Thirteen different mostly consumed cheese samples were obtained from different provinces in Turkey and were investigated in terms of contents of ergosterol, patulin and Ochratoxin A (OTA). Ergosterol, patulin and OTA analyses were carried out by using the apparatus of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Ergosterol contents of samples ranged from 30.27±0.69 to 144.76±9.41 mg/kg. The values of OTA in the samples were ranged from 6.96±0.05 to 41±0.2 µg/kg. Ergosterol was significantly correlated with OTA (r = 0.99, R2 = 0.98). According to this high correlation, ergosterol might be used as a more readily measurable indicator of potential OTA production. No patulin was detected in all samples. Absence of patulin on cheese samples may be explained with unsuitable media for patulin producing.

The aim of this study was to determine the reproductive characteristics, milk yield and milk quality of Primiparous Red-Holstein (RH) and Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows. For this aim, records and monthly taken milk samples of 83 RH and 14 HF raised on a farm in Aydın, Turkey were used. The averages of the first calving age (FCA), gestation length (GL), days open (DO), calving interval (CI), daily milk yield (DMY), 305-day milk yield (305-dMY), solid non-fat (SNF) and Log10 somatic cell count (Log10SCC) of milk were found to be 27.6±0.24 mo, 278.4±1.09 d, 144.0±7.12 d, 421.4±7.66 d, 22.7±0.21 kg, 6981±137.0 kg, 9.8±0.04% and 4.59±0.024 (38905 cells/ml), respectively. Except for DMY, the differences between the breeds were statistically insignificant for FCA, GL, DO, CI, 305-dMY, SNF and Log10SCC. DMY averages for RH and HF were 21.8±0.21 kg and 24.3±0.49 kg, respectively. The effect of season on FCA and the effect of lactation month on SNF and Log10SCC were also found to be statistically significant. Apart from DMY, not any significant difference was observed between RH and HF breeds in terms of the characteristics emphasized.

The subject of the study is to evaluate the Niğde Akkaya Dam with SWOT analysis and to make recommendations in terms of recreational use. The aim of the study is to identify the strengths and weaknesses, threats and opportunities of the Akkaya dam and to determine its goals and strategies in terms of recreation. In line with this purpose, the socio-economic, cultural and natural features, landscape potential of the area were evaluated using the SWOT, the opportunities that the positive and negative aspects of the area, were presented, and the possible or existing threats were determined. At the same time, the current recreation potential of the dam was determined, and suggestions were developed in line with the data in order to offer alternatives that can be evaluated in terms of sustainable use of the areas. It was determined that pollution occurs in the dam water due to environmental wastes, as a result of this pollution, harmful creatures multiply and bad smells are formed. However, it is accepted that the dam is home to a large number of migratory birds, that it has not lost its naturalness, and that most of the dam is in the university campus. Threats to the dam are; low water level, fishing, duck hunting etc. damage to ecological life due to activities, smell gradually increased. Their opportunities are determined as providing a suitable environment for bird watching, having a suitable infrastructure for ecological research, and being suitable for recreational activities for water. At the end of the study, suggestions were developed in terms of suitability of Akkaya Dam for recreational activities.

Objective of this study is to determine plant protection problems which wheat growers encountered and their knowledge on plant protection in Sivas province. This study is carried out in the Central, Hafik, Ulas and Yıldızeli districts of Sivas province with 220 farmers. The problems which related to plant diseases, pests and weeds in wheat growers faced were also determined. Almost all farmers (99.09%) apply chemical control. Farmers decides the pesticide applications in their wheat growing areas according to own experience (84.09%), manufacturers recommendations (24.09%), the advice of agricultural experts (17.27%) and the advice of neighbours and friends (9.55%). Farmers mostly have been applying pesticides based on their own experiences. In recent years, pesticides are being used widely against diseases, pests and weeds. Some times over dose application of pesticides by farmers in judiciously resulted in environmental pollution, health problems. Also the natural enemies will be affected. Furthermore, in weed control farmers use herbicides against broad leaved weeds. It was determined that the farmers do not have knowledge about narrow leaved weeds and herbicides use against these weed species is limited. According to the results of this survey, it will be beneficial to provide training on plant protection to wheat producers in the region.

