As the organic agriculture sector grows, the need for standards, inspection, and certification systems to ensure trust in organic products increases. Organic agriculture revolves around standards that determine the practices that farmers must follow. These standards also create a plan for inspection and certification systems. These systems are the cornerstone of ensuring reliability in the organic agriculture sector. This study has been prepared to evaluate the inspection and certification systems within the framework of the sense of trust, which is a critical issue in the organic agriculture sector from farm to fork. The focus of this framework is to ensure that inspection and certification systems keep the principles of organic agriculture intact from farm to fork. This is because these systems are necessary to build trust, access markets, increase consumer confidence and support fair and ethical practices in the sector. However, it is suggested that areas such as facilitating accessible inspection and certification for small-scale farmers, improving consumer education and promoting cooperation for global standards should be studied as potential areas.

This study aims to assess the sustainability level of viticulture farms in Batman province and identify the factors that hinder their sustainability. The data used for the study were collected in the 2021 production year through surveys of 94 farms. A composite sustainability index was developed to measure the sustainability level of viticultural activities. Positive or endogenous weighting methods, such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), were used to reduce the number of sustainability indicators and determine their weights. The index values for economic, environmental, and social sustainability were found to be 0.40, 0.44, and 0.53, respectively. The overall sustainability index value for the farms was calculated as 0.43. The study also highlighted that 46.81% of the farms are at risk in terms of sustainability, with larger farms showing better sustainability performance compared to smaller ones.

Bu çalışma, karma yeme demir dikeni bitkisi (Tribulus terrestris) saponin ekstraktı (DDSE) ilavesinin yumurtacı tavuklarda performans, iç-dış yumurta kalite kriterleri, yumurta kolesterol düzeyleri ve bazı kan serum parametreleri üzerine etkisini incelemek amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Araştırma grupları ticari yumurtacı karma yemine 0 (kontrol); 1 g DDSE, 2 g DDSE, 4 g DDSE ve 8 g DDSE eklenerek 5 gruptan oluşturulmuştur. Toplam 80 adet yumurtacı tavuk her bir grupta 16 hayvan olacak şekilde gruplara rastgele dağıtılmıştır. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre; kontrol grubu hariç diğer deneme gruplarına göre 1 g DDSE grubunda yumurta sarısı kolesterol değeri düşmüştür. Deneme ortasında 2, 4 ve 8 g DDSE grupları kontrol grubuna göre daha yüksek ak uzunluğu değerleri vermişlerdir. Performans ve kan serumu parametre değerleri bakımından gruplar arasında herhangi bir farklılığa rastlanmamıştır. Sonuç olarak DDSE tavuklarda performans, yumurta kalite kriterleri ve bazı kan parametreleri üzerine etkisi olmadığı tespit edilmiştir.

Bu araştırmanın temel amacı, sendika üyesi memurların sendikal demokrasi algısı ile sendikal bağlılıkları arasındaki ilişkide etik liderlik algısının düzenleyici rolünü belirlemektir. Nicel alan araştırması niteliğinde çalışma yapılmış olup, araştırmanın evrenini Tarım ve Ormancılık Hizmet Kolunda faaliyet gösteren ve hizmet kolunda yetkili sendika konumunda olan Tarım-Orman Çalışanları Birliği Sendikası (Toç Bir-Sen)’in üyeleri oluşturmaktadır. Bu kapsamda sendika üyelerinden anket yöntemi ile veriler toplanmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemini ankete katılan Toç Bir-Sen üyesi 2128 çalışan oluşturmaktadır. Araştırma sonucunda, sendika üyelerinin örgütsel demokrasi algıları ile örgütsel bağlılıkları arasında pozitif yönlü ve anlamlı bir ilişkinin var olduğu, etik liderlik algıları ile örgütsel bağlılıkları arasında anlamlı ve pozitif yönlü bir ilişkinin var olduğu, örgütsel demokrasi algısı ile etik liderlik algıları arasında anlamlı ve pozitif yönlü bir ilişkinin var olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca sendika üyelerinin örgütsel demokrasi algıları ile örgütsel bağlılıkları arasındaki ilişkide etik liderliğin anlamlı ve pozitif yönlü düzenleyici etkisinin olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Dolayısı ile araştırmanın tüm hipotezleri doğrulanmıştır. Bu sonuçlara göre, sendika yöneticilerinin etik davranışlar sergilemeleri, aldıkları kararların ve uygulamalarının etik kurallara uygun olmasına özen göstermeleri, yönetim ve karar alma süreçlerinin tamamında demokratik tutum ve davranış sergilemeleri sendika üyelerinin sendikal bağlılıklarına pozitif yönde etki edecektir. Çalışma sonuçlarının, örgütsel bağlılık ile etik liderlik arasındaki ilişkiyi ve örgütsel demokrasi ile örgütsel bağlılık arasındaki ilişkiyi inceleyen literatür çalışmalarına ait sonuçları desteklemesi nedeni ile literatüre katkı sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir.

