Biochar production has gained significant attention lately due to its potential to sequester carbon,                improve soil fertility and mitigate climate change. Various production technologies have been developed to convert biomass into biochar, each with its unique characteristics and advantages. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current biochar production technologies aiming to synthesize existing knowledge and identify research gaps with a focus on their potential to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2, 12, 13 and 15. The scope of this review encompasses various biochar production techniques including slow pyrolysis, fast pyrolysis, gasification and torrefaction. The effects of production conditions such as temperature, residence time, and feedstock types on biochar properties and yields are discussed. The prospects of using biochar in the agricultural system were discussed.  Additionally, challenges and opportunities associated to scaling up biochar production technologies are highlighted. The findings of this review have implications for the development of sustainable biochar production practices and environmental management strategies.

In this study, the effects of pre-slaughter fasting periods (8, 12, and 16 h) on stress levels, body weight loss, slaughter, carcass, and meat quality characteristics were investigated in broiler chickens with different growth rates (medium and fast-growing). In the experiment, 15 male and 15 female broilers each from the ANADOLU-T A1 (medium growing) dam line and ROSS-308 hybrid (fast growing) at 42 days of age were used. Body weight losses did not differ significantly among fasting periods, but medium-growing broilers exhibited higher body weight losses across all fasting groups (P<0.05). The carcass yield was higher in fast-growing broilers (P<0.05), while abdominal fat ratios were higher in medium-growing broilers (P<0.05). The amount of residual feed in the gizzard, digestive system, and gizzard ratios decreased with increasing fasting duration (P<0.05). Digestive system ratios also differed between genotypes (P<0.05). An increase in breast ratio was observed with longer fasting periods (P<0.05). On the other hand, the fast-growing genotype had higher breast ratios, lower wing ratios, lower back ratios, and lower neck ratios (P<0.05). Fasting periods did not significantly affect the L*, a*, and b* color values of breast and thigh meat, but differences between genotypes were significant, with higher values observed in the fast-growing genotype (P<0.05). Breast pH values did not differ among fasting periods but were higher in the fast-growing genotype (P<0.05). Thigh pH values, however, varied significantly between fasting periods and genotypes (P<0.05). The medium-growing genotype had higher thigh pH values, and thigh pH increased with longer fasting periods (P<0.05). White striping and woody breast scores in breast muscles were higher in the fast-growing genotype, with partial increases observed as fasting duration increased. In conclusion, the results indicate that a 12-h pre-slaughter fasting period is sufficient for digestive tract clearance and carcass quality. However, meat quality defects in fast-growing genotypes should be monitored.

This study proposes a reliable and easy understandable statistical solution for the selection of varieties in the balanced and partially balanced lattice experiments, which are widely used in plant breeding studies. For this purpose, the Analysis of Means (ANOM) was adapted to the balanced, simple and triple lattice designs and an R function is developed for it. The adapted ANOM approach was compared with the Tukey, Duncan and Fisher’s LSD tests with respect to the actual type I error rate in all of the balanced, simple and triple lattice designs. In addition to this, the ANOM approach and Tukey test were examined comparatively using a hypothetical example. According to the simulation results, LSD and Duncan could not maintain the actual type I error rate at 5.00% under any conditions. This situation became more dramatic with the increase in the number of groups. While the actual type I error rate for LSD and Duncan tests varied between 54.36%-100.00% and 37.49%-99.96%, respectively, for ANOM and Tukey tests it varied between 4.64%-6.08% and 4.62%-6.45%, respectively. ANOM and Tukey tests were quite successful in terms of maintaining the actual type I error rate. However, since the number of groups in lattice designs was quite high, the given hypothetical example showed that it would be more understandable to use the ANOM method.

Alpinia officinarum, which attracts attention with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, is used in traditional medicine, especially to relieve stomach and digestive system disorders. Although many studies have revealed the various pharmacological effects of Alpinia officinarum, the effect of different ionic solvents on its biological activities has yet to be investigated. In this study, the effects of homogenization of Alpinia officinarum roots with potassium chloride (KCl), sodium chloride (NaCl), and phosphate (PBS) buffer solutions on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the plant were investigated. Alpinia officinarum plant was collected from the Adana region during the season, and fresh root parts were separated and analyzed. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of plant homogenates prepared with KCl, NaCl, and PBS were determined by spectrophotometric analysis. The highest MPO and CAT enzyme activities were observed in the KCl solution, while lower levels were observed in NaCl and PBS solutions, respectively. The highest MDA level was observed in the PBS solution. Moreover, SOD enzyme activity showed a decreasing trend in NaCl, KCl, and PBS solutions, respectively. These findings suggest that the biological activity of plant extracts may vary depending on the solvent used. Determination of the conditions under which the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Alpinia officinarum in different ionic solvents are the highest supports increasing the bioavailability of the plant.

