International Digital Agriculture Congress

Drought Field Screening of Rice Genotypes in Drought-prone Rainfed Environment

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Rice yield significantly reduced due to drought stress in northwest Bangladesh. Drought tolerant rice genotypes could play a vital role to increase rice productivity and sustainability, and improve livelihood of farmers in drought prone rainfed ecosystem. Therefore, the study was undertaken to investigate the responses of rice genotypes under drought prone rainfed environment and to select rice genotypes tolerant for drought stress. A total of 30 rice genotypes were evaluated in drought prone rainfed high Barind tract at Godagari, Rajshahi, Bangladesh (24.27 N latitude, 88.21 E longitude, 40 masl) over two wet seasons (WS) July to December. Twenty five-d-old seedlings were transplanted in 25 x 15 cm spacing @ 3 seedlings hill^-1 following randomized complete block design with 3 replications on 16 August of both the WS. Rainfall, temperature, drought severity, ground water depth, soil moisture content, soil water potential, phenology, leaf rolling and drying, spikelet sterility, dendogram clustering, rooting behaviors, yield and yield component data were measured to understand drought stress and to evaluate the performance of the genotype. Yield, yield components, leaf rolling, spikelet sterility and root characteristics varied significantly (p=0.001) among rice cultivars. Grain yield and harvest index of the tested rice genotypes ranged from 1.28 to 4.51 t ha^-1 and 0.25 to 0.47, respectively based on drought severity. Across genotypes, 61% root biomass were located in the upper 0-10 cm soil layer, and decreased sharply in the layers below (27, 9 and 3% in the 10-20, 20-30 and 30-40 cm layer, respectively). Based on overall performance under drought stress, four rice genotypes (IR74371-70-1-1, IR83377-B-B-93-3, IRRI123 and IR83381-B-B-6-1) were selected as drought tolerant and BR7873-5*(NIL)-51-HR6 selected as drought escaping. The genotypes IR74371-70-1-1 and BR7873-5*(NIL)-51-HR6 were released as drought tolerant variety BRRI dhan56 and drought escaping BRRI dhan57, respectively. Consequently, the genotypic variation in our germplasm selection indicated considerable scope to develop drought tolerant variety through breeding for improvement of rainfed lowland rice.

Oral Administration of Lactobacillus amylovorus Alleviates Diarrhea and Partially Restores Gut Microbiota in Neonatal Goats

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Neonatal goat (kid) diarrhea is an important health and economic concern for small-scale ruminant farms. The curative properties of Lactobacillus amylovorus as a treatment for kids with diarrhea and its effect on the composition of the gut microbiota were investigated in this study. Eight children with diarrhea were given Lactobacillus amylovorus orally,. We tracked gut microbial profiles, fecal consistency, and clinical symptoms. Using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed on fecal samples. OTU clustering, taxonomic assignment, and alpha and beta diversity indices were used to examine the diversity and composition of microorganisms. Probiotic-treated kids all recovered properly from diarrhea in two weeks, while their untreated counterparts showed signs of clinical deterioration and gradual emaciation. With high-quality coverage across all samples, sequencing produced more than a million reads. 271 of the 8,519 OTUs that were found were shared by the groups. Children with diarrhea had far lower microbial richness, according to alpha diversity analysis, and this was only partially recovered after probiotic medication. Significant differences were observed in the Chao1, ACE, and Shannon indices between the treated and diarrheal groups (p < 0.05); however, there was no discernible group split in beta diversity. The healthy group had a higher abundance of Verrucomicrobiota, while Firmicutes and Bacteroidota predominated in all groups. While Bacteroides and Akkermansia predominated in the healthy and treated groups,at the genus-level analysis showed elevated levels of Escherichia-Shigella and UCG-005 in children with diarrhea. In newborn goats, oral administration of Lactobacillus amylovorus successfully reduced diarrhea and partially restored gut microbial equilibrium. These results lend credence to its potential as a probiotic treatment for small ruminant enteric disease.

Key Words: goat , probiotic, Lactobacillus amylovorus, probiotic, gut microbiota

APP: Profitability Determination of Onion Cultivation

CARLOS HUMBERTO Robles Rojas — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The onion production sector in the northern zone of Cartago faces significant limitations in accessing technological tools that support timely and reliable decision-making. Existing platforms in the market do not adapt to the conditions of national production, creating gaps in efficiency, profitability, and sustainability.

The objective of this study was to develop and implement a technological platform that enables producers associated with the National Horticultural Corporation to determine the profitability of their onion crops and improve their economic management processes.

The methodology followed a participatory and results-oriented approach. Farm visits were conducted to analyze production activities, collect and validate field data, and contrast them with economic factors. Based on this information, a platform was designed and tested using Azure, complemented by mobile applications, which integrates productive and economic data to provide farmers with personalized, real-time recommendations for crop management.

The platform offers farmers access to accurate and practical economic information, strengthening strategic decision-making. Its implementation is expected to increase the efficiency, profitability, and sustainability of onion production in the region.

In conclusion, this digital tool represents a strategic resource to optimize productivity, enhance economic management, and contribute to the sustainable socioeconomic development of the northern zone of Cartago.

Comparison of Different Lactation Curves Models in Saanen Goats

G. Tamer Kayaalp, Nazan Koluman — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Monthly 71 lactation records were collected from Saanen dairy goats in private farms. Three different lactation
curve models were then comparatively examined for these data.The purpose of this study was to examine the
models of lactation curve of purebred dairy goats and make some suggestions concerning appropriate mathematical
model.
The following three models were used to describe the milk production:
R2 values obtained from model ( 3 ) were all greater than those found from other models (1,2).In addition, the
Mean Square Error (MSE) of model 3 was lower than the Mean Square Error (MSE) of the other 2 models.Hence
model (3) was seen to be superior to other models.

Bioactive Compounds and Bioactivities of Celtis zenkeri Leaves

Aisha Idris Ali — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Celtis zenkeri Engl. (Cannabaceae), a deciduous West and Central African tree used in traditional medicine, has attracted growing phytochemical and pharmacological interest. Recent analyses reveal that leaf essential oil is dominated by the diterpene alcohol phytol (~46% of oil composition), and leaf extracts contain diverse non-volatile phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and alkaloids. These constituents confer potent in vitro antioxidant activity, demonstrable antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects at extract/volatile levels, and promising antihyperglycaemic effects in preclinical models. Acute and subchronic toxicity screening suggests a favourable safety margin at tested doses, although comprehensive chronic and reproductive toxicology remain lacking. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the phytochemistry and bioactivities of C. zenkeri leaves, highlights mechanistic hypotheses for observed pharmacology, and identifies prioritized research needs to support development of nutraceuticals or phytotherapeutics from this species.

THE Application of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Livestock Management

Hatice Dilaver, SELAMLAR — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in precision livestock farming. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of AI subfields—Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Computer Vision (CV), Robotics, and Natural Language Processing (NLP)—and their applications in livestock management. Key innovations include early disease detection, estrus prediction, behavior analysis, and personalized feeding strategies. A simulation using a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) model in Python is also included, estimating milk yield from biometric features such as heart rate and eye temperature. Findings highlight AI's potential for improving productivity, animal welfare, and sustainability

Investigating the Impact of Land Use Changes on Groundwater Quality in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions of Central Iran

Zohreh Khorsandi Kouhanestani — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

groundwater is recognized as one of the most vital water resources in arid and semi-arid regions. The recharge and discharge rates of groundwater aquifers changes can significantly affect groundwater quality. land use is one of the key factors on groundwater recharge and discharge rates. This study investigates the impacts of land use changes on groundwater quality in Najaf Abad plain, one of the groundwater plains in central Iran. water quality data such as electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, nitrate, and major ion concentrations, over a 20-year period were analyzed, along this time period, land use maps were provided for different times. The results showed that in the studied plain, rangeland areas decreased during the investigation period, while agricultural and residential lands increased. Consequently, groundwater quality indicators changed. This study demonstrates that land use management and controlled groundwater extraction are necessary for preserving groundwater quality in arid and semi-arid regions.

Vision-Based Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture: Transformer-Based Plant Health and Disease Detection

Cevher Özden — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Agricultural productivity is increasingly threatened by plant diseases, leading to significant economic losses and food security concerns. Traditional disease detection methods rely on visual inspections by farmers and experts, which are often time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to human error. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), particularly Transformer-based models, offer a promising solution to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of plant disease identification.

This study explores the application of Vision Transformers (ViTs), Swin Transformer and Convolutional Neural Network for plant health monitoring and disease detection. Unlike traditional Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), Transformer-based models excel in capturing long-range dependencies within images, enabling more precise and context-aware predictions. By leveraging large-scale agricultural datasets, these models can learn complex visual patterns associated with various plant diseases.

The research methodology includes data collection from publicly available datasets such as PlantVillage, along with custom-labeled images obtained through drones and mobile devices. The images undergo pre-processing, augmentation, and model training using PyTorch and TensorFlow frameworks. Performance metrics such as accuracy, F1-score, and Intersection over Union (IoU) are used to evaluate the effectiveness of Transformer-based models compared to CNN-based approaches.

Preliminary results indicate that ViTs and Swin Transformers outperform CNNs in detecting plant diseases, demonstrating superior generalization capabilities across different crop types and environmental conditions. This research contributes to the field of precision agriculture by showcasing how AI-driven vision models can revolutionize plant disease management. Future work will focus on Edge AI implementations to enable real-time disease detection on low-power mobile devices and drones. Integrating multimodal data sources, such as hyperspectral imaging and soil health indicators, will further enhance model robustness. The findings emphasize the importance of AI in sustainable agriculture, helping farmers make data-driven decisions and reduce pesticide use while ensuring global food security.

Dietary Dried Orange Pulp as a Functional Feed Ingredient to Improve Broiler Chicken Productivity

Ahmed Readh CHAIB EDDOUR, Lıtım Miloud, Bouderoua Kaddou — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dried orange pulp (DOP), a by-product of the fruit processing industry, is a valuable source of nutrients such as flavonoids, isoflavones, and flavones, with potential applications in animal and poultry nutrition. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of incorporating dried sweet orange by-products (DOP) into broiler diets on growth performance, serum metabolites, and antioxidant status. A total of 200 broiler chicks (15 days old) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. Each treatment included five replicates of 10 birds. The treatments consisted of a control diet (0% DOP) and three experimental diets in which corn was partially replaced with 5%, 10%, or 15% DOP during the grower and finisher periods. Body weight (BW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and carcass characteristics were recorded. Broilers fed increasing levels of DOP exhibited significantly improved FCR compared to the control group (P < 0.05), along with higher BW in the 5%, 10%, and 15% DOP groups (P < 0.05). Eviscerated carcass yield (% of live body weight) was statistically similar across groups (P = 0.057). However, abdominal fat was significantly reduced by 22% in broilers fed 15% DOP (P < 0.001), and liver yield was significantly higher in the 10% and 15% DOP groups compared to the control (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that dietary inclusion of DOP can enhance growth performance and carcass traits in broiler chickens, supporting its potential as a sustainable feed ingredient.

The In vitro Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Cassia, Neem, and Fig Leaf Extracts Against Biofilm-Producing Staphylococcus aureus and Candida Species from Outpatients, Oyo Town, Nigeria

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Biofilm-related infections are difficult to treat due to limited effective management options, posing a significant clinical problem. Eradicating biofilm with antibiotics alone is challenging, highlighting the need for alternative treatments, such as plant extracts. This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of leaf extracts from Cassia, Neem, and Fig against biofilm-producing strains of Candida spp. and Staphylococcus aureus isolated from outpatients with high vaginal swabs (HVS) in Oyo Town, Southwest Nigeria. Isolation of Candida spp. and Staphylococcus aureus was done on Saboraud Dextrose Agar and Mannitol Salt Agar respectively. Candida spp. were identified and characterized using Chrom agar, germ-tube test, and Gram staining while biochemical and coagulase test was used to identify Staphylococcus aureus. Biofilm (tube test and Congo red agar) and antimicrobial assay using agar well diffusion was done on the isolates. Thirty-six (36) Candida spp. (55.56% C. albicans, 21.67% C. krusei, and 2.27% C. glabrata) and thirty-five (35) Gram-positive bacteria (45% S. aureus, 58.3% S. epidermidis and 43.1% Streptococcus spp.) were isolated. Thirty-one (86.11%) Candida spp. and twenty-six (74.29%) S. aureus isolates were positive for both Congo red and test tube tests. Ethanol extract of Cassia had the highest antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus while Candida spp. were only sensitive to ethanol extracts of the three plants. This study recommends that further studies should be carried out to discover the active components of Cassia, Neem, and Fig which can be harnessed for their potential to successfully treat infections caused by biofilm-forming organisms.

