ISPEC Journal of Agricultural Sciences

The Effects of Soil and Foliar Humic + Fulvic Acid Applications on Yield and Yield Components of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Selçuk ACEMOĞLU, Hasan HALİLOĞLU — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

The study was carried out to determine the effects of soil and foliar humic+fulvic acid applications on yield and yield components of cotton. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Stoneville-468 cotton cultivar and humic+fulvic acid were used as the materials of the experiment. The main plots consisted of soil applications (0, 1000, 2000 and 3000 g ha^-1 humic+fulvic acid), and the sub-plots were foliar applications (0, 12.5, 25 and 37.5 kg ha^-1 humic+fulvic acid). The highest seed cotton yield, seed cotton weight per boll, ginning outturn and lint index were obtained in 2000 g ha^-1soil×250 g ha^-1foliar treatment. The highest number of sympodial branches was obtained in 1000 g ha^-1soil×125 g ha^-1of foliar treatment. The highest seed index was recorded in 2000 g ha^-1soil×375 g ha^-1foliar treatment. The highest number of bolls per plant was obtained in 1000 g ha^-1soil application. The results concluded that humic+fulvic acid application had no significant effect on earliness ratio. The number of monopodial branches and plant height in humic + fulvic acid applications were lower compared to the control treatment. The number of bolls per plant increased with humic+fulvic acid applications. The results indicated that recomended only for soil application is 2000 g ha^-1, only for foliar application is 125 g ha^-1, and both for soil and foliar application is 2000 g ha^-1soil×250 g ha^-1 foliar.

Determination of Silage Quality of Some Sorghum Genotypes under Eskişehir Ecological Conditions

Halil İbrahim ERKOVAN, Şule ERKOVAN — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

A randomized block design was employed to determine the silage quality of some sorghum genotypes grown after wheat harvest. In the study, 10 sorghum lines (104, 12, 301, 302, 304, 32-1, 8, B305 G310, K311) and 12 registered sorghum varieties (Aldarı, Beydarı, E: Sumoc, Erdurmuş, Greengo, Gözde 80, Haybuster, Leoti, Nes, Öğretmenoğlu, Uzun, Rox) were utilized. The analysis focused on dry matter, crude protein, NDF (Neutral Detergent Fiber), ADF (Acid Detergent Fiber) and ADL (Acid Detergent Lignin) content. Significant differences were identified among the lines and varieties in all the measured parameters. The results revealed that the average dry matter, crude protein, NDF, ADF and ADL percentages of the sorghum genotypes were 22.78%, 8.05%, 76.81%, 46.32% and 5.51%, respectively. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the Haybuster variety and line 301 for silage production in Eskişehir and similar ecological regions due to their high dry matter and crude protein content.

Determination of Efficacy of Some Fungicides Against Neoscytalidium novaehollandiae Species Causing Economic Losses in Plants

Berfin KILINÇ, Mehmet Ertuğrul GÜLDÜR, Murat DİKİLİTAŞ — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Neoscytalidium novaehollandiae has recently caused economic losses by inducing drying, cancerous wounds and deaths in plants. In this study, the in vitro activities of Thiophanatemethyl + Tetraconazole (Y*) and Pyraclastrobin + Fluxapyroxad (P*) active substances and the formulation applied as a mixture of these two fungicides (Y*+P*) were investigated on Neoscytalidium novaehollandiae isolated from pistachio trees. Field doses (mg L-¹) of fungicides were adapted to Petri dishes and applied in four treatments. Mycelial discs from N. novaehollandiae isolates were soaked in fungicide solution and placed in PDA medium to simulate natural field conditions. Mycelial growth diameters in Petri dishes were measured and % inhibition rates of fungicides were calculated at the end of the experiment. When the Petri dishes in the control group were completely covered, the experiment was terminated. As a result of the application, Y* fungicide showed an inhibition effect of 61.2%, P* fungicide showed an inhibition effect of 89.3% and P*+Y* application showed an inhibition effect of 100% and it was found that the fungicide mixture was more effective. In addition, the fungustatic and fungicidal activity of the fungicides was investigated in a revitalisation test. It was found that the Y* fungicide, which grew to 0.95 cm but did not form conidia, was fungistatic and the P* and Y*+P* fungicides were fungicidal. Fungicidal substances can control pathogens, while fungistatic substances suppress them. There is no registered product to control N. novaehollandiae, so this study is important.

