Tephritid fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are the major damaging pest for the Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thumb.) Matsum. & Nakai). The quality as well as quantity of watermelon is greatly affected by fruit fly. This study was conducted to test the efficacy of different traps and baits for fruit fly control. The experiment was designed in a randomized complete block design containing eight treatments and three replications. Each treatment, 0.2 ml of cue lure as an attractant and 0.1 ml of malathion was used as a toxicant except control. Treatments were installed when the flowering was started. Data collection and treatment replacement were done simultaneously in every 6-day interval. The findings revealed that the diverse fruit fly species (up to 7) were trapped in all treatments however, the Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett, 1889) followed by Zeugodacus tau (Walker, 1849) were dominating over the other species in all treatments. Yellow sticky trapped the highest number of fruit flies (15.01±0.38), followed by brewery wastage (13.65±0.37). The male-female ratio of the trapped fly was (>1) in all treatments. Furthermore, the lowest fruit fly damaged percentage (0.87±0.16) with the highest obtainable yield (32.57±1.31) and benefit-cost ratio (1.63±0.06) was observed in the yellow sticky trap. From this experiment, the yellow sticky trap captured more fruit flies caused the least amount of fruit fly damage, and yielded the highest possible yield than the other treatments.

In today's marketing processes, knowing what consumers want plays an active role in shaping the products businesses offer and gaining a competitive advantage. This study aims to obtain a guiding result for companies in this sector by questioning the knowledge levels of consumers regarding honey products. The study aims to reveal the uncertainties in consumer perception between natural and organic honey and examine this distinction's impact on purchasing decisions. The research seeks to create more informed consumer preferences in the honey market and to show the contributions of positioning the product correctly in the minds of consumers. In this study, content analysis was conducted to determine the responses of 117 participants to the statement, “There is a difference between natural honey and organic honey, and I have information about what this difference is.” After the analysis, the study is shaped by dividing consumers into four categories according to their level of knowledge about honey. The qualitative research aims to obtain comprehensive information on the participants' awareness of natural and organic honey. The study results show that the concepts of natural and organic honey can be confused by consumers, and the difference between these two products cannot be fully conveyed. This result shows that organic honey businesses and regulatory organizations should inform consumers more accurately and clearly through marketing communication efforts in marketing their products. In the study, recommendations are presented to consumers and businesses based on the results of the qualitative analysis, and the methods that companies should apply to overcome the deficiencies in consumer perception of the distinction between natural and organic honey are included.

The aim of the present study was to determine the the effects of carazolol injection during mating following progestagen + eCG administration on conception rate in breeding season Lacaune ewes. Sixty-two Lacaune ewes were used in the study. On day 0, an intravaginal sponge containing 20 mg flugestone acetate was inserted and left in place for 10 days. On day 10, the sponges were removed, and each ewe received an intramuscular injection of eCG at a dose of 480 IU. Ewes in estrus were mated with a proven rams (ewe:ram ratio of 5:1). Fifty-nine mated ewes were randomly assigned into two groups: control and treatment. In the carazolol group (n = 30), ewes received an intramuscular injection of carazolol (0.01 mg/kg; Simpanorm, Fatro, Italy) on the day of estrus, post-mating. In the control group (n = 29), ewes were not administered any treatment. Pregnancy diagnosis was conducted in all ewes on days 30 and 60 post-mating using transabdominal ultrasonography with a Hitachi EUB-405 device equipped with a 3.5 MHz convex probe. The estrus rate, conception rate, total pregnancy rate, and early fetal death rate were evaluated across all groups. The study results indicated no statistically significant differences between the control group and the carazolol group regarding conception rates (62.1% vs. 66.7%) and total pregnancy rates (79.3% vs. 83.3%). In addition, as a result of repeated ultrasound examinations, no early fetal death was found in the study. In conclusion, carazolol injection during mating following progestagen + eCG administration did not increase on fertility in breeding season Lacaune ewes.

The addition of dietary fibres (DF) obtained from by-products into bread is an attractive way to enhance consumers’ fibre consumption while simultaneously reducing waste from by-products. This study aimed to examine the viability of replacing kohlrabi peel powder (KPP) into white bread at levels ranging from 0% to 12%. The technological and nutritional characteristics of white breads were evaluated, and sensory analysis was conducted. The specific volume values of the samples ranged from 1.486 to 1.861 mL/g. The findings showed that the specific volume of the white bread samples decreased when KPP was used at concentrations higher than 3%. The sample coded N4 (9%) exhibited higher moisture levels in both the crumb and crust, compared to the all bread samples (p˂0.05). The nutritional features of the bread samples varied as follows: ash content ranged from 0.573% to 0.588%, protein from 6.460% to 7.998%, fat from 3.200% to 4.200%, total DF from 0.250% to 3.214%, total carbohydrate content from 51.963% to 69.272%, and energy levels from 211.7 to 324.0 kcal. The sample coded N3 (6%) was approved by the panelists, however the other samples with a greater quantity of KBB were not favored. SEM images showed the gluten structure in the enriched bread samples coded N2, N3 and N4 were constituted by fibrous components that established a more open network. The study’s results indicated that elevated amounts of KPP might enhance the DF content of white bread; however, consumers do not favor higher fibre content in the bread samples. Utilization of 6% KPP could enhance the technological, nutritional, and sensory characteristics of white bread.

