This study was carried out over the experimental fields of Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture Gümüşdere Campus. Experiments were conducted with 3 different irrigation water salinity levels (S1=0.25 dS/m – control/tap water, S2=1.5 dS/m, S3=3.0 dS/m) and 4 different leaching ratios (LF1=10%, LF2 =20%, LF3 = 35%, LF4=50%) in randomized plots factorial experimental design with 3 replications. Totally, 36 (3×4×3) lysimeters were used in present experiments. Plant height, fresh and dry herbage yield and total ash content of alfalfa plants were analyzed. With increasing salinity levels, plant height, fresh and dry herbage yields decreased and total ash contents increased. Positive effects of leaching applications were observed, but this effect was not found to be significant. The main reason for this situation may be the necessity of a good drainage system for a good leaching application.

In dairy farms, water is crucial for the health, productivity, and welfare of animals. Water is a fundamental component in all biological processes, and insufficient water intake can negatively impact milk production, reproductive health, and overall animal welfare. The water requirement for dairy cattle depends on various factors such as age, weight, milk yield, environmental temperature, and nutritional status. An adult dairy cow can consume approximately 80-150 liters of water per day. This requirement increases in high-yielding cows. Adequate water intake directly affects milk production, as approximately 87% of milk is composed of water. The quality of water is as crucial as its quantity. This study investigates the quality of drinking water in dairy farms within Niğde Province, Turkey, focusing on its implications for livestock health and productivity. Water samples were collected from 11 livestock enterprises, encompassing water tanks and troughs, and analyzed for electrical conductivity (EC), pH, nitrate (NO₃), nitrite (NO₂), and phosphate phosphorus (PO₄) concentrations. Results showed EC values averaging 0.803 dSm⁻¹, within acceptable standards for livestock, although high concentrations in certain tanks raised concerns regarding mineral content and potential health impacts. The pH ranged from 7.27 to 8.20, remaining suitable for all livestock classes. NO₃ concentrations averaged 21.834 mgL⁻¹, with no samples below the 10 mgL⁻¹ threshold, highlighting risks from prolonged exposure. In contrast, NO₂ concentrations averaged 0.251 mgL⁻¹, remaining within safe limits. PO₄ concentrations were minimal, averaging 0.056 mgL⁻¹, and posed no significant risks. The findings underscore the importance of periodic water quality monitoring in livestock farms to mitigate risks of contamination and ensure optimal health and productivity. These findings highlight the necessity for customized water management techniques to fit particular farm settings and advance our understanding of the complex effects of water quality on livestock performance.

Safe meat production is an important aspect to avoid human health hazards. The use of probiotics in poultry is an important tool to produce safe meat among several established biotechnological approaches. In this experiment, we studied the effects of probiotics for producing safe Japanese quail meat. 150 Japanese quail chicks were reared for a period of six weeks using various doses of probiotics (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2g per litre of water). The chicks were randomly distributed into five treatment groups with three replications each. The number of birds in each replication was 10. After rearing six weeks, significantly high body weight was found at probiotic concentrations of 1, 1.5, and 2g per litre of water. The feed intake in various treatments did not differ significantly, but comparatively better feed conversion ratios were observed at probiotic treatments. Water quality was not significantly differed as a result of addition of probiotics to the water. The reason for this better growth performance is probably due to the multiple benefits of probiotics in poultry. Probiotics could have maintained gut health with better nutrient utilization and availability that might have been led to higher body weight gain in the quail. In future experiments, challenging the birds with diseases or comparing probiotics with antibiotic growth promoters is required to ensure the efficiency of probiotics.

