Recent changes in the spawning grounds of Black Sea anchovy,Engraulis encrasicolus

Towards the end of the 1980s, when the spawning grounds in the northwestern shelf (NWS) of the Black Sea were lingering with the effects of eutrophication and of an exotic invasive ctenophore, a series of basin‐wide international ichthyoplankton surveys pointed out an increase in the anchovies spawning in the southern half of the Black Sea. Later, with the help of international conservation efforts, several key littoral ecosystem components within the anchovy's historical spawning grounds showed signs of recovery. However, the fate of the spawning stock anchovy in the south remained unanswered. In order to present the current situation in the southern Black Sea after two decades, an ichthyoplankton survey adopting the same methodology as previously used was undertaken during the peak spawning season of the Black Sea anchovy (BSa). The survey showed that the density of eggs was by far greater than for any of the surveys conducted previously. A wider geographical distribution of the eggs indicated an increase in the number of vagrants which had drifted away from the known spawning grounds. In contrast, the increased reproductive activity in the south signifies existence of a growing, non‐migrating southern BS stock. This stock seems to utilize the coastal hydrographic features associated with the rim current facilitating escape (loophole) from gelatinous predators such as Mnemiopsis leidyi and Aurelia aurata.     

Effect of the burial depth and environmental factors on the seasonal germination of bearded sprangletop (Leptochloa fusca [L.] Kunth ssp. fascicularis [Lam.] N. Snow)

Bearded sprangletop recently was introduced to Turkey, where it has adapted to rice cultivation and become an important weed in many regions of the country. Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of light, temperature, osmotic stress, salt stress, pH and flooding on bearded sprangletop germination and emergence. Mature bearded sprangletop seeds were collected from rice fields in August 2008. Approximately 1250 seeds were wrapped in plastic fabric and buried at 2 or 10 cm in pots in flooded or non‐flooded conditions. In this experiment, seed germination in the light from the flooded and non‐flooded treatments began in the spring, peaked in summer and decreased in the fall. This pattern was repeated the following year after exposing the seeds to natural seasonal temperature changes. As either the level of water stress or NaCl concentration increased, cumulative seed germination decreased. No seed germinated when the NaCl concentration exceeded 400 mole. The level of seedling emergence decreased with an increasing burial depth. Under the flooded conditions, emergence began in late April and continued until early July, with peak emergence in the first week of June. Under the non‐flooded conditions, bearded sprangletop emerged later than under the flooded conditions and the overall level of emergence was lower. The depth of burial and water stress appear to be the most important factors that limit seed germination. Germination was stimulated by light, suggesting that the seeds are positively photoblastic.     

Supplementary phosphorus can alleviate boron toxicity in tomato

The effect of supplementary phosphorus on growth and yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Target F1) plants grown at high boron was investigated. The results showed that high B reduced dry matter, fruit yield and chlorophyll content. High B plus 0.5 or 1 mM P increased plant dry matter, fruit yield and chlorophyll concentrations as compared to high B treatments only. Membrane permeability was not increased significantly due to high B application. In the leaves of plants grown at high boron treatments, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) levels were increased. However, supplementary P to nutrient solution containing high B reduced the activities of the earlier mentioned enzymes in leaves but their levels were still higher than those at the control treatments. The study revealed that B status affects the activities of some antioxidant enzymes examined. Boron (B) concentrations increased in leaves and roots in the highest external B treatment as compared to the control treatment. Concentrations of Ca, P and K were significantly lower in the leaves of plants grown at high B than those in the control plants. Supplemented nutrient solution containing high B with 0.5 or 1 mM P increased the tissue concentrations of nutrients. These results indicate that supplementary P can mitigate the adverse effects of high B on fruit yield and growth in tomato plants.     

