Spring rice in Nepal often faces nitrogen shortages during peak crop demand, limiting yield potential. Azolla, a nitrogen-fixing aquatic fern, offers an eco-friendly alternative, but its effectiveness depends on inoculation and incorporation timing. A field experiment was conducted in Sapahi, Bara, Nepal (March–June, 2023) using a Randomized Complete Block Design with seven treatments and three replications. Plots measured 2 × 3 m (6 m²). Treatments comprised Azolla inoculated at 25, 35, 45, 55, and 65 days after transplanting (DAT) with recommended P & K, a recommended NPK dose (RDF), and a control. Data on growth, yield, and yield components were recorded and analyzed using ANOVA in RStudio. Treatment means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at the 5% significance level. RDF recorded the highest grain yield (4.25 t/ha) and effective tillers (302.67 m-2), significantly higher than all other treatments (p < 0.001; LSD = 0.050). The best Azolla treatment, 25 DAT + P & K (4.02 t/ha), outperformed later Azolla applications and the control (1.87 t/ha). T1 also achieved more effective tillers (259.67m-²), longer panicles (23.72 cm), and lower sterility (25.44%) than other Azolla timings (p < 0.001). Azolla application at 25 DAT with P & K improves yield and reduces reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, making it a sustainable option for spring rice production in Nepal.

Systemic fungicides are frequently used to manage soilborne diseases in vegetables but there application represents an environmental risk and negatively affects biological control agents such as Trichoderma. This research evaluated how several common fungicides including azoxystrobin+metalaxyl-M+fludioxonil (A+M+F), fludioxonil+metalaxyl-M (F+M), propamocarb hydrochloride+cymoxanil (P+C), captan (C), copper oxychloride (CO), and tolclofos-methyl (T) impact native Trichoderma species. Our results showed that Tolclofos-methyl inhibited mycelial growth of all Trichoderma species, showing a 63.5-68.7% reduction. It also severely hindered conidia germination (62.2-77.7%). Fludioxonil+metalaxyl-M was another strong inhibitor of conidia germination (64.4-77.7%). The azoxystrobin+metalaxyl-M+fludioxonil and captan also severely limited the conidia germination of T. harzianum Tr124, T. afroharzianum (Tr132 and Tr138), T. virens (Tvr2 and Tvr3). Copper oxychloride showed the least effect in inhibiting mycelial growth of native Trichoderma isolates (1.0-12.3%) and conidia germination (8.9-17.7%). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that fungicides commonly used in Türkiye to combat damping-off and root rot in vegetables can affect the Trichoderma population in agricultural areas. Future studies should focus on monitoring the population dynamics of biocontrol agents of insecticides and herbicides applied to soil in vegetable production.

The study was conducted to characterize the timing and duration of flowering events in different strawberry varieties and to assess the anatomical and morphological features of strawberry flowers focusing on key structures involved in reproduction. Six promising varieties named Linosa (V1), BARI 1 (V2), Sweet Charlie (V3), Sweetheart (V4), American Festival (V5) and RABI 3 (V6) having RCBD design were selected. Different parameters including flowers and fruits were recorded. The Sweet Charlie genotype, which was ever bearing in nature and gave production of flower from March to April, the Linosa, BARI 1, and RABI 3 genotypes produced flower approximately from February to May; the Sweetheart genotype produced from February to April and the American Festival genotype from February to March. The Linosa variety was shown to have good performance in terms of early flowering (42 days after planting), prolonged blooming, and flowering durations. 50% of BARI 1 variety showed the earliest flowering (78.2 days). Long pedicel (78.36 mm) with the highest epicalyx (7), calyx (7) and petal number (7), with largest calyx size (101.38 mm2) and androecium surface area (6.25 mm2) were found in V2 genotype. Other parameters like epicalyx size (201.41 mm2), androecium number (29) and receptacle diameter (7.83 mm2) were found highest in V1 genotype. In terms of fruit characteristics, BARI 1 produced the longest, widest and heaviest fruit (4.60 cm, 3.67 cm and 21.37 g respectively), while Sweet Charlie had the smallest fruit dimensions and weight. Vitamin C concentration also varied, with BARI 1 showing the highest concentration (13.49 mg 100 g-1). In terms of total yield plant-1, Linosa emerged as the most productive variety. It is concluded that, based on the floral biology traits, fruit growth and environmental factors two varieties (Linosa and RABI 3) might be suitable for cultivation at Sylhet region of Bangladesh.

