Analysis of consumer preferences for cowpea varieties in Osun State was carried out with a view to identifying attributes that determine price variation among cowpea varieties and the effect on consumer’s willingness to pay for those varieties. A multistage sampling technique was used to randomly select 240 respondents for the study, comprising 180 cowpea consumers and 60 retailers. Primary data were collected on cowpea varieties, their attributes and the consumer’s willingness to pay for cowpea varieties using well structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that out of thirteen varieties found in the area, only nine varieties of cowpea were common in the market. The quality of each variety differs which explained variation in their price. In terms of preference the Oloyin variety is preferred most by 78% of consumers. Weevil resistance had the highest rank among the cowpea attributes. Oloyin had the highest WTP followed by Milk and Drum with ₦303, ₦237 and ₦213 per kg, respectively. Hedonic pricing methods provide a statistical estimate of premiums and discounts for cowpea attributes. Results indicated that weevil resistance was the most important attribute to consumer. Cowpeas with weevil damage tolerance, brown colour, large grain size and short cooking time commanded price premium for almost all the varieties. The consumer discounted prices for insect damage, small size, white colour, smooth skin and grain colour mixed together. The study concludes on the need for breeders and research institutes to incorporate these cowpea attributes that attracted price premium into their cowpea breeding programmes.

A land capability classification method for irrigated and drained lands was outlined in order to build up management alternatives. This methodology suggests the grouping of soils in Land Management Units (LMU) as cartographical and ecological units similar in its management needs. These units are those evaluated with respect to Irrigation Management Types (ITM) taking account of land qualities which relate to soil physical and chemical characteristics and the irrigation management requirements. The enclosure of land conditions and its irrigation management requirement defines the land capability class. Lands with the best land capability for irrigation are afterwards reevaluated from the crop production stand point, leading to a new group named Land Use Type. This methodology allows to choose several alternatives for the proper land use under irrigation practices without damaging soil and water resources. | Se planteó una metodología para clasificar la aptitud de las tierras para uso bajo riego y drenaje como base para crear alternativas de manejo. La metodología propone agrupar los suelos en Unidades de Manejo de tierras(UMAT) como unidades cartográficas y ecológicas similares en cuanto a necesidad de manejo. Son éstas las que se evalúan con respecto a unos Tipos de Manejo bajo Riego (TMR) a través de cualidades de la tierra. Cada cualidad incluye características del suelo y requerimiento de manejo de riego. El acercamiento entre las condiciones de la tierra y los requerimientos de manejo del riego definen la clase de aptitud. Sobre las tierras con mejor aptitud para determinado método de riego se reevalúa en cuanto a su aptitud para la producción de cultivos denominado Tipo de Uso de la Tierra (TUT). Se pueden establecer alternativas de manejo y mejoramiento para encontrar la aptitud potencial.

Araştırmada İzmir ili Balıklıova beldesinde bulunan bir üretim çiftliğinden temin edilen çipuralardan alınan sperm örnekleri 0°C’de buz içinde muhafaza edildikten sonra her altı saatte bir faz kontrast tip mikroskopta incelenmiştir. Çalışmada sperm muhafaza süreleri, hız, konsantrasyon, meristik karakterler ve sperm hacmi ile ilgili datalar elde edilmiş ve bu sonuçlar ebeveyn ile ilişkilendirilmiştir. Denemelerde kullanılan balıkların ağırlıkları 405-625 g, boyları ise 25-37 cm sperm hacmi 3,1-8,3 ml.kg-1 olarak tespit edilmiştir. En yoğun konsantrasyon 5,35x109 spz.ml-1 ile 2 numaralı denekte, en düşük sperm konsantrasyonu 0,16×109 spz.ml-1 ile 24 numaralı denekte saptanmıştır. Çalışma süresince tüm denek ve zamanlarda baş boyuna endeksli en yüksek hız 35.5 baş boy.sn-1 (210,16 µm.sn-1), en düşük hız 2,6 baş boy.sn-1 (15,39 µm.sn-1) olarak belirlenmiştir. Çalışma toplam 126 saat sürmüştür. En kısa muhafaza süresi 26-50 saat, en uzun muhafaza süresi 126-150 saat olarak tespit edilmiştir.

