Many scientific studies are conducted directly or indirectly with humans, animals, and plants. We believe that body electricity, which is generated and constantly present in the bodies of living beings, should be considered in scientific studies as an effective factor for production activity. We believe that body electricity should be included in the environment to bring the rumen fluids of sheep used in Daisy II rumen simulators closer to reality. In this way, the most realistic environment is created by adding the influencing factors of body electricity and many factors that can affect the outcome. The study was conducted on a total of 16 Karayaka ewes, including 4 lambs, 4 one-year-old ewes, 4 pregnant ewes and 4 lactating ewes. The data obtained in the study were collected by measuring the body electricity of the animals before and after grazing in 3 different periods for each group. At the end of the study, it was found that the value of body electricity of sheep determined at 0.12±0.001 v (volt) before feeding was higher than the value determined at 0.09±0.002 v after feeding. The difference between the two values was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). However, it was found that the fact that the live weights of the animals in the groups were different and they were in different physiological periods did not cause a significant (P>0.05) difference in the electrical body currents before and after feeding (except in lambs (P<0.05)). It can be said that the measurements made in other periods and groups can change the electrical body currents after feeding and that the electrical body currents differ according to the animals fed in the barn, especially during the grazing period, before going to pasture and when returning to pasture.

In this study, the effect of pretreatments applied to the sewage sludge of the Tokat Municipality wastewater treatment plant (WTP), the sewage sludge of the packaged wastewater treatment plant (PWTP) of a fruit juice production plant, and the aqueous phases of their mixtures on biogas production was investigated. Chemical, thermal (microwave (MW) and hot plate (HP)) and chemical-thermal pretreatments were applied to these sludge samples. Considering the results in all samples, the highest biogas production amount and efficiency were found in the pre-biogas-unit aqueous phase of the sewage sludge of the Tokat WTP, which was applied 20% H2SO4+10-minute (min) thermal MW pretreatment, with 667.51 ml and 396.34 ml biogas/g water dissolved SM value, respectively. Statistical analyses included the Duncan comparison test for cumulative biogas production efficiencies at the end of 65 days and the maximum exponential increase function and Gompertz equations for cumulative biogas amounts. Accordingly, the most appropriate model was tried to be determined. The electricity generated at the end of the 22-day incubation period at the facility meets 36% of the electricity needed by the Tokat WTP. At the end of the experimental studies (20% H2SO4+10 min thermal MW pretreatment), it can be said according to the 22-day biogas data that the biogas production efficiency increased by 3.41 times, this would meet all the electricity needed by the facility, and that there would be an extra 23% electricity generation of the total generation. Mixing and using fruit juice PWTP and WTP treatment sludge in the production of biogas will enable both the utilization of this waste in biogas production and the weakening and reduction of high parameter values, which sometimes cause problems in the sludge discharged from the Tokat WTP due to urban wastewater treatment, to acceptable limits.

