Turkey is the largest hazelnut producer, and the Trabzon is one of the important provinces with an annual production of 47.000 tons. The citrus longhorned beetle [Anoplophora chinensis (Forster, 1771) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)] is not an indigenous pest to Turkey. It is a poliphagous woodboring beetle with a large host range including ornamental plants and fruit trees such as Citrus and Corylus. The insect was intercepted for the first time on maple and willow plants in a nursery in Istanbul in 2014. Domestic trade of those plants caused the spread of the insect from Istanbul to Trabzon in 2016. Since then, the insect has been spreading at speed in villages of Maçka district. However, the spread of the insect could have not been prevented. The insect was detected in 250 ha in 2020, but the area enlarged to 409 ha in 2021. Quarantine measures and eradication studies have been applied in the region that chemicals were sprayed and infested plants were destroyed. Currently, hazelnut orchards of 286 ha were dismantled and more than 172,000 ocaks were removed and destroyed in Akmescit, Alaçam, Armağan, Bahçekaya, Durali, Esiroğlu, Günay, Hızarlı, Işıklar, Öğütlü and Temelli villages. To compensate the losses, objective yield estimates were made by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry officials and 2.6 $ per kg was set to pay to the growers for the period of 4 years. By the end of 2021, 539 growers were paid of about 1.975,000 $ for compensation. Although the infestation and the spread of the insect is monitored it poses a real threat to hazelnut sector in the Black Sea region.

Truffles are a highly valued fungi group because of their gastronomic and economic importance. Even though the demands for truffles, particularly Tuber melanosporum and T. aestivum, has been increased year by year, the natural production of these valued fungi has decreased. So, truffle cultivation is becoming an agricultural alternative in Europe, and the rural economy was supported by cultivating truffle. In Turkey, truffle cultivation was becoming popular in recent years. However, there is not enough literature for understanding the basics of truffle cultivation in Turkey. Hence, it is aimed to discuss the selection of suitable truffle land. Because land selection can be considered as the first step of truffle cultivation and unsuitable land can be limited truffle cultivation success. So, the ecological features of economically important truffles, T. aestivum, T. borchii, T. magnatum, and T. melanosporum, are given in this study based on current literature and field experience.

Membrane separation techniques are used to separate certain components (protein, fat, water, etc.) in liquid products such as milk and to obtain these components in pure form, and also to remove microorganisms in these liquid products. In addition, these techniques are used to concentrate milk in the dairy industry. In membrane separation, components pass through pores of a certain size and are separated according to molecular weights. The basic principle in separation techniques is based on the fact that the liquid is passed through the pores of the membrane under certain pressure, the desired components (retantat) are kept in the pores and other components (permeate) pass through the membrane. The techniques used are grouped into four main categories: Microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF) and hyperfiltration (reverse osmosis). Among the advantages of the membrane separation technique are the low electricity consumption, the possibility of use in various areas, and the fact that it does not cause undesired changes in the product characteristics. There are disadvantages such as the cost of initial installation, fouling of the membrane pores, and the membrane cleaning takes a long time.

Phlomis crinita is a plant species of the family Lamiaceae including more than 100 perennial herbs, shrubs, and sub-shrubs species native to the Mediterranean, Central Asia, and India. This species is commonly a good natural source of various secondary metabolites. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine phenolic content and antioxidant activity of hydromethanolic (PC ME) and aqueous extracts (PC AQE) of aerial parts of P. crinita. Total polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins were quantified, respectively by the methods of Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, aluminum trichloride (AlCl3) and Bate-Smith method. The in vitro antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and ABTS•+ radical scavenging, β-carotene-linoleic acid, reducing power and ferrous ion chelating activity assays. PC ME showed high level of tannins (132,13 ±0.68 µg TAE/mg extract) and total phenolic content (82.71±0.79 µg GAE/mg extract), in addition a marked inhibiting oxidation activity of β-carotene/ linoleic acid (74.10%) was observed. Results showed also a higher iron-chelating activity of PC ME (0.20 mg/mL) compared to PC AQE (0.046 mg/mL). The plant extracts revealed a significant antioxidant activity as evidenced by the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 0.103 mg/mL for PC ME and 0.144 mg/mL for PC AQE) for DPPH assay and (IC50 = 0.0130 mg/mL for PC ME and 0.0187 mg/mL for PC AQE) , as well as the PC ME exhibits higher reducing power (IC50 =0.288mg/mL) than PC AQE (0.296 mg/mL). As a result, P.crinita is suggested as a promising and effective therapeutic medicinal plant for the treatment of several diseases.

