This study investigated the potential of plasma-activated water (PAW) as a non-thermal decontamination method for strawberries. PAW was produced by exposing potable water to dry air atmospheric plasma under various conditions (1 kVa, 10-40 min). Three PAW samples with different pH values (2.5, 2.75, and 3.0) were characterized by monitoring their pH, electrical conductivity, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, nitrite, and nitrate during 3 weeks of storage. The antimicrobial efficacy of PAW was evaluated against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Botrytis cinerea in suspension. PAW with pH 2.5 exhibited the strongest antimicrobial activity, reducing E. coli and B. cinerea populations by up to 7 log CFU mL-1 and 5 log CFU mL-1, respectively, after 30 minutes of contact in suspension. The storage study demonstrated that PAW-treated strawberries maintained significantly lower microbial counts throughout 7 days of storage at 4 °C. On strawberry surfaces, a 15-minute treatment with PAW (pH 2.5) reduced E. coli and B. cinerea populations by 3.13 and 1.99 log CFU g-1, respectively. The total aerobic psychrophilic bacteria count in PAW-treated strawberries increased by only 0.8 log CFU g-1 during storage, compared to 1.4 log CFU g-1 in control samples. Importantly, PAW treatment did not adversely affect physical and chemical quality attributes of strawberries, including pH, ascorbic acid content, total antioxidant activity, anthocyanin content, and color parameters. These findings demonstrate that PAW is an effective, environmentally friendly alternative to conventional chemical sanitizers for reducing microbial contamination on strawberries while preserving their quality during refrigerated storage.This study investigated the potential of plasma-activated water (PAW) as a non-thermal decontamination method for strawberries. PAW was produced by exposing potable water to dry air atmospheric plasma under various conditions (1 kVa, 10-40 min). Three PAW samples with different pH values (2.5, 2.75, and 3.0) were characterized by monitoring their pH, electrical conductivity, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, nitrite, and nitrate during 3 weeks of storage. The antimicrobial efficacy of PAW was evaluated against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Botrytis cinerea in suspension. PAW with pH 2.5 exhibited the strongest antimicrobial activity, reducing E. coli and B. cinerea populations by up to 7 log CFU mL-1 and 5 log CFU mL-1, respectively, after 30 minutes of contact in suspension. The storage study demonstrated that PAW-treated strawberries maintained significantly lower microbial counts throughout 7 days of storage at 4 °C. On strawberry surfaces, a 15-minute treatment with PAW (pH 2.5) reduced E. coli and B. cinerea populations by 3.13 and 1.99 log CFU g-1, respectively. The total aerobic psychrophilic bacteria count in PAW-treated strawberries increased by only 0.8 log CFU g-1 during storage, compared to 1.4 log CFU g-1 in control samples. Importantly, PAW treatment did not adversely affect physical and chemical quality attributes of strawberries, including pH, ascorbic acid content, total antioxidant activity, anthocyanin content, and color parameters. These findings demonstrate that PAW is an effective, environmentally friendly alternative to conventional chemical sanitizers for reducing microbial contamination on strawberries while preserving their quality during refrigerated storage.

This study aimed to characterize equine farming systems in the desertic Médenine region (Tunisia) based on a survey of 70 breeders. Equine farming is significant, with herds reaching up to 25 mares. Typically, farms have 1 to 3 horses, mainly for leisure and some commercial purposes. The survey found that all farmers are men, aged 22 to 42, with 67% having secondary education and agricultural training. Farms average 13.2 hectares, with 4.3 hectares dedicated to agricultural use and 0.295 hectares for horses, reflecting a system adapted to the region's climate.

The primary farming system is mixed, combining agriculture, livestock, and sometimes tourism. In addition to horses, goats, and cattle are raised for milk and meat. The main breeds are purebred Arabian and Arabian-Barb horses, selected for traits suited to both leisure and commercial needs.

The study identifies three equine farming typologies: (i) leisure, tourism, and popular games farming; (ii) foal commerce farming; and (iii) competition and racing farming. These typologies reflect different breeding goals, from cultural traditions to tourism and competitive markets. Despite limited land and resources, farmers use strategies such as external feed and advanced breeding techniques to maintain horse health and productivity. Overall, the study provides a comprehensive overview of the equine farming systems in the Médenine region, including farmers' demographics, farming structures, breeds, and typologies.

