Determining the potential bioavailability of heavy metals, evaluating according to adapted regulations is essential to efficiently conserve our coastal and estuarine waters. In this study, it is aimed to determine the industrial pollution and various other pollution sources that the Black Sea Basin is exposed to by using DGT (Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films) method and grab (manuel) sampling method in water and sediment and to evaluate the existing pollution according to quality standards. In Samsun, seasonal samples were collected from five different sampling stations, namely Akkiraz Stream, Hıdırellez Stream, Organized Industrial Zone (OIZ) Channel, Şabanoğlu Stream and Selyeri Stream, which are selected from Tekkeköy region where industry is intensively active. In order to determine the heavy metal content in both water and sediment samples, the DGT method was chosen for passive sampling and the grab sampling method was used for active sampling, and the efficiency of the methods was evaluated. According to the results of the study, the heavy metal concentration in grab sampling for water samples in descending order Al> Fe> Zn> Pb> Ni> Cu; In the samples taken with DGT, they are listed as Al> Fe> Zn> Cu> Ni> Pb. There were significant relationships between the total metal concentrations of sediment (Csed) and water (Csu) in grab sampling and metal concentrations sediment (Csed-DGT) and water (Csu-DGT) measured by DGT. It was found that the sensitivity and performance of sampling with DGT was 2-10 times higher compared to grab sampling. The high resolution in situ DGT technique for the assessment and management of the potential release risk of heavy metals at the water-sediment interface is a complementary method that contributes to the standard grab sampling method.

Spices and herbs are groups of vegetables with important properties for human health and food industries. They are generally consumed in cooked recipes and such treatment may affect the content of vital components such antioxidants. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of the cooking temperatures on total phenolics, flavonoids and vitamin C of some spices and herbs used in the locality of Bamenda, Cameroon. Briefly, the most consumed spices and herbs were selected through structured questionnaires administered to individuals involved in their consumption and selling. Thereafter, samples were collected and subjected to different boiling treatments and the levels of the antioxidants (flavonoids, phenols and vitamin C) were determined. Results showed that almost half the participants (48%) used Parsley, Basil, White pepper, Njansa, Mint and African nutmeg mainly for flavoring and medicinal purposes. The cooking temperature of 65°C increased total phenolics and flavonoids in spices (Mint, White pepper, Njangsa and African nutmeg) and herbs (Parsley, Basil) while higher heat treatments (75 and 85°C) lowered the content of these pytochemicals. Boiling of spices or herbs significantly and temperature dependently reduced the vitamin C content in all spice and herb samples with respect to the control raw samples. Summarily, the moderate boiling (65°C) treatment used by the local populations favors release of total phenolics and flavonoids though with some reducing effect on vitamin C.

In this study carried out in 2015 under conditions of Kahramanmaraş province of Turkey, it was aimed at determining the effects of sawgin and rollergin methods on fiber quality in some cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars. In the study varieties of Lydia, Carisma, PG 2018, Flash, BA 440, BA 119 Maraş-92 and Erşan-92 were used as experimental materials. The trial was established according to factorial randomized block design with four replications. Seed cottons obtained from the trial were ginned in the rollergin and sawgin machines. In the obtained lint cotton samples, a number of fiber characteristics were determined by using HVI and AFIS fiber analysis devices. Ginnig outturn (38.6%), fiber length (30.21 mm), uniformity index (86.02%), fiber strength (31.76 g tex-1), spinning consistency index (SCI) (104.68) determined by using rollergin system were found higher than ones determined by using sawgin system (respectivelly 37.2%, 29.78 mm, 84.61%, 30.97 g tex-1, 94.50). Short fiber index (3.47%) and nep count (59.40 number g-1) obtained from rollergin system were found lower than ones obtained from sawgin system (respectivelly 4.38% and 119.34 number g-1). As a result it can be said that the rollergin method has positive effect on ginnig outturn, fiber length, uniformity index, fiber strength, spinning consistency index, short fiber index and nep count. When fiber length, fiber strength, spinning consistency index, nep size are considered together the best variety was Lydia cv. (respectivelly 30.87 mm, 32.56 g tex-1, 104.25, 675.63 μm). Ginning outturn, uniformity index, short fiber index, total particule number, dust particule number and trash count are considered together the best variety was Erşan-92 cv. (respectivelly 39.4%, 86.02%, 3.48%, 231.4 number g-1, 206.3 number g-1, 25.13 number g-1). For fiber fineness the best varieties were BA 119 and Maraş-92 cv. (respectivelly 4.78 mic. and 4.80 mic.).

