Within the scope of this research, the chronic effects of ammonium nitrate, which is the most widely used fertilizer worldwide, on the tadpoles of Marsh Frog (Pelophylax ridibundus), the Iranian Long-Legged Frog (Rana macrocnemis), the Caucasian Parsley Frog (Pelodytes caucasicus) and the Variable Green Toad (Bufotes variabilis) were examined. To assess the chronic effects of the fertilizer, the tadpoles of all the species were exposed to 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 mg/L concentrations in same conditions. The chronic concentrations were applied from the 25th developmental stage to the 42nd developmental stage. It was defined at the end of the experiments that although there were some variability between different populations of the same species or between different species in the observed effects, chronic levels of ammonium nitrate caused decreased growth rate, prolonging in time to complete metamorphosis, increased abnormalities, and mortality in general. Among the 4 amphibian species, the Variable Green Toad was the most damaged one in terms of growth reduction (on average 31-41 %), abnormality rates (on average 50-75 %), prolonged time to complete metamorphose (14-21 days on average) and mortality rates (%54-100). The most adaptive species and the least damaged one was an Iranian long-legged frog for growth reduction (on average 0-15 %), prolonged time to complete metamorphose (7-9 days on average), and mortality rates (%9-15). All the harmful effects of chronic fertilizer levels caused by agricultural activities in the region had very important for examined species in our researches and it can be said that important environmental and biodiversity problems may occur if certain precautions are not taken regarding the use of the fertilizers and if the attitudes of the farmers on this issue cannot be changed.

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli (Xap) is known as one of the most important seed-borne destructive pathogens on beans worldwide. Nowadays, Xap is considered to acquire resistance to antibiotics and synthetic bactericides which concerns the scientific world for its future management. This has made the use of plant extracts, the best alternative in the control of plant disease pathogens by inhibiting the quorum sensing (QS) mediated virulence factors. This research was designed to investigate the antibacterial activities and the anti-QS effects of the 14 different aromatic and medicinal plants against QS-mediated virulence factors of Xap. The results revealed that Syzgium aromaticum showed the largest inhibition zone diameter and strongest antimicrobial (antibacterial) effect among the 14 plant extracts followed by Thymus vulgaris and Coriandrum sativum. Similarly, the lowest swarming, swimming, and twitching motility values were measured from the Syzgium aromaticum application followed by Coriandrum sativum, Thymus vulgaris, Brassica nigra, Lepidium sativum, and Ruta chalepenis. These results indicated that S. aromaticum, C. sativum, T. vulgaris, B. nigra, L. sativum, and R. chalepenis will be a potential candidates as anti-quorum sensing agents in preventing common bacterial disease of beans caused by Xap. Compounds derived from aromatic and medicinal plants have demonstrated successful control of diseases in crops and the use of these substances provides a valuable tool to the growers around the world for diseases management in organic production.

It is crucial to transport agricultural workers safely to the field or orchard to carry out agricultural activities. In our country, although it is not recommended in terms of security, transporting agricultural workers to field, vineyard-orchard is usually carried out with agricultural trailers. There are traffic regulations about transporting agricultural workers with agricultural trailers. However, both non-compliance with the regulations and the accidents that occur during the transport of workers with agricultural trailers that do not have a safe transport arrangement can result in severe injuries and loss of life. In this research, two different roll-over protection structure (ROPS) of the demountable-mountable seating arrangement models are designed for the safe transportation of agricultural workers. Developed models are analyzed using ANSYS software in terms of total deformation and stress parameters in the computer environment.

Nowadays, consumer demand for healthy and natural food is reflected in the meat industry and researches and investments on this issue have gained speed. Nitrite is a widely used synthetic additive in meat products due to its contribution to the development of characteristic color and flavor, controls lipid oxidation and has an antimicrobial effect on pathogenic microorganisms, especially Clostridium botulinum. However, the fact that nitrite causes the formation of toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic N-nitrosamine compounds and constitutes a risk to human health has led to the searches for alternative additives. An important part of the studies on this subject consists of testing the use of natural additives as an alternative to nitrite. In recent years, instead of using nitrate and nitrite in meat products, studies have been carried out to use organic acids and microbial resources. In addition to these methods, up-to-date technology applications such as high pressure, irradiation, encapsulation, active packaging containing nitrite, zinc protoporphyrin IX compound formation and cold plasma technology constitute other research areas that we encounter in reducing the nitrite rate in meat products. Within the scope of this review, the functions of nitrite in cured meat products, current potential methods for reducing nitrite content and the limitations of transferring these methods to industry were examined.

