Spirulina platensis (S. platensis) is a high-nutrient blue-green algae that has been used as a food supplement for a long time. It contains carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds essential for basic human nutrition. It is known to have anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, and hypocholesterolemic properties due to the bioactive compounds it contains. In this study, the effects of freeze-thawing, a rapid freezing (-20°C) and thawing (4°C) process, and ultrasonically assisted extraction techniques on the color, antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content, and phenolic composition of Spirulina platensis extracts were investigated. The antioxidant capacity of the extracts obtained was determined by two different methods, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazollin-6-sulfonic acid)). The sugar profile was determined by HPLC-RID and phenolic composition was determined by HPLC-ESI-DAD-MS/MS. The antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of samples prepared by the freeze-thawing were higher than those prepared by ultrasonic-assisted conventional extraction technique. In addition to ferulic acid 4-O-glucuronide and brevifolin carboxylate, an isocoumarin derivative, as the dominant phenolic compound in S. platensis extracts, a total of 10 phenolic compounds including catechin isomer, resveratrol C-hexoside, myricetin, ferulic acid, gallic acid, phloroglucinol, and lutein were detected. Glucose was the predominant sugar in both samples. The total sugar content was higher in the freeze-thawed samples (217.92 mg/100 g DW) than in the ultrasonic-assisted conventional extraction technique (182.91 mg/100 g DW). S. platensis has a significant amount of antioxidants, valuable secondary metabolites, and potential commercial applications and medicinal properties, but releasing these compounds is difficult due to the cell wall. This study was carried out to determine how different extraction techniques alter the release of bioactive compounds.

There is an increasing trend for development of alternatives to deliver probiotics with non-dairy products. Fruit juices have become one of main food products for delivery of probiotics. The availability of different fruit juice types, their fresh and healthy perception from the consumer's side and demand for plant-based products increase attention to fortification of fruit juices with probiotics. Yet, development of probiotic fruit juices is still an emerging area for the functional food concept. Probiotic juices can be developed by using both probiotic Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and their viability can be strain specific as well dependent on the utilized fruits. The transformation of the fruit components can play roles for the improvement of the potential health promoting functions of fruit juices which should be well-characterized. The insufficient viability of probiotic strains during shelf-life of fruit juices is one of the main challenges and efficient and relatively cheap encapsulation techniques should be developed to ensure their viability. In this study, recent achievements and developments to produce probiotic fruit juices have been summarized. Also, potential role of probiotic fortification for the health promoting functions of fruit juices related to probiotic metabolism has been discussed. Finally, strategies to increase the viability of distinct probiotics have been discussed.

In a lab experiment using seed priming, the faba bean (Vicia faba L.) seed germination and seedling development were studied. Twenty different priming techniques were utilized in the study, each comprising varying concentrations of NaOCI, CaCl2, KNO3, Manitol, PEG, KCL, H2O and a control group that received no priming. Four replications of a completely randomized design (CRD) were used in the experiment. Among the three priming treatments, there were substantial differences in the seedling growth metrics and germination rate. When 500 ppm NaOCl was used as a treatment, the highest seed germination percentage (96%) was attained. Although 100 ppm PEG had the greatest germination index (42.92), 10000 ppm NaOCl had the quickest mean germination time (8.27). Additionally, at a concentration of 1500 ppm NaOCl, the greatest seedling vigor index (29.79) and maximum germination coefficient (12.28) were likewise obtained. With H2O treatment, the maximum shoot length (21.09 cm) was observed for seedling growth parameters. The largest root length was produced by a 10000 ppm KNO3 treatment (11.19 cm). With 20000 ppm KNO3, the maximum root dry weight was achieved (88.50 mg), whereas H2O produced the highest shoot dry weight (51.0 mg). Additionally, it was discovered that a treatment with 10000 ppm KNO3 had the best root-shoot ratio (0.72). The research thus supports the possible use of seed priming as a method to improve faba bean seed germination and seedling growth. NaOCl and KNO3 seemed to work best for faba bean seed germination and seedling growth.

Root-knot nematodes (RKN), (Meloidogyne spp.), are the major biotic factor responsible for the limiting production of Kiwifruit in Nepal including Kiwifruit orchard of Warm Temperate Horticulture Center, Nepal. Hence, there is a pressing demand for nematicides that are both easily accessible and cost-effective while being environmentally friendly. A screenhouse experiment was conducted in the Summer of 2023 with an objective to evaluate the effects of different plant extracts, bio-control agents, and chemical nematicides against RKN on Kiwifruit seedlings. The experiment was set up in a Completely Randomized Design with three replications and eight treatments which include the extracts of Allium sativum and Lantana camara, Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Cartap hydrochloride, Fosthiazate, Inoculated control and Uninoculated control. The results revealed that Trichoderma viride proved to be the most effective in reducing the nematode population, displaying a low root gall index of 3.11, a minimal reproductive factor of 0.24, and a high percentage of nematode control at 91.71%. It was also found to be efficient in promoting the growth parameters of Kiwifruit seedlings. Additionally, regression analysis exhibited a significantly positive interaction between root gall index and reproductive factor, while indicating a negative interaction between reproductive factor and growth parameters. Therefore, T. viride (@ 20 gm per 2000 cm3 of soil) should be soil drenched before the seedlings are transplanted into the main field for effective and sustainable management of RKN. Nevertheless, further research is needed to determine the efficacy of T. viride in infested roots of Kiwifruit trees in field condition of Kiwifruit orchard.

