Growing environmental and human health awareness due to increased concerns caused by intensive agriculture, has resulted a trend toward organic farming. Organic farming first started in the mid-1980s worldwide, introduced in Türkiye during 1989–1999 with raisin, fig and apricot, and then hazelnut was included in these products. In our country, total of 21.418,57 tons of organic hazelnut production occurs on 12.129,24 ha in 18 provinces. Considering the entire hazelnut production area, organic production is quite low. Organic hazelnut production requires daily monitoring of mechanical control and cultivation measures in the orchard. In addition to this intensive labor, the extraordinary increase in agricultural inputs in the recent period may explain such a low production amount. However, given the recent environmental disasters in the world, human and environmental friendly production systems such as organic agriculture should be encouraged in order to restore the natural balance that has been significantly damaged.

Probiotics are widely used in different forms of food or food supplements due to their health benefits. Probiotics consumption has seen an increase over the years. The main species used in probiotic products are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, along with other species such as Bacillus. Generally, probiotic microorganisms are accepted as safe even though they are resistant to several antibiotics. Some probiotic strains with intrinsic antibiotic resistance may be beneficial in regenerating gut microbiota during antibiotic therapy. However, the antibiotic resistance genes identified in probiotic microorganisms may carry the risk of the transfer of resistance genes to pathogens, raising concerns. For instance, tetracycline resistance genes have often been detected in probiotic organisms Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. The antibiotic resistance genes carried on mobile genetic elements create reservoirs for pathogen resistance. This transfer of resistant genes to opportunistic pathogens and their spread may pose great danger. Hence, the purpose of this review was to assess the presence of antibiotic resistance in probiotic microorganisms and the potential transfer of the resistant genes to pathogens or commensal bacteria in the intestine.

Field research was commenced in Rukum West on a standing crop of onion during the flowering stage to assess the effectiveness of foliar sprays of micronutrients on the yield of onion seeds (Allium cepa L.) cv. Red Creol. The experiment was carried out using two levels of Zinc (300 ppm and 375 ppm) and two levels of Boron (240 ppm and 360 ppm) in an RCBD design with treatments applied either separately or in combinations, comprising nine treatments and three replications. The treatments were administered before flowering, during flowering, and after flowering at the seed production stage at 15 days intervals. The application of Zinc and Boron increased total seed yield, seed yield per umbel, seed yield per plant, and germination percentage. The highest seed yield per plant, seed yield per umbel, and seed yield per plot were recorded from Treatment 8 (Zn 375ppm + B 360ppm) i.e.  52.8 gm per plant, 6.12 gm per umbel, and 966.67 kg ha-1 respectively. Similarly, Treatment 1 (Zn300ppm) and Treatment 8 (Zn 375ppm + B 360ppm) showed the highest germination percentage (70%), and Treatment 9 (control) showed the lowest (45%). The treatments did not affect the thousand seed weight.

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV), one of the casual agents of citrus decline, is responsible for the death of millions of citrus trees and reduced production and productivity of citrus orchards worldwide. CTV epidemics has been recorded from several parts of the world where mainly steam pitting (SP) and quick decline (QD) strains of CTV have induced severe disease reactions. Identification and characterization of CTV isolates primarily has been focused on the biological assaying in indicator plants, serology-based ELISA and molecular PCR tests. Controlling the presence and spread of CTV where it is absent or establishment is limited heavily relies upon preventive measures, quarantine and legislations. Cross protection is an appealing technique especially for controlling CTV – Stem Pitting strains and use of CTV resistant rootstocks largely prevent infection by CTV – Quick Decline strains. More reliable and effective way to control CTV is breeding for resistant or tolerant cultivars. Advances in molecular biology have lead scientists to find out genes and map genetic loci of CTV resistant citrus and related species that could be exploited in breeding. However incorporation of resistant ability offered by a handful of citrus and its related species into the susceptible cultivars containing other desirable agronomical traits is challenging through classical plant breeding approaches. The following review work is based on Citrus tristza virus and its management practices.

