7TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FOOD AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL SCIENCES PROCEEDING BOOK

ICOFAAS 2025 7 TH INTERNA TION AL CONF ERENCE ON FOOD , AGRICUL TURE AN D ANIMAL SCIENCES 13 - 16 NOVEM BER 2025 ANT AL Y A , TÜR Kİ YE (F ACE T O F ACE AN D ONLINE) 7 TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FOOD AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL SCIENCES PROCEEDIN G BOO K ISSUED: 19 /12/202 5 ISBN: 978 - 625 -99950 -3-8 DOI: https://d oi.org/10.5281 /zenodo.17977021 2025 INTERNATI ONAL CONF ERENCE ON FOOD, AGRICULTU RE AND ANIMAL SCIENCES ii DATE-PLACE EDITORS ICOFAA S 2025 Kağan KÖKTE N, PhD ANTALYA, TÜRKİYE Fatih DADAŞO ĞLU, PhD NOVEMBER 13-16, 2025 Sedat SEVERO ĞLU, PhD Muhamm ed TATAR, PhD All rights of this book belo ngs to ICOFAAS. Without perm ission can’t be duplicate or copied. Authors of cha pters are responsible bot h ethically and ju ridically. All papers have been peer re viewed. SPONSO RING ORGANIZ ATIONS Scientific and Technical Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) This Conference was supported by the Scientific and Tec hn ical Research Council of Türkiye (TUBITAK) under the ID project "1929B022300344" HONOR ARY CH AIR Prof. Dr . Ahmet HACIMÜFTÜOĞLU Rector of Atatürk Unive rsity Türkiye Prof. Dr . Mehmet KUL Rector of Sivas University of Science and Technology Türkiye CHAIR Prof. Dr . Kağan KÖ KTEN Vice Rector o f Sivas University of Science and Technology Türkiye Co - CHAIR Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammed KÜPE Atatürk University Türkiye Vice-CH AIR Dr. Muhammed TATAR Sivas University of Science and Technology Türkiye General- SECRET ARY Assist Prof. Dr . Sedat S EVEROĞLU Atatürk University Türkiye iii Congress -SECRETA RIA Dr. Me lih a Feryal SARIKAYA Sivas University of Science and Technology Türkiye ORGANIZ ING CO MMITTEE Prof. Dr. Fatih DAD AŞOĞL U Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Prof. Dr. Meisa m Zargar RUDN Univer sity-Russia Assoc. Prof. Dr. H arun ARSLAN Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Prof. Dr. Faheem Shahzad BALOCH Mersin Univer sity Türkiye Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gö khan ARSLAN Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Assoc. Prof. Dr. Me lih OKÇU Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Assoc. Prof. Dr. Züha l OKÇU Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emre ÇOMAKL I Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gür sel ÖZK AN Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fey za İçoğlu AKS AKAL Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Assoc. Prof. Dr. H ilal ÜRÜŞ AN ALTUN Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatm a BAYRAKÇE KEN NİŞANC I Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Assoc. Prof. Dr. Selm a HOU CHI Setif University Algeria Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muha mmad Azhar N ADEEM Mersin Univer sity Türkiye Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ta mraz TAMRAZO V Research Institute o f Crop Husbandry Azerb aijan Assist. Prof. Dr. Baha r Tuba FIND IK Nevsehir Haci Bekta shi Veli Univer sity Türkiye Assist. Prof. Dr. Me rve ŞENOL KOTAN Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Assoc. Prof. Dr. Selçuk KOD AZ Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Assist. Prof. Dr. Sed at SEVEROĞLU Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Assist. Prof. Dr. Zey nep SÖNMEZ Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Assist. Prof. Dr. Fazı l HACI MÜFTÜOĞLU Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Assist. Prof. Dr. E sat Mahmu t KOCAMAN Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Assist. Prof. Dr. Fatih ÖLMEZ Sivas University o f Science a nd Techno logy Türkiye Assist. Prof. Dr. Zemran MU SATAFA Sivas University o f Science a nd Technolog y Türkiye Assist. Prof. Dr. H ale GÜNAÇTI Sivas University o f Science a nd Technolog y Türkiye Assist. Prof. Dr. T uğba TATAR Kastamonu Unive rsity Türkiy e Assist. Prof. Dr. Musa TATAR Kastamonu Unive rsity Türkiy e Assist. Prof. Dr. Muha mmad T anveer ALTAF Recep Tayy ip Erdoğan Unive rsity Türkiye Assist. Prof. Dr. Do ğan TÜR KYILMAZ Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Assist. Prof. Dr. Ülk ü DAĞD ELEN TÜ RKYILMAZ Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Dr. Inna Knyazeva Federal Scientific Agroenginee ring Center VIM Russia Dr. Abdelhak RHOUMA Centre of Agricultural Resea rch of Sidi Bouzid Tunisia Dr. Amjad ALİ Sivas University o f Science a nd Technolog y Türkiye Dr. Zehra TOKT AY Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Dr. Ferda Nur ÖZ DEMİR Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Dr. Cenk KES KİN Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Dr. Muhammed TATAR Sivas University o f Science a nd Technolog y Türkiye Dr. İlker YÜCE Sivas University o f Science a nd Techn olog y Türkiye Dr. Meliha Fe ryal SARIKAY A Sivas University o f Science a nd Technolog y Türkiye Dr. Tuba KARA BACAK Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Dr. Handa n UĞUZ BAYRAK ÇEKEN Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Dr. Kübra EKİNC İ Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Dr. Hüseyin AYDI N Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Dr. Elif ÖNAL Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Dr. Zeynep ÜRÜŞ AN Dr. Pınar ANLAR DALDAL iv Bingöl Unive rsity Türkiye Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye Dr. Hilal ANGIN Muş Alparslan Unive rsity Tü rkiye Dr. Halit AKT AŞ Muş Alparslan Unive rsity Tü rkiye Dr. Nasibe TEK İNER Artvin Çoruh Unive rsity T ürkiye Dr. Hasan Feyzi BUDAK Atatürk Univers ity Türkiye KEYNOTE SPE AKERS Prof. Dr. Fi kretti n ŞAHİN Yeditepe Unive rsity- TÜRKİYE Prof. Dr. Meisam Za rgar RUDN University-RUSSIA Prof. Dr. Özl em BA RIŞ Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University- KYRGYZSTAN Assoc. Pr of. Dr. Ser ghei CARA Comrat State University-MOLDOVA Assoc. Pr of. Dr. Tam raz TAM RZOV Research Institute of Crop Husbandry -AZERBA IJAN Assist. Pr of. Dr. Sel ma HO UCHI Fe rhat Abbas University of Setif-ALGERIA PARTICIPANTS COUNTRIES Algeria (18), Azerbaijan (18), Bangladesh (1), Bulgaria (2), China ( 9), Egy pt (3), France (1), Georgia (2), Germany (1), Greece (1), Iran (6), Kosovo (1) , Kyrgyzstan (1), Latvia (1), Libya (3), Lithuania (3), Malaysia (1), Moldova (2) , Moro cco (2), Pakistan (35), Philippi nes (4), Russia (3), Saudi Arabia (1), Spain (1), Türkiye (7 4), Ukraine (1), and United States (1) TOTAL ACCEPTED ARTICLE Türkiye: 7 4 Other Countries: 122 SCIENTI FIC COM MITTEE Abdulahad DOĞAN, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Türkiye Abdulhamit BATTAL, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Türkiye Adem YAVUZ SÖN ME Z, Kastamonu Unive rsity Türkiye Ahmet ADIGÜ Z EL, Atatürk University T ürkiye Ahmet AKKÖSE, Atatürk University Türkiye Arzu ÇIĞ, Siirt University Türkiye Arzu GÖRMEZ, Erzurum Technical University Türkiye v Atilla DURMUŞ, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Türkiye Ayman EL SABAGH, Kafrelsheikh University Egypt Burak KAPTANER, Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversity Türkiye Disna RATNASEKERA, Ruhuna University Sri Lanka Elif TOZLU, Atatürk University Türkiye Emily KOLOMIETS, NAS Microbiology Institute Belarus Enes DERTLİ, Yıldız Teknik University Türkiye Ertan YILDI R IM, Atatürk University Türkiye Esat Mahmut KOCAMAN, Atatü rk University Türkiye Fatih ÇIĞ, Siirt University Türkiye Fatih DADA ŞO ĞLU, Atatürk University T ürkiye Gamze PEKBEY, Bozok University Türkiye Gonca ALAK, Atatürk University Türkiye Göksel TOZLU, Atatürk University Türkiye Güzin KABAN, Atatürk University Türkiy e Harun ARSLAN, Atatürk University Türkiye Harun GÜNEY, Atatürk University Türkiye Hilal YILDIZ, Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University Türkiye Ir. V. M. Ani NURGIARTINI NGS IH, Brawjaya University Indonesia İrfan ÇORUH , Atat ürk University Türkiye Kenan BARİK, Atatürk University Türkiye Kenan KA RA GÖZ, Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University Türkiye Khalid JAVED, Lahore University Pakistan Mucip GENİŞEL, Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University Türkiye Muhammad Ali RAZA, Sichuan Agricultural University China Muhammed ATAMANALP, Atatürk University Türkiye Muhammad Ovais OMER, Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Pakistan Musa TATAR, Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Türkiye Neslihan DİKBAŞ, Atatürk University Türkiye Nuray DEMİ R, A tatürk University Türkiye Orhan ÖZÇATALBAŞ, Akdeniz University Türkiye Önder ÇALMAŞUR, Atatürk University Türkiye Pınar OĞUZHAN YILDI Z, Atat ürk University Türkiye vi Saliha ÇORUH, Atatürk University Türkiye Tiago Neves PEREIRA VALENTE, Federal Institute Goiano Brazi l Tamraz H. Tamrazov, Vegetable Scientific Research Institute Azerbaijan Üstün ŞAHİN, Atatürk University Türkiye Veysel ÇOMAKLI , Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen Unive rsity Türkiye Veysel PARLAK, Atatürk University Türkiye vii 7 TH INTERN A T IONA L CONFEREN CE ON F OOD, AGRICUL TURE A ND ANIMA L SCIENCES (ICOFAAS 2025) 13-16 NOVEM BER 202 5 AN T AL Y A, TÜ RKİYE (F ACE T O F ACE AND ONLINE) 19.12.2025 REF: Akademik Teşvik İlgili makama; 7 th Inter national Conference on Food, Agriculture and Animal Sciences (ICOFAAS 2025) kongresi 13- 16 Kasım 2025 tarihleri arasında hibri t olarak Ic Hotels Santai Family Resort Antalya’da 27 farklı ülkenin (Türkiye:55, Diğer Ülkelerden:1 13) akademisyen / araştı rmacıla rının katılımı yla gerçe kl eştirilmiştir. Kongre 16 Ocak 2020 Akademik Teşvik Ödeneği Yönetmeliğine getirilen “Tebliğlerin sunulduğu yurt içinde veya yurt dışındaki etkinliğin uluslararası olarak nit elendirilmesi için Türkiye dışından en az beş f arklı ülkeden sözlü tebliğ sunan konuşmacı nın katılım sağlaması ve tebliğlerin yarıdan fazlasının Türkiye dışından katılımcılar tarafından sunulması esastır.” değişikliğine uygun düzenlenmiştir. Bilgilerinize arz edilir, Saygılarımla Prof. Dr. Kağan KÖKTEN ICOFAAS 2025 Başkanı viii 7 TH INTERN A TION AL CONFER ENCE ON FOOD, AGRICUL TURE AND ANIMA L SCIENCES (ICOFAAS 2025) 13-16 NOVEM BER 202 5 ANT AL Y A, TÜRKİYE (F ACE T O F ACE AND ONLINE) 19.12.2025 REF: Akademik Teşvik To the relevant authority; The 7th I nternational C onference on Food, Agriculture and Animal Sciences (ICOFAAS 2025) was held in a hybrid format between 13 – 16 November 2025 at IC Hotels Santai Family Resort, Antalya, with the participation of aca demic staff and r esearchers from 27 diff erent countries (Türkiye : 55, other countries: 113). The conference was organized in complian ce with the amendment introduced by the Academi c Incentive Allowance R egulation dated 16 Jan uary 2020, which states that “ for an event held domestically or a broad where papers are presented to be qualified as international, it is essential that speakers presenting oral papers f rom at least five different count ries outside Türkiye participate, and that more than half of the papers are presented by participants from outside Türkiye. Respectfully submitted for your inf ormation, Sincerely Prof. Dr. Kağan KÖKTEN Chair of ICOFAAS 2025 ix Dear Conference Participants, Welcome to 7 th International C onference on Food, Agriculture and Animal Sciences. On behalf of the Organizing C ommittee, I am very happy to open 7 th International C onference on Fo od, Agriculture and Animal Sciences. I believe that this event, which is the fruit of an intensive and devoted teamwork, will have an invaluable contribution to the scientific world. At the end of bus y schedule of nearly one year, we have now achieved to o rganize this conference. The conference wil l be held as a hybrid system, w ith both online and face to face participation. The conference is going to be held wit h bigbluebutton platform for online participants. All presentations will be virtual presentation. We, organi zing committee members, wish you all good health and high spirits. The aim of the International Conference on Food, Agriculture and Animal Science s is to bring together expe rts and young researchers from all over the world working in Food, Agri culture and Animal Sciences to pres ent their researches, e xchange new ideas, discuss challenging issues, foster future collaborations and interact wit h each other. In this sense, we are happy to bring together world mathematicians and exc h ange information with them. The main objective of ou r conference is to discuss recent results in Food, Agriculture and Animal Science s and application s and their relationship with other disciplines. W e expect the part icipation of many prominent researchers from dif ferent countries who will present high quality papers. The conference bring s together about over 168 par ticipants from 27 countries (Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, China, Egy pt, Franc e, Geo rgia, Germany, Greece, Iran, Kosovo, Ky rgyzstan, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Moldova, Morocco, Pakistan, Philippine s, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Türkiye, U kraine, United States). Including seven keynote tal ks, a total of 19 6 papers — comprising 170 oral presentations and 26 post er presentations contribute to t he hybrid (online and face to face) mee ting. It is also a purpose of the conference to promote collaborative and networking opport unities among senior scholars and graduate students in order to advance new perspectives. T he papers presented in this conference will be considere d in the journals list ed on the confere nce websites. I’d like to express my gra titude to all our authors, members of sc ientific c o mmittee, k eynote speakers and c ontributi ng re viewers. I believe we will see the best pape rs of scholars i n this event. M y sincere thanks go to Prof. Dr. M ehmet KUL, the re ctor of Sivas University of Sci ence and Technology, and Prof. Dr. Ahmet HACIM ÜFTÜOĞLU, the re ctor of Atatürk University, sets the goal of being also a top- ranking university in scientific sen s e, for supp orting and motivating us in every respect. Special thanks are also due to th e organizing committee members, for co mpleting all preparations that are necessary to organize this conference. I express my gratitude to the members of technical commi tt ee of the conference for the design and proofreading of the articles. We wish eve r yone a fruitful conference and pl easant memories in our online event. Thank you. Prof. Dr. Kağan KÖKTE N Chair of ICAFOAS 2025 xvi Nutritional Modulation of the Gut – Brain Axis in Poul try: Unlocking Hidden Pathways of Performance a nd Welfare ................................................................................................ .. 390 Integrating Elec trogene ration of CO₂ into Enhanced Photobiotechnolog ical Bioproduction 391 Low-Risk Active subst ances from Ma rine Macroalgae with Fungicidal P otential for S ustainable Agriculture ........................................................................................................................ 392 DNA barcoding and assessment of antagonistic potential of Trichoderma spp. against Fusarium wilt of Chrysanthemum and Marigold ** ......................................................................... 394 Comparative S tudy of Bio-Waste Diets and Bedding S ubstrates on Life Cycle Parameters o f Musca domestica ............................................................................................................... 395 Cultivation of Sorghum for Green F orage at Different S owing Times and Methods ....... 396 Nano-Gr o Colorant on Biometric I ndi cators and Quality of Fodder Beet ( Beta vulgaris Var. crassa Mansf.) Fruit ...................................................................................................................... 397 Integrative A I Models for Predicting Host – Microbiota – Drug I nteractions in Human Health 398 Effec ts of Chlorophyll as Feed Additi ves on Growth, Efficiency, and Stress R esponse of Fingerling Nile Tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus,1758) ...................................... 399 Insect-Base d Feed: A Pathway towards Sustainable Poultry Production ......................... 400 Spatial And Te mporal Dynamics of Phytoplan kton Biom ass in Sibu tu Passage, Southern Philippines: A S atellite-De rived Chlorophyll-A and Sea Surface Temperature Analysis For 2024 ........................................................................................................................................... 401 The Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Flowering of Different Tobacco V arieties Depending on Predece sso r Crops ............................................................................................................. 402 The Effect of Soil Moisture on The Surviva l Rate of Tobacco See dlings in The Field ... 403 Effec t of Chlorantraniliprole coated Ag n anoparticles (Ch-AgNPs) aga inst Spodoptera frugiperda larvae under laboratory conditions .................................................................................... 404 Advance d Mol ecular Approaches for the Management of Citrus Canker in Pakistan ..... 405 Decipher ing Trait Assoc iations for Seed Yield and Alternaria Black Spot Disease Resilience in Field Mustard .................................................................................................................... 406 Ethnobotanical Documentation of Medicinal Plants in Bhagiwal and Lawn Wala Areas of Tehsil Chunian, District Kasur, Punjab, Pakistan ........................................................................ 408 The Relationship Between Root System and Vegetation Temper ature in Wheat Plants .. 409 Disease Resistant Perspective Spec imens of Hybrids of The Fourth (F 4 ) Ge neration ...... 410 Investigation of The Effect of Crop Rotation on The Productivity a nd Physiological P aramete rs of Forage Crops under Irrigation Conditions ........................................................................ 411 Effec ts of Plant Diversification on Nutrient Conditions and Productivity Indica tors in Agroecosyste ms ................................................................................................................ 412 Impact of Breed a nd G ender on Rabbit Growth and Meat Quality ................................... 414 Use of micro-nutrients and botanicals to manage Okra yellow v ein mosaic disease ( OYVMD) in relation to disease progression .......................................................................................... 415 xvii Inspection of Citrus Orchards in Multiple Populations for I ts Health Assesment against Huanhlongbing .................................................................................................................. 416 Species Richness and Evenness in We tland Bird Communities: Evidence from Alger ia 417 Physico- Chemical Variability and Biological Res ponse in Réghaïa Lake Ecosystem ..... 418 Selectivity Performa nce of Vibrating Sieves in the Black Sea Striped Venus Clam ( C hamelea gallina ) Fishery ................................................................................................................. 419 POSTER PRESENTATIONS ................................................................ ............................. 420 Effec ts of Chitosan-bas ed Coating Enriched with P eanut ( Arachis hypogaea ) Skin Extract on Physicochemical, Microbiological and Sensory Chara cteristics of Beef Burger During Cold Storage ............................................................................................................................... 420 Nematicidal Ac tivi ty of Orga nic Extracts from Local Plants against Me loidogyne incognita (Kofoid and W hite ) Chitwood in Algeria under Laboratory and Field Conditions .......... 421 Phytochemical Analysis and I n Vitro Anti -Inflammatory Activity of Grape Molasses from Algeria ........................................................................................................................................... 