Comparative Analysis of Growth Performance and Economic Benefits of West African Dwarf Goat Fed With Diets Incorporation Treated Rice Husk as a Substitute for Wheat Bran

Femi Afolayan — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

ABSTSRACT

The study was conducted to find out effects of treated rice husk as a replacement for wheat bran supplement on the growth performance of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Twenty (20) WAD goats were subjected to five dietary treatments in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four (4) animals per treatment and each serving as a replicate. The treatments are: 0% RH (T1), 25% RH (T2), 50% RH (T3), 75% RH (T4) and 100% RH (T5). The animals were fed 5% of their body weight. The result showed that T2 and T1 are relatively high in crude protein, low in crude fiber, moderate in crude fat and high in carbohydrate. They equally had the lowest values of ADF, ADL and NDF among the treatments. The total weight gain (TWG), average daily weight gain (ADWG), total daily feed intake (TDFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were all significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by the dietary treatments. The goat, T1 had the highest TWG, ADWG and TDFI values among the goats. The goat fed 25% RH replacement level (T2) converted and utilized feed better and had better growth performance comparable to goats fed T1. In conclusion, at 25% level of treated rice husk as replacement of wheat bran gave better growth performance in the goats. The result demonstrated the qualitative benefits and financial returns of using treated rice husk to replace wheat bran diets for WAD goats. Thus, the use of treated rice husk up to 50% in the diet of WAD goats is recommended for appreciable growth performance and better economic benefits.

Key words: Treated rice husk, West African Dwarf goat, weigh gain, feed conversion ratio, feed intake

AI-Assisted Generation of Datasets from Drone Imagery for Green Spaces

ZEKERİYA CAN ERBİL, Nurgül Arısoy — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers revolutionary innovations across various domains and has begun to play a significant role in the planning and management of green spaces. Due to their complex and multifaceted nature, urban green spaces can benefit greatly from AI’s capabilities in data analysis and prediction, resource management, sensor integration, real-time monitoring, remote sensing and image processing, planning and decision support systems, as well as cost optimization. This study focuses on the creation and annotation of visual datasets required for AI applications in landscape architecture. High-resolution images captured at different altitudes using drone technology within a selected green space in Konya (Türkiye) enable the digital classification of vegetated areas. During the data processing and annotation stages, modern labeling and dataset development tools such as Roboflow, Labelbox, and Orange are employed to segment vegetation types (trees, shrubs, groundcovers, etc.) and turfgrass. The resulting annotated datasets are organized into standardized formats suitable for training deep learning algorithms (e.g., YOLOv8, U-Net) and provide a foundation for the advancement of digitization, green space management, and decision support systems in the field of landscape architecture. This study also highlights the technical and methodological challenges encountered during data collection and labeling and discusses how AI-based decision support systems can be integrated into sustainable landscape design processes. The findings aim to contribute to more effective and evidence-based design approaches, particularly in spatial analysis and green space management. Thus, the research demonstrates how data-driven approaches can be used in landscape architecture and provides a reference framework for future modeling and automation studies.

Designing and Creating a New Software Programme for Management in Dairy Farms

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The current work presents the findings regarding creating a new software programme for production and reproduction management in dairy farms. Also, it can be used in the accounting department and the genetic breeding of bovine herds. Advanced programmes such as; Visual Basic and Data Base Access were used in the present work to innovate and design a new software programme named Farm-Key for dairy farm management to keep pace with new high technology in the animal production sector. Eight simulation models were developed to plan and manage several dairy farm practices and facilities, such as; animals, nutrition, reproduction, production, vaccination, marketing, management and map. A decision tree was developed for each simulation model, and then the simulation models were integrated into the relevant decision trees. The new application programme is expected to provide fast development, management and cost-effectiveness for management in dairy farms with perfect security. Therefore, the Farm-Key programme could be a tool that allows users to interact with a database, designed for large amounts of information, whose management requires a rigid structure and rational access and processing.

The Rise of Digital Agriculture and Sustainable Production with Smart Technologies

Zeynep Ünal — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The agricultural sector has reached a critical juncture in its historical development through the process of digitalization. Moving beyond traditional methods, digital agricultural practices are rapidly expanding with the integration of advanced technologies such as sensors, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, unmanned aerial vehicles, and autonomous land systems into production processes. These innovations facilitate real-time data collection, enable precise monitoring of environmental conditions, and support production decisions grounded in scientific analysis. Therefore, digitalization not only increases production efficiency and quality but also contributes to the sustainable use of natural resources. One of the most striking aspects of this transformation is the capacity to develop solutions for anticipated future food security challenges. Under the pressure of increasing populations and climate change, ensuring a predictable, traceable, and resilient agricultural structure has become a global strategic imperative. Digital agriculture enables both economic and environmental sustainability in production through precision farming practices and intelligent decision support systems. This study comprehensively examines the rise of digital agriculture and, in particular, discusses the impact of smart technologies on sustainable production. The findings show that digitalization in agricultural production will play a critical role not only in today's but also in future agricultural policies and strategies.

Digital Soil Mapping Classes in the Oued Righ Region Using a Random Forest Model (Southeastern Algeria)

Samia HELIMI, Hamdi-Aissa Baelhadj, Koull Naima — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Digital Soil Mapping (DSM) using the Random Forest (RF) model within Google Earth Engine (GEE) is an approach that leverages the platform’s computational power and the availability of satellite data to predict and map soil classes. This method can contribute significantly to the sustainable management and valorization of soil resources in arid regions. In this study, DSM was applied to predict soil classes in the Oued Righ region, located in the northern Sahara of Algeria. A total of 334 soil profiles, covering approximately 700,000 hectares, were classified according to the USDA Soil Taxonomy (2014) from the order to the subgroup level.

Twenty environmental covariates with a spatial resolution of 30 meters, representing topography, vegetation, and parent material, were derived from three main sources: topographic attributes (DEM), remote sensing data (Landsat 8), and a geological map. To assess the accuracy and validate the spatial prediction results, Overall Accuracy (OA) and the Kappa index were used. Validation results showed that the OA for the Order, Suborder, Great Group, and Subgroup levels were 90%, 83.02%, 75%, and 65.30%, with corresponding Kappa values of 0.80, 0.73, 0.56, and 0.47, respectively. The Multiresolution Valley Bottom Flatness Index (MrVBF), slope, elevation, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Gypsum Index (Gyps_indx), and Soil Surface Salinity Index (Sali_indx) were among the top covariates used for soil class prediction at all levels of the USDA Soil Taxonomy. In conclusion, the Random Forest machine learning algorithm shows considerable potential for mapping soil classes in arid regions.

Isolation, Characterization and Identification of Rhizobia From Root Nodules of French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Grown in Acid Soils

Md. Imran Khan Imran — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Isolation, Characterization and Identification of Rhizobia From Root Nodules of French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Grown in Acid Soils

Md. Abul Kashem¹, Khadeza Yasmin¹, Israt Jahan¹, Md. Imran Khan^1* and Saima Sadia Jui²

Department of Soil Science, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh
Department of Plant Pathology and Seed Science, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh

*Corresponding author: imrankhan.ag@student.sau.ac.bd

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted and repeated for two years in the field of the Department of Soil Science, Sylhet Agricultural University. Six treatments, viz. T₀ = Control (without Rhizobium inoculum) + Recommended Fertilizer (RF), T₁= R. inoculum 15 g/kg seed + RF, T₂ = R. inoculum 30 g/kg seed + RF, T₃= R. inoculum 45 g/kg seed + RF, T₄ = R. inoculum 60 /kg seed + RF and T₅ = R. inoculum 75 g/kg seed + RF were used following CRD with four replications. Lime application was done @ 2 t/ha. The local variety of french bean was used. Data were collected on nodule formation at the flowering stage of french bean. In addition, plant height, leaves, biomass, pod number, length and weight, seed number and weight at harvest during second year. The results showed that nodules were found in all treatments except the control treatment in first year. The Rhizobium bacteria were isolated from effective nodules grown on YEMA medium, showed white translucent, irregular in shape, with smooth surface, mucous producing, circular, convex, raised elevations, glister and non-motile colonies. The strains were found to be fast-growing. The range of colony size was 2-3.5 mm. The identification of isolated pure cultures through colony morphology analysis and biochemical properties includes gram staining (negative), bromothymol blue test (acid producing) and mannitol salt agar (positive). The second-year experiment showed that the plant height (41.97 cm), leaves (32.25 plant^-1), and biomass (60.44 plant^-1) were the highest in T₄ treatment. Additionally, the highest pods (60.44 plant^-1), pods weight (28.54 g pod^-1) and length (11.60 cm), seeds number (4.75 pod^-1) and weight (8.02 g pod^-1), effective nodules (109.25 plant^-1) were observed in T₄ treatment.

Keywords: French bean, Nodules, Rhizobium inoculum, and YEMA media.

The Causes and Effects of Climate Change on Decreasing Food Production in Africa

Maliha Afreen, Prof. Dr. İlknur UÇAK, Assoc. Prof. Dr. M. Cüneyt BAĞDATLI — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Climate change becomes a major issue universally because of global warming which both are interchangeable. Global warming occurs because of pollution, deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions leading to climate change like higher temperatures, drought, floods and changing rain fall patterns. In this article we discussed about causes of climate change in Africa and their effects on food production in African countries. Extreme droughts lead towards the drying up of soil, which is not a suitable condition for agricultural crops, consequently it becomes a major reason for food insecurity. Higher temperatures create more pests’ diseases in crops and livestock which also leads towards food insecurities because of loss in crops and livestock. These natural food losses also affect rural livelihoods. Fisheries also effected because of rising sea level temperatures and floods which is also a major factor of food insecurity in African region. Many waters borne diseases also spread into foods and humans due to floods which cause disturbance of food chain and human capacity to get enough nutrients from available foods. Consequently, there should be proper management of climate changes and food availability on government level to overcome the problems of food insecurity.

Derin Öğrenme Tabanlı Bitki Hastalıkları Tespit ve Tahmin Sistemi: PlantVillage Veri Seti ile Uygulama

Betül DEMİR, Yeşim DOKUZ, Burak Şen, Abdurrahman Aksoy — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Bitki hastalıkları tarımsal üretkenliğe yönelik en önemli tehditler arasında yer almakta ve küresel gıda güvenliği için ciddi riskler oluşturmaktadır. Geleneksel hastalık teşhis yöntemleri zaman alıcı, maliyetli ve insan hatasına açıktır; bu da onları büyük ölçekli tarımsal uygulamalar için yetersiz kılmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, bitki hastalıklarının otomatik ve yüksek doğrulukta tespiti için derin öğrenme tabanlı bir yaklaşım geliştirilmiştir. PlantVillage veri setinden elde edilen kapsamlı, etiketli ve yüksek kaliteli görüntüler kullanılarak özel bir Evrişimli Sinir Ağı (CNN) modeli tasarlanmış ve 9 farklı bitki türünde 29 sınıfta çok sınıflı sınıflandırma gerçekleştirilmiştir. Veri setinde gözlemlenen sınıf dengesizliği sorununu azaltmak için veri artırma gibi çeşitli dengeleme teknikleri uygulanmıştır. Aşırı uyumu önlemek için bırakma, erken durdurma ve model kontrol noktası gibi düzenleme yöntemleri kullanılmıştır. Eğitim süreci boyunca model performansı doğruluk, kesinlik ve geri çağırma gibi ölçütler kullanılarak yakından izlenmiş ve grafiksel gösterimlerle görselleştirilmiştir. Sonuçlar, önerilen yaklaşımın genel doğruluk ve azınlık sınıflarını tanıma açısından başarılı bir şekilde performans gösterdiğini göstermektedir. Geliştirilen sistemin gelecekte insansız hava araçlarına veya gömülü sistemlere entegre edilebileceği ve geniş tarım alanlarında gerçek zamanlı hastalık takibi ve erken müdahaleye olanak sağlayacağı öngörülmektedir. Bu bağlamda, çalışma sürdürülebilir ve akıllı tarım uygulamalarına katkıda bulunmayı amaçlamaktadır.

