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The Determinants of Agricultural Output Growth in Ethiopia
2022
Gudina Goda Korsa | Jiffara Abdissa Labata
The purpose of this paper is to look into the determinants of agricultural output growth in Ethiopia. Along with this general objective, this study intends to look at the trend of total factor productivity growth in the agricultural sector and its contribution to agricultural output growth. Using autoregressive distributed lag model bounds testing, this research estimates the long-run and short-run cointegration between agricultural output growth and the total factor productivity. In this study, Augmented Dickey-Fuller and Phillip-Perron unit root tests were used to find out the order of integration of the variables. The selected econometric model goes through all the diagnostic tests and confirms the absence of heteroscedasticity, serial correlation, and normality. The finding of this study indicates that total factor productivity, agricultural land, agricultural machinery, and fertilizer all have a significant and positive effect on the growth of agricultural output. According to the findings of this study, total factor productivity is the primary driver of agricultural output growth. Therefore, as it has played a strong role in developed countries' agriculture, total factor productivity has the potential to be a game-changer in terms of sustainable agricultural growth. Taking into account the findings of this study, we strongly recommend that the government of Ethiopia should devise policies in the agricultural sector that could enhance the level of total factor productivity.
Show more [+] Less [-]The Effect of Drying Temperatures on Effective Diffusion-Activation Energy, Quality and Drying Kinetics of Rosehip Fruit of “Star” Type
2022
Burcu Aksüt | Hakan Polatcı
Rosehip fruit, which is widely and naturally grown in many European countries as well as in Rosehip fruit, which is widely used in Turkey as well as in European countries and grows naturally, is a very rich species in terms of vitamin C value. Due to its benefits to human health, its consumption is increasing and its use in different forms is becoming widespread. In this study, the colour, effective diffusion-activation energy, phytochemical properties and thin-layer drying patterns of rosehip fruit of the ‘Yıldız’ variety were investigated after drying in a convective dryer at different temperatures (40, 50, 60 and 70°C). In the study, it was determined that 70°C temperature was statistically more suitable in terms of measured and calculated colour values. It has been determined that the effective diffusion value is affected by the drying temperature and the increase in temperature also increases the effective diffusion value. It has been determined that the effective diffusion value varies between 1.35×10-7-5.92×10-6 m2/sec. The activation energy value of dried rosehip samples was calculated as 69,41 kJ/mol. When the chemical analysis values were examined, when the SÇKM, total phenolic, total antioxidant substance and vitamin C values were evaluated together, it was found that the most appropriate drying temperature was 70°C statistically. Among all drying models, Midilli-Küçük and Yağcıoğlu models (R2: 0.9999) estimated the drying data best.
Show more [+] Less [-]The Effect of Semen Dilution on the Number of Spermatozoa Entering the Spermatheca of the Queen Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.)
2022
Yasin Kahya | Halit Vasfi Gençer
This study aimed to determine whether the addition of diluent to fresh semen before injection affects the number of spermatozoa entering the spermatheca of the instrumentally inseminated queens. The queens reared by the grafting method were introduced into mating nucs one day before adult emergence. When 7-day old, the queens were allocated into four groups for the following instrumental insemination treatments. The queens in group 1 and group 3 were inseminated with 4 µl and 8 µl fresh semen, respectively (FS - 4 µl and FS - 8 µl). In group 2, the queens were inseminated with 4 µl fresh semen diluted 1-fold with NaCl solution (DS - 8 µl). In group 4, the queens were inseminated with 8 µl fresh semen diluted 1-fold with NaCl solution (DS - 16 µl). Each queen was dissected after the onset of oviposition for counting the number of spermatozoa in the spermatheca. There was not a significant difference in spermatozoa number between queens inseminated with 4 µl FS (2.57 million) and 8 µl DS (2.68 million). The queens inseminated with 16 µl DS (3.51 million) had fewer spermatozoa than the queens inseminated with 8 µl FS (4.46 million). The queens inseminated with 16 µl DS had more spermatozoa (3.51 million) than the queens inseminated with 4 µl FS (2.57 million, and 8 µl DS (2.68 million). The results revealed that the addition of 1-fold diluent to 4 µl fresh semen did not alter the number of spermatozoa. In contrast, adding 1-fold diluent to 8 µl fresh semen adversely affected the number of spermatozoa entering the spermatheca.
