Bu çalışmada, tıbbi nitelik taşıdığı bilinen Achillea millefolium L. (Civanperçemi) bitkisinin besin elementi konsantrasyonlarının ve antioksidan aktivitesinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla; Sivas ili Divriği ilçesinden toplandığı bilinen Civanperçemi bitkisinin makro ve mikro besin elementi konsantrasyonları ile su ekstresinin toplam antioksidan seviyesi (TAS), toplam oksidan seviyesi (TOS) ve oksidatif stres indeksi (OSI) değerleri belirlenmiştir. Çalışmadan elde edilen sonuçlara göre; Civanperçemi bitkisinin bazı makro ve mikro besin elementi konsantrasyonları bakımından yeter düzeyde olduğu, makro elementlerden azot (N), fosfor (P), potasyum (K), kalsiyum (Ca) ve magnezyum, mikro elementlerden demir (Fe), çinko (Zn), mangan (Mn) ve bakır (Cu) konsantrasyonlarının sırasıyla %1,01 N, %0,63 P, %2,43 K, %2,22 Ca, %0,70 Mg, 360,4 mg/kg Fe, 47,6 mg/kg Zn, 85,5 mg/kg Mn ve 28,3 mg/kg Cu olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Antioksidan potansiyelinin ise orta düzeyde olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca, bitkinin oksidan kapasitesi ve oksidatif stres indeksi düşük olarak tespit edilmiştir.

Heavy metal toxicity can either be acute or chronic effects. Long-term exposure of the body to heavy metal can progressively lead to muscular, physical and neurological degenerative process. In this research, a total of 30 representative chocolate samples were collected from local shops and markets in Lahore. All the samples were analysed to assess the levels of Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr) and Cadmium (Cd) by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer in Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), Lahore. It was observed that the majority of chocolate samples contain heavy metals levels higher than the permissible limits as recommended by Punjab Food Rules (PFR) 2011. The levels of Pb ranged between 0.375 and 3.4 mg/kg with 90% samples having concentrations exceeding PFR allowable limit (0.5 mg/kg). Whereas, Ni concentrations varied from 0.005 to 0.28 mg/kg and 80% samples were above the PFR limit (0.025 mg/kg). Further, Cr levels analysed between 0.005 to 0.28 mg/kg and 53% samples had Cr concentrations higher than PFR limit (0.02 mg/kg). Similarly, Cd levels were observed between 0.50-3.25 mg/kg with 53% samples having Cd concentrations exceeding the PFR limit (1.0 mg/kg). Investigation indicates that the quality of available chocolates is not recommendable for eating because of the higher concentrations of toxic heavy metals.

This paper examines factors determining farmers’ adoption decision for improved maize varieties in the maize-common bean intercropping practices in two districts of East Hararghe zone, Eastern Ethiopia. It is based on data collected from 129 farm households using structured questionnaire. Descriptive results revealed that adopters of improved maize varieties had better food and nutrition security status. Furthermore, logit model output indicated that the decision to adopt improved maize varieties is influenced by location (district) dummy, education status of the household head, age of the household head, distance from the main road, and the number of plots owned. Major recommendations include improving the rural road infrastructure, educating and training farmers, organizing experience sharing events among farmers, and raising awareness about the food and nutrition security benefits of sustainable agricultural intensification practices like intercropping improved maize with improved common bean varieties.

Ethiopia has enormous potential for wheat production, yet it remains a net wheat importer. This paper aims to examine the efficiency of wheat production in Debra Libanos district, Ethiopia. Two stages sampling technique was used to randomly select 150 farmers for the study. A stochastic production frontier and two-limit Tobit estimator was utilized in the study. The study reveals that technical (78.5 %,), allocative (85.6%), and economic (66.7%) efficiencies. The yield gap was 5.13 quintal/ hectare showing a room to increase efficiencies. The study identified the determinants of wheat production efficiency in the area. Hence, to improve wheat production efficiencies strengthen extension services, improved technology utilization, and proper land ploughing. Besides, natural resource conservations that improve soil fertility should be the focus of the policymakers.

Breadnut is an indigenous fruit commonly found in Southeast Asia. The authors recognized the potential of breadnut as a food source; thus, the study was set out to determine the proximate composition and antioxidant activity of breadnut seed flour. The sample was found to contain 75% carbohydrates, 9.07% fat, and 6.16% protein. Moreover, the flour made from breadnut yielded a DPPH scavenging activity of 97.33%, an indication of high antioxidant capacity. The flour was blended with wheat flour to investigate its functional properties. It was observed that the 50:50 breadnut seed flour and wheat flour showed potential in terms of water absorption capacity, fat absorption capacity, emulsion capacity, and foaming ability. With the rising population and threat to food and nutrition security, alternative sources must be explored. This study illustrated the potential of breadnut as a source of energy and other nutrients. More so, its functional behavior as an alternative or at least composite to wheat flour.