Limited studies have focused on plant growth performance using organic-based solutions complemented with mineral elements in a hydroponic system. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the growth performance of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) as influenced by cow dung extract combined with a hydroponic nutrient solution. Treatments considered as four different levels of aerated cow dung extracts (C), viz., C1 = 50 g l-1, C2 =100 g l-1, C3 =150 g l-1 and C4 =200 g l-1 and four strengths of standard nutrient solution (S), viz, S1 = 30% of standard nutrient solution, S2 = 40% of standard nutrient solution, S3 = 50% of standard nutrient solution and S4 = 60% of standard nutrient solution. The experiment was carried out using a deep flow technique in a semi-greenhouse. Various growth and physiological parameters were measured in this experiment. The obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis with 4 replicates by analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS. In the case of growth parameters, the tallest plant (23.54 cm), maximum number of leaves per plant (17.01) broadest leaf (13.32 cm), and the highest fresh weight (112.05 g/plant) were recorded from C3 while the lowest in C1. For hydroponic nutrient solution, the tallest plant (23.13 cm), the maximum number of leaves per plant (16.66), the widest leaf breath (14.17 cm), and the highest fresh weight (116.0 g/plant) were recorded from S4 while the lowest in S1. On the other hand, physiological traits viz. leaf area, net assimilation ratio, and relative growth rate were statistically higher in C3 and lowest in C1. In the nutrient solution, all physiological parameters were highest in S4 and the lowest in S1. In the case of the interaction effect, the highest fresh weight and almost all the parameters were found best in C3S4 and the lowest in C1S1. Therefore, the analysis showed that in terms of growth promotion properties hydroponic nutrient solution along with cow dung extract had a substantial impact and C3S4 was the most preferable treatment combination. Based on these findings, in a hydroponic system, an inorganic nutrient solution combined with organic liquid fertilizer derived from cow dung extract (as an alternative nutrient source) requires further improvements to achieve optimal growth and yield.

Dahi is a fermented milk product containing probiotic lactic acid bacteria. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and characterize lactic acid-producing bacteria from native Dahi and evaluate their viability in orange juice using natural prebiotics. Dahi samples were obtained from local shops in Chattogram and Bogura, Bangladesh. Lactic acid-producing bacteria were isolated using MRS (de Mann Rogosa and Sharpe) medium. The isolated bacteria were identified through colony morphology, biochemical tests, and probiotic characteristics. Molecular identification was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting conserved 16S rDNA regions. Isolates of the genus Lactobacillus and Lactococcus lactis sp. Lactis were confirmed and used to develop probiotic orange juice. Prebiotics (Asparagus falcatus and Zingiber officinale) were added to the juice to support probiotic growth. The inoculated cell’s viability and the juice’s physicochemical parameters were evaluated during fermentation (48 hours) and storage (28 days). All fruit juice samples showed a mean number of viable cells of at least 1×105 CFU/mL during the 48-hour fermentation and 28-day storage in the refrigerator. Using natural prebiotics positively affected the survival of lactic acid bacteria, as demonstrated by bacterial colony growth on Petri dishes. Developing probiotic fruit juice enriched with prebiotics could be an effective alternative for individuals allergic or intolerant to milk-based products. Incorporating lactic acid bacteria from native Dahi into orange juice, combined with natural prebiotics, resulted in viable probiotic cells throughout fermentation and storage.

