Possible Impacts of Climate Change on Sunflower Yield in Turkey

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is the main raw material used to produce oil for consumption and oilseed in Turkey; however, its production is not sufficient, even for only domestic consumption. Therefore, studies were needed to determine how to increase both the production area and yield in Turkey. The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible effects of climate changes on future sunflower yield. A total of 29 provinces with intense sunflower cultivation during years of 1985–2014 were evaluated. Sunflower production values and meteorological data, which belong to years of 1985–2014, on climate projections, based on HadGEM2-ES Global Climate Model and RCP8.5 scenario that cover period of 2016–2099, were used as material. In the first part of the study, linear regression analyses were conducted between the observation and production data using the least squares method. In the second part, the possible effects of climate changes on sunflower yield for 2016–2040, 2041–2070, and 2071–2099 were determined using regression equations and climate projection data. Projections indicate that decreases in yield are expected, especially in the second half of this century. In Tekirdag and Konya provinces, where there is intensive sunflower cultivation, severe decreases in yield are expected for all studied periods

Expression of prtA from Photorhabdus luminescens in Bacillus thuringiensis enhances mortality in lepidopteran larvae by sub-cutaneous but not oral infection.

The prtA gene from Photorhabdus luminescens encodes the virulence factor Protease A. When P. luminescens is injected into the hemocoel of insects by entomopathogenic nematodes, PrtA is a key component of pathogenicity thought to help degrade the immune system. The prtA gene was cloned and introduced on a plasmid into Bacillus thuringiensis. PrtA was shown to be actively expressed in vitro by cleavage of a specific Dabcyl-Edans heptapeptide substrate. There was no difference in the speed or level of mortality when spores and δ-endotoxins crystals of the transformed strain were fed to larvae of Pieris brassicae, as compared to the wild-type strain. When vegetative cells were injected into the hemocoel of larvae of Galleriamellonella, however, there was a significant increase in the rate and level of mortality over the wild type. The yield of B. thuringiensis per cadaver was a hundred-fold greater in the PrtA-secreting strain. The increased pathogenicity from intrahemocoelic infection may have been due to a greater ability to overcome the immune response of G. mellonella while other factors such as resident gut bacteria may have negated this advantage after oral dosage

Antioxidant potential of Turkish pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) genotypes at two different maturity stages

WOS: 000378090700007Improved phytochemicals and antioxidant properties in crops are becoming important traits in many breeding programs. In this study, along with several other horticultural attributes, total phenolic content (TP) and antioxidant capacity (ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC)) of 52 superior pepper genotypes from the Alata Pepper Breeding Program were examined. The fruits from these plants were harvested at immature and mature stages. The genotypes greatly varied for TP, FRAP, TEAC, soluble solids, vitamin C content, and fruit color as determined by L, a and b values. The range for TP was 319-4047 mu g GAE/g fresh weight (fw), while FRAP and TEAC varied between 0.22 and 0.56 mu mol of TE/g fw and 0.08 and 1.88 mu mol TE/g fw. All these characteristics were considerably variable between immature and mature stages. These characteristics were also found to be significantly correlated. Principal component analyses conducted for all the characters used in the study and constructed separately for immature and mature stages demonstrated no obvious patterns for pepper types. Therefore, our overall results suggest that individual pepper cultivars having high total phenolic and antioxidant capacity can be utilized in developing new pepper cultivars with rich phytochemical content.Alata Horticultural Research Institute; General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies; Republic of Turkey Ministry of Food, Agriculture, LivestockWe would like to thank the Alata Horticultural Research Institute, the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies, and the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Livestock for supporting this research

Kaempferol loaded lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles: preparation, characterization, and their potential applications as a sustainable antifungal agent

WOS: 000402039400007PubMed ID: 27265551Flavonoid compounds are strong antioxidant and antifungal agents but their applications are limited due to their poor dissolution and bioavailability. The use of nanotechnology in agriculture has received increasing attention, with the development of new formulations containing active compounds. In this study, kaempferol (KAE) was loaded into lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles (LC NPs) to determine antifungal activity compared to pure KAE against the phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporium to resolve the bioavailability problem. The influence of formulation parameters on the physicochemical properties of KAE loaded lecithin chitosan nanoparticles (KAE-LC NPs) were studied by using the electrostatic self-assembly technique. KAE-LC NPs were characterized in terms of physicochemical properties. KAE has been successfully encapsulated in LC NPs with an efficiency of 93.8 +/- 4.28% and KAE-LC NPs showed good physicochemical stability. Moreover, in vitro evaluation of the KAE-LC NP system was made by the release kinetics, antioxidant and antifungal activity in a time-dependent manner against free KAE. Encapsulated KAE exhibited a significantly inhibition efficacy (67%) against Fusarium oxysporium at the end of the 60 day storage period. The results indicated that KAE-LC NP formulation could solve the problems related to the solubility and loss of KAE during use and storage. The new nanoparticle system enables the use of smaller quantities of fungicide and therefore, offers a more environmentally friendly method of controlling fungal pathogens in agriculture.Hacettepe University Scientific Research Project [014 D12 101 005-820]; Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) [2211/C]This work was supported by Hacettepe University Scientific Research Project grant (014 D12 101 005-820) and The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) with PhD Scholarship (2211/C)

