Biodiversity of figs (Ficus carica l.) in Coruh valley of Turkey

The Coruh valley lies within the Caucasus ecological zone, which is considered by the World Wild Fund for Nature and by Conservation International as a one of the biodiversity hotspot in the world. The valley is also recognized by Turkish conservation organizations as an important plant area, an important bird area, a key biodiversity area and has been nominated as a high priority area for protection. This valley is rich in plants and contains 104 nationally threatened plant species of which 67 are endemic to Turkey. Fig (Ficus carica L.) is one of the most important wild edible fruit tree along with pomegranate and olive in the valley. Figs have been used for fresh consumption for centuries and also an important element of natural landscape of the valley. The valley abundantly has black, purple and yellow-green fruited fig trees. In this study we determined some important tree, leaf and fruit morphological characteristics of 50 selected wild grown fig accessions naturally found in the valley. The results showed that the investigated morphological traits of fig accessions displayed significant differences each other. Principal coordinate analysis showed that diversity among the accessions was high and the accessions had black and yellow-green colored fruits were the most diverse groups.     

Comparison of drip and sprinkler irrigation strategies on sunflower seed and oil yield and quality under Mediterranean climatic conditions

This study compares the effects of different irrigation regimes on seed yield and oil yield quality and water productivity of sprinkler and drip irrigated sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) on silty-clay-loam soils in 2006 and 2007 in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. In sprinkler irrigation a line-source system was used in order to create gradually varying irrigation levels. Irrigation regimes consisted of full irrigation (I₁) and three deficit irrigation treatments (I₂, I₃ and I₄), and rain-fed treatment (I₅). In the drip system, irrigation regimes included full irrigation (FI-100), three deficit irrigation treatments (DI-25, DI-50, DI-75), partial root zone drying (PRD-50) and rain-fed treatment (RF). Irrigations were scheduled at weekly intervals both in sprinkler and drip irrigation, based on soil water depletion within a 0.90 m root zone in FI-100 and I₁ plots. Irrigation treatments influenced significantly (P < 0.01) sunflower seed and oil yields, and oil quality both with sprinkler and drip systems. Seed yields decreased with increasing water stress levels under drip and sprinkler irrigation in both experimental years. Seed yield response to irrigation varied considerably due to differences in soil water contents and spring rainfall distribution in the experimental years. Although PRD-50 received about 36% less irrigation water as compared to FI-100, sunflower yield was reduced by an average of 15%. PRD-50 produced greater seed and oil yields than DI-50 in the drip irrigation system. Yield reduction was mainly due to less number of seeds per head and lower seed mass. Soil water deficits significantly reduced crop evapotranspiration (ET), which mainly depends on irrigation amounts. Significant linear relationships (R² = 0.96) between ET and oil yield (Y) were obtained in each season. The seed yield response factors (ky_seed) were 1.24 and 0.86 for the sprinkler and 1.19 and 1.06 for the drip system in 2006 and 2007, respectively. The oil yield response factor (ky_oil) for sunflower was found to be 1.08 and 1.49 for both growing seasons for the sprinkler and 1.36 and 1.25 for the drip systems, respectively. Oil content decreased with decreasing irrigation amount. Consistently greater values of oil content were obtained from the full irrigation treatment plots. The saturated (palmitic and stearic acid) and unsaturated (oleic and linoleic acid) fatty acid contents were significantly affected by water stress. Water stress caused an increase in oleic acid with a decrease in linoleic acid contents. The palmitic and stearic acid concentrations decreased under drought conditions. Water productivity (WP) values were significantly affected by irrigation amounts and ranged from 0.40 to 0.71 kg m⁻³ in 2006, and from 0.69 to 0.91 kg m⁻³ in 2007. The PRD-50 treatment resulted in the greatest WP (1.0 kg m⁻³) and irrigation water productivity (IWP) (1.4 kg m⁻³) in both growing seasons. The results revealed that under water scarcity situation, PRD-50 in drip and I₂ in sprinkler system provide acceptable irrigation strategies to increase sunflower yield and quality.     

