In this study, the effect of pretreatments applied to the sewage sludge of the Tokat Municipality wastewater treatment plant (WTP), the sewage sludge of the packaged wastewater treatment plant (PWTP) of a fruit juice production plant, and the aqueous phases of their mixtures on biogas production was investigated. Chemical, thermal (microwave (MW) and hot plate (HP)) and chemical-thermal pretreatments were applied to these sludge samples. Considering the results in all samples, the highest biogas production amount and efficiency were found in the pre-biogas-unit aqueous phase of the sewage sludge of the Tokat WTP, which was applied 20% H2SO4+10-minute (min) thermal MW pretreatment, with 667.51 ml and 396.34 ml biogas/g water dissolved SM value, respectively. Statistical analyses included the Duncan comparison test for cumulative biogas production efficiencies at the end of 65 days and the maximum exponential increase function and Gompertz equations for cumulative biogas amounts. Accordingly, the most appropriate model was tried to be determined. The electricity generated at the end of the 22-day incubation period at the facility meets 36% of the electricity needed by the Tokat WTP. At the end of the experimental studies (20% H2SO4+10 min thermal MW pretreatment), it can be said according to the 22-day biogas data that the biogas production efficiency increased by 3.41 times, this would meet all the electricity needed by the facility, and that there would be an extra 23% electricity generation of the total generation. Mixing and using fruit juice PWTP and WTP treatment sludge in the production of biogas will enable both the utilization of this waste in biogas production and the weakening and reduction of high parameter values, which sometimes cause problems in the sludge discharged from the Tokat WTP due to urban wastewater treatment, to acceptable limits.

Climate change-induced droughts have various negative impacts on different sectors, especially on agricultural sector. Altınekin District, where the research was conducted, has the lowest precipitation in Konya Province, therefore is expected to be most affected by drought. For sustainable use of water resources, each stage of agricultural production should be carried out within the framework of a specific program. With this study, knowledge level of farmers engaged in irrigated agriculture in Altınekin district regarding irrigation and irrigation programs they applied were determined through a face-to-face survey. Present findings revealed that 38.7% of the participant farmers are aged 50 years and over and a large proportion of them (54.7%) are primary school graduates. Participant farmers were all (100%) using groundwater resources in agricultural production and 88% of them stated that they did not receive any training on irrigation. While 32% of the farmers participating in the survey stated that they had knowledge about the concept of irrigation program, 68% reported that they did not have any knowledge. Incorrect and improper practices regarding efficient use of irrigation water in the region, especially regarding the irrigation program, were identified and solutions were proposed for these problems.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of inclusion of an organic acid and surfactant (OS) combination on moisture optimization and energy sparing in the production of pelleted compound feeds for dairy and beef cattle. The trial was carried out in two independent private commercial feed factories (factories A and B) producing cattle feed in pellet form. Each factory produced 21 tons of commercial cattle feed (7 batches; 3 tons per batch); factory A, a dairy feed containing 2620 kcal/kg metabolizable energy (ME) with 18.90% crude protein (CP); and factory B, a fattening feed containing 2550 kcal/kg ME with 13.00% CP. Batches for the treatment groups were prepared by adding 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 kg/ton of OS (Fylax flow) respectively to these basal feeds in the mixer. The moisture retention capacity during pelleting process of all three OS supplemented feeds increased in comparison to the basal feed, whilst moisture content of the finished feeds and energy consumed for production decreased significantly. It was observed that increasing the OS supplementation to 1.5 kg could further increase the moisture retention capacity and moisture content in pellet production compared to the feeds supplemented with 0.5 and 1.0 kg OS, due to the lower power rating of the equipment. It has thus been concluded that adding 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 kg of OS to commercial compound feeds for dairy resulted in a profitable production with good moisture optimization and energy savings during pelleting.