In many parts of the world, forests have been seen only as an economic value and forestry policies have been in this direction. Later, when forests started to disappear, the protectionist period started and forest policies were shaped in this direction. In this study, the reflections of sustainable foresty policy and environmental and forest protection in the Eurpoion Union (EU), Turkey and a few other countries are examined and the protection measures and recommendations of the countries are analyzed. The aim of the study is to reveal the devolopment process of forestry policies and to reveal what has been done to ensure the protection of forests. When we look at the policies followed by the countries, it is seen that the world is now pursuing a conscious forestry policy.

This study compared the accuracy of various soil phosphorus assessment methods to measure the soil's ability to supply plants with phosphorus over a brief period in the field. Twenty individual soil samples were collected from a standing wheat (Triticum aestivum L) crop at depths ranging from zero to twenty centimeters. An equivalent plant spike sample was also procured from the soil sampling fields. In comparison to the wet acid digestion method used to detect phosphorus in plants, several methods were utilized to assess phosphorus in the soil, including resin extractable phosphorus, AB-DTPA extractable phosphorus, NaHCO3 extractable phosphorus, water-soluble phosphorus in suspension, and paste. The levels of variation and deficiency of phosphorus, which were found by different methods followed different patterns as shown by the fact that, AB-DTPA method finds phosphorus deficiency in 20% of samples while on the other hand, Olsen method finds phosphorus deficiency in 80% of samples. Even with such a small sampling area, none of the procedures showed a significant correlation with any other method that might account for uneven variation among the samples when determined by distinct procedures. However, corrections were observed to a certain degree between ammonium bicarbonate-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (AB-DTPA) extractable and resin, as well as between other procedures and the plant P scale. Both resin and ammonium bicarbonate-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (AB-DTPA) had a strong relationship with plant phosphorus, with the former showing a significant correlation of 0.48 and 0.21, respectively. Hence Resin and AB-DTPA methods are recommended for the determination of phosphorus under certain soil and plant conditions.

In the current study, four different types of yogurt were produced as control samples (no MPP added) and 1, 2, and 3% melon peel powder (MPP1, MPP2, and MPP3). These yogurts were determined by physicochemical, microbiological, sensory, total phenolic, and antioxidant activity weekly for 21 days. While ash, moisture, titratable acidity (TA), viscosity, water holding capacity (WHC), a* and b* values, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant capacity of melon peel powder samples increased, L*, pH, and syneresis values decreased. In concentrations of 1, 2, and 3%, the mean antioxidant activity of powdered yogurt was found to have average values during storage of 30.09%, 32.32%, and 36.26%, respectively. All yogurts continued to contain more than 107 cfu/g of live lactic acid bacteria during fermentation. As the storage time increased, the sample’s pH and syneresis decreased, while titration acidity and texture increased. No yeast or mold (2 log cfu/g) was determined in the samples. The panelists preferred MPP1 and MPP2 samples. According to the findings of the study, melon rind powder, which is a by-product, can be recommended as a functional food additive in yogurts.