Phyto-fabricated Selenium Nanoparticles from Corchorus olitorius leaf Extract: Antioxidant and Antibacterial properties

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Corchorus olitorius is a vegetable that is highly medicinal, rich in antioxidant properties and can be used for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Selenium is essential in the diet of humans, mammals and every other forms of life. This study is aimed at investigating the potential of C. olitorius for the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and their antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Selenium nanoparticles was phytosynthesized using C. olitorius leaf extract and characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscope, Transmission Electron Microscope, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Fourier Transform Infra-red spectroscopy. Antioxidant activity of synthesized Selenium nanoparticles was done using (DPPH). Agar well diffusion method was used for the antimicrobial assay. Synthesis of SeNPs using C. olitorius (CO-SeNPs) was characterized by a strong plasmon resonance peak at 350 nm and had a broad band between 250 - 450 nm. The CO-SeNPs were spherical in shape with uniform sizes ranging from 50 – 100 nm. EDX analysis shows that selenium has the strongest signal and potassium was the weakest. Sharp peaks were observed in the XRD analysis indicating the formation of crystalline SeNPs. Hydroxyl, amine, thiol, and alkene were present which may be responsible for the efficient stabilization and bioreduction of SeNPs. The CO-SeNPs exhibited potent antioxidant activity ranging from 20.28% at 50ug/ml to 66.53% at 250ug/ml. Antimicrobial activity of CO-SeNPs ranged from 14±0.45 - 23±0.56 mm. Pyhto- synthesis of selenium nanoparticles from C. olitorius is a promising method in the biomedical field, due to its high bioactive components.

ehalmal.com: An Innovative Model in Digital Agriculture Transformation and Its Effects on the Agricultural Economy

Murat İnan — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This article examines ehalmal.com, founded in 2018 based on more than 15 years of practical commercial
experience, as an innovative business model for the digital transformation of the agricultural sector. Focusing on
inefficiencies in the traditional supply chain, the platform has created a digital ecosystem that directly connects
producers with consumers. The research analyzes the multidimensional impacts of ehalmal.com on agricultural
economics. The findings reveal that the platform enhances market efficiency, increases producers’ profit margins,
and supports rural development. Through transparent pricing and data analytics, information asymmetry is
eliminated, ensuring a fair marketplace for all stakeholders. As a success story in digital marketing and
entrepreneurship, ehalmal.com demonstrates that new business models and economic values can be generated in
the agricultural sector. The model offered by the platform serves not only as a commercial success but also as a
prototype that sheds light on the future of agricultural production. This study argues that ehalmal.com constitutes
a model for digital agricultural marketing and economic development. The congress presentation will open a
discussion on the details of this model and its future potential.

Key Words: Digital agriculture, E-commerce, Supply chain, Rural development, Agricultural economics,
Entrepreneurship

Isolation and identification of Citrobacter freundii from diseased Macrobrachium nipponense

sheham guma ibrahim — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

ABSTRACT

Macrobrachium nipponense one of the most freshwater in world. but face may problem in farm. Out breaks of mass mortalities occurred in Macrobrachium nipponense farms in Jintan county, china. The bacterial isolates from M. nipponense show the same phenotypic traits and biochemical characteristics, and were identified as Citrobacter freundii according to biochemical characteristics and molecular identification. The infection test revealed that the strain YG2 was pathogenic to M. nipponense, and the half lethal dose (LD50) was 3.35 × 105 CFU/mL at 7d post-infection. Detection of virulence genes indicated that YG2 was positive for ompX, and LDH,cfa, ureG, ureF, ureE, ureD, viaB.

Furthermore, the results of extracellular enzyme analysisdetect that the strain can produce protease, urease, amylase, lecithin, and hemolysin. Antibiotic resistance results showed that the isolate was resistant to ampicillin, cefazolin, cephalothin, cefoxitin, aboren, doxycycline, neomycin, and penicillin.

This research provides a theoretical basis for a better understanding of the pathogenicity and resistance, which might contribute to the prevention of C. freundii in the future.

Keywords: Citrobacter freundii, pathogenicity, Macrobrachium nipponense, antibiotics resistance

Strawberry Cultivation Using Smart Systems

İlbilge OĞUZ, Halil İbrahim OĞUZ, Osman GÖKDOĞAN, Nesibe Ebru KAFKAS — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In countries with advanced precision agriculture, IoT-supported monitoring and irrigation systems are widely used in strawberry cultivation. These systems monitor soil moisture, temperature, and humidity, offering remote access via ThingSpeak. Measurement reliability is validated with commercial meters, and user acceptance is high (over 80%) based on TAM surveys and interviews. Cloud-based systems, specifically Farm as a Service (FaaS) integrated systems, have been developed for comprehensive plant disease analysis and accurate prediction. These systems manage IoT devices, collect environmental and growth data, and perform analyses. The IoT-Hub network model ensures reliable data transfer even in harsh environments. This integration promotes widespread technology adoption in agriculture, enabling disease monitoring and prediction for strawberries, which fosters nature-friendly production. The need to preserve the quality of delicate strawberries drives farmers selling directly to consumers to adopt smart systems for product quality and health control. This has led to increased use of cloud-based smart irrigation and automation systems. In greenhouse strawberry cultivation, a new system uses an Arduino microcontroller, GSM module, and sensors to continuously monitor the environment and soil moisture. Users can control parameters via SMS, receiving notifications and activating the water pump when levels are exceeded. These systems provide effective remote greenhouse management. The study aims to enhance strawberry production efficiency, quality, and sustainability, optimize resource use, reduce costs through smart irrigation and climate control, and establish an environmentally friendly, data-driven production model.

Investigation of Germination and Initial Development Periods of Sorghum (Sorghum Vulgare L.) Seeds with Different Pretreatments under Controlled Conditions

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The study aimed to investigate germination criteria and seedling development by applying five different pretreatments to sorghum seeds: PEG (20%), Mannitol (6%), Sorbitol (10%), distilled water, and a control. The study was conducted in 2023 at the laboratory of the Field Crops Department of the Faculty of Agriculture at Ankara University, using a randomized plot design with four replications. After soaking the seeds in the treatment media for 24 hours, they were dried on blotting paper for another 24 hours and allowed to germinate under controlled conditions. Germination rate and strength, shoot and radicle length, shoot fresh and dry weight, and radicle fresh and dry weight of the seeds monitored under laboratory conditions were recorded. It was noted that the characteristics examined in the germination of millet seeds under controlled laboratory conditions produced significant differences in terms of priming treatment. According to laboratory results, it was determined that primed seeds showed a more significant increase in germination speed and germination power compared to the control, and that PEG 20% and distilled water applications had a positive effect on the examined traits.

The Effect of Climate Change and Global Warming on Animal Welfare in Pakistan

Maliha Afreen, Prof. Dr. İlknur UÇAK, Assoc. Prof. Dr. M. Cüneyt BAĞDATLI — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Pakistan is an agricultural country and its economy especially in rural areas mostly depends on the agriculture production including livestock sector output. Livestock provides food security in both urban and rural and urban areas and helps to reduce poverty by selling animals and their food products. However, because Pakistan has a tropical climate, so it is more affected by climate change. This climate change directly or indirectly affects the Livestock sector. In this article we discuss how livestock is an important sector in terms of food security and economically beneficial in Pakistan. These climate change factors involve water scarcity, heat stress, drought stress and floods which can decrease the livestock production. Livestock products include milk, butter, meat and eggs will also decrease automatically which leads to the loss of food security. Climate change also can cause many diseases and mortalities in animals which leads to great economy loss for rural families in Pakistan. It also affects the feed sources of livestock like deficiency in grass nutrient level and loss of vitamins and minerals in crops productivity and quality. There should be proper management and strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change and to increase livestock production in Pakistan.

Expression analysis of Nickel responsive genes in sunflower under stress conditions

Mahmood-ur Rahman — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Heavy metal contaminated soils reduce the production and quality of crop plants. This situation is getting worsened with increasing population and food demand across the world. Many countries including Pakistan face severe environmental problems in most of the agricultural land areas. These severe environmental problems/heavy metal contaminations especially nickel (Ni) adversely affect the sunflower by reducing the yield of the plant substantially. The counterbalancing toxicity due to Ni requires complex mechanisms at molecular, biochemical, physiological, cellular, tissue, and whole plant level, which might manifest in terms of improved crop productivity. Different plant varieties possess variable tolerance to the stress conditions. One of the major adaptations to tolerate the Ni toxicity is enhanced production of anti-oxidant enzymes and the elevated expression of Ni responsive genes in plants. In this study, the expression of metal transporter genes was studied under Ni stress in sunflower. The sunflower plants were grown in pots having 10 Kg of soil each. There were four treatments (0, 50, 100, 200ppm) of Ni doses where 0 is control having no Ni. The experiment was conducted in triplicate using CRD. Total RNA was isolated from leaves at 28 days old plants. First strand cDNA was synthesized and expression of NRAMP1 and NRAMP3 genes was studied using Real Time PCR. The results indicated the up-regulation of NRAMP1 and NRAMP3 genes. This study may help to evaluate the role of NRAMP transporter genes in Ni toxicity tolerance in sunflower.

Food Safety Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices among Employees : A case study at food court of Kandy City Centre, Sri Lanka.

Upeksha Ranasiinghe — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Improper food handling is a major cause of food contamination, which can pose serious health risks. To prevent such contamination, food handlers must possess adequate knowledge, demonstrate a positive attitude, and consistently practice proper food handling techniques. This study aimed to evaluate the food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices of employees working in the food court of Kandy City Centre, as well as to identify the factors influencing these aspects. Data were collected from 50 food handlers involved in the preparation, serving, and sale of readymade food between June 2023 and September 2023. A questionnaire was used to gather information on socio-demographic variables, food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices through interviews. The majority of respondents (61.5%) were under 25 years of age, and 75% were male. Almost all food handlers were aware of critical sanitary practices, such as personal hygiene (100%) and hand washing (98%). The study found that most participants (90.4%) had received basic food safety training, and 84.6% had undergone Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) training. The average percentages for food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices were 77%, 82.2%, and 87%, respectively. While the study showed that food handlers generally have satisfactory knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding food safety, some areas, particularly cross-contamination and time/temperature control, require further emphasis. The study recommends continuous food safety training to reinforce the weaker areas, with a focus not only on theoretical knowledge but also on practical skills and the promotion of positive attitudes towards food safety.

Key Words: Food Handling, Cross-Contamination, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point, Training, Practical Skills

Dijital Teknolojiler ile Entegre Edilmiş Akıllı Kurutma Sistemleri: Yeni Nesil Uygulamalar

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Foods spoil very quickly due to external factors and cannot be completely consumed during the season when they are abundant. For this reason, many methods have been developed to preserve foods for long periods of time. Among these methods, the oldest and most economical is drying. The drying process slows down microbial activity and chemical reactions by removing water from the food. Traditional sun drying is not applicable in all regions and is also limited in terms of hygiene. For this reason, artificial drying systems operating under controlled conditions have been developed. Modern drying techniques offer higher quality and more durable products compared to natural methods. This study examines the drying methods used in the food industry and the basic characteristics of these systems.