The aim of present study was to determine the effects of different ethephon doses on grain yield and yield components of two faba bean cultivars. The experiment was established in 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 cropping season at Research Area of Field Crops Department, Agriculture of Faculty, Cukurova University Adana, Turkey. The field experiment was laid out in randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with three replications on the basis split plot design with cultivars (Luz de Otono and Histal) in main plots and ethephon doses (0, 500, 1000, 1500 g ha-1) in sub plots. Plant height (cm), branches per plant, pods per plant, seeds per plant, seed yield per plant (g), 100 grain weight (g), seed yield (kg ha-1) were investigated. Differences among the cultivars and ethephon applications were significant for seed yield and it varied from 1782 to 3388 kg ha-1 in the mean of the years. Seed yield also decreased with increasing ethephon doses. Seed yield was higher in 2019/2020 (3355 kg ha) than 2020/2021 (1841 kg ha-1) where low rainfed and high temperature. The present results suggested that ethephon applications at inititation of flowering were not useful for seed production of faba bean.

More than 1000 thermal and mineral water springs with temperatures from 20°C to102°C occur in Turkey. Kangal Balikli Hot Spring is known as psoriasis treatment center is one of the most important among these springs. The main scope of this research was to determine geological, hydrogeological and biological properties and water chemistry of the psoriasis treatment center and the stream running alongside the thermal pools. The spring water is an isothermal-hypotonic and oligometalic mineral water, having average of electrical conductivity: 530 μS cm-1, temperature: 35°C, CO2 8.70 mg l-1, pH 7.30 and O2 4 mg l-1. Calcium, magnesium and bicarbonates are dominant. Neither the chemical figures nor the temperature (35±1°C) of the water shows seasonal change. There are two fish species, Garra rufa and Cyprinion macrostomus, that adapted living at 35°C water temperature. The mean fork length and body weight of the fish living in the psoriasis treatment center is significantly lower than those living at the stream. Some of the fish in the pools showed symptoms of illness such as exophthalmus, scale loose, skin ulceration, pale gills, and bloated appearance. Gut analysis revealed that both species have been feeding on algae, insect parts, fish scales, and debris. In most cases the guts of fish caught in the pools were either empty or had very little content in it. Zooplanktons had little species and were not recorded frequently.

The objective of this study was to develop mathematical functions to predict deflection for radial and bias tires. In order to develop the models, the data were obtained from the tire manufacturing companies and organized in Excel first and then transferred to Minitab® for stepwise regression analysis. The variables considered in the study were inflation pressure, load and tire width and overall diameter. Tire width (w) and overall diameter (d) was considered in a multiplication form. The tire deflection models in two different form (linear and non-linear) were developed for both, radial and bias tires. The model selection was achieved by three different criteria and % differences between the measured and predicted data. Based on the results of applying model selection criteria, the models for radial and bias tire in non-linear form were found to be adequate for predicting the tire deflection. The results from the stepwise analysis indicated that the load on tire was the predominant variable in the models and made the highest contribution to the prediction functions. The developed models were verified against to published literature data and found a good agreement.

The experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh to investigate the influence of plant nutrient management on the yield performance of transplant Aman rice. The experiment comprised two Aman rice varieties viz. Binadhan-15 and Binadhan-16, and ten nutrient management viz. Recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer (RDF) Urea-TSP-MoP-Gypsum-ZnSO4 @ 150-110-70-60-5 kg ha-1, Cowdung @ 10 t ha-1, Poultry manure @ 5 t ha-1, Vermicompost @ 3 t ha-1 , 25% less than RDF + cowdung @ 5 t ha-1, 50% less than RDF + cowdung @ 10 t ha-1 , 25% less than RDF + poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1, 50% less than RDF + poultry manure @ 5 t ha-1, 25% less than RDF + vermicompost @ 1.5 t ha-1, 50% less than RDF + vermicompost @ 3 t ha-1. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Binadhan-15 produced taller plants (97.86 cm), effective tillers hill-1 (6.28), grains panicle-1 (101.73), higher grain (3.58 t ha-1) and straw (4.99 t ha-1) yields compared to Binadhan-16. In case of nutrient management, 50% less than RDF + poultry manure @ 5 t ha-1 produced taller plants (101.1 cm), effective tillers hill-1 (7.07), grains panicle-1 (105.1) and grain yield (4.08 t ha-1). The highest grain yield (4.25 t ha-1) was recorded in Binadhan-15 fertilized with 50% less than RDF + poultry manure @ 5 t ha-1 and the lowest grain yield (2.28 t ha-1) was obtained in Binadhan-16 fertilized with vermicompost @ 3 t ha-1. So, it can be concluded that transplant Aman rice cv. Binadhan-15 fertilized with 50% less than RDF + poultry manure @ 5 t ha-1 appears as the promising practice to obtain the highest grain yield.

Talinum triangulare is an herbaceous succulent plant eaten as a vegetable throughout the tropics including many countries in West and Central Africa and are an essential ingredient in traditional dishes. Experiments were made on the plant to examine the influence of foraging behavior of flowering insect on pollination and yields of this plant species in 2018 and 2019 at Bafut. Observations were made on 1615 to 4055 flowers per treatment. The treatments included unlimited floral access by visitors and bagged flowers to deny all visits. The study focused on the foraging behavior of flowering insects and their pollination activity (fruiting rate). The results show that 14 insect species visited waterleaf flowers and Camponotus flavomarginatus was the most frequent (33.20%). Insects foraged throughout the day light period. Their activity was highest between 10 am and 12 pm. Insect species foraged the flowers for pollen and nectar. The fructification rate of unrestricted floral access was significantly high than that of protected flowers to deny all visits. The maintenance of insect nest close to T. triangulare field is recommended to improve it fruits production.