Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan protozoan commonly found in both humans and animals worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the presence of T. gondii in minced beef samples collected from butcher shops and supermarkets in Aksaray Province, Türkiye. A total of 100 samples were analyzed by PCR, of which 3 (3%) tested positive. The prevalence was 4% in butcher samples and 2.67% in supermarket samples. Sequencing analysis of three isolates revealed high genetic similarity to previously reported T. gondii strains deposited in GenBank. This study provides the first molecular evidence of T. gondii in minced beef from Aksaray, highlighting potential public health concerns regarding foodborne transmission.
This study investigated the factors influencing milk yield in dairy cattle, the determination of optimal combinations, and the predictive performance of machine learning (ML) models. A total of 830 records collected in 2024 from a private dairy farm in Niğde, Turkey, were analyzed using breed, physiological status code, lactation number, age and days in milk as predictors. Statistical analyses confirmed that both breed and status code significantly affected milk yield (p < 0.05). Regression analysis indicated a positive effect of lactation number (β = 17.65, p < 0.001) and a negative effect of age (β = –0.80, p < 0.001). The highest yield (40.07 L/day) was recorded in Holstein Friesian cows with Cyclic status in the 3rd lactation. Six ML algorithms were compared using 5‑fold cross‑validation under two modelling scenarios designed to address multicollinearity between age and lactation number. Among the tested algorithms, Random Forest (R² ≈ 0.88, RMSE ≈ 5.2 L) and Gradient Boosting (R² ≈ 0.88, RMSE ≈ 5.2 L) provided markedly better predictive accuracy than linear regression models. SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis enhanced model interpretability and identified days in milk, physiological status and lactation number as the most influential predictors, followed by age and breed. These findings highlight the importance of integrating physiological and genetic factors in herd management and demonstrate the potential of ensemble ML techniques as reliable decision-support tools for optimizing milk yield in dairy farming.
Aflatoxins are unavoidable, highly toxic, and carcinogenic secondary metabolites synthesized by specific fungal species within the Aspergillus genus, contaminating a wide spectrum of agricultural commodities, including malt barley. This study aimed to determine the concentration of total aflatoxins (AFT) in malt barley samples collected from major production and storage sites. A total of eighty-seven malt barley samples were obtained from farmers’ storage facilities and seed enterprises across the Amhara and Oromia regions of Ethiopia. Quantitative analysis of aflatoxin levels was performed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Among the analyzed samples, 30 (34.48%) tested positive for aflatoxins, whereas 57 (65.52%) were negative. The total aflatoxin concentrations in positive samples ranged between 0.0005µg/kg and 0.04µg/kg. The findings revealed minimal aflatoxin contamination in Ethiopian malt barley, with concentrations well below the maximum permissible limits set by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (20 µg/kg), the World Health Organization (WHO) (15 µg/kg), and the European Union (EU) (4–15 µg/kg), depending on cereal usage. These results suggest that, under current agricultural and post-harvest conditions, the risk posed by aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species is low. The relatively low contamination levels are likely attributed to favorable pre- and post-harvest environmental conditions, mechanized harvesting, and proper post-harvest handling practices such as adequate drying prior to storage. Despite the encouraging findings, consistent monitoring and routine quality assessment of cereals are imperative to prevent potential public health hazards and to safeguard international trade integrity.
