The study, conducted in 2023 at the vineyard of the Agricultural Research and Application Center of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University, focused on the Alphonse Lavallée grape variety, a significant cultivar among table grapes. The research aimed to assess the impact of berry density on various quality parameters. Grape berries were selected across five different density categories (Y0-Y4), including a control group, to evaluate their physical characteristics (including width, length, weight, firmness, and skin color), chemical properties (pH, total titratable acidity, and soluble solids content), and phytochemical attributes (encompassing total phenol content, total antioxidant capacity, and total monomeric anthocyanin levels). The findings revealed that critical quality indicators—namely, soluble solids content, pH, total antioxidant capacity, and total monomeric anthocyanin—were maximized under the Y4 treatment. In contrast, the highest total phenol content was recorded in the Y2 and Y3 treatments. These results underscore the importance of berry density and berry/skin volume as key determinants of grape berry quality. The study contributes valuable insights into the role of these factors in enhancing the overall quality of table grapes, particularly in the context of the Alphonse Lavallée variety.

This study investigates the spatial and temporal variations in chromium (Cr) concentrations in Picea orientalis L., across different directions (north, east, south, and west) and plant organs (outer bark, inner bark, and wood) in a forested region. The research, conducted over eight age periods spanning 1980 to 2020, aimed to assess the effectiveness of Picea orientalis L. as a biomonitor for Cr pollution. The highest Cr concentrations were observed in the east direction, particularly in the inner bark and wood, while the lowest levels were found in the west. The study was conducted in an urban area near the industrial zone and highway, as well as in forested regions. A total of 100 trees were selected for the study, with samples collected from three different organs: outer bark (OB), inner bark (IB), and wood. Samples were taken from each organ at breast height (approximately 1.3 meters above the ground) to ensure consistency. The sampling covered various age periods, specifically 1980–2020, to analyze temporal changes in Cr concentrations. Statistical analysis revealed significant variations in Cr concentrations across most directions and periods, with notable increases during certain periods, especially in the west direction. These variations can be attributed to several factors, including the proximity to industrial sources of pollution, which typically release higher levels of chromium into the environment. The eastern direction likely experiences greater exposure to these emissions due to prevailing wind patterns and urban runoff, leading to increased accumulation in Picea orientalis L. Additionally, seasonal changes, temperature fluctuations, and soil characteristics may influence the bioavailability of chromium, affecting its uptake by the tree. The results suggest that Picea orientalis L. can effectively reflect Cr pollution levels, with significant directional and temporal variations that highlight the influence of these environmental factors on Cr accumulation. This study underscores the potential of Picea orientalis L. as a valuable tool for monitoring and managing Cr pollution in forested environments.

The experiment was conducted in Banke, Nepal, from February 2021 to May 2021 to find suitable spacing and weed management practices for spring maize. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design in which main plots consisting of two spacings (S1:60 cm × 25 cm and S2:60 cm × 30 cm) and subplots consisting of five weed management practices as, W1: weedy check, W2: weed free, W3: atrazine @ 2 kg a.i. ha-1 as pre-emergence herbicide, W4: atrazine as pre-emergence herbicide followed by single-hand weeding at 30 DAS, and W5: straw mulch. Observations were taken for different parameters, that are, cob length, cob circumference, number of grains per cob, number of ears per hectare, thousand-grain weight, and grain yield. Based on spacing non-significant variations were found for all traits except for the number of ears per hectare. The highest number of ears per hectare (61667 ears ha-1) was found in S1 (60 cm × 25 cm). Based on weed management practices all the traits were significantly different, except the number of ears per hectare and thousand grain weight. The highest value of grain yield (6.15 mt ha-1) was found in straw mulch, and the lowest grain yield (3.72 mt ha-1) was found in the weedy check. A positive correlation was observed between yield and different weed management practices (WEM) (r = 0.5**) and other yield-attributing traits, that are, number of ears per hectare (NE) (r = 0.62**), the number of grains per cob (NK) (r = 0.82**), cob length (CL) (r = 0.47**), cob diameter (CD) (r = 0.68**), and total grain weight (TGW) (r = 0.52**). A negative correlation was observed between yield and spacing (S) (r = -0.41*).

Exposure to bisphenol A (BP), an environmental pollutant, is potentially harmful to both human health and the environment. The purpose of the current research was to evaluate the effectiveness of β-caryophyllene (CF) (200 mg/kg) on rat cerebellar tissues exposed to BP (250 mg/kg). Thirty-five randomly selected male rats were split into five groups as: control (CON), olive oil (OL), BP, CF, and CF+BP. On day 15 of the experiment, all rats' cerebellar tissues were immediately extracted, followed by stereological and histological examination. Our results revealed that MDA level was significantly elevated in the BP group compared to the CON group (p<0.05). While no significant difference was detected in the mean cerebellar volume among the experimental groups, the BP group’s the Purkinje cell number was significantly reduced when compared to the CON group (p<0.05). In the CF+BP group, we found a significantly lower level of MDA and higher number of Purkinje cells compared to the BP group (p<0.05). Histopathological examination revealed that the BP group had the marked neuronal deterioration; however, in the CF+BP group, this structural alteration was not as severe than the BP group. Our findings showed that exposure to BP caused oxidative damage to cerebellar tissues, and administration of CF attenuated BP-induced toxicity via improvement of oxidative stress.

