Bu çalışma, Artvin bölgesinde doğal olarak yetişen sumak (Rhus coriaria L.) meyveleri ile ticari sumak meyvelerinin fizikokimyasal ve biyoaktif özelliklerini karşılaştırmak amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmada, doğal ve ticari sumak örneklerinin nem, yağ, protein, karbonhidrat, pH, titre edilebilir asitlik, toplam fenolik ve flavonoid içeriği ile iz element konsantrasyonları analiz edilmiştir. Sonuçlar, doğal sumak meyvelerinin ticari sumaklara kıyasla daha yüksek yağ içeriğine (%28) ve daha düşük pH seviyesine (2,92) sahip olduğunu göstermiştir. Ayrıca, toplam fenolik madde (47,95 mg GAE/g) ve tanen içeriğinin (23,46 mg kateşin/g) doğal sumaklarda belirgin şekilde daha yüksek olduğu, ancak flavonoid içeriği açısından anlamlı bir fark bulunmadığı tespit edilmiştir. İz element analizleri, ticari sumakların çinko (Zn: 10,87 mg/kg) ve bakır (Cu: 1,78 mg/kg) açısından daha zengin olduğunu, doğal sumakların ise demir (Fe: 255,65 mg/kg), magnezyum (Mg: 788,4 mg/kg) ve manganez (Mn: 17,41 mg/kg) içeriklerinin daha yüksek olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Bu sayısal veriler, doğal ve ticari sumaklar arasındaki biyokimyasal farkları açıkça ortaya koymakta ve doğal sumak meyvelerinin yüksek besin ve antioksidan içeriği sayesinde gıda, ilaç ve kozmetik endüstrileri için değerli bir bileşen olabileceğini göstermektedir.

This research evaluated the effect of post-harvest loss reduction practices and selected socio-economic factors on households’ welfare of cowpea farming households in Niger and Nasarawa States, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was employed, and a sample size of 216 cowpea farming households was randomly selected across six local government areas. (i.e., 108 respondents from each state chosen). Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized. Results indicated that traditional drying was the most common post-harvest practice, while modern technologies such as Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) bags and super grain bags were moderately adopted. Household welfare was measured using a composite index based on per capita expenditures on food, education, health, accommodation, and consumer durables, and the result showed that the cowpea farming household had low welfare. The beta regression showed that access to training was significant at (p≤0.01), the use of super grain bags at (p≤0.05), the use of wood ash at (p≤0.05) while the use of Purdue-improved cowpea bags, level of education of household head, and the use of metallic silos were all significant at (p≤0.10). Distance to market and access to credit, though not statistically significant, remain relevant barriers to welfare enhancement, highlighting the importance of infrastructural and financial interventions. The study, therefore, recommends the need for targeted training programs tailored towards post-harvest loss reduction practices, increased access to improved storage technologies, such as the super grain bags readily available to cowpea farming households, and Integrated policies that address educational relevance, credit accessibility, and rural market linkages.

The response to fertilizer applications in rice often falls short of its potential, mainly due to low soil nutrient availability and the imbalance in current fertilizer recommendations. To address this issue, a field study was conducted using a simple randomized complete block design with six treatments: Government recommended dose (100:30:30 kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1), Nutrient expert dose (109:24:35 kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1), Leaf color chart based nitrogen management (LCC-N) + 30 kg P2O5 ha-1 + 30 kg K2O ha-1, 100:45:30 kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1, LCC-N + 45 kg P2O5 ha-1+ 45 kg K2O ha-1 and farmer’s practice (42.4:21:27 kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1), replicated in 5 farmers’ fields. The results showed that plant height, leaf area index (LAI), and effective tiller count per square meter were significantly higher in the LCC-N + 45 kg P2O5 ha-1+ 45 kg K2O ha-1 and LCC-N + 30 kg P2O5 ha-1 + 30 kg K2O ha⁻¹ treatments. Additionally, the lowest floret sterility and significantly higher thousand grain weight were observed in the LCC-N + 45 kg P2O5 ha-1+ 45 kg K2O ha-1 and LCC-N + 30 kg P2O5 ha-1 + 30 kg K2O ha⁻¹ treatments, respectively. Significantly higher grain and straw yields, along with harvest index, were achieved with Leaf color chart (LCC)based nutrient management strategies, while the lowest yields were recorded under farmer field practice. These findings suggest that LCC-based nutrient management strategies can enhance rice growth and development, resulting in higher yields. Further studies are recommended on different climatic zones and soil types employing different site-specific nutrient management strategies to improve rice productivity.

