The existing practice of using excessive mineral fertilizers for maize production not only degrades the soil quality but also poses a threat to the overall ecosystem. Thus, in our research, we attempt to investigate the influence of biofertilizers on yield and yield attributing traits of maize, as a better, alternative, cheaper, eco-friendly, and sustainable solution. A two-factorial field experiment (RCBD) was carried out in Gaindakot, Ward No. 8, Nawalpur district, to assess the effect of Azotobacter in association with other fertilizers on the growth and yield of different maize varieties. The experiment consisted of 15 treatments (3 maize varieties and 5 different nutrient sources) with 3 replications. The three maize varieties used were Local Pahelo, Rampur Composite, and Rampur Hybrid-14, while the nutrient sources included Control, Farmyard Manure (FYM) only, Azotobacter-inoculated seeds, Azotobacter + FYM, and Azotobacter + chemical fertilizers (NPK). The results obtained revealed that the optimum performance was observed in Rampur Hybrid-14 with the nutrient source being Azotobacter inoculation in combination with FYM, resulting in a Leaf Area Index (LAI) of 0.39, 15 leaves, a grain yield of 8.41 tons per hectare, dry stover weight of 0.964 kg per meter square and a root length of 32.33 cm. The results demonstrated that the use of Azotobacter in combination with FYM in the Rampur Hybrid-14 variety could result in higher yields in commercial maize production, reducing the need for excessive mineral fertilizers.

This study investigated the impact of various drying techniques and ultrasound pretreatments on the drying kinetics, rehydration properties, energy efficiency, and quality parameters of apple slices. Apples were dried using hot-air drying at 55 °C and 65 °C, and intermittent microwave drying at 240 W and 400 W. US pretreatment was applied at acoustic densities of 60 and 80 W L⁻¹ prior to hot-air drying to assess its effect on mass transfer and quality. The drying behavior was modeled using both thin-layer mathematical models and artificial neural networks. Results revealed that US pretreatment significantly enhanced the drying rate and reduced drying time and energy consumption, particularly at higher acoustic density and temperature, while intermittent microwave drying achieved the shortest drying durations and lowest energy consumption. Among the models, the Midilli and Kucuk model best described the thin-layer drying data, although ANN models provided superior predictive performance across most conditions. Rehydration ratio was positively influenced by US pretreatment at lower temperatures but was adversely affected at higher temperatures and higher microwave power levels due to structural damage. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were preserved or enhanced by microwave drying, whereas US pretreatment showed no clear benefit and, in some cases, led to degradation, likely due to prolonged sonication and water immersion. Color values showed minimal undesirable changes with US pretreatment, and higher L* values (lightness) were retained in most cases. a* and b* values increased after drying processes. Principal component analysis (PCA) effectively differentiated treatment groups based on all measured parameters. US pretreated and unpretreated samples are positioned in the same place, while intermittent microwave dried and fresh samples are in a different plane. In conclusion, US pretreatment and microwave drying are promising technologies for improving drying efficiency and maintaining quality in dried apple products.

Mitochondrial genomes are key targets in controlling fungal plant pathogens and mediate adaptive responses like fungicide resistance. Respiratory inhibitor fungicides (RIs) are widely used against many fungal pathogens, including Monilia fructi cola and M. lax, which are casual agents of brown rot of stone fruits worldwide. Although resistance to RIs has been reported in these species, the genetic basis is not fully elucidated. and is hypothesized to involve mitochondrial genome variations. To explore this, mitogenomic variations was comprehensively analysed to assess the resistance responses of two Monilia species to three RIs, including two technical grade fungicides (bosclid and azoxystrobin) and, a commercial one (signum). Whole mitogenome data from sixteen isolates of two species with different resistance/susceptibility phenotypes were analysed for certain gene mutations, mitochondrial variants, heteroplasmy, and sequence kernel associations. The results indicated that commonly known mutations and low levels of heteroplasmy do not fully explain resistance. In Monilinia fructicola, the presence of multiple variants appears to contribute to resistance, however, no variant patterns corresponded significantly with resistance phenotype in M. laxa. Providing a broad perspective, this study serves as a valuable model and supports the potential of mitogenome-focused RI resistance research. These insights contribute to a better understanding of specific resistance responses, thereby supporting the development of more effective pathogen control strategies.

