The economic evaluation for the production of fruit juice from the Africa star apple otherwise known as ‘Agbalumo’ in the south western part of Nigeria was evaluated using the NPV (Net Present value) and IRR (Internal Rate of Return) methods assuming a uniform cash flow over a 10-year plant life. Sensitivity analysis was conducted by varying the number of production days (330, 300 and 250 days) at 100% plant capacity and varying the plant capacity (100, 85 and 70%) for a 330-day production schedule. Some components of the operating cost reduced with number of days and plant capacities. The production cost and product cost per unit increased with either plant capacity utilization or the number of days. It was observed that product cost/ 500ml Tetra Pak of Agbalumo juice at 85% and 70% stood at ₦37.48 while payback time/profitability percent had better index at 300 and 250 days compared to 330 days of plant operation. The results further indicated that the plant should not be operated for less than 250 days and plant capacity utilization of 70% in the year. Flexibility in the plant capacity utilization in the range of 70%-85% for 330 days shows a good economic performance as well as result of the NPV and IRR for this operating condition.

Myxobolus ichkeulensis is one of the species fish parasites within the class Myxozoa that infests the gill filaments of grey mullet (Mugil cephalus). M. ichkeulensis infestation rates vary depending on environmental conditions and seasonal variations. In this research, seasonal infestation ratio of M. ichkeluensis on Grey Mullets living in 4 different environmental conditions, were determined. To accomplish this aim, 25 Grey Mullet individuals were captured monthly from 4 different stations (Karataş Port, Hurma Boğazı Lagoon, Çamlık Lagoon and Yumurtalık Port) within the coastal region of Adana province. In addition, relation between infestation ratio and the following parameters: fish size (length and weight); season and salinity were investigated. Our results revealed that, 109 fish infested out of 1200 fishes (%9.08) by M. ichkeulensis; Highest infestation level (%35.8) was recorded in summer months (July-September) interval. Parasitic cyct settlement on the gill arches was determined to be with the highest rate (48.2%) on the fist arc. The highest infestation level (21%) was recorded in Grey Mullets captured from Yumurtalık Port in comparison to other stations studied.

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technology is gaining popularity worldwide for its potential of extending shelf life of fresh produce with better fruit quality. Effect of MAP (using Xtend® bags), was investigated on postharvest storage life and quality of mango cvs Sindhri and Sufaid Chaunsa stored at 11°C with 80-85% RH for 4 and 5 weeks respectively, in comparison with un-bagged (control) fruit. Uniform physiological mature fruit of Sindhri and Sufaid Chaunsa were harvested from a commercial mango orchard along with 4-5 cm long pedicel and were de-sapped in 0.5% lime solution (to avoid sap burn injury). Later on fruit were given cold water fungicidal dip (Sportak @ 0.5ml/L, Active Ingredient: Prochloraz) followed by hot water treatment (52°C; 5 min). After shade drying and pre-cooling (11°C; 10-12 hours), fruit were packed according to the treatment combination and stored at 11°C. Fruit of both varieties were removed after 2, 3 and 4 weeks of storage followed by ripening at 24±2°C with an additional removal after 5 weeks for Sufaid Chaunsa only. Fruit quality was evaluated for various bio-chemical, organoleptic and physical parameters at two stages of ripening (at removal day and at final ripening day). Fruit of both varieties stored in MAP exhibited better firmness and retained green colour as compared to un-bagged fruit. Quality of fruit subjected to postharvest fungicidal application and hot water treatments and stored under MAP at 11°C showed better peel colour development and less disease development. Moreover, storage durations and post storage ripening stages significantly affected fruit peel colour, textural softness and disease development. Further, cv. Sindhri showed better storage potential with lower disease incidence as compared to cv. Sufaid Chaunsa which warrants further studies on disease control aspects.

This study executed the economic return of naturally and artificially hatched geese in intensive and free-range production systems at different fattening periods. The animal material was consisted of 216 goslings which were naturally and artificially hatched from the eggs collected from back-yard. Goslings and feed was the highest share of variable expenses. Highest net profit from live and carcass sales was obtained from geese which were artificially hatched and reared in intensive (YK) and free-range (YSG) systems until 14, 16 and 18 weeks of age. Live sale relative profit was found higher at 14 weeks in YK and YSG groups. Relative profit of carcass sales in YSG and YK groups at 14 and 16 weeks; and YK group at 18 weeks. As a conclusion, when we consider feed consumption, feed conversion ratio and probable mortality at older ages-related to metabolic problems; 14 weeks seemed as the optimal slaughter age and economic return for the naturally and artificially hatched geese which were reared in intensive and free-range systems.