Sweet cherry, which affects consumers’ preferences with its aroma, taste and sensory properties, is a significant fruit species for human health with its bioactive compounds such as organic acids, vitamins and anthocyanins. However, its post-harvest shelf life is very short due to its sensitive fruit structure. Thus, the significant economic losses occur. In the study, effects of pre-harvest Aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), Salicylic acid (SA) and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) applications on fruit quality characteristics and biochemical content in sweet cherry were determined. SA and PGPR treatments increased fruit size, but AVG decreased (If the fruit weight is 4.51 in the control application, 4.49 in the SA application and 4.10 in the PGPR, how can it be said that SA and PGPR increase the fruit weight).  The fruits treated with SA, AVG and PGPR had higher fruit firmness values than the control’-fruits. Salisylic acid treatmens did not affect the rate of soluble solids content(SSC) in fruit, SSC rate was higher in PGPR treated-fruit, but AVG decreased the SSC. Titratable acidity (TA) was lower in PGPR treated-fruit, but was higher in the AVG and SA treated-fruit. Fruits treated with the SA and AVG had higher fruit color values than control fruits, while the lowest color values was obtained with PGPR treatment. In general; PGPR, SA and AVG were effective in the concentration of organic acids, but their effects varied depending on the organic acid compounds. As a result, AVG and SA delayed fruit ripening and fruit softening while PGPR, AVG and SA improved fruit quality (It is not clear how this idea was reached). These applications can be considered as a promising method for improving fruit quality at harvest and  maintaining post-harvest fruit quality of sweet cherry.

Dermatophytosis is a mycotic disease of the skin that is resistant to treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment efficacy of a novel antimicrobial agent, Hypochlorous Acid (HOCL), on dermatophytosis of cats and dogs, in comparison with Ketaconazole. In this study, a total of 76 animals (26 cats and 50 dogs) without any disease other than skin fungal infection after clinical, hematological, biochemical, microscopic and Wood's lamp examinations were used. Subjects were randomly assigned to two equal treatment groups within their own species as HOCL: HP and Ketaconazole: KT. Naked eye inspection results were collected on the 8th, 11th and 15th days of all patients. The study was terminated on the 15th day by collecting the Wood's lamp and microscopic examination data together with the last inspection finding. Findings were analyzed statistically with chi-square and CART (Classification and Regression Tree) algorithm test. Inspection results of the treatment groups exhibited significant recovery over time (day 8, 11 and 15) for both species (p0.05). According to the microscopic examination results, a significant statistical difference was observed between the HP and KT groups (p0.05). As a result, it was concluded that HOCl has an effect on dermatophytosis of cat and dogs, although not as much as Ketaconazole, but further studies are needed to reveal the results more clearly.

Farmers in Bangladesh are enthusiastic in dragon fruit farming as a new and promising crop that offers both difficulties and potential. The purpose of the study was to examine the advantages and disadvantages of this novel fruit from the perspective of growers. It is a descriptive survey research which was conducted in purposively selected four Upazilas of Chapainawabganj region of Bangladesh including Chapainawabganj Sadar, Gomastapur, Nachol, and Godagari from 16th April to 25th May, 2022. Pearson’s correlation test was administered to determine the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics of the growers and their knowledge on dragon fruit production. Socio-demographic profile of the randomly selected growers of the study revealed that majority of the respondents were in their middle age, highly educated, had a medium annual income with medium sized land, little farming experience, less training and higher cosmopolitan behavior. Majority of the dragon fruit growers showed high level of understanding regarding dragon fruit cultivation and their fellow farmers and mass media were determined to be the most effective sources of information. According to the study’s findings, the majority of farmers were inspired to grow dragon fruit because it is more resistant to pests and diseases, promotes excellent health, yields for a long time, and can be grown from both seeds and cuttings. Furthermore, the fruit has a higher profit margin than other field crops. Weeds, bird invasions, high labor expenses, lack of technical knowledge of farmers on dragon fruit farming were recognized as major obstacles to fruit production. According to a correlation analysis, farmers’ age, extension contacts, and cosmopolitan nature were significantly and positively correlated with their knowledge of growing dragon fruit. More government support, especially from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), and fixing the issues described above could increase the fruit’s future prospects in the country.

