Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
Volume:18 Issue: 5, Sep 2016

This study has three main objectives. Firstly, to put forward 2013 Turkey National Dairy Summit participants’ opinions about milk policy; secondly, to determine the possible factors affecting these opinions and finally; to put forth the solutions which were suggested by the participants for the determined problems. To achieve these goals, 83 participants were interviewed in the dairy summit. 43% of participants were agricultural engineers, 19% food engineers, 14% veterinarians, and 24% of them were from other occupations. The opinions of the participants on current milk policies in Turkey have been categorized as; ‘effective’, ‘undecided’,’ ineffective’, ‘not effective at all’. When responses of ‘effective’ were compared to the other three opinion groups using multinomial logistic regression, the results showed that factors such as, participants’ being an agricultural engineer, a veterinary practitioner, their education levels and their involvement in milk related issues within their occupation have distinguishing characteristics. Among the participants, 40% were of the opinion that the subsidiaries should be subject to milk quality and hygiene standards. Study findings indicated that a milk strategy plan should be prepared for the milk market to gain stability in the long term. To be effective in the market, this plan also should include regional feed and production strategy and should be prepared together with dairy farmer organizations.

This paper describes an evaluation of the drivers of the duration of grain competitiveness in the European Union (EU-27) member states on global markets from 2000 to 2011. Results indicate that most of the EU-27 member states were competitive with at least one segment of grain chain products. The long-term competitiveness of grain products differs between the EU-27 member states and across grain chain product groups. Trade costs reduce, while agricultural endowments, the level of economic development, export differentiation for final consumer grain products, EU enlargement and recent EU membership increase the duration of grain competitiveness. Competitiveness may be increased through sustainable grain trade specialization with a focus either on entering the market for diversified niche products, or on developing a competitive, global, integrated supply chain management system.

In this study, the crude protein extract containing PolyPhenolOxidase (PPO) and Peroxidases (POD) were extracted from medlar fruit (Mespilus germanica L.) grown in Golestan Province, Iran. POD and PPO activities were studied using guaiacol and catechol as substrates, respectively. The effect of pH, temperature and thermal stability, inhibitors and cations were investigated. Results showed that Vmax was higher for PPO compared to the POD. The optimum pHs for POD and PPO were obtained at 6.5 and 5.5, respectively. The optimum temperature for both enzymes was 35°C. The Iranian medlar POD was more thermal stable than the PPO. Ascorbic acid had the highest inhibitory effect on both enzymes. Ca2 and Zn2 had the highest decreasing and increasing effect on both enzymes.

In this study the effects of concentration on tannin content, total anthocyanin content, total phenol content and antioxidant activity of cornelian cherry juice using conventional and microwave methods under various operational pressures (100, 38.5 and 12 kPa) were investigated. The final juice concentration of 42° Brix was achieved in 137, 125, and 93 minutes at 100, 38.5 and 12 kPa, respectively, by conventional heating. Applying microwave energy decreased required times to 115, 90, and 75 min. at 100, 38.5 and 12 kPa, respectively. Results showed that thermal treatment by microwave compared to conventional heating under low-pressure operation (12 kPa) caused less decrease in the phytochemical content (tannin content, total anthocyanin content, total phenol content and antioxidant activity) of cornelian cherry juice.

Aflatoxins are potent carcinogenic and immunosuppressive agents. Acute exposure to high level of aflatoxins leads to aflatoxicosis, which cause rapid death due to liver failure. Immune modulating effects of probiotic bacteria have good prospects to detoxification of natural foods. This study was aimed to investigate the ability of Lactobacillus acidophilus strainLA-5 in the presence and absence of yoghurt starter culture for removing Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in comparison with yoghurt starter cultures (108 CFU ml-1). AFM1 detoxification was evaluated for 21 days of yoghurt storage at 4°C at different concentrations of Aflatoxin (0.1, 0.5 and 0.75 µg L-1). The amounts of unbound AFM1 were determined using competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). L. acidophilus combined with yoghurt starter culture and alone could significantly (P≤ 0.05) remove AFM1 compared to control group. The results indicated that increasing initial AFM1 concentration in the yoghurt samples and storage time affected the capacity of AFM1 binding.