Promoting rooftop farming using suitable grow bag media is of utmost importance in densely populated cities like Lalitpur to sustain the human race. To assess the productivity and other economic characteristics of bell peppers, an experiment was conducted from Feb 2022 to Jun 2022 in different grow bag media on the premises of Vegetable Crop Development Centre, Khumaltar, Lalitpur. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), with four replications and five treatments with growing media: Coco peat: vermicompost (1:1), Soil: sand: FYM (Farmyard Manure) (1:1:1), Soil: Sand: FYM: Vermicompost (1.25:0.75:0.5:0.5), Soil: vermicompost (1:1), and Soil: ash: FYM (1:0.5:1) on the cultivar California Wonder. Growth parameters like plant height (47.865 cm), number of leaves (50.6), number of branches/plant (9.5), and stem diameter, and yield parameters like total fruit weight (1693.93 gm), average fruit weight (84.68 gm), number of fruits (42.75), fruit diameter (6.37 cm), and fruit length (7.22 cm) were observed during the experiment. The media consisting of T3 (Soil: Sand: FYM: Vermicompost (1.25:0.75:0.5:0.5)) proved to be statistically superior over the rest of the combinations for almost all aspects under investigation, whereas comparatively poor performance was observed in Coco peat: vermicompost (1:1) media. This study suggests that the grow bag media of Soil: Sand: FYM: vermicompost (1.25:0.75:0.5:0.5) gave the highest gross return and net return, with the highest B: C ratio (2.08) observed in the grow bag media of Soil: Sand: FYM (1:1:1).

Seed maturation in hemp is not homogeneous, and the harvest is done when the seeds are 70-80% mature. This study was carried out to determine the germination and emergence performance of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seeds at different maturation stages. Mature, semi-mature and immature seeds were used as material in the study. The study was carried out as two separate experiments, germination and emergence. The germination test was carried out in petri dishes and the emergence test in viols. Both experiments were carried out according to the randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Germination rate (%), shoot and root length (mm), shoot and root fresh weight (mg plant-1) and shoot and root dry weight (mg plant-1) parameters were investigated in the germination study. In the emergence study, the emergence rate (%), seedling and root length (mm), seedling and root fresh weight (mg plant-1), and seedling and root dry weight (mg plant-1) values were examined. In the germination study, semi-mature seeds germinated but did not develop. Therefore, no data could be obtained from other parameters except germination rate. In germination study, germination rate varied between 6.67 and 84.67%, shoot length 27.2-38 mm, root length 39.4-50.8 mm, shoot fresh weight 30.66-49.89 mg plant-1, root fresh weight 4.32-7.69 mg plant-1, shoot dry weight 3.25-7.99 mg plant-1, root dry weight 0.68-2.03 mg plant-1. In the emergence study, emergence rate ranged between 5.18-82.69%, shoot length 68-136.4 mm, root length 37.4-69.6 mm, shoot fresh weight 60.33-154.80 mg plant-1, root fresh weight 27.30-46.73 mg plant-1, shoot dry weight 3.97-10.24 mg plant-1, root dry weight 2.61-5.43 mg plant-1. In both experiments, the highest values obtained from all the examined traits were obtained from mature seeds. In both studies, the highest values were obtained from mature seeds for all traits examined. Semi-mature and immature seeds gave similar results in terms of the traits examined.

The study is aimed at investigating future changes in sustainability of olive farming by means of climate change, and changes in agricultural climatic suitableness and phenology of olive tree cultivation in the North Aegean sub-region of Türkiye mainly characterised with dry summer subtropical Mediterranean climate. According to projected changes based on RCP8.5 scenario, projected warming reaches an average of 5-6°C increase indicating most negative condition on olive cultivation. According to RCP8.5 scenario annual precipitation projections, present suitable areas of olive groves will decrease in the period of 2049-2073, and almost the entire study area will be in the category of medium suitable. With respect to projected Emberger Bioclimate classification, for RCP 8.5 scenario, there will be a significant increase in dry-sub humid areas in the period of 2049-2073. This increase will cover up the coastal areas in the period of 2074-2098, and even all the study region will be very likely characterised with dry-sub humid and semi-arid Mediterranean bioclimatic types except for some coastal areas. An increase of about 6°C is expected in maximum values of maximum air temperatures during the bud swelling periods in the spring, especially after 2050 under RCP8.5 scenario. This increase in extreme maximum temperatures may cause olive trees to bloom earlier and prolong the growth period. By regarding the high vernalization requirement of main olive variety in the study area, a 6°C temperature increase may significantly decrease olive yields and will force farmers to transition to new varieties with relatively low vernalization requirements. According to both RCP scenarios, there is a possibility of extension of suitable areas for olive cultivation towards low to mid-elevation plateaus and mid-elevation slopes of mountainous areas and high plateaus particularly facing suitable aspects to lower negative effects of projected future warming and dryness.

