This study was conducted to determine the physicochemical properties and quality of honey produced in Bingöl province and purchased by the Agricultural Credit Cooperative. Through the Agricultural Credit Cooperative, quality analyses of honey samples collected from beekeepers in Bingöl were conducted in accredited laboratories, and those that met the standards were purchased and marketed. This practice is of great importance for improving the quality of Bingöl honey and ensuring its sustainability. Therefore, the analysis results of honey collected from producers over the past six years (2019-2024) were examined and evaluated. When the quality characteristics of the honey were analyzed by year, significant differences were observed between years for some parameters. The average values of moisture content (16.84%), diastase number (20.72), electrical conductivity (0.28 mS/cm), proline value (608.25 mg/kg), delta C13 protein value (-0.887%), free acidity (16.94 meq/kg), HMF value (2.88 mg/kg), C4 sugar content (0.20%), difference between C13 values (0.08%), delta C13 raw honey value (-0.895%), fructose content (40.45%), glucose content (32.59%), maltose content (0.06%), sucrose content (0.24%), fructose/glucose ratio (1.24) and fructose + glucose ratio (73.11 g/100 g) of honey samples were determined. The differences in delta C13 protein values, delta C13 raw honey values, fructose contents, and glucose contents between the years were found to be significant (P≤0.05), while the differences in other characteristics were found to be insignificant. All the honey samples produced and analyzed between 2019 and 2024, and purchased, were found to comply with the Turkish Food Codex Honey Communique (2020/7). In conclusion, considering the support provided by the Agricultural Credit Cooperative to producers during the production and marketing stages, as well as the economic and health-related benefits offered to consumers, it would be beneficial to continue this practice until producers reach the desired level of production awareness.
The research occurred in a plastic greenhouse in the autumn season between 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. Lettuce was grown in the greenhouse with organic agriculture-origin fertilizers. The cos type lettuce cultivar ‘Presidential’ was used. The aim was to evaluate the effects of various fertilizer applications, including seaweed, vermicompost, humic-fulvic acid, and a control, on lettuce yield and quality. Fertilizers were applied to the soil in liquid form at the recommended rates for lettuce production. The study revealed significant variations in several parameters across applications. Total yield ranged from 21.42 to 43.75 t ha-1, while market yield varied between 20.50 and 41.33 t ha-1. Marketable plant weight ranged from 410.00 to 826.67 kg plant-1, while the average plant weight was between 428.33 and 875.00 kg plant-1. Additionally, the number of discarded leaves ranged from 5.00 to 24.33 units. The SPAD value showed a range of 27.18 to 38.30, while water-soluble dry matter (WSDM) and dry matter values varied between 0.80-4.90% and 3.63-10.15%, respectively, depending on the applications. The study found that the applications generally yielded better results than the control application. In addition, the highest yield and plant weight were observed in lettuce plants treated with seaweed fertilizer.
This study focused on evaluating the influence of various pretreatments and microwave power levels on the drying behavior and color attributes of quince slices. In this context, quince slices were either pretreated with ultrasound, tangerine juice, or ascorbic acid, or left untreated (control), and then dried in a microwave at 300, 600, or 900 W. The color properties (L, a, b) of the fruit slices were determined by an image processing technique. In the study, the shortest drying time was determined to be 12 min at 900 W with ascorbic acid pretreatment. However, 900 W-ascorbic acid treatment gave the lowest total energy consumption (0.15 kWh). The highest values of the L, a, and b parameters determined by image processing were obtained in the 300 W - ascorbic acid (77.83), 600 W - control (15.40), and 600 W - ascorbic acid (52.37) treatments, respectively. The highest total color change was recorded in the 600 W - ascorbic acid (55.33) treatment. Tangerine juice caused an increase in redness in the product color. Ascorbic acid pretreatment effectively enhanced drying efficiency, minimized energy consumption, and preserved the color quality of quince slices. Pretreatments accelerated drying and minimized energy consumption. The color characteristics of the pretreated samples were better preserved than those of the control group (no pretreatment). While the drying rate was initially high, it decreased as the products lost moisture. In line with the findings, future studies are needed to develop new pretreatment strategies that optimize drying time, maintain color stability, and improve product quality, and to develop new pretreatment strategies for different fruit species.