Celem pracy była analiza zmienności cen mięsa kurcząt brojlerów w krajach UE w latach 2007-2016. Określono odpowiednie statystyki opisowe oraz przeprowadzono dekompozycję szeregu czasowego cen. Wielkość produkcji mięsa kurcząt brojlerów w UE w 2007 roku wynosiła 8,76 mln ton i w wzrosła do poziomu 10,98 mln ton w 2014 r. Największymi producentami w UE w 2014 roku były: Polska (14,9% udziału w produkcji kurcząt brojlerów w UE), Wielka Brytania (13,1%), Hiszpania (11,2%), Francja (10,0%) oraz Niemcy (9,4%). Najwyższe ceny występowały w Niemczech, Finlandii i na Cyprze, a najniższe w Polsce, Wielkiej Brytanii i Bułgarii. Większe zróżnicowanie cen występowało w krajach, gdzie poziom cen był niższy, zaś w krajach o wysokim poziomie cen - ceny odznaczały się większą stabilnością. Ceny mięsa kurcząt brojlerów w UE cechuje sezonowość. Wyższe są latem, a niższe - późną jesienią i zimą. Kraje o największych amplitudach zmian sezonowych to: Polska (średnio 20%), Portugalia (15%), Belgia (11%) i Wielka Brytania (10%) | The article presents analysis of price variability of broiler chicken meat in EU countries in period 2007-2016. Descriptive statistics were calculated and decomposition of time series of prices were performed. The production of meat broiler chicken in EU in year 2007 amounted 8, 76 million ton and increased to the level of 10,98 million ton in year 2014. The biggest producers in year 2014 were: Poland (14,9%), Great Britain (13,1%), Spain (11,2%), France (10,0%) and Germany (9,4%). The highest prices were in: Germany, Finland, Cyprus and the lowest in: Poland, Great Britain and Bulgaria. Variability of prices was higher in countries with lower level of prices while in countries where prices were higher, they were also more stable. Prices of broiler chickens in EU are distinguished by seasonality. Higher prices are in summer and lower in late autumn and winter. Countries with highest seasonal changes are as follows: Poland (20% in average), Portugal (15%), Belgium (11%) and Great Britain (10%) | kurczęta brojlery, wahania sezonowe, zmienność cen | broiler chickens, seasonal fluctuations, price variability | 13 | 287-297 | 2

The article presents analysis of price variability of broiler chicken meat in EU countries in period 2007-2016. Descriptive statistics were calculated and decomposition of time series of prices were performed. The production of meat broiler chicken in EU in year 2007 amounted 8, 76 million ton and increased to the level of 10,98 million ton in year 2014. The biggest producers in year 2014 were: Poland (14,9%), Great Britain (13,1%), Spain (11,2%), France (10,0%) and Germany (9,4%). The highest prices were in: Germany, Finland, Cyprus and the lowest in: Poland, Great Britain and Bulgaria. Variability of prices was higher in countries with lower level of prices while in countries where prices were higher, they were also more stable. Prices of broiler chickens in EU are distinguished by seasonality. Higher prices are in summer and lower in late autumn and winter. Countries with highest seasonal changes are as follows: Poland (20% in average), Portugal (15%), Belgium (11%) and Great Britain (10%). / Synopsis. Celem pracy była analiza zmienności cen mięsa kurcząt brojlerów w krajach UE w latach 2007-2016. Określono odpowiednie statystyki opisowe oraz przeprowadzono dekompozycję szeregu czasowego cen. Wielkość produkcji mięsa kurcząt brojlerów w UE w 2007 roku wynosiła 8,76 mln ton i w wzrosła do poziomu 10,98 mln ton w 2014 r. Największymi producentami w UE w 2014 roku były: Polska (14,9% udziału w produkcji kurcząt brojlerów w UE), Wielka Brytania (13,1%), Hiszpania (11,2%), Francja (10,0%) oraz Niemcy (9,4%). Najwyższe ceny występowały w Niemczech, Finlandii i na Cyprze, a najniższe w Polsce, Wielkiej Brytanii i Bułgarii. Większe zróżnicowanie cen występowało w krajach, gdzie poziom cen był niższy, zaś w krajach o wysokim poziomie cen - ceny odznaczały się większą stabilnością. Ceny mięsa kurcząt brojlerów w UE cechuje sezonowość. Wyższe są latem, a niższe - późną jesienią i zimą. Kraje o największych amplitudach zmian sezonowych to: Polska (średnio 20%), Portugalia (15%), Belgia (11%) i Wielka Brytania (10%).

Bu çalışmada, İç Anadolu bölgesinde yılın büyük bölümünde kuruyan tuzlu bataklıklarda doğal olarak yetişen bazı otsu halofitlerin peyzaj tasarımında kullanılabilirlikleri araştırılmıştır. Araştırma kapsamında 2016 ve 2017 yıllarında Konya, Ankara, Aksaray ve Nevşehir civarında bulunan tuzlu habitatlarda vejetasyon döneminde periyodik olarak alan çalışmaları yapılmış ve halofit bitki türlerine ait fotoğraflar ve herbaryum örnekleri alınmıştır. Seçilen türlerin genel botanik ve ekolojik özellikleri verilmiş, estetik ve fonksiyonel özellikleri dikkate alınarak peyzaj tasarımında kullanım değerleri belirlenmiştir. Araştırma alanında bulunan tuzlu habitatlarda vejetasyon dönemlerinde yapılan saha çalışmaları sonucunda peyzaj tasarımında kullanılabilecek 19 familya ve 38 cinse ait 59 halofit bitki türü tespit edilmiştir. Bu türlerden 25 tanesi Türkiye için endemik olup endemizm oranı %42’dir. 11 tür ile Asteraceae en fazla temsil edilen familya olurken, ardından 9 tür ile Plumbaginaceae ve 8 tür ile Chenopodiaceae familyası izlemiştir. Plumbaginaceae familyasından Limonium cinsi, 8 tür ile peyzaj tasarımında en fazla kullanım potansiyeli olan cins olmuştur. Peyzaj tasarımında en yaygın kullanım alanları, 49 türle çatı bahçelerinde belirlenirken, 31 türle yer koruma ve erozyon önleyiciler izlenmektedir. Çoğu sukkulent olan bu halofit türler hem sulak hem de kurak alanlara iyi adapte olduklarından gelecekte yaşanabilecek küresel ısınma tehdidine karşı kurak ve çorak araziler için sürdürülebilir bir alternatif olacaktır. Bunun yanında çoğu endemik olan bu türlerin peyzaj tasarımında kullanılması aşırı tuzdan çoraklaşmış arazilerin restorasyonu, biyolojik çeşitliliğin korunması ve sürdürülebilir tarım uygulamaları için büyük önem taşımaktadır.

Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar o uso de um inversor de freqüência de 25 cv na irrigação, considerando-se diferentes demandas de água como manejo. A avaliação consistiu de uma análise de custos e benefícios, ambos anuais. O custo foi calculado com base no fator de recuperação do capital, para taxas de juros de 6 e 12% e períodos de amortização de 5 e 15 anos. O benefício consistiu da economia de energia proporcionada pelo inversor de freqüência em relação aos procedimentos usuais de controle da vazão. Relacionaram-se os parâmetros econômicos e de manejo da irrigação, com o objetivo de se avaliar o equipamento para qualquer situação de projeto. Como exemplo de aplicação, analisaram-se duas situações de controle de vazão comparadas ao inversor de freqüência em um projeto de irrigação. Foram determinadas, com auxílio do inversor de freqüência, as características hidráulicas, em função da vazão de uma motobomba de 25 cv sob várias rotações. Observou-se que o inversor de freqüência pode ser viável, devendo-se avaliar a redução de potência advinda do seu uso e o tempo de funcionamento da irrigação, analisando-se a melhor forma de amortização.<br>This work aimed to evaluate the use of a variable frequency drive of 25 HP in irrigation systems to manage different water demands. The evaluation was done analyzing annual costs and benefits. The cost was calculated using interest rates of 6 and 12% and capital return periods of 5 and 15 years. The benefit was the energy saving by use of the variable frequency drive in relation to usual procedures to control discharge. The economic and irrigation management parameters were compared in order to evaluate several design situations. As an example, two situations of discharge control were compared with the use of a variable frequency drive in an irrigation project, suggesting forms for evaluation of the equipment under irrigated conditions. With the help of variable frequency drive, hydraulic characteristics and discharge for a pump of 25 HP, under several frequencies, were determined. It was demonstrated that the equipment can be used in irrigation systems, although it needs to be evaluated for the power reduction due to its use and working so as to analyze the best form of repayment of investment cost.

Los estudios de estabilidad fenotípica son importantes para la siembra de genotipos que muestran un adecuado comportamiento en una o varias zonas. Estevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bert.) es una especie recientemente introducida en Colombia, por tanto, los estudios sobre su adaptación en áreas productoras del país son escasos. Esta planta se caracteriza por sintetizar glucósidos de diterpeno altamente edulcorantes con bajo aporte calórico. El presente estudio se realizó en Montería (8° 52' N y 76° 48' O), Colombia, con el objeto de determinar la estabilidad fenotípica de los genotipos Morita 1 y Morita 2 de estevia, sembrados en tres densidades de plantas (25, 12.5 y 6.25 plantas/m²) y dispuestos en un diseño de bloques completos al azar, en tres épocas de siembra en el Caribe húmedo de Colombia. Los resultados más importantes señalan que Morita 2, en densidades de 25 plantas/m², registró los mejores índices de estabilidad para el rendimiento de hoja seca/ha (Pig = 0; Pid = 0). Por su parte, éste mismo genotipo presentó una mayor relación hoja/tallo (1.17 ± 0.3) y mayor contenido de glucósidos totales (0.1586 ± 0.024) cuando la radiación solar fue mayor y las densidades eran entre 12.5 y 25 plantas/m². | Phenotypic stability studies are important to recommend objectively the planting of genotypes showing appropriate behavior in one or more areas. Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bert.), a species of recent cropping in Colombia, is characterized by the capacity of synthesize highly sweeteners diterpene glycosides with low calorie. However, while defining the environmental conditions for production, leaf /stem ratio in the canopy, and the amount of total glycosides, few studies of adaptation have been made in the country. This study was carried out in Montería-Colombia (8°52' N and 76°48' W) to determine the phenotypic stability of two genotypes of stevia (Morita 1 and Morita 2) and three plant densities (25; 12.5 and 6.25 plants/ m²) during three sowing seasons in the Humid Colombian Caribbean Region. The experimental design consisted of a randomized complete block. The results showed that Morita 2, established in densities of 25 plants/m², recorded the highest levels of stability for the dry leaf yield per hectare (Pig =0; Pid =0). On the other hand, the same genotype showed a higher leaf/stem ratio (1.17±0.3) and higher content of total glycosides (0.1586±0.024) when radiation is higher and plant densities are between 12.5 and 25 plants/m².