The Effect of Salinity Stress on the Germination and Early Growth Parameters of Selected Ryegrass Species

Şükrü Sezgi ÖZKAN, Esra ÇETİNKAYA ÖZKAN — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Ryegrass (Lolium sp.) species are widely utilized in turfgrass areas worldwide due to their rapid establishment, aesthetic appeal, and adaptability to various environmental conditions. Salt stress is a significant environmental factor that adversely affects the growth and development of turfgrass species; this situation particularly threatens the health and performance of turfgrasses during the germination phase. The objective of the study was to evaluate the germination and early growth parameters of four different ryegrass species (annual ryegrass “Lolium multiflorum” cv. Axcella, diploid perennial ryegrass “Lolium perenne” cv. Sun, tetraploid perennial ryegrass “Lolium perenne” cv. Tetragreen, and intermediate ryegrass “Lolium hybridum” cv. TransAm) under different salinity stress levels (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5 g L⁻¹ sodium chloride-NaCl). In the study, germination rate (%), shoot and root length (cm), shoot and root fresh weight (mg), vigor index, salt tolerance index (%), and thousand-seed weight (g) parameters were determined. According to the results, salinity stress levels had significant effects on all treatments. The selected ryegrass species demonstrated better growth under a salinity stress level of 2.5 g L^-1 than the control. However, as the salt concentration increased, significant declines were observed in both germination and early growth, starting at 7.5 g L^-1. Among the species, annual ryegrass cv. Axcella exhibited better performance under salinity stress. Additionally, the correlation coefficient results indicated a positive and significant correlation among all parameters, except for those involving the thousand-seed weight.

Effect of Inoculation Methods on Pathological Changes in Tomato (Solanum lycopersici Mill.) Plants Inoculated with Neoscytalidium dimidiatum [(Penz.) Crous & Slippers]

Berfin KILINÇ, Murat DİKİLİTAŞ, Mehmet Ertuğrul GÜLDÜR — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Tomato plant, which is an important source of income in the agricultural economy in the world and in our country, is very sensitive to biotic and abiotic stress factors. Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, which causes shoot and stem drying, leaf blight, root rot and necrosis of the transmission bundle, has recently been detected in tomato plants in our region. In this study, different tissues (leaf, shoot, stem and root) of tomato plants were inoculated with different methods (spray, injection, pricking, wounding, inoculation with wheat, root dipping in spore solution). No treatment was applied to the control plants. Symptom index values of all inoculated plants increased and the disease agent caused infection regardless of which tissue of the plant it entered. Inoculation from the root zone was found to be more effective. These findings were also supported by physiological parameters. In this study, in addition to the known aggressiveness of the pathogen, it was found that the ability to infect was still dependent on the inoculation method, with only the degree of pathogenicity differing. It has been observed that cultural measures, insect vector control or the assumption that the pathogen can enter through wounds are not effective in controlling the pathogen. The use of resistant varieties and the need to increase the defence mechanism of existing plants by biochemical means were emphasised in the main control of the disease agent.

Characterization of Insecticidal Proteins Produced by Bacillus spp. Strains Isolated from Agricultural Fields by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy

Uğur AZİZOĞLU — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

In this study, insecticidal proteins produced by Bacillus spp. strains isolated from agricultural fields were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Cry proteins produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are crystalline structures with toxic effects on insects and are widely used in biological pest control. The research involved isolating Bacillus strains from soil samples collected from agricultural areas across five different districts in Kayseri Province. A total of 203 bacterial isolates were obtained, of which 75 were identified as belonging to the Bacillus genus. Among these, five Bacillus thuringiensis strains were observed to produce insecticidal crystal proteins (ICPs). FESEM analyses revealed ICP structures in bipyramidal, spherical, and irregular shapes. These proteins were found to be effective against insect species, suggesting their potential as biopesticides in agricultural pest management.

Prediction of Moisture Content in Kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) Dried Using Machine Learning Approaches

Halil Nusret BULUS , Soner CELEN — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Predicting product drying kinetics is crucial for achieving optimal drying processes without compromising product quality. This prediction technique necessitates the development of numerical drying models. The aim of this research is to compare prediction models developed using two popular machine learning approaches in recent years: Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference Systems (ANFIS) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). In this study, kiwi slices of three different thicknesses were dried using 90 W microwave power. Prediction models were developed using experimental data. The input for the training algorithm included kiwi slice thickness and drying time, while the output was the moisture content of the product. The performance of the models was evaluated by comparing the obtained outputs with experimental data from test sets. These models were assessed using mean absolute percentage error, correlation coefficient, root mean square error and mean bias error metrics. The ANN-based prediction model demonstrated better performance compared to the ANFIS model. The results of these tests indicate that both methods can be used for predicting the moisture content of kiwi slices.