The determination of optimum growing environments and the development of seed propagation strategies are becoming increasingly important in plant breeding, particularly for drought-tolerant species. The bottle tree (B. populneus Schott & Endl. R. Br.), belonging to the subfamily Sterculioideae of the Malvaceae family, is an evergreen ornamental plant characterized by high adaptability and pronounced drought resistance. This study investigated the germination characteristics of bottle tree seeds and the effects of different growing media on seedling development. The research was conducted between 2017 and 2021. The average of thousand-seed weight was 94 g with germination rates ranging from 87% to 99.5% and germination times of 7.6 - 11.2 days. Seed priming with poplar (P. usbekistanica) sawdust extract significantly shortened the germination period in biennial seeds. Growing media significantly affected plant height, stem diameter, and leaf number (p < 0.05). Based on between years differences, the highest increases in plant height, stem diameter, and leaf number were observed in T5-GS+CBC(1:2), T6-GS+CBC(2:1), and T4-GS+CBC(1:1) media, respectively, while the lowest change values were determined in the T2-PS(C) medium. Garden soil and chestnut burr compost promoted seedling growth, whereas poplar sawdust suppressed it. These findings indicate that fresh poplar sawdust can serve as an ecological alternative to chemical growth regulators for plant height control in nurseries. In addition, chestnut compost has been shown to be a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers, as it improves soil structure and nutrient availability. The ease of seed propagation and high drought tolerance of the bottle tree highlight its potential as a valuable species for landscaping and climate change adaptation in arid ecosystems.
This study was conducted to determine the effects of certain organic materials added to the growing medium prior to harvest on the vase life of cut lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) flowers. Nine different growing media were prepared by supplementing a peat+perlite mixture with varying proportions of thyme compost, leonardite, vermicompost, and humic acid. In addition, the electrical conductivity (EC) of the growing media was adjusted to two levels: 1.1 dS m⁻¹ and 2.2 dS m⁻¹. Vase life was evaluated using a visual scoring system to assess deterioration symptoms in leaves and flowers. As a result, the longest vase life (22.0 days) was obtained from the application of 20% thyme compost + EC 2.2. This treatment was followed by applications of 10% and 20% vermicompost + EC 2.2, and 10% thyme compost + EC 2.2. The shortest vase life (8.33 days) was recorded in the control group containing only peat + perlite. The findings revealed that the use of thyme compost and vermicompost in combination with high EC levels significantly extended the vase life of lisianthus flowers. It has been determined that applications of humic acid and leonardite also exhibit positive effects on vase life. This result indicates that the application of organic materials in combination with appropriate EC levels during the pre-harvest period enhances the postharvest longevity of cut flowers.
Due to the negative effects of natural disasters caused by climate change, the agricultural sector, ecosystems, and the economy are under serious threat. In this study, carbon dioxide emissions from fuel use in wheat, sugar beet, and potato production between 2015 and 2024 (10 years) were determined in Türkiye, and projections for 2025-2034 were examined. In calculating fuel-based CO2 emissions for wheat, sugar beet, and potato production, the total CO2 emissions from fuel and oil sources described in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change were considered. The Chain Index method was used in programming the projection coefficients. For this effect, percentages of value increase and decrease over the years were calculated, and the average projection coefficients for these percentages were determined. The range of variations was found for total carbon dioxide emissions as a maximum of 1263.32 ktCO2, and a minimum of 1064.49 ktCO2 in wheat production, a maximum of 134.35 ktCO2, and a minimum of 101.29 ktCO2 in sugar beet production, and a maximum of 26.48 ktCO2, and a minimum of 18.39 ktCO2 in potato production. It is predicted that TCOE in wheat, sugar beet, and potato production will increase in Türkiye during 2025-2034. Accordingly, 13.31% increase in TCOE is predicted for wheat production, 13.31% in sugar beet production, and 13.39% in potato production. In this context, efforts can be made to raise awareness about environmental protection and sustainable agricultural methods and to encourage their widespread adoption by farmers. Environmentally friendly alternative production techniques should be planned for soil cultivation systems, planting, fertilization, maintenance, irrigation, pesticide application, harvesting, and post-harvest processing in Türkiye, and farmers should be trained in these techniques.
