Effects of stocking density on survival,growth and biochemical composition of cultured mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis,Lamarck 1819) from an offshore submerged longline system

This study examined an offshore submerged mussel longline system, in the Black Sea, from May 2009 to May 2010. The system was allowed 1 year for spat collection. After a 1‐year spat collection period, some spat collectors were left untouched (NS), and some spat collectors were grazed and socked (S) for a grow‐out study in May 2009. The effects of stocking density on the growth and survival of the S and NS mussels were examined. The biochemical composition of the mussels was also determined. Environmental factors including temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a, total suspended matter, inorganic matter and organic matter were monitored monthly during the experimental period. In May 2010, the mean length and live weight of the S and NS mussels were 60.46 ± 0.60 mm and 53.34 ± 0.37 mm, respectively, and 20.50 ± 0.50 g and 13.11 ± 0.26 g respectively. Mean moisture and ash were 82.35 ± 0.47% and 6.67 ± 0.44% respectively. Mean carbohydrate, protein and lipid were 27.74 ± 2.40%, 57.68 ± 2.15% and 7.91 ± 0.68% respectively. These results indicate that a submerged offshore mussel culture system in the Black Sea can be commercially convenient. In addition, stock management via thinning out of the spat can considerably increase the marketable size of mussels, reduce harvest time and produce better growth.     

Effects of dietary selenium of organic form against lead toxicity on the antioxidant system in Cyprinus carpio

In this study was evaluated potential protective effect of organic selenium (Se) on heavy metal stress induced by lead (Pb) in Cyprinus carpio. For this reason, C. carpio was exposed to sublethal concentration of Pb (1.5 mg/L Pb(NO₃)₂) for 14 days. The fish were fed a basal (control; measured 0.55 mg/kg Se) diet or a basal diet supplemented with 2.50 mg/kg (measured 2.92 mg/kg Se) organic Se (Sel-Plex^®) during the experiment period. The variations in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities, and levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) with malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver and brain tissues of C. carpio were investigated in experimental groups. GSH levels in liver and brain tissues were significantly decreased by exposure to Pb. GST activity was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in liver tissue, but decreased in brain of treated fish by exposure to Pb. Also, GSH-Px activity was significantly increased in liver tissue, but decreased in brain of Pb-treated fish. Levels of MDA were increased in liver and brain of Pb-treated fish. The organic Se treatment for Pb-intoxicated animals improved activities of GSH-Px, GST and levels of MDA within normal limits. Supplemented Se could be able to improve Pb-induced oxidative stress by decreasing lipid peroxidation and regulating antioxidant defense system in tissues.     

An approach to determining forest areas with recreational potential: The case of forest areas around main transportation roads in the Maçka Region of Trabzon,Turkey

It is most important to determine areas with recreation potential that can permit sustainable use of forest resources and also meet recreational uses. Under the method described in this study, using the Geographic Information System (GIS), a spatial suitability model for recreational use was combined with a recreational priority perceptual suitability model that depends on principal component analysis (PCA) and is based on the perceptions of both recreational users and experts. Using principal component analysis, five priority components explaining 69.371% of the total variance were identified out of 12 perceptual suitability components. These components are scenic beauty, accessibility, the surface of the landscape, tree type, and forest stand condition. The recreation terrain suitability value of an area with recreational potential was assessed with the assistance of these five priority components. This enabled us to generate a recreation terrain suitability value equation and a recreation terrain suitability value scale for a potential recreation area. This applicability of this approach was demonstrated in the identification of potential recreation areas in Trabzon, Turkey.     

Response of Leek (Allium porrum L.) to Different Irrigation Water Levels Under Rain Shelter

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different water levels on water-use efficiency, yield and growth parameters of leek (Allium porrum L.) and was carried out in the practical research field of Ondokuz May?s University in Turkey. Different irrigation water levels were based on the weight changes of each pot and included 5 irrigation treatments [25% (I₂₅), 50% (I₅₀), 75% (I₇₅), 100% (I₁₀₀) and 118% (I₁₁₈) times of consumed water]. Decreases in irrigation water resulted in decreases in plant height, stem diameter, leaf and stem fresh weights, leaf and stem dry weights and leaf area, but did not significantly affect leaf number or chlorophyll content. A yield-response factor of 1.26 was obtained, implying that the leek crop was sensitive to water stress caused by deficit irrigation. Comprehensive analysis of yield, water use efficiency, and evapotranspiration, the I₇₅ treatment can be suggested for leek production in water-scarce regions.     