Optimizing nitrogen management in maize is critical for enhancing yield and resource use efficiency, particularly in Nepal. This study evaluates the impact of real-time nitrogen management using a Leaf color chart (LCC) under different tillage practices in winter maize. The experiment was arranged in a strip plot design with three replications comprising two tillage methods (conventional tillage and zero tillage) as the main plot factor and six nutrient management practices namely nitrogen omission (0 kg N ha-1), recommended dose of nitrogen (120 kg N ha-1), nitrogen application through leaf color chart (LCC) values 3 (45 kg N ha-1), LCC values 4 (88.33 kg N ha-1, LCC values 5 (119.7 kg N ha-1) and LCC values 6 (140 kg N ha-1) as subplot factors. Results showed that LCC 5 (119.7 kg N ha⁻¹) achieved the highest grain yield (4,814.26 kg ha⁻¹) and economic returns (NRs 53,376.3 ha⁻¹ net return, B:C ratio 1.77). Grain yield from conventional tillage (3947 kg ha⁻¹) was somewhat higher than zero tillage (3326 kg ha⁻¹), but the differences were statistically insignificant. Nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen uptake parameters were significantly influenced by nitrogen management, with LCC 5 exhibiting superior agronomic efficiency (28.60 kg grain kg-1 N) and recovery efficiency (0.77 kg N uptake kg-1 N applied). The LCC 5 treatment achieved the optimal balance between yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and economic returns, making it a suitable option for farmers aiming to optimize nitrogen use and maximize profits in maize cultivation. Thus, farmers should implement the LCC tool rather than relying on fixed schedules and quantities for nitrogen fertilizer application.

To investigate the effects of plant regulators along with potassium nitrate on the germination characteristics of Mallow (Malva sylvestris) plant, an experiment was conducted using a factorial management based on a completely randomized design with three replications in the physiology laboratories of the Khorasan Razavi Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center in 2024. The first factor consisted of priming treatments at four levels [GA3 (Gibberellic Acid), BA (Benzyladenine), NAA (Naphthalene Acetic Acid), and PN (Potassium Nitrate)], the second factor involved different levels of the first factor at seven concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 1000 ppm) and the third factor included two light conditions (light and dark). The results indicated that the highest germination percentage (GP) was obtained from 500 mg l-1 of GA3, followed by PN at 200 mg l-1, which recorded a GP of 28.7%. The highest germination rate (GR) was obtained from the application of GA3, while the lowest rate for this trait was observed with PN. In both dark and light conditions, the lowest GR was observed due to the effect of BA, while its maximum was recorded from PN under dark conditions. The highest seedling length was observed with GA3 under the dark conditions. The highest rootlet length was obtained with the PN treatment (25.9 mm) under the dark conditions. The highest SVLI value (10.15) was recorded with the application of 200 mg.l-1 of PN, representing 26% increase compared to the control within the same treatment. All concentrations of BA had the lowest attributed traits in the germination. Overall, the results showed that the use of PN and GA3 are suitable options for enhancing the germination capacity of M. sylvestris plant seeds.

Environmental pollution and the increasing consumption of processed foods are major threats to global health. People are turning to natural foods to protect themselves from health issues caused by pollution and processed foods. Recent scientific research has highlighted the health-promoting properties of antioxidants and phenolic compounds found in plants. This research evaluates the biochemical properties of some dried red fruits including their total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity. Naturally dried wild black mulberries, cornelian cherries, and rosehips, sourced from villages in the Middle Black Sea Transition Zone, were used in the study. The study measured the TPC, total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant capacity of the samples using spectrophotometric methods. The antioxidant capacity was measured using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, and the results were expressed as the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values. Analyses of dried red fruit samples collected from four different locations showed that TPC in black mulberries ranged from 1906.73 to 2474.71 μg GAE g⁻¹ and TFC ranged from 164.61 to 202.75 μg QE g⁻¹. Similarly, in cornelian cherries, TPC ranged from 1597.58 to 1752.48 μg GAE g⁻¹ and TFC varied between 122.02 and 171.88 μg QE g⁻¹. In rosehips, TPC ranged from 1869.48 to 2332.88 μg GAE g⁻¹ and TFC varied between 142.56 and 199.61 μg QE g⁻¹. The IC50 values for DPPH radical scavenging activity were determined to be in the ranges of 51.08-103.21 μg mL⁻¹ for black mulberry, 110.64-180.20 μg mL⁻¹ for cornelian cherry, and 100.01-162.09 μg mL⁻¹ for rosehip samples. Dried black mulberry, cornelian cherry, and rosehip are rich in bioactive compounds and offer significant health benefits due to their strong antioxidant properties. This research emphasizes the nutritional benefits of dried red fruits, especially their antioxidant properties, providing valuable insights for consumers and the food industry.