Rice (Oryza sativa) is a staple food crop for more than half of the world's population, and its cultivation is crucial for food security, particularly in Asia. Zinc (Zn) is a crucial micronutrient for optimal rice growth, yet its deficiency, particularly in nutrient-poor soils, poses a significant challenge to achieving high yields. A field experiment was conducted in Rautahat, Nepal, to assess the impact of different zinc fertilizer application methods on the growth and yield of spring rice (Oryza sativa L. var. Hardinath Hybrid-1) with the aim of identifying the most effective zinc application strategy for enhancing rice production. In this experiment, significant variation was observed with various methods of zinc application on the growth and yield of spring rice. The results showed that treatment with combined soil application and foliar spray produced the highest plant height (97.11 cm) and the greatest number of tillers per hill (19.58). Similar treatment had the longest panicle length (26.50 cm) while the control had the shortest panicle length (23.2750 cm). From the field experiment with different treatments, soil application and foliar spray recorded the highest thousand grain weight (21.50 g), grain yield (6.41 ton/ha), and straw yield (15.53 ton/ha). Foliar spray also showed strong performance across most parameters, ranking second in terms of plant height, grain yield, and straw yield, highlighting its potential as a supplementary application method. The results suggest that a combination of soil application and foliar spray is the most effective zinc fertilization strategy for improving the growth and yield of spring rice, as it enhances nutrient use efficiency by ensuring both immediate uptake and sustained availability. This integrated approach offers a promising solution for addressing zinc deficiencies in rice fields, leading to better crop performance and increased food production.
Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major global crop and the main raw material for bread production. Selecting appropriate wheat varieties is essential for achieving desirable quality attributes in traditionally produced tandoori bread. A total of thirteen flour types which are whole wheat flours from Adana99, Ceyhan99, Dinç, and Segittario varieties, their corresponding 74% extraction refined flours, and five composite blends were used to produce tandoori breads in a traditional tandoor. The colour and rheological properties (Farinograph water absorption and Extensograph parameters) of the flour samples were evaluated prior to bread production. Crust colour (L*, a*, b*), moisture content, textural characteristics (hardness and adhesiveness), and sensory quality of bread samples were determined. Significant differences were observed among samples in flour colour (L*, a*, b*), water absorption (58.00–84.00%), and extensograph parameters, including energy, resistance to extension, maximum resistance, and extensibility (P≤0.05). Whole wheat flours exhibited higher water absorption but lower brightness due to bran content, whereas refined flours and blends showed improved dough stability during resting. Tandoori breads produced from different flours displayed statistically significant variations in moisture (22.65–27.55%), hardness (575.30–5024.22 g), adhesiveness (285.14–3755.57 g·s), and crust colour (P≤0.05). Breads made from Dinç whole wheat flour showed the highest hardness, while blended formulations, particularly P4, produced softer and less adhesive products. Sensory evaluation revealed significant differences in shape, colour, texture, crust characteristics, and overall acceptability. Refined flours, especially Adana99 and Ceyhan99, and selected blends achieved superior sensory scores, whereas some whole wheat formulations showed reduced consumer preference. The findings provide useful insights for flour producers and local bakers aiming to optimize wheat variety selection for tandoori bread production in the GAP region.
This study assessed the status of dairy farming in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Chitwan, Nepal, focusing on production practices, herd structure, challenges, and institutional support. Primary data were generated through a mixed method approach, combining structured household survey of 71 dairy farm households across six randomly selected wards, FGD, and KII. This traingulated approach enabled comprehensive and context specific both quantitative production indicators and qualitative institutional and market-related constraints. Cattle-based farms were most common (55%), followed by mixed farms (28%) and buffalo-based farms (17%). Jersey cattle and Murrah buffalo dominated the herds, with milk yields ranging from 25–120 L/day for cattle and 10–80 L/day for buffalo, depending on the ward. Farmers mainly relied on hay and silage (54%) and feed additives (85%). The main challenges were price fluctuations (index 0.73), milk holidays (0.69), and competition from large-scale farms (0.62). Additionally, 75% of respondents rated the performance of cooperatives and local government as unsatisfactory. The study concludes that the dairy sector in Bharatpur faces critical constraints related to market stability, institutional support, and management practices. Strengthening cooperatives, improving veterinary services, and ensuring stable market linkages are essential to enhance the sustainability and profitability of dairy farming in the region.