The objective of this study was to determine the heterosis and heterobeltiosis values of yield components and some important traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.) and to estimate the narrow-sense heritability of these traits. For this purpose, in 2020, the F1 hybrid combinations of Halilbey x Aga, Halilbey x Gemici, and Halilbey x Vasco, obtained from the parental lines (Halilbey, Aga, Gemici, Vasco) used in hybridization, were cultivated in the Gönen district of Balıkesir. The transplanting method was used for planting. In the transplanting, one seedling was planted per each hill at a planting density of 25x25 cm. In this study, observations and measurements were made for the following characteristics: the flowering days, maturity days, plant height, panicle length, the number of panicles per plant, the number of grains per panicle, thousand-grain weight, and grain yield per plant. In the heterosis and heterobeltiosis evaluations, the highest heterosis and heterobeltiosis values were determined for panicle number per plant and rice yield per plant. High levels of narrow-sense heritability were estimated for the number of panicle, rice yield per plant, and maturity days, while moderate levels were determined for the plant height and thousand-grain weight, and low levels for flowering days, panicle length, and number of grains per panicle. The high levels of heterosis and heterobeltiosis observed in rice yield are attributed to the high levels of heterosis and heterobeltiosis in the number of panicle per plant. Additionally, this trait exhibits a high degree of narrow-sense heritability. Utilizing this trait in hybrid rice breeding could lead to increased yield.Therefor, this trait may be used as a selection criteria in heterosis breeding in rice. At the same time, flowering day and panicle length should be taken into accord in the selection.

Today, the importance of safe and sufficient food supply for human health is increasing day by day. In herbal production, it is tried to prevent the losses of plants due to harmful organisms. Incorrect and excessive use of pesticides in the chemical control method preferred by farmers causes negative risks in terms of human health, food safety and the environment. Studies have shown that the pesticides exposed by the applicators are higher in the backpack sprayers, which are preferred due to the differences in agricultural areas and geographical structure.

In this study, pesticide residue values that operators are exposed to in applications with backpack sprayers were investigated. For this purpose, the classical backpack sprayer has been modified by adding a boom. In the applications made with this backpack sprayer, the pesticide values that the applicator was exposed to were determined in terms of volume median diameter (µm), droplet density (droplets/cm2) and surface coverage (%). In addition, the same evaluations were made in the target areas applied. Hollow cone nozzle N2 (8002), which is currently in use, and air induction nozzle N1 (IDK 120-02) nozzle type, which can be an alternative, were used in the experiment. The experiments were carried out in two nozzle types at two different forward (walking) speeds S1: 1 m/s and S2: 1.5 m/s) in field conditions. In the applications, the application rate was taken as 20 lt/da, the spray pressure (3 bar) and the spray height (50 cm) were taken as constant. In the applications, sampling surfaces were placed on the operator's body (head, chest, arms, legs) and on the target wedges. The volume median diameter, droplet density and surface coverage on the operator and target surfaces were investigated. Water sensitive papers were used as sampling surfaces, and the image processing program UTHSCSA (Image Tool for Windows V3) was used in the analysis of the gates. Obtained results were evaluated by statistical analysis.

On the operator's body, N2 × S2 with 52.85 µm for volume median diameter, N1 × S2 for surface coverage 0.24 % and N1 × S2 with 109 droplets/cm2 for droplet density can be selected. On the target surface, M2 × H1 with a volume median diameter of 356.73 µm, N2 × S1 for surface coverage and N1 × S2 for droplet density can be selected. In this study, it was concluded that the modified backpack sprayer can be used by reducing the risk for the operator.