Plants are used by humans not only as food, but also for therapeutic purposes in medicine, as fuel and coloring matter. Plants, which are among the natural products consumed as traditional medicines, are used in the treatment of many diseases. Nowadays, many plants are widely used as nutritional supplements to strengthen the immune system or as an auxiliary nutritional supplement with other drugs in the treatment of chronic diseases. The plant Arum maculatum L. examined in this study is an angiosperm and monocotyledonous plant belonging to the family Araceae and a species in the order Arales. In this study it is aimed to study the bioavailability of Arum plant by using C. elegans nematode as a model organism. This study, the effects of the extract obtained by ethyl alcohol and water phase extraction of A. maculatum L., which is collected in spring and summer months and consumed by cooking fresh leaves and believed to be a source of healing, on the life span, egg production and growth-development parameters of Caenorhabditis elegans nematode were investigated. The data obtained were evaluated by SPSS program. Significant differences were found in C. elegans cultures of the extracts obtained from the leaves and flower parts of the plant in ethyl alcohol and water solvents compared to the control group. It was observed that the survival rates of C. elegans nematodes generally increased with the application of different doses of plant water extracts. This research will provide a reference for further research on the mechanism of Arum plants in the treatment of some diseases. Our research shows that this plant may have the potential therapeutic target about fertilization and growth and development process.

The quality of black seed oil depends greatly on the extraction method used. Traditional methods like cold pressing are valued for producing high-quality oil that retains its natural nutrients and flavor. However, these methods often come with a trade-off, as they tend to yield less oil and lower levels of bioactive compounds, making them less efficient for large-scale production. To overcome these limitations, seed pretreatment techniques were investigated. In this study, black seeds were subjected to freeze-thaw and microwave pre-treatment before cold pressing to increase the content of thymoquinone, which is a key bioactive compound in black seeds. For the freeze-thaw treatment, black seeds were frozen at -17 °C for 24 and 48 h, followed by thawing at 50 °C for 1 h. This process was repeated for 1, 2, and 3 cycles. Microwave treatment involved subjecting seed samples to microwave at a frequency of 2450 MHz and power levels of 400 W and 640 W for durations of 1, 2, and 3 min. Subsequent oil extraction was performed by using cold pressing. HPLC analysis showed a significant increase in thymoquinone content with freeze-thawed seeds (for 48 h and 3 cycles) showing a remarkable increase like 79.93% according to untreated black seeds. Microwave-pretreated seeds at 640 W for 3 min exhibited more than double thymoquinone content compared to untreated seeds. Other quality parameters, including moisture, specific gravity, acidity, peroxide value, and iodine value, shows comparable characteristics, while significant enhancing the sensory analysis of the pretreated oil (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that freeze-thaw and microwave pretreatments can serve as innovative methods for enhancing thymoquinone levels in Indian black seed oil, providing a promising avenue for improving the overall quality of this valuable natural product.

Marketing information enhances farmer’s decision to increase production and productivity of agricultural commodities. This paper examines farmers’ perspectives on agricultural marketing information in developing countries, with a case study focusing on three districts in Tanzania. Data were obtained from a survey conducted on 291 maize farmers in the three districts namely Arusha (103 farmers), Njombe (100 farmers) and Kongwa (88 farmers), selected from three regions in Tanzania Mainland. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the percentage distributions of the farmers based on socio-economic characteristics and Likert scale ratings of the farmers’ levels of agreement with the debriefing questions constructed to evaluate their perceptions. The analysis of the socio-economic variables of the farmers suggests male dominance in maize farming, predominant youthful farming demographics, predominantly large household Size, and predominance of low-level educational backgrounds among maize farmers in the study areas. The results of the socio-economic characteristics underscore the importance of targeted policies to support maize farmers, focusing on education, youth engagement, and household resource management. The overall result of farmers’ perceptions of agricultural marketing information indicates a widespread agreement across districts highlighting the shared challenges and priorities among maize farmers in Tanzania, particularly indicating that farmers recognize the benefits of agricultural services and understand the importance of communication infrastructure for economic development. The study thus, recommends establishment of local marketing information centers to reduce costs and time associated with gathering market information, enhancement of digital literacy to train farmers, and collaboration with critical stakeholders; such as government, private sector, and non-profits organizations to fund and sustain marketing information infrastructure for farmers. Investments in communication and marketing infrastructure will bridge information gaps, enhance market access, and ultimately drive economic development among maize farmers. This structured approach will not only improve maize farmers’ productivity but also contribute to broader rural development goals.