Due to high cost of importation and inability of wheat to thrive in Nigeria, baked products like chin-chin are costly and out of the reach of common people. Since baked products are convenient snack relished by all, substitution with readily available materials like cassava flour becomes the only available option. Wheat and cassava flours were blended in the ratios of 70:30%, 50: 50% and 30: 70% respectively while 100% wheat and cassava flours served as controls. Deep fat fried chin-chin samples were prepared from the blends. Proximate and functional properties were conducted on the flour blends while proximate composition and acceptability test were on the chin-chin samples. The results revealed that with increase in cassava inclusion levels in the composite flour blends, there was increase in moisture (7.77-8.23%), carbohydrate (73.42-79.23%), ash (0.75-1.00%), bulk density (0.51-0.61 g/ml), swelling index (0.96.1.09%), water absorption capacity (1.10-1.88 g/g), and emulsion capacity (27.41-39.48%) while dry matter (91.20-9.84%), protein (8.55-6.55%), fat (2.08-0.98%), fibre (2.53-2.20%) and oil absorption capacity (1.29-1.16 g/g) decreased. For chin- chin, there was significant increase in moisture (8.29-10.40%) and carbohydrate (63.63-66.54%) while dry matter (91.70-89.59%), protein (6.66-3.50 %), fat (17.57-16.84%), ash (1.88-1.38) and fiber (1.96-1.69%) decreased. There was no significant difference in the overall acceptability of the chin-chin samples. Therefore, cassava flour substitution of up to 70% is acceptable, but with decrease in most of the nutrient composition which can be improved with lower (

This study has emerged within the scope of the sectoral studies requested by the Ministry of Industry and Technology of Turkish Republic from the Development Agencies, and aims to select the optimal plant location among the organized industrial zones in the TR72 Region consisting of Kayseri, Sivas and Yozgat provinces in order to produce processed fibre from the raw fibre obtained as a by-product of hemp cultivation. The criteria such as parcel unit price, electricity unit price, service water unit price, waste water unit price, natural gas unit price, insurance premium employer's share support period, investment contribution rate for insurance premium employer’s share support, tax reduction rate, investment contribution rate for tax reduction, interest or profit share support, access to raw material sources, access to market and access to qualified labour supply that form the basis for the selection of plant location were determined and weighted according to the Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) method The most available plant location among the emerging alternatives was determined by using Multi-Criteria Decision Making Methods consisting of Combined Comprimise Solution (COCOSO), Complex Proportional Assessment (COPRAS) and Multi-Attributive Ideal-Real Comparative Analysis (MAIRCA). Consequently, it was concluded that Kaleseramik Private Organized Industrial Zone (OIZ) located in Yozgat province is the most available plant location among the other seven alternatives.

The objective of the present study was to determine the relationships between animal welfare score (AWS) and milk somatic cell count (SCC) in Anatolian buffaloes. The study carried out on 39 buffalo farms of Bafra district of Samsun province of Turkey between January and March 2020. To obtain AWS data, a scale with 1 to 100 points (1-25: poor, 26-50: moderate, 51-75: suitable and ≥76: excellent) was used. Locomotion ability (LA), social interaction (SI), flooring (F), indoor conditions (IC) and effect of stockman (S) were used to be AWS parameters. Milk samples were analyzed by SCC using a portable cell counter. The SCC values were transferred to log10 base before the analyses. To assess the effects of AWS on logSCC, independent sample t-test was performed. The relations of all parameters with each other were calculated by Kendall rank correlation method and the statistical analyses were carried out by SPSS 17.0. The highest and the lowest means were obtained from SI (79.66±1.28) and F (61.79±2.51), respectively. While the highest correlation was estimated between IC and AWS (r=0.724), all AWS parameters had approximately moderate relations with AWS. Positive or negative, but insignificant correlation coefficients were estimated between any traits and logSCC. The means of SCC (136841±15522 cells/ml) and AWS (68.70±1.67) of the present study were found within the suitable thresholds. Routinely keeping the records on AWS and its components, and adding AWS data to the herd management programs was suggested to the buffalo farm owners.