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles, especially in agricultural pesticide applications, has increased significantly. Under constant conditions of UAV operating parameters such as altitude, velocity, and spray fluid type, droplet drift is mainly affected by meteorological conditions. When spraying applications made from the ground and air are compared, the differences in the drift models revealed that this issue should be examined. In this study, the subject of drift in comprehensive project studies has been emphasised. For this purpose, drifts that occurred in the spraying application with clean water using a DJI Agras MG-1P (RTK) model agricultural spraying drone at different heights (1.5-2.0-2.5 m) and spray rates (10-30 l/ha) were evaluated. When the results of drift studies are examined, the effect of the wind created by the propellers increases the drift when the drone approaches the ground. Around the application area (20 m), residue and droplet distributions were detected almost close to the application area (40 droplets/cm2 at 0 m, 35 droplets/cm2 at 20 m around). The droplet size (VMD) was approximately 355 μm at the optimal conditions. Spray droplets have been observed to be carried up to a distance of 40 meters with the effect of the wind. As the height of flight increased in the applications, there were deteriorations in the distribution as the wetting area of the spray expanded. In general, in the application at a height of 2.0 m, the droplet distribution was uniform and the risk of spray drift was low.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production is significantly impacted by fungal diseases, with Fusarium head blight (FHB) posing a major threat due to yield loss and contamination with harmful mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON). The potential for UAVs to deliver precise, low-volume pesticide applications has generated significant interest, given their ability to enhance droplet penetration and coverage uniformity. This capability is particularly relevant as traditional methods often face limitations in ensuring consistent pesticide distribution, leading to suboptimal disease control and environmental concerns. Understanding the comparative performance of UAVs and conventional field sprayers (FS) under real agricultural conditions is critical for determining best practices and optimizing disease management strategies. This study investigated the efficacy of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) compared to conventional field sprayers (FS) for fungicide application to control Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat fields in the Trakya region of Turkey. The UAV used was a DJI Agras MG-1P equipped with an 8-rotor system and a 4-nozzle setup producing droplet sizes between 106-235 μm, operated at a height of 2 meters, with a 20 L/ha spray rate and 11 km/h speed. The field sprayer employed was a tractor-mounted sprayer with 24 XR110003 nozzles on a 12-meter boom, spraying at a rate of 200 L/ha, 3 bar pressure, and a forward speed of 10 km/h. The field trials were conducted on 25x12 meter plots and each plot was artificially inoculated with Fusarium culmorum S-14 spores at 1x105 spores/ml during the flowering stage. Fungicide applications utilized a 125 g/L prothioconazole plus 125 g/L tebuconazole mixture (Prosaro EC 250), applied 48 hours post-inoculation. Control plots included non-treated infected spikes and fungicide-treated non-infected spikes (UAVC and FSC).

Disease severity and incidence were assessed 18 days post-application, and spike weight, kernel weight, and kernel numbers were measured at harvest. The data were analyzed using SPSS for statistical significance, employing ANOVA and post-hoc tests where appropriate. UAV applications yielded significantly lower disease severity (7.77%) and incidence (36.67%) compared to FS (16.73% and 46.67%, respectively), with superior agronomic performance in spike weight (1.80 g), kernel weight (1.36 g), and kernel number (35.53). These results underscore the advantages of UAVs in achieving effective, uniform fungicide coverage and reducing environmental impact, supporting their potential as a sustainable alternative to traditional pesticide application methods in agriculture. Further research is recommended to fine-tune UAV operational parameters for broader agricultural applications.

This review explores the multifaceted impact of Vermicompost application on soil health and fertility within the context of sustainable agriculture. Vermicompost which is a biologically processed organic fertilizer derived from earthworms, is rich in macro- and micronutrients, humic substances, and beneficial microorganisms. Its application has been shown to improve the physical (e.g., aggregate stability, water retention), chemical (e.g., nutrient availability, pH balance), and biological (e.g., microbial activity, enzymatic functions) properties of soil. Enhanced plant growth, yield, and stress resistance have also been linked to Vermicompost use, attributed to its natural phytohormone content and improved nutrient cycling. Various application methods and rates are discussed, with emphasis on field- and greenhouse-level practices. Case studies from Türkiye and worldwide reinforce Vermicompost’s effectiveness across different crops and soil types. The study concludes that Vermicompost is a promising, eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers, supporting both soil sustainability and agricultural productivity.

Chicks are susceptible in the days after hatching, as their digestive systems and immunity are underdeveloped and their ability to regulate their body temperature is inadequate. Failure to meet their needs during this period and adverse environmental conditions can easily cause them to get sick and die. Mortality in chicks is commonly highest in the first seven days. Mortality in the first week, up to 1%, can be considered normal. The causes of deaths exceeding this rate should be investigated and necessary precautions should be taken. Although it is not possible to completely prevent early chick deaths, the number of deaths can be reduced with precautions that can be taken when the causes of death are determined. This is very important in terms of animal health and business profit. Although there are numerous reasons for early chick deaths, the most common causes are genetics, nutrition, diseases and management. Genetic disorders can cause chicks to die while incubating or after hatching. Even if chicks obtained from genetically good flocks are used in production, it will not be possible to achieve the expected productivity if there are problems with care, feeding and management. Good flock management is essential to keep the animals healthy and alive. To reduce early chick deaths, paying attention to the care and nutrition of the parents, storing eggs in suitable environments, purchasing chicks from reliable suppliers if purchased from outside, performing incubation practices per the procedure, taking the necessary precautions against diseases, using healthy and balanced rations and managing the flock well are among the precautions that can be taken.