This study was carried out to determine the effects of storage duration on nutrient composition and silage quality parameters. Corn was used as silage material. Corn (31.41% dry matter) was harvested at the dough stage and fermented for 90, 104, 118, 132, 146, 160, 174, 188 and 202 days in three trench silos. The samples were brought to laboratory every 14 days. This process was repeated 9 times. After the 132th day, whereas silage crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), ash and crude fiber (CF) contents decreased, nitrogen free extract (NFE) content increased. Lactic acid concentration of corn silage increased until the 118th day but decreased between the 118th and the 160th days. On the contrary, of decrease in LA concentration, acetic acid concentration increased depending on storage time. Ammonia nitrogen and CO2 concentration of silage increased decreased with progressing time. Storage time had significant influence on Flieg scores. The lowest score was found between days the 104th-118th. In this research, it was observed that there was a change in silage nutrient contents and fermentation characteristics with increasing storage time.

The present study was conducted to find out an in vitro efficient method for multiple shoot regeneration of two local chickpea varieties. The mature embryos were excised of two chickpea varieties i.e. Bittle-98 and Dasht-2000 (with cotyledon and without cotyledon) used as explants. The explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with three concentrations of (2, 3, 4 mg/l) 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) using explant with and without cotyledon. Further, 0.5 mg/l α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) along with varied concentrations of BAP (2, 3, 4 mg/ l) was also tested using explant with cotyledon. 3 mg/l BAP alone and 3 mg/l BAP with 0.5 mg/l NAA were found the most effective cytokinin in multiple shoot induction in both tested varieties. Bittle-98 and Dasht-2000 showed 82% and 76% elongation in shoots induction with 0.2 mg/l Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Root formation was recorded 80% and 60% in Bittle-98 and Dasht-2000 with 1.0 mg/l Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Whereas, recorded root formation was 40 and 20% in Bittle-98 and Dasht-2000 with 1.0 mg/l NAA. The best response for rooting observed in Bittle-98 as its roots were thick, long and strong. Plantlets of Bittle-98 were acclimatized in solid medium for 7-14 days. The successful invitro regeneration of Bittle-98 was observed, when excised embryo with cotyledon were used as explant, made it valuable for genetic transformation.

Muscari neglectum Guss. Ex Ten, is an ornamental, herbaceous perennial plant species that grows in the Mediterranean countries with attractive and scented blue-colored flowers. The plant has low seed output, seed dormancy, low germination and propagation rates. This study aimed to develop a reliable microclonal propagation protocol for M. neglectum using TDZ (Thidiazuron)-NAA (α Naphthalene acetic acid) to induce bulblets, roots, and acclimatization of the regenerated bulblets. Maximum number of bulblets per explant (8.25±0.05) was noted on MS medium containing 0.0454 µM TDZ-5.37 µM NAA. The bulblets regenerated in each type of culture medium were very vigorous, and acclimatized easily following rooting on a subculture. Here we show that this protocol is a useful clonal micropropagation system for this important ornamental plant.

Response of sunflower germplasms viz. cultivated sunflower H. annuus and two breeding lines H. annuus x T. rotundifolia and H. annuus x V. encelioides developed after wide hybridization were used for identification of drought tolerant sunflower genotypes at the seedling growth stage. Three water stress levels of zero (control), -0.4, and -0.8 MPa were developed using polyethyleneglycol-6000 (PEG-6000). Physiological and biochemical stress determining parameters such as root and shoots length, fresh weight, antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPO), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and antioxidant metabolite content (total antioxidant capacity, total phenols and total flavonoids content) were compared between seedlings of all three genotypes. Results revealed that sunflower genotypes have similar responses at two osmotic potentials for shoot and root length and fresh weight. The data also showed that drought stresss could induce oxidative stress, as indicated by the increase level of ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase at -04 MPa in H. annuus cv 1114. Although the activity of ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase was differentially influenced by drought, the changes of antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase subjected to drought stress follow a similar pattern in both breeding lines, indicating that similar defense systems might be involved in the oxidative stress injury in sunflowers. Increase in content of phenols and flavonoids were detected for all three genotypes under stress, which showed that these were major antioxidant metabolites in scavenging cellular H2O2.

The study presents first report of Agrobacterium mediated genetic transformation in Rice paddy herb (Linmophila aromatica). A. tumefaciens strain C58C1 harboring pBin19 Plasmid containing β-glucuronidase (GUS) and neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII) gene, under the control of 35S promoter and NOS terminator was used. Shoot tip explants were inoculated for 30 min followed by co-cultivation for 72 h and selected on agar semi solidified MS medium containing 100 mg/l Kanamycin and 1.0 mg/l BA; whereas total number of 78 putative transgenic shoots were obtained. The shoots were rooted on MS medium containing 1.0 mg/l IBA and 100 mg/l Kanamycin where 43 plants survived and rooted. Expression of GUS gene in the putative transgenics was confirmed by histochemical GUS assay. Visible localised gus expression was noted in a few cells and callus tissues of 4 plantlets that were photographed using compound light microscope.