In this study, geographical discrimination of some Iranian pomegranate cultivars was investigated using chromatographic analyses and multivariate statistical methods. The organic acid content of 24 pomegranate samples of different cultivars (5 sweet, 7 sweet-sour and 12 sour cultivars) from different production sites (Yazd and Markazi Provinces, Iran) were analyzed by HPLC/UV. Ten organic acids including oxalic, tartaric, malic, shikimic, ascorbic, maleic, succinic, citric, acetic and fumaric were identified and quantified in freshly prepared juices. The total organic acid content was in the range of 105.4–2074.4 mg 100 g-1 of pomegranate juice. Citric acid predominated in most cultivars especially in sour cultivars, while sweet-sour and sweet ones were characterized by high malic acid content. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated that principle component 2 was responsible for discrimination of two geographical regions. Furthermore, Factor Analysis (FA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) showed the high potential in complete separation of pomegranate cultivars based on geographical origins.

The unique properties of camel milk, qualify this product to be used as a nutraceutical. In this study, functional synbiotic yogurt made from camel milk has been investigated in three levels of fat (0, 2.5 and 5% (w/v)). Probiotic bacteria (Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacilus delbrueckii and ssp. bulgaricus.) and β-glucan (prebiotic agent) were added in three levels of concentration (0.5, 1 and 1.5 % (v/v)) and (0, 1 and 2% (w/v)), respectively. The physicochemical properties of the product and viability of probiotic bacteria were measured on the 0, 7th and 14th days. Beta-glucan, fat and storage time had significantly (P

In vitro pollen germination of three tropical tree species, viz. Spathodea campanulata, Bauhinia purperia and B. racemosa was done to know the effect of growth regulators and time on pollen germination. Three concentrations, i.e. 100, 200 and 300 ppm of four growth hormones (IAA, IBA, GA3 and Kinetin) and sucrose (5 and 10%) alone were used as germination medium. The results revealed that pollen germination under control condition is very low and oscillating between 4.6±1.2 and 17.8±3.2%. The growth hormones and sucrose was found effective inducing pollen germination. IAA and IBA were found effective for both species of Bauhinia whereas GA3 and kinetin were found suitable for Spathodea campanulata. Maximum germination was recorded in the initial 24h of setting experiment, which further declined in 48h and was recorded very less and even 0.0% after 72 hours of treatment. There was significant (

Life table parameters of the bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) were determined on different barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties. Experiments were carried out under laboratory condition of 26­±­1ºC, 65­±­5% RH and photoperiod of 16­:­8 (L­:­D) hours. Newborn first instar nymphs of the same age were reared on the leaves of six barley varieties using leaf cages. Nymphal development time, mortality, longevity and adult fecundity were recorded daily. Nymphal survivorship varied from 71% to 88% on the varieties tested. The results revealed significant effect of experimental varieties on demographic statistics of R. padi. The intrinsic rate of natural increase rm, ranged between 0.318 and 0.366 female/­female/­day; the range of other life table parameters was from 1.37 to 1.44 day-1 for finite rate of increase λ, 43.83 to 60.65 female­/female­/­generation for net Reproductive rate R0,1.89 to 2.17 days for Doubling Time DT and 11.19 to 11.86 days for mean generation Time T. In conclusion, analysis of biological parameters indicated Valfajr and Fajr30 as relatively less susceptible varieties to R. padi, while Reihan­03, Kavir and Zarjow were considered as relatively more susceptible and Nosrat was placed in the same statistical group with other varieties.

The integration of biological and chemical control approaches is very important for a successful Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. Demographic approaches give a better understanding of the side effects of pesticides on beneficial organisms. In this study, laboratory bioassays were set up to evaluate the lethal and sublethal effects of diazinon and fipronil on different stages of Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). The effects of Field Recommended Concentration (FRC) of diazinon and fipronil were studied on larvae, prepupa and pupae of the parasitoid. Diazinon and fipronil reduced adult emergence by 99.74 and 50.46%, respectively. The LC50 values for diazinon and fipronil on adult stage were 0.11 and 0.46 µg ai ml-1, respectively. The sublethal effects of the chemicals were studied on life-table parameters of the parasitoid emerging from parasitized eggs exposed to the FRC of the insecticides at larval stage and also adults exposed to LC30 of the insecticides. Longevity and progeny production were affected by the insecticides in comparison to the control. Three main life-table parameters including intrinsic rate of increase (rm), Doubling Time (DT) and net Reproduction rate (R0) were negatively affected by the sublethal treatments. The intrinsic rate of increase for control, diazinon and fipronil exposed populations at larval stage were 0.28, 0.23 and 0.12, respectively and were 0.26, 0.04 and 0.08 for populations exposed to LC30 at adult stage, respectively. The sex ratio of offspring at all insecticide treatments has led to the production of female offspring by the chemicals. These findings showed that diazinon and fipronil were harmful for T. brassicae, thus semifield and field studies are suggested for getting more applicable results for possibly using them in IPM programs.

