Due to their widespread use in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries, medicinal and aromatic plants have gained importance with an increasing number of studies being conducted concerning the yield and quality characteristics of these plants. In breeding studies, selection is successful when there a correlation is established between the essential oil content, composition, and morphological and agronomic characteristics. The aim of this study was to address the correlation between the yield and quality of medicinal and aromatic plants to present a different perspective for breeding studies. Therefore, in this study, the relationship among the characteristics and the essential oil content of Izmir oregano (Origanum onites L.) and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) plants were investigated, and correlation and path analyses were performed. There was a significant negative correlation between the essential oil content and fresh herb (-0.279*), dry herb (-0.281*), and dry stem yield (-0.283*) of Izmir oregano. However, no significant correlation was found between the essential oil content and these agronomic characteristics in lemon balm. Fresh herb yield had a significant positive correlation with dry herb (0.661**), dry leaf (0.690**), and dry stem yield (0.610**). Dry herb yield was significantly and positively correlated with dry leaf (0.510*) and dry stem (0.461*) yields. A significant positive correlation was also observed between dry leaf and dry stem (0.688**) yields. According to the results of the path analysis, while the maximum negative effect on the essential oil content of Izmir oregano was provided by dry herb (-48.05%) yield, the highest direct positive effect belonged to dry leaf (21.69%) and dry stem (15.13%) yields. Dry leaf yield (-51.61%) and plant height (-45.71%) were the parameters that had the highest direct negative effect on the essential oil content of lemon balm while fresh herb (33.50%) and dry herb (30.27%) yields were the source of the highest direct positive effect.

Phytogenic feed additives have replaced the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in the diet of poultry particularly broiler chickens. Researchers are moving towards the use of natural products such as herbs, spices, plants and plant products, which possess influential effects on growth performance parameters, immune response and treatment of various diseases. Aloe vera is a well-known medicinal plant and is being used for commercial and therapeutic purposes such as antimicrobials, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulator, wound healing, antioxidant and antiprotozoal agents. From a few last decades, the use of Aloe vera has been increased as a natural additive to broiler diet. Based on the review of literature, Aloe vera can improve immune response, growth performance in the broiler, as well as an excellent alternative of AGPs and anticoccidial drugs. It can be used for broiler diet in the form of gel, powder, ethanolic extract and aqueous extract. This review provides information about the use of Aloe vera in broiler production with reference to the effects on growth performance, immune system, intestinal microflora and coccidiosis in broiler chickens.

Türkiye’nin toplam tarım arazisi varlığında yıllar itibariyle azalış meydana gelmesine rağmen ekonomik olarak sulanabilir nitelikte arazilerin üretime kazandırılması sayesinde mısır üretim faaliyetleri Türkiye’de yaygınlaşmıştır. Sulama imkânının olduğu alanlarda mısır; işçilik maliyetlerinin az olması, birim alanda yüksek verim avantajı sağlaması ve ürün pazarının kolaylıkla erişilebilir olması nedeniyle üretim açısından popüler bir üründür. Sulama alanlarının artışına paralel olarak üretimi yaygınlaşan mısır; ekonomik değeri yüksek fakat su tüketim miktarı da yüksek bir üründür. Bu yönüyle çalışmada işletmecilerin tarımsal faaliyetlerin sürdürülebilirliğine, mısırın ekiminden hasadına kadar geçen süreçte karşılaştıkları problemlerin çözümüne, üretim ile ilgili beklentilerine yönelik analizlerin yapılması amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmada mısır üreten tarım işletmecilerinin girdi maliyetleri, depolama olanakları ve su kaynaklarının tüketimine yönelik gelecek endişesi taşıdıkları belirlenmiştir.

