This experiment was conducted in Antsokia Gemza district, Ethiopia in 2017/18 to evaluate the effect of intra-row spacing on bulb quality and storability of onion varieties. A 4×4 factorial experiment with four different varieties (Adama Red, Bombay Red, Melkam and Shendi) and four levels of intra-row spacing (5.00, 7.50, 10.00 and 12.50 cm) was laid on randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on bulb quality attributes and storability and subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using statistical analysis system (SAS) computer software 9.1. The mean separation test was done by list significant difference (LSD) test at 5% probability level. Simple linear correlation analyses between and among the different parameters were made using Pearson Correlation Coefficient. Accordingly, most of the parameters were significantly affected by intra-row spacing and variety. Variety Melkam exhibited the highest bulb diameter, bulb length, bulb dry matter content and bulb fresh weight. Melkam and Adama Red were with the lowest weight loss in storage while Bombay Red and Shendi scored the highest weight loss in storage. Most of the bulb quality parameters were significantly highest at the widest intra-row spacing of 10.00 and 12.50 cm. However, there was no significant variation between 7.50 and 10.00 cm intra-row spacing on average bulb weight which is considered as the most important bulb quality parameter for the producers from the market point of view. Weight loss was higher at the widest intra-row spacing for all varieties. Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the bulb quality and storability of onion in Antsokia Gemza district can be optimized through cultivating variety Melkam at intra-row spacing of 7.5 cm.

Powdery mildew is a serious disease of economically important hazelnut crop in Turkey. Hazelnut production has been extremely affected by the disease in terms of quality and quantity. The disease is caused by two different fungi, namely Erysiphe corylacearum and Phyllactinia guttata. E. corylacearum has been shown to be the responsible one predominantly for the recent economic damage. The fungi produce a mycelium network on hazelnut plants before they sporulate and visually detected. Early detection of these pathogens is important for management as well as understanding their spread and epidemics. In this study, a PCR assay was developed for the detection of both pathogens from hazelnut plant leaves by targeting their ribosomal DNA genes in their internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. Two sets of specific primers were designed for the detection of E. corylacearum and P. guttata at an early stage of infection. As a result of PCR, a specific band of 578 bp was observed. The amplicon sequencing confirmed the presence of only E. corylacearum, but not P. guttata. Therefore, this PCR-based test can identify plants that are infected with powdery mildew before they show any visual signs. From there, the infected plants can be treated or removed before the fungus has a chance to produce spores that infect neighboring plants. These results would help tackle the eradication of powdery mildew.

Peptides with antimicrobial properties as an alternative to antibiotics antibiotic growth promoters in poultry nutrition have been studied in recent years. These peptides, which can be supplemented to diet or water, are effective not only against bacteria but also against fungi, viruses and parasites. In this article, the definition, the structures, the types, the sources of production, the application areas, the microorganisms they act on and the mechanism of action of antimicrobial peptides and information about the studies related to their use in poultry nutrition will be given.

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is a beneficial group of free-living soil bacteria that colonize the rhizosphere and are helpful in root growth and development. PGPR plays an important role in plant growth through the production of phytohormones, solubilization of inorganic phosphate, increased iron nutrition via iron-chelating siderophores and volatile compounds that affect the plant metabolism and signalling pathways. Additionally, PGPR shows synergistic and antagonistic interactions with rhizosphere microorganisms and soil which indirectly improve and enhance plant growth rate. Various environmental factors affect the PGPR growth and proliferation in the plants. There are several shortcomings and limitation in the PGPR research which can be addressed through the use of modern approaches and techniques by exploring multidisciplinary research which combines applications in microbiology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, agro-biotechnology, and chemical engineering. Furthermore, PGPR is also known to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs), carbon footprint, and also increase the nutrient-use efficiency. Here we describe the importance of PGPR in sustainable agriculture and their role in plant growth and development.