Rice production in Ethiopia, a cornerstone of the nation's food security strategy, faces severe and escalating constraints from a complex of fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases. This comprehensive review synthesizes current knowledge on the status and management of these biotic threats across diverse Ethiopian agro-ecologies. Rice blast, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, remains the most devastating pathogen, capable of causing total crop failure under conducive conditions. Concurrently, brown spot (Bipolaris oryzae) persists as a pervasive issue, strongly linked to widespread soil nutrient deficiencies, particularly silicon. The ongoing intensification of rice cultivation has further promoted the emergence of new challenges, including sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani), bacterial leaf blight (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae), and sheath rot disease complexes. These diseases collectively cause substantial yield losses, estimated between 20% and 70%. Alarmingly, previously minor diseases such as false smut, bakanae, kernel smut, and viral infections like rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) are being reported with increasing frequency, compounding the threats to productivity and farmer livelihoods. This review critically examines the etiology, epidemiology, and economic impact of these pathogens. Additionally, it emphasizes that mitigating the effects of these multifaceted disease challenges requires a holistic, Integrated Disease Management (IDM) framework. Effective and sustainable control must strategically combine host plant resistance, optimized cultural practices, biological control agents, and judicious chemical interventions, all tailored to the unique socio-economic and environmental contexts of Ethiopian rice farming systems to ensure long-term yield stability and food security.
Bu çalışma, futbol oyun yüzeylerinde kullanılan çim alanların (turfgrass) üretimi ve yönetimine ilişkin bilimsel literatürü, performans ve sürdürülebilirlik ekseninde bibliyometrik analiz yöntemi ile incelemektedir. Araştırma kapsamında, Web of Science veri tabanında 2000–2025 döneminde yayımlanmış 85 yayın ile Scopus veri tabanında aynı dönem için belirlenen 526 yayın analiz edilmiştir. Veri setleri birleştirilmemiş; her iki veri tabanı kendi içinde değerlendirilmiştir. Analizlerde, yazar ve ülke düzeyinde ortak yazarlık ağları, yazar anahtar kelimelerine dayalı eş-oluşum analizleri ve kaynak düzeyinde bibliyografik eşleşme teknikleri kullanılmıştır. Elde edilen bulgular, literatürde çim ve futbol oyun yüzeyleri araştırmalarının ağırlıklı olarak tür seçimi, yüzey sertliği, kayma-tutunma özellikleri ve saha performansı etrafında yoğunlaştığını; sürdürülebilirlik temasının ise özellikle su yönetimi, bakım girdilerinin optimizasyonu ve çevresel riskler bağlamında ele alındığını göstermektedir. Ayrıca sonuçlar, araştırma üretiminin ve bilimsel iş birliğinin belirli çekirdek ülkeler etrafında yoğunlaştığını, ancak son yıllarda çevresel sürdürülebilirlik ve sporcu güvenliğini birlikte ele alan disiplinler arası çalışmaların arttığını ortaya koymaktadır. Sonuç olarak bu çalışma, futbol oyun yüzeylerinde çim üretimi ve yönetimine ilişkin küresel araştırma eğilimlerini sistematik biçimde haritalandırarak, hem akademik literatüre hem de spor tesislerinin performans ve sürdürülebilirlik odaklı yönetimine yönelik karar süreçlerine katkı sunmaktadır. Ayrıca çalışma, saha yüzeyi kalitesinin yalnızca teknik bir bakım çıktısı değil; tesis hizmet kalitesi, taraftar deneyimi ve kulüplerin sürdürülebilirlik iletişimi/marka değeri ile ilişkilendirilebilen stratejik bir unsur olduğunu vurgulayarak spor kulüpleri ve saha bakım paydaşları için pazarlama odaklı çıkarımlar sunmaktadır.
