This research was carried out in Haymana Research Farm of Ankara University. Three different varieties of wheat were used in the study. These varieties were; Kırgız-95, Kırkpınar-79, and Svevo. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between soil electrical conductivity values and vegetation index. In the study, EM38, electrical conductivity sensor, and GreenSeeker, vegetation index sensor were used. The obtained values were evaluated statistically, and the relationships between the two parameters were determined. As a result of the research, the relationships between the electrical conductivity of the soil and plant growth index values were found to be negative (R2) as 0.7718 for Kyrgyz-95, 0.7675 for Kırkpınar-79 and 0.7807 for Svevo.

In this study, the relationship between temperature and humidity levels and live weight losses of day-old chicks in broiler pure lines with different feathering rates were investigated. The research material consisted of 3 female pure-lines (A1: slow feathering, A2: fast feathering, A3: slow feathering) and 2 male pure-lines (B1: fast feathering, B2: fast feathering) used in broiler breeding. The hatching chicks were individually numbered, sex-seperated, live weight determined and vaccinations were performed at 26-28°C temperature and 60-65% humidity levels in hatchery. The chickens from different genotypes were placed in cardboard boxes of 68×49×16 cm size with 3 unit and 150 chicks were used in the male-female mixed in 10 chicks in each unit. The chicks were transported in an air-conditioned vehicle for 9 hours between Eskişehir and Samsun, with an average temperature of 28.8°C and a humidity of 40.8%. When the chicks arrived to barn, weight losses are determined individually during transport. The effect of genotypes and feathering rates on live weight loss was found significant. The highest weight loss was determined 1.6 g and 3.8% in B1 and B2 genotypes equally without gender effect. Also, A2 and A3 genotypes were similar too; genotypes with the lowest weight loss of 0,7 g and 0.8 g and 1.6% respectively. Besides, the live weight loss in genotypes with fast feathering was found 1.3 g and 3.1%, which was significantly higher than the slow-feathering (0.9 g and 2.1%). The weight loss fast-feathering male pure-lines is higher than fast-feathering female pure-lines; it is thought that the increase in the metabolic rate due to the selection for live weight increase and faster depletion of the body reserves may be effective in these lines.

Main goals of the present study were (1) to initially investigate the nutrient contents and bioactive compounds in the bulb and cloves of garlic, and (2) to study the growth parameter after planting. Garlic bulbs were firstly separated into three categories as pickled, big and small, while the big garlic cloves were also classified into three categories as big, small and central. Secondly, the garlic samples were analyzed before planting for their element profile, proline, soluble protein, free amino acid, β-carotene, lycopene, total phenolic, soluble sugars, SOD and α-amylase activities. Finally, the growth parameters were measured using the cultivated cloves and the pickled bulbs. According to the result, the highest soluble protein, N, phenolic, lycopene and α amylase activity (97.06 mg, 2.58%, 971 mg, 0.368 mg and 38.13 EU, respectively) were recorded in the biggest cloves. The highest proline, amino acid, glucose content (93.84 µmol, 23.54 mg, 230.89 mg, respectively) and K, P, S, Mg, Mn, Fe and Zn (21940 ppm, 7577 ppm, 12200 ppm, 504 ppm, 38.1ppm, 377,7ppm and 44.5 ppm, respectively) were found in the pickled bulb. The maximum level of β-carotene (0.282 mg), Ca, Cl and Sr (11260ppm, 818.7ppm and 47.9 ppm) were determined in the small bulbs. Based on the growth parameters of seedlings, the highest value of shoot and root length (39.12 cm and 24.11 cm respectively), the fresh weight of shoot and root (5.29 g and 4.54 g respectively) and dry weight of shoot and root (1.70 g and 1.24 g respectively) were noted with the big cloves. The results of the current study have indicated that the pickled cloves have higher macro and micro nutrients, proline, amino acid and glucose, while the big cloves of garlic have higher proline, phenolic, N%, lycopene and amylase activity. It can be said that the big cloves showed good value for the five bioactive compounds, but the pickled exhibited good value for the macro and micro element and glucose.

This study was carried out to investigate the changes in semen characteristics, hormonal profile and testicular morphometry of West African Dwarf (WAD) goat bucks treated with danazol. For this purpose, eighteen matured WAD bucks average of about two years were randomly divided into groups A, B and C comprising of six bucks per group. Group A was the control while B and C bucks were given danazol at a dose rate of 20mg/kg body weight orally daily for four weeks. The group B bucks’ testes were harvested thereafter for gross and histo-morphometric studies while those of group C were left intact but danazol treatment was withdrawn for four more weeks. The bucks’ semen samples (collected by electro-ejaculation) and hormonal samples (taken via the jugular vein) were analyzed. The semen characteristics studied included color, volume, mass activity, motility, percentage normal live-dead ratio, morphology and concentration; while the hormones studied included testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. Results show that there were significant decreases in semen characteristics of group B and C bucks compared with those of group A in the first four weeks. The semen characteristics of the group C bucks were reversed to normal range (similar to those of group A bucks) two weeks after danazol treatment was withdrawn. Similar results were observed with the hormonal studies. In conclusion, danazol caused a reversed reduction in sperm cells characteristics suggesting its possible use as a contraceptive in WAD goat bucks.