The genus Achillea (Yarrow)is one of the most important medicinal plants. Nowadays, different medicinal functions of yarrow such as spasmolytic, choleretic, treatment of wounds and anti-inflammatory activities, make it as an important medicinal plant. The purpose of this study was to determine the antioxidant activity of aqueous (AAE) and methanol (AME) extracts from the plant Achillea santolinoides L. (A. santolinoides L.) aerial parts in vitro. Quantitative evaluation of polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, aluminum chloride (AlCl3) and Bate Smith methods, respectively. Antioxidant activity was carried out using ABTS radical scavenging, alkaline DMSO superoxide radical scavenging and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC). The obtained results showed that the highest content in total phenolic, flavonoids and tannins was found in the AME with values of 210.78±0.001 µg GAE/mg Dw, 21.18±0.025 µg QE/mg DW and198.73±0.014µg TAE/mg DW, respectively. For the in vitro antioxidant activity, AME had the strongest ABTS and DMSO alkaline radical scavenging activity (IC50= 6.74±0.16 µg/mL and 15.13±0.92 µg/mL, respectively) and the CUPRAC reducing with A0.50 of 76.56±2.35 µg/mL. The results of the present study confirm the use of the genus Achillea in the treatment of various diseases as a powerful antioxidant.

In this study; it was aimed to investigate the anticancer and cytotoxic activities on DU-145 prostate cancer and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines and WI-38 human fibroblast cell line of essential oil (Nioli) obtained from Melaleuca viridiflora Sol. ex Gaertn. plant and its antimicrobial effects on various bacteria and yeast cells. Content analyzes of Nioli essential oil were made by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GK-KS). The antimicrobial effects of the essential oil were determined using Disk Diffusion and Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) tests. Its cytotoxic effects were determined by the XTT (2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-) nitro-5)-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide) test; were investigated at different concentrations in breast cancer (MCF-7), prostate cancer (DU-145) and healthy human fibroblast (WI-38) cell lines. In the disc diffusion method of essential oil; It was determined that it formed an inhibition zone against Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria at 200, 100, 50, 25 and 12.5 µg/mL concentrations, and against Candida albicans yeast at 200 and 100 µg/mL concentrations. Nioli essential oil showed the highest antibacterial effect against Bacillus cereus. While it was moderately effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans, it reached MIC values effective against other bacteria. It was observed that the anticancer activity of Nioli essential oil was more effective in DU-145 prostate cancer cells compared to MCF-7 breast cancer cells, and it had no toxicity in WI-38 healthy human fibroblast cells.