In this study, the effect of brown seaweed (Cystoseira barbata) and cattle manure combinations were investigated as a worm food on the properties of Eisenia fetida worm manure. Seaweed Cystoseira barbata were collected from the coast of Giresun, desalted and dried and then ground. Cattle manure was obtained from cattle breeding dairy and had covered and fermented. Food groups; 0% (control group); 5.45%; 10.90%; 21.81% and 43.63% of the algae were prepared and containing three replicates were given to the worms. The experiment was established in Giresun University Faculty of Science and Letters Biology laboratories according to randomized plot design. The vermicompost groups were analyzed in terms of plant nutrients and mineral levels. The obtained data showed that as the amount of algae increased in the formula and vermicompost groups, the metal levels of Zn, Ni, Fe, Pb, Cr, Mn, Mg and Cu decreased and carbon, CaCO3, N, P and K increased. This means that brown seaweed Cystoseira barbata, which grows naturally on our coasts, can be used in the structure of vermicompost.

Vinegar is an aqueous food product made by a succession of yeast and acetic acid bacteria activities from fruits that contain high carbohydrates such as apples and grapes. Vinegar has been used as a dietary spice and natural remedy since ancient times due to its therapeutic properties including antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anticancer activities. It has been shown that some bioactive compounds exhibiting antioxidant activity in vinegars lead to anticancer activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate antiproliferative effect of commercial and home-made apple vinegars in native and neutralized form on myeloma cells. In order to neutralize the vinegars, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was used. A serial two-fold dilutions of the vinegars (50%, 25%, 12.5%, 6.25%, 3.12%, 1.56%, 0.78%, 0.39%) prepared with cell medium were treated to the cells. The MTT (3-(4.5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2.5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) assay was used to determine the cellular viability in the cells treated with the vinegars. In this study, while commercial vinegar possessed a stronger antiproliferative activity than home-made vinegar, all native vinegars possessed stronger antiproliferative effect than neutralized vinegars. Interestingly, when home-made vinegar (both native and neutralized) concentrations were from 6.25 to 1.56%, the cell viability increased. Apple vinegar exhibited antiproliferative activity on myeloma cells; however, further studies are required to clarify the mechanisms underlying this activity.

Global climate change is defined as a process that affects all living things and ecosystems globally and is claimed as the most critical problem of the current century. Turkey, which is shown as one of the most affected countries by this process, is among the “countries at risk.” It is stated that the temperature will increase throughout the country until 2100, and this increase may reach 6 ºC. In order to determine the possible effects of global climate change, it is necessary to predict how the climate structure and basic parameters may change. From this point of view, this study is aimed to determine the change of temperature and precipitation, climate types (according to De Martonne, Lang, and Emberger climate classification) which are the most critical climate parameters until 2050 and 2070 in Düzce, one of the important cities of our country. The current situation and possible changes in 2050 and 2070 have been compared using RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios. As a result of the study, the temperature, precipitation, and related climate types would change significantly throughout the province of Düzce, and this change will show itself as a significant temperature increase and change in precipitation regime. In addition, a shift in climate types towards continental climate types is predicted until 2070. In order to avoid the destructive effects of global climate change, it is recommended to take measures on a sectoral basis.

Tillage is an important factor affecting different soil properties and crop yields. Tillage relates to applying forces to soil using different implements for preparation of a proper seed bed. For rice crop, land preparation is a rigorous and time consuming operation that needs special attention for preparing a puddled soil condition to transplant the weak and tender rice seedlings. A field experiment was established under agro-ecological conditions of Sheikhupura to evaluate different land preparation techniques during fall in 2017 and 2018 years. The experiment was performed at Adaptive Research Farm Sheikhupura. It was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four different land preparation techniques including T1= Cultivator (4 times) + Planking (2 times) (Farmer’s Practice), T2=MB plough (1 time) + Disc Harrow (1 time) + Planking (2 Times), T3=MB plough (1 time) + Cultivator (2 times) + Planking (2 Times) and T4= Rotavator (1 time) + Disc Harrow (1 time) + Planking (2 Times), each treatment replicated thrice during both the years. All the other agronomic and crop husbandry operations were kept uniform throughout the growing season every year. The results revealed that preparing land with MB plough (1 time), Disc Harrow (1 time) and Planking (2 times) is the best land preparation method can increase the paddy yield 13.5-17.5% as compared to the traditional method practised by the farmers. Moreover, highest plant height (134.00 cm and 132.00 cm), number of tillers (224 and 220 m-2), number of grains per spike (130 and 116) and 1000-grain weight (23.0 and 22.0 g) respectively during Kharif-18 and Kharif-19 was also recorded in the same treatment. So, preparation of land for paddy in agro-ecological conditions of Sheikhupura using MB plough (1 time), Disc Harrow (1 time) and Planking (2 times) can significantly enhance the paddy yield.