The life history and predation rate were determined for all stages of female and male of Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot fed on the eggs of Tetranychus urticae Koch as the preferred prey-stage on rose (cv ‘blarodje’) leaf discs under laboratory conditions at 25±1°C, 75±5% RH, and 16 L: 8 D hour photoperiod. According to the age-stage, two-sex life table model, the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), net Reproductive rate (R0), Gross Reproductive Rate (GRR), and mean generation Time (T) were 0.296 d-1, 1.345 d-1, 33.48 offspring, 53.87 offspring and 11.83 d, respectively. Moreover, average number of T. urticae eggs consumed by different stages/sexes of P. persimilis was calculated based on the age-stage, two-sex life table model and indicated that the consumption rates increased from nymph to adult in both sexes. Also, our results showed that females consumed prey eggs 11 times more than males. The net predation rate (C0) and transformation rate from prey population to predator offspring (Qp) were 363.54 mite eggs and 10.86, respectively. The results showed that P. persimilis can successfully survive and reproduce on T. urticae eggs on rose.

The toxic effects of chromium in plants, animals and human beings in the environment have been widely studied. In the present study, pot experiment was conducted to determine the effects of chromium on photosynthetic pigments, Nitrate Reductase (NR) activity and total amino acid, proline, total protein and leghaemoglobin content of Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers. The seedlings were treated with Chromium Cr (VI), concentrations ranging from 0.38-1.92 mM Kg-1 of soil with 0.35 mM Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic acid (EDTA) and without EDTA. The efficacy of EDTA in its presence and absence was compared for periods of 30, 60 and 90 days. Our results in comparison with our control indicate the inhibitory effect of chromium to S.grandiflora. From the results it has been observed that, increasing concentrations of chromium in the presence of EDTA showed a significant increase in proline and total amino acid contents, while the total chlorophyll, leghaemoglobin content and total protein content decreased and the NR activity of the plant was also affected greatly.

Drought stress is the major limitation for crop yield, which depending on the time of occurrence, could decrease the number of grain as well as their weight. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the tolerant cereals that its grain components have an important role in human and animal nutrition; however, physical and biochemical properties of grains affected through drought stress are still poorly understood. In this study, barley genotypes (n= 6) with different levels of drought tolerance were studied in a 2-year field experiment under well-watered and terminal drought stress conditions. In order to measure physical properties of grains, digital images were taken and some morphological features were obtained by using Image Analysis Toolbox of MATLAB software. Biochemical properties of grains were also measured. Results proved that size, weight and also quality of the grains were significantly affected by drought stress (P

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is one of the most common and harmful air pollutants. High concentrations of SO2 can cause stress and limit growth in plants. Some of the plants can resist stress by bacterial symbiosis such as Rhizobium symbiosis. Rhizobium is a beneficial bacterium that enhances plant growth and yield. To study the effects of SO2 pollution on growth indexes, protein, proline and sulfur contents, 31 days old plants of Trifolium resupinatum (Persian clover), inoculated with native and standard Rhizobium were exposed to the different concentrations of SO2 (0 as control, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 ppm) for 5 consecutive days. Results showed that inoculation increased leaf area, leaf number, shoot height, root length, shoot fresh and dry weight and protein content of Persian clover but didn’t show any significant effect on proline and sulfur contents. Different concentrations of SO2 had a significant effect on leaf number, shoot height, root length, shoot fresh and dry weight, protein, proline and sulfur contents but didn’t have effects on leaf area. 0.5 ppm concentration of SO2 increased growth indexes and protein content. Proline and sulfur contents didn’t change in 0.5 ppm. Increasing SO2 decreased growth indexes and protein, and increased proline and sulfur contents. Interaction between Rhizobium inoculation and SO2 treatment improved the stress effects of high concentrations of SO2 on growth indexes, protein, proline and sulfur contents. It was therefore concluded that Rhizobium can increase tolerance and resistance of this plant to the abiotic stresses such as SO2 pollution.