Advances in Internet of Things (IoT) and machine learning have enabled the development of cost-effective systems for real-time air quality monitoring in livestock environments. In this study, a low-cost Internet of IoT based device that can be used for air quality monitoring and evaluation in dairy barns was developed. Various machine learning algorithms were used to model the sensor data. The BME 680 air quality sensor data were collected in the ThingSpeak cloud database, and subsequent analysis was conducted. The performance of Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Regression (SVR), Gradient Boosting (GB), k-nearest neighbors (KNNs), Decision Trees (DTs), and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) algorithms was tested. The RF and GB algorithms yielded the best results in estimating air quality index values. However, it was stated that the performance of the ANN algorithm should be re-evaluated using large-volume datasets. In addition, it was emphasized that incorporating additional environmental parameters could improve the system’s performance. As a result, it was shown that low-cost digital agricultural applications can be developed using the capabilities of current technology.
Sunflower [Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae)] is a crop of considerable significance in agricultural production. This study was conducted during the 2023 growing season in Tokat Province to identify harmful Lepidoptera species associated with sunflower and their natural enemies. Preimaginal stages were periodically collected from sunflower fields at various phenological stages of the plant. These specimens were then reared under controlled laboratory conditions (25±2°C and 60±5% relative humidity) in containers containing sunflower leaves, and their development was monitored. The emerged adult Lepidoptera and parasitoids were subsequently identified. Taxonomic diagnoses revealed that the lepidopteran species was Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), and its associated parasitoid was Diadromus subtilicornis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). Based on these findings, sunflower was recorded as a new host plant for P. xylostella. Furthermore, P. xylostella was documented as a new faunistic record for Tokat Province. Additional information is provided regarding the host range, geographic distribution in Turkey and globally, and known parasitoids of P. xylostella.
Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress affecting citrus cultivation globally. This study evaluates salt stress responses in two citrus rootstocks, Citrus aurantium and Poncirus trifoliata, under 0, 50, and 100 mM NaCl. Key physiological and biochemical traits were assessed, including K⁺/Na⁺ ratio, proline content, and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, POD). Results showed that P. trifoliata maintained a more stable K⁺/Na⁺ ratio under salinity, with only a 13.3% and 20.4% decrease at 50 and 100 mM NaCl, respectively. In contrast, C. aurantium exhibited sharper reductions (31.6% and 35.6%), indicating weaker ion homeostasis. Proline accumulation was more pronounced in C. aurantium (+27.6% at 50 mM), suggesting compensatory osmotic adjustment, whereas P. trifoliata maintained lower proline levels, owing to its ion regulation. Antioxidant responses differed between the genotypes; C. aurantium exhibited stress-induced increases in enzyme activity, while P. trifoliata maintained consistently higher basal levels regardless of salinity. The activities of SOD, CAT, and POD increased in P. trifoliata by 18.7%, 20.0%, and 15.6%, respectively, under 50 mM NaCl, while the corresponding increases in C. aurantium were limited to 10.5%, 9.3%, and 7.4%, respectively. These results indicate that the enhanced salt tolerance of P. trifoliata is closely linked to efficient ion sequestration and a pre-existing robust antioxidant system, while C. aurantium relies more on compensatory osmotic mechanisms activated under stress.
