Biostimulants have been used in recent years as innovative approaches to stabilize or increase the yield and quality of plants under abiotic stress conditions. Seaweeds, one of the biostimulants, have been used in many cultivated plants and favorable results have been obtained in terms of yield, quality and elemental composition of plant nutrients. Although it is known that safflower plant is sensitive to salt during emergence and germination period, salt and seaweed applications have not been investigated on this plant before. It was aimed to examine the tolerance mechanisms of seaweed applications in safflower plant under salinity stress in terms of some morphological parameters and elemental composition of plant nutrients. The five different doses of salt treatment (0 mM NaCl-distilled water as control, 50 mM, 100 mM, 150 mM, 200 mM) and four different doses of Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract (0 g L-1 - distilled water as control, 2 g L-1, 4 g L-1, 6 g L-1) were used as the treatment groups in this study conducted in the climate chamber under controlled conditions. When the figures obtained from safflower plants treated with seaweed in terms of growth parameters were evaluated; root and shoot length, fresh root and shoot weights, dry root and shoot weights generally increased with increasing doses, while relative water content decreased. As salinity stress increased, decreases were generally recorded in all growth parameters obtained. Improved elemental composition of plant nutrients both shoot and root were also observed with seaweed extract applications. In particular, K and Mg in shoot, Ca, Cu and Mg in root increased with increasing seaweed applications. The findings obtained from the study show that seaweed is a promising agricultural application on growth parameters and elemental composition of plant nutrients and reduces the negative effects of salinity stress on safflower plant.

Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) have developed many high valued rice varieties and advanced rice genotypes including anti-oxidant properties Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G), phenolic compounds. This study evaluated the performance and stability of two antioxidant-enriched rice genotypes BR12836-4R-63 (V1) and BR12836-4R-312 (V2), along with two released varieties BRRI dhan34 (V3) and BRRI dhan70 (V4) as checks across ten agro-ecological zones in Bangladesh (Satkhira, Bogura, Cumilla, Feni, Gopalganj, Barisal, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Kushtia, and Gazipur) during the 2023 wet (Aman) season. The study was conducted using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in all the regions. Yield performance and stability of the genotypes were analyzed using AMMI and GGE biplot models. Significant genotype-environment interactions (GEI) were observed, particularly for grain yield (GY), plant height (PHT), and thousand-grain weight (TGW). The highest grain yield was recorded for V4 (3.6 t ha⁻¹), followed by V2 (3.4 t ha⁻¹) and V1 (3.1 t ha⁻¹), with the lowest yield observed in V3 (2.9 t ha⁻¹). Additionally, V2 exhibited a shorter growth duration (130 days) than the check varieties, suggesting its potential for early-maturity breeding programs. The AMMI analysis revealed that V4 and V2 were the most stable and high-yielding genotypes, whereas V1 and V3 showed poor adaptability. The GGE biplot identified BRRI dhan70 (V4) as the stable and adaptable genotype, while BR12836-4R-312 (V2) demonstrated strong performance in specific environments, particularly in Cumilla, Feni, and Rajshahi. The findings suggest that the advanced line BR12836-4R-312 would be released through national system of Bangladesh as anti-oxidant enriched rice variety.

Bu çalışma, İstanbul’da faaliyet gösteren perakende balık satış yerlerindeki yetkililerin ve çalışanların sosyo-demografik özelliklerini, hijyen bilgi düzeylerini ve sektörel sorunlarını incelemiştir. Çalışma, İstanbul genelinde 60 perakende balık satış işletmesinde çalışanlarla yüz yüze anketler ve 16 Su Ürünleri Kontrol Görevlisi ile çevrimiçi anket yoluyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Katılımcıların %95’inin erkek olduğu ve ağırlıklı olarak 31-55 yaş aralığında yer aldığı gözlemlenmiştir. Çalışanların %40’ının sektörde otuz yıldan fazla deneyime sahip olduğu ve %93’ünün sattıkları ürünleri iyi tanıdığı belirlenmiştir. Su Ürünleri Kontrol Görevlilerinin %63’ü yapılan denetimlerin yetersiz olduğunu düşünürken, %50’si bu durumu personel eksikliğine bağlamaktadır. Öte yandan, perakende balık satış yerlerinde çalışanların %80’i denetimlerin balık hallerinde yoğunlaştırılması gerektiğini düşünmektedir. Çalışma, perakende balık satış yerlerinin su ürünleri sektörü içinde önemli bir yere sahip olmasına rağmen, zor çalışma koşulları nedeniyle kadınlar ve gençler için tercih edilmeyen bir iş alanı olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Ayrıca, çalışanların hijyen uygulamalarını bilmelerine rağmen bunları iş yerlerinde uygulamadıkları ve resmi denetimlerin yetersiz kaldığı gözlemlenmiştir.

The butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea L.) and purple basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) are tropical plants rich in phenolic compounds, including anthocyanins, flavonols, polyphenols, and flavonoids. In this study, butterfly pea flower beverage and butterfly pea flower beverage containing purple basil were obtained using the infusion method (IM) and the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method. Both extraction process were carried out at two different durations: 3 and 7 minutes. Total phenolic content (TPC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total monomeric anthocyanin (TMA) values increased in all beverage samples prepared by addition of purple basil extract. The color parameters of the samples were determined and the sensory characteristics were evaluated. This study will provide a new perspective on the extraction methods of butterfly pea flower plant, which has a characteristic blue color and contains functional biocomponents; its processing into a functional beverage; and its enrichment with purple basil, another plant rich in phytochemicals.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of somatic cell count (SCC) variation on fertility [days open (DO),  number of inseminations per pregnancy (NIPP), calving interval (CI) and gestation length (GL)] and milk yield traits [daily milk yield (dMY), lactation length (LL), lactation milk yield (LMY) and 305-days milk yield (305-dMY)] during early (< 100 d), mid (100-200 d) and late lactation (> 200 d). This study was conducted with primiparous and multiparous Holstein cows at a commercial farm having an approximate herd size of 260 heads in Kırşehir, Türkiye. A total of 107 Holstein dairy cows on the farm were selected. Milk samples were collected once a month during morning milking between 30 and 240±15 d of lactation. The somatic cell counter (DCC, DeLaval, Tumba, Sweden) was used to assess SCC (cells/ml). SCC levels were categorized into three groups (< 100 × 10³ cells/mL, 100-200 × 10³ cells/mL and > 200 × 10³ cells/mL). Cows were divided into three groups according to parity: Cows with parity 1 (first group; n = 49), cows with parity 2 (second group; n = 30) and cows with parity 3 ≤ (third group; n = 28). Parity did not influence fertility traits (P>0.05). Parity significantly affected dMY and 305-dMY, but not LL or LMY. The study found that cows with SCC < 100 × 10³ cells/mL had lower DO and CI values compared to cows with SCC 100-200 × 10³ cells/mL and > 200 × 10³ cells/mL during mid-lactation, although no statistical differences were observed in the NIPP, GL, dMY, LL, LMY and 305-dMY values. A positive correlation was observed between SCC groups and DO during mid-lactation. These findings suggest that SCC can be used as an indicator in indirect selection programs to achieve shorter DO and CI in Holstein cows.

Climate change poses a significant global challenge that exacerbates existing social, economic, and cultural inequalities, particularly through the lens of gender. This review systematically investigates the gendered dimensions of climate change impacts, focusing on the unique challenges faced by women and men in rural areas, as well as the adaptive strategies employed to mitigate these effects. This study employed a systematic literature review approach following established protocols. A structured search strategy was implemented across various academic databases (Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect) and trusted sources (United Nations Women, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Women, often responsible for critical tasks such as water collection, fuel gathering, and food production, experience heightened burdens due to limited access to land, financial resources, and decision-making platforms. Conversely, men are disproportionately affected by job losses in climate-sensitive sectors, leading to economic insecurity and shifts in traditional family roles. The central hypothesis guiding this review posits that addressing gender disparities in climate adaptation and mitigation is essential for achieving social justice and enhancing the effectiveness of climate action. This review underscores the critical need for inclusive and equitable strategies that foster resilience and sustainability in vulnerable communities while highlighting the intersectionality of gender and climate change. Strategies identified include capacity-building initiatives, inclusive policies, gender-responsive financing mechanisms, and participatory governance. Integrating indigenous knowledge and promoting cross-sectoral collaboration are pivotal for fostering equitable resilience. Achieving these goals necessitates collective action to dismantle structural barriers, ensuring that climate policies address the needs of all stakeholders. This study contributes to the growing recognition that sustainable communities cannot be achieved without addressing gendered impacts and fostering inclusive solutions for a more equitable future.

One of the major factor contributing to the decreased yield of cauliflower in Nepal is incorrect fungicide selection and dosages. Alternaria leaf spot (ALS) caused by Alternaria brassicicola, is a devastating disease that significantly reduces the quantity and quality of cauliflower. In vitro evaluation of seven different fungicides was done in a completely randomized design with five replications at different doses i.e., 50 ppm, 100 ppm, 150 ppm, and 200 ppm. All the tested fungicides significantly reduced (P≤0.001) mycelial growth of the pathogen in the poisoned food technique. The greatest reduction in mycelium growth was observed with hexaconazole and azoxystrobin + tebuconazole at the lowest tested concentration (50 ppm). Maximum inhibition of A. brassicicola growth was demonstrated by azoxystrobin + propiconazole at 200 ppm, followed by azoxystrobin + difenoconazole and copper oxychloride. The fungicides that were found effective in inhibiting mycelial growth should be tested under field conditions with multi-location and multi-strains pathogens to ensure that they meet specific requirements related to host and environment interaction. This will help to confirm their efficacy and determine the best application doses.