The imposition of managed water deficit and early leaf removal are strategies used to improve the grapes quality in terms of anthocyanin content. The aim of our work was to evaluate the change in total anthocyanin levels during the ripening of the Sicilian grapes (Nero dAvola and Frappato) and of the international variety of Cabernet Sauvignon, subjected to two different levels of water deficit, 0% (NI) and 30% (I) of estimated crop evapotranspiration, and subjected to Early Leaf Removal (ELR) or Not (NLR). The expression of genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis, such as Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase (PAL) and UDP-glucose-Flavonoid-Glucosyl Transferase (UFGT), was also monitored. Our results indicate that the amount of anthocyanin during the ripening process can be regulated by the application of the aforementioned agronomic practises. The anthocyanin content of Cabernet Sauvignon may be risen either by the simultaneous application of Early Leaf Removal and in water restitution regime (ELR-I) or by the association of water deficit and absence of defoliation (NLR-NI). The analysis of the total content of anthocyanin in Frappato variety has globally revealed that the maximum value in the levels of pigments is reached later than in the other autochthonous Nero dAvola variety. This finding is of considerable interest since both the harvest time and product processing might be differentiated among varieties. Conversely, the variety Nero dAvola was not affected by the experimental conditions and showed the highest level of pigments at fully ripe time.

The main objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of individual application and combination effect of salicylic acid treatments (0, 0.5, 1 mM) in both unpacked and Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) on changing biochemical compounds and extending postharvest life of nectarine. Fruits were stored at 0°C with 90% RH for 40 days. Experimental fruits were analyzed for weight loss, soluble solids, titratable acidity, fruit firmness, total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, antioxidant capacity and overall quality during the storage period at 10 day intervals. The results showed that total phenolic, flavonoid concentrations and antioxidant activity fluctuated progressively until the 30 days of storage, and then decreased until the end of the experiment in all applied treatments. Salicylic acid treatment especially at 1 mM salicylic acid concentration with MAP had a positive effect on biochemical compounds. Furthermore, the combined treatment of MAP had a clear advantage over the other treatments in reducing weight loss, retarding softening, increasing shelf life, and maintaining higher overall fruit quality. The results indicated that salicylic acid with MAP can be used as a safe alternative chemical to keep the quality and for storage of nectarine.

Fruits of two apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivars ‘Bagheri’ and ‘Asgarabadi’ were treated with 1 or 3% of Calcium Chloride (CaCl2) or Calcium propionate (Ca pro) and stored at 1°C, 90% RH for 21 days (d). Fruits were sampled weekly and stored for 2 days at 20°C for shelf life study. Chilling Injury (CI), firmness, color, Titratable Acidity (TA), Soluble Solid Content (SSC), fruit calcium concentrations, Pectin MethylEsterase (PME) enzyme activity and pectin content were monitored during the storage period. CI was first detected in the control fruit after 7 days, and incidence and severity of CI in control fruit was higher than in calcium treated fruit after 14 days. Calcium treatments increased fruit calcium concentrations and delayed ethylene production, as well as softening and color changes. PME activity and water-insoluble pectin decreased while water-soluble pectin increased during fruit storage. Higher calcium concentrations may help to maintain fruit quality by alleviating CI incidence and inhibiting ripening in fruit stored at low temperature.

Many new varieties of mandarins have not been characterized from the nutritional and organoleptic point of view. It is important to know this information in order to select the cultivars of the highest quality. We characterized the physicochemical properties of 9 commercial early-maturing mandarins from south-east Spain: Four "Traditional Clementines" (Clemenules, Orogrande, Arrufatina, Oronules), 4 "New Clementines" (Loretina, Mioro, Clemenpons and Clemenrubí or Prim-23) and one "Satsuma" (Iwasaqui). ‘Oronules’, ‘Clemenules’ and ‘Iwasaki’ were the varieties that had the highest fresh weight (>120 g). The “Mioro” variety had the highest acidity (12.50 g L-1), and the juices from “Loretina” and “Mioro” showed the highest values of total soluble solids: 12.77 and 12.57 (ºBrix), respectively. “Loretina” and “Oronules” showed the most elevated values of total phenolic compounds, with 78.75 and 75.56 mg L-1 respectively. The main volatile compound was the monoterpene limonene. Following limonene in concentration was b-myrcene (25 μg L-1). “Clemenrubí” was the best variety for fresh consumption among the 9 examined, due to its high content of total phenols and ascorbic acid. Limonene was the main aroma of the mandarin juice, and the “Mioro” cultivar showed a different profile from the rest of cultivars studied according to the principal component analysis performed.

Endophytic bacteria colonize in plant tissues and enhance plant growth by a wide variety of mechanisms. The objectives of this study were to examine the population of root endophytic bacteria in soybean and corn, and to identify IAA-producing endophytic bacterial strains and their growth promoting effect. The density of endophytic bacteria varied irrespective of crops, sampling times and soil amendments. A total of 119 and 277 bacterial isolates were isolated from soybean and corn roots, respectively. 39.6% of the total isolates showed IAA production in the range of 1~23 μg mL-1 in culture medium supplemented with tryptophan. Fourteen isolates, designated as S1-S4 from soybean roots and C1-C10 from corn roots, had the capacity of producing IAA over 10 mg L-1. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the fourteen isolates were closely related to Psychrobacillus, Microbacterium, Lysinibacillus and Bacillus. Pot experiment indicated that the growth-promoting effects varied among these 14 bacterial strains and not all of the strains were able to promote growth of the tested soybean and wheat plants. Strains Microbacterium sp. C4 and Lysinibacillus sp. C7 showed better performances in promoting soybean and wheat seedling growth.