Yogurt is a natural source of gut-friendly bacteria. It has a considerable body of evidence that supports the significant positive effects of yogurt as probiotics on quail production performance and health. Yogurt containing bacteria can improve quail economic indexes and resistance to pathogens. With this objective, 240 growing Japanese quails were randomly distributed into three groups A1 (control), A2 (Yogurt), and A3 (Protexin) (4 replicates/treatment of 20 birds) to investigate the effect of yogurt as a probiotic source. Birds were allowed to be fed ad libitum with a commercial quail ration. Yogurt and Protexin were mixed at the rate of 5 ml/L (5ml into 1 lt. water) and 1g/L (1gm into 1 lt. water) in A2 and A3, respectively. Six (6) weeks of investigation showed a significantly higher result in yogurt than in the other two groups. Body weight had a significant difference between the control and protexin groups. Body weight gain (g) was significantly heavier in A2 at the finisher phase. No significant effect was observed in feed intake, but FCR (Feed Conversion Ratio) was significantly lower in A2, but no significant effect was noticed between A1 and A3. The mortality percentage was higher in the control group (2.66%) and lowest in yogurt (1.03%). Carcass characteristics were significantly heavier in A2 than A1 and A3. Non-carcass characteristics illustrated significant differences among the three groups, but a non-significant difference was observed in head weight. The gross return per bird was higher in A2 (12.05 BDT), whereas it was 6.55 BDT and 7.08 BDT for A1 and A3. With those observations, it can be concluded that yogurt successfully enhanced overall broiler performance and gross return of Japanese quail.

The study analysed the extent of vulnerability to food insecurity and household coping mechanisms among yam farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Cross-sectional data were used for this study with the aid of a well-designed questionnaire. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 360 respondents. Multinomial logit (MNL) model and Feasible Generalized Least Square (FGLS) method were employed for the data analysis. The results of the FGLS model showed that 49.3% of the households were food secure and experienced low vulnerability to food insecurity. However, 30.23% of them were food insecure and highly vulnerable; they are considered as chronically food-insecure households. Also, the study revealed that 11.01% of the food secure households may be food insecure in the future if necessary attention and intervention are not given by both households and the government. Again, 9.4% of the households that were experiencing food shortage, as at the time of the study, may recover in the future. The findings of MNL revealed that the age of the household head, main occupation, household size, land size, net household income, and membership in a cooperative society were the main significant factors in yam farming households' decision to use coping strategies. As a result, it is recommended that leveraging the potential role of coping mechanisms already used by households during food shortages, and building a comprehensive human capital development, such as education, will be vital policy options to reduce food insecurity.

Thyme is one of the spices that is widely consumed in the regions where it grows and is used in many dishes, especially soups, and gives a regional identity to the dish where it is used. In this study, the amount of phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity of the plant Satureja hortensis L. (süpürge kekiği, çibriska) which grows spontaneously and is used as a spice in meals in the Karakoçlar settlement area of Olur district of Erzurum province was investigated. The total amounts of phenolic and flavonoid substances were determined to be 40.85±0.85 mg GAE/g and 26.52±0.46 mg QE/g, respectively. In addition, the DPPH radical scavenging activity of the plant extract was calculated as 45.24 ±3.47 μg TE/mL and the IC50 value was calculated as 177.11±0.99 μg/mL. It was determined that the Cu2+ reducing antioxidant capacity of the S. hortensis plant extract was 2162.09±113.61 μg TE/mL and the Fe3+ reducing antioxidant capacity was 24.36±4.59 μg TE/mL. As a result, it was concluded that the S. hortensis plant, which is known with different names in different regions, has antioxidant potential and can be used as a natural antioxidant source in addition to its common use.

EXPO, which is used as the abbreviation of the word 'exposition', which means 'World Exhibition' or 'World's Fair' in English; It is a global event that has been organized around the world since the 19th century and aims to promote the city and country in which it is held in the national and international arena, raise awareness, educate the public, share innovations, produce, support development and encourage cooperation. Our country participated in this event for the first time with the 1851 London Expo Organization during the Ottoman Empire Period. It was hosted for the first time with the Expo Organization held in Antalya in 2016, and it is the host country for the second time with the Expo organization held in Hatay on April 1, 2022. Expo 2021 Hatay, whose full name is 'International Horticulture Fair Hatay, Turkey 2021'; It was accredited as a Class B international Expo by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) on January 23, 2017 and registered according to the decision of the AIPH Board of Directors. Within the scope of this study, the economic, cultural and environmental effects of the EXPO'21 Hatay organization, which is a very important tool for the national branding and development of Hatay, were evaluated, and suggestions were made about the correct reuse of the fairgrounds and their sustainability after the organization was over.