Show more [+] Less [-]Geographical Indication and Quality Perception: The Case of Mersin Province, Türkiye
2022
Mustafa Kan | Aynur Belveren
The aim of this study is to reveal how consumers perceive the Geographical indication (GI) label in Mersin, which has such a rich diversity, and the factors that are effective in this perception. In this context, our main population is 571,485, which is the average number of households in Mersin in 2020, and a survey study was conducted with 260 consumers by using Simple Random Sampling Method Based on Main Audience Ratios in sample selection. As a result of the research, it has been determined that the most important factors in the purchasing behavior of consumers are the price of the product, the certificates of the product and the content of the product. Consumers define quality food as a natural, additive-free and healthy product. While 41.41% of the consumers had heard of the concept of GI, 23.54% of these people stated that they had sufficient knowledge about the subject. On the other hand, 6.79% of the consumers stated that they pay more attention to the GI labels in the products they buy than other consumers. 18.10% of consumers who have knowledge about the GI concept perceive the GI label as a quality indicator. On the other hand, 24.22% of consumers reported that they are willing to overpay for GI registered products. As a result, it can be said that more information should be provided on GI in Mersin, where an important development has been experienced especially after the Law enacted in 2016, and this system will be an important local development tool if the deficiencies in this area are eliminated.
Show more [+] Less [-]Advantages of Smart Agricultural Technologies to Agricultural Enterprises Management
2022
Kemalettin Ağızan | Zeki Bayramoğlu | Süheyla Ağızan
The aim of this study; By examining the development of technology use in agriculture, making comparisons according to countries and discussing the applicability of 4.0 technology in the agricultural sector, the advantages of these technologies to business economy and management are determined. As a matter of fact, the increase in the world population and the need for more resources accordingly keeps the issue of productivity on the agenda. Technological methods are needed to increase productivity in agricultural production. These technological methods; It is known as green agriculture, precision agriculture, digital agriculture, smart agriculture or agriculture 4.0, and with the development of these technologies, a very comprehensive data acquisition process has started and it has come to the point of making business decisions according to the analysis of the data and the results of these. At this point, the most important issue to be discussed is the applicability and affordability of smart agriculture technology. As a matter of fact, the production factors (land, capital, labor and entrepreneurship) owned by agricultural enterprises in Turkey are limited and insufficient according to European standards. Therefore, the compatibility of the technologies to be used according to the enterprises is extremely important, and strategies should be determined in order to prevent the use of idle technology. In this context, for the first time in the study, the technological development was examined by classifying the application areas of Agriculture 4.0 technology and their hardware features. As a result, predictions and suggestions about the future of Agriculture 4.0 or smart agriculture will be prepared and the smart agriculture policy will be presented to the sector and public institutions.
Show more [+] Less [-]Multivariate Analysis of Land Use Impact on Soil Water Content and Some Physicochemical Properties of an Alfisol
2022
Joy Chiamaka Echebiri | Gabriel Oladele Awe
Land use could impact soil properties and processes in varying degrees. Therefore, the impact of different land use systems on soil water status and its relationship with some physiochemical properties was studied at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. The land use types included native forest (NF); Paddock (P); Oil palm plantation (OP); Teak (TK); new yam plot (NY) and yam plot under fallow (YF). Structure and disturbed surface soils (0 - 15 cm) samples were taken at three (3) locations in each land use type. Soil water content (SWC) significantly varied among the different land use types, with oil palm plantation storing the highest amount of water. The results also showed significant differences in soil bulk density, organic carbon, porosity, texture and hydraulic conductivity among the land use types. SWC associated positively and significantly with organic matter, silt content and silt + clay. The association between SWC and pH and silt/clay were positive but weak while particle density, bulk density and sand content showed negative and significant association. The principal component regression (PCR) showed a highly significant, positive relationship between SWC and the principal components of other physicochemical properties. Cluster analysis showed that SWC is highly related and linked to OM, Bd, Pd, Pt and silt/clay. The results implied that conversion to paddock and continuous cultivation led to depletion in soil water, physical and chemical properties, whereas cultivation of tree crops conserved these soil properties better. Therefore, establishment of tree crop and conservative soil management practices are suggested to prevent agricultural lands from degradation in areas with soils under similar conditions.