422 Genetic diversity in ginger accessions fr om Pakist an using ISSR Markers ..................... 423 Molecular and Phyloge netic Characteriza tion of Melanconiella the ae Mitovirus 1, A Novel Member of the Fa mily M itoviridae Infecting Tea Plant Associated Fungi ...................... 424 Citrus Viroids: Emerging Frontiers in Virus and Virus-Like Pathogens of Citrus ........... 425 Study of The Major He l minthiosises of Small C attle and The Species of Th eir C auses in The Southern Zone of Azerbaijan ............................................................................................ 426 Effec t of i rradiation by t he UV -C spect ral r ange on reducing en zymatic activit y of c arrot juic e ........................................................................................................................................... 427 Justification for The Use of Ozone-Air Mixture in Keeping Farm Animals .................... 428 Protein Isolates and Cogn itive Modulation: Unrave ling the Neurobiological Mechanisms and Gut - Brain Axis I nt eractions ...................................................................................................... 429 Applying Root-endophytic Bacillus strains Improves the Growth of the Oil Crop Canola ( Brassica napus L.) under Salt Stress ................................................................................................ 430 ONLINE ................................ ................................................................................................ 431 FULLTEXT ................................................................ .......................................................... 431 ORAL PRESENTATIONS ................................................................................................. 431 Frequent Irr igation in Sil age Ma ize Cultivated with Farmya rd Manure Increases the Stable Infiltration Rate** ............................................................................................................. 431 Effec tive Approach to Improve the Quality of Quail Eggshells ....................................... 440 The Determination of Their Pathogenic Effects on Aegilops cylindirica by S ome Fungal Isolate s from Barley Roots and Crowns ......................................................................................... 445 xviii Comparing the Effects on Plant Growth and Consisti ng of Crown Rot Diseas e on Various Barley Cultivars by Fusarium culmorum Strains That Isolated Wheat and Barle y ...................... 454 The Resistant R esponse to Common Roo t Rot by Bipolaris sorokiniana in Their Wild Relatives of Hordeum a nd Aegilops .................................................................................................. 463 Investigation of the Biocontrol Effi cacy of Some Green -Synthetic Nanoparticles Agains t Penicillium italicum in Agricultural Products ................................................................... 472 Modern Approache s fo r Rapid Detec tion of Mycotoxi ns in Fruit and Ve getable Pathogenic Fungi ........................................................................................................................................... 484 Advance s in My cotoxin Detection from Fruit- and Vegetable-Associated Fungi: Emerging Tools and Trends ......................................................................................................................... 492 The Ef fects of Phosphorus and Zinc on Yield a nd Yield Components of Bean Genotypes ( Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) ..................................................................................................... 501 The Effects of Phosphoru s and Zinc on Grain Quality of B ean Genotypes ( Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) ........................................................................................................................................... 508 Entomoremadiation: Harnessing Insect – Microbe Interactions for Environmental Detoxification ........................................................................................................................................... 514 Microbial Bodyguards: The Role of Endosymbionts in Insect Resistance and S urvival .. 530 Nutritional Composition and Hea lth Importance of Fish F lesh ........................................ 547 Fish Production and Consumption in Turkiye .................................................................. 553 The Effects of Foliar A pplications of Zinc Oxide Na noparticles on Plant Growth and Yield in Cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.)** .................................................................................... 557 Depende n ce of Aluminum Sorption on Different Sorbents on The pH of The Medium .. 568 Application of Aerospace-Grade Compos ite and Coating Technologies for Agricultura l Drones and Smart Farming Structures ........................................................................................... 573 Biopolymer-Reinforce d Composit e Materials for Sustainable Agricultural Equipment and F ood Packaging Applica tions ..................................................................................................... 581 Soil Moisture Sensor-Based Automatic Irrigation System: Comparison of Analog and Arduino - Based Approaches ............................................................................................................. 588 Deep Learning-Ba s ed Disease Detection from Plant Images ........................................... 599 Strategic Development of Irrigation in Georgi a: Analytical Study, T echnological Progress, Challenges, and Sustainable Prospects (2020-2024)** ..................................................... 607 Impact of Irrigation Regimes on The R atio of CO 2 Emissions to Evapotranspiration in Silage Maize Cultivation on Soils with Differe nt Sewage S ludge Rates ..................................... 625 Histopathological Effect s of He at Stress on Th e Reproductive Organs o f Domestic Mammals ........................................................................................................................................... 636 Evaluation of the Biotechnological I mpo rtance and Usage Area s of Phytas e Enzyme .... 644 Chitinase Enzyme: Properties, Sources and Industrial Applications ................................ 653 Phenology, Morphology, and Seed Yi eld P erformance o f Brown Mustar d ( Brassica juncea L. ) Pure Lines under A utum n Sowing Conditions in Semi- Arid Ankara, Türkiye ................ 666 xix The Use of Pectin Obtained f rom Wild Sour Apple P eels in Beef Pattie s** .................... 674 Developing Forecasts in Agricultura l Production Planning Using the Fuzzy ARDL Model 685 Assessment of Antioxidant Activity, Total Phen olic Content, and Total Flavonoid Content in Pomegranate ( Puni ca granatum L.) Leaf Extracts ............................................................ 695 Bibliometric Analysis a nd Desc ription of Research Trends on Artific ial Intelligence and Food ........................................................................................................................................... 704 Forecasting the Future of Sheep Meat Production i n Türkiye: ARIMA -Base d Long-Term Analysis (1970 – 2030) ...................................................................................................................... 714 Epigenetic Engineering in Plant Tissue Culture ............................................................... 722 AI -Driven Genomic Selection and Predictive Breeding ................................................... 731 Effec t o f Organic Fertilizer Standards on Soybean Plant Productivity and Soil Fertility . 740 POSTER PRESENTATIONS ................................................................ ............................. 753 Valorization o f by-product of Be an Agriculture ( Faba b eans ) İ nt ended for Feeding Broiler Chicken .............................................................................................................................. 753 1 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Abstract Paper KEYNOTE SP EAKERS SPB - Based Drug Formulation s Developed for Trea tment of So me Fatal Hu man and Ani mal D iseases Fi krettin ŞAHİN 1, a , 1 Yeditepe Un iversity, Faculty of Engineering, D epart ment of Genetics an d Bioen gineering , Istanbul, TÜRKİYE *Correspond ing author e-m ail: fsahin@yedit epe.edu.tr Abstract Sodium p entaborate (NaB₅O₈·5H₂O), a boron - based compound with notable antioxidant, anti -inflammatory, and antimicro bial proper ties, h as recently gained attention as a prom ising bioactiv e agen t in reg enerativ e medicin e. Its multifaceted biological activ ity contributes to cellular proliferation , angiogenesis, and modu lation of oxidative stress pathway s — key processes invo lved in tissue repair and regeneration . I n oncology, sodium pentaborate demon strates selective cyto toxicity ag ainst cancer cells thro ugh mitochondrial d isruption and apoptotic signaling, suggesting poten tial as an adjuvant or targeted therapeutic in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). In chronic wou nd hea ling, it accelerates re -epithelializa tion and collagen rem odeling by enhancing fibro blast and k eratinocyte activ ity while red ucing bacter ial contam ination and in flammatory cytokine release. Emerging evid ence also indicates n europrotectiv e effects of sod ium pentab orate in neurodegen erative con ditions such as Alzh eimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, m ediated by its capac ity to reduce reactive oxyg en species and stabilize n euronal membr anes. Furthermore, in metabolic disord ers su ch as obesity, sodium pen taborate may influence adipo cyte differ entiation and lipid metabolism via b oron - dependent enzyme regulatio n. Collectively, these findings highlight sodium pentaborate as a versatile re gener ative agent with broad therapeu tic p otential ac ross cancer treatment, tissue repair, neu roprotection, and metab olic mo dulation . Cur rent stu dies cond ucted at Yed itepe Univ ersity hav e focused on many boron comp ounds, and among th e inorganic b orate comp ounds tested, the one with the lowest toxicity and highest b iological sign ificance was Sodium pentaborate pentahydrate (SPB). Later, som e SPB-based novel dru g f ormulations wer e developed and used in different ap plications o f reg enerative medicine such as an timicrobial an d an tiviral activ ities, o besity, ca ncer an d wo und hea ling using in v itro and in vivo exper imental models. The results sho wed that SP B has antimicro bial, antiox idant, anti -inflam matory, antiangiog enic, antiadipogen ic and anticance r effects. T his study dem onstrated th at SPB based form ulations offer mu ltiple potential benef its for trea tement of some f atal animal a nd human diseases such as o besity, ch ronic wounds, cancer, neurod egenerative and infectious diseases. Howev er, further res earch is needed to fully elucidate their mech anisms of action and optimize the ir application in clinical setting s. Keywo rds: Cancer , Neu rodegenerativ e diseases , Obesity , Sodium pentab orate , Wou nd healing a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7208-8967 2 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Abstract Paper Study on Herbicide Resistance Status and Using Nano tec hnology for Weed Management Meisam ZARGAR 1,*, a 1 RUDN University, Institute of Agriculture, Department of Agro-Biotec hn ology, Moscow, RUSSIA *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] Abstract Chemicals are wide ly recommended for the suppre ssion of weed in crop land. This pape r attempts to a greater integration of ideas into the deve lopment of herbic i de resistance. T his may lead researchers to focus less on simply defining herbicide resistance and more towards comprehensive investigations of the resistance development. Wee d expert in coll aboration with plant biologists can work in synergy to come up with better approach and innovation aimed to curtain herbici des resistance challenges. Chemical herbicides ex ert undue p ressure on we ed fitness and the diversity of we ed community’s changes ove r time in response to both herbicides and other strategies impo se d on them. Repeatedly and intensively, the regular application of herbicides with similar effect may swiftly result in population shifts to tolera nt, difficult to suppress and ultimately result to weed communit y that is herbicide r esistant, particularly in absence of using herbicides with different modes of action. Weed expert and evolutionary biol ogists have to work in synergy toward an improv e and broader knowledge of plant resistant development. This collaboration is likely to proffer innovative solution s to the herbicide resistance challenges. Keywords: Herbicide, Resistant, Weeds a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5208-0861 3 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Abstract Paper Undiscovered Extreme Ecosystems: The Micr o bial Diversity and Applicat ion Potential of Caves in Kyrgyzstan Özlem BARIŞ 1,2,*, a 1 Atatürk University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Erzurum, TÜRK İ YE 2 Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, Faculty of Science , Department of Biology, Bishkek, KYRGYZSTAN *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] ; [email protected] Abstract Typical ecosystem s generally possess a natural richness in terms of abundance and species divers ity w hen considering the basic r equi rements of living or gani sms. However, ecosy stems that are outside the norm can only exist t hanks to organisms that can withstand ext reme conditions and their unique m etabo lisms. These environmen ts inclu de plac es of extreme cold (such as pola r region s, glaci ers and hi gh altitudes), extreme dryness (su ch as dese rt eco systems) and ex treme sal inity (such a s salt lakes), as w ell as area s he avily po ll uted by human activiti es, such as chemical or radioactive site s. In today's world, where th e effects of clima te change are becoming increasingl y apparent, these organisms and their biologica l cha racter istics are of great importance due to their potent ial to inspire vario us scientific an d biotechnolog ical solutions. In this perspective, c ave ecosystems, whi ch harbor mult iple limiting environ mental conditions, serve as unique reservoirs f or poly -ex tremophile organ isms. Caves are ecosystems w here multiple cha llenging factors coexist, such as low light, constant and gen erally low temperatures, limited wate r and nutr ient availabil it y, and soil structures with high heavy metal content. Despite their i mpor tance when it comes to biodive rsity and metabolic potential, caves have been the f ocus of only a few studies i n the existing literature. This study focuses on the research potential of Kyrgyzstan in the field of mic robial biotechno logy. This Central Asian countr y is renowned for i ts high mountainous regio ns and unexplored caves. The potential for t he biotechnolog ical use of mic robial i solates obtain ed from Kyrgyzstan's caves varies depending on the c aves' geological structure and the extre me environmen tal condit ions within them. Isolating poly -extremo philic microorg anisms an d evaluating these isolates for biotechnolog ical applicat ions is impo rtant for both basic and applied s ciences . This study ai ms to attract the interest of multiple rese arch teams and encourage international collabor ation. Keywords: B iotechnology, Cave, Extremophi le, Kyrgyzstan, M icroorganis m a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2679-5599 4 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Abstract Paper The Brown Alga Cystoseira compressa as a Natural Source of Inhibitors Targeting GES - 22 β - Lactamase Selma HOUCHI 1,*, a , Cemal SANDALLI 2, b 1 University o f Ferhat ABBAS set if- 1, Fa culty of Life a nd Nature Scien ces, Depart ment of Biochemi stry, Setif, ALGER IA 2 Recep Tayyip Erdog an U niversity, Facult y of Arts and Sci ences, Departme nt of Biolo gy, Rize, TÜRK İYE *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] Abstract The increasing resistance of Gram- negative bacte ria to β -lact am antibiotics is primar ily driven by the production o f β - lactamases. These enzymes hyd rolyze t he β -lactam ri ng , rendering the ant ibiotics ineffe ctive. Although β -lacta mase inhibitors such as taz obacta m, clavulanate, and sulba ctam are widely used in combination ther apies, their efficacy remains limited aga inst severa l β -lactamase classes, including class B metallo-enzyme s and many class C and D variants. This study aimed to characterize the divers ity and prevalence of β -lactamase-c oding gen es in both community and hospital-acquired Gram -negat ive isolate s f ro m Algeria, and t o evalu ate the inhibitory potenti al of the methanolic extract (ME) of the brown alga Cystosei ra compressa against the recombinant GES- 22 β -lactamase, a class A carbapene mase-type enzyme. Among the 228 bacterial isolates analyzed, at least one β -lact amase gene was detected (blaTEM, bl aSHV, blaCTX- M1 - M2, bl aGES, blaPER-2, blaND M, blaOXA-M (23, 2 4, 51, 58)), whi le blaKPC , blaVIM, and blaI MP genes were absent. Integron-asso ciated gene cass ettes (classes I and II) were frequentl y ident ified, indicating the genetic mobility of resistance determinants in these st rains. Reco mbinant GES - 22 β -lact amas e was successfully expresse d and pur ified (>95% purity by SD S-PAGE). The enzyme display ed weak inhib ition by sulbactam and clavulana te and moderate inhibition by tazobacta m (IC₅₀ = 156.85 ± 1.57 μg/mL). In contrast, C. compres sa ME showed a marked inhibitory activit y against GES -22 in a dos e-depe ndent m anne r (IC₅₀ = 56.18 ± 0.47 μg/mL). Kinetic analysis revealed decreased Vmax and KM values in t he presence of the algal extract, suggesting a mixed- type inhibi tion mechanism. These f indings highligh t C. compr essa as a promisin g natural source of bio a ctive molecules capable of t argeting c lass A β -lactamas es su ch as GES-22, offering new perspectives f or the deve lopment of alte rnative β -l actamase inhib itors to comb at antibio tic resistance. Keywords: Antibiotic r esis tance, Cy stoseira compre ssa , GES- 22 β -lactamase, Inh ibition, Natural compounds a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6922-709X b ORC ID : https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-1298-3687 5 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Abstract Paper Investigation of the Effect of Crop Rotation on The Productivity and Physiological Parameter s of Forage Crops Under Irr igation Conditions Tamraz TAMRAZOV 1,*, a 1 Ministry of Agriculture of the Re public of Azerba ijan, Research Institute of Crop Husbandry, Department of Sustainable Agriculture and Plant Diversification, Bakü , AZERBAIJAN *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] Abstract This study investigated the effects of continuous and crop rotation planting schemes und er irrigation conditions on the produc tivity and physiological parameters of forage crops: barley, soybean, and maize. The experiment was conducted wit h three replications, and samples were c ollected from 1 m² plots at differe nt phenological stages during the growing season. Alongside measurements of plant number, height, fresh and dry weight, key physiologica l pa rameters such a s a ssimilation are a, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and sto matal conductance were determined. Results showed that the crop rotation system significantly increased both the productivity and physiological activity of barley, soybe an, and maize compared to continuous cropping. Throughout the grow ing period, assimilation a rea and dry biomass we re measured at various times for eac h crop, with higher and more stable values observed under the rotation syst em. I n