Pleurotus tuber-regium has been used as fodder and traditionally used as medicinal supplement. The aim of this study was to screen in vitro proximate biochemical composition and nutritional potentiality of P. tuber-regium extract for further in vivo analysis of impact of the extract on serum lipid and testosterone profile of rats. Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol were measured photometrically. Testosterone was measured by chemiluminescence immune assay. P. tuber-regium extract contains different biochemicals such as proteins, carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids, phenols etc. and showed highly quantified calorific value (297.89±1.92 calori/100g). Acute toxicity test showed no mortality and toxic behavioural symptoms. Significant decrease in total cholesterol (75.52±0.39mg/dL), LDL cholesterol (34.58±1.69mg/dL) and triglyceride (81.31±1.25) were observed in rat group treated with 200mg/kg dose of extract. 400mg/kg dose of extract showed higher efficacy than 200mg/kg dose of extract and significantly decreased total cholesterol (72.25±1.11mg/dL), LDL cholesterol (26.37±1.21mg/dL) and triglyceride (69.42±0.72). The extract showed testosterone enhance efficacy. 400mg/kg dose of extract showed high level testosterone (178.96±0.68 ng/dL) enhance efficacy than 200mg/kg dose (174.64±0.64ng/dL). Due to hypocholesterolaemia and testosterone elevating properties of P. tuber-regium extract, it can be said that, mushroom P. tuber-regium can be consumed as healthy diet supplement to maintain cholesterol level and to maintain good male reproductive health.

Small walnut aphid (Chromaphis juglandicola (Kalt.) (Hem.: Aphididae) and Dusky-veined walnut aphid (Panaphis juglandis) (Goeze) (Hemiptera: Callaphididae) are important pests in walnut orchards in Lake Van Basin, Turkey. Aphids, which are colonized separately in the upper and lower parts of the walnut leaf, cause loss of quality and quantity in the walnut when their population is dense. In this study, population growth rate parameters based on feeding with both aphids of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), which is one of the important predators of the pest, were determined. The experiments were carried out in climatic rooms under 25±10°C, 65±5% humidity and 16: 8 (L: D) h (5,000 lux) lighting time conditions. Life table parameters were estimated according to age-stage, two-sex life table method. The values obtained for the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (R0) and mean generation time (T) were 0.082 d-1, 1.082 d-1, 59.47 offspring and 49.76 d, respectively of C. carnea fed on Chromaphis juglandicola and Panaphis juglandis. Results obtained might be used in pest management program that will be prepared for the aphids.

Proteins consumed by poultry turns into ammonia as a result of microbial activities depending on the pH, temperature, moisture content of the litter, litter type, manure condition, relative humidity and ventilation condition and spreads to the environment as ammonia gas. Ammonia gas, which is one of the problems caused by poultry breeding, is a harmful gas in terms of animal welfare, health of employees and its effects on the environment. In this article, ammonia gas emission in poultry and practices to reduce this emission have been discussed and recommendations have been made.

In this study, we examined how the new type of coronavirus (COVID-19), which originated in Vuhan, China, affected the whole world in a short time, affected individuals ‘ recreational activities and how much these activities changed after the normalization process. After the first case was announced in our country on March 10, 2020, many measures were taken, and within the scope of these measures, bans and partial bans occurred. The coronavirus, which has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization and has become a deadly virus all over the world, has also directly affected the recreational activities of people. The study, the longing of individuals to green areas during this epidemic period was evaluated by comparing the conditions before and after the normalization process of recreational activities. In addition, the findings obtained in accordance with the survey conducted in the study indicate that the new coronavirus affects both the recreational activities and psychological conditions of people.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) has been cultivated as an important cereal crop for more than 9,000 years and more than half of the world’s population depend on rice as it is their primary source of energy. Almost 30% of the current world cereal production is represented by the rice alone. It is estimated that the world’s population will reach 9.1 billion by 2050 i.e. 34 percent higher than today and for ensuring an ample amount of food and nutrition to such large population, global consumption of cereals will need to increase from 2.6 to 2.9 billion tonnes by 2027. On the other hand, the impacts of climate change in agriculture are expected to be negative, threatening the global food security. Besides, agriculture and global food security will be severely affected due to the COVID-19 pandemics as its after-effects are yet to be ascertained. The world needs an introduction of a new “Green revolution” in agriculture to increase crop production for food security and biofuel, because conventional breeding method have not brought much of gains not keeping its pace with the world population growth. Hence, the current study was done to review the various ongoing approaches and possible ways of designing a rice with enhanced productivity and photosynthetic capacity. One of the ways to increase yields, photosynthetic capacity accompanied by an increased Water Use Efficiency (WUE) and Nutrient Use Efficiency could be to introduce C4 traits into rice. Besides, genetic engineering using CRISPR-Cas9, molecular breeding, developing ideotype, heterosis breeding, developing apomictic rice, nitrogen fixing rice, use of nanotechnology as well as precision farming are the probable future approaches for designing a rice with high productivity. However, there are challenges and limitations in developing such rice and further research in this matter could help us get closer to developing the future rice.

In this study, wheat flour was substituted with the following ratios of the raw (RCBH) and leached (LCBH) cocoa bean hull (CBH) in pound cakes (PC) (CBH/wheat flour ratios: 20/80 (20%), 30/70 (30%) and 40/60 (40%)), respectively. The proximate composition and the content of bioactive compounds in the cake samples for each weight ratio of RCBH and LCBH and in the hulls were evaluated. Fiber, ash, total antioxidant activity (TAA) and total phenolic compound (TPC) contents increased with the CBH content in the cakes. No significant difference was found in the specific volume among the cake samples. Based on the results of the textural analysis, all cake samples showed higher hardness, lower springiness and cohesiveness than those of the control cake. Regarding to the color of the crumb and crust, the 40% LCBH and RCBH cakes presented the lowest L*, a* and b* values. According to the Principal Component Analysis (PCA), it was observed that the properties with respect to the cell uniformity, adhesiveness, sweetness, oiliness and humidity of the 20LCBH and 20RCBH cakes can be distinguished clearly from the other flour substituted cakes.