Ceratocystis platani is killing plane trees in Istanbul (Turkey)

Ceratocystis platani was detected at several locations in the European side of Istanbul, causing severe dieback and mortality, mainly on Platanus × acerifolia imported from Italy approximately 160 years ago, but also on Platanus orientalis. In the work reported here, the causal agent of the dieback and mortality was identified based on morphological characteristics in culture and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing, confirming the presence of C. platani in Turkey. All analysed C. platani isolates from Istanbul shared the same ITS sequence with European C. platani strains available in the NCBI, but differed from other species previously ascribed to the Ceratocystis fimbriata species complex. Pathogenicity of C. platani was proven by inoculation onto 25‐cm‐long and 4–9 mm diam. P. orientalis twigs and the causal agent reisolated from symptomatic tissues. In a survey of 976 Platanus in streets and parks of Istanbul, 26.5% of trees showed symptoms of C. platani infections, whilst 5.6% were dead. The proportion of symptomatic trees was higher where management interventions, such as topping or pruning and felling infected trees had been carried out.     

Socioeconomic structure and analysis of the demand for wood raw materials in the poplar wood-processing companies of the Sakarya and Kocaeli provinces in Turkey

This study investigates the socioeconomic structure and factors affecting the demand for raw materials of the poplar wood-processing industrial companies within 11 districts of the Sakarya and Kocaeli provinces. A face-to-face survey was conducted in 53 current companies. The data were evaluated using percentage methods and the Kruskal–Wallis H-Test. The data on the raw material demand of the companies were also evaluated using statistical (factor and regression) analyses. The most important factors affecting the structure of the demand for raw materials were determined as follows: (a) the scale or size of company, (b) the demand level for products, (c) production form of the company, (d) price of raw materials, (e) external environmental conditions, (f) raw material types and features, (g) seasons, and (h) the procurement conditions for raw materials. Also, the variables influencing the change in the raw material demand were determined to be: (a) the principle activity area of the company, (b) its amount of capital, (c) the price of raw materials, and (d) the production as well as profit levels of the company. Economic, technical, and managerial proposals were developed to advise the companies on how to operate more efficiently and profitably.     

Effect of the low and radio frequency oxygen plasma treatment of jute fiber on mechanical properties of jute fiber/polyester composite

We investigated the surface modification of jute fiber by oxygen plasma treatments. Jute fibers were treated in different plasma reactors (radio frequency “RF” and low frequency “LF” plasma reactors) using O₂ for different plasma powers to increase the interface adhesion between jute fiber and polyester matrix. The influence of various plasma reactors on mechanical properties of jute fiber-reinforced polyester composites was reported. Tensile, flexure, short beam shear tests were used to determine the mechanical properties of the composites. The interlaminar shear strength increased from 11.5 MPa for the untreated jute fiber/polyester composite to 19.8 and 26.3 MPa for LF and RF oxygen plasma treated jute fiber/polyester composites, respectively. O₂ plasma treatment also improved the tensile and flexural strengths of jute fiber/ polyester composites for both plasma systems. It is clear that O₂ plasma treatment of jute fibers by using RF plasma system instead of using LF plasma system brings about greater improvement on the mechanical properties of jute/polyester composites.     

Description of the rusts from Kemaliye (Erzincan,Turkey)

Twenty-two rust diseases caused by Melampsora euphorbiae, M. lini var. lini, Phragmidium mucronatum var. mucronatum, Ph. sanguisorbae, Gymnosporangium cornutum, G. confusum, G. tremelloides, Puccinia acarnae, P. annularis, P. eryngii, P. heterophyllae, P. hieracii, P. jasmini, P. menthae, P. nigrescens, P. pulverulenta, P. punctata, Uromyces dianthi, U. pisi-sativi, U. polygoni-avicularis, U. striatus and Pileolaria terebinthi were identified from Kemaliye (Erzincan) in Turkey. Puccinia heterophyllae is reported for the first time from Turkey.     

Seawater exposure effect on the fracture toughness of low-density woods/GRP sandwich systems

The effect of seawater exposure on the fracture toughness of balsa (Ochroma pyramidale L.) and end-grain balsa cores that are widely used in small-craft constructive members has been investigated experimentally in this study. The interfacial fracture toughness was determined using mode I cracked sandwich beam (CSB) tests. Additionally, the same tests were performed for poplar (Populus tremula L.), easily available because of its natural distribution along the coast of Turkey and more cost-effective than balsa and its derivatives, to see if it is a proper alternative. It was found that balsa and poplar cores that can be classified as low-density cores have much lower fracture toughness values than end-grain balsa cores. Additionally, there was a positive effect of seawater exposure on their fracture toughness as opposed to that of the end-grain core. From the aspect of fracture toughness, the poplar core can be considered much more reliable than the balsa core where delamination loads occur.