Apple production is a vital sector of agriculture in Nepal, significantly impacting local livelihoods and the regional economy. This study, conducted in Jumla District, Nepal, from January to July 2022, aims to comprehensively assess apple production, including its existing conditions, economic implications, marketing and challenges. The research hypothesizes that while apple production in Jumla District contributes significantly to the local economy, it faces challenges related to pest and disease management, marketing, and adoption of modern practices. Using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), descriptive statistics were computed based on data collected from a sample of 80 respondents selected through simple random sampling. The result revealed that agriculture constituted the primary source of income for 73.75% of the population, with an average landholding size of 0.3428 ha and an apple-growing land area of 0.3164 ha. Income from apple production, along with vegetables and fruits, was a major income source. The average annual sales of apple production were 7.291 t/ha. Labor costs accounted for 45.67% of the total cost of apple production, with an average total production cost of NPR 238,097.2 and average gross returns of NPR 485,500. Apple productivity was 9.71 t/ha, demonstrating its economic viability with net returns of NPR 247,402.80 per ha and benefit cost ratio of 2.039. However, the study found that farm produce only sufficed for 6-9 months, with pest and disease incidence and marketing issues as major challenges. Interventions should address pest and disease management, marketing strategies, and modern practices adoption to enhance sustainable and profitable apple production in Jumla. Efforts to extend farm produce sufficiency should also be explored, highlighting apple production's potential and the need for targeted support to overcome challenges and foster sector development.

In this research, it is aimed to determine the factors affecting the innovation level of agricultural enterprises. Konya province was chosen as the research area because it is one of the important agricultural production centres in Türkiye. Stratified random sampling method was used within the scope of the study. A total of 268 agricultural enterprise owners were interviewed face to face and survey data were compiled. Multiple regression model was applied in the analysis of the factors affecting the perception of innovations by the operator. In this research, considering the characteristics of the data collected by the questionnaire, the linear regression model, which uses functional forms in regression models, was used. In the study, innovation index was taken as the dependent variable in the linear regression model. Independent variables were determined as education, experience, number of parcels, amount of land, active capital, amount of land, agricultural income, following innovations, receiving training on agricultural issues, participating in agricultural activities, following events related to agriculture on social media and cooperation with institutions. As a result of the model, a positive relationship was determined between education, experience, number of parcels, amount of land, active capital, amount of land, agricultural income, following innovations, receiving training on agriculture-related issues, participating in agriculture-related activities, following agriculture-related events on social media and cooperation with institutions and innovation index.

The aim of study is to reveal the factors affecting the knowledge sources used by melon farmers in Hatay province, and their attitudes towards input use. In addition, the research also investigated farmers’ attitudes towards plant protection knowledge and support policies. In the study was surveyed with melon farmers. The data were obtained through face to face interviews during the period of Summer-2022. In the study, factor analysis was used to determine farmers’ the factors affecting the knowledge sources. Factors affecting the knowledge sources used by farmers were determined as two-way and one-way communication. The factors affecting the sources that farmers depend on in dose adjustment were determined as internal and external factors. Besides, farmers think that the knowledge sources should be understandable and accessible. On the other hand, farmers think that the sources they depend on should be accurate and reliable. In melon cultivation, chemicals are used excessively to combat diseases and pests. Also, farmers stated that if precautions are not taken while spraying, poisoning may occur. Moreover, it is thought that empty pesticide containers should be destroyed and excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides may harm products and the environment. Furthermore, farmers claimed that support policies for melon production were not sufficient. As a result, it has been understood that melon farmers have a good level of education and are conscious individuals. However, it is thought that the training and extension activities will help farmers increase their income and environmental awareness.

The increase in the diversity of needs arising from population growth, technological development and globalization causes more use of limited natural resources and brings with it consequences such as wear and pollution of resources. This study focused on the dam lakes on the Kızılırmak River in Türkiye, whose fisheries production rights were leased. There are İmranlı, Yamula, Bayramhacılı, Hirfanlı, Obruk, Boyabat and Derbent dam lakes on which the right to produce fishery products are leased on Kızılırmak, which is the longest river within the borders of Türkiye. Among these, the most rented region is in the Hirfanlı Dam Lake. Sustainability of fisheries in these dam lakes on Kızılırmak River is important in terms of meeting healthy protein demand and socio-economic development. Fishing, which has commercial value in these dam lakes, provides both employment and significant economic contribution to the people of the province and district where they are located. In order to benefit from this potential in a healthy way, it has been concluded that it is very important to operate these dam lakes in a balance of protection and use. However, it is necessary to increase the incentives and support of fishermen especially in these fishing regions.