Determination of Nutrition Status of Leaf and Soil Samples of Olive Trees in Reyhanlı District of Hatay

Ahmet PİLATİN, Kerim Mesut ÇİMRİN — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

The study was carried out to determine the nutritional status of olive orchards selected to represent Reyhanlı district of Hatay province. For this purpose, 30 soil and 15 leaf samples were taken from 15 different olive gardens from two different depths: 0-30 and 30-60 cm. Some macro-micro nutrient element analyzes were performed on soil and leaf samples, and additional texture, lime, pH, salt, KDK and organic matter analyzes were performed on soils. According to the findings, the soils of the research area; It has been determined that it has a clay loam texture, slightly alkaline reaction, is generally poor in organic matter, in the salt-free, calcareous, and very calcareous class. In the study, K, Mg, Fe and Cu contents were determined to be compatible with soil and leaf contents. However, although 26.67% of the N content and 6.67 % of the P content of the soil samples were found to be deficient, the N and P contents of all leaf samples were found to be sufficient. In addition, although most of the Zn and Mn contents of the soil were below the sufficient limit, it was determined that all the leaf Zn contents, and most of the Mn contents (93.33 %) were sufficient. As a result, the findings obtained reveal that the imbalance of some plant nutrients determined in the soil and plant analysis in the olive groves of Reyhanlı district of Hatay province has some problems in the nutrition of the plants, and the existence of plant nutrition programs that are not based on soil and plant analysis in the olive orchards in the region. For this reason, after the problem is clearly identified by increasing olive nutrition studies, in addition to the necessity of appropriate fertilizer studies and determination of doses, producers need to give due importance to soil, and leaf analyzes and raise awareness about nutrition based on scientific foundations.

Effects Of Stubble Burning on Selected Physical and Chemical Properties in Alkaline Agricultural Soil

Mustafa DEMİR, Erdihan TUNÇ , Ömer ÇELİK , Nevzat ASLAN — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Stubble burning is a traditional soil management method that affects soil quality and fertility and has often been preferred by farmers. In this study conducted to understand the short-term effects of stubble burning on soil properties in alkaline agricultural soils, 100 soil samples were taken from 20 wheat fields with stubble burned (STB, n=10) and non-stubble burned (NSB, n=10) in Araban. The samples were analyzed for aggregate stability (AS), pH, carbonates (IC), electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic matter (SOM), available phosphorus (P_av), and extractable potassium (K_ex). Correlation (CA), principal component (PCA), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were applied to the data. The results showed that AS and pH values were 3% and 2% lower (p<0.05), while IC and P_av contents were approximately 23% higher (p<0.01 and p<0.05) in NSB. No significant differences were observed in EC values and SOM and K_ex contents between STB and NSB (p>0.05). PCA accounted for 74.9% and 76.4% of total variance in NSB and STB, respectively. According to HCA results, it was determined that the components were completely changed. Many statistical approaches showed that stubble burning changed the ongoing relationships between selected physical and chemical properties of soils before burning due to the direct and indirect effects of heat and ash. In conclusion, these disturbed relationships are likely to negatively affect the productivity of alkaline field soils in the long term.

The Effects of Prechilling, Chemical and Physical Scarification and Preheating Shock on Seed Gerimination in Capparis spinosa

Solmaz NAJAFI , Sebahattin ÖZCAN , Mehdi TAJBAKHSH — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

This study evaluated various seed treatments to identify optimal methods for enhancing the germination of Capparis spinosa (C. spinosa) seeds. Four treatments were tested: (1) sulfuric acid (98%) for 1 hour followed by 250 ppm gibberellic acid (GA₃) for 1 hour; (2) soaking in water for 4 hours followed by chilling at 4°C for 24 hours; (3) soaking in water for 4 hours, chilling at -10°C for 7 days, and GA₃ treatment for 1 hour; (4) soaking in hydrochloric acid (37%) for 6 hours followed by GA₃ treatment for 1 hour. A completely randomized design with three replicates was used. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences in germination percentage, mean germination time (MGT) at the 0.05 level, and germination rate index (GRI) at the 0.01 level. Treatments 1, 3, and 4 resulted in the highest germination percentages of 73%, 71%, and 73%, respectively, while Treatment 2 had the lowest at 51%. For MGT, Treatments 1, 2, and 3 ranked highest with values of 7.53, 7.38, and 7.21 days, respectively, whereas Treatment 4 ranked lowest at 8.4 days. The highest GRI values were observed in Treatments 1 and 3, with values of 4.89 and 5.14, respectively, and the lowest in Treatment 2 at 3.64. Results suggest that combining sulfuric acid scarification or chilling at -10 °C with GA₃ significantly enhances germination. These findings provide practical insights for improving the germination of Capparis seeds, beneficial for large-scale cultivation and conservation efforts.