Bridging the Digital Divide: An Assessment of Agricultural Extension Personnel’s Usage of Digital Technology in Ondo State, Nigeria

T. F. Ojo, B. F. Balogun — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

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Title Challenges and Safety Considerations in the Adoption of Autonomous Agricultural Vehicles

Farzaneh khorsandi, Salah Issa, Serap Gorucu — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Agriculture remains one of the most hazardous industries in the United States. In addition to a high rate of injuries and fatalities, the sector faces an ongoing labor shortage and growing pressure to adopt piece-rate payment systems, further increasing risks for workers. To address these challenges, the industry is rapidly turning to digital agriculture and autonomous vehicles. However, the implementation of new technologies often outpaces the development of corresponding safety regulations and standards. This raises new concerns regarding the safety and health of workers working around these vehicles.

Existing international guidelines—such as ISO 18497, ISO 25119 (functional safety), Australia’s Code of Practice for Autonomous Agricultural Machinery, the UK’s BS 8646:2023, and the European Union’s Regulation (EU) 2023/1230—represent important steps forward. Still, they often remain too general and fail to address the practical risks associated with specific types of machines or tasks in agricultural environments.

This presentation highlights current gaps and challenges in worker safety during the deployment of autonomous agricultural vehicles. It emphasizes the urgent need for targeted safety research and development of practical standards to ensure the well-being of those working alongside advanced technologies in agriculture.

The Effect of Climate Change on Chickens

FATMA YENİLMEZ — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Climate change has significant effects on poultry, just as it does on all living beings. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events negatively effects the health, productivity, and welfare of chickens. High temperatures induce heat stress in poultry, reducing feed consumption and growth rates while leading to a decrease in egg production. The weakening of the immune system increases their susceptibility to diseases. Climate change also affects the spread of pathogens and parasites, further raising disease risks.

The rise in temperatures and the decrease in rainfall contribute to water scarcity and a decline in feed crop production, leading to higher feed costs, which constitute a major portion of poultry production expenses and economic losses.

To mitigate these negative effects, developing and breeding heat-resistant chicken hybrids will be crucial in reducing the physiological impacts of high temperatures. Poultry farmers must also enhance the use of ventilation and cooling systems in their henhouses to combat heat stress. Additionally, the cultivation of climate-resilient feed crops and the efficient management of water resources are essential for the sector's sustainability.

Consequently, developing adaptation strategies based on scientific research and strengthening collaboration between producers and government policy makers are critical for the future of the poultry industry.

Evaluation of Microbiological Quality of Minced Beef Meat Coated with Chitosan Containing Garlic Esential Oil during Refrigerated Storage

Maliha Afreen, İlknur UÇAK — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The human population needs high requirements of protein which could get from red meat including mutton and beef. Beef meat is more inclined to spoilage because of high water content, suitable substrate for microbial growth. Beef meat can be preserved to enhance their shelf life by using naturally derived preservatives like chitosan and essential oils in forming edible coatings. In this study we used chitosan coating with garlic essential oil emulsion to inhibit bacterial growth in minced beef meat. We divided minced beef meat into three groups, one with chitosan coating supplemented with 0.5% garlic essential oil (G0.5) and second with chitosan coating supplemented with 1% garlic essential oil (G1) and third group with chitosan coating is control group (C). After microbiological analysis it was found that the initial total psychrophilic bacteria count was 1.91log CFU/g in beef meat which increased to 7.04 log CFU/g in C group while 5.99 log CFU/g and 5.24 log CFU/g in G0.5 and G1 respectively at the end of storage. Total mesophilic bacteria count was 2.27log CFU/g at the beginning of storage which increased to 7.33, 6.07 and 5.44 log CFU/g in C, G0.5 and G1 respectively at the end of the storage. Similarly Total Enterobacteriaceae count was found to be 1.59 log CFU/g at the beginning of the storage, which increased to 4.77, 3.78 and 3.26 log CFU/g in the C, G0.5 and G1 respectively. These results presented that G1 has less bacterial growth overall which proves that 1% garlic essential oil with chitosan coating could be good for decreasing bacterial growth in minced beef meat products for long time preservation.

AI Agents Implementing AI Agents for Strategic Transformation in Agriculture

Zeynel Cebeci — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This paper focuses on the application of Artificial Intelligence agents (AI agents) in smart farming, highlighting their potential to drive strategic transformation across agricultural prodction systems. It introduces a general framework for AI agent implementation, emphasizing a problem-specific design that integrates wearable IoT sensors, computer vision, and cloud-based analytics to enable data-driven decision-making. A detailed case study on estrus detection in dairy cows demonstrates this framework in practice. For this task, a traditional Random Forest (RF) model and a Reinforcement Learning (RL)-based Q-learning agent were employed and compared on simulated data. While the overall accuracy metrics of both models were very similar, the RF model demonstrated higher potential by prioritizing the correct classification of non-estrus cases. In contrast, the RL agent delivered a more balanced and practically successful approach in the simulated environment. The RL agent's success is attributed to a carefully designed reward structure that effectively balances detection sensitivity with the need to minimize operational costs from false alarms. Our findings from simulated data once again validate the transformative potential of AI agents in addressing critical agricultural challenges, from reproductive management to resource optimization. The study also emphasizes the importance of ethical design, farmer-centric interfaces, and scalable deployment strategies for real-world applications.

Effects of Sucrose and Some Cryoprotectants on Post-Thaw Sperm Quality (Spermatozoa Motility) and Fertilization of the Mesopotamian Catfish (S. triostegus, H. 1843)

Zafer DOĞU, Ahmet İlker MERMER — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Effects of Sucrose and some Cryoprotectants on Post-Thaw Sperm Quality (Spermatozoa Motility) and Fertilization of the Mesopotamian Catfish (S. triostegus, H. 1843)

Ahmet İlker Mermer¹, Zafer Doğu²

¹Şanlıurfa Agriculture and Forestry Provincial Directorate, İmambakır M., 702nd S. No: 6, Haliliye/Şanlıurfa, TÜRKİYE
²Department of Aquaculture, Bozova Vocational School, Harran University, 63850, Bozova, Şanlıurfa, TÜRKİYE

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cryoprotectants such as sucrose and Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Methanol, and Methylglycol, along with a glucose diluent, on the post-thaw spermatozoa motility and fertilization of Silurus triostegus larvae in the Atatürk Dam Lake. The 4-5 year old S. triostegus used in the study were caught from the Atatürk Dam Lake in Şanlıurfa province. Post mortem, the examinations of sperm samples taken from S. triostegus through abdominal massage were conducted in the laboratories of the Fisheries Department at Harran University Bozova Vocational School. After the examination, those with 80% and above motility and spermatozoa density of 9.00-14.00 X 10⁹/ml were selected. Sperms were diluted at a ratio of 1/3 with a glucose sperm diluent containing 5% Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Methanol, or Methylglycol as one of the cryoprotectants, and 50 mM sucrose, 20% egg yolk, and 0.3 M glucose at 4 ºC. The control group sperm diluent used was a glucose sperm diluent containing 10% DMSO, Methanol, or Methylglycol, 50 mM sucrose, 20% egg yolk, and 0.3 M glucose. After the sperm was diluted, it was subjected to equilibration at 4 °C for 10 minutes. After being frozen in liquid nitrogen vapor for 12 minutes, it was stored in liquid nitrogen (-196 °C). After thawing, the spermatozoa motility rate was highest in the DMSO group at 30.00±3.51% (P<0.05). The highest fertilization rate was also found in the DMSO+Sucrose group (20.33±1.52) (P<0.05). In the sucrose control group, fertilized eggs (% 0.0±0.00) could not be detected. The study findings indicate that the glucose sperm diluent containing 5% DMSO and 50 mM sucrose is suitable for spermatozoa motility and fertility in S. triostegus after dissolution.

Key Words: Silurus triostegus, Sperm, Freezing, Sucrose, Cryoprotectant

*: This study is a part of the master's thesis titled " Effects of Sucrose Added to Diluent In Cryopreservation of Mesopotamian Catfish (S. triostegus, H. 1843) Semen Quality After Thawing " by the first author.

Harnessing Digital Agriculture for Food Science Innovation: A Review of Emerging Tools for Postharvest Quality, Safety, and Nutrition Enhancement

Chukwudi Ernest Ogbete, Miriam Ahunna Ofoeze — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Digital agriculture is transforming food systems by integrating advanced technologies into crop production, postharvest handling, and food processing. While significant progress has been made in precision farming, applying digital tools to enhance food science outcomes, particularly in postharvest quality, safety, and nutrition, remains less explored. This review looks at how emerging digital agriculture technologies such as Internet of Things sensors, near-infrared spectroscopy, artificial intelligence, and blockchain are shaping the future of food science. It emphasizes their roles in enhancing raw material quality, reducing postharvest losses, improving traceability, and enabling real-time monitoring of nutrient retention and food safety indicators. Case examples from root and tuber crops like cassava and sweet potato demonstrate potential applications in resource-limited settings. This paper also discusses how these tools can support functional food development and quality assurance during storage and processing. Key gaps in knowledge, technology access, and interdisciplinary integration are highlighted, along with recommendations for research, capacity building, and policy support. By establishing practical connections between digital agriculture and food science, this review aims to foster cross-sector innovation and guide efforts toward more sustainable and nutritious food systems.

Smart Harvests: Deep Learning and the Future of Agriculture

Yonis Gulzar — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Agriculture stands at the crossroads of tradition and technology. As the global demand for food continues to rise, deep learning is emerging as a transformative force capable of reshaping how we cultivate, process, and consume agricultural products. The keynote Smart Harvests: Deep Learning and the Future of Agriculture explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and agriculture, with a focus on fruit classification as a gateway application. Advances in data augmentation, transfer learning, and lightweight architectures have enabled deep learning models to achieve unprecedented accuracy in real-time classification, supporting smarter quality control, sustainable farming, and global food security. However, challenges remain - including limited datasets, computational costs, and model generalization - highlighting the need for human-AI collaboration, interpretable systems, and scalable deployment in the field. By bridging research insights with practical applications, the keynote demonstrates how deep learning can drive a new era of “smart harvests,” ensuring efficiency, resilience, and sustainability in agriculture.

Effect of Microwave oven Drying on some Nutritional and Anti-nutritional Content of Pretreated Paw-paw (Carica Papaya) Pulp Using Response Surface Methodology

ELIJAH GEORGE IKRANG, Prof Folarin Akindele Alonge, Mfrekemfon Godswill Akpan — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of pretreatment and microwave oven drying on the nutritional and anti-nutritional content of Paw-paw (Carica papaya) pulp using response surface methodology (RSM). The response surface method used had 3 factors at 2 levels with full factorial central composite design used for the design matrix. The independent variables(factors) were Blanching Time (BTime), Ultrasound Time (UTime) and Ultrasound Energy (UEnergy). The Pawpaw fruit (Carica papaya) samples were purchased from Itam Market, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The samples were washed with clean water thoroughly removing all dirts and placed on a flat clean kitchen plastic tray and peeled vertically. After peeling, the pawpaw fruit was sliced into two halves vertically to enable the removal of dark brown seeds. The sample were then cut into 4mm to 6mm.thickness and 5mm x 6mm size in preparation for pretreatment and microwave oven drying. The thickness was 3mm. The pretreatment followed the outlined design matrix and thereafter was dried in a microwave oven. The drying temperature for Microwave Oven was 60⁰C and pretreatment blanching temperature was 90⁰C. The pawpaw slices were dried and monitored for every 30minutes till the moisture content was at equilibrium with the environment. The average sample weight for each of the 15 (fifteen) experimental runs were 50g. The response variable considered in the study were nutrient - Vitamin-C, Carotene; Minerals; Iron, Potassium and Anti-nutrients- Phytate and Oxalate content of the pulp. It was observed that the fresh paw-paw pulp had the following composition: Vitamin-C; 105mg/ml; Carotene; 43.90mg/ml, Iron; 0.36mg/ml, Potassium; 167mg/ml, Phytate; 0.95mg/ml and Oxalate; 0.38mg/ml. The dried pretreated paw-paw pulp had the following nutritional and anti-nutritional composition; Vitamin-C; a range of 112.73mg/ml to 118.12mg/ml, Carotene; a range of 50.28 to 50.45mg/ml, Iron; a range of 0.48mg/ml to 0.61mg/ml, Potassium; a range of 177.75mg/ml to 183.27mg/ml, Oxalate; a range of 0.27mg/ml to 0.53mg/ml and Phytate; a range of 0.89mg/ml to 1.31mg/ml. It was observed that the dried samples nutrient and anti-nutrients content increased as compared to the fresh samples.