Tall fescue is an out-crossing allohexaploid grass species extensively used for forage and turf worldwide. Cultivars of outbreeding forage grasses such as tall fescue are usually synthetic populations derived from intercrossing several selected parents using the polycross method. In this study, the application of AFLP molecular markers to optimize genetic diversity in a polycross breeding program of tall fescue was evaluated. For both phenotypic characters and AFLP molecular markers, two polycrosses of six parental plants with contrasting levels of genetic diversity were composed. A fifth polycross population was composed using six genotypes with the highest general combining ability. The results of this study showed that marker assistant parental selection produced superior progenies, indicating that selection based on molecular marker diversity may be an appropriate means to improve first generation progenies of tall fescue. This may be mainly useful in large breeding programs because the identification of diversity based on phenotypic traits is time consuming and may be influenced by environmental effects.

Genetic diversity in cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.; Fabaceae) genotypes was studied using Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) to derive conclusions about diversity analysis in groups of accessions of a germplasm. The two methods, individually as well as cumulatively revealed the range of diversity in profiles among 104 genotypes collected from different geographical regions of India. A simulated clustering of the collected plant genotypes was divided into defined affinity groups using Structure program and the cluster analysis of molecular markers data revealed six broad sub-clusters. These results were validated with a Principal Coordinate analysis. The combined data was more informative than either of the individual method data. The diversity range was found to be wide and the presence of six broad clusters suggests the existence of many genetic lineages that can constitute useful starting points for the use of germplasm diversity in the selection and improvement of the cluster bean crop.

Broomrape is a debilitating holoparasiting weed in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) fields with devastating effects on its production. In this study, the reaction of 89 tobacco genotypes was evaluated against broomrape (Orobanche aegyptiaca) in randomized complete block design with three replications during two years. In each year, genotypes were planted in both non-inoculated and inoculated conditions where the soil of pots was mixed with 0.06 g of broomrape seed. Considering the average data of two years, studied genotypes did not show infection to broomrape at non-inoculated condition, whereas in inoculated condition, the majority of genotypes showed infection to broomrape. Two genotypes including ‘TB 22’ and ‘Kramograd NHH 659’ did not show any infection to broomrape in inoculated condition. In a molecular experiment, the fingerprint of tobacco genotypes was prepared with 26 SSR loci. Using model-based Bayesian approach, the studied association panel was divided into three subgroups. The D¢ was used to test the LD between pairs of SSR loci using the software package TASSEL. 7.08% of possible SSR locus pairs showed significant level of linkage disequilibrium (P

Citrus plants are hosts of several viroid species, among which, pathogenic variants of Hop Stunt Viroid (HSVd) induce citrus cachexia disease. Stunting, chlorosis, gumming of the bark, stem pitting and decline are symptoms of cachexia in mandarins and their hybrids as susceptible hosts. Based on the pathogenic properties on citrus, HSVd variants are divided in two distinct groups: those that are symptomless on sensitive citrus host species and those that induce cachexia disease. In this study, two cachexia isolates were selected and biological indexing was performed in a controlled temperature greenhouse (40ºC day and 28ºC night) using Etrog citron (Citrus medica) grafted on Rough lemon (C. jhambiri), as a common indicator for citrus viroids. The plants were inoculated with the inocula from a severe symptomatic tree of a newly declining orchard of Jiroft, Kerman province and a mild symptomatic tree from Mazandaran province. Presence of HSVd was confirmed with sPAGE, Hybridization by DIG-labeled probes and RT-PCR using specific primers of HSVd. Primary and secondary structures of the isolates were studied. The consensus sequence of RT-PCR amplicons of the severe isolate (JX430796) presented 97% identity with the reference sequence of a IIb variant of HSVd (AF213501) and an Iranian isolate of the viroid (GQ923783) deposited in the gene bank. The mild isolate (JX430798) presented 100% homology with the HSVd-IIc variant previously reported from Iran (GQ923784). Both isolates were shown to be cachexia inducing according to their sizes, sequences and lack of “non-cachexia expression motif” structures.