This research was carried out in Merzifon District and villages of Amasya province between 2021-2022 years. In 2021, the natural rosehip, hawthorn, and cornelian cherry populations in these areas were identified. Detailed observations and analyses of 27 rosehip, 21 hawthorn, and 10 cornelian cherry genotypes, selected through pre-selection, were conducted in 2022. . In the study, average fruit weight for rosehip genotypes is 0.85-3.12 g, fruit length is 16.27-23.11 mm, fruit width is 9.56-16.37 mm, number of seeds is 15.33-40.60 pieces/fruit, water-soluble dry matter content is 9.2-22.8%, total solids content is 39.43-78.14%, pH 3.45-4.45 and titratable acidity 0.93-3.48%; Average fruit weight for hawthorn genotypes is 2.07-4.62 g, fruit length is 12.81-17.82 mm, fruit width is 14.96-20.55 mm, number of seeds is 2.17-4.87 pieces/fruit, water-soluble solid content is 13.2-32.4%, total dry matter content is 20.13-59.73%, pH 3.03-3.74 and titratable acidity 0.8-3.08%; For cornelian cherry genotypes, average fruit weight is 1.18-2.43 g, fruit length is 15.57-20.26 mm, fruit width is 10.40-13.83 mm, number of seeds is 1 piece/fruit, water-soluble solids content is 11-17%, total dry matter content is 9.92-78.93%, pH 2.72-3.51 and titratable acidity were found between 0.8- 2.41%.
In recent years, digital technologies have been applied extensively in many branches of industry. As a result of this, the effects of digital transformation have also begun to be seen in agricultural production. One of the areas of use of agricultural technologies is land leveling. Land leveling is one of the first processes to be done in agricultural production. Correct or incorrect land leveling will directly affect other stages of agricultural production. With correct land leveling, many benefits such as saving on irrigation, correct planting norm, increasing product yield, reducing weed problems, and making the product suitable for harvest will be seen. The most modern method used in land leveling is laser leveling machines. However, traditional leveling methods are generally used. For this study, how 13 farmers producing wheat in the Şanlıurfa Region leveled their land and the accuracy of the slopes they obtained were determined. For this purpose, geographic information systems (GIS) and devices used in mapping (distance measuring device, height measurement device, coordinate determination device) and their methods were used. In this study, the elevation and slope values of 13 fields where wheat is produced in Şanlıurfa region were examined. The values pre- and post-leveling were analyzed according to A-B (elevation-1), C-D (elevation-2), E-F (elevation-3) elevations. As a result of the research, a decrease in the elevation levels (A-B elevation) of the enterprises before and after land leveling was detected. In addition, although not statistically significant, a decrease was also observed in E–F (Elevation 3) levels and overall average elevation values. Although the slope did not show a statistically significant decrease after land leveling, it was determined that the slope values at the points A-B, C-D, E-F and the general average slope decreased.
Accurate estimation of reference crop evapotranspiration (ETo) is essential for sustainable irrigation management, particularly in regions facing water scarcity challenges. This study evaluates the performance of three machine learning (ML) models: Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Light Gradient Boosting Machines (LGBM), and Random Forest Regression (RFR) for estimating daily ETo in Alanya, Turkey, under varying scenarios of limited meteorological input availability. Ten input scenarios comprising different combinations of temperature, sunshine duration, relative humidity, and wind speed were analyzed using data spanning from 1975 to 2023. Results indicate significant variability in model performance, with ANN and LGBM consistently outperforming RFR across most scenarios. Among single-variable scenarios, temperature-based predictions were the most reliable (R2=0.66). Two variable scenarios combining temperature and sunshine duration notably enhanced prediction accuracy (R2=0.85). The highest predictive accuracy was achieved with a three-variable combination of temperature, sunshine duration, and wind speed (R2=0.89). This research underscores the potential of ML models, particularly ANN and LGBM, in accurately estimating ETo with limited meteorological data, contributing significantly to sustainable water management practices in Mediterranean climates.
