Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a strategic cereal crop whose technological quality is strongly influenced by both genetic background and environmental factors. This study aimed to evaluate the quality performance of five bread wheat cultivars grown under the ecological conditions of Karacabey, Bursa, during the 2023 and 2024 production seasons. Field trials were conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications, and standard agronomic practices were applied. Grain quality traits including protein content, wet and dry gluten, Gluten Index, Zeleny and delayed sedimentation, SDS-sedimentation, Falling Number, hectoliter, and moisture content were determined according to international standard methods (ICC, AACC). Analysis of variance revealed highly significant (P<0.01) cultivar effects for most traits across both years, particularly for protein content, gluten strength, sedimentation values, and hectoliter. Environmental variation between years significantly affected protein content, sedimentation values, dry gluten, hectoliter and grain moisture, highlighting the influence of rainfall distribution and temperature patterns during grain filling. However, the year × cultivar interaction was not significant for any trait, indicating stable cultivar performance across years. Among the cultivars, Mihalca and Karatopak consistently exhibited superior technological quality, whereas Lider cultivar showed the lowest performance. These findings emphasize the joint role of genetic potential and climatic variation in shaping wheat quality and suggest that cultivars combining high protein content and strong gluten properties are most suitable for sustainable high-quality wheat production in the Marmara Region under changing climate conditions.

Agriculture is of strategic importance in Türkiye as in the whole world. Besides its strategic importance, agriculture involves risks and uncertainties due to its dependence on natural conditions. In this respect, the adequacy and sustainability of wheat, which constitutes the basic food raw material of humanity, has gained great importance for countries in recent years. Due to this feature of wheat, pricing and support of wheat is an important issue. In this study, wheat and support prices were analysed and evaluated in terms of current prices, real prices and dollar. It is seen that wheat prices have shown a significant increase in current prices but not in real and dollar prices. In terms of agricultural supports, it is seen that the support amounts of wheat, which has a share in area and premium-based supports, remained constant between 2001 and 2024 with 18.95 TL/da in real terms. In 2022-2023, it is seen that there has been a significant increase of 1000% in wheat premium support from 10krş/kg to 1 TL/kg. This study aims to contribute to the literature and stakeholders with panel data analysis of wheat agriculture, which is of great importance for our country, in terms of unit price and subsidies.

Increased urbanization in recent years has weakened individuals' connection with nature and distanced city dwellers from food production processes. Rapid urbanization, extended agricultural systems, and long supply chains have both caused environmental problems and brought additional costs. Urban agriculture stands out as an approach that offers solutions to these problems and facilitates city dwellers' access to food and agricultural products; it aims to meet the city's food needs within and around urban areas, using urban resources. Within the scope of the sustainability of urban agriculture, hobby gardens play an important role by increasing city dwellers' interest in agriculture and creating agricultural awareness. This study aims to reveal the intellectual structure, main themes, and research trajectories of the academic literature on hobby gardens using bibliometric analysis and scientific mapping methods. Analyses conducted using articles obtained from the Scopus database covering the years 1989–2025 show that the unifying element of the field of hobby gardening is based on the concepts of “gardening” and “human.” However, it was determined that the main driving force of the field is social and human dynamics such as “leisure time” and gender. This finding proves that hobby gardening research focuses on its role in human well-being, social life, and community interaction rather than a technical or agricultural focus. Nevertheless, technical topics such as “composting” and ‘peat’ were found to constitute a niche theme. Topics such as “urban planning” and “urban environment” were understood to represent a new research frontier for the field's future potential. This comprehensive map provides policymakers and academics with an evidence-based and strategic framework. The findings underscore the need for policies that support hobby gardens not only for their ecological benefits but also as vital centers for urban well-being and social resilience. The results of the study highlight the multidisciplinary role of hobby gardens in building sustainable cities.

As the global population continues to grow each year, the demand for basic foodstuffs is also increasing. Among these, potatoes are considered one of the most essential crops, and their long-term storage is critical to extending their usability. A key criterion for effective potato storage is ensuring that the tubers remain free from mechanical damage. Determining the rate of mechanical damage in potato tubers during harvesting is a critical factor affecting both yield and storage longevity. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the extent of such damage during the harvesting process. In this study, mechanical damage rates in potato tubers were evaluated using three different cultivars, Hermes (P1), Jelly (P2), and Madeleine (P3), and two harvesting speeds, 2 km/h (S1) and 3 km/h (S2). Additionally, the geometric mean diameter (GMD), tuber volume (TV), tuber surface area (TSA), and sphericity (SP) of the tubers were analyzed. The results indicated that the mechanical damage (MD) rate was highest in cultivars P1 and P2 (6.16%) and lowest in cultivar P3 (4.86%). Regarding the tractor forward speeds, the MD rate was 5.44% at speed S1 and increased to 6.01% at speed S2. Despite cultivar P3 exhibiting higher values of geometric mean diameter (GMD), tuber volume (TV), and tuber surface area (TSA), it demonstrated greater resistance to mechanical damage due to its lower MD rate. Based on the speed levels tested, it was concluded that the lower forward speed (S1) is preferable for harvesting, as it resulted in reduced mechanical damage compared to S2.