Proximate Chemical Composition of Whiting (Merlangius merlangus euxinus Nordmann, 1840) Roe

This research investigated the proximate chemical composition of whiting roe from October to April. The highest water content (83.99%) was found in March, while the lowest (72.40%) was found in December. The highest protein (14.54%) and lipid contents (9.71%) were found in December, while the lowest protein content (7.35%) was found in January and the lowest lipid content (0.38%) in April. Crude ash content of whiting roe changed from 0.86 to 1.49%. The highest (154 kcal/100 g) and lowest energy values (64 kcal/100 g) were determined in December and April, respectively. Whiting roe can be used as a source of valuable nutrients for human nutrition.     

Effects of supplementation of chromium histidinate on glucose,lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in cats

In recent years, two meta‐analyses of chromium (Cr) supplementation have shown beneficial effects on glucose metabolism. Chromium histidinate (CrHis) reduces serum glucose levels in rats fed a high‐fat diet but no study has been conducted on cats until now. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of CrHis on glucose and lipid metabolism in cats. To challenge the glucose metabolism, 16 cats were fed a high‐carbohydrate high‐fat diet for three months. One group (n = 8) received 800 ug CrHis per day for two months, while the other group (n = 8) served as control group. An oral glucose tolerance test was conducted, blood samples were taken, and biochemical parameters and oxidative stress were measured. CrHis serum levels were significantly increased (p = 0.027) in the treatment group, while fructosamine levels were significantly lower (p = 0.029) in the control group. In both groups, glucose (p < 0.01), b‐hydroxy‐butyrate (p = 0.024) and 8‐hydroxy‐deoxyguanosine (p = 0.028) levels decreased significantly and cholesterol levels increased significantly (p < 0.01). In conclusion, CrHis did not improve glucose or lipid metabolism and did not affect oxidative stress in healthy cats.     

Effect of acid modification of biochar on nutrient availability and maize growth in a calcareous soil

The nutritional quality of acid‐modified poultry manure biochar is unclear, so a better understanding of its properties and agronomic potential is needed. The biochar was modified with phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) and nitric acid (HNO₃) and a combination of the two, before and after pyrolysis. After characterization of biochar samples and determination of total and water‐soluble mineral element concentrations, biochars were applied to a calcareous soil at a rate of 0.5% (w/w) to find out their effects on the mineral nutrition and growth of maize. Treatment with H₃PO₄+ HNO₃ enriches the biochar with phosphate, nitro groups and nitrate. The experimental results suggested that biochar modified with HNO₃ and/or HNO₃+H₃PO₄ after pyrolysis increased the water‐soluble phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) concentrations and increased plant‐available nutrients and plant growth by positively affecting the absorption of plant nutrients. The highest plant dry weight was obtained from biochar post‐treated with HNO₃+H₃PO_4, and this was followed by HNO₃‐ and H₃PO₄‐modified biochars. Premodification with HNO₃+H₃PO4 also significantly increased plant dry weights. The results of this study revealed that poultry manure biochar modified with HNO₃ and H₃PO₄ can be used effectively in calcareous soil for the improvement of plant mineral nutrition.     

Effect of copper deficiency on blood lipid profile and haematological parameters in broilers

The aim of the study was to observe the changes in haematological parameters and blood lipid profile through copper (Cu) deficiency. Eighty broiler chicks were used in the study. The chicks were separated into two equal groups (n = 40), feed treatment according to the groups started on day 7. The animals in the control group were fed with normal feed. Those in the Cu-deficient group were fed with feed that did not contain supplemental Cu. Blood samples were taken from all the animals on days 7, 21 and 49. Fibrinogen and prothrombin time were assayed in plasma; total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol), triglyceride and ceruloplasmin were assayed in sera; and haematocrit and thrombocyte levels were assayed in the blood samples. Total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the Cu-deficient group than in the control group. Serum ceruloplasmin levels were lower in the Cu-deficient group than in the control group. Prothrombin time was higher in the Cu-deficient group than in the control group. Haematocrit levels were lower in the Cu-deficient group than in the control group. It was concluded that Cu deficiency created hypertriglyceridaemia, hypercholesterolaemia, insufficient growth and anaemia in broilers.     