particular, photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance were elevated in rotated crops, enabling better utilization of water and nutrients. These findings indicate that properly planned crop rotation combined with an appropriate irrig ation regime enhances not only the yield but also the physiological status of forage crops. The study provides scientific evidence for the implementation of sustainable and efficient cropping systems in forage production and contribut es significantly to the selection of optimal c rop rotation und er irrigation conditions. Keywords: Crop rotation, Irrigation, Productivity, Physiological paramete rs, P hotosynthesis a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3726-8625 **This study is a part of Aleyna NOHUTÇU’s master th esis ac cepted title o f ‘Determination of Nematod Fauna in Sunflower (Helianthus ann uus L.) Pro duction Area s of Pasinler (Erzurum ) District’ ‘by the adviser Prof. Dr. Önd er ÇALMAŞUR 6 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Abstract Paper FACE TO FAC E ABSTRACT ORAL PRESE NTATIONS Prevalence and Genu s-Level Distribution of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in Sunflower Production Areas of t he Pasinler Plain (2024 – 2025) Aleyna N OH UTÇ U 1,*, a , Ayşenur ASLA N 2, b , Önder ÇA LMAŞUR 1, c 1 Ataturk Un iversity, Facult y of Agricultur e, Department of Plant Protect ion, Erzurum, T ÜRKİYE 2 Ataturk Un iversity, Facult y of Agricultur e, Department of Biodiversity App lication and Re search Cen ter, Erzurum, TÜRKİYE *Correspond ing author e-m ail: aleynanohutcu [email protected] Abstract Plant-par asitic nemato des cause sign ificant yield losses in sunflo wer ( Helianthus an nuus ) pro duction by damaging the root an d vascular tissues. Thi s study was con ducted to determine the prevalence an d genus -lev el distribution of these nemato des in sun flower cultivation ar eas of th e Pasinler Plain. Durin g the 2024 – 2025 harvest season s, a total o f 55 soil samples were collected ov er two co nsecutive yea rs. Nematod e isolation f rom soil samples was p erform ed using the Baermann funn el method, and the obtained n ematodes were ex amined u nder a light micro scope f or genus - level identificatio n a nd quantification. The counts at the ge nu s le vel were based on the number of individuals per 100 g of soil . Plant-par asitic nemato des were detected in all 5 5 samples (100% prevalence). Among the economically important g enera, Pratylench us and Ditylenchus were predominant. In addition , Pratylench oides, Paratylen chus, Merl inius, Helicotylench us, and Zygotylenchus were also identified. These results reveal that plan t-parasitic nematodes occur at h igh popu lation d ensities in the sunflo wer production area s of the Pasinler Plain and p rovide a cru cial b aseline for assessing poten tial nematode -induced yield lo sses and develo ping effective region - specific man agement strategies. Keywo rds: Plant par asite nematode, Pasinler , Sunflower Acknowledg ment : T his study is sup ported by Atatürk University BAP un it w ithin th e s cope of project n umber FYL - 2025 -16063. a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0667-3120 b ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2752-5769 c ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8921-2381 **This study is a part of Ministry of Agriculture p roject No. VPP- ZM -VRIIILA-2024/1-0002 13 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Abstract Paper Comparison of Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli Isolates from Cattle and Pigs in Latvia** Madara NIKOLAJENKO 1,*, a , Līga KOVAĻČUKA 1, b , Kaspars KOVAĻENKO 2, c 1 Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Clinical Institute, Jelgava, LATVIA 2 Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Jelgava, LATVIA *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] Abstract Antimicrobial resistanc e (AMR) is a major publi c health concern affecting both human and veterinary medicine. Commensal Escherichia coli is one of the most widely used indica tor microorganisms for resistance trend monitoring in food -producing animals. This study aim ed to compare AMR patterns of E. coli in samples collec ted from 20% of cattle and pig farms across Latvia. A total of 584 bovine and 472 porcine isolates were tested against twelve antimicrobial d rugs from different classes using the disk diffusion method. Sa mple results were categorized in groups of susceptible, intermediate, or resistant according to E UCAST breakpoint guid elines. Resistance lev els were noti ceably higher in pigs in comparison to cattle. I n pigs, the highest resistance w as noted against amp icillin (36.2%), trimethoprim (31.4%), a nd trimethoprim -sulfamethoxa zole (29.0%) compared to 12.5%, 1.2% and 0.3% in cattle, resp ectively. Resistance against critically im portant antibiotics in human medicine , like ceftr iaxon e, c efepime, and cipro floxacin, wa s less than 2% in both species. Azithromycin and imipenem showed no resistanc e. The findings of the study underline notable differences in AMR patterns in ca ttle and pigs as a possible re sult of species -specific antimicrobial drug use. C onstant monitoring using indicator microorganisms has an important role in evidence-b ased antimicrobia l stewardship and approaches to reduce AMR in Latvia. Keywords: Antimicrobial resistanc e, Escherichia coli , Cattle, Pigs, One Health a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8631-913X b ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2524-7427 c ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9430-829X *This study is part of the master’s thesis of Melisa DURSU N ent itled “Populat ion Fluctuation and Predators of Cryptomyzus r ibis (L.) on C urrant ( Ri bes s pp.) in At atürk Universi ty Campus” 14 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Abstract Paper Determination of the Population Density of the Cryptomyzus ri bis (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Atatür k University Campus Area Melisa DURSUN 1,*, a , Yeşim B ULAK KORKMAZ 2, b 1 Ataturk University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Protection, Erzurum, T ÜRKİYE 2 Ataturk University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Protection, Erzurum, T ÜRKİYE *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] Abstract Aphids (Aphidoidea) are among the most signif icant insect pests of fruit and ornamental plants, causing substantial e conomic loss es through sap f eeding and the transmissi on of viral diseases. This study assessed the population density and tempor al dynamics of the curra n t aphid Cryptomyzus ribis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hemiptera: Aphididae ) on c urra nt plants (R ibes spp.) cultivated within the Atatürk University c ampus in Er zurum, Tür kiye. Field surveys we re c onducted throughout the 2024 growing season at thre e represent ative locations: the Rec torate (L1), Faculty of Agriculture (L2), a nd M edico Center (L3 ). Populati ons of C. ribis showed distinct spatial and temporal patterns, with the highest densities recorded at L2 (~280 individuals on 11 August ), followed by L3 (~250 individuals in early July) and L1 (~110 indi viduals on 12 July). Ove rall, populations gradually i ncreased from late Jun e to mid-August and then de clined to minimum levels by September, indicating that C. ribis attains its maximum population density in July under Erzurum’s ecological conditions, likely influenced by environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and host plant availability. These findings revea l pronounced spatial and tempora l fluctuations in C. ribis populations and provide essential baseline data to inform future monitoring and the deve lopment of sustainable management strategie s by identifying periods o f peak abundance and the key environmental fa ctors driving population dynamics. Keywords: Aphid, Currant, Cryptomyzus ribis , Ribes spp., Erzurum a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4361-7193 b ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2645-5391 15 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Abstract Paper Evaluating the STICS Soil-Crop Model on durum wheat-chickpea intercr oppin g system under the semi-arid conditions Nazih Yacer REBOUH 1,*, a 1 RUDN University, Institute of Environme ntal Engineering, Moscow, RUSSIA *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] Abstract Soil – crop modeling constitutes a f unda mental analytical tool for the design and evaluati on of innovative cropping system s, particula rl y un der water-limited condit ions where susta inable agricultural intensification is imperative. Noneth eless, t he accurate simula tion of intercropping systems — espe cially those integrating cereal and leguminou s species — remains a methodo logical chal lenge in agroecosys tem modeling. The pr esent study reports t he prelim inary calibration and validation of the STICS (Simulateur mulTId isciplinaire pour l es Cultures Standard) model for a durum wheat – chickpea intercropping system under Mediterranea n semi -arid conditions. Field experi ments were conducted during the 2020 – 2021 and 2021 – 2 022 growing seasons in the Medenine reg ion of Tunisia, compari ng intercropping and monocropp ing configurations. Mo del performan ce was ass essed u sing Ab oveground P lant N itrogen (AGPN) as an indicato r of nitrog en assimila tion. The STICS model exhibited satisfa ctory predictive capab ility in most simulations, with ef ficiency coe ffic ients ( EFF) ranging between 0.56 and 0.80. Grain yield simula tions demonst rated accepta ble accuracy, indi cated by normalized root m ean square error (NRMSE ) values ≤ 37% , par ti cula rly for duru m wheat (EFF ≥ 0.55). Soil water dynamics were simu lated with hig h fidelity (EFF ≥ 0.51; NRMSE ≤ 25%), especia lly in chickpea monocultures. However, model performan ce for soil ni trogen stock estimat ion was less r obus t in chickpea plots, showing EFF ≤ 0.38 and NRMSE ≥ 44%. Intercropping simulations achieved moderate accu racy, with EFF values up to 0.41. Th ese ou tcomes emph asize the complementa ry functiona l interactions b etween duru m wheat and chickpea in ni trogen and carbon r esour ce utilization. Overall, this study underscores the potentia l of the STICS model to support t he developmen t of resilient, resource-eff icient, and climate-adapt ive cro pping systems suit ed to Mediterra nean agroecosyst ems. Keywords: C limate change , Crop modelin g, Grain yie ld, Nutrients, S mart agricu lture a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000 -0002-8621-6595 ** This study is part of Yasemin ÖZ DEM İ R's master's thesis, which is currently in preparation under the supervision of Raziye KUL 16 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Abstract Paper Yield and g rowth re spo nse s of sorrel ( Rumex acetosella L.) to nutr ient management includi ng farmyard man ure, NPK, and combination applications ** Yasemin ÖZDEMİR 1 , Raziye KUL 1,*, a 1 Ataturk University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture, Erzurum, T ÜRKİYE *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] Abstract The present study was carried out in the production fi elds affiliated with the B eydere Seed Certification Test Directorate (Manisa ) in the spring of 2024-2025. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of differe nt doses of mineral NPK and farmyard manure (FYM), applied alon e or in combination, on th e yield and growth characteristics in the cultivation of sor rel ( Rumex acetosella L.) . The study considered mineral fertilization doses of 150 kg ha⁻¹ N, 60 kg ha⁻¹ K₂O and 100 kg ha⁻¹ P₂O₅ as the full dose (100% NPK), comprising a tot al of 12 applications of mineral, organic and organic-mineral combinations: T1 (150% NPK), T2 (100% NPK), T3 (50% NPK), T4 (25% NPK), T5 (100% NPK + 2.5 t da⁻¹ FM), T6 (50% NPK + 5 t da⁻¹ FM), T7 (25% NPK + 10 t da⁻¹ FM), T8 (2.5 t da⁻¹ FM), T9 (5 t d a⁻¹ FM), T10 (10 t da⁻¹ FM ), T11 (15 t da⁻¹ FM) and T12 (control). The combined a pplications involved the substit ution of reduce d NPK with fa rmyard manure. The findings sh owed that all f ertilizer treatments significantly i ncrea s ed yield and plant growth characteristics compared to the control. The study demonstrated that the combined application of organic a nd mineral fertilizers in sorrel cultivation is an e ffective feeding strategy f or maintaining or increasing production efficie n cy while reducing chemical fertilizer use . Keywords: Sorrel, Fertilization, I nt egrated nutrient management, Yield a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-5836-6473 ** This study is part of an unpublished master's thesis conducted by Kübra KARADOĞAN with the supervision of Raziye KUL 17 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Abstract Paper Investigation of salt tolerance variations in some fr esh and p into bean genotypes c ollected from Erzurum** Kübra KARADOĞAN 1 , Raziye KUL 1*, a 1 Ataturk University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Field Crops, Erzurum, TÜRKİYE *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] Abstract In this study, a total o f 92 genotypes were evaluated, including 67 lo cal genotypes colle cted from Erzurum province and 25 commercial cultivars obtained from the Seed Registration and C ertifica tion Center. Plants were grown in a substrate mi xture of pe at, perlite, and sand (2:1:1, v/v/ v). The experiment was conducted under both saline and non -saline conditions according to a randomized block design (RTBD) with three replicates. Each genotype was represented with three pots per replicate in each salinity condition, and a total of 1656 pots were tested for 92 genotypes with two salinity treatments, three replicates, and three pots per replicate. Stati stical analyses revealed significant differences a mong all measured p arameters and indicated significant differences in the responses to salinity by genotype. Keywords: Snap bean, Pinto bean, Salt stress, Genotypes, Scree ning a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5836-6473 18 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Abstract Paper Evaluation of Growth Habit, Leafiness and Leaf C olor Characteristics in Bermudagrass ( Cynodon dactylon L. (Pers.)) Populations Collected fr om Natural Flora Sedat SEVEROĞLU 1,*, a , Mehmet Kerim GÜLLAP 1, b 1 Ataturk University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Field Crops, Erzurum, TÜRKİYE *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] Abstract This study was conducted to determine the variation in growth habit, leafiness, and leaf c olor character istics among Cynodon dactylon L. (Pers.) populations collected from the natural flora of the Eastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye. A tot al of 102 local po pulations were used, and the plants were transplanted into the field according to an Aug mented experimental design. Growth habit was evaluated on a 1 – 9 scale (1: erect, 9: prostrate), l eafiness on a 1 – 9 scale (1: low, 9: high), and leaf color on a 1 – 9 scale (1: yellow, 9: very dark green). Considerable variation was observed among the populations for all traits. Most populations exhibite d semi -prostrate or prostrate growth for ms, whic h are advantageous for rangeland establishment and erosion control, where as a few erect types appeared more suit able fo r forage production. Leafiness v alues we re g enerally moderate to high, indicating favora bl e leaf- to -stem ratios associated with higher forage quality. Leaf c olor varied from light to very dark green, suggesting differences in chlorophyll content and photosynthetic capacity among populations. In con clusion, bermudagrass populations collected from th e natural flora of Easter n Anatolia exhibited substantial genetic va riation in growth habit, leafiness, and leaf colo r. This diversity provides an important genetic resource for breeding programs targeting rangeland, forage, and turf-type bermudagrass development. Keywords: Bermudagrass, Breeding Potential, Genetic Dive rsity, N atural Flora a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9164-6557 b ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6348-4335 **This study is a part of Yunus Emre YAPAR ’s master thesis accepted by Adaptation of S ome Lentil ( Lens culinaris Medik.) Varieties to the Ec ological Condit ions of Erzurum 19 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Abstract Paper Adaptation of Some Lentil ( Lens culinaris Med ik.) Varieties to the Ecological Condition s of Erzurum** Yunus Emre YAPAR 1, a , Se lçuk KODAZ 1,*, b 1 Ataturk University, Faculty of Agriculture, Departme nt of Field Crops, Erzur um, TÜRKİYE *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] Abstract The research was carried out in the 2025 cropping ye ar a t the Ata türk University Di rectorate of Plant Production Research and Application C enter, using a R andomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Twelve lentil cultivars were used in the experiment, including 4 red (Çiftçi, Emre 20, Özbek, and Sa zak 91) and 8 g reen (An karaye şili, Bozok, Ceren, Gümrah, Karagül, Kayı - 91, Meyveci 2001, and S ultan-1) varieties. All parameters were found to be statisti cally significant ($P<0.01$) a ccording to the experiment results. Based on th e cultivar means, the ranges were determined as follows: emergence time 2.00 – 6.00 days, days to flowering 56.00 – 72.33, days to maturity 95.33 – 104.00, number of plants per square meter 103.33 – 205.00, plant height 31.53 – 42.07 cm, first pod height 5.13 – 7.33 cm, number of branches per plant 3.33 – 5.07, number of pods per plant 10.53 – 91.73, number of seeds per pod 0.99 – 1.72, seed yield per plant 0.33 – 4.31 g, 1000- seed weight 27.82 – 65.87 g, and seed yield 17.50 – 121.67 kg da - 1 . B ased on these single-year results, the cultivars with the highest seed yield, Güm rah (121.67 kg da -1 ), Emre 20 (108.54 kg da -1 ), and Karagül (103. 54 kg da -1 ), can be considered as ad apted cultivars in the Erzurum ecology, but the study will be conducted for one more year to pr ovide a more reliable rec ommend ation. Keywords: Erzurum, dry farming, lentil, adaptation a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5726-8366 b ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4599-3574 **This study is supported by the Gazi Unive rsity Research Fund under project number FCD-2025- 10117 20 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Abstract Paper Investigation of Octacosa ne's Cytotoxic E ffects by Mtt A ssay and Genoto xic and A ntigenotoxic E ffects by Chromosom al Aberra tion Assay** Sevcan MAMU R 1,*, a , Ece A VULOĞLU YILMA Z 2, b , Hasan Berk DE MİREL 1, c , Fatma OKUŞ 1, d , Deniz YÜZB AŞIOĞLU 3, e , Fatma ÜNA L 3, f 1 Gazi Univer sity, Graduate Schoo l of Natural and Ap plied Scien ces, Department of Environmenta l Sciences, Anka ra, TÜRKİY E 2 Amasya Univer sity, Vocationa l School of Te chnical Scien ces, Amasya, TÜRK İYE 3 Gazi Univer sity, Science Facul ty, Department of Biology, An kara , TÜRKİYE *Correspond ing author e-m ail: smamur@gaz i.edu.tr Abstract Octacosane (OCT) is a straight- chain, satu rated long- chain alkane hydrocar bon commonly found in nature. It o ccurs in a variety o f f oods, includin g peaches, coconuts, apples, ch err ies, and limes. Accord ing to prev ious stud ies, OCT exhibits antioxid ant, antim icrobial, anticancer and wound -healing p roperties. The primary o b jective of this study was to assess the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and antigenotoxic potential of OCT. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT ass ay in CCD18 - Co (nor mal colon fibroblast) and DLD -1 (colorectal ad enocarcinoma) cell lines, while genotox icity and a ntigenotox icity were evaluated using the chromosomal aberration (CA) assay in hu man peripher al b lood ly mpho cytes. CCD18 -Co and DLD- 1 cells were tr eated with OCT at co ncentrations o f 6 .25, 12, 25, 50, 1 00, and 200 µg/mL for 24 an d 48 hours. For the CA assay , human lymphocytes were exp osed to 6.25, 12, 25, and 50 µg /mL of OCT fo r 24 and 48 hou rs. To assess antigen otoxicity, lymp hocytes were co -tr eated with the same conce ntrations of OCT and Mitomy cin - C (MMC, 0.20 µg/mL). Appropriate controls were includ ed: a negative control (distilled water), a solvent co ntrol (DMSO), and a positive contro l (MM C). Results indicated that OCT did no t cau se a statistically sig nificant reduction in cell viab ility in eith er CCD18-Co or DLD-1 cells. Similarly, no significan t changes were observed in mitotic in dex (MI), frequency of aberrant cells, o r chromosom al ab errations per ce ll in lymphocy tes treated with OCT alo ne, indicating a lack of g enotoxicity. In contrast, co- treatment with OCT and MMC resulted in a statistically signifi can t protective ef fect. Spec ifically, OCT co - treatment significan tly improved MI at all con centration s after 48 hours and at the two highest conce ntrations (25 and 50 µg/mL) after 24 hour s. Add itionally, OCT+M MC co -tr eatment significantly red uced the frequ en cy of CAs esp ecially at 25 an d 50 µg/mL in both treatment periods. Con sequently, OCT did not exh ibit cytotoxic or g enotoxic effects; ho wever, it has a no table antig enotoxic activity in hum an lymphocytes . Keywords: Oc tacosane, M TT assay, Mito tic index, Chrom osomal aberrat ion assay a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8615-5331 b ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5164-3431 c ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3775-9454 d ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7648-9584 e ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2756-7712 f ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7468-6186 21 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Abstract Paper POSTER PRES ENTATIONS Sustainable Management of Soil and Water Re sources in Arid Regions by The Application of Date Palm Derived Biochar** Abdulaziz G. ALGHAMDI 1,*, a , Abdulrasoul ALOMRAN 1, b , Arafat ALKHASHA 2, c 1 King Saud University, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Soil Sciences, Riyadh, SAUDI ARA B IA *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] Abstract Arid and semi-arid regions are more vulner able to the land degradation owing to w ater scarc ity and lower s oil organic c arbon conten ts. Th erefore, susta inable m anage ment of soil and water resources in suc h areas is critical in enhanci ng crop producti vity and soil heal th. Biocha r has r ecently com e up as an ideal cand idate to improv e soil conditions and water conservation in ari d and se mi -arid are as due t o large surface area, higher porosity , abundant fu nctional g roups, and high cation exch ange capaci ty. Thus, th e efficiency of d ate palm waste - derived biocha r to improv e soil hydro-physical p roperties and subsequent incr ease in tomato growth w as studied under lab- scale and greenhous e trials. Bi ochar was produced by at 300° C, 500°C , and 700° C using date palm was te and separated into various size fract ions (<0.5 mm, 0.5 – 1 mm, and 1 – 2 mm). Columns experimen ts were conducted by am ending the calcare ous sandy soils at 1%, 2.5%, and 5% o f the produced biochar along with a control (without bioch ar). The results o f column trials suggested that bi ocha r applicat ions resulted i n dec reased saturat ed hydraulic condu ctivity while increas ed cumulat ive evapo ration. Lower pyrolysis t empe rature (300°C and 500°C) r esul ted i n higher cumulative evapo ration, wh ile higher pyrolysis temperature (700°C) resu lted in reduced cumulative evaporation. L ikewise, smal ler particle size resulted i n higher cumulativ e evaporation. Greenho use trials demonstrated that biochar appl ication resulted in 5.48% – 8.11% improve ment in soil moisture content t han control and substant ially incre ased tomato growth. Thus, biochar application enhanced soil h ealth and wate r con servation i n s andy s oil, con sequently increas ing tomato plant growth. Keywords: Wa ter conserva tion; Cumulat ive infiltratio n; Sustainable soi l managemen t a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9349-6735 b ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8806-3871 c ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4276-8398 22 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Abstract Paper n-3 Fatty Acids as Dietary Immunomodulators: Atte nuating Cow's Milk Allergy in Mice via Enhanced Foxp3+ Regulatory T-Cell Induction Abir HADDI 1,2*, a , Malika GUENDOUZ 1,2 b , Youcef BOUFERKAS 2, c , Samia ADDOU 2, d 1 University of Oran 1 Ahmed Be n Bella , The Higher School of Biological Science s of Oran, Algeria 2 University of Oran 1 Ahmed Be n Bella , Laboratory of Nutrition Physiology and Food Safety, Algeria *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] Abstract The increas ing incidence of food allergies is co rrelated with n utritional imbalances, parti cula rly a h igh ratio of pro-inflamma tory n-6 polyunsatura ted fatty acids (PUFAs) to anti -in flammatory n -3 PUFAs. This work explores a s trategy to modu late food a ll erge nicity throu gh the lipid co mposition of the d iet. This study aims to ev aluate, by i mmunohistoche mistry (IHC ), the impact of n -3 PUFA suppl emen tation (from fish oil) on the in duction of regulatory T ly mphocytes (Tregs) expressing the Foxp3 m arker in the jej unal mucosa of m ice allergic to cow's milk p roteins. Thirty female BALB/c mice were div ided into five groups. Three experimen tal gr oups received increasin g doses of fish oil (0.6%, 1%, 1.5% V/W) by gavage f or 15 days. A positive cont rol group (Cl+) received PBS, and a negative control group ( Cl-) received no treatment. All mice (excep t Cl -) were then sensitized to β -Lg. The jejunums were collected, fixed, and embedded i n paraffin. Foxp3 expre ssion was detected by IHC after antigen retrieval, incubation with a prima ry anti -F oxp3 an tibody, a nd reve lation w ith an avi din-biotin - peroxidase co mplex using 3,3′ -diaminobenzid ine as a chromoge n. IHC analysis revealed a dose-dependent increase in the numbe r of Foxp3+ Tregs in the jejunum of n-3 PUFA pretreated mice compared to the Cl+ group. The 1.5% fish oil dose induced the m ost significant effect. This demonstra ti on establishes a direct link between the fatty acid composi tion o f t h e diet and the modulation of the immune r esponse to a food allergen. Keywords: C MA, Foxp3+ Tregs, IHC, n-3 PUFA s a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4830-6960 b ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1710-3463 c ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4263-1401 d ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9898-3337 29 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Abstract Paper Simultaneous Effect of Prec ooling an d Modified Atmosphere Packaging on The Quality Propertie s and Shelf Life of Strawberry** Habibeh NALBANDI 1,*, a , Sadegh SEIIEDLOU 1 , Saeedeh MOGHADDAMZADEH 1 1 University of Tabriz, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Biosystems Engineering, Tabriz, Iran *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] ; ha bibehn [email protected] Abstract Precooling and MAP are signi ficant postharvest technologies that enh ance the shelf life of products. Various pac kages were utilized in this researc h to c arry out the precooling process, including the special precooling pac kages (SP P), the harvesting tray (HT), (then packa ged as MAP), and MAP. The samples were kept at 4 ° C for 15 days and the fruit's qu ality was evaluated. In addition, a simulator was crea ted to examine the sensitivity analysis of the effec t of air flow rate on cooling time. The cooling time for fruit in SP P, HT, and M AP packages w as 185, 102.3, and 387.5 min utes, respec tively. The fruit that was stored under MAP and HT -MAP experie nced only mi nor changes in firmness, mass loss, and total soluble solids content (TSS) compared to the first day. Furthermore, the fruit did not deteriorate until the 9th day of stor age. Mass loss, firmness, and TSS on the 9th day in MAP we re 0.11 %, 10.42 N, and 5.38 %, respectively. In HT-MAP, they were 0.11 %, 8.13 N, and 5.19 %. On the fifth day, decay app eared in the SP P fruit, with mass loss, firmness, and TSS respec tively being 0.3 perce nt, 8.79 percent, and 5.85 perce nt. The simulation results showed that by increasing the airflow rate from 1 to 1.6 L S -1 kg-1, it is possible to reduce the cooling time by approximately 60 minutes. If mechanical damages are minimized during the repack of fr uit from HT to MAP, HT-MAP is recommended a ccording to the results and energy consumption. SPP provided a reasonable cooling time and fruit could be stor ed for up to 5 days without decay. As a result, this treatment ca n b e utilized as an alternative treatment. Keywords: Modified atmosphere packaging, Precooling, Quality prope rti es, Strawberry a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4040-8636 30 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Abstract Paper Development of Functional Biopolymers From Loc al Agrobioresources: A Sustainable Approach using EPS-Producing LAB KERSANI Imène 1,*, a 1 Higher School of Biological Sc iences of Oran, AL GERIA *Corresponding author e-mail : kersani.imene @essb -oran.dz o r kersani_imene8@ya hoo. com Abstract In response to the growing demand for natur al and functional ingr edients, the food industry is exploring biotechnologically a ctive mi croorganisms. Coccal la ctic acid bacteria ( CLAB) are o f particular interest for th eir ability to produce exopolysaccharides (EPS ), which im prove gelling, thickening, and texturiz ing in food products. These EPS align with clean -label standards and consumer preferences for minim ally processed foods. Aligned with current innovations and best practice s in sustainable f ood technology policy, this study aims to isolate and screen EPS -producing CLAB strains from traditional Algeria n food sources. All the isol ates used in this study were evaluated for EPS production based on colony morphology, using a specific solid medium and ruthe nium red milk agar plates. Based on their EPS -producing colony phenotypes, five strains were s elected due to their prominent whi te coloration and mucoid appearance on sucrose-based media, which proved to be the most effec tive for EPS detection. Quantitative estimation of EPS was conducted t hrough apparent viscosit y measurements and the determination of sugar an d total protein content in EPS, which were previously extra cted and purified using ethanol precipitation. The sugar content of the polymers exceeded 400 mg/ L, while the appare nt viscosity ranged f rom 2. 1 to 2.9 mP a·s. No stron g correlation was observed between EPS quantity and apparent viscosit y. P rotein analysis revealed a low protein content in the crude polym ers, indicating a high purity of the EPS extrac ts.These five strains were ultim ately selected for their high EPS yield and their favora ble influence on the rheological characteristics of biofilms, undersc oring their potential utility in food biotechnologica l app lications. Keywords: Amount of EPS, CLAB, EPS, Viscosity a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/ 0009-0005-8319-5185 31 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Abstract Paper Antioxidant Effects of Royal Jelly at The Tissue and Serum Leve ls in Balb/C Mice Made Allergic to β -Lg. Malika GUENDOUZ 1,*, a , Abir HADDI 1, b , Djamel SAIDI 1, c 1 The Higher School of Biological Science s of Ora n, 31000 Oran-ALGERIA. *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] Abstract Royal jelly is reported to contain bioactive components with immunomodulatory and anti- inflammatory properties. This work aims to evaluate its protective potential against damage induced by oxidative stress in a murine model (Balb/c) sensit ized to β - lactoglobulin (β -Lg). Twenty-four female Balb /c mice (4 -week-old) were divided into three groups. Two groups received royal jelly orally for 7 days at doses of 0 g/kg (positive control) and 1 g/kg, respectively, and were then sensitized by intraperitoneal inj ection of β -Lg adsorbed on the adjuvant [Al(OH)₃]. The third group received no treatment and was considered as a negative control. At the end of the experiment, blood and intestinal samples were collected to evaluate catalase activity and lipid peroxidation, measured at the tissue and serum levels by the thiobarbituric acid re active su bstances (TBARS) assay. Finally, the effec ts of royal jelly on intestinal histopathological alterations were analyze d by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. Our results show that: No significant difference in catala se activity was observed among the groups. However, β -Lg sensitization induced a signific ant increase in intestinal lipid peroxidation (p < 0.05) , with no change at the serum level. Pre tr eatment with roya l jelly markedly reduced inte stinal TBARS levels (p < 0.01) and histologica l analysis confirmed that RJ attenuated intestinal damage in sensitized mice. Conc lusion: The o btained re sults suggest th at roya l jelly re duces oxidative stress and intestinal tissue alterations induce d by the sensitizing protein (β -Lg). Keywords: Antioxidant effects, β -Lactoglobulin, Oxidative Stress, RJ a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1710-3463 b ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4830-6960 c ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3253-7414 32 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Abstract Paper Enhancing Potato Resistance to Late -Blight through S erendipita indica Colonizat ion Mousa TORABI GIGLOU 1, *, Alireza AKBARI 1 , Asghar ESTAJI 1 , M ahdi DAVARI 2 , Rasoul AZARMI 1 1 Department of H orticult ural Science s, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, IRAN 2 Professor of Plant Patho logy, Department of Plant Protection, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, IRAN * Corresponding a uthor: [email protected] Abstract Potato ( Solanum tuberosum ) is one of the most im portant staple crops. Late-blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans ( Pi ), poses a significant threat to potato production, leading to substantial yield losses. I n this researc h the impact of Serendipita ind ica colonization investigated on potat o resistance to late -blight. The objective of this study was to investigate the effe ct of P. indica on Pi . Potato cultivars “Agria and Jelly” selected for t he greenhouse studi es. The use of S. indi ca was conducted concurrently with the planting of the tubers in the soil, while zoospore inoculation was performe d on the aerial p arts . The r esults showed that Pi infection was sign ificantly reduced in both cultivars when potato roots were colonised with S. indica . This enhanced resistance is a cons equence of the modul ation of antioxidant and defense enzymes/genes in the host by S. indica . Notably, the activities of enzymes such as Ascorbate- Peroxidase, Peroxidase, PolyP henol-Oxidase, Phenylalanine-Ammonia-Lyase and H2O2 content were markedly elevated in the Pi infection in the S. indica colonised plants in comparison to controls. Additionally, the inoculation of S. indica into the roots of the potato plants resulted in a modifi cation of g ene expression associated with defense mechanisms, including P AL, PPO, MAPK and W RKY. This leads to the rapid and efficient ac tivatio n of potato defense mechanisms, which is comparable to the response observed in potato plants infected with Phytopht hora. Overall, the findings sugg est that the application of S. indica during potato cultivation represents a novel and effective str ategy to enh ance plant resistance a nd mitigate th e impacts of Late-blight disease . Keywords: Antioxidant enzymes, Gene express ion, Potato, Phytophthora infestans, Serendipita indica, Sustainable agriculture **This stud y is a par t of Ah met GÜL MEZ’s m aster thesi s accep ted title of “Isolation, Diagn osis and Research of Biological Con trol Possibilities o f Bacterial Disease s in Cabb age Pro duction Areas of Er zurum Province” by th e adviser Fatih DADAŞO ĞLU 33 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Full Text Paper FACE TO FAC E FULLTEXT ORAL PRESE NTATIONS Identificati on of Pathog enic Bacteria in Cabbage Plants in E rzurum Province ** Ahmet GÜLMEZ 1,* , Fatih DADAŞOĞLU 2, a 1 Ataturk University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Protection, Erzurum , TÜRKİYE *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] Abstract This study aimed to isolate and identify ba cterial pathogens from cabbage plants grown in the Erzurum c entral and Ka raç oban districts of E rzurum province. Therefore , samples from disease d cabbage plants were collected and brought to th e laboratory following surveys conducted in the specified a r eas. A total of 19 bacterial strains were isolated from the diseased samples. To determine the pathogenicity of these strains, they were first subjected to the H ypersensitive Reaction (HR) test. According to the test results, 7 stra ins we re positive, and 12 strains we re ne gative. Conventional tests performe d on the all strains pathogens determined that all pathogens were Gram -negative and rod- shaped. Simil arly, catalase tests revealed positi ve results for 19 pathogens, and oxidase t ests revealed negative results for all pathogens. None of the pathogen strains developed on King B medium were observed to produce fluorescent pigments. At this stage of the study, ne w isolations are ongoing, and definitive identification of all bacteria isolated from this year's diseased p lants will be made using both conventional and m olecular methods. As a result, it is aimed to develop an effective biologica l control strategy against these pathogens by d etermining the bacterial strains that cause disease in cabbage plants grown in differe nt areas in Erzurum province. Keywords: Bacterial disease , Cabb age, Erzurum province a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9331-1913 34 Introduction Cabbage ( Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata ) is a cruciferous plant that is consumed worldwide, it is on e of th e main vegetables in the human diet and is pr escribed by nutrition specialists as a sour ce of nutrients and fiber, with potentially positive effects (Galanty et al., 2024). Brassicas are widely cultivated th roughout the world as p o pular and economically impor -tant vegetable crops for human consumption, fodder crops for animal feed, and as oil seedcrops (Rimmer, Shattuck and Buchwaldt, 2007). According to Song et al. 2021, P. carotovorum is ranked among the most common causative agents of cabbage soft rot. Nonetheless, P. aroidearum , P. brasiliense , P. odoriferum , P. polaris , and P. wasabiae species have also been reported to result in cabbage so ft rot in dif ferent countries (Oskiera et.al. 2017; S moktunowicz et.al.2022 ). In S erbia, different Pectobacterium spe cies (i.e., P. atrosepticum , P. brasiliense , P. carotov orum , P. p unjabense , P. zantedeschiae , and P. versatile ) hav e been isol ated fr om broccoli, calla lily, carrot, celery, parsley, potato, squash, and wa te rmelon (Waleron et.al . 