Tarımda Dijital Teknolojiler Ve Kullanımının Önemi

Zeki Bayramoğlu — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This paper provides a comprehensive assessment of the growing importance of digital agriculture in the face of increasing climatic, economic, and social pressures on global food systems. Population growth, climate change, rising input costs, water scarcity, and structural constraints in agricultural enterprises undermine the sustainability of traditional production models. In this context, digital agriculture represents a new production paradigm based on technologies such as sensors, satellite and drone-based monitoring, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and blockchain. Digital technologies are classified into low, medium, and high levels, and their effects on productivity, water use efficiency, input savings, product quality, traceability, environmental performance, and farm income are discussed using global evidence. The study further offers policy recommendations for Türkiye, focusing on digital infrastructure, smart irrigation, data integration, AI-driven decision support, sensor-based livestock systems, blockchain-enabled traceability, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. Overall, the findings indicate that digital agriculture is not merely an option but a strategic necessity for enhancing resilience, food security, and sustainable agricultural production.

Comparative Analysis of Traditional and AI-Assisted Visualization Techniques in Interior and Exterior Design

ZEKERİYA CAN ERBİL, Ali AKÇAOVA — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to establish a common ground between the disciplines of landscape architecture and interior architecture by evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of AI-assisted visualization techniques in comparison to traditional visualization methods. Within the scope of the study, a previously completed landscape design project and an interior design project will be selected; these projects will be re-visualized using both traditional methods (such as hand drawing, CAD, 3D rendering, etc.) and AI-supported visualization tools (e.g., Midjourney, DALL·E). The use of visualization tools will be limited to the five applications most preferred by the survey participants.

The resulting visuals will be compared based on criteria such as aesthetic value, realism, perception of scale, and material expression. These visuals will then be presented to three different user groups (expert academics, private sector professionals, and undergraduate students trained in design), and qualitative and quantitative data will be collected using a 5-point Likert scale method. Based on the feedback from participants, the potential use, perceived value, and limitations of AI tools in the design process will be discussed.

This study aims to reveal the impact of AI-assisted visualization tools on the design process from an interdisciplinary perspective. The level of success of AI-generated visuals in terms of aesthetic value, realism, perception of scale, and material expression will be analyzed based on evaluations from different user groups, and the strengths and limitations of these tools will be identified. In addition, by comparing these outputs with those produced using traditional methods, the study aims to generate insights into how AI tools can play a complementary role in design education, professional practice, and creative processes. Ultimately, the findings of this research are expected to lead to recommendations on how AI-based visualization tools can be used more efficiently and consciously within design disciplines such as landscape architecture and interior architecture.

Mr Perceptions and Effectiveness of Mobile Technology Among Extension Workers in Kwara State: Implications for Digital Extension Delivery in Nigeria.

olumuyiwa akin Olaniyi — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigated the perceptions and effectiveness of mobile technology among Extension workers in Kwara State, Nigeria. Using purposive sampling, sixty-seven Extension workers were selected for the study. Primary data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency counts, means, and charts). The Kruskal-Wallis test was employed to examine the formulated hypotheses.

The results revealed that mobile phones were predominantly used for scheduling meetings with farmers to facilitate agricultural information dissemination (Mean = 2.79), exchanging SMS with researchers and farmers regarding pertinent agricultural practices (Mean = 2.79), and submitting daily activity reports to supervisors (Mean = 2.73). Mobile technology was mostly effective for scheduling farmers’ meetings (Mean = 2.75), SMS communication on agricultural matters (Mean = 2.52), and accessing diverse information such as weather updates and market prices (Mean = 2.51). The identified constraints to effective mobile technology usage included limited network coverage (WMS = 2.52), irregular electricity supply for device charging (WMS = 2.48), and absence of institutional policies regulating mobile phone use within extension service delivery (WMS = 2.45). The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed no significant differences in effectiveness of mobile phone (χ² = 0.563; p > 0.05) or extent of usage (χ² = 0.327; p > 0.05) across zones. Conversely, perceptions differed significantly among zones (χ² = 6.453; p < 0.05). It is recommended that extension institutions implement targeted training and workshops in zones exhibiting lower perception scores to bridge the skills gap and enhance mobile technology adoption for effective extension service delivery.

Key Words: , , Digitalization, Perception.

Changes in Blood Parameters from Birth to Weaning in Male and Female Holstein Calves

ERCAN MEVLİYAOĞULLARI, Sena Doğan, Serap Göncü — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In this study, changes in biochemical parameters of Holstein calves at birth and weaning periods were examined. The average AST values at birth and weaning were 86.48 U/L and 94.44 U/L, respectively, showing a slight increase in enzyme levels. GGT levels were 32.62 U/L at birth and 25.70 U/L at weaning, indicating stabilization of liver functions compared to birth. Cholesterol (KOL) averages showed a slight increase from 150.55 mg/dL at birth to 155.70 mg/dL at weaning. Glucose (GLU) levels decreased from 56.88 mg/dL at birth to 38.60 mg/dL at weaning, reflecting changes in energy metabolism. Calcium (Ca) levels were 11.10 mg/dL at birth and 10.89 mg/dL at weaning, while phosphorus (P) levels were measured as 8.82 mg/dL at birth and 8.39 mg/dL at weaning. Magnesium (Mg) averages decreased from 2.68 mg/dL at birth to 2.31 mg/dL at weaning. Total protein (TP) values were 8.03 g/dL at birth and 7.23 g/dL at weaning; albumin (ALB) remained stable at 3.47 g/dL at both periods. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were 10.56 mg/dL at birth and 10.43 mg/dL at weaning, showing stability. These averages indicate physiological changes in some biochemical values in Holstein calves as they age.

Assessing the Labor Dynamics, Market Demand, and Strategic Challenges in Domestic Tea Industry: (A Case of Central Sri Lanka)

Upeksha Ranasiinghe — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The tea industry is a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s economy, and its domestic market faces unique challenges and opportunities for growth. This study investigates the dynamics of labor, financial, and strategic factors affecting tea brand marketing within Sri Lanka's Kadugannawa region, located in the Central Province. The research focuses on the key challenges, including labor shortages, financial constraints, market competition, and strategic inefficiencies, which hinder the growth of local tea brands. In addition, the study highlights significant opportunities for growth, such as rising domestic demand, the adoption of more effective marketing strategies, and product diversification. Through a case study approach, this research provides a detailed analysis of the factors influencing the local tea market and offers recommendations for stakeholders to optimize marketing efforts, improve brand positioning, and enhance overall market performance. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the evolving dynamics of the tea industry in Sri Lanka and propose strategies for leveraging existing opportunities to strengthen the domestic market presence of Sri Lankan tea brands.

Key words: Financial constraints, Market competition, Marketing strategies, Product diversification, Brand positioning.

TUN Horticultural performance and functional quality traits of four hot pepper landraces from Tunisia

Marwa Chouikhi, Riadh Ilahy, Imen Tlili, Thouraya R’him — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Worldwide pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is considered one of the most important vegetable crops grown and consumed. We have comprehensively assessed the horticultural performance and the functional quality traits of four hot pepper genotypes adapted to various climatic conditions in Tunisia comprising of ‘Semmane’ ‘Jerid’, ‘Mahdia’ and ‘Kairouan’. Most of the pepper genotypes showed satisfactory yields ranging from 1163.25 to 1841.67 g plant^-1 in ‘Jerid’ and ‘Kairouan’ respectively underlying a good productivity particularly under the ongoing climatic changes and high temperature. Capsaicinoids, carotenoids and tocopherols contents varied significantly among the studied pepper genotypes (P≤0.05). Capsaicinoids content ranged from 1.81 µg g^-1 FW in ‘Kairouan’ to 193.71 µg g^-1 FW in ‘Jerid’. ‘Semmane’ exhibited the highest value of carotenoids content (174.52 µg g^-1 FW). Finally, the highest tocopherols content was recorded to ‘Jerid’ (31.24 µg g^-1 FW). Although other traits were not considered in this study, the hot pepper genotype ‘Semmane’ exhibited the highest value of carotenoids content and might be suitable to grow for fresh and/or processing purposes or to be considered as starting point for future breeding programs targeting the development of new cultivars for the next decade.

Impact of Moringa oleifera Leaf Polysaccharide on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Indices and Immune Functions in Broiler Chickens

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Moringa oleifera (MO) is a versatile non-traditional feed supplement rich in bioactive compounds. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of MO leaf (MOL) polysaccharide (MOLP) intake on broiler chicken production and immune function. A polysaccharide with a molecular weight of 182.989 kDa was isolated from MOL in a previous study. Broiler chickens were allocated at random into four groups receiving varying doses of MOLP (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 g/kg feed) for three weeks. Feed intake (FI), average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and body weight gain (BWG) were monitored. Serological markers, including total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLO), albumin-to-globulin ratio (ALB/GLO), creatinine (CREA) were assessed. ELISA was used to measure immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) mRNA expression. Results from days 21 to 28 demonstrated that the high dose of MOLP significantly enhanced BWG, ADFI, liver, and bursa indices compared to the control group. Additionally, blood biochemical analysis such as TP and GLO levels were elevated (p < 0.05). All MOLP treatments increased serum IgG concentrations and IL-2 expression (p < 0.01). In conclusion, MOLP supplementation positively impacted broiler chicken growth performance and immune response, suggesting its potential as a valuable feed additive.

Toward Sustainable Poultry Nutrition: A Review of Agricultural By-Product and Waste Valorization

Ahmed Readh CHAIB EDDOUR — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In recent years, the substantial rise in agri-food production has led to the accumulation of large volumes of agro-industrial wastes and by-products, thereby exacerbating environmental pollution. Consequently, the reutilization of these non-edible by-products as alternative feed ingredients in animal nutrition has gained significant attention. This approach not only reduces reliance on conventional feedstuffs but also alleviates land-use pressure and mitigates food-feed competition, thus supporting environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Moreover, these underutilized resources are rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, dietary fiber, essential oils, vitamins, and minerals. Their valorization has been increasingly promoted through innovative strategies aligned with the European Union’s circular economy and green biorefinery models. Among these strategies, the development of cost-effective, nutritious, and sustainable animal feeds represents a key solution. Furthermore, various fruit and vegetable by-products such as dried orange pulp from the fruit juice industry, olive pomace, pomegranate husks, and tomato processing residues have been successfully incorporated into poultry diets. These by-products not only serve as functional feed ingredients but also exhibit nutraceutical properties that enhance poultry health and welfare. In this context, the present review aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the potential of diverse agri-food wastes and by-products for poultry feeding. It explores their bioactive components, their functional roles as feed additives, and the associated health-promoting effects, thereby underscoring their relevance in advancing sustainable poultry production.

The Estimation of Missing Data With Maximum Likelihood Methods In Animal Research

G. Tamer Kayaalp — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Hayvanlar ile yapılan denemelede hayvanlar muhtemelen ölebiliyor. Bu nedenle, bu araştırmalarda veriler eksik kalıyor. Bu durum, denemede en çok sorun yaratan durum oluyor. Bu çalışmada ilk aşamada, tüm veriler için çoklu regresyon analizi uygulanmış. İkinci aşamada, her bağımsız değişkenin %5'ini rastgele kaybederek kayıp verileri Maksimum Olabilirlik Yöntemi kullanılarak tahmin edilmiş ve bunlara çoklu regresyon metodu uygulanarak, aradaki farklar tartışılmıştır...