Investigation of the Effects of Different Humic Acid Applications on Seedling Development of Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) Under Salt Stress

Aynur BİLMEZ ÖZÇINAR — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Salt stress negatively impacts plant development in various ways. Some of these adverse effects manifest as impaired root and seedling growth and a decrease in chlorophyll content. However, fertilization can mitigate this damage. In recent years, many organic fertilizers, such as humic acid, have become preferred over chemical fertilizers. This study was designed to investigate the effects of applying humic acid at different doses on the seedling development of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) under salt stress conditions in laboratory conditions. In the study, rapeseed (Süzer) was subjected to four different salt doses (0 (control), 75 mM, 150 mM, 225 mM) along with six different humic acid doses (0 (control), 2 kg da^-1, 4 kg da^-1, 6 kg da^-1, 8 kg da^-1, 10 kg da^-1) applied from the soil. The research was conducted in a factorial experimental design with three replications. As a result of the study, it was observed that increasing salt doses led to decreases in chlorophyll content, plant height, stem thickness, root length, root thickness, as well as fresh and dry weights of the plants. Furthermore, increased doses of applied humic acid were noted to have a positive effect. It was determined that the highest salt dose (225 mM) had the most significant adverse effect on the seedling development of the plants. However, it was found that the 4th and 5th applications of humic acid (6 kg da^-1and 8 kg da^-1) were more effective in reducing the effects of salt stress. The protective effects of humic acids on plants under salt stress are noteworthy. Research indicates that humic acids support plant growth and development under salty conditions and alleviate the negative effects of salt.

Evaluation of Morphological Characteristics of Different Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Genotypes that Can Grow in Muş Conditions with Different Analysis Methods

Nurettin BARAN — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

The sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plant is produced in the world and in Türkiye for the vegetable oil obtained from its seeds. It is an economically significant oil plant in the world and Türkiye with its high oil content (45-50%). It is grown as oil and snack food in different ecological regions of Türkiye. This study was conducted in irrigated conditions in Muş province in the 2023 production season. It was established as 5 blocks according to the Augmented trial design, using 81 genotypes as research material. In line with the parameters obtained from the research, it varied between 108.78-200.05 cm plant height, 14.33-23.33 cm head diameter, 38.38-106.58 g 1000 seed weight, 157.63-390.61 kg da^-1 seed yield. Plant height of genotypes compared to control varieties in terms of all examined traits; 4, head diameter; 6, 1000 seed weight; 16, seed yield; 13 genotypes were found to be superior to control varieties. According to all analysis methods, SLP was found to have high levels of adherence to HD and SUD, and the remaining other examined characteristics were determined to be interrelated. Also the study; G67, G66, G41 and G30 genotypes were found to be higher than the control varieties in terms of all characteristics. In conclusion; It is anticipated that, in the light of the data obtained in the study, it will help local producers and scientists plan similar research.

Evaluation of Phenological and Pomological Characteristics of Walnut Cultivars in the Ecology of Tavas (Denizli)

Levent KIRCA — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

This study seeks to assess aims to evaluate the performance of walnut cultivars namely; ‘Bilecik’, ‘Chandler’, ‘Pedro’, ‘Şebin’, and ‘Yalova-1’ under the ecological conditions of Tavas (Denizli) based on climate data by analyzing their phenological and pomological characteristics in detail. Phenological observations revealed that the ‘Bilecik’ cultivar is the earliest to leaf and flower, while the ‘Chandler’ cultivar is the latest. In terms of pomological characteristics, the ‘Yalova-1’ cultivar has the highest fruit weight at 18.64 g, whereas the ‘Chandler’ cultivar has the highest kernel ratio at 50.41%. Color analyses indicate that the ‘Chandler’ cultivar has the lightest (L*:56.48, a*:7.76) kernel color and performs best in terms of kernel blackening. PCA analysis provides a good summary of the data, with the first two components explaining 88.3% of the total variation. PC1 explains 61.4% of the variance and shows a strong association with size-related traits such as fruit weight, shell thickness, and kernel weight. PC2 explains 26.9% of the variance and is associated with color characteristics. Correlation analysis shows a strong positive relationship between fruit weight and kernel weight (r:0.94), and a negative relationship with kernel ratio (r:-0.41). In conclusion, the ‘Chandler’ is suggested for its superior kernel quality and high yield, ‘Yalova-1’ for its ability to produce large nuts, and ‘Bilecik’ for its early harvest potential and marketing benefits.