Microgreens have become popular due to the positive health and high nutritional value effects of the bioactive compounds they contain. This study aimed to determine the total phenolic, flavonoid and antioxidant contents of red radish and parsley microgreens and to evaluate their anticancer effects in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells (CLL). After methanolic extraction of microgreens, DPPH, radical scavenging activity and total polyphenol and flavonoid content were analyzed spectrophotometrically. The effects of microgreens on MEC-1 and HG-3 CLL cell lines were determined by MTT method. The methanolic total flavonoid content of red radish and parsley microgreens were 2,562 mg/g RE and 1,306 mg/g RE, respectively; total polyphenol contents were 4,133 mg/g GAE and 1,851 mg/g GAE, respectively; DPPH radical scavenging activity were 701,423 µg/g GAE and 625,717 µg/g GAE, respectively. The IC50 concentrations were found 70 mg/ml and 75 mg/ml for parsley microgreen for MEC-1 and HG-3 cell lines, respectively; 65 mg/ml for red radish microgreen for MEC-1 cells, while more cell proliferation was observed at the doses applied for HG-3 cells. Higher antioxidant content was found in microgreen radish than in parsley. Methanolic microgreen extracts significantly reduced cell proliferation in CLL cell cultures at varying levels. Of interest in terms of potential antitumor effects, microgreen radish extracts, which are rich in polyphenol content, showed a proliferative effect on wild-type CLL cells. In conclusion, this study is important in terms of revealing the activities of various microgreens, particularly radish and parsley microgreens, and detailing their benefits on human health.

In this study, it was aimed to examine the potential therapeutic effects of Urtica dioica seed (UDS) oil on hepatorenal damage induced by methotrexate in rats. Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: Control, Methotrexate (MTX, 20 mg/kg i.p.), UDS (30 ml/kg feed containing UDS), and MTX+UDS (20 mg/kg i.p. + 30 ml/kg feed containing UDS oil, respectively). At the end of the six-week study, the MTX-treated group demonstrated elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum and increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), an indicator of lipid peroxidation in liver, kidney, and blood tissues. However, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels (apart from erythrocytes) showed a significant decrease (p<0.005). The MTX group's liver and erythrocyte tissues showed a significant decrease in glutathione reductase (GR) activity compared to the control. Additionally, there was a significant decrease in the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) in the MTX group as compared to the control. The co-administration of MTX+UDS decreased liver MDA concentration and the levels of the enzymes AST, ALT, and LDH compared to the MTX group. On the other hand, there was an increase in kidney glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity and GSH levels. Histopathological investigation revealed that pellets containing UDS oil significantly reduced the degenerative and necrotic changes that MTX had generated in the liver and kidney, including parenchymal and hydropic degeneration and inflammatory cell infiltration. Immunohistochemical staining showed that caspase 3, a marker of apoptosis, decreased significantly with the administration of UDS oil. In conclusion, MTX-induced hepatorenal damage was either prevented or greatly decreased by UDS oil.

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) is an annual herbaceous plant in the Fabaceae family. It is an important legume plant with 20-25% protein, 1.3-1.5% fat and 5.1-5.8% fiber, and has an important place in human and animal nutrition. In recent years, the rapid increase in the world population, the zoning of agricultural areas and the excessive use of chemical fertilizers in order to obtain higher yields from the unit area cause deterioration of the soil structure. Different methods have started to be applied to improve soil structure. One of these methods is the use of microbial fertilizers. Microbial fertilizers are an innovative and sustainable approach that improves chemical, physical and microbiological properties of soil and facilitates the uptake of plant nutrients. In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of different microbial fertilizer applications on the technological characteristics of Akkız 86 and Karagöz 86 cowpea varieties by multivariate analysis methods. The minimum and maximum values obtained in the study are as follows: dry weight 17.98 - 19.29 g, dry volume 18.16 - 20.66 ml, fresh weight 42.15 - 46.53 g, fresh volume 44.16 - 47.83 ml, water absorption capacity 0.24 - 0.27 g/piece, water absorption index 1.33 - 1.66%, hydration coefficient 132.80 - 142. 55%, swelling capacity 0.256 - 0.296 ml/grain, swelling index 2.25 - 2.63%, unit volume weight 0.93 - 0.99 g/ml, cooking time 18.16 - 20.16 min and number of grains dispersed after cooking 0.33 - 2.66. In this study, İmed microbial fertilizer applied to cowpea plant had positive effects on cooking time, water absorption index, swelling index and swelling capacity parameters.