In this study, the effect of different phosphorus doses application on the yield and nutrient uptake of sugar beet plant was investigated under field condition. The study was carried out in Sivas province in 3 replications according to the randomized plot design and Valentina was used as the sugar beet variety. Phosphorus doses were; 0 kg P da-1, 15 kg P da-1, 30 kg P da-1 and applied as triple super phosphate (TSP). Leaf samples were taken approximately 80 days after the planting of sugar beet plant, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) concentrations and yield were determined at harvest. Research results indicated that the yield increased depending on the increasing phosphorus doses and the highest yield was obtained at 30 kg P da-1 dose with 8151.0 kg da-1. In addition, the highest nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium concentrations were found at 30 kg P da-1 dose (4.77% N, 0.74% P and 2.39% K, respectively). However, the research found that calcium and magnesium concentrations decreased with increasing phosphorus doses. While only iron concentration among microelements increased with phosphorus applications, zinc, manganese and copper concentrations decreased due to increasing phosphorus doses.

This experiment was carried out under the study entitled “Ripening regulation of the banana Cv. Malbhog using different ripening inducers” for controlling the ripening of the banana, for improvement of quality attributes and post-harvest life of banana. The experiment was conducted at laboratory of horticulture, Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal from 14th March to 16th April 2019. These experiments were laid out in completely randomized design in which the first experiment comprised of seven treatments consisting of distilled water spray, ethephon @ 250 ppm, ethephon @ 500 ppm, ethephon @750 ppm, ethephon@1000 ppm, Dhurseli (Colebrookea oppositifolia) leaves and Ripe banana replicated thrice. Different post-harvest parameters were recorded at the interval of two days for the experiment till any one of the treatment attained score 6 in the color chart. In this experiment, the CI-6 stage was reached earlier on the 9th day with the use of ethephon @ 1000 ppm but ethephon @ 500 ppm was found more effective regarding quality parameters with TSS (21˚B), and TSS/TA (34.66). The maximum physiological loss in weight (12.927%) and pulp peel ratio (3.65) was observed with ethephon@1000ppm and the minimum was achieved in banana sprayed with distilled water. The shelf life of banana was seen minimum (13.33 days) in ethephon @ 1000 ppm and maximum (20.33 days) in banana sprayed with distilled water.

Bu çalışmada, tıbbi nitelik taşıdığı bilinen Achillea millefolium L. (Civanperçemi) bitkisinin besin elementi konsantrasyonlarının ve antioksidan aktivitesinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla; Sivas ili Divriği ilçesinden toplandığı bilinen Civanperçemi bitkisinin makro ve mikro besin elementi konsantrasyonları ile su ekstresinin toplam antioksidan seviyesi (TAS), toplam oksidan seviyesi (TOS) ve oksidatif stres indeksi (OSI) değerleri belirlenmiştir. Çalışmadan elde edilen sonuçlara göre; Civanperçemi bitkisinin bazı makro ve mikro besin elementi konsantrasyonları bakımından yeter düzeyde olduğu, makro elementlerden azot (N), fosfor (P), potasyum (K), kalsiyum (Ca) ve magnezyum, mikro elementlerden demir (Fe), çinko (Zn), mangan (Mn) ve bakır (Cu) konsantrasyonlarının sırasıyla %1,01 N, %0,63 P, %2,43 K, %2,22 Ca, %0,70 Mg, 360,4 mg/kg Fe, 47,6 mg/kg Zn, 85,5 mg/kg Mn ve 28,3 mg/kg Cu olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Antioksidan potansiyelinin ise orta düzeyde olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca, bitkinin oksidan kapasitesi ve oksidatif stres indeksi düşük olarak tespit edilmiştir.