The source of water, the basic need of all living things in nature, is rainfall. When the same amount of rainfall is insufficient or does not fall globally, some regions experience drought problems. In some areas, floods occur due to excessive rainfall. Apart from the normal process of drought and flood, human interventions such as global warming also play an active role in the occurrence of both natural disasters. In order to track drought, several moisture indices have been developed in the literature. Moisture conditions and the extent of a water deficit in a particular area are usually ascertained using moisture indices, characterizing the equilibrium between water inflows and outflows. In this study, Thornthwaite moisture index (TMI) was used to evaluate moisture deficit. The study was conducted in the provinces of Tokat, Kayseri, Ankara, Konya, Karaman, Afyon, Denizli and Burdur. The first effort for this purpose was made according to the Innovative Polygon Trend Analysis (IPTA) of seasonal variation of rainfall and potential evapotranspiration (PET) values. Regular polygons were not obtained at any station in both data sets. Although precipitation data showed a general decreasing trend in all stations during the summer months except June, PET values had the opposite pattern. The monthly TMI index for all stations showed that there was a moisture deficit from April (except for the Afyon station) to October. A striking finding in the annual TMI results was that negative values were detected at all stations. These findings will contribute to relevant decision makers in water-related planning and awareness studies.
Adaptation strategies to climate change are important to manage the risks of climate change and to ensure the sustainability of agricultural production. This study focuses on the climate change adaptation strategies of cotton producers in Söke district of Aydın province, the first cotton product registered by the European Union in Türkiye. Primary data from personal interviews with farmers were used for the study. A survey was conducted among 157 farmers from Söke district of Aydın province using simple random sampling. The factors affecting crop insurance, one of the adaptation strategies, were calculated using binary logistic regression analysis. The calculated McFadden's R2 (0.389), Cox & Snell R2 (0.408), and Nagelkerke R2 (0.551) values indicate that the model explains the crop insurance strategy. In this research, the AUC value was calculated as 0.887, which is considered excellent. According to the Hosmer and Lemeshow test result, with Chi-square: 11.439 and p: 0.178, it was determined that the model's fit to the data was good. As a result of the binary logistic regression analysis, it was found that migration and agricultural income had a negative effect on the probability of purchasing crop insurance, while changing irrigation methods, changing spraying times, crop diversification and praying for rain had a positive effect on the probability of purchasing crop insurance. Among the adaptation strategies to climate change, the strategy of product diversification proved to be the most effective factor in crop insurance. To manage the risks in agricultural production, it is essential to implement climate change adaptation strategies holistically. As the share of crop insurance is 60%, it is recommended to inform farmers about crop insurance. In addition, the agricultural frost events in 36 provinces in 2025 show that the scope of crop insurance should be expanded in parallel with the temporal, methodological and quantitative adaptation strategies (spraying, fertilizing, planting, etc.).