Field and In-Vitro Studies on the Use of Low Glyphosate doses for Broomrape Control in Tobacco

Süleyman Gürdal TÜRKSEVEN — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

This study was conducted to investigate the potential use of low doses of glyphosate, normally a recommended herbicide, for controlling broomrape that is one of the most significant weed problems in tobacco cultivation. In the first stage of the study, the resistance of tobacco varieties, important for our country, to different doses of glyphosate was determined. Although glyphosate, which acts as a perfect herbicide at high doses, was also tested at lower doses and Atonik containing 1 g sodium 5-nitroguaiacolate, 2 g sodium orto-nitrophenolate, and 3 g sodium para-nitrophenolate per liter was added to the experimental treatments to prevent potential phytotoxicity. Applications were conducted using doses and sub-doses of glyphosate that tobacco varieties could tolerate. Broomrape was inoculated into tobacco plants under in vitro conditions, and the biological efficacy of glyphosate against broomrape was determined. Based on the obtained results, field trials were established in naturally infested areas. The collected broomrape samples were identified as Phelipanche ramosa (L.) Pomel, characterized by its prominent branching structure. When the results were evaluated in terms of dry weight, scale values, and chlorophyll content, the İzmir Özbaş standard tobacco variety proved to be the most resistant to glyphosate doses. This variety was found to be resistant even when glyphosate was applied at intervals of ten days up to a dose of 4 ml da^-1 active ingredient. This result was considered promising for potential use in broomrape control in tobacco, as intended.

The Influence of PEG-Induced Drought Stress on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth Traits of Tetraploid Annual Ryegrass Cultivars

Şükrü Sezgi ÖZKAN, Kaan LEVENT — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Drought stress poses a significant challenge to global forage production, particularly under climate change conditions. Identifying cultivars with superior drought tolerance is essential for maintaining productivity in water-limited environments. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced drought stress on the germination and seedling growth traits of tetraploid annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) cultivars. Four cultivars (Baqueano, Big Boss, Elif, and Medoacus) were exposed to seven osmotic potential levels (0, -0.2, -0.4, -0.6, -0.8, -1.0, and -1.2 MPa) under controlled conditions. Germination rate (%), mean germination time (day), shoot and root length (cm), shoot-to-root ratio, seedling fresh weight (mg), vigor index, and drought tolerance index (%) were determined. The results revealed significant reductions in germination and seedling growth traits with increasing drought stress. Among the cultivars, Baqueano and Big Boss cultivars exhibited superior drought tolerance, maintaining higher vigor and drought tolerance indices. An osmotic potential of -0.6 MPa reduced the drought tolerance index by up to 44.5%, with no germination observed at -1.2 MPa. Strong correlations were identified among germination rate, shoot and root length, vigor index, and drought tolerance index, highlighting their importance as indicators of drought resilience.

Characterization and Investigation of Antifungal Activity of Endophytic Bacteria Isolated from Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Plant

İnci GÜLER GÜNEY, Mehmet Ata KESKE — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

In this study, 65 endophytic bacteria were isolated from lavender plants. The morphological, physiological, and biochemical properties and enzyme activities of endophytic bacteria were investigated. In the test of tolerance of isolates to different temperature degrees, isolate LA6 was positive at 4°C, and all other isolates were negative. From the 41°C isolates, isolates LA42 and LA46 were negative, and all other isolates were positive. From endophytic bacteria, isolates LA1, LA5, LA6, LA7, LA8, LA11, LA12, LA13, LA25, LA28, LA41, LA45, LA48, LA50, LA53, and LA61 gave positive results in their tolerances at 10% NaCl concentration. In the carbohydrate test, isolates gave positive results between 71% and 91%. All isolates gave positive results in the phosphatase activity and protease activity of endophytic bacteria. Among other enzyme activities, 86% of the isolates gave positive results in cellulase activity, ACC deaminase activity, and nitrate reduction. 75% of the isolates gave positive results in siderophore production, and effective results were obtained. The % inhibition rates of endophytic isolates against pathogens varied between 3.7% and 78% against Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, between 8% and 80% against Fusarium culmorum, and between 36.1% and 61.8% against Fusarium oxysporum. As a result of this study, promising results are seen in the potential use of endophytic bacteria isolated from lavender as biofertilizer.

