Environmental factors such as drought, resulting from global climate change, have increasingly limited productivity in melon cultivation in recent years. Turkiye's geographical location and rich genetic diversity make it highly probable that drought-tolerant genetic material exists within this diversity. In this study, 192 melon genotypes were used, sourced from the cucurbit genetic resource collection of the Department of Horticulture at Çukurova University, which includes materials from various regions of Turkiye and around the world. In the pre-screening screening phase conducted in the first year of the research, 192 genotypes were grown under drought stress conditions created using 5% PEG 6000 for two months. Parameters such as stem length, stem dry weight, root dry weight, number of leaf, and a 0-5 scale were evaluated in the green parts and roots of the plants. A general decrease was observed in all parameters except root dry weight, where a 3% increase was noted in the average of the genotypes. In the special screening phase of the study, 15 genotypes selected based on the initial screening results were subjected to a second stress test under hydroponic conditions in a climate-controlled plant growth chamber using 8% PEG 6000, parameters such as visual scale evaluation (0-5), stem fresh and dry weight, root fresh and dry weight, stem and root length, number of leaf, leaf relative water content, relative water content, and electrolyte leakage were examined. All parameters showed varying degrees of reduction in the drought-stressed genotypes compared to the control groups, except for percentage change values. An increase in electrolyte leakage was observed compared to the control. As a result of the two different screenings, the drought tolerance levels of the melon genotypes were determined. Genotype Kav-248 was identified as the most drought-tolerant, while Kav-20 was found to be the most sensitive.

Six groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) cultivars i.e. Golden, BARI-2000, Australian, BARD-479, ICG-7326 and 2KCGC20 were evaluated against the attack of Odontotermes obesus in terms of percentage infestation of workers and soldiers, their damage and impact on the yield. The maximum mean populations of O. obesus workers were recorded on 2KCGC20 (30.82±2.75 workers/plot) and Australian (30.65±2.92 workers/plot), followed by BARI 2000 (19.55±2.51 workers/plot), Golden (17.30±2.27 workers/plot) and BARD-479 (16.82±2.06 workers/plot). The minimum mean population of O. obesus workers was found on ICG-7326 cultivars (14.85±1.81) workers/plot. The maximum mean population infestation of O. obesus soldiers was recorded on 2KCGC20 cultivar (4.88±0.25 soldiers/plot) followed by Australian (4.15±.30, soldiers/per plot), BARD-479 (2.00±.17 soldiers/plot), ICG-7326 (1.70±.14 soldiers/plot), BARD 2000 (2.40±.25 soldiers/ plot). The minimum mean population of O. obesus soldiers was found on Gold (1.87±.17 soldiers/plot). Population of O. obesus workers was positively related with the damage and negatively related the yield in all the groundnut cultivars.

The maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky) causes significant quantitative and qualitative losses during storage. To identify resistant varieties of maize against this pest, an experiment was conducted in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 11 varieties in free and no-choice conditions. The study measured weight loss, mean bored grain, debris, and weevil numbers at 30, 60, and 90 days. The findings showed that BG13Y-POP, Manakamana-7, and RML-19/RML-6 were the most resistant varieties, with weight loss percentages of 1.99%, 1.47%, and 1.74%, respectively, and final weevil numbers of 104, 72, and 73. Ganesh-2 and ZM-401 were the most susceptible varieties, with weight losses of 7.34% and 6.05%, respectively. The maximum debris weight was found in RML-761/RL-105 (1.98 g), while the minimum was found in Manakamana-7 (0.26 g). The highest number of bored grains was observed in Ganesh-2 (81), while the lowest number was observed in Rampur-4 (51). Similarly, ZM-401 (158) and Ganesh-2 (165) exhibited the highest weevil population, while the lowest count was found in Rampur-4 (72). Overall, using resistant varieties, such as Manakamana-7, BG13Y-POP, and RML-19/RML-6, can be an effective approach for reducing post-harvest losses from weevil infestation.

