It is foreseen that there may be a water crisis in the next years due to global climate change, the need for food with the increasing population and the need for fresh water. Due to the scarcity of freshwater resources and the difficulty in access to quality water, water resources should be used in the most efficient way. Water conservation is of great importance in regions where water is scarce. The water harvesting method, which allows rainwater to be collected, stored and reused could be applied in various ways. In this study, water harvesting methods and techniques aiming to develop a strategy that will provide maximum benefit from rainwater in arid and semi-arid areas are discussed.

The aim of this study was to reveal the effect of whey powder (WP) supplementation on chemical composition, silage fermentation, in vivo digestibility and net energy lactation (NEL) value of high dry matter (DM) alfalfa silage (Haylage). Alfalfa treated with different doses WP (0, 2, and 4%) were ensiled in plastic cans for 60 days. Nine Kıvırcık rams were used to estimated digestibilities of haylages in 3x3 Latin Square design with fifteen days experimental period. According to the results, the addition of WP significantly increased the DM of alfalfa haylage compared to the control whereas decreased ether extract, crude protein and crude ash. But, cell wall fraction rates of all groups were similar. Relative feed value and physical characteristics other than color improved in WP supplemented groups, and lactic acid rates increased in these groups. In terms of silo acids, the best values were found in the group with 4% WP. On the other hand, the addition of WP increased the organic matter digestibility of haylages, however the effect on other in vivo digestibility of crude protein, crude fiber, nitrogen free extract and neutral detergent fiber was insignificant. Moreover, total digestible nutrients (TDN) and NEL values of haylages were found to be improved with the addition of WP. As a result, it was concluded that in order to obtain quality haylage in the ensiling of high DM and long chopped alfalfa, WP generally can be used as an alternative source of carbohydrates and a 4% whey powder dose can be recommended in the production of haylage especially in the sense of improving silage fermentation.

In this study, beta-lactam group antibiotic residues were investigated in raw cow's milk. For this purpose, a total of 86 raw milk samples were used as material. Samples were collected periodically from farms in various outlets and surrounding villages in the province of Sivas. Beta-lactam group antibiotic levels in raw cow's milk were determined by ELISA method with commercial test kit. According to the analysis results, beta-lactam levels were between 0.35-0.70 ng/mL in 64 (74.4%) and between 0.71-3.7 ng/mL in 22 samples (25.6%) determined of 86 raw cow milk samples. The residue levels detected in the samples are in accordance with the legal limits declared by the European Union (EU) commission and Turkish Food Codex Communique.

Due to the emerging needs in parallel with the developing technology and industrialization, the importance of renewable energy sources is increasing with the decrease of usable fossil resources and the ever-increasing need for energy. For this reason, solutions are sought to provide the energy needed in a timely, sufficient, and reliable manner. Wind energy has the greatest potential and usage area among renewable energy sources. The wind, which has advantages such as clean, fast commissioning, reliability, and being independent of fuel, is considered a good example of a clean energy source with these features. In this study, the production potential of electrical energy from wind energy was investigated by using wind data for Sinop province. Wind energy potential on the availability of wind energy systems suitable for its natural structure for Sinop province; Visual Basic 6.0 was determined using the computer package program. In the study, hourly wind data were used and analyzes were made for suitable wind energy systems. In addition, for a possible WPPs, analysis has been made and evaluated considering the current data; The availability of wind energy in Sinop province has been tried to be revealed.

In this context, it is necessary to select and develop salt-tolerant genotypes that can grow in salty soils and have high yields, and formulate strategies which may enhance the plant survival under salinity stress. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is an important biological hormone that provides resistance to abiotic stress conditions and can be secreted by plants. Melatonin concentration in plants varies depending on genotype, temperature and growth period. Increase in melatonin concentration is associated with increased SNAT and HIOMAT/ASMT enzyme activity. It plays an important role in gibberellic acid and abscisic acid biosynthesis during the germination and provides plant growth and development. Exogenous application of melatonin significantly alleviates chlorophyll degradation and stomatal closure caused by salt stress, improves photosynthesis and enhances plants' salt tolerance. Besides it significantly reduces the harmful effects of salinity by regulating plant physiology, improving plant morphology, photosynthesis and activities of antioxidant enzymes. The present review discusses the recent studies on the effect of melatonin on plant growth and physiology against salt stress that have important impacts on plant growth and development have been given according to the findings of various researches. It also highlights the mechanim/s of melatonin-induced salinity stress tolerance in plants.

There is an expanding interest in medicinal and aromatic plants as a natural alternative to synthetic drugs, especially to antimicrobial agents due to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. In recent years, a lot of reports have been published on the antimicrobial activity of the plant extracts. This study was used Lavandula angustifolia L., Mentha piperita L., and Ribes nigrum L. as plant materials. This study aims to test the plant extracts against oral bacteria. Its purpose is to produce directly comparable, quantitative, antimicrobial data, and in addition to containing very little information of the different extracts against oral pathogens. Disc diffusion method was studied for antimicrobial activity tests. Also, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined in this study. Additionally, the extracts were tested against stable 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate• (DPPH•) free radicals for non-enzymatic antioxidant activity. This study was used Trolox (6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetra-methyl chroman-2-carboxylic acid) as standard. The extracts showed different inhibition zones against bacteria. The methanol extract of Lavandula showed the highest inhibition zone against the oral pathogen MBKK5. The positive control was penicillin (10 μg). The lowest MIC value was taken at 6500 μg /ml concentration of the plant extracts. The highest DPPH• radical scavenging activity was found in Ribes nigrum extract as 36%. As a result, plant extracts have antibacterial and antioxidant potential.