Nitrogen losses in agricultural areas cause environmental pollution. At the same time, it reduces the yield in crop production. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of zeolite and nitrogen applications on the development of maize plant. Another aim is to reveal nitrate changes in soil. Everest maize variety was used in the study. Zeolite doses of 0, 125, 250 and 500 kg/da were applied to the soil. Nitrogen doses were applied to the soil at 5, 10, 15 and 20 kg/da. In this study, zeolite and nitrogen applications increased the plant height, cob weight and green forage yield of maize plant statistically. The highest green weed yield was 6563 kg/da in Z3N3 application and the lowest green forage yield was 4021 kg/da in Z0N0 application. Increased nitrogen doses increased the amount of nitrate in soil by significantly 1% and zeolite applications increased by significantly 5%. The results of this study would be beneficial in the application of zeolite to the soil in order to reduce nitrogen losses and to make the plant benefit more from nitrogen.

This study was conducted to determine the residual effects of chicken manure applications on nutrients in leaves and bulbs of second crop onion that grown after lettuce in greenhouse conditions. In the study, residual effects of chicken manure in 4 different doses (control, 20 t ha-1, 40 t ha-1, 60 t ha-1) and chemical fertilizers applied in the recommended amounts are investigated. Three onion varieties, called Burgaz, Snow white, Champion, were used. In the study, the lowest nutrient uptake was observed in control. However, the highest mineral content in leaves and bulbs were determined in the plots, that on average 40 t ha-1 chicken manure was applied to. In terms of leaf nutrient content, when the varieties were compared to each other, Ca, Mg, and Cu contents were found to be the highest in the Burgaz variety. Phosphorus, Zn, Mn contents were analyzed to be the highest in Snow white while N values determined maximum in Champion. The Champion variety contained higher nutrient values in bulbs.

Tillage machines such as plow, cultivator, rotavator, and rototiller are widely used for this purpose. However, one of the major problems in working with tillage machines is the wear of active parts over time. Abrasion occurs differently in active parts of tillage machines and can cause the machines used to lose the functionality expected of them. It is preferred to cover the active parts with wear-resistant coating materials to reduce the level of wear to meet both agro technical demands and high tillage efficiency. The way of wear the active parts of the machines; it is abrasive wear caused by friction against solid materials in the soil (clods, stones, harder materials, etc.) and/or adhesive wear caused by soil moisture. Reducing the wear on the active parts with the coating process to be made will both prevent material loss caused by abrasion in the active part and increase the efficiency/effectiveness of the machine. Because of the limited number of studies on this subject in the agricultural sector shows that the subject is open to improvement. In this study, the use of new coating methods used in other production sectors (especially in mold manufacturing) for the last decade in coating the active parts of soil tillage machines and their effects on product performance and life by increasing wear resistance are compiled. Coating methods that can be adapted to the agricultural sector can be listed as; Gas Phase, Liquid Phase and Melted/Semi-Melted Phase. Among these, studies on Plasma Thermal Spraying (Molten / Semi-Molten Phase Coating Methods) and thin film coating (Vapor Phase Coating Methods) are prominent. On the other hand, it is predicted that the desired wear resistance can be further improved by applying different coating methods and combinations.

Use of sewage sludge in agriculture is an alternative disposal technique for this waste. Accordingly, the effects of using the sludge obtained from Sivas Waste Water Treatment Plant in different doses (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% (w/w) and chemical fertilization) on the yield and nutrient concentration of tomato plants were investigated. The study was carried out with three replications according to the experimental pattern of randomized plots in the plastic pots with the capacity of 3 kg under the greenhouse conditions of Plant and Animal Production Department of Sivas Cumhuriyet University. It has been determined that the weight of the plants roots, stems and green components dry matter increases due to the increasing sewage sludge application and the highest efficiency is in the sewage sludge application of 5%. In addition, it has been determined that the concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) which are among the macro nutrients, tend to increase depending on the increasing dose of the sewage sludge. The concentrations of copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) which are among the micro nutrients, increased with the increasing amount of sludge. In this context, it is thought that the sludge can be used in plant breeding, provided that it falls within the boundaries of the legal legislation.

Organic production is mostly appeared in the field of plant production and it has become increasingly widespread. But, organic livestock production process has begun depending on trends of want to consumption of high safe animal products of consumers as like in plant products in developed countries, increasing of environmental consciousness and sensitivity to animal rights. Central Anatolia Region is an important region for the organic livestock production, in terms of being one of the most polluted regions due to intensive agriculture and industry, having number of animals and grasslands. The aim of this study is determining the potential of organic sheep breeding and presenting a general view with investigating the general situation and changing by year plant and livestock production of Central Anatolia Region.