Parkia biglobosa—a Tree of Food and Medicinal Values: Domesticate Them or Disappear

Aisha Idris Ali — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Parkia biglobosa (African locust bean) is a culturally and nutritionally important tree species in West African agroforestry systems. Its fermented seeds (soumbala, dawadawa, iru) constitute a cornerstone protein condiment, while its pulp, bark, leaves, and pods provide food and traditional medicine. Despite its significance, P. biglobosa faces threats from land-use change, overexploitation, fire, grazing, and climate stress. Natural regeneration is poor, and domestication efforts remain limited, raising concern over its long-term survival. This review synthesizes current evidence on ethnobotany, nutritional composition, phytochemistry, pharmacology, ecology, and socio-economic importance. It also evaluates threats and outlines domestication pathways to secure both conservation and sustainable utilization. We argue that domestication, through farmer-led selection, propagation, pollinator-smart orchard management, and gender-equitable value-chain upgrading, offers the most viable strategy for future resilience. Without deliberate intervention, P. biglobosa risks gradual decline in populations and erosion of cultural heritage. With coordinated action, it can remain a pillar for food security, health, and livelihoods in West Africa.

MODELING THE PROCESS OF INTERACTION OF LOOSENING ORGANS WITH SOIL

Mukhayyokhon Saidova, Feruza Alimova — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The article presents data on the simulation modeling of the technological process of soil loosening, which helps to increase the accuracy of assessing the efficiency of soil-cultivating units, analyzing the energy intensity of the process and choosing optimal loosening modes. The aim of the study is to determine the distribution of stresses, deformations and soil resistances on the working bodies of a two-tier ripper. Key models for determining soil porosity, plasticity, resistance to deformation and hardness are considered. Using the COMSOL Multiphysics application software package, a simulation model of the soil in the process of its interaction with the working parts of the tool was created. A calculation scheme for the problem of soil loosening with a two-tier ripper is presented using the COMSOL application software package. According to the results of the study, the highest values of the projection of the main stress are observed in the direction Oy, and in other directions they are negligibly small; on the ridges of the two-tier ripper they are the same and distributed evenly. The results of the study of the stress-strain state of the working bodies and soil during loosening were obtained, critical zones in the design of the working bodies were determined, which will increase their wear resistance and durability with further optimization of the parameters of the tillage tool.

Dr Tayyaba Shaheen

Tayyaba Shaheen — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is a significant agro-industrial crop all over the world. It is polyploid crop with genomic size of 10GB. It is cultivated for its stalk in more than 119 countries, which accumulates sucrose. It contributes 60% of the raw sugar produced worldwide, the remaining comes from sugar beet. Sugarcane smut disease is caused by the fungus Sporisorium scitamineum that causes considerable yield losses. The symptoms for the sugarcane smut are black whip like structure instead of spindle leaves, emerging from the meristem, thin stalks, and leaves are more slender and much weaker.

In present study potential targets were found against smut disease in sugarcane using subtractive genomic approaches. Molecular docking of drug target with available ligands helped to find a more suitable drug for sugarcane smut.

The whole proteome of 11214 proteins of pathogen was retrieved from UniprotKB. Similar and repeated sequences were eliminated by CD-HIT server and only 8235 non-paralog sequences were obtained out of the total proteome.

Homolog sequences were compared with host using NCBI-BLAST and 8079 non-homolog sequences were identified. DEG identified 452 essential proteins of pathogen.

3-D structures of two functional proteins ARL1-ADP-ribosylation factor and n-acetyltransferase were checked from Protein Data Bank but due to non-availability of their structures, 3D-Model of each protein was predicted using four homology modeling tools. Molecular docking was performed against the best selected protein model of ARL1-ADP-ribosylation factor with a library of 5000 phytochemicals and only ten compounds were selected which showed best interactions. Luteolin 7-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside compound was selected due to showing lowest RMSD and S-score with the target protein. Potential target identified in this study and docking results with different ligands can be developed more effective and suitable drug to eliminate the sugarcane smut disease caused by pathogen S. scitamineum.

Smart Packaging Technologies

Özlem EROL, İlknur UÇAK — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The time period from the production of food products to the logistics and quality management processes that extend to the final consumption point is of critical importance in terms of preserving the freshness and nutritional value of the product. For this reason, many food preservation methods have been used from the past to the present. With the developing technology, increasing consumer awareness has also been reflected in product packaging, and importance has begun to be given to issues such as providing functional features to packages, minimizing food waste, and developing environmentally compatible materials. In this context, modern packaging methods have been developed and started to be used. Smart packaging is the newest packaging system that draws attention with its innovative features in the sector. In addition, smart packaging systems are an innovative approach that contributes to reducing waste on a global scale in line with food safety and sustainability goals. This review aims to provide information about smart packaging methods and their related applications.

Enhancing Smart Agriculture through Multi-Stage Feature Selection and IoT-Driven Soil Intelligence

Omer Sefa Yuksel, Seda Sahin — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The combination of inefficient irrigation methods and inappropriate crop selection in semi-arid areas results in wasted water resources and decreased agricultural yields. Our proposed framework integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Internet of Things (IoT) to optimize crop suitability assessment and irrigation planning through real-time soil analysis. The system uses IoT sensors to obtain dynamic environmental and soil data including pH levels and moisture and nutrient measurements before applying machine learning algorithms to generate actionable insights. The proposed TriFS method implements a three-stage feature selection process which combines PCA with PSO and Lasso Regression to improve classification performance and model understanding. The selected features from TriFS serve as input to train k-Nearest Neighbors (kNN) and XGBoost classifiers which achieved superior results in identifying suitable crops and irrigation plans. The experimental evaluation of a real-world dataset demonstrated that the combination of TriFS with XGBoost produced classification accuracy above 97% which surpassed the results of traditional single-stage selection approaches. The research develops an intelligent scalable decision-support framework for precision agriculture which optimizes resources through data-driven approaches to enhance sustainability.

Key Words: Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Feature Selection, Smart Agriculture, Irrigation Optimization

Antibiotic Resistance of some Enterobacteriaceae Strains isolated from Bovine In The West Of Algeria

Mohammed Salih Barka; Asma Cherif-Anntar — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The misuse of antibiotics in cattle breeding is a phenomenon that still exists on some farms in the northwest of Algeria. This calls into question the effectiveness of available treatments and threatens human and animal health. The aim of this study is to try to determine the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns of some Enterobacteriaceae to antibiotics in healthy cattle.

Samples from bovine were taken using sterile swabs on the skin of cattle and different places in the stable and prepared for culture using conventional microbiological techniques. Isolates were identified biochemically using API 20E. In accordance with nccls guidelines, all isolates were identified and analyzed using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion technique against 20 antibiotic disks..

A total of 356 distinct species of E. coli were isolated. Twenty two agglutinable E. coli isolates with O157 :H7 were found using serotyping. E. Coli resistance to nalidixic acid (85.7%), tetracyclin (68.2%), streptomycin (53.5%), nitrofurantoin (75.4%), ampicillin (48.6%), ticarcillin (37.4%), piperacillin (41.8%), and chloramphenicol (19.2%) was highly prevalent when it came to antibiotic susceptibility.

Some Serratia species present a resistance of 55.9% to nalidixic acid and ofloxacin, 52.3% to ciprofloxacin and 29.54% to streptomycin.

Enterobacter isolated were resistant to ampicillin, and cefazolin, however no resistance was observed for gentamicin, amikacin and kanamycin.

The Klebsiella species shows no resistance for gentamicin, amikacin and kanamycin, but 69% ciprofloxacin 42% ofloxacin, and a total resistance to tetracyclin and ampicillin.

Resistance to more than four antibiotic classes, was present in 75.6% of the isolates. The PCR technique showed that all the twenty two E.coli O157 :H7 carried the stx2 and the ehxA genes, 5 isolate carried stx1 genes and 3 both stx1 and stx2.

Optimizing the Effects of Additional Straw Returning on Soil Organic Carbon Components; Insights from a Chinese Long-Term Conservation Field Study

Francis Azumah Chimsah, Washidu Mohammed, Liqun Cai — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Since the return to straw management in conservation fields, it remains unknown the optimum quantity needed for good soil health and plant production. This study aims at highlighting the lessons from a study conducted on an existing long term-term conservation tillage field within the Gansu Province of China. Two main tillage types, conventional tillage with straw returns (TS) and no tillage with straw returns (NTS) with four different additional straw return treatment levels of spring wheat and field pea as test crops. NTS fields showed more sensitivity to treatment effect. NTS fields had significantly higher grain yield. NTS fields had significantly higher SOC content than TS fields with SOC ranging from 5.56 – 20.77 g kg^-1. No straw addition (NSA 0x) and low straw addition (LSA 1x) levels recorded higher yields in wheat fields whiles for pea fields, it was LSA 1x and medium straw addition (MSA 2x). The observed trend in terms of increasing SOC content among the straw addition treatments was LSA 1x > NSA 0x > MSA 2x > high straw addition (HSA 3x). Highest accumulated SOC stocks was observed under LSA 1x while lowest SOC stocks was NSA 0x. The relative intensities of the C-H bonds were higher in LSA 1x and also, was more effective in increasing soil hydrophobicity. Straw addition to conservation fields has limit and lessons leant from this study can serve as guide to better understanding the complexities of our farming systems in our quest for sustainable agriculture production.

DLPCDS Date and Lentil Powder: A Comprehensive Dietary Supplement

elbar djenette, Elbar Chaima — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This natural and innovative supplement, meticulously crafted from a synergistic blend of finely ground date and lentil powder, stands as an exceptional source of sustained energy and a broad spectrum of essential nutrients. Designed for convenient oral consumption, this potent combination works effectively to bridge potential nutritional gaps within one's diet. It is readily available in a variety of user-friendly forms, including precisely dosed tablets, easy-to-swallow capsules, and palatable chewable gummies, offering flexibility for diverse preferences and needs.The lentil component of this supplement is a powerhouse of high-quality, plant-based protein. This makes it an invaluable asset for individuals aiming to support muscle growth and repair, particularly athletes or those engaged in regular physical activity. Furthermore, the significant protein content contributes substantially to increased satiety, helping individuals feel fuller for longer periods. The amino acid profile found in lentils complements various dietary patterns, ensuring a more complete nutritional intake. Dates, the other pivotal ingredient, offer a readily available and naturally derived source of quick energy. This energy primarily stems from their inherent natural sugar, which are easily assimilated by the body for immediate fuel. dates are also rich in dietary fiber, a crucial element for maintaining healthy digestive function and promoting regular bowel movements. The fiber content further aids in blood sugar regulation, preventing sharp spikes and crashes. Moreover, dates are packed with an impressive array of essential minerals. They are particularly noteworthy for their high potassium content, which plays a vital role in maintaining proper fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions. Magnesium, another abundant mineral in dates, is integral for countless biochemical reactions in the body, including energy production and muscle and nerve function. Lastly, dates provide a significant amount of iron, a key mineral for red blood cell formation and oxygen transport throughout the body, making this supplement particularly beneficial for those at risk of iron deficiency. The combined nutritional profile of dates contributes not only to immediate vitality but also to long-term well-being and cellular health.

Key Words: Dates, lentil, biochemical analyses, sensorial analys, Dietary Supplement.

Using of Digital Agriculture, Machine Learning, Remote Sensing and Smart Approaches in Fruit Orchards

HALİL İBRAHİM OĞUZ, İLBİLGE OĞUZ, Osman GÖKDOĞAN — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In recent years, advances in remote sensing technologies have made considerable progress in the monitoring of orchards. These technologies provide externally, gently and non-destructively, cost-effective and scalable solutions to assess crop quality and health, detect abiotic and biotic stress factors and optimise orchard management practices. The objective of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of recent advancements in the field of remote sensing techniques, machine learning, deep learning, unmanned aerial vehicles, and intelligent systems in orchard management. This review aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the application of these techniques in orchards and to propose relevant recommendations. Firstly, the paper sets out the principles of remote sensing using various sensors and platforms for the purpose of creating a data pool through the use of broad spectrum, hyperspectral and thermal imaging technologies. The paper then examines in detail the studies on these issues and the resulting detailed information obtained about fruit trees and the environmental environments in which they are located. The subsequent discourse delves into the applications of remote sensing in the context of monitoring fundamental biophysical parameters, including vegetation indices, canopy structure, and water stress. The text does not address the subject of the development of decision-making processes for operational requirements in orchard management, with the objective of ensuring accuracy and timeliness. Furthermore, the text goes on to explore the ways in which diseases can be detected before they reach the damage threshold, the estimated yield, and the practical benefits of remote sensing in precision agriculture applications in orchards, with the aid of illustrative examples. The challenges that may be encountered, such as the processing of data, the integration of data sources, and the scalability of the system, have been thoroughly examined in conjunction with the research and technological advancements. In addition, the study encompassed the following: The utilisation of digital agriculture, machine learning, remote sensing and smart system techniques has been demonstrated to be a highly effective means of increasing fruit production. It is hypothesised that the implementation of such novel approaches in the domain of fruit orchard management by researchers and decision-makers will engender contributions to the enhancement of fruit yield and the sustainability of fruit production.