Effects of Different Cultivation Systems and Fruit Parts on Mineral Composition: a Case Study on Kumquat

Kerem MERTOĞLU, İlknur ESKİMEZ , Fatma Nur ŞENLİK , Veli UYGUR — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

This study investigates the impact of open-field and greenhouse cultivation systems on the mineral composition of kumquat (Fortunella margarita), with particular attention to variations between fruit peel and pulp. The research utilized fruits harvested from 4-year-old plants cultivated in Muğla, Turkey. Elemental analysis of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) was conducted using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and UV/VIS spectrometry. Results indicated significantly higher mineral concentrations under greenhouse conditions, with Mg increasing from 0.86 g kg^-1 in open-field cultivation to 1.25 g kg^-1 in greenhouse conditions, and Fe rising from 60.83 mg kg^-1 to 67.85 mg kg^-1. The peel exhibited a higher mineral density compared to the pulp, as evidenced by Fe levels of 66.74 mg kg^-1 in the peel versus 61.94 mg kg^-1 in the pulp. Macronutrient concentrations, including N (1.03 g kg^-1 vs. 0.83 g kg^-1) and K (1.68 g kg^-1 vs. 1.24 g kg^-1), were also elevated in greenhouse-grown fruits. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive relationships between K and Ca (r = 0.77), Mg and K (r = 0.72), and Mg and Ca (r = 0.81), emphasizing their synergistic roles in nutrient transport and photosynthetic processes. These findings underscore the efficacy of greenhouse cultivation in optimizing nutrient uptake, distribution, and fruit quality, providing critical insights for enhancing kumquat production practices.

The Effect of Irrigation in the Different Development Periods on Yield and Yield Components in Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

Halil MARAŞ, Belgin COŞGE ŞENKAL — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

This study was conducted to determine the effects of the yield and yield components of some safflower cultivars of irrigation in different development periods. Six safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cultivars (Remzibey, Balci, Dincer, Ayaz, Linas and Olas) were used as a material. Irrigation was done the stem elongation, pre- flowering, and post- flowering. This study investigated the effects of irrigation at different developmental stages on the yield and yield components of safflower cultivars. The highest plant height (47.30 cm), number of branches (4.3), number of heads (5.4), and oil ratio (32.92%) were obtained from the cv. Olas. The highest 1000-seed weight was recorded in cv. Dinçer. Irrigation applied after flowering and during stem elongation significantly increased plant height, number of branches, heads per plant, 1000-seed weight, and seed yield. However, oil ratio remained unaffected by irrigation treatments.

Analysis of the Composition and Contaminants in Packaged Mixed Herbal Tea Blends from Aydın Province

Muhyettin ŞENTÜRK, Tülay AŞKIN ÇELİK, Özlem Sultan ASLANTÜRK — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Medicinal plants and herbal infusions have been used for centuries in healing and disease prevention, maintaining their importance in traditional medicinal practices worldwide. Due to their perceived natural origin, botanical medicines and herbal tea blends are generally expected to be safe for consumers and free from contaminants. This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to analyze the composition of eleven different labelled and unlabelled packaged mixed herbal teas. These tea blends were obtained from fifteen registered herbalists and spice shops under the Aydın Provincial Directorate of Food, Agriculture, and Livestock. Each blend underwent individual analysis, and the labels on the packages were documented. The plants in the blends were identified through morphological analysis, and the presence of foreign substances or contaminants was recorded. The morphological analyses revealed that all of the packaged products contained plant materials from foreign species that were not listed on the labels, making them unsuitable for inclusion in the blends. Additionally, several tea samples were found to contain animal matter, including insect larvae, insect eggs, and bird feathers, with some packages even containing live insects. Furthermore, significant fungal contamination was observed in certain tea blends. These findings indicate that mixed herbal teas sold by herbalists may be of poor quality, containing undeclared and potentially harmful substances. The study highlights a serious concern that warrants increased public awareness and stricter regulation of these products.

