Chlorophyll meters manage both the amount and duration of nitrogen fertilizer application based on the principle that the chlorophyll or nitrogen content of plants should be maintained throughout their development. For smallholders in developing countries, the use of a hand-held meter to manage nitrogen fertilizer in rice and wheat is the most popular method. The adoption of nitrogen management strategies based on close sensing using chlorophyll meters and optical sensors will largely depend on the inclusion of specific economic analysis in future research. The importance of using sensors and chlorophyll meters for nitrogen fertilizer management depends on how successful current practices have been. In this study, five different nitrogen rates (0, 80, 120, 160, 200 kg N ha-1) were applied to two different wheat varieties, and the effect of these different nitrogen rates on wheat protein content was investigated in a randomized block design. A quadratic polynomial model described the relationship between protein content and nitrogen rates.

Hidabu Abote, Dera, Wera Jarso and Debra Libanos districts of North Shewa zone are potential in honey production. To enhance this potential, different organizations disseminate improved beehives technologies for the smallholder farmers. However, the impact of the disseminated technologies on household income has not been evaluated. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of improved beehive adoption on household income. Purposive and two stage sampling technique was used to select 384 sampled households. The study used logistic regression model to identify the determinants of adoption decision of modern beehive technology while propensity score matching to evaluate the impact of modern beehive technology adoption on household income. The result of logistic regression model shows that age of household head, family size, households experience in beekeeping, frequency of extension contact, access to credit services, access to training and access to beehive demonstration site visit had positive and significant effect on household adoption decision of modern beehive technology. The result of propensity score matching indicates that the adopters of improved beehive technology were earned Birr 2690.383 than non-adopter. The difference in household income between the two groups shows that there is considerable room for improvement of household income through increasing the number of adopter of improved beehives technology in the study area. This should be done through provision of training, credit, extension and expansion of beehive demonstration site among the others.

In the current paper, it was aimed to detect the SSR markers that can be used in the prevention of confusion that may occur in breeding or nurseries, and directly genetically separating Uzun and Kırmızı pistachio cultivars from other commercial cultivars. A total of genotypes of 16 Pistacia vera species, one P. atlantica, one P. eurycarpa and two P. terebinthus species were obtained from the farmer's orchard in Nizip district of Gaziantep province for genetic characterization. Genetic diversity and clustering analyzes were performed with UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Average) and STRUCTURE 2.3.4 programs using the scored SSR loci. Genetic relationship and population structure of genotypes were defined using common and distinct polymorphic PCR fragments. Cultivar-specific markers to be used in identifying and distinguishing the genetic structure of Uzun and Kırmızı cultivars were carried out in the current research. CUPOhBa2127 marker has the highest allele number (Na=10). In addition, 11 out of 25 SSR markers were explained as cultivar-specific SSRs that can distinguish Uzun and Kırmızı cultivars. These markers can be used directly by breeders and geneticists without any preliminary screnning of the markers. A quite serious providence will be achieved in the cost and time that will occur with the preliminary analysis, and thus, the confusion that may occur in large scale orchard establishments or nurseries will be reduced to pretty low levels with DNA analysis.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), the most pathogenic species among the pseudomonas species, is a bacterium that causes opportunistic infections resulting in significant damage to host tissues. P. aeruginosa, which is resistant to antibiotics, also causes fatal infection in human and animals. Infections caused by P. aeruginosa are difficult to treat due to its rapid proliferation in the environment and its ability to form biofilms that confer resistance to antibiotics. One of the main virulence factors of P. aeruginosa is its direct damage to host tissues, which disrupts the host’s defense mechanisms. P. aeruginosa is a food-borne pathogen often detected in various food groups such as meat, milk, fruit, vegetables, and water. In recent years, there has been a noticeable rise in food-borne contamination with P. aeruginosa. New measures are urgently needed in the treatment of patients with infections due to this agent, since P. aeruginosa can develop resistance to most antibacterials. In this review, general information about P. aeruginosa, which has gained importance for public health, will be given.

The study described herein aimed to investigate the relationship between perceptions of hormone usage and customer preferences for broiler meat and meat products in Sri Lanka with special reference to Kandy district. A total of 460 respondents from Kandy district were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire. The analysis revealed that 85.9% of the respondents believes the fact that the hormones are used in broiler production. Also, 75.7% of the respondents were unaware about the fact that the hormones are totally banned from Sri Lankan broiler production. Around 71.4% believed that the hormones are still being used illegally in broiler production in Sri Lanka. The study also found that the general public (36.2%), was the main source that the respondents perceived this false information concerning hormone use. Similarly, 83.7% believes that these chemical substances create health hazards to human. 76.7% of the respondents strongly believed the fact that the adolescent girls who consume broiler meat regularly during their childhood may experience early puberty. The findings of the present study concluded that three misconceptions of (i) use of hormones to attain high growth rates in broilers (ii) hormones assumed to be present in broiler meat pose health hazards to public and (iii) frequent broiler meat consumption during childhood is accompanying with the early puberty in adolescent girls, do exists. Though the majority of the sample comprises of highly educated professionals, these misinformation were spreaded from the information generated among the general public. However stipulating a valid certification with no added hormone in broiler chicken meat will be helpful in changing the mind-set of general public.