Land use could impact soil properties and processes in varying degrees. Therefore, the impact of different land use systems on soil water status and its relationship with some physiochemical properties was studied at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. The land use types included native forest (NF); Paddock (P); Oil palm plantation (OP); Teak (TK); new yam plot (NY) and yam plot under fallow (YF). Structure and disturbed surface soils (0 - 15 cm) samples were taken at three (3) locations in each land use type. Soil water content (SWC) significantly varied among the different land use types, with oil palm plantation storing the highest amount of water. The results also showed significant differences in soil bulk density, organic carbon, porosity, texture and hydraulic conductivity among the land use types. SWC associated positively and significantly with organic matter, silt content and silt + clay. The association between SWC and pH and silt/clay were positive but weak while particle density, bulk density and sand content showed negative and significant association. The principal component regression (PCR) showed a highly significant, positive relationship between SWC and the principal components of other physicochemical properties. Cluster analysis showed that SWC is highly related and linked to OM, Bd, Pd, Pt and silt/clay. The results implied that conversion to paddock and continuous cultivation led to depletion in soil water, physical and chemical properties, whereas cultivation of tree crops conserved these soil properties better. Therefore, establishment of tree crop and conservative soil management practices are suggested to prevent agricultural lands from degradation in areas with soils under similar conditions.

In this study, the effect of foliar L-Histidine and Methinonin amino acid applications on grain cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) uptake on durum wheat grown in soil contaminated with Cd was investigated. The research was carried out according to the randomized blocks design as a pot experiment in greenhouse conditions. In the experiment, Cd doses were applied as control (0 mg Cd kg-1) and (3 mg Cd kg-1). L-Histidine and Methionine amino acids were applied 7 times from the leaf after the start of flag leaf formation in wheat at 0.5 mM doses and harvested after the grain maturity was completed. According to the results obtained, the wheat grain dry matter yield in 3 mg Cd kg-1 polluted soil was 44.5 mg grain-1 in the control, while the dry matter weight was increased with the application of L-Histidine and Methionine from the leaves being 48 and 50 mg grain-1, respectively. It was determined that there were differences in grain Cd and Zn concentrations with the application of amino acids from the leaves at the dose of 3 mg kg-1 cadmium. When the grain Cd and Zn intakes were compared with the control, it was found that the grain Cd concentration decreased, and the Zn concentration increased as a result of the application of amino acids. The high amount of Cd in wheat can make it to the human body through the food chain and is known to cause serious health problems after a certain amount of accumulation. As a result of this study, it is seen that L-Histidine and Methionine are effective in reducing Cd in the grain, and these amino acids probably form a complex with Cd, resulting in less transport.

The increase in salinization in agricultural lands adversely affects crop production. In particular, yield and quality losses occur in many vegetables such as lettuce, which are grown and consumed in every season. Realizing these losses in crop production, more careful fertilization and agricultural practices should be done. Yedikule lettuce seeds were used in the study to draw attention to these negative aspects. The study, which was carried out for two years, was designed with 0, 50, 100 and 150 mmol doses of salt according to a randomized parcel design with three replications and four pots in each replicate. Each 2-liter pot was filled with a 2:1 ratio of peat: perlite mixture and the study was carried out with 2 lettuces in each pot. As a result of the study, when the plant weight data of the first year and the second year are examined, it is seen that the weight loss of lettuce plants and damage to the plants increase when the salt doses increase. It was observed that the highest plant weight loss occurred at 150 mmol salt dose. Membrane damage index in lettuce leaves was observed to increase as the salt dose increased. It was observed that the leaf water rate decreased with increasing salt doses. Membrane damage index and leaf water content of lettuce plants were more negatively affected at 150 mmol of salt in both years. Potassium, calcium and magnesium contents in lettuce leaves were statistically decreased due to increasing salt doses in both years, while sodium content increased with increasing salt doses and the highest sodium content was observed at 150 mmol dose in both years. As seen in these results, increasing salt doses reduce the nutrient content and plant weight in lettuce plants and cause physiological damage to the plant, resulting in yield and quality loss.

This study aimed to analyze the spatial perception of educational buildings with historical significance by users. In this context, Antalya Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, which is a historical building, was discussed as a material. A questionnaire was applied to individuals who graduated from this high school to examine how the facade design and garden layout were perceived in the spatial evaluation of the high school discussed in the study. Three different facade designs (modern, traditional, and mixed) based on the building complex were prepared using the AutoCAD, 3D Max, and Photoshop CS3 programs to be used in the questionnaire form consisting of open-ended and closed-ended questions. The frequency analysis was performed using the SPSS program to evaluate the data obtained after the questionnaire. According to the obtained results, it was determined that the middle age group was highly interested in the traditional and mixed facade design. It was observed that the participants further preferred the modern facade design as their level of education increased. It was observed that the participants preferred the mixed facade design more as their income level increased. Furthermore, it was determined that the mixed facade design was generally preferred more by the participants. In conclusion, the quality of historical buildings from the past should be updated with a modern perspective. Thus, positive effects will be achieved for the continuity of the building and its compliance with the environment. It is foreseen to provide positive effects both in terms of functionality and in the field of visual admiration and comfort by evaluating the changing needs of society over time and environmental factors together. On the other hand, while positive elements ensure the continuity of buildings and building complexes, it will also be possible to contribute to their becoming an urban image.