Numerous in-depth studies have described the fertility traits, growth performance and milk yield traits of dairy animals, which are considered indicators of welfare, but there are limited studies examining these traits within the framework of cause-effect relationships, especially in buffaloes. The aim of this study was to determine the changes in some milk, growth and fertility traits of Anatolian buffaloes over the years in some dairy farms where the Buffalo Breeding Project in Public Conditions was implemented in Samsun province and, to investigate the effects of first calving age (FCA) and calving interval (CI) on milk and growth traits. The study was conducted in 27 buffalo farms (3295 buffalo cows and 3317 buffalo calves) located in Bafra district, the region with the highest buffalo population in Samsun province, Türkiye. The data was taken from records previously kept within the scope of the relevant project. The data such as growth characteristics [birth weight (BW), 6th and 12th-mo live weight (LW) values of calves born between 2013-2020] and lactation traits of cows [lactation milk yield (LMY) and lactation duration (LD)] and FCA and CI values were analyzed by analysis of variance. The effect of years on LMY of buffalo cows was found to be significant, and significant positive changes were determined from year to year. In addition, the BW, 6th-mo, and 12th-mo LW values of calves also varied from year to year. As the FCA value of buffaloes increased, the BW, 6th-mo, and 12th-mo LW values of calves and LMY of cows increased. Similarly, CI values affected the BW values of calves (P<0.01), and LMY and LD values increased in parallel with the increase in CI values. Consequently, determining the lactation and growth traits of buffaloes could benefit developing herd management practices that would optimize these performance indicators.

This study sought to develop an index for agricultural digitalization by applying composite confirmatory analysis (CCA). Another aim was to determine the factors that affect the development of digitalization in PLAS farms. Data on the indicators of the three dimensions of digitalization were collected from 300 Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS) farms in South Africa using semi-structured questionnaires. Confirmatory composite analysis (CCA) was employed to reduce the items into three digitalization dimensions and ultimately to a digitalization index. Standardized digitalization index scores were extracted and fitted to a linear regression model to determine the factors affecting digitalization. The results revealed that the model shows practical validity and can be used to measure digitalization as measures of fit (geodesic distance, standardized root mean square residual, and squared Euclidean distance) were all below their respective 95%quantiles of bootstrap discrepancies (HI95 values). Therefore, digitalization is an emergent variable that can be measured using CCA. The average level of digitalization in PLAS farms was 0.02 and varied significantly across provinces. Although farmers have attempted to digitalise their farms, there are still minimal levels of digitalization in PLAS farms. The results further reveal different digitalization patterns. As judged by the estimated weights of various dimensions of digitalization, the use of digital technologies to collect, store, analyse, and disseminate (CSAD) farm-related data contributed more towards the digitalization index. The second most important component of digitalization was automation digitalization. In contrast, value chain digitalization was the least significant contributor. The factors that significantly influence digitalization were age, gender, farm type, network type, and cellular data type. Since PLAS farmers have not embraced much digitalization, it is important to focus on awareness and capacity building. A balanced approach to digitalization would benefit PLAS farms by ensuring that strategies to integrate digital solutions within the value chain are developed. To foster and support the digitalization in PLAS farms, policymakers and stakeholders should tailor their strategies to fit specific socioeconomic factors.

This study examined the nexus between cluster farming and household dietary diversity among smallholder wheat farmers in Oromia region, Ethiopia. Three-stage sampling procedures were employed to gather data from 384 household heads on a cross-sectional survey that was carried out in June 2022. Descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression model were used for data analysis. The average, minimum, and maximum household dietary diversity scores were 7.10, 1, and 11, respectively. A significant difference was observed: participants in cluster farming had 14% more dietary diversity than their counterparts. Sex, marital status, participation in wheat cluster farming, home gardening, off-farm income, number of crops grown, cooperative membership, and access to training determined household dietary diversity. The study indicates that dietary diversity in households is influenced by a variety of factors. While wheat cluster-based farming is heavily promoted, household food and nutrition security also need to consider other elements like home gardening, off-farm income, cooperative membership, and training access.