2019; Markovi´c et.al. 2021; Markovi´c et.al. 2022; Gavrilovi´c et.al. 2001; Loc et.al. 2022). In a study condu cted in Serbia, the identification of Pectobacterium spe cies causing soft rot in the Futog region, wh ere summ er c abbage is cultivated, was aime d. For this purpose, 67 strains were characterized on CVP medium based on their phenotypic and genotypic properties. According to the results obtained, 5 strains were identified as Pectobacterium carotovorum , and two strains were identified as Pectobacterium versatile and Pectobacterium odoriferum , respectively. Among the isolates obtained, P. carotovorum was the most common species (62.69%), while P. versatile and P. odoriferum were less represented ( 19.4 0% and 17.91%, respectively). A survey study was con ducted in areas where white-headed cabba g e was grown in the Bafra Plain between 2003 and 2004 to detect Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris , the causal agent of black vein rot. At the end of the survey, 10 isolates were identified as X. campestris pv. ca mp estris . Pathogenicity tests, hype rsensitivity tests on tobacco, and biochemical t ests were performed for the identification of the strains. The highest disease severity, 41.6%, was dete cted in Kuşçular Village. (Aksoy 2007) According to the literat ure review, the soft ro t pathogen Pectobacterium carotovorum (Dadaşoğlu 2013) has b een identified as the bacterial species causing disea se in cabba ge v arieties in 35 the Erzurum province. However, no studies have been found regarding o ther sp ecies that cause diseases in cabbage. Furthermore, no biol ogical control studies related to the se diseases hav e been conducted in Erzurum, and the planned study is there fore original in this r espect. Mater ial and Method Collecting Diseased Plant Samples and Bringing Them to The Laboratory For the research, plant materia ls showing symptoms of ca bbage disease were collected in Erzurum Provinc e, each one was labeled sep arately and brought to the l aboratory in poly ethylene bags. Bacterial Isolation and Stocking Standard media such as Trypticase S oy Broth Agar (TSBA), Nutrient Agar (NA), and Ye ast Dextrose Carbonate Ag ar (YDC) w ere used for isolation. Diseased plant materials were washed in tap water, then surf ace sterilized by soaking in a container conta ining 70% ethyl alcohol for 5 minutes, and then rinsed with sdH2O. Small pieces were cut from areas cont aining both diseased and health y tissue. After soaking in sterile tubes containing 2 ml of sdH 2 O for 1 hour, dilutions were made by 5 - fold dilution. 100 µL of each dilution was pipetted onto standard media a nd sprea d on the surface using a glass rod. Cultures we re incubated at 25 °C, and pure cultures we re obtained by re -culturing each colony. E ach pure isol ate was given a unique code number and informati on about the isolation (isolated plant, location, date, etc.) was recorded; and it was stored at -86 ° C in stock media containing 30% glycerol a nd L auryl Broth (LB) mixed at a 1:1 ratio until identification and charac terization . Tobacco Hypersensitivity (HR) Test Purified bacterial strains were str eaked onto NA medium and incubated. Bacteria taken f rom 24-h cultures were transferre d to sdH 2 O using a loop, mixed on a vortex de vice, and the concentration was adjusted to 108 CFU/ml. Two cc of the resulting sol ution was taken with a sterile syringe and injected into the veins of tobacco leaves, and the treated plants were kept in plant growth cabinets at 90% humidity for 24-48 h. Strains that formed dead tissue in the inoculated areas were considered HR positive (+), and those that did not were considered HR negative ( – ), while sdH 2 O was used for control plants. 36 Classical Methods Morphological Characteristics Pure cultures of bacteria in liquid media were used to study their cultur al cha racteristi cs. Strains were stre aked onto solid media and allowed to form colonies. Colony morphology was examined under a microscope to dete rmine their appearance and color. (Saygılı et al. 2006) . Potassium Hydroxide Test (KOH) In this test, when Gram-negative ba cteria are tr eated with 3% KOH, th eir ce ll w alls are disrupted, relea sing cytoplasm and nuclear material, resulting in a viscous structure. A loopful of a 24-48 h bacterial culture grown in NA was mixed with a 3% potassium hyd roxide solutio n placed on a slide. The presence of growth was considered KOH positive, while the absence of growth wa s considered KOH ne g ative. (Fahy and Hayward 1983). Motility Test Purified microorganisms were streaked onto NA medium in a three -phase incubation proces s. A portion of the 24-hour bacterial culture was transferred to glass tubes containing sdH 2 O using a loop. Coverslips were prepared from this solution using a loop, and the slides were c arefully invert ed and examined under a microscope to observe whe t her the microorganisms were motile (Saygılı et al. 2006). Biochemical Properties Catalase Test This test, performe d to determine whether strains contain catalase, was per formed by taking a loopful of a 24-48-hour bacterial culture and add ing one drop of 5% H 2 O 2 . Bubble formation was considered a positive re s ult. Oxidase Test Discs containing 1% tetramethyl-p-phenylendiamine dihydrochloride were used for this test. The discs were satura ted with one drop of sterile distil led water , and the appearance of a blue-purpl e color from a 24-48 -hour bacterial culture was considered a positive result ( Harley and Prescott 2002 ). 37 Fluorescent Pigment Production This test determined whether isolates grown in King B medium at 26±2 °C for 24 -48 hours produced fluorescent pigments under ultraviolet light. Results and Discussion The primary bacterial pathogens reported to cause diseases in cabbage plants include Pectobacter ium spp., Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola, P . margina lis, and Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Rimmer et al., 2007). Data obtained from bacterial strains isolated from diseased plant samples collected from Erzurum Merkez and Karaçoban districts are pre s ented in Table 1. According to the results, a total of 19 bac terial strains were isola t ed and purified. HR tests revea l ed that seven of th ese strains yielded posi tive reactions, whe rea s twelve strains were n egative. All strains were motil e, r od- shaped, capable of growth at 37 °C, and catalase -positive. Based on the oxidase test results, strain AF-8 was positi ve while all other strains were n egative. Similarly, strains AF -18 and AF-19 were Gram-positive, where as the remaining strains were Gram -negative. According to the fluor escent pigment production test results, five strains were positive, while the others were nega tive. Table 1. Sample Table Template Strain no Location Motility Cell shape HR 37˚C’growth Catalase Oxidase KOH Fluorscent pigment test AF -1 Karaçoban + RS - + + - - - AF -2 Karaçoban + RS + + + - - - AF -3 Karaçoban + RS - + + - - - AF -4 Karaçoban + RS + + + - - - AF -5 Karaçoban + RS - + + - - + AF -6 Karaçoban + RS - + + - - - AF -7 Erzurum Cent ral + RS + + + - - - AF -8 Erzurum Cent ral + RS + + + + - + AF -9 Erzurum Cent ral + RS - + + - - - AF - 10 Erzurum Cent ral + RS - + + - - - AF - 11 Erzurum Cent ral + RS + + + - - + AF - 12 Karaçoban + RS + + + - - - AF - 13 Karaçoban + RS - + + - - - AF - 14 Karaçoban + RS + + + - - - AF - 15 Erzurum Cent ral + RS - + + - - + AF - 16 Erzurum Cent ral + RS - + + - - + 38 AF - 17 Erzurum Cent ral + RS - + + - - - AF - 18 Erzurum Cent ral + RS - + + - + - AF - 19 Karaçoban + RS - + + - + - +: Positive result -: Neg ative result HR: Hyper sensitity reaction , RS: Road shap ed In a study conducted in cabbage produ ction areas of Yozgat Province, 16 different bacterial strains were obtained from diseased samples, all of which were determined t o be Gram -negative based on the potassium hydroxide (KOH) test. The isolates, characterize d as facul tative anaerobes, showed negative reactions in oxidase and arginine dihydrol ase tests a nd positive reactions in the catalase test. It was also reported that their cultures grown on King B medium d id not e xhibit fluore scent pigmentation under UV light. Addi tionally, the isolates we re able to grow at 37 °C, p roduced turbidity in LB (Luria B roth) medium containing 5% NaCl, and induced a hypersensit ive reaction in tobacco leaves (Öztürk a nd Soylu , 2022) . Similarly, in the prese nt study, among the 19 bacterial s trains obtained, seven were HR- positive, exhibited ne gative oxidase reactions, positive catalase reactions, a nd did not produce fluoresce nt pigments . In c onclusion, a total of 19 different bacterial strains were isolated and purified from cabbage plants cu ltivated in Erzurum Merkez and Ka raç ob an districts. HR test results indicated that seven of these strains were potential pathogens. Future stu dies aim to perform prec ise identification of th ese potential pathogenic strains and to develop biological control strategies for managing bacterial diseases in cabbage. Acknowledgement This study is supported by Atatürk University BAP unit within the scope of project number FYL-2025-15916. Statement of Conflict of Inter est The author(s) should declare that they are n o conflict of interest. Reference s Aksoy, H. 2007. Samsun ili bafra ilçesi’nde be yaz b aş lahana alanlarinda siyah d amar çürüklü k etmeni Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris [(Pammel 1895) Dowson 1939]’nin belirlenmesi. Anadolu Tarım Bilimleri Dergisi, 22(3) : 297 -300. 45 Table 1. Antioxidant activity of Alcea hohenackeri seed extracts Antioxidant activity (µg Trolox equivalent/mg extra ct) Fractions ABTS DPPH FRAP Infusion extract 10.70 ± 0.26 b 4.33 ± 0.86 a 0.50 ± 0.29 b Methanol extract 16.91 ± 0.48 a 4.37 ± 0.57 a 1.97 ± 0.29 b Ethyl acetate extract 5.37 ± 0.55 c 3.18 ± 0.44 a 1.97 ± 1.23 b n-Hexan extract 1.93 ± 0.84 d 2.81 ± 0.31 a 15.60 ± 0.69 a Data were p resented as m ean ± SEM. Differ ent upper case small letters on the same column show significant d ifference, P<0.05 . ABTS: 2, 2 -Azino-b is An tioxidant; DPPH: 2 ,2 -Diphenyl -1-picrylhydr azyl; FRAP: Ferric Redu cing Antioxid ant Power. There ar e no studi es on the total phenolic and fla vonoid contents in the flowers of A. hohenackeri . However, some studies have repor ted the tot al phenolic and flavonoid contents of differe nt species in the Alcea genus. Ertas et al. (2016) determined th e to tal phenolic content o f A. pallida in acetone, methanol, and water extracts to be 175.00±1.22, 106.51±0.18, and 152.74±0.76, respec tively. In the same study, they reported the tot al flavonoid content as 19.66±1.58, 13.30±0.45, and 12.19±0.09, respectively. Ertas et al. (2016) also determined the total phenolic content of A . apterocarpa in acetone, methanol, and wa ter extracts as 144.18±0.06, 96.23±0.08, and 109.93±0.04, respec tively. Additionall y, they reported the total flavonoid contents as 118.71±1.10, 1 0.94±0.10, and 11.47±0.17, respective ly. Conclusion The total phenolic and flavonoid contents ar e varia ble according to used plant parts, extraction method and solvent. In c onclusion, the infusion and n-hexane extr acts of Alcea hohenackeri see d had the highest total phenolic content. In addition, n-hexane extract had the highest total flavonoid content and FRAP a ctivity. Moreover, the high est ABTS and DPPH activities were measured in the methanol extract. The in vestigation of the pharmaceutical effects of seed extract in in vitro and in vivo models is being considered as further studies. Acknowledgement Thanks are given to Dr. S üleyman Mesut Pınar for his helpful taxonomical identification of the plant material. Statement of Conflict of Inter est 46 The author(s) should declare that they are no conf lict of interest. Reference s Sun, W., & Shahrajabian, M. H. (2023). Therapeutic potential of phenolic compounds in medicinal plants — Natural health products for human health. Molecules , 28 (4), 1845. Nwozo, O. S., Effiong, E. M., Aja, P. M., & Awuchi, C. G. (2023) . Antioxidant, phytoc hemical, and therapeutic prop erties of medicinal plants: A review . International Journal of Food Properties , 26 (1), 359-388. Mutha, R. E., Tatiya, A. U., & Surana, S. J. (2021 ). Flavonoi ds as natural phenolic compounds and their role in thera p eutics: An overvie w. Futur e journal of pharmaceutical science s , 7 (1), 25. Abbasi, N., Rafieian-Kopaei, M., Karami, N., & Ghanadi, K. (2019). An ethnobotanical study of hepatoprotec tive herbs from Sh ahrekord, Chahar mahal and Bakhtiari Province, Southwest of Iran. Egy ptian Journal of Veterinary Sciences , 50 (2), 129-134. Hussain, L., Akash, M. S. H., Tahir, M., R ehman, K., & Ahmed, K. Z. (2014). Hepatoprotective effects of methanolic extract of Alcea rosea against ace taminophen-indu ced hepa totoxicity in mice. Bangladesh journal of pharmacology , 9 (3), 322-327. Dar, P. A., Ali, F., Sheikh, I . A., Ganie, S. A., & Dar, T. A. (2017) . Am elioration of hype rglycaemi a and modulation of antioxidant status by Alcea rosea se eds in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Pharmace utical biol ogy , 55 (1), 1849-1855. Mosaddegh, M., Esmaeil i, S., Hassanpour, A., Malekmohammadi, M., & Naghibi, F. (2016). Ethnobotanical study in the highl and of Alvand and Tuyserkan, Iran. Research Journal of Pharmacognosy , 3 (1), 7-17. Mükemre, M., Behçet, L ., & Çakılcıoğlu, U. (20 15). Ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants in villages of Çatak (Van -Turkey). Journal of ethnopharmacology , 166 , 361-374. Olcay, H. C., Dogan, A., Battal, A., Yaman , T., Yılmaz, M. A., Pınar, S . M., & Cakir, O. (2025). Exploring the ameliorati ve effe cts of hollyhock (Alcea hohenackeri Boiss.) flower extract against liver damag e induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats: chemical composition, biochemical and histopathological evaluation. Fitoterapia , 106933. Taşkın, T., Kahvec ioğlu, D., Türkoğlu, E. A., Doğa n, A., & Kuzu, M. (2022). In vitro biological activities of differe nt extracts from alcea dissecta. Cli nical and Experimental Health Science s , 12 (1), 53-60. Çe tin, D., Konuş, M., Yılmaz, C., Arslan, Ş., Abde lsalam, A., Hutanu, E. D. , ... & Kivrak, A. (2024). Determination of Antioxidant, Antim icrobial and Anticancer P roperties of Newly Synthesized 2‐methoxyphenyl Thiophene Derivatives. ChemistrySelect , 9 (47), e2 02404367.Uzunhisarcikli ME, Vural M. The t axonomic revision o f Alcea and Althaea (Malvaceae) in Turke y. Turk. J. Bot. 2012; 36,603 – 636. Uce, İ., & Tunçtürk, M. (2014). Wild plants which naturally grown and widely used in Hakkari. Res J Biol Sci , 7 , 21-25. 47 Yilmaz, M. A. (2020). S imultaneous quantitative scre ening of 53 phyto chemicals in 33 species of medicinal and aroma tic plants: A detailed, robust and comprehensive LC – MS/MS method validation. Industrial Crops and Products , 149 , 112347. Singleton VL , Rossi JA. Colorimetry of total phenolics with phosphomolybdic-phosphotungstic acid reage nts. Am erican journal of Enology and Viticulture. 1965;16(3),144-158 . Woisky RG, Salatino A. Analysis of propolis: some parameters and proce dures for chemical qua lity control. Journal of a pi cultural researc h. 1998;37(2),99 -105. Ertas, A., Boga, M., Gaz ioglu, I., Y esil, Y., Hasimi, N., Ozaslan, C., ... & Kaplan, M. (2016). Fatty acid, essential oil and phenolic compositions of alce a pallida and alcea apterocarpa wit h antioxidant, anticholinestera se and antimicrobial activities. Chiang Mai Journal of Science , 43 (1), 1143-53. Zakizade h, M., Nabavi, S. F., Nabavi, S. M., & Ebrahimzadeh, M. A. (2011). In vitro antioxidan t activity of flower, seed and leaves of Alc ea hyrcana Gr ossh. European Review for Medical & Pharmacological Sciences , 15 (4). Taşkın, T., Kahvecioğlu, D., Türkoğlu, E. A., Doğan, a., & Müsl üm,K. (2022). In vitro biological activities of different extracts from a lcea dissecta. Clinical and Experimental Health Sciences , 12 (1), 53-60. ** This study is part of the master’s thesis of Tu ğçe DE LİGÖZ entitled “ Investigation of the Prevalence and Biological Control Possibilit ies of the White Rot Pat hogen ( Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary) in Sunflower in Erzurum Province ” . 48 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Full Text Pap er Determination of the Prevalence and Morphological Id entification of t he White Rot Pathogen ( Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary) in Sunflower in Erzu rum Pr ovince** Tuğçe DELİGÖZ** , a , Elif TOZLU b 1 Ataturk Un iversity, Facult y of Agricultur e, Department of Plant Prote ction, Erzurum, T ÜRKİYE *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] Abstract Sunflower ( Helia nthus annuus L.) is an important crop grown in Turkey for both oil and confectione ry purposes. In recent years, changes in climatic condit ions and variations i n pl anting patterns have increased the incidence of diseases in sunflowe r cro ps i n Erzurum, leading to si gnif icant economic losses. Among these diseases, white rot caused by S clerotinia sclerot iorum (Lib.) de Bary res ults in decay of t he roots, stems, and capitulu m tissues, causing reduct ions in both yield and qua lity. The pathogen can survive in the soil for ext ended periods through its resilient struc tures, called scle rotia, and can initiate infection aga in under favorable environmental conditions. In this study, t he prevalence of the whit e rot pathogen in sunflow er f ield s in Erzurum was investigated. Field surv eys were conducted in the d istricts of Pasinler, Horasan, Yakutiye, Aziz iye, Aşkale, and Palandök en. Samp les were collected from symp tomatic sunflo wer plants, t ransp orted to the laboratory, and cultured i n vitro on Potato Dextrose Ag ar (PDA) medium. Pure c ultures were obtained from the deve loping colon ies. Macroscop ic and microscopi c observatio ns of the isolates confirmed their identity as Sclerot inia sclerotiorum . The results indicated that white r ot disease occurred at varying intensities across all surve yed districts of Erzurum Province. Howeve r, the disease w as observed to be more severe in Aziziy e and Pasinler, while lower l evels were recorded in Horasan, Yakutiye, Aşkale, and Palandöken. This st udy provides an up - to -date and region-specific assessment of the preval ence of Sclerotin ia sclerotioru m in sunflowe r cultivation areas of Erzuru m an d establishes a solid scientific foundation for future research on th e pathogenici ty, epidemio logy, and molecu lar characte rization of the pa thogen. Keywords: S unflower, Scl erotinia sclerot iorum , Erzurum, Mo rphological Identif ication a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0335-9724 b ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0016-9696 49 Introduction Sunflowers ( Helianthus annuus L.) are high -value cultivated plants widely grown for both oil production and confectionary purposes. N ative to North America, this s pecies was introduced to Europe in th e 16th century and subsequently spre ad to Asia and Anatolia (Fırıncıoğlu et al., 2008 ). In Tü rkiye, oilseed sunf lower cultivation is primarily conc entrated in t he Thrace, Marmara, and Central Anatolia regions, whereas the produc tion of confectionary types has shown a notable increase particularly in Eastern Anatolia, for example in pro vinces such as Er zurum (Figure 1). In recent years, sunflower cultivation area and production volume have risen markedly in Erzurum. Indeed, the cultivated area, which was 21,261 decares in 2019, reac h ed 74,696 decares b y 2024, while production increased to 23 ,076 tons (TÜİK, 2024). These data clearly demonstrate that Erzurum possesses substantial potential for confec tionary sun flower production. a b Figure 1. Türkiye oilseed sunflower production map (a), Türkiye confectionary sunflower production map (b) Sunflower cultivation is adversely affected by both biotic and abiotic str ess factors. In addition to environmental p ressures such as drought, te mperature fl uctuations, a nd soil salinit y, fung al, bacterial, and viral pathogens, as well as insect pests, pose serious threats to plant growth and yield. Fungal pathogens, in particular, are responsible f or 25 – 35% of yield losses and often become most damaging durin g the flowering and ripening stages, thereby increasing economic im pact (Çakır et al., 2020). In this context, the necrotrophic fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de B ary, the c ausal agent of white mold, sta nds out as on e of the m ost destructive fungal diseases o f sunflower. Thi s pathogen, which can infect more than 400 plant species worldwide, causes rot in the roots, stems, and 50 heads of sunflowers, thereby negatively af fec ting both yield and produc t quality (Boland and Hall, 1994). S. sclerotiorum survives in the soil for man y years through highly re sistant structures known as sclerotia, which enable the pathogen to persist and initiate new in fections under favorable environmental condition s. Under optimal temperature (10 –25°C) and m oisture, these stru ctures germinate to form fruiting bodies called apothecia. Ascospores produced w ithin these structures are released into the atmos phere and initiate infection particularly in the f loral tissues during the flowering period. As the infection progre ss es, stem and head rot along with general wilting symptoms appear; in advance d stages, cottony white mycelium a nd black sclerotia can be observe d on the plant (Tozlu, 2003). Yield losses caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infections have be en reported to rang e from 10% to 60%, a nd under highly favorable environmental conditions, losses may reac h up to 100% (Gulya et al., 2020; Onaran and Ya nar, 2019). The pathogen’s epidemic potential is particularly high in cool and humi d clim ates. This highlights wh ite mold as a m or e wid esprea d, destructive, and economically damaging disease compa red to other fungal pathogens affecting sunflower (Gulya e t al., 2020). This study was conducted in the districts of Pasinler, Horasan, Y akutiye, Aziziye, Aşkale, and Palandöken in Erzurum Province and aimed to determine the current prevalence of S clerotinia sclerotiorum in sunflower production areas. By obtaining data on the regional dist ribution and severity of the disease, th e study intends to establish a scientific basis for future rese arch foc using on the epidemiology, pathogenicity, and molec ular ch ara ct erization of the pathogen. Mater ial and Method Plant material and pathogenic fungus The plant mate rial for the study consisted of diseased sunflower ( Helia nthus annuus L.) samples collected from various production areas in Erzurum (Figure 2), Sclerotinia sclerotiorum isolates obtained from these samples, and local confectionary sunflower ecotypes/varieties obtained from producers in the study region. 