Bu çalışmanın amacı, kırmızı ve beyaz LED ışığın yumurtacı tavukların eşeysel olgunluğu, performansı, yumurta kalitesi ve bazı davranış özellikleri üzerindeki etkisini belirlemektir. On altı haftalık toplam 432 kahverengi yumurtacı yarka (Lohmann) rastgele her biri 12 tekerrürlü 2 uygulama grubuna ayrılmıştır. Uygulama grupları 1) Monokromatik kırmızı LED aydınlatma ve 2) Beyaz LED aydınlatma gruplarından oluşturulmuştur. Kanatlılar, deneme süresince (16-32 hafta) zenginleştirilmiş kafeslerde barındırılmıştır. Tavukların monokromatik kırmızı ışıkta beyaz ışığa göre eşeysel olgunluğa 5 gün ve pik yumurta verimine 4 gün daha erken ulaştıkları ve deneme boyunca % 2,05 daha fazla yumurta ürettikleri belirlenmiştir. Aynı dönemde ışık renginin yem tüketimine ve yemden yararlanma oranına (YYO) etkisi önemli bulunmamıştır. Ancak, yumurta veriminin yüksek olduğu 21, 23-26 ve 29. haftalarda tavukların kırmızı ışıkta daha iyi YYO değerlerine sahip oldukları görülmüştür. Yumurta ağırlığı ve yumurta kitlesi kırmızı ışıkta daha yüksek bulunmuştur. Işık rengi, tavukların yumurta kalite özellikleri, tünek ve folluk kullanımı ve kırık yumurta oranı üzerinde önemli bir etkide bulunmamıştır. Sonuç olarak, büyüme döneminin sonunda başlayan monokromatik kırmızı LED ışık uygulaması kanatlıların daha erken eşeysel olgunluğa ulaşmalarını ve yumurtlama döneminde daha fazla yumurta üretmelerini sağlamıştır.

Bu araştırmanın amacı farklı marinasyon yöntemlerinin dana etinin organoleptik özellikleri üzerine etkilerinin araştırılmasıdır. Bu çalışmada, İstanbul ilinde yerleşik bir marketten satın alınan 2 yaşı geçmemiş dana eti kullanılmıştır. Antrikot olarak bilinen bölgeden elde edilen etler, soğan suyu, ananas suyu ve süt içinde 4°C’de 6 saat marine edilmiştir. Marine edilmiş parçalar 10 dk ortam sıcaklığında bekletilerek, yüzey sıcaklığı 174°C olan ızgarada merkez sıcaklığı 55°C olana kadar ızgara tekniğiyle pişirilmiştir. Örneklerde, pişirme öncesi (marinasyon öncesi ve sonrası) ve pişirme sonrası; pH, ağırlık kayıpları ile su aktivitesi değerleri ölçümü yapılmıştır. Altı saat süren işlemde, kontrol örneğine göre soğan ve ananas sıvısı ile marine edilen etlerde pH düşüşü yaşanırken, süt sıvısı ile marine edilen etlerde pH artışı gözlemlenmiştir. Üç farklı marinat sıvısı ile marinasyon işlemi yapılmış etin ortalama duyusal analiz puanları süt marinatı için %23,9±1,7; soğan marinatı için %30,7±2,7; ananas marinatı için %15,5±4,5 bulunmuştur (f=92.1077; p=0,0001). Yapılan analizler sonucunda dana antrikot etinin ızgara pişirme işleminde minimum ağırlık kaybı ve maksimum nem aktivitesi açısından ve duyusal analiz sonuçlarının olumlu olması yönünden süt ile marine edilmesinin daha uygun olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.

This study aimed to conduct an econometric analysis of thyme production in Denizli province agricultural enterprises. The data used in the research were obtained through face-to-face questionnaires in 82 agricultural enterprises determined according to the Simple Random Sampling Method. Research findings revealed that to obtain an average yield of 95.10 kg per decare, 10.296 seedlings, 8,93 cc pesticides, 52.34 kg of chemical fertilizers, 16.57 liters of diesel, 4.49 hours of machinery, and 17.84 hours of labor were needed. In this study, the relationships between the amount of thyme production and the number of seedlings, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and the machinery used in the whole production, the amount of diesel, the amount of labor used, and the production area were analyzed with the help of the Cobb-Douglas production function. The coefficient of determination for the estimation equation was 0.89 and was found to be significant at the 1% level. Among the variables included in the estimation equation, the production elasticity coefficients of pesticide use and diesel use were negative, while the production elasticity coefficients of the seedling number, chemical fertilizer amount, labor, and production area variables were found to be positive. The fact that the sum of the production elasticity coefficients of the factors in the estimation equation for the amount of thyme production (∑βi) was 1.12 indicates there is increasing returns to scale. Among the variables in the production function, the variables with marginal efficiency coefficient above 1 were determined as the production area (3.20) and the fertilizer factor (1.33). The research findings revealed that production factors, except fertilizer amount and production area inputs, were not used effectively in thyme production.