Effects of Postharvest Salicylic Acid and Chitosan Applications on Storage Performance and Fruit Quality in 0900 Ziraat Cherry Cultivar

Fırat İŞLEK, Atilla ÇAKIR — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Storage of cherry (Prunus avium L), which is a non-climacteric fruit with high spoilage rate, under appropriate conditions after harvest and with applications that are not harmful to human health and the environment is important. In this study, the changes in the quality parameters of 0900 ziraat cherry variety during the cold storage of post-harvest salicylic acid and chitosan coating applications were investigated. The fruits were stored at 0 °C and 90-95% relative humidity for 20 days. Weight loss, pH, water soluble dry matter, titratable acid content, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, anthocyanin and PAL activity were analysed every 5 days during storage. As a result of the analyses, the difference between the treatments was found statistically significant at 5% level and the results were 0-3.4% in weight loss, 3.76-4.54% in pH, 16.46-17.84 °brix in water soluble dry matter (SSC), 0.6-7.9% in titratable acid (TA), total phenolic content 108.46-130.79 mg GAE 100 g^-1, antioxidant capacity 32.41-44.25 mg TE g^-1 FW, anthocyanin 24.38-43.32 mg cyanidin 3-glucoside 100 g^-1 and PAL activity 30.59-76.65 nmol cinnamic acid h^-1 mg^-1 protein. As a result of the study, it was observed that cherry fruits with edible chitosan coating can be successfully preserved for 20 days.

Evaluation of Tolerance of Trans Chromosomal Primary Tritipyrum Lines to NaCl Salinity for Germination and Seedling Emergence

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Cell death, oxidative stress and nutrient deficiency are the major stress factors induced by soil salinity and are a source of crop and forest plant losses. By mid of 21st century, 50% of arable lands are expected to be affected, by salinity induced losses costing a loss of > $12 billion annually. The development of salt-tolerant plants such as Tritipyrum (a hybrid between Triticum durum and Thinopyrum besarabicum) could be used to alleviate the problem. It has a high grain yield potential and high salt tolerance. This plant species may become an important source of natural transchromosomal gene transformation and recommended for cultivation on saline soils. The germination and seedling emergence percentage of the primary Tritipyrum line were checked under 24 dS m^-2 induced salt stress to determine their salt tolerance. The results showed that all segregating lines could germinate with 85% at EC=24 dS m^-2. The data was retrieved on seedling length and seed morphology in of TCPT F1 segregating lines. The results support the idea of creating resistant varieties against salinity stress in future wheat breeding programs for inducing salt tolerance.

Examining the Level of Knowledge of Partners on Cooperatives and Cooperative-Partner Relations: The Case of Edirne Province Agricultural Development Cooperative and Irrigation Cooperative

Osman Doğan BULUT — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Agricultural cooperatives are organizational structures that play an important role in the agricultural sector and offer many advantages to their members. Agricultural cooperatives have an important position in terms of the development of the agricultural sector and especially the survival of small producers. This study aims to examine the socio-economic characteristics, organizational knowledge level and the relationship between the cooperative and its members of the Agricultural Development Cooperative and Irrigation Cooperative in Edirne province. For this purpose, 165 surveys based on face-to-face interviews were conducted with cooperative members. The findings show that; the farmers are mostly middle-aged and primary school level, and the reasons for membership in cooperatives are shaped around economic benefits (benefiting from agricultural supports, product marketing, and supply of production input at affordable costs). The most important problems were determined as; lack of information, lack of leading farmers and distrust among producers. Among the solution suggestions, the selection of competent managers, provision of an environment of trust and strengthening of control mechanisms stand out. In addition, while the most widely known cooperative principle by farmers is "Voluntariness and openness to everyone", the least widely known cooperative principle is "Education, training and information". It is extremely important to intensify training and information activities to increase the sustainability of agricultural cooperatives in Turkey. Research findings can guide future studies addressing the structural and functional problems of agricultural cooperatives in Turkey.

Efficacy of Trap Types on the Attractiveness of Kermania pistaciella Amsel, 1964 (Lepidoptera: Tineidae)

Halil DİLMEN, Cevdet KAPLAN — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Kermania pistaciella Amsel. (Lepidoptera: Tineidae) is a critical pest in pistachio cultivation, leading to significant yield loss and quality degradation. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Delta, Funnel, and Pherecon trap types in attracting adult K. pistaciella. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA to assess the mean differences between the trap types. The results showed that the Delta trap had a significantly higher capture rate than the other two traps. The average number of adults caught by the Delta, Funnel, and Pherecon traps were 579.67, 403.67, and 380.00, respectively. The Delta trap peaked at an average of 600 adults captured at the end of April and early May, while the Funnel and Pherecon traps showed lower capture rates during this period. From May 23 to June 8, 2022, capture rates decreased across all traps. The Delta trap captured an average of 55.77 more adults than the Funnel trap and 46.92 more than the Pherecon trap, with these differences being statistically significant (p<0.01). However, no significant difference was observed between the Funnel and Pherecon traps (p > 0.05). Additionally, the interaction between trap types and time factors was also found to be significant (p<0.05).

Determination of the Effects of Different Potassium Application Doses on Yield and Quality Parameters of Wheat (Triticum spp.)