Digital Agriculture Applications in the Livestock Sector and Their Economic Contributions

Mutlu Bulut — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

With the emergence of Agriculture 4.0, digital agriculture applications have introduced innovative solutions that enhance production efficiency, reduce costs, and support sustainability in the livestock sector. This study examines the main application areas of digital technologies in livestock farms and evaluates their economic contributions. Key technological innovations include sensor-based animal monitoring systems, automatic feeding and milking robots, smart herd management software, IoT-supported environmental control systems, and AI-based yield prediction models. These applications make it possible to improve animal welfare, enable early disease detection, save on feed and energy use, and increase production efficiency. In addition, the study assesses the contributions of digital agriculture practices to farm profitability, resource use efficiency, and food security. The findings reveal that digital technologies strengthen the competitiveness of the livestock sector while providing significant support to rural development. However, high investment costs and the lack of digital literacy remain major limitations, highlighting the importance of public support and extension activities to overcome these challenges.

Effects of traditional transportation on the behavior, welfare, and blood profile of local chicken: A case study in Sudan

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract: Indigenous chickens are raised in various rural areas in large quantities throughout Sudan. They must be transported over various distances, to centralized slaughter houses or other purposes. In this study, we examined indigenous chicken farmers’ perceptions on chicken welfare during transportation linked this clinical examination. A total of 160 indigenous chickens (80 control+ 80 transported with their owners) were participated in this study. Our findings revealed that 69% and 88% of the farmers indicated that they are not knowledgeable about animal rights and animal welfare, respectively. The majority of the farmers 86% reported that they unaware of animal protection laws. Furthermore, the transported chickens significantly (p < 0.05) showed long tonic immobility duration compared to control chickens. Moreover, low pecking behavior was significantly (p < 0.05) showed in transported chickens compared to control, particularly in the day one of the experiment. In addition; the mean values of glucose, TWBCs, monocytes, basophils, eosinophils, H/L ratio, Hb, MCHC, and PLT were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in transported chickens compared to the controls. In addition, TNF-a, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IFN-γ, IL-17, as well as ROS, MDA, Cort, Glucose, and total cholesterol were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in transportation chickens compared to control, while CAT, GSH, ATP, and SOD were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in transportation chickens compared to control. We conclude that the traditional transportation of indigenous Sudanese chickens affected their welfare associated with farmers’ low perceptions of chicken welfare, and stress induced blood profile changes.

Mardin İli Üzüm Üreticilerinin Tarımsal Bilinç Düzeyleri ve Eğitim İhtiyaçlarının Belirlenmesi

ishak Bayyiğit, Veysi Acıbuca — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Mardin Province is one of Türkiye’s prominent viticultural regions, distinguished by its unique microclimatic characteristics and agricultural diversity. This study aims to assess the current knowledge levels of grape producers in Mardin, identify the challenges they face in viticultural practices, and determine their educational needs. Based on stratified random sampling, survey data were collected from 136 grape producers. The study evaluates producers’ levels of agricultural awareness, their sources of information, and their specific training requirements. The findings indicate that 92.6% of the participants had never received any formal training related to viticulture. Among the expressed training priorities, pest and disease management ranked highest, highlighting a significant lack of technical knowledge. Additionally, the high level of interest in accessing agricultural information through social media platforms reflects the growing role of digital channels in informal agricultural learning. The data also reveal a significant relationship between farm size and production purpose: in small-scale farms, 54.4% of grape production is allocated to household consumption, whereas this rate drops to 16.9% in large-scale farms. This distinction suggests that smallholders are predominantly subsistence-oriented, while larger enterprises focus on commercial production. In light of these findings, it is essential to enhance the decision-making capacity of local producers by supporting them with modular, practice-oriented training programs that are sensitive to local needs. Strengthening agricultural extension services will not only improve production efficiency but also contribute to rural development and agricultural sustainability. The data obtained from this study offer a valuable basis for shaping regionally responsive agricultural policies.

Lycopene and total phenolic content in fresh and processed high-pigment and ordinary tomato fruits

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Recently increasing interest is being given to local tomato genotypes and landraces for their adaptation to the ongoing climatic changes. In this context, we report a comparison between the content of lycopene and total phenolics in red ripe raw tomatoes and the processed paste of two high-pigment (HLT-F81 and HLT-F82) and an ordinary (Rio Grande) tomato landrace. High-pigment tomato berries exhibited 1.82-2.37-fold higher lycopene and their processed paste exhibited also 1.70-2.10-fold higher lycopene respectively compared to the fresh berries and sauce obtained from Rio Grande. Concerning total phenolic content, high-pigment tomato berries exhibited 1.6-2.32-fold higher total phenolic content and their processed paste exhibited also 1.82-2.71-fold higher total phenolic content respective compared to the fresh berries and sauce obtained from Rio Grande. We noticed that the stability of both lycopene and total phenolic content was not affected by processing to produce tomato paste. Such results highlight the hopeful use of new high pigment lines to obtain high nutritional value products with improved beneficial effects on human health

Endüstri 4.0 Işığında Kurutma Teknolojilerinin Dijital Dönüşümü

Sevde KARA YİĞİT, Katibe Sinem CORUK, Hande BALTACIOĞLU, Cem Baltacıoğlu — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study comprehensively examines the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies into drying systems and the advantages that this integration provides. The application of cyber-physical systems (CPS), the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and digital twin technologies to drying processes provides significant improvements in terms of energy efficiency, quality control, traceability, and sustainability. The study analyses the limitations of traditional drying methods and details how digital transformation overcomes these limitations. Application examples and sectoral experiences in Turkey are evaluated, and the challenges and benefits of digital transformation are presented from an objective perspective. Research results indicate that digital technologies provide energy savings of 15-30% in drying systems and improve product quality by 10-20%.

Seasonal trends in adult populations of Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae) in olive groves of Akhisar District in Manisa, Türkiye

ARİF TOPCU, Merve Kahraman, Sami Koca — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a highly destructive pest that poses a major threat to many cultivated crops globally. It causes significant economic losses by infesting a wide range of fruits, including olives, which play a critical importance in agricultural production in Türkiye. In 2023, Manisa province ranked first in table olive production, fifth in oil olive production, and second in total olive production. The present study aimed to monitor the seasonal population dynamics of C. capitata adults in olive groves located in Akhisar district, Manisa, Türkiye, during the 2024 season. The research was conducted in two olive orchards (Çamönü and Efendi/Akhisar location) using McPhail traps baited with 2% diammonium phosphate (DAP) as the attractant. Three traps were placed in each orchard, and weekly sampling was carried out from June to November. The first adult flies were captured on 31 August in the Efendi location, averaging 2 adults per trap. The population peaked on 28 September with 112.3 flies per trap in the Efendi location. In the Çamönü location, adults were first recorded on 13 September with 1 adult per trap. The peak population in Çamönü occurred on October 26, reaching an average of 84.6 flies per trap.

Investigation of Germination and Initial Development Periods of Sorghum (Sorghum Vulgare L.) Seeds with Different Pretreatments under Controlled Conditions

aslı sözeri — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Investigation of Germination and Initial Development Periods of Sorghum (Sorghum Vulgare L.) Seeds with Different Pretreatments under Controlled Conditions

1 Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi, Ziraat Fakültesi, Tarla Bitkiler Bölümü, Kahramanmaraş, TÜRKİYE

2 Ankara Üniversitesi, Ziraat Fakültesi, Tarla Bitkileri Bölümü, Ankara, TÜRKİYE

Corresponding Author: Aslı SÖZERİ

Aslı SÖZERİ; asli-yorgun38@hotmail.com; ORCID No: 0009-0008-9134-7814

Saime İKİNCİKARAKAYA; Saime.Unver@agri.ankara.edu.tr; ORCID No: 0000-0001-8561-9002

Leyla İDİKUT;leylaidikut@gmail.com; ORCID No: 0000-0002-0685-7158

Kazım Emre GÖKTAŞ;kazimemre011@gmail.com; ORCID No: 0000-0001-5723-2054

Abstract

Key Words: Sorghum vulgare L., priming, PEG, mannitol, sorbitol

Integration of Precision Agriculture Data for Quality and Traceability in Food Production

Ezgi Demir Özer — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Gıda endüstrisinde kalite, verimlilik ve sürdürülebilirlik kavramları, günümüzde veri temelli yaklaşımlarla yeniden tanımlanmaktadır. Özellikle hassas tarım uygulamaları; toprak özellikleri, bitki gelişimi, iklim koşulları ve hasat zamanı gibi birçok parametreyi gerçek zamanlı olarak izleme ve analiz etme imkânı sunarak, gıda mühendisliği süreçlerine önemli girdiler sağlamaktadır. Bu çalışmada, hassas tarımdan elde edilen verilerin endüstriyel gıda üretim süreçlerine entegrasyonu ve bu entegrasyonun özellikle izlenebilirlik ve ürün güvenliği üzerindeki etkileri ele alınmaktadır.

Tarladan başlayan dijital veri zinciri, hammaddenin kalitesini önceden tahmin etmeye ve üretim hattını bu doğrultuda ayarlamaya olanak tanımaktadır. Örneğin, domatesin şeker oranı (Brix) veya buğdayın protein oranı, üretim sürecinde kalite standardını doğrudan etkileyen parametrelerdir. Bu verilerin üretime entegre edilmesiyle, işletmeler kalite testlerini önleyici şekilde dijital olarak yönetebilmektedir.

Hassas tarım verilerinin dijital sistemlerle izlenebilir hale getirilmesi, sadece üretim optimizasyonunu değil, aynı zamanda tedarik zincirinde şeffaflığı da desteklemektedir. Ürünlerin blokzincir teknolojileriyle takip edilebilir olması, tüketici güvenini artırmakta ve gıda güvenliğine önemli katkılar sağlamaktadır.

Bu bildiride, hassas tarım verilerinin gıda endüstrisinde dijital izlenebilirlik sistemleriyle nasıl bütünleştirilebileceği ve bu yaklaşımın sürdürülebilir üretim modellerine nasıl katkı sunduğu çeşitli örneklerle tartışılacaktır.

Test Results of a Pneumatic Precision Seeder for Bare Cotton Seeds Under Climatic Conditions of Water-Eroded Soils

Mukhayyokhon Saidova, Feruza Alimova, Surayyokhon Khasanova — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This article presents the design and laboratory test results of a pneumatic precision seeder intended for sowing cotton seeds under soil and climatic conditions affected by water erosion. The seeding disk features suction holes with rounded triangular tips and Y-shaped barriers between them. The use of a vertical disk-type pneumatic seeder ensures the optimal grouping of seeds within the holes, enabling reliable suction of various types of agricultural crop seeds regardless of their mass and shape. It also ensures precise grouping in the feeding chamber and their accurate transfer to the furrow zone, resulting in the formation of maximally dense and accurate seed placements in the row. Such a device enhances the functionality of pneumatic seeders and enables high-precision seed placement.

The Effects Of Deficit Irrigation On The Yield Parameters Of Some Strawberry Varieties In Nigde Conditions

Burak Şen; Berna Gümüş — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study was conducted on three different strawberry varieties grown under Niğde's climatic conditions, where Turkey ranks fourth globally in terms of production volume. The experiment aimed to investigate the effects of different irrigation levels on yield and to determine the most suitable strawberry variety for the region. Irrigation treatments were applied to the strawberry varieties based on open surface evaporation, with I100 representing full irrigation, and I75 and I50 representing deficit irrigation. The experiment was carried out over two years, in 2021 and 2022. The yield per plant, number of fruits, average fruit size, and yield per decare were calculated for each treatment. In the first year, the Monterey strawberry variety was observed to have a higher yield compared to Albion and San Andreas varieties. In the second year, the Albion variety showed a higher yield than the other varieties. The highest yield was achieved with full irrigation.

