A hybrid camel Tülü (Bactrian male x Dromedary female F1) males are preferred in camel wrestling, which is a culture unique to Anatolia. In this study, changes of live weight (LW), daily weight gain (DWG), and body measurements (BMs) of Tülü calves in the first 6 months of age in a farm in Aydın province, Türkiye, were determined as well as developing equations to estimate LW from body measurements. Tülü calves average birth weight (BW) was 34.7±1.80 kg and reached 175.3±3.38 kg at the age of 6 months with a 0.768±0.03 kg DWG during this time. Although the monthly total weight gains and monthly DWG averages of the calves in the first 6 months were similar, the changes in monthly LW and BMs were statistically significant (P<0.01). Abdominal girth (AG) alone can be used to predict LW in the analysis performed to estimate LW from body measurements by stepwise regression (R²=95.62%). In conclusion, Tülü calves had relatively high growth rate in their first six months of age, and unlike other livestock species, instead of hearth girth (HG), AG that includes the hump can be used to estimate LW of Tülü calves.

The present study aims to evaluate the energy production potential from walnut (Juglans regia L.) residues, specifically pruning waste and shell biomass, in Kırşehir province, Türkiye. Data collected between 2019 and 2023 were analyzed to quantify the biomass availability and its corresponding energy potential across various districts in the region. The findings reveal that total biomass production from pruning residues increased from 1220.36 t in 2019 to 1322.69 t in 2023, resulting in an energy potential growth from 19,904.02 GJ to 21,573.11 GJ. A similar trend was observed in shell biomass, which rose from 483.11 t to 523.62 t, resulting in an energy potential increase from 9164.60 GJ to 9933.12 GJ. The Kaman district consistently dominated, accounting for over 55% of the total energy potential, while Boztepe and Çiçekdağı exhibited the lowest contributions. The total energy production potential from walnut residues in 2023 was estimated at 31,506.22 GJ (31.51 TJ), corresponding to an annual electricity generation capacity of approximately 8751.74 MWh. The study emphasizes the higher energy potential of pruning residues compared to shell biomass and highlights regional disparities in biomass availability, underscoring the need for targeted strategies to optimize resource utilization. The findings indicate that the utilization of walnut residues for bioenergy purposes has the potential to substantially mitigate fossil fuel dependency and to promote sustainable energy development in the region.

Nüfus artışı, hızlı ve plansız kentleşme ile birlikte kent içerisindeki yeşil alanlar başta olmak üzere diğer tüm doğal alanlar yapılaşma nedeniyle niteliğini kaybetmiş veya azalmıştır. Kentte yaşayan insanlar için bu alanların azalması ve niteliğinin ortadan kalkması rekreatif ihtiyaçların karşılanamamasına neden olmuştur. Bu durum kent içinde veya yakın alanlarındaki tabiat parklarının, mesire alanlarının ve ormanlık alanlarının daha kıymetli hale gelmesine imkan tanımıştır. Bu çalışmanın amacını, Adıyaman ili, Gölbaşı ilçesi sınırları içinde kalan Gölbaşı Gölleri Tabiat Parkı’nın Gülez yöntemine göre rekreasyonel potansiyelinin belirlenmesi oluşturmaktadır. Gülez yönteminde, rekreasyonel alanın peyzaj değeri, iklim değeri, ulaşılabilirlik durumu, rekreatif kolaylık ve olumsuz etkenlerin puanlandırılmasıyla rekreasyon potansiyeli hesaplanmaktadır. Bu hesaplamaya göre, Gölbaşı Gölleri Tabiat Parkı’nın rekreasyonel potansiyeli toplamda “67” puan alarak “yüksek” kategoride değerlendirilmiştir. Gölbaşı Gölleri Tabiat Parkı’nda gerçekleştirilen arazi çalışmaları sonucunda, yöntemde belirtilen bazı ögelerinin nitelik olarak eksik olduğu ve olumsuz etken ögelerinin oldukça fazla olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Gölbaşı Gölleri Tabiat Parkı’nın rekreasyonel faaliyet potansiyeli tespit edilenden daha fazladır. Sahadaki olumsuz etkenlerin azaltılmasıyla alanın rekreasyonel faaliyet potansiyelinin “19” puan daha artırılabileceği, bu sayede Gölbaşı Gölleri Tabiat Parkı’nın toplam puanın “86” olarak potansiyelinin “çok yüksek” sınıfına ulaşabileceği öngörülmektedir.

In this study, the effects of pre-slaughter fasting periods (8, 12, and 16 h) on stress levels, body weight loss, slaughter, carcass, and meat quality characteristics were investigated in broiler chickens with different growth rates (medium and fast-growing). In the experiment, 15 male and 15 female broilers each from the ANADOLU-T A1 (medium growing) dam line and ROSS-308 hybrid (fast growing) at 42 days of age were used. Body weight losses did not differ significantly among fasting periods, but medium-growing broilers exhibited higher body weight losses across all fasting groups (P<0.05). The carcass yield was higher in fast-growing broilers (P<0.05), while abdominal fat ratios were higher in medium-growing broilers (P<0.05). The amount of residual feed in the gizzard, digestive system, and gizzard ratios decreased with increasing fasting duration (P<0.05). Digestive system ratios also differed between genotypes (P<0.05). An increase in breast ratio was observed with longer fasting periods (P<0.05). On the other hand, the fast-growing genotype had higher breast ratios, lower wing ratios, lower back ratios, and lower neck ratios (P<0.05). Fasting periods did not significantly affect the L*, a*, and b* color values of breast and thigh meat, but differences between genotypes were significant, with higher values observed in the fast-growing genotype (P<0.05). Breast pH values did not differ among fasting periods but were higher in the fast-growing genotype (P<0.05). Thigh pH values, however, varied significantly between fasting periods and genotypes (P<0.05). The medium-growing genotype had higher thigh pH values, and thigh pH increased with longer fasting periods (P<0.05). White striping and woody breast scores in breast muscles were higher in the fast-growing genotype, with partial increases observed as fasting duration increased. In conclusion, the results indicate that a 12-h pre-slaughter fasting period is sufficient for digestive tract clearance and carcass quality. However, meat quality defects in fast-growing genotypes should be monitored.