Veterinary medicinal products play an important role within the One Health framework and may indirectly affect human health through food safety and pharmacovigilance mechanisms. In this context, drug recall systems represent an important regulatory component of post-market surveillance and risk management. This study examines the veterinary drug recall system in Türkiye within the conceptual frameworks of health governance and the One Health approach, with a particular focus on the dimensions of transparency, accountability, and coordination. The study adopts a two-stage design. First, a systematic content analysis was conducted using official veterinary drug recall announcements published by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Second, a deductive thematic analysis was performed based on predefined governance principles and One Health-related conceptual categories. The dataset includes all publicly available recall announcements up to November 2025. The findings suggest that recall information in Türkiye is available in a partial and heterogeneous form. While recall classifications are consistently reported, key elements such as product information, company details, batch/serial numbers, recall dates, regulatory follow-up, and standardized reporting structures are not fully accessible in the public domain. The data quality assessment indicates structural inconsistencies, including non-standard reporting formats, incomplete records, and the absence of post-recall monitoring mechanisms. At the system level, transparency appears limited due to incomplete reporting practices, while accountability is constrained by limited information on sanctions and follow-up actions. Coordination is partially implemented through regulatory procedures; however, inter-institutional data integration appears to remain limited. Comparative observations indicate that regulatory authorities such as the Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency provide more structured and comprehensive recall reporting systems. Overall, the study suggests that improving data standardization and strengthening coordination between the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry may contribute to enhanced pharmacovigilance capacity and support more integrated One Health-oriented evaluation frameworks in Türkiye.
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is a significant summer vegetable crop in Nepal, but productivity remains suboptimal due to inadequate agronomic practices. This field experiment was conducted to assess the effects of four mulching treatments (black plastic, silver-on-black plastic, paddy straw, and no mulch) and three plant spacings (50×20, 50×30, and 50×40 cm) on okra growth, yield, quality, and profitability in Dang, Nepal, during the 2021 spring season. The experiment was laid out in a two-factor factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. Two-way analysis of variance showed significant (p < 0.01) main effects of mulching on plant height, stem girth, canopy spread, number of leaves, and marketable yield. Silver-on-black plastic mulch yielded the highest marketable yield (18.56 t/ha), representing a 32% increase over unmulched control (14.09 t/ha) and a 31% increase over paddy straw mulch (14.20 t/ha). Regarding fruit quality, mulching and spacing significantly influenced fruit dimensions, with wider spacing (50×40 cm) producing larger fruits (13.08 cm length, 15.82 mm diameter) despite lower total yield per hectare. Dry matter partitioning showed consistency across treatments, indicating stable resource allocation patterns. Narrow spacing (50×20 cm) maximized yield per hectare (18.57 t/ha), despite lower performance per plant, reflecting increased plant density effects. Mulching × spacing interactions were generally not significant (p > 0.05), indicating independent effects. Economic analysis revealed that silver-on-black plastic mulch with a 50×20 cm spacing yielded the highest benefit-cost ratio (1.92), delivering net returns of NPRs 368,275 per hectare. These findings provide evidence-based recommendations to improve okra production in Nepal’s mid-hill agroecological zones, although further research is needed on the long-term sustainability of plastic mulches and the development of biodegradable alternatives.
The study was carried out in Tekirdağ, a coastal city on the Marmara Sea, during the 2019 and 2020 years to investigate grain yield and some spike characteristics of bread wheat genotypes, a total of 15 bread wheat varieties, 10 of which were Turkish and 5 of which were of Greek origin. Experiments were conducted according to a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Grain yield and spike related traits such as spike length, number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, grain weight per spike, spike fertility index, and spike harvest index were examined in the study. The results of variance analysis showed that the differences between the means of the varieties, year and the year x variety interaction were statistically significant for the traits. In the two-year study, the means of bread wheat varieties ranged between 8.57 and 11.25 cm for spike length, between 18.13 and 21.95 No for number of spikelets per spike, between 42.9 and 56.8 No for number of grains per spike, between 1.865 and 2.452 g for grain weight per spike, between 76.42% and 81.41% for spike harvest index, between 64.03% and 85.25% for spike fertility index and between 6147 and 7693 kg ha-1 for grain yield. As a result, it was concluded that Glosa, Prima, NKÜ Lider, Rumeli, Orfeas and Gogas 2 bread wheat varieties were higher performance for the traits and that they may be the most appropriate varieties for other bread wheat production regions of our country, as well as the Thrace region.