Tarım sektörü, yüksek enerji tüketimi ve çevresel etkileriyle öne çıkan bir alandır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, mandarin üretim süreçlerindeki enerji kullanımını ve karbon emisyonlarını analiz ederek, çevresel sürdürülebilirliği sağlamak adına çözüm önerileri sunmaktır. 2021-2022 üretim sezonunda Adana ilinde gerçekleştirilen araştırma, mandarin üretiminin çevreye olan etkilerine ilişkin önemli bilgiler sağlamaktadır. Elde edilen verilere göre, mandarin üretiminde kullanılan enerjinin büyük bir kısmı kimyasal gübreler (%33,88), sulama suyu (%23,94) ve pestisitlerden (%23,10) gelmektedir. Çalışma kapsamında, mandarin üretiminde toplam enerji girdisi 41604,60 MJ ha-1, enerji çıktısı ise 156582,40 MJ ha-1 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Üretim faaliyetlerinin toplam karbon emisyonu 954,69 kg CO2-eq kg-1 seviyesinde bulunmuş olup, emisyonların %25,97'sinin azotlu gübre kullanımından kaynaklandığı belirlenmiştir. Bu bulgular, mandarin üretiminde enerji verimliliğini artırmak için özellikle kimyasal gübre kullanımının azaltılmasının önemli olduğunu göstermektedir. Enerji tüketimini optimize etmek ve karbon emisyonlarını düşürmek adına, çevre dostu ve yenilenebilir enerji kaynaklarının kullanımının teşvik edilmesi gerektiği vurgulanmaktadır. Özellikle, kimyasal gübrelerin yerine çiftlik gübresi ve organik gübre gibi alternatiflerin kullanılması, mandarin üretiminden kaynaklanan çevresel etkilerin azaltılmasına katkı sağlayabilir.

Microalgae have been utilized to produce various products such as pharmaceuticals, food additives, biofuels, and in processes like wastewater treatment and carbon dioxide fixation. However, scaling up production systems to provide necessary capacities of industrial scale remains a challenge. Photobioreactors, of this scale, have traditionally been limited to large open ponds or raceway systems, which require extensive land and produce low-density cultures. To achieve high-density cultures, closed systems must be developed by optimizing light, photosynthetic microorganisms, and nutrients. This study explores the optimization of light sources in photobioreactors to improve the efficiency of photosynthetic microorganisms used in various biotechnological applications. Various light sources, including LEDs, fluorescent, and incandescent lamps, were analyzed for their photon output and energy consumption at specific wavelengths crucial for photosynthesis. LEDs (with peak wavelength of 643nm) were found to be most efficient light source in the PAR range, particularly influencing the photosynthetic rates of microorganisms by converting electrical energy into useful photons, as determined by the antenna pigments of photosynthetic microorganisms. The research underscores the importance of selecting optimal lighting to enhance yields in microalgae-based production systems at lowest cost, suggesting a potential shift towards more efficient, controlled environmental conditions for higher productivity.

Reproductive biotechnology in Bangladesh, especially artificial insemination (AI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and embryo production, has significantly advanced in cattle, goats, and buffaloes. AI, introduced in 1958, plays a crucial role in livestock breeding, particularly dairy cattle, with 70% AI coverage. Programs by organizations like Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC), Milk Vita, and government initiatives have helped to improve genetic quality and address the shortage of breeding males. Conception rates vary by species: cattle (45.33-83%), goats (40.0-88.89%), sheep (26.7-56.37%), and buffaloes (25 to 56.7%), depending on factors such as semen quality, heat detection, timing, thawing, and technician skills. Hormonal treatments (GnRH, PGF2α) and synchronization methods (cloprostenol, FGA, double AI) have improved reproductive outcomes. IVF technologies promise to goat embryo production, especially with bovine serum albumin (BSA). IVF also holds potential for genetic improvement and the preservation of animal genetic resources. Optimized IVF techniques, oocyte vitrification, and hormonal treatments have improved fertility in cattle, buffaloes, goats, and sheep. Buffaloes have benefited from supplements like BSA, Stem Cell Factor, and Theophylline, while goats have seen optimized embryo production using goat follicular fluid and ovaries without a corpus luteum. Despite progress, challenges remain, including a shortage of skilled technicians, high costs, and limited infrastructure. Smallholder farmers struggle to access modern reproductive technologies and quality semen. The future of reproductive biotechnology in Bangladesh depends on expanding AI, IVF, estrous synchronization, and semen sexing. Investment in training, infrastructure, supportive policies, public-private partnerships and financial incentives, is crucial to enhance productivity, genetic diversity, and sustainability in the livestock sector. Addressing these areas will ensure a transformative impact on livestock productivity, rural livelihoods, and national economic growth.