Spartium junceum L. is a plant traditionally used for different medicinal purposes. While limited research data explicates its antioxidizing ability, interest in this plant is induced mainly due to its possible role, especially against stress-causing oxidative effects. The objectives of this study were to compare antioxidant activity in flowers and leaves of Spartium junceum L., as well as time under different storage conditions implemented for antioxidative mechanisms. Spartium junceum L. plants were obtained from the Kahramanmaras, Turkey region; subsequently, the flowering and leaf parts of the plant were separated and analyzed. Plant homogenates were prepared, and the activities of SOD and CAT enzymes, as well as MDA levels, were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Enzyme activity upon storage at +4°C, -20°C, and -70° temperature enzyme samples were carried out separately and operated for less than one month in our laboratory. Flowers exhibited higher SOD and CAT activities than leaves. Flowers also showed higher levels of MDA. It may be due to the structural and biochemical differences, where flowers experience extra oxidative stress. The optimal enzyme retention under storage conditions was at -70°C, and a decrease in temperature increased the stability of this biocatalyst. In contrast, MDA levels increased at low temperatures at total capacity. The antioxidant properties of the flower extract had stronger antioxidant potential than those of the leaf part, which also means that chemically active substances show much higher concentrations in this plant section. Storage temperature significantly affects the stability of enzymes, and it was stated that low temperatures mainly maintain antioxidant activity. The results obtained from this study recommend Spartium junceum L. as a valuable antioxidant food resource.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of soybean hay supplementation on growth performance, feed intake, and nutrient utilization in local sheep fed grass hay as a basal diet. Twenty-five yearling intact male local sheep were assigned to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized block design: 100% concentrate (+ve control; T1), 75% concentrate + 25% soybean hay (T2), 50% concentrate + 50% soybean hay (T3), 25% concentrate + 75% soybean hay (T4), and 100% soybean hay (T5). The study lasted 90 days, followed by a 7 day digestibility trial. Dry matter intake did not differ significantly (P>0.05) among treatments, with values ranging from 939.06 to 1,049.19 g/day. Organic matter intake was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T1, T2, T3, and T4 compared to T5. Soybean hay inclusion exceeding 50% resulted in significantly greater ash intake (P<0.001). Crude protein (CP) intake was highest in T1 (84.82–109.56 g/day; P<0.01), while T1, T3, and T4 exhibited higher digestible CP and metabolic body weight (P<0.05) than T2 and T5. Apparent CP digestibility was significantly higher (P<0.01) in T1 and T3 compared to T2, T4, and T5. Final body weight and average daily gain were significantly higher (P<0.05) in T1, T3, and T4 compared to T2 and T5. T1, T2, T3, and T4 also showed significantly greater total body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency than T5 (P<0.05). Economic analysis revealed marginal rates of return of 1.21 for T3 and 1.51 for T4, both exceeding the minimum acceptable rate for farmers. Considering both growth performance and economic feasibility, T1 (100% concentrate) and T4 (25% concentrate + 75% soybean hay) are recommended as viable supplementation strategies to enhance sheep productivity.

The present study aimed to determine the variation in calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K), which are crucial macronutrients for plants, in soil and plant organs at a copper mining site. In the study, the soil was sampled from various soil depths in the spoil field, the rehabilitation site in which planting was carried out and adult trees were present, and the forest area. Furthermore, bark, leaf, root, and wood samples were taken from black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold.), scots (Pinus silvestris L.), and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) species growing in the rehabilitation and forest areas. The work determined general variation in the concentrations of elements in soils and organs according to the plant species, and variation in element concentrations depending on the soil depth was statistically significant only in Ca. However, the determined element concentrations were quite high. In line with the average values, the variation in Mg in plants was not statistically significant, while the highest Ca and K concentrations were obtained from Robinia pseudoacacia species.

Urban and peri-urban agriculture is vital for enhancing food security in rapidly growing cities by bridging the food production gap between urban and rural areas. This study employed a snowball sampling technique to gather data from urban farmers in Mogadishu to assess the constraints and opportunities for growing horticultural crops in the city. Utilizing this sampling method, the research identifies key challenges and motivating factors for urban horticulture. Findings indicate that temperature, wind, pest and disease outbreaks, and limited irrigation water significantly restrict production. Farmers using greenhouses experience fewer obstacles due to enhanced protection from environmental factors, improving crop quality. In contrast, those farming in open fields struggle with high irrigation demands, pest infestations, and low-quality yields unattractive to buyers. Leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) and whiteflies are the most prevalent insect populations, sometimes requiring the removal of infested plants to control their spread. The study also observed that urban farmers use two conventional protected farming types, plastic greenhouses and net houses with steel frames, in which plastic greenhouses face issues such as inadequate gutter height and poor ventilation. To combat extreme temperatures, farmers employ primitive methods such as fogging, applying lime solutions, and adjusting greenhouse openings. Additionally, factors like increased market availability, the rise of supermarkets and hotels, rural displacement, diaspora return, and drought-induced vegetable scarcity in rural areas have motivated urban residents in Mogadishu to pursue farming within and around the city.