The aim of this study is to examine the marketing strategies of ornamental plants in Konya province, to determine the target markets that the sector can best serve, and to evaluate all the components that can contribute to the development of the sector on a provincial basis. In this context, the sales and marketing strategies of the companies producing and selling in Konya province were identified, suggestions for improvement were presented and the potential of ornamental plants in the region was determined. It is believed that the study will make an important contribution to the literature in this area. The main body of the research consists of ornamental plant companies selling in Konya province. In order to answer the questions of the study, a face-to-face survey was conducted with 32 operators representing the main mass. Porter’s Diamond model was used to evaluate the competitiveness. As a result of the analysis of the data, it was observed that the competitiveness of the companies is low and they are not looking for alternative markets. The lack of legislation defining the sector, the problem of organisation, the fact that they consider their income to be sufficient and the lack of information at the point of sale are the main obstacles to competitiveness. In fact, the main priority for a company is to gain a competitive position in order to increase profit margins. For this reason, companies need to evaluate the opportunities that may present themselves, develop strategies to add value to customers in the long term, and determine strategies to be close to the market in order to create new markets.

This study aimed to show the effect of acetamiprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide, on B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) gene expression, which plays an important role in apoptotic mechanisms in liver tissue. The study consisted of four groups in total, in which three doses of acetamiprid (5, 10, and 15 mg kg-1) were administered, together with the negative group, in which no substance was administered. Liver tissues resected from mice sacrificed by cervical dislocation after 14 days of acetamiprid administration by gavage were fixed in a 10% formaldehyde solution for histological and immunohistochemical analyses and blocked in paraffin after routine tissue follow-up, and sections were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and immunostaining. Histological analysis revealed normal liver tissue in the control group; whereas, sinusoidal dilatation, vasodilatation, and necrosis and steatosis in the parenchyma were found in the acetamiprid-treated group at an increasing rate depending on the dose amount. The immunoreactivity of Bcl-2 in liver tissue was observed in the sinusoidal epithelium. Bcl-2 immunoreactivity was observed severely in the control and 5 mg kg-1 groups and moderately in the 10 mg kg-1 and 15 mg kg-1 acetamiprid-treated groups. Bcl-2 immunoreactivity was observed homogenously in the region from the central vein to the Kiernan’s space. It was observed that acetamiprid used in the study showed a toxic effect on liver tissue, affected bcl-2 expression, an important biomarker in apoptotic pathways, and induced a dose-dependent decrease in bcl-2 immunoreactivity.

This study evaluates the effects of rabbit compost tea and NPK (15-15-15) fertilizer on the growth parameters of maize (Zea mays L.) at the Teaching and Research Farm of Ekiti State Polytechnic, Isan-Ekiti. The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Each replicate consisted of four (4) treatments. Total land area measured 88 m2 (11 m by 8 m) with 12 plots, and each plot size measured 3 m by 2 m (6 m2) with 1 m alleyways between plots and replicates. The treatments and application rate were the control, rabbit compost tea at 400 l ha-1, a combination of NPK at 100 kg ha-1 and rabbit compost tea at 200 l ha-1, and the application of NPK (15-15-15) fertilizer at the rate of 200 kg ha-1, which was incorporated as the experiment's standard treatment. In the experiment, growth parameters of maize (Zea mays L.) were monitored and evaluated. Findings showed that the application of rabbit compost tea and NPK (15-15-15) fertilizer significantly (p < 0.05) increased the plant height, stem girth, number of leaves, and leaf area when compared with the control, especially when combined. According to this study, rabbit compost tea is an effective and sustainable organic amendment that smallholder maize farmers should consider using to improve growth and output.

The utilization of Nigella sativa L., commonly known as black cumin, in traditional and medicinal practices is well-documented, attributing to its wide-ranging biological activities. Given its significance, this study explores the efficacy of various seed priming treatments (control, distilled water, potassium humate, and gibberellic acid) under laboratory and field conditions to enhance the early growth stages of Nigella sativa L. Priming treatments aimed to improve germination rates, plant height, and other growth parameters, potentially translating into increased agricultural productivity. According to results plant height ranged from 52.38 to 58.91 cm, number of branches between 3.76 and 3.98 (branch plant-1). The number of capsules varied from 4.93 to 6.81 (capsule plant-1),  capsule seed weight was between 0.19 and 0.22 (gram capsule-1 ), and the thousand-seed weight ranged from 2.26 to 2.39 grams. The germination rate ranged from 78% to 93%, germination index 4.22-5.83 and mean germination time was observed from 4.27 to 4.82 days. Our findings reveal significant effects of priming on germination parameters and  plant height, this offering insights into the potential of these treatments to optimize crop growth. However, the transition of these benefits to field conditions, particularly yield-related parameters, appeared limited, suggesting the complex nature of growth enhancement strategies and their implications for agricultural practices.