Suat DAŞKIN, Aydın ALP — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

This study was conducted at the Field Crops experimental area of the Faculty of Agriculture at Dicle University during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 growing seasons to evaluate the effects of different potassium doses on the yield and quality components of wheat (Triticum spp.). The study included three bread wheat varieties (Tekin, Dinç, Babil) and three durum wheat varieties (Meya-2, Güneyyıldızı, Eyyubi), and the effects of different doses of potassium sulfate applications were examined. The experiment was designed as a Randomized Complete Block Design with Split-Split Plots with three replications. The parameters evaluated in the study included heading date, number of grains per spike, grain weight per spike, plant height, grain yield, SPAD, NDVI, hectoliter weight, and protein content. The results demonstrated that potassium doses had significant effects on certain growth and quality parameters. Grain weight per spike was measured as 1.80 g, the number of grains per spike as 32.12, plant height as 83.60 cm, hectoliter weight as 79.54 kg, and grain yield as 542.50 kg. The highest grain yield was obtained with the 18 kg da⁻¹ potassium dose. The highest SPAD value (51.61), NDVI (0.57), and grain yield (542.50 kg) were recorded at 12 kg da⁻¹ potassium application. Additionally, the earliest heading (123.17 days) was observed in the 6 kg da⁻¹ potassium application. The highest NDVI (0.57) and protein content (15.19%) were obtained with the 10 kg da⁻¹ potassium dose. The findings indicate that potassium fertilization not only increases yield but also plays a crucial role in determining wheat quality characteristics.

Comparison of Survival of Black Alaca Calves Raised in Different Regions of Türkiye

Muzaffer ÇEVİK, Seyrani KONCAGÜL — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

The objective of this study was to ascertain the survival rate of calves belonging to the Black Alaca breed, as owned by large-scale dairy cattle farms in seven different provinces across various regions of Turkey. A further objective was to compare the survival rate of calves from birth to six months of age, as owned by the farms in different provinces.The total number of animals included in the study was 20281 calves, of which 18563 survived at the end of six months. In order to reach a healthy result in this study, the data obtained from large-scale dairy cattle farms in seven different provinces were analyzed by t-test and one-way ANOVA method to compare the survival of 6-month-old calves at provincial level. The average survival rate was 91.5%. The survival rates of large-scale dairy cattle farms in Şanlıurfa, Niğde, Konya, İzmir, Muğla, Tekirdağ and Kırklareli provinces were 91.0%, 87.6%, 95.1%, 90.0%, 93.0%, 91.9% and 92.6%, respectively. When analysed according to province, the survival rate of the 6-month-old calves owned by the enterprise in Niğde province was found to be comparatively low in relation to the survival rate of the calves owned by the enterprises in other provinces. Conversely, the enterprise in Konya province exhibited a notably high survival rate in comparison to the others (p<0.05). In order to ensure that the high survival rate achieved in Konya can also be achieved in other provinces, it is necessary to eliminate the negative effects of feeding and environmental factors by reducing the negative effects of environmental factors through more comprehensive studies. The results of this study indicated that by considering the factors to reduce the mortality rate of the calves owned by the enterprises in different regions, it was concluded that the enterprises can make more profitable and efficient production with a higher number of calves as a result of increasing the survival rate throughout the region and the country.

Detection and Pathogenicity of Fusarium proliferatum Causing Wilt in Cotton in Sanliurfa Province of Turkey

Ayşin BİLGİLİ — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Between 2021 and 2023, a comprehensive survey was conducted using a random sampling method in Sanliurfa province and its districts, which are significant cotton production areas in the GAP Region. Fusarium isolates were collected from a large portion of the cotton fields, which were examined homogeneously in the north, south, east, and west directions. The molecular identification and diagnosis of the obtained Fusarium proliferatum isolates were performed using two different gene regions, ITS and TEF-1α. Pathogenicity tests were conducted on susceptible cotton varieties, Candia and C-92. As a result of this study, Fusarium proliferatum and Verticillium dahliae were found to be widespread in cotton-growing areas of Şanlıurfa province and its districts. The varieties affected by these pathogens, were five commercial cotton varieties exhibited symptoms of wilting, yellowing, and drying. The findings will help farmers make informed decisions about which cotton varieties to plant in the coming years. Additionally, the results of this study are expected to contribute to the development of resistant or tolerant cotton lines against the Fusarium proliferatum pathogen. This, in turn, will support the establishment of resistance management strategies for combating Fusarium wilt disease and aid cotton breeders in their resistance breeding efforts.