51 Figure 2. Sy mptom Developed by Sc lerotinia scl erotiorum on the Stem Methods Survey studies and determination of disease ıncidence In 2025, plant samples sh owing disease symptoms were collected from sunflower fields in the districts of Pasinler, Hor asan, Y akutiye, Aziziye, Aşkale, Köprüköy, and Palandöke n in Erzurum Province, which were sel ected as survey areas (Fi gure 3). Survey activities were conducted tow ards the end of the vegetation period (late August – ea rly September) . As many fields as possible wer e examined, and counts of healthy and diseased plants were recorded in each field. For fields of 1 – 5 decares, 20 plants were examined; for 6 – 10 decares, 40 plants; and for fiel ds larger than 10 decares, 60 plants were assessed. Within each field, plants were se l ected f rom randomly c hosen rows, with 10 plants per row. In these rows, infected and healthy plants were counted, and the results were converted into percentages to ca lcul ate the disease incidence (Tozlu, 2003). Plant parts showing dis ease symptom s w ere collected from th e infected sections, placed in polyethylene bags, and transported in a cooler to the Plant Protection Department Plant Clinic Laboratory at the Fa culty of Agriculture, Ata türk University. Samples were store d in a refr ige rator at 52 4°C un til the isolation stage. I n addition, photographs of the disease symptoms were tak en both in the field and in the laboratory. Figure 3 . Localities where surve y studies were co nducted a nd isolates w ere obtained Isolation of the pathogen The samples brought to the P lant Protec tion Department Plant Clinic Laboratory at the Fac ulty of Agriculture, Atatürk University, and stor ed at 4°C w ere taken, washed under tap water, and 1 -cm pieces from the infe ct ed stem portions or sclerotia were surface - st erilized in 1% sodium hypoc hlorite (NaOCl) for 1 – 2 minutes, rinsed with sterile water, and then dried for 5 minutes in a laminar flow cabinet. The pieces were subsequently place d on Petri dishes containing Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and incubated at 20 –25 ° C. After 2 – 3 days, 4-mm diameter my celial dis ks were taken from the actively growing edge of the colonies developing from the tissue pieces or sclerotia and transferred onto P DA-containing Petri dishes to obtain pure cultures. The most virulent isolate, se lected based on pathogenicity tests, was pre served at 4°C. Pathogenicity tests 53 Pathogenicity tests were conducted under controlled conditions using local confectionary sunflower ecotypes/varieties grown in the re gion. When the plants reached th e R2 stage, corre sponding to the beg inning of flowering (Nelson et al., 1988), 4 -mm mycelial disks taken from actively growing portions of S. sclerotiorum pure cultures grown on PDA for 7 – 10 days were inoculated onto wounds 5 mm in diameter made 4 cm above the soil su rface, with one mycelial disk per plant. Prior to inocul ation, the stems were spraye d with water, and following inoculation, the wounded area was wrapped with parafilm. Control plants received sterile PDA disks with the same procedure. Le sion dev elopment was measured 5 weeks after inoculation. Identification of the Pathogen Morphological Identification The isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum were gro wn on potato dextrose ag ar (PDA) at 25°C, and their morphologic al characteristics w ere ex amined. Colony morp hology and mycelial structure were evaluated, and the size, shape, and distribution of sclerotia formed on the medium were measured. These morphological fea tures were used to confirm the identity of the pathogen. Results and Discussion The distribution of S. scle rotiorum isolates obtained from diseased sunflowe r plants, collected from the fields at the end of the 2025 vegetation period (late August – early September), according to the localities, is presented in Table 1. As a result of the survey studies conducted in 2025 in cereal-grow ing areas of Pasinler District, Erzurum Province , th e prevalence and severity of rust diseases were de t ermined (Figure 6 ). Table 1. Distribution of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum isolates obtained from survey studies in Erzurum Province in 2025. Localities Number of isolates Aşkale 3 Aziziye 15 Horasan 2 Köprüköy 2 Palandöken 5 54 Pasinler 13 Yakutiye 5 TOTAL 45 In 2025, a total of 90 fields were surveyed to de termine disease incidence, and counts o f healthy and diseased plants were recorded. The prevalence o f Sclerotinia white mold in the sunflower fields examined in 2025, according to the loc alities, is presented in Figure 4. Figure 4. Incidence (%) of Sclerotinia stem rot in sunflower in the localiti es of E rzurum Province surveyed in 2025. As shown in Figure 4, field surveys indicated that the highest disease incidence was recorded in the Aziziye (16.7%) and Pasinler (14.4%) districts. These two dist ricts stand out as the most at - risk areas in E rzurum in terms of both p roduction area and dise ase severity. Yakutiye and Palandöken showed moderate disease levels at 5.6% each, while Aşkale (3.3%), Hora sa n (2.2%), and Köprüköy (2.2%) exhibited lower disease incidence. Pathogenicity tests were conducted using 45 S. sclerotiorum isol ates and local sunflower ecotypes/var i eties obtained from producers. On t he stems of inoculated plants, light to dark brown lesions developed at the inoculation points, and the lengths of thes e lesions were subs equently measured (Figure 5). 3,33 16,67 2,22 2,22 5,56 14,44 5,56 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 Aşkale Aziziye Horasan Köprüköy P alandöken Pasinler Yakutiye 61 consumption, edible landsca ping also offers a v iable strategy for sustainable urban deve lopmen t (Çelik, 2017). This study aims to inves tigate the role of edible landsca pes conceived as new frontiers of agroec ologic al design withi n the context of agricultural landscapes. The central argument of the stud y is that edible landscape practices not only support food produc tion in ur ban and rural agricultural settings, but also provide mul tiple ecosystem services (regulating, cultural, and supporting), thereby crea ting systems that are more resilient and multif unctional than traditional landscape approaches. Within this framework, potential challenges related to integration into urban planning and lands cape design policies are identified (H ajzeri & Kwadwo, 2019), and recommendations are proposed through an agroecological design perspec tive. Mater ial and Method The primary mater ials of thi s resea rch consist of national and international ac ademic articles, books, theses, and reports published on agroecology, edible landscape d esign, sustainable landscape planning, urban agriculture, and ecosystem services. The sources used in t he study were published between 1995 and 2024 and encompass both theoretica l and practice oriented research. In addition, rece nt re ports publishe d by international organizations such as FAO (F ood and Agriculture Organiza tion of the Unit ed Nations), UN Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements P rogramme ), IPBES ( Intergovernme nt al S cience Poli cy P latform on Biodi versity and Ecosystem Services), and the EEA (European Environment Agenc y ) were also utili zed as supple mentary data sources. The study was conducted using a qualitative research approach, employing literature r eview and descriptive analysis methods. First, the historical development, fun damental principles, and contemporary applica tio n forms of agroecological design and edible landscape concepts were analyze d bas ed on the existing literature. At this stage, key themes forming the conceptual fr amework such a s provisioning services and local food systems, ecosystem s ervices, bi odiversity and polyculture, and environmental sustainability were identified. Subsequently, the relationship between edible landscape practices and ag roec ologic al prin ciples was examined at b oth agricultura l a nd urban landscape scales in line with these th emes. In the final stage, the extent to which edible landscapes align with agroecological design principles and the potential challenges associated with integr ating this approach into urba n planning and landsca p e design policies were revealed. 62 Findings 1.Agroecology and Its Fundamental Principles “Agroecology is the integra tion of research, education, action, and transformation that brings sustainability to all dimensions of the food system e cological, economic, and social. Because it v alues all forms of knowledge and expe rience in food system transformation, agroecology represents a transdisciplinary approach” (G liessman, 2018; Yeni & Teoman, 2023). Based on the data obtained from the literature , the fundamental princ iples of agroe cology can be summarized a s follows (Wezel et al., 2009; Silici, 2014; Alti eri, 2018; Gliessman, 2018; Özkaya & Özden, 2021; Şişman, 2023): 1. Food security 2. Conservation of biodiversity / Ecosystem integrity 3. Environmental sustainability 4. Water resource c ons ervation 5. Soil protection 6. Social sustainability 7. Economic sustainability 2. Agroec ological P rinciples Applied in Edible Landscapes Agroecological design is based on structuring agric ultural systems in wa ys that reduce dependency on external i nputs such as chemical fertilizers and pestic ides. Edible landscaping serves as an applied model that embodies these principles at the urban and residential scales. I n this model, edible landscape areas mimic the cycles and synergies of natural ecosystems, integrating agricultural production with ecosystem health (Gliessman, 2015). The primary ag roecological principles highlighted in edible landscape applic ations include the following: 2.1. Food Security (Provisioning Services and Local Nutrition) 63 The most prominent service provided by edible landscapes is the production of food and fiber. However, unlike industrial agriculture, edible la ndscapes offer loc ally grown, f resh, and nutrient dense produc ts. Local Food Security: In urban areas in particular, edible landscapes sh orten the distance between production and consumption (f ood miles), making communities more resilient to supply chain disruptions (Lovell & Taylor, 2013 ). Th e cultivation of diverse fruits, vegetables, and herbs provides a re liabl e food source for local households and communities. Biodiverse Nutrition: Through the use of polyculture systems, edible la ndscapes support healthy and b alanced diets by offering seasonally and culturally diverse foods rather than relying on a single staple crop (Altieri, 1995). 2.2. Biodiversity Conservation / Ecosystem Integrity (Biodiversity and Polyculture) Biodiversity one of the c ore pillars of agroecology lies at the heart of edible landscape design. Unlike industrial monoculture, edible landscapes promote polyculture systems by combining plant species with different e cological functions (fruit trees, shrubs, groundcovers, vegetables, and medicinal herbs) across space and time (Altieri, 1995). Multi Layere d Planting: In edible landscapes, plant s are arranged in vertical layers, mimicking agroforestry models. Beneath fruit trees, ber ry producing shrubs (e.g., blackbe rry, c urrant) are planted, followed by vegetables and groundcover herbs positioned below ( Canizare s, 2020) (Figure 1). This structure maximizes productivity per unit area while c reatin g ec o logical synergies among species. 64 Figure 1. Example o f an Edible Garden Reflec ting the Agroforestry Model (Chung, 2024) Functional Diversity: Species diversity enhances not only the availability of food resources but also critical ecosystem services such as pest control and pollination. For inst ance, the inclusion of specific flowering pla nts attracts natural enemies that prey on pests as well as pollinating insects, thereby stre ngthening the ecosystem's “immune system” (Lovell & Taylor, 2013 ) (Figure 2). Figure 2. A Multi layered Garden Ex ample That Serves As A Habitat For Thousands Of Beneficial İnsect Spec ies, Helping Suppress Weed Gr owth A nd Control Pests (Chung, 2024) 2.3. Environmental Sustainability (Regulating Services and Environme n tal Resilience) Edible landscape areas are of vital importance fo r urban ecosystems du e to their capacity to regulate and enhance environmental processes. By establishing positive int erac tions (synergies) among system components, they optimize overall productivity. Mitigating the Urban Heat Island Effec t: Trees and dense vegetation cool t he surrounding air through evapotranspiration and provide shade. Th is allows edible landsca p e areas to function as lo cal cooling refuge s, p articularly in densely built urban centers. Shading and Microclimate Regulation: Trees and tall vegetation provide natural protection for shade pre f erring ve g etables, reducing heat stress during summer months. This contributes significantly to microclimate regulation in urban a reas and helps mitigate the urban heat island effect (Hajzeri & Kwadwo, 2017). 65 Biodiversity Conservation: Edible landscapes s upport biol ogical diversity by providing habitat and food sources for pollinators (be es, butterflies) and n atural pe st preda tors, particularly through the use of native and functional plant species (Demirc i & Aktep e, 2020). 2.4. Conservation of Wa t er Resources (Water Harvesting and Mana gement) Edible landscape designs are typically structured around the collection, ret ention, and slow infiltration of water. This approach minimizes water loss and erosion while enhanc ing plant drought resistance and supportin g stormwater management one of the critical regulating servic es in urban environments. Dense v egetation and increased soil organic matte r slow surface runoff, enhance infiltration, and prevent erosion. Thus, they reduce the burden on muni cipal drainage systems and contribute to groundwater recharge (Gliessman, 2015). 2.5. Soil Protection (Circularity and Closed Nutrient Cycles) Agroecological design aims to reduce reliance on external fertilizer and energy inputs by enabling the system to genera te its own nutrients. Edible landsc apes are grounded in this principle of circular ity: On site Composting and Mulching: Plant residues, kitchen waste, and prun ing materials are recyc l ed within the landscape as compost or mul ch. This prac tice enric h es soil organic matter, dir ectly improving soil health and water holding capacity (Gliessman, 2015). Nitrogen Fixation: Incorporating legumes (e.g., bea ns, peas) or certain nitrogen fixing tree species (such as specific Ac acia species) into e dib le landscapes n aturally enriches the soil by binding atmospheric nitrogen, reducing the nee d for synthetic fertilizers (Akkaya, 2023). 2.6. Social Sustainability (Social and Educational Benefits) The multifunctionality of edible landsc apes provid es not only tangible environmental benefits but also significant socia l and cultural advantages: Strengthening Community Bonds: Shared gardening activities and food e xchange enhanc e social interaction, cooperation, and a s ense of belonging. Such spaces become fo cal points for communities gathered around food production (Hajze ri & Kw adwo, 2017). 66 Education and Food Literacy: Edible gardens in schools and public space s function as living laboratories, enabling children and adults to acquire hands on knowledge about nature, food origins, seasonality, and healthy nutrition. Recreation and A esthetics: Edible landscapes offer the a esthetic app eal of t raditional ornamental gardens whil e a lso providing recreational e ngagement through planting, maintenance , and harve sting a ctivities. 2.7. Economic Sustainability Socio-Economic Innovation: Edible landscapes are increasingly recognized not only as food production systems but also as tools that support new business models, food educ ation initi atives, and local economic development. This emerging frontier of agroecological design highlights the potential of landscapes to provide economic a nd soci al ecosystem services (Wezel et al., 2009 ). Conclusion Climate cha nge has become one of the most significant environmental threats affecting global food systems in a multidimensional manner. Modeling studies indicate that rising temperatures, irregular precipitation patterns, and extreme climate events such a s droughts and floods will increa s e crop loss es (Ada ms et al., 1998). Although these impacts may remain relatively limited during the first half of the 21st century, agricultural production particularly in develo ping countries is expected to be severely affected in the later d ecades of the c entury (Rosenzweig & Hillel, 2008). This situation threatens not only food production but also social stability. It is projected that incr eases in global avera g e temperatures could lead to up to a 30% rise in food prices, potentially triggering social unrest (Hillel & Rosenzweig, 2009). In this context, integrating e dible landsca pes into planning and design proce sses emerge s as a critical strat egy to enha nce the resilience of food systems and mitigate the neg ative impacts of climate change. Edible l andscapes not only create p roductive gre en spaces but also s erve a s tools that support local food cycles, strengthen ecosystem services, and promote community engagement. By enabling food production withi n urban areas, this approach helps shorten supply ch ains, reduce food waste, and increase the climate resilience of cities. 