Strawberry is one of the most preferred fruits all over the world due to its characteristic properties. Due to the morphological structure of fresh strawberries after harvesting, quality losses are observed during cold storage. Therefore, industrial washing of fresh strawberries is especially important for reducing microbial load and increasing shelf life. Demand for the new methods as an alternative to the chemicals used in industrial washing of fruits and vegetables is increasing due to consumer-related health concerns. Ultrasonic washing is a preferred innovative method in terms of reducing the microbial load and maintaining quality properties compared to chemical washing processes. In this study, fresh strawberries were washed with ultrasound (550 W/35 kHz) and peroxyacetic acid (40 ppm) after harvesting. The pH, total acidity, water soluble dry matter (brix), vitamin C, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, total viable, mold and yeast count analyses were performed in every two days during 14 days of cold storage of washed strawberries. Ultrasonic washing was found to be more effective in reducing microbial load and preserving bioactive properties of strawberries compared to other method due to its cavitation effect.

Otomasyon, insan müdahalesine ihtiyaç duyulmadan çeşitli cihaz, sistem ve programların işletilmesini sağlayan mekanik, elektronik ve bilgisayar tabanlı bir teknolojidir. Sulama otomasyonu sistemi; çevre, su kaynakları ve üretim maliyeti dikkate alınarak daha az insan gücü, daha kontrollü ve daha kaliteli tarımsal üretim ile planlanmalıdır. Sulama programını sera, tarla ve bahçe bitkileri yetiştiriciliğinde uygulama becerisine sahip olmalıdır. Sulama otomasyonu sistemi bazı işlem basamakları takip edilerek oluşturulmaktadır. Bunlar; sulama programının hazırlanması, sistem bileşenlerinin seçilmesi, projenin hazırlanması, yazılımın hazırlanarak test edilmesi ve sistemin kurulmasıdır. Bu aşamalardan geçirilen sulama otomasyon sistemi, sulama suyunun etkin kullanımını sağlar, işçiliği azaltır, sulama programını izler ve üretim maliyetlerini azaltır. Bu çalışmada, bitki su tüketimine ve bitki kök bölgesindeki nem düzeyine duyarlı sulama otomasyonu sistemlerinin tasarımına yardımcı olabilecek iş akış şemaları oluşturulmuştur.

This study was conducted to compare the effect of different cover crop treatments on DTPA-extractable micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu) and soil pH in an apricot orchard with clay texture located in Malatya province of Turkey. For this purpose, 5 different experimental groups (Vicia villosa Roth (VV), Vicia pannonica Crantz (VP), Vicia pannonica Crantz and Tritikale mixture (70% + 30%, respectively) (VPT), Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth (PT), Fagopyrum esculentum Moench (FE)) and 3 control groups (mechanically cultivated (MC), herbicide treatment (HC) and bare control plot (BC)) were used in the apricot orchards. The soils were sampled from 0–20 cm and 20-40 cm depths in each plot for soil analyses. According to the obtained results, while cover crop treatments reduced pH values of soils according to the bare control, the cover crops increased the Fe, Mn and Zn contents of soils in the 0-20 cm soil depth. The highest Ext-Fe, Mn and Zn contents were obtained in the VV (14.83mg kg-1, 8.42 mg kg-1, 1.03 mg kg-1, respectively) at the 0-20 cm soil depth. As compared to bare control, highest percent increases in Fe, Mn and Zn contents were determined in the VV 27.73%, 31.69% and 37.54%, respectively. The greatest significant negative correlations in the VV treatment were observed between pH and Fe (-0.985**), between pH and Mn (-0.945**) and between pH and Zn (-0.764*). The greatest significant negative correlations in the VP treatment were observed between pH and Fe (-0.948**), between pH and Mn (-0.928**) and between pH and Zn (-0.722*). It was concluded based on current findings that cover crops, especially Vicia villosa Roth and Vicia pannonica Crantz could be incorporated into cropping systems to improve micronutrients and to provide a sustainable soil management.