Over recent years, the demand for livestock products in Ethiopia is increasing; most of this demand is coming from urban centers, especially from Addis Ababa, as the buyers are demanding better quality and more hygienic produce. This has fueled interest in better quality animal feed, mainly from larger-scale commercial livestock producers. With this background, there has been interest in stimulating plant-based protein production that can be incorporated into livestock feed. Small quantities of lupins are grown (less than 20,000 ton per year) in the North Western part of Ethiopia for human consumption. These lupins are bitter due to their alkaloid concentration and are unsuitable for livestock feed. If non-bitter (sweet) varieties are grown, then they could be a source of protein for animals as is the case in some countries, such as Australia. The Ethiopian market for livestock feed was surveyed and segmented to evaluate the opportunities for lupins. The survey revealed that the livestock sector in Ethiopia is suffering from feed shortage both in terms of quality and quantity. Lupin, as a potential protein source feed has an opportunity to be incorporated into the livestock feed industry. Currently it is estimated that if sweet lupins were available, the short-term demand from commercial livestock producers and feed processors market segment is 20,000 t/year. In the medium-term, it is expected that as the national poultry production expands, there will be an increased demand from the large feed mill factories to around 35,000 to 40,000 t/year grain for high quality protein such as lupin. It is recommended that the already started sweet lupin promotion in the country has to be done at scale. In addition, production of sweet lupin in Ethiopia should be focused on the commercial farming sector and the marketing should be through the large-scale processors or direct to large-scale livestock producers.

This study was conducted to evaluate essential oils from Croton macrostachyus Hochst. ex Delile, Eucalyptus globulus Labill., Allium sativum L., Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf, Cymbopogon martini (Roxb.) W.Watson, Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Thymus schimperi Ronniger using four concentrations (l mL, 2 mL, 3 mL, 4 mL) and three sprays against potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) late blight disease. Two improved potato varieties were planted using randomized complete block design with factorial combinations in three replications. Analysis of disease incidence means at 53 and 60 days after planting showed highly significant differences between varieties and among sources of essential oils. Furthermore, the combined effect of essential oils and potato varieties on disease severity showed significant differences. Disease severity was maintained from 25% to 48% (Jalene); 13% to 30% (Gudene) with essential oils while it was maintained between 92% and 95% (Jalene); 37% to 38% (Gudene) for control plants. The lowest disease percentage of disease severity was obtained on plants treated with A. sativum for Jalene variety while on plants sprayed with C. macrostachyus, E. globulus and T. schimperi for Gudene variety. The lowest disease progress rate 0.198/day and 0.162/day as well as values of area under disease progress curve 228% days and 93% days were obtained for varieties Jalene and Gudene, respectively. Maximum reduction in mean disease severity was exhibited by garlic for varieties Jalene (28.3%) and Gudene (16.3%), as compared to the control (93.3% for Jalene and 37.5% for Gudene). Therefore, results indicated the potentials of essential oils to minimize effects of potato late blight disease. Communities involved in potato production could use the current results as base line information to find alternative management options for late blight disease which has no effect on human health and environment. However, further investigation is required on essential oils affordability and availability to farmers across different locations.

In order to assess the potential, farmers satisfaction, and operation and maintenance issues of selected small scale irrigation schemes in Salale Zone Ethiopia, the study was designed with key objectives of evaluating the current status of irrigation water productivity of the schemes; irrigation water users satisfaction, and structures, function, and power of water users association in sustainable operation and maintenance of irrigation schemes. Structured questionnaires focus group discussion, and key informant interview was employed to collect data for each considered irrigation schemes and the data was analyzed by using SPSS and descriptive statistics. The result overall revealed that there was low water productivity of the schemes when it was compared with acceptable limit values. In each considered irrigation scheme, irrigation water users were not satisfied in operation and maintenance of irrigation schemes and less satisfied in fair distribution of water and timeline of water distribution; but fairly satisfied in fee policy. From the perspectives of roles of irrigation water users in leadership, resource mobilization, infrastructure management, equity in water distribution, and conflict management; there was a gap in effectively performing all such activities so that the overall productivity of schemes becomes very low. In general, the research indicated that there was a problem in improving water productivity, farmers’ satisfaction, role of irrigation water users in management, operation, and maintenance of schemes which need due consideration to sustain small scale irrigation schemes so that it will play the intended roles in attaining food security