Biomechanical Risk Assessment of Watermelon Harvesting Using AI-Based Motion Analysis

Peigeng Zhang — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Watermelon harvesting is a physically demanding task that places workers at high risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). While previous studies have explored MSDs in the agricultural area, there is a notable research gap specifically addressing MSDs in watermelon harvesting. This study aims to address this gap by evaluating the physical demands of watermelon harvesting in a field condition. The primary objectives are: (1) to identify the regions of the body most susceptible to injury during watermelon harvesting, and (2) to analyze physiological and biomechanical changes in the body while performing watermelon lifting tasks. Ten workers performed tasks associated with watermelon harvesting in the field with a camera recording. Kinematic data were analyzed using an AI based software. Joint angles were analyzed to examine statistical changes, contributing to a better understanding of the risks associated with watermelon harvesting.

Evaluating Large Language Models for Agricultural Injury Surveillance

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Collecting and disseminating data for agricultural injury surveillance typically depends on manual input and human review, making the process both time-consuming and labor-intensive. A prime example is AgInjuryNews (AIN), a public platform that compiles injury reports from news articles and investigations. Because the content is unstructured, AIN currently relies on human reviewers to extract relevant information. However, the rise of Large Language Models (LLMs) offers a promising avenue for automation. This study explored the potential of LLMs to assist in the reviewer role at AIN. Models evaluated include OpenAI’s ChatGPT 3.5 and 4, along with a fine-tuned version of Llama 2, to assess their accuracy in extracting incident and victim-related details. Each model was tasked with identifying specific data points such as drug or alcohol involvement, time of incident, and victim demographics from a random sample of news articles previously reviewed by AIN staff. The fine-tuned Llama 2 emerged as the top performer, with an average accuracy of 93% and perfect scores in some categories. While none of the models were perfect, the results highlight the feasibility of integrating LLMs to streamline workflows, reduce resource demands, and enhance the efficiency of data collection and analysis.

Teknolojik Gelişmelerin Kuluçka Makinesi Gelişimi Üzerine Etkisi

Melis Yağlı, Hasan Eleroğlu, Recep Gümüş — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines the historical development, operational principles, and technological evolution of incubators. Incubators, devices that allow eggs to develop in an artificial environment with proper temperature, humidity, and ventilation conditions, are widely used in poultry farming, especially in response to the growing world population and food demand. Data suggests that the first incubators appeared about 4,000 years ago in Egypt and China. Over time, particularly from the 18th century onwards, scientific studies laid the foundations for modern incubators. Today, incubators are equipped with advanced technologies to control critical factors such as temperature, humidity, and ventilation. These machines contain systems for temperature, humidity, ventilation, and turning mechanisms, as well as sensors that monitor embryo development. Factors influencing incubator efficiency include temperature, humidity levels, air circulation, and oxygen levels. Recent advancements in digitalization and automation of incubators have enabled the monitoring and adjustment of temperature, humidity, and turning frequency based on the developmental stages of embryos.

In the coming years, incubators are anticipated to be controlled and monitored remotely via mobile devices, improving energy efficiency and minimizing environmental effects.

Effects of Temperature and Solid-liquid-ratio on the Extraction of Total Phenolic Content of Hibiscus sabdariffa leaves

Mfrekemfon Godswill Akpan, Dr Ikrang, Prof. Alonge, Idorenyin Titus Jerome — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Hibiscus sabdariffa leaves (HSL) can be used as tea leaves because of its bioactive compounds. This study demonstrates the effects of extraction temperature and solid liquid extraction ratio on the total phenolic content (TPC) of HSL. The HSL was harvested, washed dried with vacuum dryer at 40 °C and ground. The resultant powder was characterized in terms of tapped and bulk density, Carr’s index and Hausner ratio to ascertain its flow characteristics prior to the extraction using distilled water as the extraction medium at 70, 80and 90 °C and at the solid-liquid ratio of 1:9 and 3:7. The bulk and tapped density of 212m were 20.29 ± 0.1753 g/ml and 25.58 ± 0.2700 g/ml respectively .The carr index and Hausner ratio were 20.67 ± 1.154 and 1.26 ± 0.0185 respectively. Maximum extraction TPC was observed at 90 °C and at the solid-liquid ratio of 1:9 while the least TPC was observed at 70° C at 3:7 solid-liquid ratio.

Heamatology and Serum Biochemistry of West African Dwarf Goats Fed Diets Containing Treated Rice Husk (RH) as a Replacement for Wheat Bran.

Femi Afolayan — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

ABSTSRACT

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of treated rice husk as a replacement for wheat bran on the haematology and serum biochemical parameters of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Twenty WAD goats were subjected to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with four goats per treatment. The treatments were 0% RH (T1), 25% RH (T2),50% RH (T3),75% RH (T4) and 100% RH (T5). The animals were fed at 5% of their body weight. Blood samples of 10 ml were collected at the end of the growth trial to analyze for haematology and biochemical components. Blood samples were taken before morning feeding via jugular vein puncture into two blood collection bottles. One containing an anticoagulant Disodium salt of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and the other with no anticoagulant from which serum was harvested for biochemical analysis. Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC) and total white Blood Cells (WBC) were determined. Mean Corpuscular volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and Mean Corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was calculated from PCV, Hb and RBC. Serum biochemical parameters measured include glucose, total protein, albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) parameters were determined. Goat fed with diet T4 had better red blood cell, Pcv, hemoglobin, platelet, eosinophil and AST but high in cholesterol level. Goat on T2 had the highest Tp and better hemoglobin, Pcv, platelet lymphocytes, ALT and globulin content. The treated rice husk had positive impact on the blood parameters, the values are within the normal range for healthy goat. Hence, from this study, 25 – 50% treated rice husk replacement for wheat bran suggests suitable for better performance of WAD goats.

Pesticide residues in date palm and olive oil samples produced and consumed in Jordan

Skandar Abo Gazlah, Ilahy Riadh, József Kiss — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The presence of pesticides in fruits and vegetables is becoming a growing concern not only for consumer but also for growers, processors and competent authorities in the entire world. In Jordan, there are only four specialized laboratories which have the required infrastructure to accurately determine pesticide residues in agricultural products. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of PPPs residues in nationally produced palm dates and olive oil for local consumption and exportation. Among the283 pesticides analyzed, only 7 were detected in palm dates at concentrations ranging from detectable/quantifiable below the MRLs (4 µg/kg for carbendazim) to values above the MRLs attaining (508 µg/kg for carbendazim). Regarding olive oil, only 4 were detected at concentrations ranging from detectable below MRLs (20 µg/kg) for cypernethrin to higher than MRLs (260 µg/kg) for chloropyrifos. The order of occurrence for PPPs in date samples was from the greatest to the lowest as follows: carbendazim (53.33%), hexythiasox (21.3%), spiromesifen (12%), thiacloprid and finazinan (2.6%), thiophanate-methyl (6.6%), and imidacloprid (1.3%) and was in olive oil as follows: chloropyrifos (27.45%), cypermethrin (25.49%) and finally both oxyfluorfen and myclobutanil (3.92%). 84% of the date samples had pesticide residue lower than MRLs and only 16% had residue higher than MRLs. However, in olive oil samples, 49.01% had residue below the MRLs, 9.8% were above the MRLs and interestingly in 41.17% had no detected pesticide residues. The main part of the palm date tested samples (80.32%) were containing simple pesticide residue and (19.67%) exhibited double pesticide residue. However, in olive oil samples, only one of the reported pesticides was detected. Although the limited biological diversity (just one-year samples), we suggest, the urgent implementation of programs designed to facilitate awareness about the health concerns from PPPs and programming a compulsory and periodical training sessions for specialized workers and traders in Jordan.

Tavukçulukta Ortaya Çıkan Altlıkların Yeniden Değerlendirilmesi: Çevresel ve Ekonomik Bir Yaklaşım

FATMA YENİLMEZ, Mikail BAYLAN, Asiye ÇETİNKAYA — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Litter materials commonly used in poultry farming play a critical role in ensuring animal health, welfare, and hygienic conditions. Typically composed of materials such as wood shavings, straw, and rice husks, poultry litter absorbs droppings, controls moisture within the coop, and reduces the formation of harmful gases. At the end of the production cycle, large amounts of organic waste are generated, which, if not properly managed, can lead to environmental pollution. Due to their high content of organic matter, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), poultry litters are highly suitable for biological conversion processes. In recent years, the evaluation and reuse of these materials have gained importance for their economic benefits and positive environmental impacts. Findings indicate that poultry litter should not only be regarded as waste but also as a valuable resource. This review discusses the environmental impacts, alternative utilization methods, and economic contributions of poultry litter.

Immune And Oxidative Stress Indices of Yankassa Rams Fed Diets Containing Urea-Molasses Treated Cassava Peel Ensiled with Caged-Layer Droppings

Emmanuel Anaso — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study evaluated the immune and oxidative stress responses of sheep fed diets containing urea-molasses treated cassava peels ensiled with caged layer droppings. The trial was conducted at Morugo Farms and Co-farms Greenaid Revolution Teaching and Research Farm, Abuja. A total of twenty-one clinically healthy Yankassa sheep, aged 6 to 7 months, were randomly assigned to dietary treatments in a completely randomized design and monitored over a 63-day feeding period. Daily feed intake was recorded, and physiological parameters were assessed to determine treatment effects. Key indicators of immune function—namely immunoglobulins G, A, and M—and metabolic hormones such as triiodothyronine (T3) showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) across all treatment groups compared to the control. Similarly, antioxidant markers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), remained unaffected by dietary treatments. Additionally, biomarkers of oxidative stress, such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and cortisol, were not significantly altered (P > 0.05), even at 25% and 50% replacement levels of the ensiled cassava peels diet. In conclusion, replacing conventional feed components with urea-molasses treated cassava peels ensiled with caged layer droppings up to 50% had no detrimental effects on immune status or oxidative stress responses in sheep. These findings support the use of this alternative feed resource within recommended nutritional standards for small ruminants, offering a sustainable and cost-effective option for improving feed availability without compromising animal health or performance.

Isolation and antibiotic resistance profile of Streptococcus spp from commercial poultry carcasses in Ardabil province, northwest of Iran

Aidin Azizpour, Zahra Amirajam — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Farmers use antibiotics for prophylaxis and therapy to maintain the production. However, widespread use of antibiotic is increased antibiotic resistance. The present study was carried out to isolate and identify Streptococcus spp involved in commercial poultry carcasses and also to examine isolated bacteria for antibiotic resistance profile. Samples were taken from heart blood and liver’s visceral surface of 125 carcasses obtained from 30 commercial flocks (including 27 broiler flocks, 1 laying flocks and 2 breeder flocks) located in different parts of Ardabil province, northwest of Iran. Streptococcus spp isolates were identified based on microbiological standard methods. The antibiotic susceptibility test was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Out of 125 collected carcasses, bacteria isolates 98 were diagnosed. Among them, 6 (6.13 %) of isolates were confirmed to be Streptococcus spp. The strains exhibited high percentages of resistance to Ampicillin (100 %) and Doxycycline (100 %) and low percentages of resistance to Clindamycin (16.7%) and Cefatoxaime (0.0 %). Neomycin, Enrofloxacin, Erythromycin, Gentamycin, Ciprofloxacin and Chloramphenicol were resistant with 83.4 %, 83.4 %, 66.7 %, 50.0 %, 33.4 % and 33.4 %. The present study showed that poultry products, especially infectious lesions of liver and heart of poultry carcasses can be an important source of contamination and dissemination of drug-resistane Streptococcus spp. Therefore, performing antimicrobial sensitivity test is necessary prior to prescribing any antibiotic in commercial poultry.