LESS KNOWN VACCINIUM: ANTIOXIDANT AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SELECTED CAUCASIAN WHORTLEBERRY (Vaccinium arctostaphylos) FRUITS NATIVE TO BLACK SEA REGION OF TURKEY

WOS: 000339362600005There is an increasing interest in the commericalization of native fruits for food and medicinal extract utilization. This study was undertaken to determine the antioxidant and chemical properties of selected caucasian whortleberry from the native region of Northeastern Turkey. Caucasian whortleberry (Vaccinium arctostaphylos L.), a close relative to cultivated blueberries, were harvested from various sites of Black sea region of Turkey and were analyzed for their total phenolic (TP), anthocyanin (TA) contents, and their antioxidant capacity by FRAP and TEAC assays. Specific sugar and organic acid composition were also determined by the help of HPLC. ARC-1, and ARC-6 displayed the highest TP contents (5780 and 5754 mu g GAB g(-1) fw). The TA values were spectrophotometrically estimated and they were varied between 74.7 (ARC-6) and 194.4 (ARC-4) mu g del-3-glu g(-1) fresh weight basis. ARC-1 had the highest amount (19.5 and 23.4 mu mol TE g(-1) fw) of antioxidant capacity or both TEAC and FRAP assays. Fructose and glucose were found to be predominant sugars in all genotypes analyzed. The concentrations of fructose and glucose were averaged at 45.1 and 41.2 g kg(-1) fw respectively. The organic acid distribution of berries was dominated by citric acid (mean of 9.85 g kg(-1) fw). These results may provide evidence that Caucasian whortleberry has strong antioxidant capacity. Also, results of this study may be used for utilization of selected genotypes in the breeding studies of close relative vaccinium plants

Changes in thermal properties of crude oil asphaltenes induced by NaOH treatment

In this study, an asphaltic Turkish crude oil was treated with alkali solution (NaOH) at different concentrations to simulate an alkali EOR technique. IFT (interfacial tension) measurements were carried out by ring method and the yields of asphaltene is precipitated after the process. Thermal properties of these asphaltenes were investigated by thermal analysis methods (thermogravimetry, TG/DTG and differential scanning calorimeter, DSC) to infer the possible changes in the asphaltene molecules and their behavior during refinery or fuel purposes. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

The effect of gamma radiation and magnetic field on seed germination andseedling growth at low temperature in sorghum x sudangrass hybrids

This study was aimed to provide seed germination and seedling growth of sorghum x sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) hybrids at low temperature by using gamma radiation and magnetic field strength. Seeds of two hybrids ("Aneto" and "Sugar Graze") were treated with different gamma doses (0-control, 100 Gy) and magnetic field strengths (0-control and 75 mT) for 72 hours while some were applied with both gamma radiation + magnetic field. Germination trials were carried out for 10 days in an incubator at 15°C temperature. Germinated seeds fromeach treatment were transferred to pots (5 pots with 4 seeds each) and cultured for 28 days in growth chamber at 15°C temperature. In this study, germination percentage, seedling growth percentage, seedling height, root length, seedling fresh and dry weights, and water content of seedling were determined. Lowest results in all parameters in both hybrids were observed in the control treatment without gamma radiation and magnetic field strength application. The highest values in all parameters studied were recorded in seeds treated both by gammaradiation+magnetic field strength applied together in "Aneto", and in seeds treated with magnetic field strength in "Sugar Graze". As a result of the research, gamma radiation and magnetic field strength applied to seed increased seed germination and seedling growth at a low temperature of 15°C

Autonomous cortisol secretion in adrenal incidentalomas and increased visceral fat accumulation during follow-up.

Objective: Autonomous cortisol secretion of adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) is associated with poor cardiovascular outcome. Because centripetal obesity is a cardiovascular risk factor, we aimed to investigate whether autonomous cortisol secretion is associated with increased visceral fat accumulation