Six groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) cultivars i.e. Golden, BARI-2000, Australian, BARD-479, ICG-7326 and 2KCGC20 were evaluated against the attack of Odontotermes obesus in terms of percentage infestation of workers and soldiers, their damage and impact on the yield. The maximum mean populations of O. obesus workers were recorded on 2KCGC20 (30.82±2.75 workers/plot) and Australian (30.65±2.92 workers/plot), followed by BARI 2000 (19.55±2.51 workers/plot), Golden (17.30±2.27 workers/plot) and BARD-479 (16.82±2.06 workers/plot). The minimum mean population of O. obesus workers was found on ICG-7326 cultivars (14.85±1.81) workers/plot. The maximum mean population infestation of O. obesus soldiers was recorded on 2KCGC20 cultivar (4.88±0.25 soldiers/plot) followed by Australian (4.15±.30, soldiers/per plot), BARD-479 (2.00±.17 soldiers/plot), ICG-7326 (1.70±.14 soldiers/plot), BARD 2000 (2.40±.25 soldiers/ plot). The minimum mean population of O. obesus soldiers was found on Gold (1.87±.17 soldiers/plot). Population of O. obesus workers was positively related with the damage and negatively related the yield in all the groundnut cultivars.

The maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky) causes significant quantitative and qualitative losses during storage. To identify resistant varieties of maize against this pest, an experiment was conducted in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 11 varieties in free and no-choice conditions. The study measured weight loss, mean bored grain, debris, and weevil numbers at 30, 60, and 90 days. The findings showed that BG13Y-POP, Manakamana-7, and RML-19/RML-6 were the most resistant varieties, with weight loss percentages of 1.99%, 1.47%, and 1.74%, respectively, and final weevil numbers of 104, 72, and 73. Ganesh-2 and ZM-401 were the most susceptible varieties, with weight losses of 7.34% and 6.05%, respectively. The maximum debris weight was found in RML-761/RL-105 (1.98 g), while the minimum was found in Manakamana-7 (0.26 g). The highest number of bored grains was observed in Ganesh-2 (81), while the lowest number was observed in Rampur-4 (51). Similarly, ZM-401 (158) and Ganesh-2 (165) exhibited the highest weevil population, while the lowest count was found in Rampur-4 (72). Overall, using resistant varieties, such as Manakamana-7, BG13Y-POP, and RML-19/RML-6, can be an effective approach for reducing post-harvest losses from weevil infestation.

Water deficit is one of the main limiting factors affecting plant growth. Selection in water-limited environments can result in populations or species with improved response to drought. Water deficit decreases yield and quality, therefore, it is important to identify genotypes that are tolerant to deficit irrigation conditions. In this study, the water-deficit tolerance of 59 pepper-inbred lines was determined. Experiments were conducted in a growth chamber and under field conditions (Şanlıurfa) with a control (100% full-irrigation) and water-deficit treatment (50% irrigation). Fruit weight, fruit length and number of fruits were recorded. Pepper lines 1900, 896 A-W, 74, 760, 1560-W, 912 A-W, 405-A, 953-W, 226, 1105-W and 441 were identified as the most tolerant to water deficit conditions. Present findings revealed that these pepper lines could be used to develop cultivars that have satisfactory yield under water deficit conditions.

Water deficit is one of the main limiting factors affecting plant growth. Selection in water-limited environments can result in populations or species with improved response to drought. Water deficit decreases yield and quality, therefore, it is important to identify genotypes that are tolerant to deficit irrigation conditions. In this study, the water-deficit tolerance of 59 pepper-inbred lines was determined. Experiments were conducted in a growth chamber and under field conditions (Şanlıurfa) with a control (100% full-irrigation) and water-deficit treatment (50% irrigation). Fruit weight, fruit length and number of fruits were recorded. Pepper lines 1900, 896 A-W, 74, 760, 1560-W, 912 A-W, 405-A, 953-W, 226, 1105-W and 441 were identified as the most tolerant to water deficit conditions. Present findings revealed that these pepper lines could be used to develop cultivars that have satisfactory yield under water deficit conditions.