Bu araştırmanın temel amacı, sendika üyesi memurların sendikal demokrasi algısı ile sendikal bağlılıkları arasındaki ilişkide etik liderlik algısının düzenleyici rolünü belirlemektir. Nicel alan araştırması niteliğinde çalışma yapılmış olup, araştırmanın evrenini Tarım ve Ormancılık Hizmet Kolunda faaliyet gösteren ve hizmet kolunda yetkili sendika konumunda olan Tarım-Orman Çalışanları Birliği Sendikası (Toç Bir-Sen)’in üyeleri oluşturmaktadır. Bu kapsamda sendika üyelerinden anket yöntemi ile veriler toplanmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemini ankete katılan Toç Bir-Sen üyesi 2128 çalışan oluşturmaktadır. Araştırma sonucunda, sendika üyelerinin örgütsel demokrasi algıları ile örgütsel bağlılıkları arasında pozitif yönlü ve anlamlı bir ilişkinin var olduğu, etik liderlik algıları ile örgütsel bağlılıkları arasında anlamlı ve pozitif yönlü bir ilişkinin var olduğu, örgütsel demokrasi algısı ile etik liderlik algıları arasında anlamlı ve pozitif yönlü bir ilişkinin var olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca sendika üyelerinin örgütsel demokrasi algıları ile örgütsel bağlılıkları arasındaki ilişkide etik liderliğin anlamlı ve pozitif yönlü düzenleyici etkisinin olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Dolayısı ile araştırmanın tüm hipotezleri doğrulanmıştır. Bu sonuçlara göre, sendika yöneticilerinin etik davranışlar sergilemeleri, aldıkları kararların ve uygulamalarının etik kurallara uygun olmasına özen göstermeleri, yönetim ve karar alma süreçlerinin tamamında demokratik tutum ve davranış sergilemeleri sendika üyelerinin sendikal bağlılıklarına pozitif yönde etki edecektir. Çalışma sonuçlarının, örgütsel bağlılık ile etik liderlik arasındaki ilişkiyi ve örgütsel demokrasi ile örgütsel bağlılık arasındaki ilişkiyi inceleyen literatür çalışmalarına ait sonuçları desteklemesi nedeni ile literatüre katkı sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir.

Bu çalışma, farklı dozlarda elma posası ilavesinin yonca silajlarının kimyasal kompozisyonu, fermentasyon profili, mikrobiyolojik özellikleri, sindirilebilirlik ve enerji değerlerinin incelenmesi amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Çalışma kapsamında, 1-3 cm boyutlarında parçalanan yoncalar anaerob plastik kaplara, kontrol grubuna herhangi bir katkı eklenmeden, muamele gruplarında ise %5 (EP5) ve %10 (EP10) oranlarında elma posası ilave edilerek silolanmıştır. Araştırma sonunda, elma posası ilavesi yonca silajlarının kuru madde, etanol, asetik asit, propiyonik asit, bütirik asit içeriği ve pH değerini düşürürken, Nötral Deterjanda Çözülmeyen Ham Protein (NDICP), laktik asit ve maya sayısını artırmıştır. Yonca silajlarının sindirilebilirlik, enerji değerleri, ham protein, ham yağ, ham kül, nişasta, NDF, ADF, ADL, Asit Deterjanda Çözülmeyen Ham Protein (ADICP) ve laktik asit bakterileri içeriklerine elma posası muamelesiyle önemli bir fark olmadığı tespit edilmiştir. Elma posası katkılı gruplarda küf içeriği saptanmamış, Clostridia ise sadece EP10 grubunda gözlemlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak gıda sanayi yan ürünü olan elma posasının olumsuz çevresel etkilerinin azaltılması, yem maliyetlerinin ucuzlatılması ve yonca silajlarının kalitesine pozitif yönde etkisi nedeniyle kullanılabileceği sonucuna varılmıştır.

Bu çalışmada, Türkiye’nin Doğu Anadolu Bölgesi için alansal ve zamansal bazlı iklim sınıfı ve ETo haritalarının oluşturulması amaçlanmıştır. Öncelikle, bölgedeki 15 şehrin De Martonne kuraklık indeksi yöntemine göre ay bazında iklim sınıfları belirlenmiştir. Daha sonra bölgedeki mevcut meteoroloji istasyonları tarafından ölçülen iklim verilerinin uzun yıllar ortalama değerleri kullanılarak, FAO-56 Penman-Monteith yöntemi tabanlı CROPWAT yazılımı ile şehir bazında aylık ortalama ETo değerleri hesaplanmıştır. Elde edilen iklim sınıfı ve ETo değerlerinin alansal ve zamansal değişimini gösteren haritaların oluşturulmasında ise AutoCAD yazılımı kullanılmıştır. Bu haritalardan okunan ETo değerleri, T.C. Tarımsal Araştırmalar ve Politikalar Genel Müdürlüğü (TAGEM) tarafından hazırlanan “Türkiye’de Sulanan Bitkilerin Bitki Su Tüketimleri” isimli rehberde bölge şehirleri için verilen ETo değerleri ile karşılaştırılmıştır. Karşılaştırma kriteri olarak ortalama mutlak göreceli hata oranı (MAPE) dikkate alınmıştır. ETo haritaları kullanılarak doğruluk oranı %89,85 (MAPE= %10,15) düzeyine ulaşan günlük ortalama ETo değerleri tahmin edilmiştir. İklim sınıfı ve ETo değerlerinin konum ve zamana bağlı olarak kolaylıkla belirlenebildiği bu haritaların özellikle ETo hesaplamaları için gerekli olan güncel iklim verilerinin ölçülemediği veya temin edilemediği kırsal kesimlerdeki ETo’a dayalı bitki su tüketimi (ETc) ve sulama programı çalışmaları ile sulama sistemleri ve su iletim yapılarının tasarımı ve projelendirilmesinde kullanılabileceği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.