Much of the sustained agricultural growth necessary for poverty reduction and sustainable development comes from adequate and expanded improved agricultural inputs use like hybrid seeds, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and inorganic fertilizer. However, smallholder farmers faced various and empirically unidentified constraints in the sustainable use of improved agricultural inputs. This study, therefore, is to examine the trends and challenges farmers faced to use improved inputs. The study has used secondary data from various databases such as FAOSTAT, World Bank, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research and agricultural statistics. Simple graphical sketch, tabular and percentage analysis was employed for interpretation of the data. The study revealed that the trends in the use of various improved inputs are not based on the regular basis. The sustainable improved input intensification by smallholder farmers was influenced by various socio-economic, physical, and institutional factors. Understanding trends and challenges in input utilization provide baseline information for input intensification policies and strategies. Therefore, this review pointed out that it is possible to increase inputs intensification by smallholder farmers.

The Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly), Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a serious pest on pomegranate in Turkey. The purpose of this study was to determine population fluctuation and infestation rates of medfly on various pomegranate varieties in Hatay province of Turkey. The Eostrap® invaginada traps baited with % 95 Trimedlure impregnated in a polymeric plug-type dispenser were used. The fruit infestation assessment was measured by a hundred fruits chosen randomly from ten trees in each of sampled orchard and checked for medfly punctures and infested fruits were counted. As a result of two-year investigations, this pest was found in six sites, which are located in Kırıkhan (Delibekirli, Kurtlu soğuksu) and Serinyol districts of Hatay province. In 2010, the highest mean of the catches per traps were recorded on 13 October (236.5), followed by 6 October (166.5), 29 September (145.5), 20 October (145.0) and 22 September (110.0) on ‘Karamehmet+katırbaşı’ varieties in Delibekirli village. Moreover, the highest mean of the catches per traps were recorded on 6 October (38.0), followed by 13 October (33.5), 20 October (17.0), 29 September (16) and 22 September (9) on ‘Katırbaşı’ varieties in Kurtlu soğuksu. In 2011, the highest mean of the catches per traps were recorded on 7 November (240.0), followed by 14 November (162.5), 31 October (100.5), 24 October (58) and 21 November (32) on Katırbaşı and Hicaz varieties of Serinyol district. The highest percentages of infestation rates were observed at orchard II (42) on ‘Karamehmet+katırbaşı’, followed orchard I (37) on ‘Karamehmet+katırbaşı’, orchard III (7) on ‘Katırbaşı’ and orchard IV (3) on ‘Katırbaşı’ varieties 2010. In addition, the highest percentages of infestation rates were observed at orchard I (44) on ‘Katırbaşı’, followed at orchard II (8) on ‘Hicaz’ varieties 2011. The highest mean of medfly was observed in October and September in 2010, and in November and October in 2011 due to ripening and harvesting time of fruits. The medfly caused significantly more infestation rates on ‘Karamehmet+katırbaşı’ and ‘Katırbaşı’ pomegranate than ‘Hicaz’ pomegranate.

Rainbow trout, a salmonid species has an economic importance worldwide and contributes to the indigenous food security. The present study was conducted in complete randomized design (CRD) to evaluate the dietary inclusion of citric acid with phytase as supplement on growth responses of rainbow trout. There were four treatments of diets with 0.5% citric acid (T1), 1% citric acid (T2), 1.5% citric acid (T3) and 0% control (T4) of citric acid incorporated with 1200FYT phytase as supplement. The treatments were replicated three times. Total harvest weight of fish in T3 (5720.2±105.6g) was significantly higher and different than T2 (4595.9±434.9g), T1 (4589.8±240.2g) and T4 (4567.5±217.3g). The highest daily growth rate was seen in treatment T3 (1.1±0.0) which was significantly different than T2 (0.9±0.0), T1 (0.9±0.0) and T4 (0.8±0.0). The highest specific growth rate was seen in the treatment T3 (0.8±0.01) which was significantly different than T1 (0.7±0.0), T2 (0.7±0.1) and T4 (0.7±0.0). The lowest food conversion ratio was seen in T3 (2.2±0.1) which was significantly different with T2 (2.6±0.1), T1 (2.7±0.1) and T4 (2.8±0.1). Similarly, the highest protein efficiency ratio was seen in treatment T3 (1.0±0.1) which was not significantly different with T2 (0.8±0.0) and T1 (0.8±0.1) but was significantly different than T4 (0.7±0.0). No significant changes were observed in water temperature, dissolve oxygen and pH under different treatments. The present findings demonstrated that dietary inclusion of citric acid with phytase as supplement enhance growth by reducing the pH in the gut which increases the phytate hydrolysis, kills the pathogens, decreases the rate of gastric emptying, improves mineralization and nutrient absorption.