Soil pH, governed by the relative concentrations of hydrogen () and hydroxyl () ions, is a key factor affecting the chemical, physical, and biological properties of soils. Most soils in Türkiye are alkaline due to calcareous parent material and climatic influences, which restricts the availability of essential nutrients to plants. Sulphur applications are widely employed to reduce soil pH and increase nutrient bioavailability. The use of Sulphur for the amelioration of alkaline soils will continue to be a crucial strategy for enhancing agricultural sustainability in the future. This study investigates the effects of different Sulphur sources on the pH of sandy and clay-loam texture soils. This study investigates the effects of different Sulphur sources on the pH of sandy and clay loam textured soils. The soil samples used in the research were taken from Pınarbaşı and Melikgazi districts of Kayseri province, and soil samples were taken from both regions from a depth of 30 cm and from 20 randomly determined different points. Sulphur applications were applied at rates of (0, 0.02, 0.04 g 100 g-1) (X: powdered Sulphur ) and (0, 0.044, 0.088 g 100 g-1) (Y: granular Sulphur ) based on weight for clay-loam and sandy textured soils, respectively. Samples taken on days 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, 180, and 360 post-applications showed that the impact of Sulphur applications on soil pH change was significant across all treatments (p<0.01). The lowest pH measurement, 6.92, was observed in sandy textured soils with an application from granular Sulphur at 0.088 g 100 g-1. The pH change in clay-loam textured soils was found to range from 8.13 to 7.79, and in sandy textured soils from 7.69 to 6.92. These changes suggest that the acidifying effect of Sulphur oxidation on soil pH varies depending on the soil’s buffering capacity, particle size ratio, application rate, and incubation day. Consequently, the granular Sulphur was found to be more effective compared to the control and powdered Sulphur , and an application rate of 0.088 g 100 g-1 might be effective for both clay-loam and sandy soils. However, due to its lack of economic feasibility, 0.044 g dose or the doses from powdered Sulphur might be more appropriate.

In this study, the fruits of Pyracantha coccinea, known for their ornamental and medicinal properties, were analysed to evaluate their antioxidant capacity, mineral content, and heavy metal concentrations. The antioxidant potential of Pyracantha coccinea was determined using DPPH, CUPRAC, and ABTS tests. Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), and Gerthard Dumatherm techniques were used to determine the mineral and nutrient composition of the plant. As a result of the evaluation, calcium (0.25±0.02%), protein (4.29±0.47%), potassium (0.39±0.01%), magnesium (0.197±0.01%), sodium (0.08±0.01%), iron (0.012µg/g DW), aluminium (138±9.6 µg/g DW), cobalt (0.541±0.11 µg/g DW), chromium (0.422±0.05 µg/g DW), manganese (20±1.7 µg/g DW), zinc (43.9±4.6 µg/g DW), % DPPH (76.92±0.48) % ABTS value (77.52±0.39) and CUPRAC values (0.771±0.045 for 100ppm) were determined. In particular, the high levels of chromium (Cr) and zinc (Zn) in the fruits exceed the thresholds considered safe for medicinal applications and suggest that the heavy metal content in plants for medicinal use should be critically evaluated within acceptable limits. This study aims to explore the nutritional value and safety of Pyracantha coccinea by examining its antioxidant properties, mineral content, and potential heavy metal contamination. The findings will help shed light on its potential benefits and risks, offering valuable insight for its use in health, nutrition, and environmental applications.

Arıcılık kendine has özellikleri ile kırsal nüfus için iyi bir alternatif iş ve gelir kaynağıdır. Türkiye ekolojik olarak arıcılığa çok uygun bir doğaya sahip olmasına rağmen maalesef potansiyelinin çok azını kullanmaktadır. Bu çalışma, ekolojik yapısı bakımından arı yetiştiriciliğine uygun alanların fazlalığı, zengin bitki çeşitliğine sahip olması nedeni ile önemli bir konuma sahip olan Erzincan İli Kemaliye ilçesindeki arıcılık faaliyetlerinin mevcut durumunu değerlendirmek amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Bu kapsamda 2023 yılında Erzincan ili Kemaliye ilçesinde faaliyet gösteren 87 arı yetiştiricisi ile tam sayım yapılarak çalışmanın birincil verileri toplanmıştır. Anket çalışmasında 26 soru ile arıcıların demografik özelliklerinin yanı sıra, arıcılığın ekonomik analizi, arıcılık dışı faaliyetleri, üretilen arı ürünleri, bal verimleri, koloni sayıları, ana arı değişimi ile üretimi, hastalık ile zararlılarla mücadeleleri, gezginci arıcılık durumları, besleme şekil ile zamanları, koloni kayıpları, arıcılıkta karşılaştıkları önemli sorunları, pazarlama ve satış faaliyetleri gibi konular hakkında ayrıntılı veriler elde edilmiştir. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre Erzincan ili Kemaliye ilçesinde 1 kg bal maliyeti sabit arıcılarda 141,89 TL, göçer arıcılarda ise 107,20 TL olarak hesaplanmıştır. Kovan başına toplam maliyet sabit arıcılarda 1409,75 TL, göçer arıcılarda ise 1007,83 TL olduğu tespit edilmiştir.