With data sets of germination percent and storage time of seed lot of wheat and sorghum stored at three different storage temperature(t, °C) with three different water content (m, %) of seeds, together with data set of buckwheat and lettuce reported in literatures, the possibility that seed survival curve were transformed into line by survival proportion and the relationship that logarithm of average viability period (logp50) and standard deviation of seed death distribution in time (δ)with t, m and interaction between t and m were analysed. Result indicated that survival proportion transformed seed survival curve to line were much easier than the probability adopted by Ellis and Roberts, and the most important factor affecting logp50 and δ of seed lot was interaction between t and m. Thus, Ellis and Roberts viability model were suggested to be improved as Ki=Vi-p/10K-CWT (t×m) to predict longevity of seed lot with initial germination percent unknown, a new model of Gi/G0=A-P/10K-CWT(t×m) was constructed to predict longevity of seed lot with initial germination percent already known.

Ultrasonic measurements of Musculus longissmus dorsi thoracis et lumborum (MLD) were taken of Dorper (n=99) and Dorper x Merino (n=65) lambs at 156 days of age and comparisons made to various body dimensions to ascertain whether sex, genotype, birth type and live weight had any effect on these parameters. Lambs were weaned two months after birth and placed ad libitum on basic dry land pasture during the draught spring and summer months of 2014 in the arid southeastern region of Turkey. Least square means of backfat thickness, skin+backfat thickness, muscle depth, body length, chest girth and live weight, at the mean age of 156 days, were 0.17 cm, 0.32 cm, 1.75 cm, 63.30 cm, 72.37 cm and 25.16 kg, respectively. Genotype was a statistically significant factor in terms of back fat thickness (BFT), skin and backfat thickness (S+BFT), muscle depth (MD), body length (BL) and live weight (LW). The study showed that Dorper and Dorper x Merino genotypes into Turkey show a clear advantage over the native breeds in terms of meat production and quality not to mention the high potential for lean carcass production. Ultrasonic measurements of Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (MLD) will provide an important contribution to selection index in breeding programs for Dorper and Dorper crossbred genotypes. However estimation of genetic parameters are required in containing a pedigree database in order to establish an effective selection index.

The main objective of this study is to determine the factors affecting the application of innovations for dairy farmers in the Milas district, Muğla province, Turkey. Data from 71 dairy farmers and the Multinominal logit model are used for this study. The dependent variable of the model is divided into three categories; “I don’t apply any agricultural innovations”, “I apply agricultural innovations only after other farmers apply and express their positive opinion” and “I apply agricultural innovations”. In conclusion of the analysis, the comparisons are done with the farmers who “do not apply any agricultural innovations,” and the farmers who “apply agricultural innovations only after other farmers apply and express their positive opinion”; it is determined that a one unit increase in educational level raised the likelihood of applying innovations after receiving positive opinion. When the farmers that “apply agricultural innovation”, and that “apply agricultural innovations only after other farmers apply and express their positive opinion” are compared, it is found that a one unit increase in the number of milking animals had increased the likelihood of applying the innovations.

The majority of farm households in Turkey and especially the Eastern Anatolia are still based on low-input semi subsistence agriculture and livestock production. Despite a slow decline in recent years, agriculture and livestock production remains a major employer in Turkey and it is a significant contributor to the country’s gross domestic product, GDP. Whist Turkey is one of the EU candidate countries, is self sufficient in food production and Turkish agriculture is poorly structured inefficient, with farming in the Eastern Anatolia being mainly subsistence farming. Yet, these traditional rural structures combined with poor access to low level of education and low level of off-farm unemployment problem makes the situation more complicated and unsustainable. The best way to promote sustainability, better and higher production of Eastern Anatolian and rural Turkey is to invest in the local people, villages through improved, continuing and effective agricultural and livestock programs in particular. Investment in human capital especially in the rural areas leads to more employment opportunities through entrepreneurship and innovation in organic agriculture and livestock production. A holistic approach to developing and improving supply chains could unlock the potential for sophisticated, state-of-the-art organic agriculture and livestock producers and businesses in the region to become EU and global players. Eastern Anatolian livestock producers and the farmers have the ambitions to take part in future progress because the region is naturally organic not by design but default. It is for sure that present potential of the region has not been fully determined and utilized. EU has greatly benefited from previous enlargements economically, politically and socially. When European Union (EU) and Turkish Government relations considered and accession of Turkey to EU would be the logical consequence of the previous accessions. The screening on chapter 11 (Agriculture and rural development) is one of the important criteria and Turkey is working on to meet these benchmarks.

Tomato is one of the most important vegetable crop which is widely grown in the world. Economic yield loses due to several insect species has been reported on tomato production. In recent years, a new pest Lasioptera sp, which causes significant damage in tomato production area has emerged. The pest has first been reported in tomato production areas of Mersin district in 2012 after it has been reported in Greece. This pest belongs to the family Cecidomyiidae and is causing damage in the stems and on the fruits of tomato. The larva feeds inside of the stem, so this makes management of the pest difficult. There are no adequate studies on integrated pest management on this pest. This report clearly showed that detailed studies on the biology and management of this pest in the tomato production should be done.