67 By applying agroe cological design principles, edi ble landscape s allow for the simultaneous and multifunctional provision of ecosystem services benefits suppl ied by agricultural syst ems that support human well being (MEA, 2005). The multifunctional character of edible landscapes offers distinct advantages over traditional single purpose landscape arrangements. The integrated use of agroecological designs that reflect fund amental agroecologica l principles not only transforms e dible landscapes i nto productive spaces but also incorporates them a s resilient components of t he local ec osystem (Costanza et al., 2017). However, in current p ractice, severa l challenges that may arise within this integrated approach can pose certain limitations. Potential Integration Challenges Although the environmen tal and social ben efits of edible landscape practices are indisput able, the full integration of these approaches into existing systems dominated by industrial agriculture a n d conventional landscape architecture faces several challenge s. Over coming these bar riers will define the new boundaries and future potential of a groecologi cal design. One of the major obstacl es to the implementation of edible landscapes is that current urb an planning and zoning regulations do not recognize such multifunctional spa ces. In densely populated urban areas, alloca ting sufficient public land suitable for food production is particularly difficult. Regulations often desig nate public spaces either for p assive recreation or solely for orn amental plantings; this signi fica ntly restricts the widespre ad adoption of edible landscape s (Hajzeri & Kwadwo, 2017). Landscape a rchitecture s tandards g enerally do no t account for the aesthetic or m aintenance requirements o f food-pr oducing plants. This can lead to the perception that edible landscapes are “messy” or “poorly maintained,” which hinders their inclusion in inst itutional projects (De mirci & Ak tepe, 2020). The suc cess of edible landscapes requires a h igh level of ecological knowledge and management skills. Urban edible landscapes may also need to be establishe d on soils that pos e risks due to heavy metals or other contaminants. This necessitate s soil remediation (e.g., bioremediation), an agroecologica l pr actice that requires additional expe rtise and increases impl ementation costs. 68 In agroecological farming systems where chemical pesticide use is prohibited, pest and disease manag ement reli es on more complex and knowledge-intensive me thods such as promoti ng natural ene mies, crop rotation, and biological control (G liessman, 2015). New Frontiers of A g roecological Design Current challenges simultaneously open n ew ave nues for re s earch a nd innovation in agroec ologic al design: • Landscape-Based Agroecology: The scale of agroecologic al design is expanding beyond individual gardens or farms to larger landscape units su ch as watersheds or entire urba n regions. This approach aims to opti mize ecosystem services (e.g., water m anagement, ecological corridors) at a regional s cale and establish edible l andscapes as strategic components of urban gree n infrastructure ( Lovell & Taylor, 2013). • Digital Integration: Precision agriculture technologies are increasingly being integrated with agroec ologic al principles. Sensors and data analytics can optimize micro climate, water, and nutrient management withi n edible landscape s, maximizing resource efficiency an especially critical factor in resource-limited urban environments. • Socio-Economic I nnovation: Edible landscape s are not only tools for food production but also platforms for em erging b usiness models, food li terac y prog rams, and lo cal economic development. This new frontier highlights the potential of landscap es to d eliver e conomic and social ecosystem services (Wezel et a l., 20 09). In conclusion, in the face of intensifying climate c hange impacts, the integration of edible landscape practices into l ocal government policies, urban planning str ategies, and natio nal sust ainable development goals ha s become essential. Such integration is vital not only for environmental sustainability but also for strengthening economic and social ecosystem services. 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(2024). Urba n biodiversity. In: İ nce, K. (Ed.), Sustainable Management of Urban Green Spaces . Iksad Publications, Ankara, Turkey, pp. 327 – 356. https://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12698885 77 and Pirifosmospora spp ., which are the most commonly used in this field, are prominent microorganisms in international studi es ( Çakmakcı et al., 2011 ) . The in sensitive use of syntheti c fertilizers applied to increase viney ard yields negatively impacts t he humic -mineral and microbiological structure of the soil, thereby adversely affecting sustainable vit iculture (Chopin e t al., 2008; Raclot et al., 2009; Komáre k et al., 2010; P arede s et al., 2021). Conclusion The use of rhizobacteria is of vital importance for the future of sust ainable viticulture. In th e fight against global climate change and environmen tal polluti on, these microorganisms offer environmentally friendly solutions, increasing a gricultural produ ctivity and reducing the use o f chemical fertilizers. Inc o rpora ting rhizobacteria into t raditional fe rtilization processes both supports plant health and minimizes environmental impac ts . In con clusion, analysis and research indi cate that innovative management strategies must increasingly focus on enhancing soil fertility, reducing nutrient loss in s urface and groundwater, balancing water consum ption, and improving grape yield and quality. The information obtained indicates that the importanc e of rhizobacteria as a strategic component in the future of sustainable viticulture is increasing day by day. Reference s Ahemad, M., & Kib ret, M. (2013). M echanisms and applications of plant growth promotingrhizobacter i a:current perspective. Journal of King Saud Unive rsi ty -Science Backer, R., Rokem, J.S., I langum aran, G., Lamont, J., Praslickova, D., Ricc i, E., Subra manian, S., & Smith, D.L. (2018). 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Journal of Experimental Botany , 61(1), 249-260. 80 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Full Text Paper Isolation and ch aracteriz ation of potential micr obial fert ilizers contain ing local and nation al bacterial c ontent suitabl e for sustainable agricultural systems Fazıl HACIMÜFTÜOĞLU 1,*, a , Muhammed KÜPE 2, b , Özlem BARIŞ 3, c Fatih DADAŞOĞLU 4, d 1 Ataturk Univers ity, Faculty of Agricul ture, Department of Plant Nutri ti on a nd Soil Science, Erzurum, TÜRKİYE 2 Ataturk Un iversity, Facult y of Agricultur e, Department of Horticulture, E rzurum, TÜRK İYE 3 Atatürk Un iversity, Facult y of Agricultur e, Department of Plant Pr otection, Erzu rum, TÜRKİYE 4 Kırgızistan - Tür kiye Mana s University, Facu lty of Sci ence, Department of Biolog y, Bişkek, KIRGIZ İSTAN *Correspond ing author e-m ail: fazil@ataun i.edu.tr Abstract In r ecent years, it has become evident that microbiological p roducts, particularly as alternatives to chemicals, that are natural, en vironmentally friendly, do not threaten hu man h ealth, an d regulate soil stru ctural prop erties as well as soil f lor a and fauna, h ave become essential for sustainable ag ricultural activ ities. Th is study, co nducted for this purpose, aimed to isolate and character ize potential bac terial strains con taining in digenous an d national b acterial co ntent, which promo te plant growth and provide alternatives to chem ical fertilizer s, from soil samples taken from differ ent a reas of the Erz ur um prov ince. For this purpose, 24 bacterial strains were isolated from soil samples taken from differ ent areas of the Erzurum prov ince. During the c har acterizatio n phase of the study, ph osphate solubility and nitrogen fixation properties, which are among th e plant growth -promoting proper ties of the bacter ia, were investigated . Tests con ducted on the aforementioned prop erties among the strains re vealed that the bacteria yielded varying results, ranging fro m positive to negative, stro ng l y positive to weakly p ositive. Accordin g to the results, wh en th e nitrog en fixation properties of the strains isolated from differen t areas of t he Erzurum province were evaluated, only one strain yielded negative results, one strain yielded positive results, and all the remaining s trains yielded strongly positive results. In trials condu cted f or phosphate solubilization, s ix strains yielded negativ e results, nine strains yield ed wea kly positive r esults, six strains yielded positive r esults, and three strains yielded strong positive results. Consequ ently, among the strains o btained, the bacteria with strong positive results are highly likely to be poten tial microb ial fer tilizers. In v ivo trials of these strains on various plants are planned, and the goal is to develop microbial fertilizers alternative to chemical fertilizers b ased on th e results of these trials. Keywo rds: PGPB, Sustain able agricu lture, Bacterial fertilizer a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2897-8559 b ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7225-8065 c ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2679-5599 d ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9331-1913 81 Introduction Free-living bacteria that promote plant d evelopment and are used in biol ogical control or as biofertilizers (BF) are collectively referred to as plant grow th -promoting bacteria (PGPB). PGPB a re commonly categorized as biofertili zers that e nhance the availability of nutrients to plants , phytostimulators that promote plant growth through the production of phytohormones, rhizoremediators that de grade organic pollutants, and biopesticides that suppress plant diseases through the synthesis of antibiotic and antifungal metabolites (A ntoun an d Prevost 2 006). Among these, phytostimulators directly stimulate plant development by producing growth -related hormones. In addition to mecha nis ms such as enha n cing ro ot development, increasing crop yield, and fixing atmospheric nit rogen, the ability of PGPB to synt hesize key phytohormones — such as a uxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins — is of particular importance. PGPB are predominantly found withi n the genera A cetobacter, Acinetobacter, Achromobacter, Aereobacter, Agrobacterium, A lcaligenes, Arthrobacter, Azoarcus, Az ospiril lum, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Beijerinckia, Burkholderia, Chromatium, Clostridium, Enterobacter, Erwinia, Flavobacterium, Herbaspiri llum, Klebsiella, Micrococ cus, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Rhodobacter, Rhodospirillum, Serratia , and Xantho monas (Burdman et al . 2002; Çakmakçı 2005). Numerous soil bacteria residing in or around the rhizosphere exhibit plant growth -promoting properties through various mechanisms and have been shown to enhance vegetative and reproductive growth in a wide range of plant species, including vegetables, fruits, ornam entals, trees, and cereals (Vessey 2003; Niranjiyan et al. 2006). The use of PGPB in agriculture has expanded si gnificantly in recent years. Contemporary research increasingly focuses on the impacts of P GPB on soil structure, plant growth, and th e underlying mec hanisms responsible for these effects (G alelli et al. 2015; Warwate et al. 2017; Gupta et al. 2017). Maje ed et al. (2015), for inst ance, evaluated PGPB isolated from wheat rhizospheres and demonstrated that s everal strains we re capable of producing indol e -3-acetic acid ( IAA), fixing nitrogen, and solub ilizing phosphate. These strains significantly improved root and shoot length as well as biomass accumulation. Similarly, Galelli (2015) reported that Bacillus subtil is subsp. spizizenii , identified as a PGPB strain, increased shoot biomass of lettuce by 64% and root biomass by 68%. 82 Considering these findings, the present study aims to contribute to the development of entirely locally produced microbial fertilizers that h ave gained global im portance as environmen tally friendly alternatives to chemical input s. The study also seeks to support the creation of commercial formulations and the pro duction of nationally dev eloped biofertilizers that do not pose risks to human or environmental health and he lp preserve soil str ucture. Mater ial and Method Isolation and Preservation of Bacte rial Strains Soil samples collected from various regions of Erzurum province were transported to the laboratory for bacterial isolation. F ollowing the i solation procedures, inoculated Petri plates were incubated at 27 ° C for 2 4– 72 hours to allow bac terial growth. From the resulting mixed bacter ial cultures, colonies exhibiting different morphologi cal characteristics (su ch as color, size, and shape) were selected and re-streaked onto fresh media to obtain pure cultures. Stock (frozen) cultures o f these strains were subsequently prepa red and pres erved a t –80 °C. Determi nation of Nitro gen Fixatio n Abilit y of the Strai ns Bacterial strains were inoculated onto Nutrient Agar (NA) from stock cultures using the streak-plate method. Following a 2 -day incubation period, bacterial colonies were transferred onto nitrogen-free medium (N-Free Solid Malate Sucrose Medium) and incubated at 27 ° C for 7– 10 days. Bacterial growth observed on the nitrogen-free medium was evaluated as an indi cation of positive nitrogen fixation ability. Detectio n of Phosph ate-Solubili zing Bacte ria Bacterial strains wer e inoculated onto Nutrient Agar (NA) from stock cultures using the streak-plate method. After a 2-day incubation period, bacterial colonies were transferred into tubes containing NBRIP- BPB (National B otanical Res earch Institute’s Phosphate) medium and incubated at 27 ° C. The appe ara n ce of a color cl earance zone in the medium was evaluated as a positi ve indication of phosphate solubilization activity. 83 Results and Discussion Table 1 obtained from th e present study is provided below. According to th e results, a total of 24 bacterial str ains were isolated from different locations in Erzurum province and subsequently purified. These strains were subjected to tests for phosphate solubilization and nit rogen fixation, which are important characteristics of plant gro wth -promoting bacteria (PGPB ). Based on the test results, strains P GB-15, PGB -22, and PGB -24 exhibited strongly posi tive phosphate -solubilizing activity; strains PGB-4, PGB-6, PGB -18, PGB-19, PGB-21, and PGB-23 were positive; strains PGB - 8, PGB -9, PGB-10, PGB-11, PGB-12, PGB-13, PGB-14, PGB-17, and PGB -20 showed w eakly positive activity, while the remaining stra ins w ere observed to be negative . Tablo 1. Bacterial strains’ location, phosphate -solubilization, and nitrogen-fixation test results Strain no Location Phosphate s olubility Nitrojen fixati on PGB-1 Erzurum − K+ PGB-2 Erzurum − K+ PGB-3 Erzurum − K+ PGB-4 Erzurum + K+ PGB-5 Erzurum − K+ PGB-6 Erzurum + − PGB-7 Erzurum − K+ PGB-8 Erzurum Z+ K+ PGB-9 Erzurum Z+ K+ PGB- 10 Erzurum Z+ K+ PGB- 11 Erzurum Z+ + PGB- 12 Erzurum Z+ K+ PGB- 13 Erzurum Z+ K+ PGB- 14 Erzurum Z+ K+ PGB- 15 Erzurum K+ K+ PGB- 16 Erzurum − K+ PGB- 17 Erzurum Z+ K+ PGB- 18 Erzurum + K+ PGB- 19 Erzurum + K+ PGB- 20 Erzurum Z+ K+ PGB- 21 Erzurum + K+ PGB- 22 Erzurum K+ K+ PGB- 23 Erzurum + K+ PGB- 24 Erzurum K+ K+ K+: Stro ng positive result, N+: Weak positive resu lt, +: Positive resu lt, -: Negativ e result Phosphate (P) is an essential nutrient for plants because it plays roles in various functions such as photosynthesis, respiration, and nutrient translocation. Although soil s contain sufficient total P, 84 only a small fraction is available to plants, which co nsequently li mits their growth (Viruel et al., 2014). The availa bility of P depe nds on its solubility, which is influenced by the a ctivity of roots and soil mi croorga nisms. This activity occurs primarily through alternative mecha nisms such as the production of organic acids and chelating compounds, as well as th e se cretion of phytase enzymes (Pande et al., 2017) . In a study investi gating the characterization of PGPB strains and their effects on maize development, the Advenella incenata (22A67) str ain exhibi ted a high level of phosphate solub ilization in PVK medium. Panto ea dispersa 22B45, B acillus 13B41, and Rhizob ium pusense 31B11 also demonstrated phosphate-solubilizing ca pacity, albeit at lower levels (Amezquita -Aviles et al., 2021). Similarly, in the present study, ten of the isol ated bacter ial strains w ere foun d to have high phosphate - solubilizing capacity. According to various reports, nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria supply a substanti al proportion of the mineral nitrogen used in agriculture, making nitro gen fixation the second most important biogeochemica l process after photosynthesis (Ladha et al., 2022). In a study conducted on bacteria isolated from the roots o f strawberry plants, the characterization of strains and their plant g rowth - promoting traits were ev aluated. Th e r esearchers obtained 21 bacterial strains, three of which were identified as nitrogen-fixing. Likewise, in the present study, 22 strains were determined to exhibit strongly positive nitrogen-fixing activity (Fitriyani et al., 2025). Considering all results, 2 4 distinct ba cterial strains were isolated from various soil samples in this study . Evaluation of their plant growth -promoti ng properties revealed that a total of nine strains exhibited both phosphate solubilization and nitrogen fixation ca pabilities. Based on the literature and the findings of this study, these nine strains possess potential PGPB chara cteristics, and it is planned to develop a native and national microbial biofertili zer depending on the outcomes of future pl ant trials conducted with these strains. Acknowledgment: This study is supported by Atatürk University B AP unit within the scope of project number FBA-2025-15048 Statement of Conflict of Inter est There is no c on flict of interest among the authors in this study . 85 Reference s Amezquita-Aviles, C.F., Coronel -Acosta, C.B., Santos -Villalobos, S., Santoyo, G. and Parra-Cota, F.I. (2022). Characterization of native plant growth-promoting bacter ia (PGPB) and their effect on the development of maize ( Zea mays L.). R evista de Cienc ias B iológicas y de l a Salud. 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PLOS ONE , 10(9), pp. e0138931. 