This study investigates the impact of varying planting densities on cotton plants’ morphological traits and yield. As planting density increases, there is a reduction in monopodial and sympodial branches, resulting in a more compact plant structure. The study highlights the highest yield achieved with specific planting densities, endorsing the viability of both holl and row planting methods. It suggests adopting narrow or ultra-narrow row systems to enhance yield and economize input costs. The study was conducted in 2017 at the experimental field of Aydın Adnan Menderes University in the Faculty of Agriculture’s Department of Field Crops. The material used in this study was the widely cultivated cotton variety “Gloria” in the Aegean region. The investigation was conducted using a randomized block design with 4 replications. In evaluating cotton yield and related parameters, it was observed that D1 and D2 (14.285 plants/da) achieved the highest yield concerning plant density, emphasizing the viability of both holl and row planting methods. The study concluded that augmenting the number of plants within a specific area of production significantly contributes to higher seed cotton yields. To enhance yield and economize cotton input costs, the adoption of a narrow or ultra-narrow row production system is suggested as an alternative strategy to conventional methods.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of submerged fermentation with Lactobacillus spp. on the nutritional composition of Agaricus bisporus cap and stem. Fresh A. bisporus was provided, and the cap and stem parts were separated and cut into small pieces. Afterward, distilled water (400 ml) and urea (8.4 g) were added to the mushroom parts (100 g) and placed in different fermentation flasks. The fermentation flasks containing mushroom caps or stems were divided into two groups, and the pH levels of the fermentation medium were adjusted to 6 and 7. Fermentation flasks were autoclaved at 121°C for 15 minutes and Lactobacillus spp. was inoculated to each flask at 1 ml (108 CFU/ml). A positive control group was formed by allocating one uninoculated flask for each replicate of each pH value. Fermentation flasks were incubated for 48 hours at 30°C. After fermentation, fermented and inoculated mushroom cap and stem were analyzed to determine the crude protein, ash content, Lactobacillus spp. count and pH value. Lactobacillus spp. count was higher (P=0.028) in the pH 6 group of mushroom cap and tended to be higher (P=0.078) in the pH 6 group of mushroom stems compared with the pH 7 group. Submerged fermentation decreased (P<0.001) the ash content of the mushroom cap and stem in both pH values except the cap with pH 7 compared with the uninoculated mushroom. Similarly, the fermented mushroom cap and stem had lower (P<0.01) final pH values in both initial pH values. Lactobacillus spp. increased (P<0.001) the crude protein content of the mushroom cap with pH 6 but did not alter the crude protein content with pH 7. Besides, submerged fermentation decreased (P<0.001) the crude protein content of mushroom stem with both pH values. The results indicate that submerged fermentation using Lactobacillus spp. can be used to improve the nutritional composition of mushroom caps with pH 6.

In this study, the physicochemical properties of canola and waste cooking oil biodiesels, as well as various binary biodiesel blends, were investigated according to TS EN 14214 and ASTM D 6751 standards. Critical parameters such as density, kinematic viscosity, cold filter plugging point (CFPP), calorific value, flash point, copper strip corrosion, water content, and ester yield were evaluated. The findings highlighted the notable density of C100 and W100 biodiesels, with the addition of butanol reducing density. While viscosity values adhered to standards, the addition of butanol was observed to decrease viscosity. CFPP values indicated compliance with standards only for C100 and C75W25. Flash points of C100 and W100 biodiesels met standards, but the addition of butanol to binary biodiesel blends lowered flash points. Copper strip corrosion values were determined to comply with standards for all fuels. Calorific values demonstrated the prominence of C100 and W100 biodiesels, with the addition of butanol observed to decrease calorific values in binary biodiesels. While water content favored canola biodiesel over waste cooking oil biodiesel, the addition of butanol to binary biodiesels increased water content. Regarding ester yield, C100 biodiesel exhibited the highest yield, and the addition of butanol to binary biodiesels increased ester yield. In conclusion, this study thoroughly analyzed the physicochemical properties of biodiesel and blend fuels, revealing the impact of butanol addition on these properties.

Crop yield is largely influenced by the seedling quality and establishment. Seedling density is an important factor that plays a vital role in producing quality seedlings. Seedling growth characteristics of cabbage cv. kf-65 was evaluated at four inter row and intra row spacing: 0.5cm×1.0cm, 1.0cm×1.0cm, 1.5cm×1.5cm, and 2.0cm×2.0cm in the field of Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Lamjung Campus during September-October, 2018. Seed germination was 96% under a partially controlled germinator in the lab whereas mean germination in the field was found to be 62%. Treatments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with five replications. Data was collected after 23 days using the destructive sampling method. Plant height, leaf number, leaf area, fresh shoot and root weight and % dry matter was recorded from five samples from each replication of every treatment. Plant population had a significant effect on plant leaf area, fresh shoot and root weight and % dry weight. The 2.0cm×2.0cm spacing had significantly higher leaf area (25.3cm2), fresh shoot (1.33g) and root weight (0.06g). Dry weight % (23%) was significantly higher for 1.5cm×1.5cm spacing. The result indicates that wider spacing (≥ 2cm) was found to be favourable to obtaining robust and quality seedlings.