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.

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*).

Bu çalışma, acı baklanın (Lupinus albus L.) acılığı giderme sürecinde bir ön işlem yöntemi olarak ultrasonun etkinliğini araştırarak, genel kalitesini ve besin profilini iyileştirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Acı bakla tohumları protein ve diğer temel besin maddeleri bakımından bol miktarda bulunur, ancak başta acı bakla ve lupinidin olmak üzere acı alkaloidler içerirler ve bu da bunların gıda ve yem olarak kullanılmasında zorluklar yaratır. Geleneksel acılık giderme yöntemleri, zaman alıcı olan ve besin kayıplarına yol açabilen suya batırmayı içerir. Ultrason, besin bütünlüğünden ödün vermeden acılık giderme sürecini hızlandırma kabiliyeti nedeniyle umut verici bir alternatif olarak ortaya çıkıyor. Bu araştırmada, acılık giderme verimliliğini optimize etmek için acı bakla tohumlarına çeşitli koşullar altında ultrason ön işlemi uygulandı. Ultrason gücü, işlem sıcaklığı ve süresi gibi parametreler, alkaloitlerin uzaklaştırılması ve besin içeriğinin korunması üzerindeki etkilerini belirlemek için sistematik olarak değerlendirildi. Ön işleme tabi tutulmuş Lupin numuneleri daha sonra alkaloit konsantrasyonları, protein içeriği ve diğer besin özelliklerindeki değişiklikler açısından analiz edildi. Uygulanan ultrason destekli ekstraksiyon yöntemi yeni bir bakış açısı getirmiş ve ısıtma işlemi ultrasonla uyarlanarak acılık giderme işlemi daha kısa sürede gerçekleştirilmiştir. Ön sonuçlar, acı bakla tohumlarındaki acılık seviyelerini ve alkaloid konsantrasyonlarını azaltmada ultrason ön işleminin etkinliğini göstermektedir. Üstelik süreç, Lupin'de bulunan temel besin maddelerini korur ve böylece insan tüketimi ve hayvan yemi için değerli bir protein ve diğer besin kaynağı olma potansiyelini artırır. Bu çalışma Lupin için sürdürülebilir ve verimli ön arıtma yöntemlerinin geliştirilmesine katkıda bulunarak gıda, yem ve çeşitli endüstriyel uygulamalarda daha geniş kullanımının yollarını açıyor.

This study aimed to determine the effect of ultrasonic sound waves on modifying the chemical structure of biodiesel to bring its physical properties closer to petroleum diesel. In this direction, safflower oil was selected because its fatty acid composition is similar to fatty acid esters of petroleum diesel and is a sustainable source. Refined safflower oil, the free fatty acid content of which was determined, was reacted with methanol under NaOH catalyst to perform the transesterification reaction. After biodiesel production, samples were incubated in an ultrasonic bath for 60, 120, and 180 minutes. FTIR, density, free fatty acid content, flash point, viscosity, and cloud point analyses investigated the effect of incubation times on biodiesel's chemical structure and properties. FTIR spectra showed that ultrasonic sound waves partially decomposed fatty acid methyl esters and increased the number of volatile components in biodiesel. The flash point of biodiesel has been associated with a decrease of 89°C, and the low flash point is expected to increase fuel efficiency. Kinematic viscosity values were measured in the 3.4583-3.5115 mm²/s range, and density values were measured in the 0.8820-0.8872 g/ml range. These values show that biodiesel complies with national and international standards. As a result, the ultrasonic bath process applied to biodiesel showed a similar result to chemical modification methods by affecting the structure of fatty acid chains. Thus, it brought the physical properties of biodiesel closer to petroleum diesel. It is seen that this method is a more efficient alternative for biodiesel production because it does not use additional chemicals, and the process is faster. In conclusion, by increasing the production of the drought-resistant safflower plant, sustainable energy resources will be contributed, while its waste can be evaluated as animal feed. Ultrasonicated safflower biodiesel can also be used as an efficient, environmentally and mechanically friendly alternative fuel source.