Bu çalışma, çevresel değişkenlerin, mekanize operasyonların ve kimyasal maruziyetin önemli tehditler oluşturduğu tarım sektörüne özel bir odaklanma ile yüksek riskli sektörlerde DRA uygulamasını araştırmaktadır. Sensör ağlarının, İHA (İnsansız Hava Aracı)’ların, hava durumu izleme istasyonlarının ve yapay zekâ destekli analizlerin entegrasyonu, risk değerlendirmelerinin sürekli olarak güncellenmesini sağlayarak iş güvenliği ve üretkenliğin artırılması için eyleme geçirilebilir içgörüler sağlar. Şebekeden bağımsız meyve bahçesindeki bir vaka çalışmasında, DRA uygulamasını, risk izleme ve müdahale stratejilerini optimize etmek için uydu tabanlı internet, GPS modülleri ve otomatik veri işleme sistemlerini teorik olarak birleştirerek gösterilmiştir. Bulgular, gerçek zamanlı tehlike tespiti, iyileştirilmiş işçi güvenliği ve öngörülemeyen çevresel değişikliklere karşı geliştirilmiş dayanıklılık gibi DRA'nın avantajlarını vurgulamaktadır. Çalışma ayrıca, geleneksel risk değerlendirme yöntemleri ile DRA arasında karşılaştırmalı bir SWOT analizi sunarak, öngörücü analiz ve uyarlanabilir risk yönetimindeki güçlü ve zayıf yönlerini vurgulamaktadır. Bu çalışma; yeni bir kavram olan dinamik risk analizi konusunda yazılan, tarımda teknoloji kullanımı, iş sağlığı ve güvenliği alanında, Türkçe literatürde ilk olma özelliği taşımaktadır. Çalışma kapsamında tarıma uygun riskler belirlenip tanımlanmış, düzenleyici faaliyetleri DRA ile uyumlu olarak belirlenerek, geleneksel risk izleme yöntemleriyle ile karşılaştırılmış ve SWOT analiziyle de kavramsallık ve uygulanabilirlik açısından irdeleyen teorik esaslı bir çalışmadır.

In this study, the effects of season, gender, parity and year of birth on the birth weight of Holstein and Swedish Reds calves raised under ecological conditions in the eastern Black Sea region of Türkiye were investigated. For this purpose, 985 birth weight records of calves born on a private organic dairy farm were utilized. The data were analyzed by Univariate Analysis of Variance method available in IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0 software. Study results showed that season had a significant (P < 0.01) effect on the birth weight of Holstein Friesian calves. The highest birth weight was observed in the spring season with 42.29 kg. Average birth weight for male calves was 41.8 kg, while female calves weighed 40.4 kg (P < 0.01). First parity dams had the lowest calf birth weight with an average of 38.7 kg. Calves from Holstein cows in second parity had the highest birth weight with 42.8 kg (P < 0.01). The effects of season on the birth weight were statistically significant in Swedish Red calves. Male and female Swedish Reds did not differ significantly with respect to their birth weights. The parity significantly influenced the birth weight of Swedish Red calves in a way (P < 0.05). Calves born from first-parity dams had an average birth weight of 40.3 kg, while those born to multiparous cows had an average of 41.4 kg. Additionally, the year had a notable effect on birth weight, with statistical significance (P < 0.01) observed in both breeds.

Günümüzde sıkı çevre düzenlemeleri, sürdürülebilirlik politikaları ve artan tüketici sağlığı bilinci, sanayileri atık yönetimi konusunda daha sorumlu davranmaya yönlendirmektedir. Süt endüstrisinin yüksek organik içeriğe sahip bir yan ürünü olan peyniraltı suyu (PAS), geleneksel olarak çevresel bir atık olarak değerlendirilse de biyoteknoloji, enerji üretimi ve gıda sanayiinde yenilikçi uygulamalarla değerlendirilmeye başlanmıştır. PAS’ın yüksek biyokimyasal oksijen ihtiyacı (BOİ) ve kimyasal oksijen ihtiyacı (KOİ) nedeniyle doğrudan çevreye deşarj edilmesi ciddi kirlilik sorunlarına yol açmaktadır. Bu kapsamda, sürdürülebilir PAS yönetimi için biyoteknolojik ve çevre dostu çözümler geliştirilmiştir. Bu çalışma, PAS’ın atık yönetimi süreçlerine entegrasyonunu sağlayan teknolojik yenilikleri araştırmaktadır. Özellikle biyogaz, biyoetanol ve biyoplastik üretimi gibi enerji geri kazanım yöntemleri, PAS’ın ekonomik değerini artırırken çevresel etkilerini azaltmaktadır. Ayrıca PAS, fonksiyonel gıda üretimi ve yenilebilir film kaplamaları gibi uygulamalarda kullanılarak katma değerli ürünlere dönüştürülebilmektedir. Bunun yanı sıra, PAS’ın biyoteknolojik yöntemlerle değerlendirilmesi, sürdürülebilir gıda üretimi ve ekonomik sürdürülebilirlik açısından önemli bir potansiyel sunmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın temel hedefleri; süt sektörü atıklarının çevresel etkilerini değerlendirmek, PAS’ın besinsel ve sağlık açısından sunduğu çok fonksiyonlu faydaları incelemek ve PAS’ın çeşitli gıda ve biyoteknolojik ürünlere entegrasyonunu sağlayan sürdürülebilir yaklaşımları tartışarak endüstriyel uygulamalara katkılarını vurgulamaktır. Bu doğrultuda, PAS’ın değerlendirilmesine yönelik yenilikçi yaklaşımlar ele alınarak, çevresel, ekonomik ve endüstriyel avantajları kapsamlı bir şekilde analiz edilmiştir.