This study conducted in Gasabo District, Nyacyonga marshland aimed to investigate the effect of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) organic fertilizer on the vegetative growth of the Royal Chantenay variety of carrot (Daucus carota). The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Four treatments were applied: T1 (control, no fertilizer), T2 (NPK 17-17-17), T3 (25% water hyacinth organic fertilizer + 75% NPK 17-17-17), and T4 (50% water hyacinth organic fertilizer + 50% NPK 17-17-17). The growth parameters assessed included plant height, leaf number, and root diameter. Results showed that the application of water hyacinth organic fertilizer significantly influenced the vegetative growth of Royal Chantenay carrot plants. T3 and T4 treatments enhanced plant height, leaf number, and root diameter compared to the control (T1) and NPK 17-17-17 (T2). The highest vegetative growth parameters were observed in T4, indicating that a higher concentration of water hyacinth organic fertilizer positively affected the growth of carrot plants. The findings suggest that water hyacinth organic fertilizer can be a viable alternative to chemical fertilizers in promoting the vegetative growth of Royal Chantenay carrot plants. The utilization of water hyacinth as an organic fertilizer can contribute to sustainable agricultural practices by reducing dependence on synthetic inputs.

Apple production is a vital sector of agriculture in Nepal, significantly impacting local livelihoods and the regional economy. This study, conducted in Jumla District, Nepal, from January to July 2022, aims to comprehensively assess apple production, including its existing conditions, economic implications, marketing and challenges. The research hypothesizes that while apple production in Jumla District contributes significantly to the local economy, it faces challenges related to pest and disease management, marketing, and adoption of modern practices. Using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), descriptive statistics were computed based on data collected from a sample of 80 respondents selected through simple random sampling. The result revealed that agriculture constituted the primary source of income for 73.75% of the population, with an average landholding size of 0.3428 ha and an apple-growing land area of 0.3164 ha. Income from apple production, along with vegetables and fruits, was a major income source. The average annual sales of apple production were 7.291 t/ha. Labor costs accounted for 45.67% of the total cost of apple production, with an average total production cost of NPR 238,097.2 and average gross returns of NPR 485,500. Apple productivity was 9.71 t/ha, demonstrating its economic viability with net returns of NPR 247,402.80 per ha and benefit cost ratio of 2.039. However, the study found that farm produce only sufficed for 6-9 months, with pest and disease incidence and marketing issues as major challenges. Interventions should address pest and disease management, marketing strategies, and modern practices adoption to enhance sustainable and profitable apple production in Jumla. Efforts to extend farm produce sufficiency should also be explored, highlighting apple production's potential and the need for targeted support to overcome challenges and foster sector development.

In this study, a new bitter chocolate with functional properties was produced by using different tempering temperatures with different ratios of wolfberry addition and physicochemical, antioxidant, textural and sensory properties of these chocolates were determined. It was observed that fruit ratios on bitter chocolate had a statistically significant (P<0.01) effect on DPPH, ABTS and hardness values, while there was no significant effect on total flavonoid amounts. It was determined that tempering temperature had a significant effect (P<0.01) on pH, reducing sugar, sucrose, total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH, ABTS, total flavonoids (TFC) and hardness values, while it had no significant effect on total dry matter and total sugar values. The rich total phenolic and antioxidant content of the added wolfberry fruit and its substitution for sugar improved the functional properties of the chocolate. As a result of the study, it was possible to introduce a value-added functional product with wolfberry additive to the market, thus pioneering the production of new products as well as the fresh use of the fruit.

The increase in the diversity of needs arising from population growth, technological development and globalization causes more use of limited natural resources and brings with it consequences such as wear and pollution of resources. This study focused on the dam lakes on the Kızılırmak River in Türkiye, whose fisheries production rights were leased. There are İmranlı, Yamula, Bayramhacılı, Hirfanlı, Obruk, Boyabat and Derbent dam lakes on which the right to produce fishery products are leased on Kızılırmak, which is the longest river within the borders of Türkiye. Among these, the most rented region is in the Hirfanlı Dam Lake. Sustainability of fisheries in these dam lakes on Kızılırmak River is important in terms of meeting healthy protein demand and socio-economic development. Fishing, which has commercial value in these dam lakes, provides both employment and significant economic contribution to the people of the province and district where they are located. In order to benefit from this potential in a healthy way, it has been concluded that it is very important to operate these dam lakes in a balance of protection and use. However, it is necessary to increase the incentives and support of fishermen especially in these fishing regions.