This study aimed to investigate the molecular prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in minced sheep meat samples collected from retail stores in Aksaray province, Türkiye. A total of 100 samples were analyzed using PCR, and only parasite DNA was detected, with an overall prevalence rate of 15%. No statistically significant difference was observed between districts or retail sources (p>0.05). Sequencing results confirmed that the isolates showed a high level of similarity with T. gondii reference sequences. These findings suggest a potential food safety concern related to the consumption of undercooked sheep meat; however, the detection of parasite DNA alone does not confirm parasite viability or infectivity.
The aim of the study was to valorize tomato processing waste by incorporating tomato peel powder (TPP) into pancake formulations at 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10%. The effects of TPP enrichment on the physicochemical, textural and sensory properties of the pancakes were evaluated. The total phenolic content showed a significant increase from 33.52±1.86 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g (d.b.) in the control to 80.59±1.29 mg GAE/g (d.b.) at a 10% TPP level, while TPP itself showed the highest phenolic concentration of 157.05±9.06 mg GAE/g (d.b.). Antioxidant activity, indicated by percentage inhibition, showed an improvement, elevating from 27.98±0.63% (d.b.) in the control to 78.54±4.96% (d.b.) in the sample with 10% TPP. Color analysis revealed a significant decrease in L* values as TPP content increased, leading to darker pancake surfaces. Textural analysis showed a consistent decline in hardness, dropping from 19045±446.91 g in the control to 5213±545.16 g at the 10% TPP level. Sensory assessments indicated a tendency toward higher scores for appearance, color, texture, taste, and overall acceptability in TPP-enriched samples compared to the control. In conclusion, the addition of tomato peel powder improved textural and sensory attributes of pancakes, demonstrating its potential as a natural ingredient and a sustainable method for reducing food waste.
Bu çalışma, Türkiye’de mevsimlik tarım işçilerinin reel günlük ücret dinamiklerini şehir ve cinsiyet boyutlarıyla incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Analiz, 2007–2024 dönemine ait şehir düzeyinde reel ücret serileri kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmada öncelikle durağanlık ve trend analizleri uygulanmış, ardından şehirler ücret düzeyleri ve artış eğilimlerine göre sınıflandırılmıştır. Son aşamada ise ARIMA modelleri aracılığıyla reel ücretlere ilişkin 2030 yılına kadar uzanan ileriye dönük tahminler üretilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular, reel tarım ücretlerinin uzun dönemde genel olarak artış eğilimi sergilediğini; ancak bu artışın şehirler ve bölgeler arasında belirgin bir heterojenlik içerdiğini göstermektedir. Yüksek trend grubunda yer alan şehirlerde reel ücret artışlarının daha güçlü ve istikrarlı olduğu, düşük trend grubunda ise artış hızının sınırlı kaldığı ve tahmin belirsizliğinin arttığı tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca, kadın tarım işçilerinin reel günlük ücretlerinin tüm şehirlerde erkek işçilere kıyasla daha düşük olduğu belirlenmiştir. Tahmin sonuçları, reel ücret artışlarının orta ve uzun vadede devam edeceğine işaret etmektedir. Bulgular, tarım işgücü piyasasına yönelik politikaların bölgesel farklılıkları ve toplumsal cinsiyet temelli eşitsizlikleri dikkate alan esnek ve hedefli bir çerçevede tasarlanması gerektiğini ortaya koymaktadır.
