This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different foliar microbial fertilizer applications on yield and yield components of some cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) cultivars (Akkız-86 and Karagöz-86). The research was conducted in 2022 growing season under Kayseri ecological conditions. When the results of the study were evaluated, average values of plant height varied between 80.294-84.668 cm, number of main branches per plant varied between 1.749-1.919 pieces/plant, first pod height varied between 44.326-50.012 cm, number of pods varied between 8.449-11.056 pieces/plant, number of seeds per pod varied between 4.925-5.591 pieces/plant; the highest value in unit area grain yield was obtained from Imed microbial fertilizer with 232.814 kg/da. It can be said that microbial fertilizers positively affect grain yield in cowpea plants.

In this study, the effects of season and genotype on bee venom (BV) yield and content were determined. For this purpose, BV was collected from Muğla Ecotype colonies every 15 days in spring (April-May 2022), summer (June, July, August 2022) and autumn (September, October, November 2022). BV yields and contents of the colonies were determined according to the seasons. In addition, melittin, apamin and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) were detected in BV harvested from Carniolan F1 (6 pieces) and Muğla Ecotype (6 pieces) colonies. The average bee venom yield (BVY) obtained in Muğla Ecotype colonies was determined as 45.5±2.69 mg, 33.9±2.12 mg and 23.4±2.29 mg in spring, summer and autumn, respectively and the differences between the groups were significant. The effect of season on BV content was statistically insignificant, while the effect of genotype on BV content (melittin) was found to be significant. The average melittin ratio of BV produced from Carniolan F1 colonies and Muğla Ecotype colonies was determined as 56.41±1.64% and 66.39±1.84%, respectively. As a result, it was determined in this study that season was effective on BVY but did not affect the content, and the melittin ratio, which constitutes more than half of the BV, was affected by the bee genotype

Rice blast, aused by Magnaporthe oryzae B.C.Couch, is considered as the main fungal disease in rice fields in Burkina Faso. This study aimed to assess the essential oils of Cymbopogon schoenanthus, Ocimum americanum, Ocimum gratissimum and Lippia multiflora on mycelial radial growth and inhibition rate of the fungus using the contact and fumigation methods. For each essential oil, six doses were used : T0 (0 µl/ml), T1 (0.1 µl/ml), T2 (0.6 µl/ml), T3 (1.2 µl/ml), T4 (1.8 µl/ml) and T5 (2.4 µl/ml). In both tests, two treatments of synthetic fungicides namely Tma (mancozeb) and Taz (azoxystrobin) at recommended doses of 6.67 µl/ml and 3.33 µl/ml respectively. The results showed that in the contact method, essential oils of L. multiflora, O. americanum,C. schoenanthus and O. gratissimum inhibited 100% (0 cm of diameter) the fungus mycelial radial growth at doses of T3 (1.2 µl/ml), T5 (2.4 µl/ml), T2 (0.6 µl/ml) and T2 (0.6 µl/ml) respectively. As for the fumigation method, oils of L. multiflora, O. americanum,C. schoenanthus and O. gratissimum inhibited mycelial radial growth of the fungus by 100% at doses of T2 (0.6 µl/ml), T5 (2.4 µl/ml), T4 (1.8 µl/ml) and T3 (1.2 µl/ml) respectively. Mancozeb and azoxystrobin treatments inhibited radial mycelial growth by 100% and 74.1% respectively. These essential oils can be used to control rice blast in the field. The use of these essential oils in rice blast management may also help to reduce environmental pollution caused by synthetic fungicides.”

Green manuring is the practice of adding cover crops to the soil. The excessive use of chemical fertilizers, intensive farming, faulty cultivation practices, and poor soil management have degraded soil health, necessitating the use of green manure. This study aimed to evaluate the best-performing green manuring crops that enhance soil properties from the first week of April to the first week of July in Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal. The experiment was performed under Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five treatments and four replications. The treatments were cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), black gram (Vigna mungo L.), Sesbania (Sesbania aculeata Wild.), mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) and Sudan grass (Sorghum bicolor L.). The biomass yield, soil pH, bulk density, soil organic matter, Total nitrogen, and available phosphorus were measured. The data were analyzed using R-Studio for mean comparison among significant variables using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at a 5% significance level. Sesbania consistently enriched the soil with higher total nitrogen (0.197%), available phosphorus (11.36 kg/ha), soil organic carbon (2.29%), soil carbon stock (40.70 t/ha), low bulk density (1.20 g/cm³), fresh biomass yield (8.25 t/ha), and dry biomass yield (1.62 t/ha). Cowpea emerged as a reliable alternative when Sesbania was not available. However, mung bean and black gram lagged in biomass production and nutrient addition. Sudan grass performed poorly, contributing the least organic matter and available phosphorus. Sesbania, therefore, stands out as the optimal choice, while cowpea serves as a viable substitute when sesbania is unavailable. In addition, leguminous green manuring crops outperformed non-leguminous crops.