This study was carried out at 3 different stations in Demirköprü Dam Lake, Köprübaşı, situated in Manisa, between June 2015 – May 2016. Samples collected from the surface and the bottom of the lake were analyzed seasonally in terms of depth (m), temprature (°C), dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, salinity (‰), total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), secchi disk depth (SD), suspended solid matter (SSM), particulate organic matter (POM), particulate inorganic matter (PIM), ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N), nitrite nitrogen (NO2--N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N), phosphate phosphorus (PO4-3-P), silica (SiO2) and Chlorophyll-a parametres. As a result of this study, according to Inland Water Quality Standards defined in ʽʽSurface Water Quality Management Regulations’’ Demirköprü Dam Lake can be considered; Class-I quality according to measured temperature (15±1.3°C), NO2--N (0.010±0.003 mg/l) and NO3--N (0.04±0.01 mg/l) values; Class-II quality according to measured DO (6.86±0.90 mg/l), EC (591±6.4 µS/cm), SSM (5.90±6.40 mg/l), NH4+-N (0.30±0.09 mg/l) and PO4-3-P (0.08±0.01 mg/l) values; Class-III quality according to measured pH (8.72±0.09) values. Also, according to Turkish Boundary Values of Trophic Classification System of Lakes, Ponds and Reservoirs; the trophic level of the lake is considered eutrophic in regard to PO4-3- and SD values and hypereutrophic in regard to Chlorophyll-a values.

Water quality in surface waters is an important concern since it directly affects public health. Therefore, to provide adequate quality of water, monitoring studies have been conducted all around the world. In this study, multivariate statistical methods were used to understand the spatial and temporal changes in heavy metal concentration (including As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, Zn) through Orontes River. Monitoring study results belonging to 5 different stations in Orontes River was obtained from State of Hydraulic Works and evaluated according to Box and Whisker plots, two-way PERMONAVA analysis and Mann-Kendall trend test. Results indicated that heavy metal concentrations has been increasing year by year. However, there is no significant spatial change in heavy metal concentration and rather homogenous distribution was observed through Orontes River. On the other hand, Iron (Fe) concentration in river was seasonal depended with no significant trend.

In year 2013, onsite seasonal measurements have been carried out in 4 different points of Birecik Reservoir, and water samples have been taken from surface and different depths. Physical and chemical parameters have been investigated in taken water samples. The result of analysis were obtained in the following range pH (6.98-9), temperature (9.9-26 °C), electrical conductivity (275-373 µs/cm), sodium ( 19.93-22.06 mg/L), potassium (1.-2.2 mg/L), chloride/11.68-21.4, hardness (179-210 mg/L), calcium (41.66-52.9 mg/L), magnesium ((17-18.35 mg/L), sulphate (27.92-43.48 mg/L), dissolved oxygen (7.92-8.83 mg/L), chemical oxygen (0.25-8.70 mg/L), nitrate (0.62-2.48 mg/L), nitrate (0.001-0.008), ammonium (0.01-0.07), phosphate (0.001-0.031 mg/L). The samples were compared with standard values recommended by world health (WHO). The study finalize that Birecik reservoir which was declared to be a threat to the water quality should be arrested at denitrification and nutrient control to halt the degradation of the water.

In dairy farms, water is crucial for the health, productivity, and welfare of animals. Water is a fundamental component in all biological processes, and insufficient water intake can negatively impact milk production, reproductive health, and overall animal welfare. The water requirement for dairy cattle depends on various factors such as age, weight, milk yield, environmental temperature, and nutritional status. An adult dairy cow can consume approximately 80-150 liters of water per day. This requirement increases in high-yielding cows. Adequate water intake directly affects milk production, as approximately 87% of milk is composed of water. The quality of water is as crucial as its quantity. This study investigates the quality of drinking water in dairy farms within Niğde Province, Turkey, focusing on its implications for livestock health and productivity. Water samples were collected from 11 livestock enterprises, encompassing water tanks and troughs, and analyzed for electrical conductivity (EC), pH, nitrate (NO₃), nitrite (NO₂), and phosphate phosphorus (PO₄) concentrations. Results showed EC values averaging 0.803 dSm⁻¹, within acceptable standards for livestock, although high concentrations in certain tanks raised concerns regarding mineral content and potential health impacts. The pH ranged from 7.27 to 8.20, remaining suitable for all livestock classes. NO₃ concentrations averaged 21.834 mgL⁻¹, with no samples below the 10 mgL⁻¹ threshold, highlighting risks from prolonged exposure. In contrast, NO₂ concentrations averaged 0.251 mgL⁻¹, remaining within safe limits. PO₄ concentrations were minimal, averaging 0.056 mgL⁻¹, and posed no significant risks. The findings underscore the importance of periodic water quality monitoring in livestock farms to mitigate risks of contamination and ensure optimal health and productivity. These findings highlight the necessity for customized water management techniques to fit particular farm settings and advance our understanding of the complex effects of water quality on livestock performance.