Nutritional changes of olive pomace during solid-state fermentation by Lactobacillus acidophilus with different fermentation times and enzyme supplementation were investigated in this study. A 3 x 2 factorial design was performed to investigate the effect of fermentation time (3, 5, and 7 days) and enzyme supplementation (with or without) with five replicates in each group. Before fermentation, olive pomace was ground to a 1 mm particle size and sterilized after mixing with distilled water at 121 °C for 15 min. The enzyme mixture (phytase, xylanase, and beta-glucanase) sterilized by UV lights was added to half of the fermentation medium. The olive pomace was inoculated with L. acidophilus and incubated at 30 °C for 3, 5, and 7 days. Solid-state fermentation using L. acidophilus increased (P<0.001) the crude protein and crude fiber content, decreased (P=0.007) the ether extract content, and had no influence (P=0.094) on the ash content of olive pomace. The highest crude protein content was observed (P<0.001) in fermented olive pomace for 3 days with enzyme and for 5 days without enzyme supplementation. Fermented olive pomace for 7 days without enzymes had the lowest (P<0.001) crude fiber content. The highest ether extract level was found (P=0.001) in fermented olive pomace for 3 days with or without enzyme. Enzyme supplementation caused (P=0.001) higher ash level in fermented olive pomace. Besides, a linear increase was observed (P=0.024) in ash content with increased fermentation time. The highest ash level in fermented olive pomace was found (P=0.048) at 7 days of fermentation. The result showed that L. acidophilus improved the nutritional composition of olive pomace in solid-state fermentation. Considering the highest crude protein content and relatively lower crude fiber and higher ether extract content, 3 days of fermentation with enzyme is the most effective fermentation conditions with L. acidophilus for olive pomace.

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of silicon (Si) applied to leaves and roots in controlling common bacterial blight disease caused by Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. phaseoli (Xpp), a significant bacterial pathogen of beans. Silicon dioxide (SiO₂) was applied at concentrations of 30 mM and 15 mM using two methods: (i) foliar spraying and (ii) root drenching. Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Gina was grown in a soilless substrate-based system. The application method of SiO₂ had a significant impact on disease severity. Foliar applications of SiO₂ did not influence disease development. However, root applications reduced disease severity by 44% and 62% at 15 mM and 30 mM doses, respectively, compared to the Xpp -inoculated control group. SiO₂ foliar applications had no significant effect on shoot fresh and dry weight or leaf number (LN) at either dose compared to the negative control (NC). However, root application of 30 mM SiO₂ significantly increased LN. Despite these findings, neither application method nor dose created a notable difference in plant growth parameters under disease pressure. In conclusion, SiO₂ must primarily be applied to the root system to exert its disease-suppressing effect. This positive impact appears to be independent of plant growth parameters. These findings suggest that SiO₂ root application holds significant potential for controlling common bean blight caused by Xpp in the context of sustainable agriculture.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of various biostimulants, both alone and in combination with organic fertilizers, on biomass accumulation and yield components of Cucumis melo L. Galia C8 and Kırkağaç 637 under the ecological conditions of Adıyaman, Turkey. Plants were grown in 8-liter pots and uprooted on the 30th and 60th days after planting to assess various morphological and physiological parameters in 2011. For yield parameter, experiments were carried out in open field conditions in the spring growing years of 2011 and 2013.Treatments consisted of different biostimulants Bacillus subtilis (OSU 142), Bacillus megaterium (M3), Azospirillum spp. (SP245), Bioplin, Phosfert, EM1, Bio-one, Endoroots, Sim-derma, and Spirulina sp. applied either alone or in combination with organic fertilizers (OF) (Çamlıbesi Bioactive Compost, Liquid Organic Fertilizer, and K-Humate), along with conventional fertilization (DAP + urea) and an untreated control as reference treatments. The results demonstrated significant improvements in morphological parameters, vegetative growth, and biomass production with combined applications of biostimulants and organic fertilizers. Among all treatments, Spirulina + OG and Sim-derma + OG led to the most pronounced improvements in stem diameter (up to 46%), stem length (25%), internode number (42%), root length (up to 44%), and total biomass (up to 188%) relative to the control. Biomass accumulation was assessed through two destructive harvests, revealing statistically significant differences among treatments in root, stem, leaf, and total fresh and dry weights. While no substantial difference was observed between the cultivars for some traits, interactions between cultivar and treatment were found to be statistically significant for several biomass-related traits. Total yield was calculated as 2359.16 kg/da for Galia C8 and 2283.97 kg/da for Kırkağaç 637. The average yield increased from 1441 kg/da in the first year to 3201 kg/da in the second year. Compared to the control treatments, the total yield showed an increase of 91.94% for Galia C8 and 26.75% for Kırkağaç 637. These findings suggest that integrating biostimulants with organic fertilizers can enhance melon growth, yield components, and biomass partitioning, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilization practices, particularly under semi-arid conditions.