The water erosion is a significant environmental issue in arid and semi-arid regions. It leads to soil degradation, reduced agricultural productivity, and desertification. This article used The WEPP, the USLE, and the MUSLE models to estimate the average soil loss in the Yozgat-Kadılı village. Also, The MUSLE model utilized the WEPP model-estimated runoff for soil loss estimation. The USLE model, which estimates soil erosion using six factors (R, K, L, S, P, and C), can be improved by incorporating the Modified Fournier Index (MFI). Results indicated that the MUSLE model (3.66 t/ha) performed well in estimating soil losses close to the observed value (3.15) in the wheat fields between 1986-1996. the MUSLE (5.31 t/ha) and WEPP (5.88 t/ha) models underestimated soil losses to the observed value (8.75 t/ha) in the fallow field for 1986-1996. The WEPP model estimated the highest average soil loss at 5.18 t/ha in a wheat field, while the USLE model yielded the lowest estimate at 1.28 t/ha between 1969 and 2020. The MUSLE model estimated the highest (4.94 t/ha) and The USLE model estimated the lowest (2.53 t/ha) soil loss in the fallow field between 1969-2020. Results also revealed that the WEPP model is needed to calibrate for estimating soil loss in arid and semi-arid regions.

Türkiye’de tütün üretiminde oldukça yüksek genetik çeşitlilik içeren popülasyonlar, yerel çeşitler ve ekotipler kullanılmaktadır. Araştırma, Türkiye’de oryantal tütün üretilen alanlarda kullanılan tütün genotipleri içerisindeki genetik çeşitliliğin tespit edilmesi amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Tütün üretim alanlarında morfolojik farklılıkları nedeniyle seçilen 340 tütün genotipi yabancı tozlanmasını engellemek amacıyla izole edilmiş ve böylece kendilenmiştir. Genetik olarak farklı olan 259 genotip tarla denemelerine alınmıştır. İzmir tipi, Basma tipi ve Samsun tipi olmak üzere üç grupta ele alınan bölge tütünlerinin morfolojik ve fenolojik özellikleri UPOV rehberine göre değerlendirilmiştir. Yaygın özellikler bakımından ana sap uzunluğu ortaca-uzun, yaprak sayısı orta-fazla, bitki şekli eliptik, ana gövde rengi açık yeşil, sürgün oluşturma kabiliyeti yok veya çok zayıf, yaprak tipi yapışıktır. Aya uzunluğu ve genişliği orta, yaşmak eni dar-orta, aya şekli geniş eliptik ve yaprak ucu şekli çok az-orta sivriliktedir. Aya kabarcıklığı ve ondülelik zayıfça-zayıftır. Çiçeklenme geç-çok, geçci, taç yaprak rengi açık pembe, orta sıklıkta küresel çiçek kümesi şekli yaygındır. İncelenen tütün genotiplerinde karakterler bakımından varyasyonların yüksek olduğu belirlenmiştir. İzmir tipi tütünlerin bitki boyu ile yaprak büyüklüğünün diğer tiplere göre daha küçük olduğu belirlenmiştir. İzmir tipi tütünler aynı zamanda yaprak sayısı çok, olgunlaşma süresi geççi, yapraklarının düz ve yaprak uç açılarının ise yuvarlak olduğu belirlenmiştir. Farklı özellikleri ile öne çıkan hatlarla, gelecekte planlanan ıslah çalışmaları için önemli bir veri tabanı oluşturulmuştur.

Bu çalışmanın amacı, çekirge kullanarak protein oranı artırılmış bir unlu mamul üretmek, bu sayede önemli bir gıda kaynağı olan yenilebilir böceklerin tüketilmesine olan bakışı değiştirebilmek ve entomofaji konusunda farkındalık oluşturmaktır. Dünya’nın azalan kaynaklarına daha sürdürülebilir bir tüketim ürünü kazandırmak esas amaçtır. Çalışmada göçmen çekirge (locusta migratoria) kullanılmıştır. Bir kontrol örneği ile %1 ve %2 oranlarında çekirge tozu içeren tuzlu kurabiye üretilmiştir. Ürünlerin 10 kişilik eğitimli panelist grubu tarafından duyusal değerlendirilmesi yapılmıştır. Genel beğeni puanı en yüksek olan ürün, sonrasında 81 kişinin tüketici beğenisine sunulmuştur. Değerlendirmelerde, görünüş, renk, tat, koku, tekstür, ağızda bıraktığı his ve genel görünüm kriterleri üzerinden 5’li Likert ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Eğitimli panelistlere uygulanan duyusal değerlendirme sonrasında elde edilen verilere göre %1 oranında çekirge tozu ile hazırlanan çekirgeli tuzlu kurabiye 4,7/5 puan ile en çok beğenilen ürün olmuştur. 81 kişinin katıldığı tüketici beğenisi testi sonuçlarına göre 4,6/5 genel beğeni puanına ulaşılmıştır. Eğitimli panelist grubunda %70 ve tüketici beğeni testinde %85 oranında ürünü “satın alırım” cevabı verilmiştir. Ek olarak, Tübitak MAM laboratuvarlarında Protein Kjeldahl yöntemi (AOAC 960.52. Foss Tecator Manuel 2300 AB 2003 AN, Tüm gıdalar) ile ürünlerin protein analizleri gerçekleştirilmiştir. Analiz sonuçlarına göre; kontrol numunesinin protein oranı 11.4g/100g, hamur ağırlığının %1’i kadar çekirge eklenen numunenin protein oranı ise 11.69g/100g olarak tespit edilmiştir.