The aim of this review is to provide information concerning the types of chestnut shells (inner and outer), their compositions and bioactive compounds, as well as to mention industrial peeling applications. These shells are comprised of high-valued natural active compounds, such as polyphenols (phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, hydroxycoumarins -scopoletin, scoparone-), pigments (melanin) and minor compounds (minerals, dietary fiber, vitamin C and E, essential amino acids and fatty acids). The total phenolic acids and flavonoid content of C. sativa shell were ranged between 119.17-223.62 mg/kg db and 330 – 503 mg CE/g. It is also a good source of vitamin C with reported levels of 15.57 and 28.97 mg AA/100 mg db in water and ethanol extracts, respectively. The shells are used as food additives due to their colorant, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The shells are exposed by the peeling process applied to obtain the fruit without the shell which is mainly used. The most frequently used technique in chestnut peeling is the Brulage peeling method. However, in this technique, used peeling mechanism is insufficient to obtain both inner and outer shells separately at the same time. Moreover, further research is needed to obtain the shells individually, to analyse each shell in detail, and to increase the industrial use of shells.

The aim of this study was to explore the concentrations of PAEs (Phthalate esters) in milk in Türkiye. For this purpose, a methodology was developed to quantify eight different PAEs in milk samples using a combination of dispersive solid-phase extraction (dSPE) and Liquid Chromatography coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Employing this methodology, the concentrations of PAEs were evaluated in 34 milk samples. Results indicated the presence of PAEs in the milk samples; however, all tested compounds remained within the specific migration limits established by the EU. Among the analyzed PAEs, BBP (Benzyl butyl phthalate) was not detected in any samples, while DMP (di-methyl phthalate) (ND-5.51 µg/L) and DBP (di-butyl phthalate) (ND-7.91 µg/L) exhibited the lowest concentrations. DEHP (bis(2-ethylhexyl)) was identified as the most prevalent plasticizer with a maximum concentration of 41.31 µg/L. In conclusion, this study successfully investigated PAE concentrations in Turkish milk samples using a developed methodology. The results indicated the presence of PAEs within EU-established limits, with DEHP being the predominant plasticizer. Further research and monitoring efforts are crucial to ensure ongoing safety in packaged milk products.

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.

This study was conducted as both petri dishes and pot experiments on four different salt-sensitive cotton genotypes (Laser, May 505, May 455 and Selin) in order to investigate the role of exogenous salicylic acid applications in reducing the effects of salt stress. Six saline treatments; 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 mM NaCl were used. Each group divided into three sub-groups (hydo-primed control, 0.5 mM and 1.0 mM SA) on the basis of seed priming treatments. They were applied in three replications according to the randomized block design. In all genotypes, 90 mM and 120 mM salt stress negatively affected germination and seedling development. In salt stress up to 60 mM, it was recommended to May 505 and Selin genotypes with 0.5 mM salicylic acid pre-application to the seeds.

The most significant crop losses worldwide occur due to unfavorable temperatures such as heat, drought, cold, and freezing. Minerals like silicon can play important roles in the growth, development, and stress responses of plants. In this study, changes in stem/root length, dry weight, relative water content and silicon content, of peas under cold and freezing stress, as well as antioxidant system indicators such as proline, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and chlorophyll levels, ion leakage, and the expressions of genes coding for the topoisomerase TOP2 and DNA helicase PDH47 enzymes, which play important roles in the replication, transcription, and repair of DNA molecules, were examined in root and stem tissues in the presence of two different concentrations of silicon. The results of the study showed that silicon application under cold and freezing stresses has induced various changes in pea metabolism, including increases in cell membrane integrity parameters and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity, as well as increase in the expressions of TOP2 and PDH47 genes. These changes have been found to have positive effects on the pea cold and freezing tolerance.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation necessitates an adequate supply of nitrogen to achieve optimal growth and yield. This study, conducted in Nawalparasi West from February to June 2023, aimed to assess the effects of nitrogen management through a foliar spray of nano urea, compared to need-based nitrogen management using the Leaf Color Chart (LCC) and the Recommended Dose of urea Fertilizer (RDF) application. The experiment followed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications, incorporating four nitrogen management levels (Control, RDF through urea fertilizer (120 kg/ha), 25% of RDF through basal urea (30 kg/ha) + nano urea, and 25% of RDF through basal urea (30 kg/ha) + (LCC) and two rice varieties (Chaite-5 and Hardinath-1). The results indicated that the LCC-based treatment produced the highest grain yield at 5.18 mt/ha, statistically similar to the yield of the nano urea-based treatment (5.04 mt/ha). The enhanced yields were attributed to more effective tillers per m² (260.17 tillers/m² and 253.17 tillers/m², respectively), longer panicle length (28.12 cm and 25.99 cm), more filled grains per panicle (210.03 and 215.73), and lower sterility percentage (24.93% and 26.95%). Despite comparable yields, nano urea application proved to be more cost-effective [97,926.10 Nepalese Rupees (NRs)] with a higher benefit-cost ratio (1.78) and greater ease of application for farmers compared to the LCC. Varietal responses varied, with Hardinath-1 exhibiting the highest yield with LCC-based nitrogen application (5.37 mt/ha), and Chaite-5 demonstrating the highest yield (4.778 mt/ha); with nano urea-based nitrogen application (5.31 mt/ha). Chaite-5 displayed a greater effective number of tillers per m² (241.42 tillers/m²) and filled grains per panicle (224.56). Consequently, it is suggested that nano urea-based nitrogen application, particularly in conjunction with a variety of Chaite-5, holds the potential for improved productivity.