The aim of this study was to find potential PGPR from sub-forest soil located different region soils of Turkey. Previous research indicated that the existing bacteria in arable soil are not capable to represent their individual performance most probably due to the competition. To overcome this phenomenon, soils are collected from sub-forest soil of Adana (Ad), Antalya (An), Hatay (Ha), Isparta (Is), Ordu (Or) and Sivas (Si) provinces. Experiment was carried out on the soil existing in Isparta in a greenhouse condition. Four fast growing bacteria colonies in tryptic soy (CASO) agar medium from each province were isolated and then, each isolate cultivated at liquid CASO broth until they reach 106 cfu ml-1. Experiments were carried out with a total of 24 bacteria including 6 province and 4 bacteria cultures from each region. The effects of those bacteria on biomass development and nutrient uptake of maize (Zea mays) were investigated. Sterile broth was applied treatment defined as control. The results revealed that 23 isolates out of 24 stimulated plants shoot dry weight. The highest value observed in the Or1 and Is4 isolates as 12.8 and 12.7 g plant-1 which around 77% higher than control whereas the lowest was in Or2 as 6.45 g plant-1. Plant nutrient concentrations were also influenced from inoculates where An1, Ad1, Or1, Is1 and Is3 significantly increased macro nutrients uptake where total N, available P, K, Ca and Mg were higher by 19%, 14%, 14%, 59% and 41% over the control, respectively. The Fe concentration was found 48% higher in Ad3 isolate. The Cu, Mn and Zn were the highest in Si3 as 43%, 30% and 31%, respectively. In general 4 out of 24 isolates were selected as promising PGPR for both plant development and nutrient uptake of maize.

Clearing of natural ecosystems and land degradation due to unsustainable agricultural practices are becoming threats to the sustainability and productivity of agricultural systems in Burie town administrative, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia. The aim of this paper is therefore to assess the fruit tree species diversity in home garden agro-forestry and their role for supporting local people’s livelihoods in Burie town administration. Cultivated plants of 72 home gardens were surveyed and critical information were collected through questioner and focus group discussion from 12 households. Fruit tree species diversity (expressed in species richness and evenness) in home gardens in the study sites was determined using the Shannon-Weiner Index. The study basically considers the human consumption fruit trees species. A total of 18 fruit tree species represented by 9-genera and 7-families were recorded in home garden agro-forestry within the three wealth status (poor, medium, and rich) of the selected respondents commonly. From all wealth categories, the highest Shannon diversity index was recorded in rich and the lowest was in poor class category. Similarly, the highest species evenness was recorded in rich wealth category. However, there was no significant difference among rich and medium wealth categories for species richness. The study also revealed that age, land hold size, education status is the cause for species diversity in addition to the wealth status in the study area. Older respondents had significantly higher species richness and diversity than youngsters. It has been also found that almost all (100%) of the sampled households harvest and use at least four types of home garden products for various purposes. Lacks of management practices were the factors which puts the species diversity in question in the study area.

Most of the non-irrigated areas in the southeast of the Harran Plain are irrigated by groundwater. The aim of this study is to determine the importance of 13 underground irrigation water sources operating in the agricultural areas of Ohali village in southeast of Harran Plain in Sanliurfa province in terms of some quality characteristics and irrigation. In this context, the waters belonging to 13 underground wells were analysed and examined in terms of irrigation water quality. According to the results of the analysis, the electrical conductivity of water samples was measured between 1127-4090 µS/cm. The SAR value of irrigation water was found to be between 1.05-3.41 and the %Na value was between 16.2% - 31.8%. In the evaluation made according to four different classification systems, in general, waters 6, 7, 8 and 9 were determined as the worst quality in all classification systems. These waters are described “unsuitable” irrigation water. Considering that the plants which have high water consumption such as cotton and corn are cultivated in the region, it is foreseen that if the necessary precautions are not taken, the salinity in the soil will increase and yield losses will be high. It is imperative that these areas, which cannot be irrigated within the scope of GAP irrigation project, be irrigated with clean water as soon as possible. However, an appropriate drainage system must be installed in the area.