This study set out to assess adaptability of different faba bean varieties and to determine the association of traits in one testing site in South Gondar Zone, northwestern Ethiopia. The experimental materials were evaluated in randomized complete block design with three replications under rain fed conditions in 2022 main growing season. The Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that there was significant (P<0.01) difference among varieties for days to flowering, pod per plant, thousand seed weight and seed yield and days to maturity showed significance difference at (P<0.05). However, there is no significant difference in seed per pod. Among the tested varieties, Ashebeka (2869.30 kg ha-1), Degem (2219.69 kg ha-1), Walki (2189.90 kg ha-1) and Selale (2110.08 kg ha-1) were selected for maximum grain yield. In the phenotypic correlation study, seed yield had highest positive correlation with stand count at harvest (r=0.35) pod per plant (r=0.14) and seed per pod (r=0.26), suggesting that improving these traits could significantly increase faba bean seed yield. In conclusion, the variety Ashebeka is recommended for the study area for future faba bean production.
To evaluate the presence of sustainability-related logos on food product packaging sold in chain grocery stores in the province of Balıkesir. A total of 1,039 products across eight categories, including meat, dairy products (both animal- and plant-based), vegetables, fruit, sauces, cereals, ready meals and snacks, were analysed through direct observation in three different chain grocery stores. The packaging was examined for sustainability indicators, such as organic produce, recyclable packaging, sustainable seafood, the Green Dot logo, European Union, Fairtrade and carbon footprint logos, and GMO-free, animal welfare, vegetarian and vegan labels. Descriptive statistical analyses (frequency and percentage) were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 26. Each logo type was coded as present or absent, and the results were summarised according to product category to ensure methodological transparency. 67.0% of the analysed products had at least one sustainability-related logo. The most common were the Green Dot logo (29.5%) and the recyclable packaging logo (29.0%), while the organic farming logo (2.5%), vegan logo (2.4%), Good Agricultural Practices logo (1.9%), and Forest Stewardship Council logo (1.4%) were found less frequently. The sustainable seafood logo, the European Union organic farming logo and the carbon footprint and FairTrade logos were not present. The visibility of sustainability logos on food packaging is limited. To enhance consumer awareness and promote environmentally responsible production and consumption practices, it is recommended that the use of sustainability labels is increased and more comprehensive research on this topic is conducted.
Maize is a cornerstone of food security and income generation in Ethiopia, serving dual purpose as both grain and green ear. Despite its nutritional and economic significance, green ear production remains underexploited, largely due to limited farmer awareness and restricted access to improved varieties. Therefore, this study was conducted to demonstrate the profitability and practical potential of green-ear production using improved maize varieties. A participatory demonstration was implemented in Wolmera and Ejere districts during the 2023/2024 cropping season using Ambo and Jibat maize hybrids on two hectares of land. Fifteen farmers participated under the technical supervision of the Highland Maize Breeding program at Holeta Agricultural Research Center. The partial budget analysis revealed that the total production cost was 136,708 ETB (≈ $999.2), while farmers harvested a total of 800 sacks of green ears, generating total revenue of 1,280,000 ETB (≈ $9,384.2). The resulting net income was 1,143708 ETB (≈ $8384.96), yielding a revenue-to-cost ratio of 9.39, which confirms the high economic viability of green ear production. Beyond income generated, farmers also benefited from utilizing green stover as livestock feed. In conclusion, the findings demonstrate that green ear maize farming is a profitable and sustainable enterprise able to improve household income, enhance youth employment opportunities, and contribute to food security in Ethiopia’s highlands.