Salinity is one of the most detrimental abiotic stresses limiting wheat productivity globally, particularly during early growth stages. In this study, six wheat species (Triticum dicoccoides, T. boeticum, T. dicoccum, T. aestivum, T. monococcum, and T. durum) were subjected to five different salt concentrations (0, 8, 16, 24, and 32 µS/cm NaCl) under controlled in vitro conditions at 24 ± 2 °C and 16/8 h photoperiod to assess their germination and seedling development responses. A completely randomized factorial design with four replications was employed. Germination percentage, root length, and shoot length were measured on 8th and 21st days, respectively. Increasing salinity significantly reduced all measured traits. Notably, T. dicoccum showed the highest salt tolerance with 72% germination, 14.4 cm root length, and 22.6 cm shoot length at 8 µS/cm, while T. monococcum was the most sensitive. These findings indicate that ancient wheat species, particularly T. dicoccum, possess valuable traits for developing salt-tolerant cultivars
In this study, the performances of 'Gercekcioglu (Rosa montana Chaix subsp. Woronovii (Lonacz) O. Nilsson L.)' and 'Yıldız (Rosa canina L.)' rosehip varities registered in our country were investigated in Tokat ecology. In the research conducted in 2022; phenological, pomological, vegatative and chemical properties of both varities were observed and analyzed. Flowering was observed on 20 May in ‘Gercekcioglu’ variety and on 16 May in ‘Yıldız’ variety. Full bloom time was recorded as the same date (25 May) for both 'Gercekcioglu' variety and 'Yıldız' variety. Harvest dates varied, 'Yıldız' variety was harvested on 5 August and ' Gercekcioglu ' variety was harvested on 22 August. The average fruit weight of ‘Gercekcioglu’ and "Yıldız" varities was 2.39-3.72 g, seed weight 6.73 - 3.86 g/100, seed weight/fruit weight ratio 9.12 - 32.27%, seed count between 2.93-28.99 pieces/fruit, respectively. From its vegatative properties; yield was 1765.80 - 2179.52 g/ bush community, the number of summer shoots per main shoot in the plant was 4.23-2.52 pieces/plant, the harvested fruit rates were 86.89-84.76%.From their chemical properties, total soluble solids are 18.18-20.71%, total acidity values are 1.86-2.03%, pH amounts are 4.20 – 4.27, C-vitamin contents are 769.30-464 mg/100g and total dry matter ratios are 51.60 – 54.83%, determined.
Rapid global population growth has placed substantial pressure on food systems, leading to the intensification of agricultural practices and a concomitant increase in the production of waste from both crop production and livestock farming. In Türkiye, animal-derived protein requirements are primarily supply through poultry, cattle, and small ruminant farming. Improper management of manure, a primary by-product of animal production, is a major contributor to environmental degradation due to the release of gaseous pollutants such as ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Additionally, the processing of widely consumed agricultural commodities such as tea, coffee, and hazelnuts produces substantial quantities of organic by-products. These residues present potential for environmentally sustainable reuse. This study aimed to assess the effects of incorporating tea waste, coffee grounds, and hazelnut shells into various animal manures on NH3 and CO2 concentrations under laboratory-scale conditions. According to the result of the study, tea waste exhibited the highest efficacy in reducing NH3 concentrations, with reductions ranging from 54.5% to 61.9% in poultry manure, 62.7% to 68.6% in sheep manure, and 22.0% to 85.1% in cattle manure. In contrast, hazelnut shells were the most effective in mitigating CO2 concentrations, achieving reductions of 45.1% to 69.6%, 11.9% to 57.6%, and 13.1% to 64.4% in poultry, sheep, and cattle manure, respectively. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed among the treatment groups for both gases across all manure types. Overall, the results demonstrate that tea waste is more effective in mitigating NH3 emissions, whereas hazelnut shells possess a stronger potential for reducing CO2 emissions.