Taking long-term threats on food supply and safety, effects of Covid-19 pandemic on nutritional habits of consumers were investigated in this study. Consumers living in Yeşilyurt district of Tokat province in 2021 constituted the primary material of the present study. Simple random sampling method was used in selection of the sample size and 162 people participated into face-to-face interviews. Changes in food consumption habits of consumers before and after the pandemic were investigated. Present findings revealed an increase in monthly food expenditures of consumers during the pandemic period. About 45% of the participating consumers stated that their nutrition levels were affected during the pandemic period. The variables that had the highest positive correlation with the nutritional effects after Covid-19 pandemic were identified as consumption of dietary supplements (vitamins, etc.) and medicinal-aromatic plants after the pandemic. Path analysis was applied to survey findings and the variables with the greatest direct effects on nutritional level of the consumers after Covid-19 pandemic were identified as change in winter preparations (88.88%), monthly fruit consumption (84.59%) and monthly meat consumption (83.44%).

The aim of this study was to assess the nutrient composition and sensory properties of breakfast cereal made from yellow maize and enriched with soybean and groundnut flours. Yellow maize was replaced with groundnut (GF) (15–35%) and soybean flour (SBF) (10–15%) to produce a more nutritionally balanced breakfast cereal. Proximate, mineral, vitamin, and sensory analysis were carried out on the formulated breakfast cereals. The results showed that groundnut and soybean flour supplementation significantly increased the protein content (20.90–23.01%) as compared to the control along with an increase in fat (10.52-11.28%), crude fibre (2.98–3.90%), and ash (1.99–2.60%), while carbohydrate (57.09–52.66%) and energy (406.64–403.79 Kcal) decreased with the incremental addition of SBF and GF. Similarly, calcium (36.16-37.98 mg/100g), magnesium (32.16-37.98 mg/100g), potassium (10.62-12.16 mg/100g), iron (42.21-48.65 mg/100g) and vitamin A (70.07-74.01) g/dl) content of the breakfast cereals also increased significantly with increasing SBF and GF substitution, while a decrease was observed for phosphorus. The highest total score of sensory evaluation was for the control sample (golden morn), which was followed closely by the sample containing 20% GF and 15% SBF. Higher levels of SBF and GF can improve the nutritional value of breakfast cereals.

The Euphrates-Tigris Basin is the most important water source in the Middle East. The present study examined the relationship between the precipitation and temperature characteristics of the basin using remote teleconnection patterns on a monthly time scale. The effects of the North Atlantic, Arctic Oscillations, North Sea Caspian Pattern, and Western Mediterranean indices were examined. The relationship between teleconnection patterns and precipitation/temperature was investigated by adopting Spearman’s Correlation test. All of the remote teleconnection patterns had significant effects on the temperature and precipitation characteristics of the basin. However, the North Sea Caspian Pattern significantly affected the temperatures of the entire basin. Similarly, the Western Mediterranean index had a significant effect on the average temperatures for four months (February, April, November, and December) in almost the entire basin. Also, the Western Mediterranean Index corralates positively with the precipitation of the basin in January, while the correlation is negative in October, and November. Especially, the Western Mediterranean Index and the North Sea Caspian Pattern showed one-month and two-month delayed relationships in monthly total precipitation in some months. At the extremes of the index values, relationships often became strong and distinct. The study results may be useful for seasonal temperature and precipitation forecasts of the Euphrates-Tigris basin.