Show more [+] Less [-]Determination of the Effect of Different Drying Methods on the Physicochemical Properties of Potato Powder Using Multivariate Analysis
2022
Katibe Sinem Coruk | Hande Baltacıoğlu
In this study, powder was obtained from yellow and purple-fleshed potatoes by microwave and hot air drying and the effects of drying methods on the total phenolic compounds, total monomeric anthocyanin, color, antioxidant activity, starch ratio and vitamin C on were determined. It was observed that the microwave drying process caused an increase in bioactive components in purple-colored powder samples, and no significant differences were determined in terms of drying methods in bioactive components in yellow-colored powder samples. When the starch ratio of the samples was examined, it was determined that hot air drying caused a significant increase. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were used as multivariate analysis to reveal the effects of different drying techniques and potato varieties on the physicochemical properties of potato powders. As a result, it was found that the physicochemical properties of potato powders differentiated depending on the methods and varieties.
Show more [+] Less [-]Effects of Different Salt Applications on Ion and Physiological Analysis in Lettuce
2022
Turgay Kabay
The increase in salinization in agricultural lands adversely affects crop production. In particular, yield and quality losses occur in many vegetables such as lettuce, which are grown and consumed in every season. Realizing these losses in crop production, more careful fertilization and agricultural practices should be done. Yedikule lettuce seeds were used in the study to draw attention to these negative aspects. The study, which was carried out for two years, was designed with 0, 50, 100 and 150 mmol doses of salt according to a randomized parcel design with three replications and four pots in each replicate. Each 2-liter pot was filled with a 2:1 ratio of peat: perlite mixture and the study was carried out with 2 lettuces in each pot. As a result of the study, when the plant weight data of the first year and the second year are examined, it is seen that the weight loss of lettuce plants and damage to the plants increase when the salt doses increase. It was observed that the highest plant weight loss occurred at 150 mmol salt dose. Membrane damage index in lettuce leaves was observed to increase as the salt dose increased. It was observed that the leaf water rate decreased with increasing salt doses. Membrane damage index and leaf water content of lettuce plants were more negatively affected at 150 mmol of salt in both years. Potassium, calcium and magnesium contents in lettuce leaves were statistically decreased due to increasing salt doses in both years, while sodium content increased with increasing salt doses and the highest sodium content was observed at 150 mmol dose in both years. As seen in these results, increasing salt doses reduce the nutrient content and plant weight in lettuce plants and cause physiological damage to the plant, resulting in yield and quality loss.
Show more [+] Less [-]Investigation of Drying Kinetics and Powder Product Properties of Dragon Fruit Powders Dried by Microwave Assisted Foam Drying Method
2022
Kadriye Altay
In this study, dragon fruit was dried by a microwave-assisted foam drying method and the effect of different microwave powers (350, 460 and 700W) on the drying kinetics and powder product properties were investigated. The properties (foam stability, expansion and density) of the foams obtained by adding egg white to dragon fruit puree were examined. The highest R2 and lowest RMSE and χ2 values of foam dried samples obtained from the Silva models. The effective moisture diffusion coefficient values of the samples (5.93×10-8-1.16×10-7 m2/s) increased due to the increase of microwave power. Activation energy values were calculated as 74.77 W/g. The effects of different microwave powers on moisture, water activity, color and powder product properties of dragon fruit powders dried by foam drying method were determined. In addition, in all conditions where microwave foam drying is performed, dragon fruit powders showed very good flowability and low stickiness.
Show more [+] Less [-]Bioremediation of Heavy Metals by Use of Bacteria
2022
Orcan Demircan | Abdul Razaque Memon
Heavy metal pollution generally occurs due to socio-economic, industrial, and anthropogenic activities, which may cause an environmentally hazardous and serious severe threat to the survival of the organisms (genotoxic, carcinogenic, and clastogenic effects on it). Many physical and chemical remediation approaches have been proposed to deal with this pollution, but these are very time-consuming and costly. While bioremediation stands out as an inexpensive and efficient approach, the use of bacteria is thought to be a potential and productive organism to prevent this pollution. This review has evaluated the bacterial potential to clean up heavy metals from the environment and elucidated the mechanisms responsible for bioremediation.
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