed significantly to wheat sown on other dates. Seed rates had no significant influence on grain yield and yield attributes. Thousand-grain weight was found maximum (46.26 g) in early sown wheat (on 12th Nov sown wheat, reduced with the subsequent delay in sowing, and the harvest index was observed as maximum (0.51) under December 27 sown wheat. Though the yield and its attributes were not influenced significantly by seed rate, the maximum yield (6.18 Mt ha-1) was observed in wheat sown at the rate of 120 kg ha-1. Considering seed yield and its parameters, 2nd date of sowing wheat (27th Nov) and seed rate of 100 kg ha-1 could be the best option to uplift the productivity of wheat in rainfed lowland conditions of Lalitpur, Nepal.

Este estudio estima el tiempo de vaciado del estómago de la cachama blanca (Piaractus brachypomus) en el día de comienzo regular de alimentación posterior a un periodo de ayuno. Para el efecto, se recolectaron muestras de contenido estomacal en periodos de dos horas después del suministro de alimento (9:30 y 15:30 h) hasta el primer indicio de vaciado. Se utilizaron cachamas con un peso de 360 ± 12 g dispuestas en cuatro tratamientos: (1) T1 = alimentación a saciedad durante 5 días y ayuno de 2 días, (2) T2 = alimentación a saciedad durante 6 días y ayuno de 1 día, (3) T3 = alimentación a saciedad durante 7 días, y (4) TC = alimentación siguiendo las tablas recomendadas por el fabricante del alimento. El análisis de datos se realizó mediante ANOVA de medidas repetidas, empleando como factores el tratamiento y el tiempo de vaciado, siendo cada repetición la unidad experimental. Las cachamas del tratamiento T1 presentaron mayor cantidad de alimento en el estómago en los muestreos posteriores al suministro de la primera y segunda ración. A diferencia del tratamiento T1, en los demás las cachamas vaciaron su contenido en el estómago en el periodo comprendido entre la primera y la segunda ración de alimentación y en el periodo posterior a la segunda ración. Por tanto, cuando el contenido estomacal fue mayor, debido a un mayor consumo de alimento en la ración, como en el caso del tratamiento (T1), el tiempo necesario para vaciar el estómago de las cachamas se incrementó. | The study measured the time necessary to complete emptying of the stomach of white Cachama (Piaractus brachypomus) starting on the day regular feeding subsequent to a starvation period. Samples were collected from stomach contents in periods of 2 hours after feeding (9:30 y 15:30 h) until the first sign of emptying. The cachama weighing was 360 ± 12 g; designing four treatments: (1) T1 = feed to satiation for 5 days and starvation for two days, (2) T2 = feed to satiation for 6 days and starvation for one day, (3) T3 = feed to satiation for 7 days, and (4) TC = restricted feeding table recommended by the manufacturer, 7 days a week. Data analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA, using as factors the treatment and emptying time, with each repetition as the experimental unit. Unlike the T5 treatment, in other cachama emptied its contents into the stomach from the time period between the first and the second ration of food and in the period after the second ration. Therefore, when the stomach content was higher due to a higher feed intake in the diet, as in the case of treatment (T5), the time required to empty the stomach of cachama increased.