This study was conducted in Pokhara, Kaski, Nepal in 2023 to investigate the effects of different pinching types and okra varieties on various growth and yield parameters. Treatments were arranged under a two-factor Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments includes two okra varieties (Arka Anamika and Parbati) and 4 pinching types (apical bud pinching (P1), ABP along with 1 leaf pinching (P2), and ABP along with 2 leaf pinching (P3) and control (P4)). Parbati has exhibited a higher plant height (80.78 cm) than Arka Anamika (72.35 cm). Similarly, the P4 pinching type resulted in the tallest plant (85.91 cm). The P1 pinching type demonstrated the highest number of primary branches (4.87), while the control plots had the lowest (3.00). Arka Anamika showed a higher leaf count (40.77) than Parbati (37.19). Notably, the P1 recorded the highest leaf count (43.41), followed by P2 (37.19), with the control plots showing the lowest leaf count (32.76). The findings reveal the significant impact of pinching treatments on yield. Pinching type P1 produced the highest yield of 15.45 mt/ha, whereas the control group yielded the lowest at 9.31 mt/ha, which was comparable to the yield observed for pinching type P3 at 10.83 mt ha-1. P1 also exhibited the highest number of pods per plant (15.90). Varieties and pinching methods exhibited notable interactions in average pod weight, diameter, and length. P1 displayed the widest pods (5.97 cm), whereas P2 had the longest (13.18 cm). Additionally, it can be noted that P3 yielded the heaviest pods at 16.16g when compared to P2, which yielded 14.09 g. Pinching treatments significantly influenced number of days to flowering, with P3 demonstrating the longest duration. Economic analysis was performed for evaluating technical efficiency, facilitating informed and sustainable decisions. Economically, P1 demonstrated superior performance, yielding a higher gross return of NPR 540,808.3, a net return of NPR 418,708.3, and a benefit-cost ratio of 4.43.

Domates, dünyada üretilen en önemli sebze türlerinden birisidir. Hem tarla hemde serada domates yetiştiriciliğinde başlangıç materyali olarak genellikle tohumdan ziyade fide kullanılmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, farklı dozlarda mikoriza, vermikompost ve gübre uygulamalarının domates fidelerinin gelişimi üzerindeki etkisini araştırmaktır. Çalışmada Cuma F1 domates çeşidi kullanılmıştır. Araştırma, tesadüf parselleri deneme desenine uygun olarak 3 tekerrürlü olarak gerçekleşmiştir. Çalışmada, domates fidesi yetiştiriciliği için %70 torf %30 perlit karışımı olan ortamlara EC 0.5-1.00 ile hem mikorizalı hemde mikorizasız şekilde farklı oranlarda vermikompost (% 0, 10 ve 20) dozları uygulanmıştır. Fideler bir buçuk ayda sökümü yapılmıştır. Bu araştırmada, domates bitkilerinin şu morfolojik (fide boyu, hipokotil uzunluğu, gövde çapı, yaprak sayısı, yaprak yaş ağırlığı, yaprak kuru ağırlığı, kök yaş ağırlığı ve kök kuru ağırlığı) özellikleri incelenmiştir.  Çalışma sonucunda, vermikompost ve mikoriza uygulamalarının ortamda bulunması birçok parametre bakımından önemli farklar oluşturmaktadır. Tam gübre (EC1)  dozlarında fide kalitesinin arttığı ve düşük gübreleme (EC 0.5) dozlarında ise ortama vermikompost ilave edilmesinin fide gelişimini olumlu yönde etkilediği görülmüştür.

Palm oil is a ubiquitous ingredient in numerous products and is a significant global commodity. This study presents a comparative analysis of the rheological, physicochemical properties and fatty acid composition of palm oil from Cross River State, Nigeria. Palm oil samples were selected at random from the open market in the eighteen local government areas of Cross River State, Nigeria. The samples were tested for their quality, nutritional values and suitability for human consumption. Physicochemical tests were conducted on the palm oil samples. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was performed to examine the fatty acids in the samples. Rheological analysis of the samples was performed at 27 °C. The physicochemical analysis results obtained revealed the composition of free fatty acid as (3.52±0.02 to 56.00±0.00%), Iodine value (42.85±0.02 to 54.10±0.02 wij.s), total cholesterol (318.43±1.61 to 3308.16±0.13 mg/kg), Peroxide value (3.16±0.12 to 30.50±0.06 meg/kg), P-ansidine value (7.37±0.11 to 11.08±0.01 Av), saponification value (98.95±4.71 to244.49±0.42 mg/KOH/G) and moisture content of (0.25±0.02 to 1.97±0.07). GC-MS analysis revealed sixteen compounds: thiazole 5-methyl, octanoic acid, dodecanoic acid, methyl tertadecanoic acid, dodecanoic acid methyl ester, hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, 9, 12-Octadecadienoic acid methyl ester, octadecenoic acid methyl ester, 9-Octadecenoic acid methyl ester, and n-hexadecanoic acid. Others include tetradecanoic acid, dodecanedioic acid, oleic acid, arachidonic acid, Squalene, and Eicosanoic acid methyl ester. The rheological signatures of the samples ranged from near—Newtonian and Newtonian to pseudeoplastic behaviour. Two rheological models, the Ostwald-de Waele Power Law and the Carreau-Yasuda models, were applied to extract rheological data from the palm oil samples. It was observed that the recently prepared palm oil samples exhibited Newtonian or near-Newtonian behaviour with minimal concentration of FFA. The accumulation of FFA in the samples induced by long storage drags the properties of the samples to shear pseudoplastic behavior. The results show