Pleurotus tuber-regium has been used as fodder and traditionally used as medicinal supplement. The aim of this study was to screen in vitro proximate biochemical composition and nutritional potentiality of P. tuber-regium extract for further in vivo analysis of impact of the extract on serum lipid and testosterone profile of rats. Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol were measured photometrically. Testosterone was measured by chemiluminescence immune assay. P. tuber-regium extract contains different biochemicals such as proteins, carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids, phenols etc. and showed highly quantified calorific value (297.89±1.92 calori/100g). Acute toxicity test showed no mortality and toxic behavioural symptoms. Significant decrease in total cholesterol (75.52±0.39mg/dL), LDL cholesterol (34.58±1.69mg/dL) and triglyceride (81.31±1.25) were observed in rat group treated with 200mg/kg dose of extract. 400mg/kg dose of extract showed higher efficacy than 200mg/kg dose of extract and significantly decreased total cholesterol (72.25±1.11mg/dL), LDL cholesterol (26.37±1.21mg/dL) and triglyceride (69.42±0.72). The extract showed testosterone enhance efficacy. 400mg/kg dose of extract showed high level testosterone (178.96±0.68 ng/dL) enhance efficacy than 200mg/kg dose (174.64±0.64ng/dL). Due to hypocholesterolaemia and testosterone elevating properties of P. tuber-regium extract, it can be said that, mushroom P. tuber-regium can be consumed as healthy diet supplement to maintain cholesterol level and to maintain good male reproductive health.

Access to land in Bangladesh is governed by the state rule but informal tenure arrangement is existing all over the country. Land productivity differs with the contractual arrangement between landlord and tenant. Inefficiency may arise due to sharecropping which is known as Marshallian inefficiency. This study investigated the productivity the productivity, profitability and efficiency of different tenure arrangement of Boro rice cultivation selecting 120 farmers from Rangpur district of Bangladesh. The stochastic frontier production function was employed to determine the efficiency. Moreover, t-test was performed to see whether any significant difference exist among tenure categories in terms of productivity, profitability and efficiency. Four types of tenure arrangements were identified as cash tenant, fifty-fifty input-output sharing arrangement, only output sharing arrangement and owner farmers. Result revealed that productivity and profitability was higher for owner and cash tenant compared to others. Significant productivity and profitability difference were found between owner farmers and cash tenants versus sharecroppers. Result also found that inefficiency level was significantly high for fifty-fifty input-output share tenant and only output share tenant compared to cash tenant and owner operator implying that Marshallian inefficiency exist due to sharecropping system in the Boro rice production.

The study was conducted to determine forage quality criteria of Salvia multicaulis VAHL. species collected from different locations of Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey in 2018. Results of statistical analysis of the study data revealed that there were significant differences among the locations for all of the investigated traits. Additionally, among the locations the investigated traits were changed as following; dry matter content (DM) 88.66-91.58%, crude protein content (CP) 16.47-25.37%, insoluble protein content in acid detergent (ADP) 0.8%-1.10%, acid detergent fiber content (ADF) 22.08-29.54%, neutral detergent fiber content (NDF) 29.71-%43.85%, calcium (Ca) content 1.22-1.82%, phosphor (P) content 0.23-0,40%, Ca:P ratio 3.05-6.87, potassium (K) content 1.20-2.58%, magnesium (Mg) content 0.28-0.46% and K/(Ca+Mg) ratio 0.55-1.44. Results of the study revealed that dry forage of Salvia multicaulis species is both rich in terms of crude protein content and having a high digestibility level and its macro minerals content and K/(Ca+Mg) ratio to be sufficient for animal feeding. However, due to its too high level Ca:P ratio than critical top level (2:1), it is important to be careful against the risk of poisoning of animals when the forages of this species are used in animal feeding. Hence, additional research is required to determine the harmful effect of the species on the livestock health.