Maize (Zea mays L.) is the major crop in Maize based cropping system in hilly areas of Nepal. Rolpa, a significant maize producing district in Nepal’s mid-hills has average productivity (2.4 mt/ha) far below the national (3.15 mt/ha). The study was conducted during summer of 2020 to assess the existing problems, satisfaction on the cultivation practices and technical intervention preferences among maize growing farmers. The data were obtained by the interview of 100 purposively selected farmers with the use of pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire prepared and validated via focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Ranking of the problems, preference and satisfaction were made using weighted average score and net satisfaction index respectively. Data were processed using MS-Excel. Agriculture was the major source of employment for majority (97%) of the farmers and maize was the dominant crop in their cropping system with 85% of them having more than 15 years of maize cultivation experience. Existing sowing time (66%), seed rates (46%) along with harvesting practices (49%) received higher satisfaction levels whereas existing fertilizer doses (-29%) and availability of variety (-5%) received critical dissatisfaction. Issues of pests (0.90) and draught (0.67) were reported as major biophysical problems whereas lack of improved variety (0.86) and unavailability of inputs (0.70) were cited as critical socioeconomic problems. Pests (0.89) and irrigation (0.73) were perceived as bottlenecks among production problems whereas fertilizer application strategies (0.72) along with seed quality and planting pattern (0.68) were of major concerns within technological problems. Regarding the preferences for technical adoption, irrigation (0.59), crop protection measures (0.39) and quality seed (0.37) were prioritized. Strong satisfaction in existing practices was seen as the reasons behind lack of strong motivation for modern technique adoption thus highlighting the need for direct, applicable and technically straightforward techniques promotion.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of different flooring systems (fully littered, fully slatted, and litter-slatted combinations) on welfare, behavioural traits, and body defects in broiler chicken production. In the study, a total of 600 broilers (Ross-308); were analysed for passive, active, and comfort behaviour based on the age and time of day, while physical defects such as footpad dermatitis (FPD), hock burns, and body dirtiness were evaluated at 42 days. The research findings revealed that as age advanced and body weight increased, the active behaviour repertoire of the broilers were significantly restricted and passive behaviours became dominant. In particular, a sharp decline in activity was observed after the 27th day; active behaviours were found to be concentrated in the morning and mid-day, while passive behaviours increased in the afternoon. Statistical analyses showed positive correlations between body weight and hock burns, feather condition, and body dirtiness, but no direct relationship between FPD and body weight. No statistical difference in litter moisture content was found among all groups except the fully slatted system. In conclusion, the welfare problems and physical defects observed in the study appear to be caused by mechanical pressure resulting from the birds' genetic potential for fast growth and the associated increase in body weight, rather than the type of flooring material or litter quality.
Patates bitkisi temel gıda kaynaklarından olması ve birçok endüstri alanında kullanılan bir hammadde olması nedeniyle ekonomik kalkınmaya önemli katkılar sunmaktadır. BPN (Bitki Paraziti Nematodlar) bazı bitki hastalık etmeni olan mikroorganizmaları sağlıklı bitkilere taşıyan vektör organizmalardır. Kist nematodları (Globodera spp.), Kök-ur nematodları (Meloidogyne spp.), Patates çürüklük nematodu (Ditylenchus destructor), Soğan sak nematodu (Ditylenchus dipsaci), Kök lezyon nematodları (Pratylenchus spp.) dünya genelinde patates bitkisinde verim kaybına neden olan türlerdir. Kök-ur nematodlarından özellikle M. chitwoodi ve M. fallax verim kaybı yanında yumru kalitesini de olumsuz etkiler. Ülkemizde Ege Bölgesi, İç Anadolu Bölgesi, Doğu Anadolu Bölgesi ve Batı Karadeniz Bölgesinde patates yetiştirilen alanlarda yapılan çalışmalarda ciddi verim kaybına neden olan bitki paraziti nematod türleri tespit edilmiştir. Kist Nematodları, dayanıklı yapı formu olan kistler sayesinde uzun yıllar toprakta varlığını devam ettirebilmesi nedeniyle yoğun üretiminin yapıldığı illerde sürdürülebilir patates tarımı için endişe vericidir. Dünya genelinde bitki paraziti nematodlarla savaşımda dayanıklı çeşitler kullanılarak patates üretimi yapılmaktadır. Dayanıklı çeşit geliştirme çalışmalarında başarılı olmak için patates yetiştirilen alandaki nematodun tür ve patotipine özel çalışmalar yapılır. Bu çalışmada Türkiye’de patates üretim alanlarında farklı araştırıcılar tarafından tespit edilmiş olan bitki paraziti nematod türleri ve yaygınlıkları derlenmiştir.