Barley, which holds a significant share among cereals, is a strategic crop for the feed and food industries as well as the beverage sector. Adaptable to Türkiye’s climatic and soil conditions, barley occupies a noteworthy position in agricultural production systems due to its production volume and diversity of uses. With the growth of the livestock sector, the importance of barley in the compound feed industry has increased; its high energy value and good digestibility have made it a preferred raw material. In the food industry, barley is used in the production of traditional and functional products owing to its richness in dietary fiber. In recent years, with the growing trend toward healthy eating, the consumption of barley flour, bran, and whole grain form has become more widespread. The main objective of this study is to generate production forecasts for the 2025–2035 period using the production data from 1961 to 2023 of prominent barley-producing countries around the world. In the study, the most suitable time series model (ARIMA) was identified for each country, and forecasts for future production were made accordingly. The findings reveal that the center of production power in global barley cultivation is shifting geographically from the west to the east and towards the southern hemisphere. Countries such as Türkiye, Russia, and Australia are expected to increase their production shares, whereas traditional producers like the United States, Germany, and Canada are projected to experience a decline. It is anticipated that Türkiye will hold a more prominent position in global production in the future. The findings clearly indicate a shift in barley global production. While countries traditionally known for barley production, such as the United States, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Spain, are expected to see a significant decrease in their global production shares over the next decade, countries like Türkiye, Russia, Australia, and Ukraine are projected to achieve notable increases in production volume. Notably, Türkiye’s share in global barley production is estimated to rise from 4% to 6%, signaling a strengthening of the country's position in the global barley market. This development presents strategic opportunities in terms of meeting domestic demand as well as increasing export potential. The forecasts obtained through the ARIMA model not only reflect production trends but also provide guiding data for decision-making processes of policymakers, investors, and sector stakeholders. Therefore, the outcomes of this study serve as a valuable reference for developing data-driven strategies in agricultural production planning.
Physicochemical changes occurring during drying, especially affecting color attributes, structural integrity, and nutrient stability, remain critical factors influencing the final food quality. Although many drying studies focus on various vegetables, limited information exists regarding color alterations in celery, a plant with aromatic, medicinal, and functional food properties, under different drying conditions. This study was conducted to comparatively evaluate the effects of hot-air drying at 65 °C and vacuum drying (hot-air at 65 °C combined at 100 mm Hg) on the color parameters and visual quality of celeriac samples. Additionally, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy (SIMCA) analyses were conducted using color models. The results demonstrated that significant differences in L*, a*, b*, C*, and h values between fresh and dried samples depending on the drying method (p < 0.05). Hot-air drying led to a pronounced decrease in L*and b* values and noticeable darkening of the food due to oxidation reactions. In contrast, vacuum drying effectively minimized oxygen exposure and thermal damage, thereby preserving color quality at levels close to that of the fresh sample. The negative a* values observed in both fresh and vacuum-dried samples reflected the naturally light tones of celeriac, while the positive shift in a* values after hot-air drying indicated pigment degradation. Vacuum drying provided better preservation of color pigments. PCA, applied using the L*a*b*, L*Ch, and L*a*b*Ch color models, successfully distinguished the samples according to drying methods. PCA explained more than 95% of the variance, demonstrating its effectiveness in differentiating the effects of drying on color parameters. Furthermore, the SIMCA analysis revealed that celery slices obtained through different drying methods could be classified based on their color data with 100% accuracy. Present study highlights the superiority of vacuum drying in preserving the color quality of celeriac and offers valuable insights for the food industry in maintaining sensory and functional quality during drying processes.
Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is a vital oilseed crop cultivated globally, yet its production is significantly threatened by charcoal rot disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina. This soilborne pathogen leads to severe yield losses, affecting sesame-growing regions globally. In this study, we conducted a molecular characterization of M. phaseolina isolates collected from infected sesame plants in Diyarbakır and Şanlıurfa, Türkiye. During the field survey, the characteristic symptoms such as wilting, stunted growth, and blackened stems were observed and samples were collected to isolate the targeted pathogen. Seven isolates were successfully isolated and analyzed for their morphological and microscopic features, confirming the presence of M. phaseolina. The DNA extraction and PCR amplification using species-specific primers (MpKRI/MpKFI) successfully detected the pathogen in all isolates, producing a distinct 350 bp amplicon. The results validate the reliability of molecular markers in identifying M. phaseolina with high specificity. This study highlights the importance of molecular tools for precise pathogen detection, aiding in disease management strategies. The findings contribute to a better understanding of M. phaseolina’s genetic diversity and offer valuable insights for breeding programs aimed at developing resistant sesame cultivars. Future research should focus on integrating molecular diagnostics with breeding efforts to enhance sesame's resilience against charcoal rot disease.