The COVID-19 pandemic has notably reshaped consumer perceptions of food safety, with lasting effects on food purchasing and consumption behaviors. This study examines Turkish consumers’ perceptions of food safety risks during and after the pandemic, aiming to contribute to both national and international literature on the topic. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and July 2023 in seven major Turkish cities (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Trabzon, Adana, Van, and Gaziantep), with 1,016 respondents participating. The survey explored various socio-demographic factors influencing food safety risk perception using an ordered probit model. The results reveal that 86% of respondents consider food produced and sold in Türkiye risky, with 20.4% rating it as critically unsafe. Key factors influencing risk perception include concerns about open market sales, food additives, food labeling accuracy, and vendor hygiene practices. Additionally, socio-demographic characteristics such as marital status, age, education level, and household size significantly impact risk perception. Married individuals, older adults, and those with higher education levels tend to have heightened food safety concerns. These findings highlight the importance of targeted food safety education and policies that address diverse consumer profiles. The study provides insights for enhancing food safety strategies and fostering consumer confidence, especially during and after health crises.

Seralar, üretim sezonunda birden fazla ürün elde edilmesi ve üretim sürecinin kontrol altında gerçekleştirilerek verim kayıplarının azaltılması açısından gıda arzına önemli katkı sağlayan tarım sistemleridir. Seralarda birim alandan daha yüksek verim almak için özellikleri ve yapıları itibariyle amaca uygun planlanmalıdır. Tarım işletmelerinde seraların planlanmasında en önemli ölçüt yatırım maliyetidir. Bu doğrultuda çalışma kapsamında tiplerine ve teknolojik özelliklerine göre seraların yatırım analizleri, üretilen ürünlerin verimlilikleri ve işletmelerin karlılıkları karşılaştırılmıştır. Çalışmada, Mersin ilinde sebze üretimi yapan 99 adet plastik, 86 adet cam ve 5 adet topraksız sera işletmelerinde anket yapılmıştır. Anket yoluyla elde edilen verilerde; net kar domates üretilen plastik sera işletmelerinde 9.814,15 TL/da, topraksız sera işletmelerinde 109.532,91 TL/da, biber üretilen plastik sera işletmelerinde 5.522,14 TL/da, hıyar üretilen cam sera işletmelerinde 10.460,53 TL/ da belirlenmiştir. Sera tiplerine göre 3,93 yıl ile topraksız sera işletmelerinde yatırımın geri ödeme süresinin daha kısa olduğu ve 6,68 yıl ile plastik serada domates yetiştiriciliğinin takip ettiği tespit edilmiştir. Dolayısıyla net bugünkü değer domates yetiştiriciliği yapılan plastik ve topraksız seralarda pozitif olup bu yatırımların kârlı olduğunu göstermektedir. Benzer şekilde fayda masraf oranı topraksız domates seralarında 2,05 ve plastik domates seralarında 1,13 hesaplanmıştır. Bu nedenle söz konusu iki sera tipinde ve ürünlerinde projenin geliri yatırımından daha fazla olduğu için karlılık yüksektir.

Population growth and the rise in the level of welfare across the world cause an increase in the demand for water, energy and food, while water supply in sufficient quantity and quality is gradually decreasing in parallel. In addition, events such as droughts and floods caused by climate change have negative impacts on ecosystems. In line with the increasing water demand, it is becoming increasingly important to develop sustainable development of water resources, to provide water in the required quantity and quality at the desired place and time, to develop solutions for the effective management of inter-sectoral allocation and to control losses and leakages. Worldwide, the distribution of groundwater and surface water resources by sectors varies between continents over the years and depending on the development of the sectors. When the water consumption rates of domestic (drinking and using), industrial and agricultural sectors, which are the largest users of water resources, are analysed, it is seen that agricultural use is 69%, industrial use is 19% and domestic use is 12% on a global scale. In Turkey, approximately 75% of total water resources are used for agricultural irrigation, while this rate is 33% in Europe. However, the rate of agricultural water use in Southern European countries can reach up to 75%. As is evident, the agricultural sector accounts for the most intensive use of water resources. Agriculture has the most important share in the sustainability of water resources due to its high utilization rate. For this reason, agricultural water use constitutes the main point of ensuring the sustainability of water resources and the most effective use of existing resources. In this study, the basic elements of sustainable urban water management are discussed and a framework for assessing the current water use of Izmir province with a water footprint approach is presented as an example. In addition, a flow chart has been prepared as a basis for the creation of a water footprint map. Such assessments will provide important contributions in terms of ensuring ecosystem sustainability, increasing water efficiency in cities and reducing risks associated with water resources, including food security, and supporting sustainable development.