The present study aims to evaluate the impact of transitioning from conventional soil tillage to minimum tillage technology in a maize crop, cultivated over a three-year period (2022–2024) in the village of Lanurile, Constanța County, Romania. The experiment was conducted under real farm conditions and involved three late-maturing maize hybrids: DKC 5810, P0900, and P0216. The crop was grown on partially irrigated land. Soil preparation consisted of a single pass with a cultivator, followed by precision sowing, while all other technological inputs (fertilization, crop protection, and irrigation management) were kept constant across the hybrids and over the years. The agromorphological and biometric determinations revealed superior performance for the DKC 5810 hybrid, followed by P0900. Differences in productivity parameters, such as grain weight per ear and thousand-kernel weight (TKW), were statistically validated using one-way ANOVA tests, confirming significant distinctions between hybrids (p < 0.05). The DKC 5810 hybrid recorded the highest average kernel weight and TKW, while also achieving the greatest yield per hectare. P0900 also demonstrated high adaptability and yield potential, particularly under irrigation. In contrast, P0216, although showing vigorous vegetative development, accumulated lower grain mass and yielded less compared to the other two.

Climatic analysis over the study period showed a consistent increase in mean annual temperatures and a significant decrease in rainfall, especially during critical phenological stages such as flowering and grain filling. These climatic trends emphasized the importance of water management. The irrigation applied in four key growth stages successfully offset part of the rainfall deficit and supported optimal crop development. The results demonstrate that minimum tillage, when properly implemented under the specific pedoclimatic conditions of Dobrogea and combined with efficient irrigation and hybrid selection, can ensure competitive yields. This conservation practice reduces soil disturbance, minimizes erosion and compaction, and preserves soil moisture critical factors in semi-arid regions. Therefore, minimum tillage represents a viable and sustainable alternative to conventional tillage in areas facing water scarcity and climate variability. These findings highlight the importance of hybrid selection aligned with specific tillage practices and climate adaptability. DKC 5810 is recommended for high-input, irrigated systems, while P0900 proves stable and productive in moderately intensive conditions. Further research is encouraged across other regions to validate these results and guide sustainable maize production strategies in Romania.

Blueberry juice has become a popular beverage due to its nutritional value, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This study examined the effects of pressing, mashing, enzymatic treatment, and pasteurization on the anthocyanin content, color, and polyphenolic composition of blueberry juice (BJ). Enzymatic treatment caused a significant reduction (30%) in anthocyanin (ACN) content in Direct Juice Extraction (DJE), whereas Mash Treatment Processing (MTP) led to a significant increase. Overall, ACN levels were higher in treated samples after each processing step in MTP, while polyphenolic levels showed a slight increase in both DJE and MTP. However, both ACNs and polyphenolics decreased after pasteurization. BJ is effective for processing fresh juice. Additionally, throughout the processing stages, ACN, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity were higher, and juice yield was greater in comparison to both methods.

This study aimed to investigate the aroma profile, fatty acid composition, and general chemical characteristics of matured Kashar cheese (MKC) produced without starter cultures using mixed raw milk. A specific blend of cow (30%), goat (25%), and sheep (45%) milk was used in the production. Both milk samples and matured cheese were analyzed to determine changes during the ripening process. Texture profile analysis was also performed on cheese samples to evaluate the effects of compositional and processing variables.

A total of 65 volatile compounds were identified in MKC, whereas 47, 57, and 58 compounds were found in cow, sheep, and goat milk, respectively. Among these, 19 aroma compounds—particularly 2-pentanol, hexanoic acid ethyl ester, and 2,3-butanediol—were common to both milk and cheese samples, indicating their persistence or transformation during ripening. Notably, 22 fatty acids were detected exclusively in MKC, highlighting microbial and enzymatic activity during maturation.

Furthermore, variations in the chemical composition of milk, salt content, and the absence of starter cultures were found to influence the textural characteristics of the cheese. These findings provide insight into the complexity and uniqueness of traditional starter-free cheese production and contribute to the valorization of artisanal dairy practices.

Protein hydrolysates (PHs) are gaining increasing attention as sustainable biostimulants in agriculture due to their ability to improve plant performance under both optimal and stressful conditions. These compounds, derived from plant or animal proteins, contain a mixture of amino acids and peptides that influence numerous physiological and biochemical processes. Recent studies have shown that PHs play a regulatory role in primary metabolism by modulating enzyme activity and gene expression involved in nitrogen and carbon pathways. They also impact secondary metabolism, enhancing the biosynthesis of phenolics, flavonoids, and other compounds that contribute to stress tolerance and crop quality. In addition, PHs applied as seed treatments or foliar sprays have been reported to stimulate germination, improve seedling establishment, and promote nutrient uptake. Their beneficial effects extend to yield and quality traits, including increases in biomass, fruit set, phytochemical content, and reductions in nitrate accumulation in leafy vegetables. Overall, PHs represent promising biostimulant tools for sustainable crop production, combining growth promotion, improved nutrient use efficiency, and enhanced resilience to abiotic stresses.