Effect of NaCl salinity in the genotypic variation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) during early vegetative growth

Twenty-five genotypes of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) were tested for salt-tolerance at the vegetative growth stage in pot in the greenhouse experiments at salinity levels of 0, 85, and 170 mM NaCl. Plant survival was the main criterion for classifying genotypes. Other criteria included the ion concentration (Na⁺ and Cl⁻) in root and shoot and biomass accumulation. Four local accessions (‘Paceño’, ‘Tardón’, ‘Sonorense’, and ‘Cuarenteño’), three accessions from California (‘CB46’, ‘CB27’, and ‘CB3’), and one accession from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) (‘IT82D-889’) survived at concentrations of both 85 and 170 mM NaCl and were classified as salt-tolerant, while ‘IT96D-666’, ‘IT89KD-288’, and ‘IT93K-734’ from IITA were classified as salt-sensitive. One local accession (‘Sesenteño’), three accessions from IITA (‘PEPH-V Wes-85’, ‘IT86D-719’, and ‘IT95K-1090-12’), and one accession from California (‘CB5’) were classified as moderately salt-tolerant. Eight accessions from IITA (‘IT96D-733’, ‘IT90K-277-2’, ‘IT91K-93-10’, ‘IT91K-118-20’, ‘IT90K-284-2’, ‘IT95K-1088-4’, ‘IT89KD-391’, and ‘IT94K-437-1’) and one from California (‘CB88’) were classified as moderately salt-sensitive. Biomass was affected by both 85 and 170 mM NaCl in all groups of genotypes, however, salt-tolerant and moderately salt-tolerant genotypes showed higher biomass than genotypes classified as moderately salt-sensitive and salt-sensitive. In all genotypes Cl⁻ concentration was higher in shoots than roots and increased as salinity increased. Similarly Na⁺ concentration increased with increasing salinity. However, in salt-tolerant and moderately salt-tolerant genotypes, Na⁺ concentration was more in roots than shoots, while in moderately salt-sensitive and salt-sensitive genotypes, Na⁺ was higher in shoots than roots.     

Genetic variability among Turkish pop, flint and dent corn (Zea mays L. spp. Mays) races: Enzyme polymorphism

To determine magnitude and pattern of genetic variation, 32 Turkish corn accessions available from the USDA/ARS North Central T-Regional Plant Introduction Station (NCRPIS) collections (Ames, Iowa), representing pop, flint and dent corn races, different climatic, geographic and topographic areas in Turkey, were identified and, 19 isozyme systems were studied. Thirty-nine alleles were detected by 19 isozyme loci in 32 accessions. The PGD-2, Mmm-1, GOT-3 and IDH-1 loci were found to be monomorphic in all accessions. Mean number of alleles per locus varied between 1.2 in Balıkesir-167949 accession to 1.7 in Ankara-177600, Trabzon-185062, Eskişehir-204822 and Samsun-239573 accessions. The proportion of polymorphic loci ranged from as low as 15.8% in Balıkesir-167949 to as high as 57.9% in Trabzon-185049 accession. Observed heterozygosity was the highest in Adana-183779 and the lowest in Ankara-204800 accession. Genetic identities ranged from 0.823 for 170881-Kocaeli and 167949-Balikesir pair to 0.997 for 182327-Iğdır and 168008-Kırklareli pair. Dendrogram constructed by using Nei's genetic distances (1978) revealed three clustering groups, though one of the clusters included only 170881-Kocaeli accession. It is concluded that170881-Kocaeli accession must have experienced with intensive selection, inbreeding and/or bottleneck effects in the past. Corn germplasm managers and breeders could use the results of the present studies for monitoring genetic resources, accession identification, and sampling genetic diversity, but agronomic characteristics of these corn accessions are also needed for a better utlization of Turkish corn land races evolved over the years. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.