Background: Cooking ensures food safety while enhancing flavor and digestibility, though it may also alter properties like color, texture, and cooking loss. Methods: This study examined the effects of oven, air fryer, grill and sous vide methods cooking loss, cooking factor index, color, texture and sensory properties of Tekirdağ meatballs. Results: The samples cooked using sous vide showed the lowest cooking loss, while the samples cooked in the oven and fryer exhibited the highest cooking loss (P<0.05). Although the sous vide cooking technique proved effective in minimizing cooking loss, an important technological characteristic, it was the least preferred group by panelists in sensory analyses (P<0.05). When compared to the other groups, the samples prepared in the air fryer showed the greatest values for resilience, chewiness, cohesiveness, and springiness (P<0.05). Regarding cohesion, chewiness, and resilience, there were no appreciable variations (P>0.05) across the oven, grill, and sous vide techniques. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that each of the four cooking methods exhibited distinct advantages and limitations regarding their impact on various quality attributes. As no single method was superior across all parameters, the selection of an appropriate technique should be guided by the specific quality characteristics desired in the final product.

Potato common scab incited by pathogenic Streptomyces spp. is a significant soil-borne disease leading to serious economic losses in potato tubers worldwide. However, there is limited information available in Egypt regarding the pathogenicity, prevalence, and variety of Streptomyces spp. inciting common scab. Therefore, this study aims to clarify the aspects of identifying and characterizing Streptomyces spp. obtained from scabby tubers as well as to evaluate their pathogenicity. In the present investigation, nine isolates of Streptomyces spp. were obtained from various scab lesion symptoms. Of these, the Ag2 and Man strains exhibited pathogenic traits. The pathogenicity assays demonstrated that the strains induced necrotic lesions on tuber slices and abnormal growth of radish seedlings. In potato pot trail, The Ag2 isolates caused deep-pitted lesions with a disease index of 73.30%. Additionally, tubers inoculated with the Man isolate exhibited visible brown raised lesions, resulting in a disease index of 63.97%. Subsequently, the strains were characterized based on morphological, physiological, biochemical and phylogenetic levels. Phylogenetic tree derived from 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that Ag2 and Man strains share 100% sequence similarity with Streptomyces caviscabies ATCC 51928 and Streptomyces enissocaesilis NRRL B-16365, respectively. The results of this study demonstrate that S. caviscabies and S. enissocaesilis are capable of causing CS disease in potatoes and may pose a potential threat to potato cultivation in Egypt.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between body defects, egg and chick quality and hatching results at different age periods of the laying period of partridges raised in production conditions (cage system). The study was based on three different periods. The first period is the pre-peak egg production period (˂200 eggs), the second period is the peak egg production period (˃200 eggs) and the third period is the post-peak egg production period (˂200 eggs). These periods also represent the age of the animals. As material, 432 female and 216 male partridges in their first egg production year were used. The study was organized according to the random plots experimental plan. There were changes in body defects and other health parameters depending on egg production periods. Foot-pad dermatitis and elbow burns increased with increasing age. Parent partridges had better head, neck, back, chest and tail feather condition before peak egg production. Egg weight increased with advancing age. Hatching egg characteristics such as excessively pointed eggs and eggs with calcium deposits decreased in the peak and post-peak yield period. Eggshell transparency increased with advancing age. Fertility was higher in the pre-peak egg yield period compared to other periods. Hatchability was lower after the peak period. Tona score of chicks decreased with age. There were weak negative and positive phenotypic correlations between many traits. Practices that prevent body injuries in the early egg production period and deteriorating feather condition with advancing age, decreasing shell opacity, deterioration in hatching performance and chick quality traits in partridges will be beneficial in terms of increasing both production performance and animal welfare.

The agricultural sector plays a crucial role in economic growth, employment, and food security. Although E7 countries (Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, and Turkey) hold a significant share in global agricultural production, there is limited literature on the determinants of agricultural value added. This study aims to analyze the key economic factors affecting agricultural value added in E7 countries and assess the effectiveness of agricultural policies. The study covers the period 2001-2022 and employs the Panel ARDL method to examine long-term relationships. The findings indicate that the proportion of agricultural land and agricultural employment positively impact agricultural value added, whereas government expenditures may have a negative effect. Governments intervene in the agricultural sector through both direct and indirect measures. It can be suggested that direct income support policies for farmers may have the potential to increase dependency rather than enhance productivity. Although a detailed distinction regarding the implementation of direct payments during the analyzed period could not be made, the impact of government support is likely to vary depending on the type and implementation of the assistance provided. The results emphasize the need for more effective planning of agricultural support mechanisms. Redirecting public expenditures towards infrastructure investments, agricultural technology adoption, and rural development projects could enhance the sector’s long-term sustainability. Additionally, improving the transparency and measurability of support policies may increase their effectiveness and strengthen agricultural productivity. Policymakers should conduct a more detailed analysis of the effects of different support mechanisms to develop appropriate intervention strategies.