The cultivation and the usage of maize have been significantly increased across all provinces of Rwanda. Nevertheless, the problem of aflatoxin contamination remains a major factor that renders them to be unfit for animal and human consumption. In this research, the effects of drying methods (sun drying, kitchen drying, dry shelter) post aflatoxin infection in maize were evaluated in Northern Rwanda. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used with maize variety (H628) with drying methods as the main plot. Maize samples were tested for aflatoxin using aflatest. In both seasons (2021 A and 2021 B) the aflatoxin results show that the aflatoxin infection levels were lower in maize dried with kitchen drying (1.4 ppb) compared to the samples dried with sun drying (1.6 ppb) and dry shelter (2.2). Also, it was seen that the three drying methods are good for reducing the aflatoxin infection levels lower than 10 ppb as standards limit for East African countries. The aflatoxin infection levels were found to be significant (≤10 ppb) as results of kitchen drying than sun drying and dry shelter methods. This research resulted that proper drying such as drying maize on kitchen fire (kitchen drying) produce the lower level of aflatoxin infection in maize.

As a result of climate change and the ozone layer spoilage, harmful rays of the sun such as UV reach the world more and harm agricultural production. To be protected from the harmful effects of UV, not only human beings, but all living organisms have developed different characteristics. In recent years, pigments with radiation absorbing and antioxidant properties have been used against UV damages. In this study, the effect of carotenoid pigments obtained from bacteria and fungi on the lettuce plant (Lettuce Yedikule 5701) was investigated due to its high antioxidant and UV protection properties. Pigment solutions partially purified from microorganisms were sprayed onto the plants. While an increase was detected in the amounts of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the lettuce plant with the effect of UV, a decrease was observed in these parameters when applied with pigment solutions. With the same application, microbial pigments protected the plant against the harmful effects of UV by increasing the antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX) and the amount of chlorophyll. As a result of this study; It has been determined that microbial pigments, which can be obtained easily and with low costs, have protection properties against the harmful effects of UV and provide the plants with properties to resist the stress.

Since prehistoric times, humans have relied on plants for a wide variety of needs, including sustenance, shelter, thermal regulation, and medical treatment. Plants are significant organics because of the many ways they may be put to use. The white radish (Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus (L.) Domin) was tested for its antioxidant and antibacterial properties, as were its tuber and aerial portions. A soxhlet was used to extract ethanol from plant material. The antioxidant and oxidant capacities were tested with the use of Rel Assay TAS and TOS kits. The agar dilution technique was used to test for antimicrobial activity against the bacteria and fungus included in the experiment. As a result of the studies, the TAS value of the tuber extract of the plant was measured as 6.698±0.187, the TOS value as 5.609±0.245 and the OSI value as 0.084±0.002. The TAS value of the herbal aerial parts extract was 4.689±0.223, the TOS value was 3.746±0.128, and the OSI value was 0.080±0.003. Inhibition of tuber extract was observed at concentrations varying between 25-100 against bacterial strains and 200 µg/mL against fungal strains. Aerial parts extract showed inhibition against bacterial strains at concentrations varying between 100-200 and against fungus strains at concentrations ranging from 200-400 µg/mL. As a result, it was determined that the white radish plant has significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.

The objectives of the study were to determine the aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) content in ınfant formula samples in Türkiye and to assess the risk of infants’ exposure to aflatoxins food contamination. A total number of 72 samples of infant formulas (premature, hipoallergenic, 0-6, 6-9,9-12 and 12-36 months) were analyzed for the presence of AFM1 using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. 49% of the samples (35 samples) were contaminated with AFM1 and the group most highly contaminated with AFM1 was infant formulas 12-36 (8 samples) months. In addition, this study aimed at evaluating AFM1 levels especially above international (European Commission) (0.025 µg/kg) and local (Türkiye Food Codex Regulation) (0.025 µg/kg) standards and cancer risks associated with the ingestion of infant formula sampled from Türkiye. Five samples of infant formula had AFM1 concentration above maximum allowable concentration according to the standards. Risk assessments of AFM1 for infants ranged between 0.002- 0.035 ng/kg bw/day and >100.000–5263.15 respectively for Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), and Margin of Exposure (MOE). The riskiest group was determined in the 9-12 months samples. Results of our study indicate the high risk of infants’ exposure, who are at the early stage of development and vulnerable to toxic contaminants.

The research was conducted in the year of 2021-2022 in Burera and Musanze District in Northern province as well as Rubavu District in Western Province with the aim of assessing the yield loss in common beans due to anthracnose by using four cultivars with various levels of resistance in field conditions in environment of Northwestern of Rwanda. Randomized complete block design as experiment design was used in this study where each selected cultivar was grown and the yield loss caused by anthracnose was assessed. A level of significance of P<0.05 . In field trials, on the particularly susceptible cultivar Gikundiro 2 particulary showed the maximum harm in terms of incidence and severity in both infection circumstances. The severity of pod infection ranging from 3-9 (0-) resulted in reduction in quantity of seeds which contain a pod ranging from 10.52 % -57.76 % and the loss in weight of seeds per pods ranging from 21.93 % - 68.77 %, both demonstrated a direct impact on seed yield. However, determinate cultivars showed a greater drop in yield (58.5%) than indeterminate cultivars (10.52%) although both were sensitive, based on this research, anthracnose causes economic yield loss on variety Gikundiro 2 and Vuzimpundu.