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*).

Growth retardation and decreased vivid coloration are significant issues in the ornamental fish market, particularly among cichlids. This study investigates the effects of Schizochytrium sp. microalgae supplementation on the growth and skin coloration of the Jack Dempsey cichlid (Rocio octofasciata). Three experimental groups were established: a control group (C) with no supplementation, and two microalgae-supplemented groups with 0.5% (S05) and 1% (S10). The control group was fed a commercial diet, while the S05 and S10 groups received the microalgae mixed with the commercial feed via spraying. A total of 135 Jack Dempsey fish (mean initial weight: 1.17 ± 0.14 g) were stocked into nine glass tanks (100 L each), with three replicates per group. After a 60-day feeding trial, growth indices revealed significant differences (p<0.05) between the control and algae-supplemented groups. The S10 group exhibited the highest final weight (FW) and the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR). Additionally, the weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) values for the S10 group were significantly higher than those of both the control and S05 groups (p<0.05). However, skin color parameters, including L* (brightness), a* (+red/-green axis), b* (+yellow/-blue axis), chroma (Ch), and hue angle (Hue), showed no statistical differences among the groups. This study demonstrates that a diet supplemented with 1% Schizochytrium sp. can enhance growth parameters and serve as a beneficial feed additive for Jack Dempsey cichlids.

Exposure to bisphenol A (BP), an environmental pollutant, is potentially harmful to both human health and the environment. The purpose of the current research was to evaluate the effectiveness of β-caryophyllene (CF) (200 mg/kg) on rat cerebellar tissues exposed to BP (250 mg/kg). Thirty-five randomly selected male rats were split into five groups as: control (CON), olive oil (OL), BP, CF, and CF+BP. On day 15 of the experiment, all rats' cerebellar tissues were immediately extracted, followed by stereological and histological examination. Our results revealed that MDA level was significantly elevated in the BP group compared to the CON group (p<0.05). While no significant difference was detected in the mean cerebellar volume among the experimental groups, the BP group’s the Purkinje cell number was significantly reduced when compared to the CON group (p<0.05). In the CF+BP group, we found a significantly lower level of MDA and higher number of Purkinje cells compared to the BP group (p<0.05). Histopathological examination revealed that the BP group had the marked neuronal deterioration; however, in the CF+BP group, this structural alteration was not as severe than the BP group. Our findings showed that exposure to BP caused oxidative damage to cerebellar tissues, and administration of CF attenuated BP-induced toxicity via improvement of oxidative stress.

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.

The fermented seed of néré (Parkia biglobosa), known as Soumbara, is a condiment widely consumed by the population in West Africa and Guinea in particular. The present study aims to use physicochemical, colorimetric methods and mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy to evaluate the evolution of the quality of Soumbara during storage (30 days). Thus, 5 kg of Soumbara were taken, subdivided into 7 batches of samples, and analysed every 5 days for 30 days. Physicochemical analyses (water activity, moisture, proteins, and total ash) would show that the storage duration induced a variation during storage; for example, the total ash contents on days 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 are respectively 3.96 ± 0.25, 3.89 ± 0.43, 3.97 ± 0, 23, 3.99 ± 0.12, 4.54 ± 0.14, 4.57 ± 0.2 and 4.8 ± 0.21%. During the first 15 days of storage, no significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between samples. The colorimetric measurements showed that the storage duration did not significantly affect the values of a* and b*, except the L* value which decreased significantly (p<0.05) (42.16 ± 0.015 on day 1 to 40.02 ± 0.015 on day 30). Applying statistical methods to mid-infrared spectroscopy allowed a clear distinction between the Soumbara samples during storage for 30 days. The partial least squares regression (PLSR) applied to MIR spectra made it possible to predict water, moisture and protein activity levels, since R2 greater than 0.99 were obtained. The results demonstrated that mid-infrared spectroscopy coupled with chemometric tools could be used as a rapid screening tool to assess and monitor the quality of Soumbara during storage.

Improved malt barley production technology packages are not yet widely adopted in Ethiopia. Stakeholders, including brewers, malt factories, research institutes, and farmer-based organizations, have been collaborating and promoting new malt barley production technologies in order to boost the intensity of acceptance. The aim of this study was to find out the intensity of improved malt barley production technologies adoption in Arsi zones, Oromia region, Ethiopia. A stratified random sampling approach with multiple stages was employed to collect primary data from 384 malt barley household heads. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the intensity of adoption of improved malt barley production technologies was determined using an econometric Tobit regression model. The findings specified that the most adopted improved malt barley variety was Traveler (47.92%), which was followed in descending order by Iboni (14.58%), Sabini (9.38%), Grace (5.47%), Holker (4.43%), and 18.23% unnamed varieties. The Tobit model result also depicted that the intensity to which improved malt barley varieties adopted were affected by, taking into account factors including contract farming involvement, cooperative membership, off-farm income, size of livestock holdings, access to training, and mobile ownership. Enhancing farmers’ knowledge of the advantages of contract farming, income diversification, and mobile phone-based information delivery are among the many ways to support access to and accelerate the adoption of improved malt barley technology in the research area and beyond.

This study sought to develop an index for agricultural digitalization by applying composite confirmatory analysis (CCA). Another aim was to determine the factors that affect the development of digitalization in PLAS farms. Data on the indicators of the three dimensions of digitalization were collected from 300 Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS) farms in South Africa using semi-structured questionnaires. Confirmatory composite analysis (CCA) was employed to reduce the items into three digitalization dimensions and ultimately to a digitalization index. Standardized digitalization index scores were extracted and fitted to a linear regression model to determine the factors affecting digitalization. The results revealed that the model shows practical validity and can be used to measure digitalization as measures of fit (geodesic distance, standardized root mean square residual, and squared Euclidean distance) were all below their respective 95%quantiles of bootstrap discrepancies (HI95 values). Therefore, digitalization is an emergent variable that can be measured using CCA. The average level of digitalization in PLAS farms was 0.02 and varied significantly across provinces. Although farmers have attempted to digitalise their farms, there are still minimal levels of digitalization in PLAS farms. The results further reveal different digitalization patterns. As judged by the estimated weights of various dimensions of digitalization, the use of digital technologies to collect, store, analyse, and disseminate (CSAD) farm-related data contributed more towards the digitalization index. The second most important component of digitalization was automation digitalization. In contrast, value chain digitalization was the least significant contributor. The factors that significantly influence digitalization were age, gender, farm type, network type, and cellular data type. Since PLAS farmers have not embraced much digitalization, it is important to focus on awareness and capacity building. A balanced approach to digitalization would benefit PLAS farms by ensuring that strategies to integrate digital solutions within the value chain are developed. To foster and support the digitalization in PLAS farms, policymakers and stakeholders should tailor their strategies to fit specific socioeconomic factors.

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.