The nutritional composition of fermented grape seed, cherry kernel, and maize seed mixture (GCM) with Aspergillus niger strains was investigated in this study. The fermentation substrate was prepared by mixing 20 g of maize seed, 40 g of grape seed, and 40 g of cherry kernel. A mixture of the different A. niger strains (ATCC 200344, 200345, 201572, 52172) was used in this study. The nutrient salt was added to the substrate and mixed. The mixture was sterilized at 121 °C for 15 min using an autoclave. Each A. niger suspension containing 106 spores per ml was prepared and inoculated into the sterilized substrate. The substrates were incubated at 30 °C for seven days. Crude protein, crude ash, ether extract, and crude fiber were analyzed in the unfermented and fermented substrates. Nitrogen-free extract was estimated by subtracting the percentages of crude protein, ether extract, crude ash, and crude fiber from 100%. The crude protein content of GCM was increased (P<0.001) after solid-state fermentation with A. niger. Solid-state fermentation also increased (P<0.001) the ether extract content of GCM. In addition, fermented GCM had higher (P=0.001) crude ash content than unfermented GCM. However, crude fiber content of GCM was reduced (P<0.001) by solid-state fermentation. Similarly, A. niger decreased (P<0.001) the nitrogen-free extract in GCM. The results showed that solid-state fermentation with A. niger improved the nutritional quality of GCM.

Cheese is a widely consumed and nutritious staple meal created through several methods and components globally. The utilization of alternate botanical sources in cheese production has gained prominence in recent years. Plant seeds are noteworthy for cheese manufacturing due to their rich array of nutritional and functional components. The study aims to investigate plant seeds utilized in functional cheese production and to illuminate research on new product creation. Seeds can be utilized directly, as well as flour, extract, gum, mucilage, or oils derived from seeds in cheese production. The incorporation of plant seeds in cheeses enhances the levels of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, vital fatty acids, as well as phenolic and antioxidant compounds. The incorporation of plant seeds enhances the physicochemical properties of certain cheeses, augments antimicrobial efficacy, positively influences oxidative stability during storage, lowers production costs, inhibits surface mold formation as a coating agent, and improves cheese texture and sensory attributes. This study examined the incorporation of Chia, flaxseed, basil, sesame, black cumin, quinoa, Moringa oleifera seeds, and various other seeds into cheese. The impact of these seeds on cheese quality was examined.

This study examines whether Geographical Indication (GI) certification is associated with improved export performance measured by export value, volume, and unit price for five Turkish horticultural products (cherries, pomegranates, grapes, beans, and watermelons) during 2020–2024. The purpose of the study is to investigate whether GI certification contributes to measurable improvements in export competitiveness, particularly in terms of value, quantity, and unit price, and to determine the extent to which these effects vary across different product types and certification durations. Drawing on secondary data from official trade databases, the analysis employs descriptive statistics, trend-based regression, and comparative time-series visualization to assess post-GI dynamics. Results indicate that GI effects are product-specific and sensitive to the duration of certification: cherries, with long-standing GI protection (since 2004), consistently achieve the highest unit prices, suggesting durable premiums; grapes and pomegranates (recently certified) show early signs of price differentiation despite volume variability; beans and watermelons exhibit limited or no improvement in export metrics, implying that GI status alone is insufficient for competitiveness. Overall, GI labeling can enhance trade performance when paired with supportive market strategies (branding, quality assurance, international promotion) and sufficient time to mature. Given the short horizon, lack of firm-level data, and absence of formal counterfactuals, findings are exploratory rather than causal.

The decreasing food resources are the main factors that negatively affect the increasing population and production capacity around the world. In particular, due to global warming and climate change, the required nutrient resources are limited. This triggers the search for alternative resources in animal production. One of the main problems faced by animal production is the inadequacy of feed resources. In recent years, various alternative feed sources have been found to solve this problem. However, it has only been a solution for nutrition. In recent studies, biochar has been found to be both a feed source and capable of preventing global environmental problems. Biochar is generally a solid by-product with added value, formed because of the thermochemical conversion of waste biomass resulting from industrial, forest, plant and animal production. Biochar; while previously used as litter material in animal production, in recent years it has started to be used as an alternative feed source. It has begun to be used as a food source for many animals species, especially ruminants, monogastrics, poultry and aquaculture. The results of many studies indicate that biochar provides significant improvement in yield and performance characteristics such as meat, milk and eggs. It is most striking features include significantly reducing emissions generated during the breeding of different animals species and increasing environmental sustainability. The aim of this study was to provide information about the use of biochar as an alternative feed source in animal nutrition.