The combined use of chemical and physical methods can increase the rate of microbial inactivation resulting in a low risk of foodborne diseases and good preservation of food quality. The aim of this study is to assess the inhibitory effects of various active-ingredient washing solutions on Enterobacteriaceae, total aerobic mesophilic bacteria (TAMB), and Clostridioides difficile spores both with and without the application of ultrasonic treatment. In this respect, spinach samples were washed with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), green tea extract–acetic acid (GTE-AA), and a natural disinfectant solution (NDS) for 3 and 6 minutes, either with or without ultrasonic treatment. Washing spinach with the mentioned antibacterial solutions resulted in reductions of 1.3–2.3, 2.23–4.05, and 2.38–3.52 log CFU/g for C. difficile, TAMB, and Enterobacteriaceae, respectively. NaOCl exhibited the highest antimicrobial effect against all microorganisms tested, while the lowest inhibition was observed in samples washed with GTE-AA. Ultrasound treatment alone did not result in a significant reduction in microbial levels on spinach; instead, high-frequency applications appeared to increase the detectable microbial load, likely due to the disruption of microbial clusters or biofilms that made cells more accessible for enumeration. No synergistic interaction was observed between antimicrobial washing treatments and ultrasonic application in terms of microbial reduction. These findings highlight the need for further studies to refine ultrasound parameters and explore optimized combinations with antimicrobial agents in order to enhance microbial inactivation on fresh produce.

Cashew by-products, including cashew nut shell (CNS), cashew apple, and cashew apple pomace, are underutilized resources that contribute to environmental pollution in cashew-producing regions. This review synthesizes studies (2015–2024) to evaluate their potential as sustainable animal feed resources for ruminants (cattle, goats, sheep), swine, and poultry (broilers). Processed CNS provides high fiber and energy, suitable for ruminants inclusion, while cashew apple and pomace offer carbohydrates and vitamin C for swine and poultry. Processing methods like roasting, ensiling, and fermentation reduce anti-nutritional factors, such as cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) and tannins, improving safety and digestibility. Feeding trials show enhanced animal performance, gut microbiome health (increased Lactobacillus populations), and reduced methane emissions. Economically, feed costs decrease, and environmentally, carbon footprints are lowered. Challenges include CNSL toxicity, processing costs, and regulatory gaps. Long-term trials and cost-effective detoxification are needed for scalability in regions like India, Nigeria, Brazil, and Vietnam.

The study enzymatically hydrolyzed protein isolates from fresh and processed (freeze-dried and oven-dried) fillets of African catfish (ACF). The functional, antioxidant, and antimicrobial potentials of the ACF fillet protein hydrolysate (ACFPH) were investigated to expand the possibilities for their potential application in human health. ACF fillet was obtained and divided into three parts: the first part was freeze-dried, the second was oven-dried, and the last part was left fresh. Protein isolates were prepared from them and hydrolysed with pepsin. The degree of hydrolysis (DH) and peptide chain length (PCL) were calculated. The study analyzed the ACF fillet protein hydrolysates’ water and oil absorption capacity (functional properties). Antioxidant activity was estimated through ferric reducing power, metal chelating, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays. The antimicrobial activity was tested using agar disc methods. The DH was time-dependent and indirectly proportional to PCL. Freeze-dried catfish fillet protein hydrolysate (FD-CFPH) was better hydrolyzed with 87 ± 3.54 % hydrolysis degree, and gave the least PCL value of 1.15. Fresh catfish fillet protein hydrolysate (FR-CFPH) was better water absorbent than FD-CFPH and oven-dried catfish fillet protein hydrolysate (OD-CFPH). FD-CFPH displayed the best oil absorption capacity (23.7 ± 1.75 mL/g). All antioxidant assays displayed concentration-dependent activity. FR-CFPH displayed the highest metal chelating activity and DPPH radical scavenging potential, while OD-CFPH showed the highest ferric reducing power. All the pepsin-produced ACFPH resulted in a high antifungal activity against Penicillium camemberti, but only FD-CFPH at the highest concentration was effective against Aspergillus flavus. For each examined bacterium, no discernible inhibitory zone was observed, suggesting that the hydrolysates were ineffective against the bacteria. The potential functional and antioxidant activities elicited by the ACFPH suggest that it could be employed to develop nutraceutical and therapeutic products for alleviating oxidative stress-related ailments.