In ovo injection of branched‐chain amino acids: Embryonic development,hatchability and hatching quality of turkey poults

In this study, the influence of a branched‐chain amino acid blend (BCAA composed of 3 l ‐leucine:1 l ‐valine:2 l ‐isoleucine) injected into the amniotic fluid was evaluated for embryonic growth, yolk‐sac (YS) utilization and development of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and skeletal muscles of turkey embryos from day 24 of incubation (24E) to hatching, together with hatchability, poult quality and liver L* (lightness), a* (redness) and b* (yellowness) values at hatch. At day 22 of incubation, embryonated eggs (n = 240) were assigned to three treatments, that is, eggs were not injected (control, NC) or injected with 1.5 ml sterile solution with 0.9% salt (SA) or 0.2% BCAA blend (BCAAb). These solutions were injected manually into the amniotic fluid of the embryonated eggs. To determine weights and lengths (where appropriate) of the studied organs and tissues, four embryonated eggs and poults per treatment were selected at 24E and at hatch. While the BCAAb decreased the YS and embryo weight, hatchability and the liver L* value, it increased the weight and quality of poults and the weights of breast and thigh muscles at hatch. In conclusion, the in ovo feeding of the BCAA blend negatively affected hatchability but positively affected hatching weight and poult quality by improving development of skeletal muscles and by regulating energy metabolism.     

Detection of Apricot latent virus and Plum bark necrosis stem pitting-associated virus by RT-PCR in Eastern Anatolia (Turkey)

Field surveys were carried out to determine presence and incidence of Apricot latent virus (ApLV) and Plum bark necrosis stem pitting-associated virus (PBNSPaV) in the main stone fruit growing areas of Eastern Anatolia. RT-PCR and nested-RT-PCR techniques were used to detect ApLV and PBNSPaV, respectively. Three apricot samples out of 224 tested positive for ApLV, although infected trees showed no apparent disease symptoms. Of 45 sweet cherry and plum trees tested for PBNSPaV, 35 tested positive. Stem pitting symptoms were observed on the trunks of PBNSPaV-infected sweet cherries. Trunk bark was spongy and thick; pits and grooves were observed on the woody cylinder. The overall incidence of ApLV was 1.3% and of PBNSPaV was 77%. This is the first report of ApLV and PBNSPaV in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey.     

Body weight of young broilers fed with declining calcium and phosphorus contents during the starter period is irresponsive to changes in the skeleton

To evaluate the effect of reduced calcium (Ca) and available P (aP) levels in starter diets on growth performance and tibia, sternum and serum characteristics, and to assay the association between Ca and P (aP) intakes and these variables, 600 one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used in a 21-days trial. Broilers were randomly allotted to five treatments with five replicate pens. Chicks were fed on one of the five starter diets that were formulated with a 10% reduction in the Ca and aP contents, starting from the control diet and hence, named as C (0.96% Ca, 0.45% aP), L1 (0.85% Ca and 0.42% aP), L2 (0.77% Ca and 0.38% aP), L3 (0.68% Ca and 0.34% aP) and L4 (0.61% Ca and 0.31% aP). Declining dietary Ca and aP levels did not affect body weight and levels of Ca, P and alkaline phosphatase in serum, but reduced linearly feed intake, the feed conversion ratio and the bone weight and ash content. The Ca and aP intakes and Ca:aP ratio displayed a positive correlation with both tibia and sternum weights, and the mass of the bones were equally sensitive to dietary Ca and aP levels. In conclusion, the body weight of young broilers was irresponsive to changes in the skeleton when exposed to early dietary Ca and aP restrictions (up to 0.61% Ca and 0.31% aP) and the mechanostat had limits due to the association between Ca and aP intakes, and bone properties.     

Effects of humic substances supplementation provided through drinking water on performance,carcass traits and meat quality of broilers

The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of different doses of humic substances (HS) in waterer pan on broiler performances and meat quality. For the trial, 480 chicks (ROSS 308) were allocated into four groups (HS0, HS150, HS300 and HS450) of 120 equally mixed‐sex birds, each receiving a drinking water supplemented with 0, 150, 300 and 450 ppm of a humic acid (provided by 0.0%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% of HS, v/v) respectively. At the age of 21 and 42 days, feed consumption and live weight were taken. At the age of 42 days, 16 birds per treatment were slaughtered, dressing percentages, digestive tract traits were evaluated and samples of breast (pectoralis major) and thigh (iliotibialis) meat were taken to evaluate the changes in colour characteristics (CIE L*, a* and b*) and chemical composition. The body weight gain increased by the HS300 in relation to the HS0 and HS450, and decreased by the HS450 in relation to the HS0. The feed consumption of birds in the HS450 and feed efficiency of birds in the HS300 were lower and higher than those in the other treatments respectively. The carcass weight of broilers in the HS150 and HS300 were higher than those of in the HS0 and HS450. The carcass weight decreased by the HS450 in relation to the other treatments. The dressing percentage increased by the HS150 in relation to the HS450. The HS450 resulted in breast and thigh meat colour that were lighter than those found in the HS0 birds. The HS450 increased fat content of thigh meat in relation to the HS0. It was concluded that the humic acid supplementation at 300 ppm and 450 ppm appears to have a measurable impact on live performance improving feed efficiency and lightness of breast and thigh meat colours in broilers respectively.