The present study investigated the effect of starvation periods on growth performance, feed cost, and water quality in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Two different starvation methods were implemented, with an average weight of 120.69±3.47g over a 45-day trial. Group D1 was subjected to a 1-day fasting/2-day feeding regimen, whereas Group D2 adopted a 2-day fasting/1-day feeding regimen. The control group (C) was fed twice daily to satiation. At the end of the trial, the average weight of the fish was 200.88±14.62g in the control group, 189.11±21.05g in Group D1, and 130.04±10.49g in Group D2. The specific growth rates were 1.13±0.08% (C), 1.00±0.05% (D1), and 0.17±0.06% (D2), respectively. Feed conversion ratios were 1.81±0.01 (C), 1.32±0.02 (D1), and 4.43±0.05 (D2), respectively. There were significant differences between the control group and Groups D1 and D2 in terms of dissolved oxygen (mg/L) and pH values of the water. Group D2 yielded lower feed costs due to reduced feed usage. The average weight gain analysis showed that the unit feed cost of Group D2 was 3.4-fold higher than that of Group D1 and 2.5-fold higher than that of the control group. The application of starvation periods in feeding common carp had significant effects on the growth, feed utilization, water quality, and feed cost.

The present study investigated the effect of starvation periods on growth performance, feed cost, and water quality in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Two different starvation methods were implemented, with an average weight of 120.69±3.47g over a 45-day trial. Group D1 was subjected to a 1-day fasting/2-day feeding regimen, whereas Group D2 adopted a 2-day fasting/1-day feeding regimen. The control group (C) was fed twice daily to satiation. At the end of the trial, the average weight of the fish was 200.88±14.62g in the control group, 189.11±21.05g in Group D1, and 130.04±10.49g in Group D2. The specific growth rates were 1.13±0.08% (C), 1.00±0.05% (D1), and 0.17±0.06% (D2), respectively. Feed conversion ratios were 1.81±0.01 (C), 1.32±0.02 (D1), and 4.43±0.05 (D2), respectively. There were significant differences between the control group and Groups D1 and D2 in terms of dissolved oxygen (mg/L) and pH values of the water. Group D2 yielded lower feed costs due to reduced feed usage. The average weight gain analysis showed that the unit feed cost of Group D2 was 3.4-fold higher than that of Group D1 and 2.5-fold higher than that of the control group. The application of starvation periods in feeding common carp had significant effects on the growth, feed utilization, water quality, and feed cost.

Safe meat production is an important aspect to avoid human health hazards. The use of probiotics in poultry is an important tool to produce safe meat among several established biotechnological approaches. In this experiment, we studied the effects of probiotics for producing safe Japanese quail meat. 150 Japanese quail chicks were reared for a period of six weeks using various doses of probiotics (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2g per litre of water). The chicks were randomly distributed into five treatment groups with three replications each. The number of birds in each replication was 10. After rearing six weeks, significantly high body weight was found at probiotic concentrations of 1, 1.5, and 2g per litre of water. The feed intake in various treatments did not differ significantly, but comparatively better feed conversion ratios were observed at probiotic treatments. Water quality was not significantly differed as a result of addition of probiotics to the water. The reason for this better growth performance is probably due to the multiple benefits of probiotics in poultry. Probiotics could have maintained gut health with better nutrient utilization and availability that might have been led to higher body weight gain in the quail. In future experiments, challenging the birds with diseases or comparing probiotics with antibiotic growth promoters is required to ensure the efficiency of probiotics.