Determination of leaf breaking strength in some clover genotypes collected from Antalya natural flora

The study was conducted to determine whether there is a difference in leaf breaking resistance between genotypes in order to minimize leaf breaks which cause large loss in alfalfa forage production. The experiment was carried out in the Batı Akdeniz Agricultural Research Institute, at the Department of Field Crops in 2016. It was established by randomized complete block design. Breaking resistance of the leaves was measured using a universal testing machine on the main stem belonging to alfalfa genotypes which were collected from 40 different locations at the fourth-end leaves. In addition, thickness of leaf stalk, rupture energy of green and dry samples and rupture stress of green and dry samples were calculated. As a result of the experiment; in dry sample, Demre-1, Döşemealtı-2 and Konyaaltı-2, genotypes were determined to have the highest breaking resistance and Alanya-1, Alanya-2, Finike-1, Finike-2, Manavgat-1 Manavgat-2 and Gazipaşa-2 genotypes were determined to have the lowest breaking resistance. In the dry sample, while the highest breaking resistance value was measured at 1.0419 N, the lowest breaking resistance value was measured at 1.0022 N. A wide variation among genotypes was determined in terms of the characteristics examined and it can be said that the rupture resistance can be used as a selection criterion

A Multivariate Analysis in Relation to Edaphic and Environmental Factors of Rangelands Vegetation of Mugla Province

This study was carried out in order to compare in 20 different rangeland sample areas that determined in order to environmental variables, vegetation and soil properties by multivariate ordination analysis in Mugla province. Cluster analysis was made to determine the similarity and species compositions of sample areas, and as a result of this analysis, three different groups have occurred. Additionally, detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) was made after the indicator species analysis. The interaction between environmental and soil-borne factors as altitude, distance to village, soil depth, pH in saturated soil with water, lime and surface stoniness were found to be significant and this significance was expressed by graphs. Moreover, it was indicated that relationship with species in the vegetation of the variables that were determined as significant by tables and figures. The relationship with the species in the vegetation of the variables that were determined as significant was also indicated. The result of the study showed that environmental variables as soil depth, soil pH saturated with water, stony surface, altitude and distance to villages had a significant effect on the species diversity and distribution in the samples areas

Real-Time Electrical Resistivity Measurement and Mapping Platform of the Soils with an Autonomous Robot for Precision Farming Applications

Soil electrical resistivity (ER) is an important indicator to indirectly determine soil physical and chemical properties such as moisture, salinity, porosity, organic matter level, bulk density, and soil texture. In this study, real-time ER measurement system has been developed with the help of an autonomous robot. The aim of this study is to provide rapid measurement of the ER in large areas using the Wenner four-probe measurement method for precision farming applications. The ER measurement platform consists of the Wenner probes, a y-axis shifter driven by a DC motor through a gear reducer, all installed on a steel-frame that mount to an autonomous robot. An embedded industrial computer and differential global positioning system (DGPS) were used to assist in real-time measuring, recording, mapping, and displaying the ER and the robot position during the field operation. The data acquisition software was codded in Microsoft Visual Basic.NET. Field experiments were carried out in a 1.2 ha farmland soil. ER and DGPS values were stored in Microsoft SQL Server 2005 database, an ordinary Kriging interpolation technique by ArcGIS was used and the average ER values were mapped for the soil depth between 0 and 50 cm. As a result, ER values were observed to be between 30.757 and 70.732 ohm-m. In conclusion, the experimental results showed that the designed system works quite well in the field and the ER measurement platform is a practical tool for providing real-time soil ER measurements

Quality Assessment of Biofuel Briquettes Obtained from Greenhouse Waste Using a Mobile Prototype Briquetting Machine with PTO Drive

Turkey has a large agricultural area and produces 55–60 million tons of biomass waste/year. This study aimed to obtain bio-briquettes from three types of dried greenhouse wastes and to determine their strength parameters. A prototype of a mobile briquetting machine driven by power take-off (PTO), with hydraulic pistons, and comprising a shredder and grinding or crushing unit with a briquetting pressure in the range of 0–190 MPa, was used. The physical parameters of the obtained briquettes were determined, including density, tumbler and shatter resistance, compression resistance, water intake capacity, and resistance to moisture-humidity. The results of physical and mechanical tests showed that the briquettes are of an extremely high quality. The maximum density, shatter and tumbler resistance were 1143.52 kg·m−3, 99.24% in pepper plant waste, and 98.52% in eggplant plant waste, respectively. Based on the analysis of compression tests obtained under 190 MPa (maximum compaction force of 450 kN), the maximum compression force, compression stress, and specific compression force were found in briquettes made from tomato plant wastes (3315 N, 69.43 N·mm−2, 40.09 N·mm−1, respectively). Overall, the results and variables affecting the strength parameters showed that greenhouse waste biomass is an excellent feedstock for the production of high quality bio-briquettes. The valorization of briquetted greenhouse waste with the proposed prototype contributes to the sustainability of the environment and to a reduction in energy costs for farmers

Determination of the Botanical Composition of Some Rangeland in Antalya Province

Bu araştırma, Antalya ilinin 6 farklı ilçesindeki doğal meralarda botanik kompozisyonu saptamak amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Ölçümler modifiye edilmiş tekerlekli nokta metoduyla yapılmıştır. Vejetasyon döneminde toplam 21 durakta 176 farklı tür tespit edilmiştir. Tespit edilen türlerin 34 adedi buğdaygil, 39 adedi baklagil ve 103 adedi diğer familyalara ait türlerden oluşmaktadır. Bitki örtüsünü oluşturan türlerin % 19.3"ü buğdaygil, % 22.1"i baklagil, % 58.5"i ise diğer familya türlerinden oluşmaktadır. İncelenen meralarda bitki ile kaplılık oranının % 71.9 ile % 95.1 arasında değiştiği saptanmıştır. İncelenen mera alanlarının mera durum sınıfının zayıf ve orta ayrıca mera sağlığı sınıfının ise sağlıklı olduğu tespit edilmiştir.This research was conducted to determine botanical compositions of the native rangelands in the six different district of Antalya Province. Vegetation of the rangeland was determined by the Modified Wheel Point Method. 176 plant species were determined at 21 locations in the vegetation period. Determined species consist of 34 grasses, 39 legumes and 103 other families. Determined species except bare ground and rocky areas, consist of 19.3% grasses, 22.1 % legumes and 58.5 % other family plants. It was observed that the rate of plant-covered area varies between 71.9 % and 95.1 % in the rangelands. It was determined that the rangeland condition class was "Poor" and "Fair" and also health class was healthy