A two-year field study (2013−2014) was performed to evaluate phytochemical content and antioxidant activity of two high-lycopene tomato breeding lines (HLT-F71 and HLT-F72) grown under open field conditions as compared to the traditional cultivar (cv) Rio Grande. Two open-field trials were conducted in 2013 and 2014. Three tomato cvs were used: two high-lycopene tomato advanced breeding lines (HLT-F71 and ‘HLT-F72’) (F7 generation), and the open-pollinated cv Rio Grande commonly grown in Tunisia. Regardless the growing years and cvs, lycopene content ranged from 98.8 to 280.0 mg/kg fw, total phenolics from 176.1 to 831.8 mg GAE/kg fw flavonoids from 169.7 to 552.1 mg RE/kg fw and total vitamin C from 183.4 to 370.0 mg/kg fw. Significant year-to-year variability was only detected in total phenolics and flavonoid content. No significant year-to-year variability in antioxidant activity was detected in high-lycopene lines. Disregarding the cv, tomato berries harvested on July 2014 had 143% - 224% higher total phenolics and 8% to 47% higher flavonoid contents compared to tomato berries harvested on July 2013. However, disregarding the cv, tomato berries harvested on July 2013 had 6% -17% higher lycopene and 8% -21% higher LAA compared to berries harvested on 2014. During the second growing year, the higher temperature, particularly prior to harvest, determined a decrease in lycopene content and a significant increase in total phenolics regardless the cv. Although the huge variability in total phenolics and the decrease in lycopene content during the second harvest, the antioxidant activity was not affected by year-to-year variability. This reveals consistent functional quality of these cvs and minimal genotype*environmental conditions interaction.

In this study, the cattle and small cattle presence in Turkey and in the area of TR83 which consists of Amasya, Çorum, Samsun and Tokat provinces were analysed. Trend analysis were carried out using the data obtained from cattle and small cattle presence with the help of the values of the period of 1996 – 2014 and estimated values for 2020 were specified. It is seen in the projections for the 2020 that, domestic cattle breeds are expected to be decreased in number whereas it is expected to be increased in the TR83 area. Also it is estimated that the number of the whole animal existence which are investigated by the study will increase by the year 2020. It is beyond question that the positive effects of the present policies supporting stockbreeding on this increase is apparent. In this sense, the determination of the contribution of present stockbreeding support policies to the sector and their effectiveness and the investigation of their faulting aspects are important in order to develop more accurate and effective policies.

Sediments in aquatic systems are often contaminated by various pollutants originating from the sources such as industrial and agricultural discharges, municipal wastewater treatment plants, and storm water. These effects lead to the need to develop sediment quality objectives regarding the protection of aquatic ecosystems and human health. In this study, the sediment samples were collected from five sampling sites and then analyzed in order to identify the concentrations of certain metals (As, Se, Ag, Cd, Na, and K), the levels of pH, conductivity, water content (%) and organic matter (%) in the Yağlıdere Stream. Finally, Geo-accumulation index values calculated based on the estimations regarding the background trace element concentrations suggested the anthropogenic influences in most of the samples. In conclusion, it was observed that K, Na, As, and Se dominantly accumulated in the study area. These metals may have a negative impact on the research area and create an environmental risk.

In this study was carried out to determine the effects of humic acid in heavy metal stress of lettuce changes in some of the morphological and physiological characteristics. In studies conducted in controlled greenhouse conditions, lettuce plants subjected to four different 4 different humic acid levels humic acid doses (0, 2, 4, 8 L/da) and 4 different heavy metal irrigation levels (Control: 0 ppm; I. mixture: 0.2 ppm Cu + 0.01 ppm Cd + 5 ppm Pb + 2 ppm Zn; II. mixture: : 0.4 ppm Cu + 0.02 ppm Cd + 10 ppm Pb + 4 ppm Zn; III. mixture: 0.8 ppm Cu + 0.04 ppm Cd + 20 ppm Pb + 8 ppm Zn). Four weeks after at heavy metal and humic acid treatment young plants were harvested and the shoot fresh and dry weight, root fresh and dry weight, shoot and root length, and leaf areas, MDA, superoxyde dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) were determined. The most highly toxic effects were determinate III. mixture level (0.8 ppm Cu + 0.04 ppm Cd + 20 ppm Pb + 8 ppm Zn). MDA and antioxidative enzyme activities increased in plants irrigated with water containing a mixture of heavy metal. Humic acid applications had a positive effect on reducing of the limiting effect of heavy metal stress on growth and development.

The genus Tricholoma (Fr.) Staude is important in terms of hosting edible and poisonous species. Therefore, in this study, edible and poisonous Tricholoma species are evaluated, edible and valuable species are introduced. Also, poisoning syndromes are examined and discussed.

In the present study effects of different levels of hydrolyzed oak tannin on Japanese quail, live body weight and live body weight gain, food intake, food conversion efficiency and mortality rate were investigated. Therefore, a total of 240 quails were weighed and divided into 4 treatment groups each with 3 replicates containing 20 birds and reared in flat for 42 days as experimental period. While one of the groups was fed control diet with no additives (0% tannin A), other groups were fed with the different percentages of tannin on their diets, which are 0.5% (B), 1.0% (C), 1.5% (D) respectively. It has been observed that Japanese quails that fed the oak tannin containing diet had slower growth rate and poorer feed conversion efficiency and high mortality rate than birds fed with a tannin-free diet.