96 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Full Text Paper Marker As sisted Selection in A lfalfa Breedin g Meliha Feryal SARIKAYA 1,*, a , Muhamm ed Azh ar NADEEM 1, b , Kağan KÖKTEN 2, c 1 Sivas Univ ersity of Science and Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Department of Field Crops, Sivas, T ü rk iye 2 Mersin University, Faculty of Science, De partment of Biotechnology, Me rsin, Tü rk iy e *Corresponding author e-mail: f e rya lsa ri kaya @gm ai l. co m Abstract Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.), a perennial, outcros sing legume, is a crucial feed crop globally due to its exceptional nutritional value and versatility. No netheless, its autotetraploid genomic structure and elevated h eterozygosity present significant challenges to traditional br eeding, rendering the pro cess sluggish, arduous, and often ineffective. Molec ular marker -assisted selection has emerged as a precise and effective m ethod for the e arly identification and selection of advantageous alleles that govern complex agronomic traits. This encompasses resistance to biotic challenges, including pests and diseases, a s well as abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and cold, along with e nhancements in forage quality attributes, notably a decrea s e in li gnin content. The combinati on of high-throughput sequencing and sophisti cated bioinformatics have enabled the identification of millions of single- nucleotide polymorphisms, which underpin c ontemporary genomic methodologi es, including quantitative trait locus mapping, genome-wide association studies and genomic selection. These molecular approaches are tr ansforming alfalfa breeding by accelerating genetic enhancement, enhancing s election effici ency, and facilitating the development of high -yiel ding, stress-resistant, and high-quality cultivars for sustainable agriculture. Keywords: Alfalfa, Breeding, Forage crops, Genomic selection, Marker-assisted selection a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7277-1 12 8 b ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0637-9619 c ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5403-5629 97 Introduction Alfalfa, characterised by its elevated protein content, perpe tu al growth cycl e, and capacity for biological nitrogen fixation, is a crucial feed cro p in agricultural systems, both economically and ecologically (Gupta et al., 2020). Alfalfa presents challenge s in producing target qualities through standard breeding approaches due to its tetraploid structure and elevated heterozygosity (Blum, 2010). Complex properties, including yield, forage quality, winter h ardiness, blooming period, and resistance to biot ic and abiotic stresses, are influenced by multiple genes and significantly impacted by environmental f actors (Jiang et al., 2022; Medina et al ., 2025). This circumstance constrains the efficacy of tra ditional breeding methods, which re ly on phenotypic selection, and underscore s the need for innovative molecular s election strategi es. Currently, Marker -Assisted Selection (MAS) serves as a potent instrument that substantially enhance s the breeding process (Yu et al., 2017 ). Fi gur e 1. Sc he mati c dia gra m sho wi ng the ma in are as o f a ppl ica ti on for molec u lar ma rke r st udie s in a lfa lfa Mo le cu lar mar ker tech no log ie s a re e sse nt ia l i ns tr ume nts in pl ant bree di ng an d g ene tic r es ource ma na ge men t f or g ene ti cal ly int ric a te sp ec ie s l ike a lfa lfa ( Riba ut an d Hois ing to n, 1 998 ). T hes e te ch nol og ie s si gn if ican tl y c on trib ut e b y pro vid in g a sc ie nt ific f ou nda tio n f or s e lec tin g pare n tal li ne s in br ee di ng pro gra ms thr ough t he ev al uat ion of gen et ic va ria ti on a mong pop ula tio ns (Mei jer and Munn ik, 2003) . Co nc urre n tly , MAS fa ci lit ate s the rap id and re lia ble id ent ifi ca tio n of gen e r eg ion s as so cia ted wi th a ttr ibu tes s uch as y ield , qua li ty, an d stre ss tol era n ce, there by ex pe dit ing t he se lec ti on of hig h- 98 yi el din g ind ivi dua ls com pare d to tra dit io nal sel ec tion me th ods ( Yu , 201 7; Jia ng et al ., 2022 ) . Mo lec ul ar ma rke r s are cru cia l in trai t ma pp in g, whic h invo lve s iden ti fy ing the gen es res po ns ible fo r sig ni fic ant a gr icu ltu ral trai ts , there by fac ili ta tin g a c om pre hen siv e un de rsta nd ing of the gen et ic arc hi tec ture of c omp lex char ac ter ist ic s (Z ha ng et al ., 20 15 ). Ul tim at el y, mar ke r a nal yse s are cr uc ia l for the c onse r vat ion of gene ti c re sou r ces ; by ass e ssin g the di ve rs ity of val ua ble kin ds, wi ld re lat ive s, or loc al ge ne tic mate ria ls , the su sta in ab le uti lisa ti on an d pres er va tio n of the se r e sou rce s is gua ran tee d ( Gu pta et a l., 20 20) . These div ers e con tr ibu tio ns hav e adva nc ed mo lecu lar mark e r re sea rch be yon d the la bo ra tory , po sit ion ing t hem a s a cr it ica l f ac tor in th e fut ure o f a gr icu ltu ra l pr od uct io n (Fi gure 1 ). Pr in ci ple s o f t he MA S M et hod olo gy a nd M AS Impl em ent a tio ns MA S f aci lit at es the s elec ti on o f ind ivi dua ls be for e the ex pr es sion o f thei r phen ot ype b y e mpl oy ing mar ker s (e .g ., SSR, SNP ) th at are gen eti ca ll y as soc iat ed wit h agr on om ic or phys io log ical qu al iti es (Z ha ng e t al. , 201 5) . Th is ex ped ite s th e br eed in g pr oces s, decre a ses e xpe n ses , an d fac ili ta tes mo re pre ci se se le ct ion irre sp ect ive of e nv iro nme ntal inf lu enc es . Curr entl y, h igh-re so lu tio n me th ods su ch as geno me- wid e as soc ia tio n st ud ies (GW AS ) and geno ty pi ng- by -s equ enc in g (G BS) are c omm on ly e mp lo yed t o id en tif y m ar ker s nece ssa r y f or MA S ( Med ina e t a l., 20 25 ). Fe e d Q ual ity a nd Pro duc t ivit y Bi az zi e t al. (20 17) exa mine d f eed qua li ty mea sure s, inc lu ding lea f an d st em pro tei n co nte nt , NDF , ADF , a n d A DL , acr os s 154 gen ot ype s. T he y c on duc te d a GWA S o n 11 ,4 50 SNP s util isi ng GBS da ta to unc ove r imp ort ant lo ci li nke d to th ese va ria bl es . The se ma rke rs dem on str ate d pote nt ia l for a ppl ica ti on in bot h ma rke r- a ssi st ed se lec ti on a nd ge no mic pr e dic tio n mo de ls. Sak iro ğl u and Bru mmer (2 01 7) ide nt if ied SNP s asso ci ate d wit h c hara cte ris tic s suc h a s f ibr e dig est ibi lit y, cr ude prot ein , a nd li gni n cont en t in dip loid al fa lfa popu la tio ns, hig hl ight in g pro spe ct ive loci of sig nif ic an t rele va nce for MA S. Co ld To ler an ce an d B loom ing P er io d Li et al. (2 015) ide nti fied gene re g ions a ssoc ia ted wi th fu nct ion al tra it s, inc lu din g win ter ha r dine ss an d f low eri ng tim e, thr ou gh QT L ma pp ing an d dem ons tra te d th at SSR ma r ker s f or the se loc i c oul d faci lit at e sele ct ion via MA S. The ear ly se lect ion of la te-fl owe r ing and low -t emp era tur e- to ler ant ge no ty pes ha s been fa c ili tat ed us ing ma rke r- as sis ted se le ct ion (M AS) . Re si sta nce t o D ise as es and Pe st s 99 Yu et al . (2 017 ) as ses sed alfa l fa g eno type s re si sta nt t o Vert ic il liu m wil t an d di sc ove red 10 si gn ifi ca nt S NP s on c hr omos om es 5, 6 , 7 , and 8 lin ke d t o thi s di sea se by GW AS . The se mar ker s w ere a ssi mil ate d int o the MAS proc e ss and i nte gra ted in to the p rod uc tion of re sista nt cu lt iva rs . T he mo le cu lar func ti on of roo t me ta boli te s in nema to de re si sta nce to pe st s, su ch as Pr aty lenc h us pene tra ns , ha s be en inve sti gat ed , wit h ma rke r-b ase d d iscr im ina tio n pr ovi ng succ es sf ul in di ffe re nt ia ting re sist ant ph en ot ype s ( Ba ldr idge e t a l. , 199 8; Vie ira et al ., 2 019 ). Co mpa ri so n o f E nvi ro nmen ta l C irc ums ta nce s w it h MAS Th e effe c tive ne ss of Ma rke r- Ass is ted Sele c tion (M AS ) in alf a lfa br ee di ng c an var y c ons ide ra bly depe nd ing o n en vi ron me nta l fac tors , es pec ia lly und er droug ht st re ss , due to stro ng ge no ty pe × env ir on men t (G × E) inter ac tio ns . Wh ile MAS en ab les the pro mpt and prec is e ide nt if ica ti on of in di vid ual s with ben efic ia l all ele s, its pre dic ti ve acc ura cy so me ti mes dec lin es whe n gen ot ype s are a sse sse d in va rie d c irc ums ta nce s (Ann icc hia r ico e t a l., 20 15) . I n gre en hou se- ba sed MA S exp er ime nts , ma rke r e ffe ct s are ty pic al ly mo re dur abl e owin g to the ri gor ou s co ntro l of e nvir on me nta l var ia ble s such a s tem pera tu re , hum idi ty , a nd so il mo is ture co nten t (Z han g et a l., 20 15) . H owe ver , whe n id ent ica l ge no ty pes are eva lu ate d un de r f ie ld c on dit ion s c hara c ter ise d b y fl uc tua tin g wa ter a vai la bil ity, e xtre me te mp era tur e s, a nd di ver se so il s, the phe no typ ic e xpr es sio n of mar ker- a ssoc iate d p hen ot ype s ma y di ff er (R ay et a l. , 201 3; Ji ang e t a l., 202 2). Con se que nt ly, th is hi ghl ig hts the im po rtan ce of ver if yin g mar ke rs a cro ss di ver se con te xt s bef ore inte gra ti ng the m in to bre ed in g pr ogr am s. The co mbin at io n of mar ker- a ssi ste d se lec tio n (M AS) wit h ge nom ic s ele ct ion (GS ) an d mu lt i -e nvi ron me nt t ria ls (M ET s) is c ons ide re d th e mos t eff ecti ve ap pr oach to de ve lopi ng dr ou ght-re sista nt a lfal fa var ie tie s th at are b oth ge ne tic a lly su per ior an d bet te r a da pte d t o div ers e en vi ro nme nt s (M e dina e t a l., 2 02 5). In te gra ti on of Ge nomi c S el ect io n wit h M ar ker- As sis ted Se le ct ion Th e rese arc h of Med ina et a l. (202 5) e mp has ise s the po te nti al o f co mbi ni ng MAS w ith gen omic se lec ti on (GS ) in al fal fa bree di ng . The st udy as ses sed 42 4 di st inc t alf a lfa ge not yp es a cro ss 18 ha rv es t pe r iods , foc us in g o n in tr ica te ag ron om ic pa ram ete rs s uch a s bi oma ss yiel d, an d li nke d ph eno ty pic da ta wi th ge net ic data . A nal yse s o f S NP data acq ui red vi a G BS re ve ale d 1 31 s ig nif ica n t SN Ps stro ng ly a sso cia ted w ith yie ld . T hes e SNPs wer e uti lise d to c on stru c t ge no me-wid e p re dic ti on mode ls , an d it wa s cl ai med tha t the pred ic te d acc ura cy of the cons tr uc ted gen omic sele ct ion mo de ls a ttai ned up to 0. 90 %. Thi s offe rs a far qui cke r, more pre ci se, and env ir on men tall y au tonom ou s sel ec tio n pr oced ure c omp ar ed to tra di tio na l phe no typ ic se lec tion , whic h is lab or iou s an d sub sta nt ia lly inf lu ence d by 100 e nvi ron me nta l fa ct ors . This wo rk dem ons tr ate s tha t ge nom ic selec ti on offers a mor e co mpr ehe ns ive a ppro ac h tha n MA S in bre ed ing co mp lex tra its , as its mu lti va ria te pre dic ti ve c apa bi lit y enc om pas ses th e ent ire ge no me r at her tha n rel yi ng exc lu sive ly on spe ci fic ma rke r s. T he fi nd in gs of M ed ina et a l. (2 02 5) re pre s ent a si gn ific an t mi le sto ne, ill us tra tin g th at geno mi c pr ed ict io n met ho ds may ac hi eve hi gh a ccu ra cy in a he tero zy gous a nd p ere nn ia l s peci es lik e alfa lf a. T hi s ad va nce men t demo ns tra tes th at MA S- bas ed tec hni que s ca n be int egr ate d wi th ge no mic sele c tion to enh an ce bree di ng prog rams , su gg es tin g th at the sy ner gis tic u se of bo th met hod olo gi es wil l si gn ifi cant ly ex ped ite t he bree ding pr oc es s i n t he fu tur e. Investigations of Genetic Diver sity Alfalfa exhibits signi ficant genetic dive rsity due to its heterozygous composition and propensity for cross-pollination. Qiang et al. (2015) ex amined 336 tetr aploid clover genotypes worldwide using 85 S SR (microsatellite) markers and found an average p redicted heterozygosity of 0.677, indicating substantial genetic variability. The study cond ucted by Wang et al. (2023) on 14 populations from long-term gra zing regions in Canada utili sed an alyses of approxima tely 20,000 SNPs derived from GBS to reveal genetic structural differences between the subspecies M. sativa and M. falcata, indicating t hat environmental intera ctions were pivotal. Th e res earch conducted by Abdollahi Mandoulakani et al. (2018) analysed 15 variations from the Black S ea and the USA utilising IRAP, REMAP, ISSR, and SSR markers, revealing distinct groupi ngs among varieties with varying rates of dif ferentiation based on marker type. Moreover, Fan et al. (2023) assessed 51 types in China, noting significant variability in s alt tolerance and identifying robust associations between marker diversity and phe notype. Yin et al. (2018) con ducted an SS R-based investigation involving 240 individuals, identifying 312 alleles and revealing that 96% of the variance explained by AMOVA analysis was attributed to intraspe cific variability. 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Cellular and transcriptional responses of resistant and susceptibl e cultivars of alfalfa to the root lesion nematode Pratylenchus penetrans. Frontiers in Plant Science , 10, pp. 971. Wang, H., Coulman, B., Bai, Y., Tar’an, B., & Biligetu, B . (2023). Genetic diversity and local adaptation of alfalfa populations ( Medicago sativa L.) under long-term grazing. Scientific Reports , 13(1), pp. 1632-1642. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-28521-3 Yin, S., Wang, Y., & Nan, Z. (2018). Genetic diversity studi es of alfalfa germplasm ( Medicago sativa L. subsp. sativa*) of Uni ted States origin using microsatellite analysis. Le gume Research – An International Journal , 41(2), pp. 202-207. Yu, L. X. (2017). I d entification of single-nucleotide polymorphic lo ci associated with biomass yield under water deficit in a lfalfa ( Medicago sati va L.) using ge nome-wide se quencing and association mapping. Frontiers in Plant Science , 8, pp. 1152. Yu, L. X., Zheng, P., Bhamidimarri, S ., Liu, X. P., & Main, D. (2017). The impact of genotyping-by- sequencing pipelines on SNP discovery and identification of markers associated with Verticillium wilt resistance in autotetraploid alfalfa ( Medicago sati va L.). Fronti ers in Plant Science , 8, pp. 89. Zhang, T., Yu, L. X., Zh eng, P., Li, Y., Rivera, M ., Main, D., & Greene, S. L. (2015). Identification of loci associated with drought resistance traits in heter ozygous autotetraploid alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) using genome-wide association studies with genotyping -by-seque n cing. PLoS ONE , 10(9), pp. e0138931. 109 Crop Rotation: Prevents the accumulation of pests and pathogens in the soil and their transfer to the next season. Increasing Biodiversity (Agroecology): C reating habitats for n atural ene mies of pests (predato ry insects, birds) by establishing green strips, hedge rows, and wild weed buffer zones around agricultural area s. Selection of Resistant Varie ties: Encouraging the cultivation of plant varieties that are less susceptible to pests and diseases. Biological and Biotechnological Control: Biopesticides a nd Biological Control Age nts: Widening the use of n atural enemies (la dybug s, parasitoids) and na tur ally derived substances (bioprepa rations l ike pheromones, plant extracts). Education, Consultation, and Infor mati on Management Increasing the knowle dg e and application capacity of f armers is fundamental to risk reduction. Education and Capacity Buil ding: C ontinuous and mandatory training should be provided to farmers, consultants, and retailers on the corr ect use of pe sticides, IPM techniques, alternatives, and risks (FAO's Farmer Field Schools are an importa nt too l in this area). Independe nt Consultatio n: Establishment and support of expert consultation service s for farmers, independent of pe sticid e sales, providing advice solely on plant protection and IPM. Data Collection and Monitoring: Mechanisms for s ystematic and accura te data collection on pesticide use, applied quantities, a nd types should be established. This data is critical for monitoring whether reduction targets are being met. Technology and Application Improvements Adopting technologies that make e xisting pesticide use safer and more efficient. Precision Agriculture P ractices: Applying pesticides to localized areas whe re the pest is concentrated (Spot Application) using optical sensors, drones, and geographic information systems. This prevents unnecessary che mic al spread across the entire field. 110 Calibration of Application Equipment: Regular calibra tion and leakage control of spraying equipment increases the efficie n cy o f pesticide delivery to the target and reduces the risk of contamination int o water. More Efficient Application Techniques: The us e of innovative nozzle syst ems and fo rmulation components that increase the eff iciency of spray droplet adhes ion to the leaf. This can halve the amount of chemica l us ed. These strategies are intended to reduc e the risks of pesticide use and suppor t sustainable agricultural systems worldwide, in line with global guidance documents such as the FAO's I nternational C ode of Conduct on Pesticide Manage ment and the EU's e nvironmental legislation. In addition to all these narratives, the training of conscious agricultural workers should be among the priority objectives. The farmer must be aware that the ch emical they use is also a poison and must comply with all rules. Acknowledgement The a uthors gratefully acknowledge the scientific support provided by Ataturk University (BAP 14454). Statement of Conflict of Inter est The author should dec l are that they are no conflict of interest. Reference s Amato, B. J. et al. (2017). Pesticide toxicity and potential risk to aquatic invertebrates in surface waters of agricultura l regions. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. Barceló, D., & Albelda, V. (1996). Environmental Chemistry: P esticides in Ground and S urface Waters. Else vi er Science B.V. Carson, R. (1962). Silent Spring. Houghton Mifflin. Doğan, D. N. H., & Karpuzcu, M. E. (2019). Türkiye'de tarım kaynaklı pestisit kirliliğinin durumu ve alternatif kontrol tedbi rlerinin incelenme si. Pamukkale Üniversitesi Mühendislik Bilimler i Dergisi. (Türkiye'deki spesifik kimyasal riskler) . 5Fulton, M. H., & Scott, G. I . (2012). The toxi city of organophosphorus insecticides and their metabolites to selected aquatic organisms. Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. Giesy, J. P. et al. (2000). A review of the effects of se lected herbicides on aquatic life. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safe t y. 111 Hayes, T. B. et al. (2006). Pesticide mixtures and endocrine dis ruption: The effect of atrazine an d atrazine metabolites on amphibian development. Environme ntal Health Perspectives. Relyea, R. A. (2005 ). Th e impact of ins ecticides and herbicides on the bio diversity and functioning of aquatic ecosystems. Ecological Applications. Schulz, R. (2004). Field studi es on the aquatic toxicity of agricultural pesticides in the tropics. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 112 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Full Text Paper Aquarium Fishe ries Trade in Turkey: Current St atus and D ynamics Harun ARSLAN 1,*, a 1 Ataturk University, Faculty of A quaculture, Erzurum, TÜRKİYE *Corresponding author e-mail: harunarsla n@ atauni.edu.tr Abstract The aquarium fisheries trade in Turkey, specifically the ornamental fish sector, represents a specialized field of aqu aculture with vibrant market dynamics. Although it remains overshadowed by large-scale trout, sea bass, and sea brea m farming, this sector generates significant economic activity through both local producers and import/export operations. Furthermore, one must not overlook the small-scale production for hobbyists, as well as massive complexes like city aquariums. Keywords: Aquarium fish, Ornamental fish, Ornamental fish trade a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5115-3467 113 Introduction Sector Str uc ture and Production Ornamental fish farming in Turkey is generally carried out by small and medium -sized enterprises. These businesses produce for the local marke t and, to a limited extent, for e xpo rt. Business Profile: Most businesses in the sector fo cus on the sa le and f arming of aquarium fish in or near urban area s. For example, a study conducted in Elâzığ and its district Kovancılar indicated that the average operati ng period for aquarium fish retail locations is over 5 years and the tota l capacity exceeds 9 tons. This suggests that the sector has deep roots in certain regions. Production Variety: More durabl e and highly adaptable spe cies are p rominent in local production, while a lar g e portion of exotic and rare species are source d thr ough imports. Domestic Market: Aqu arium fish generally reach the e nd c onsum er through pe t store s, specialized aquarium fish shops, and some large su permarket chains. Import and Export Dynamics Despite Turkey's position as a net exporter in the general seafood trade (tr o ut, sea bass, sea bream, etc . ), imports hold a significant place in the orna mental fish segme nt. Role of I mports: The aquarium fish trade has a global structure , and im ports are primarily made from Asian and Far Eastern countries (especially Southeast Asia ) to meet the Turkish market demand. Popular exotic species ge n erally e nte r the country through these c h annels. General Seafood Exports : Turkey's total se afood exports (primarily trout, sea br eam, and sea bass) have reached record levels, exceeding $1.6 bi llion (2023 data). The development of aquac ultur e has contributed signi ficantly to this succe ss. Howeve r, these large figures largely cover food -grade aquatic produc ts, and ornamental fish exports constitute a smaller share of this t otal. Export P otential: Local orna mental fish produ cers have expo rt potential towards regional markets (especially th e Middle East and Eastern Europe), but this potential is considered to b e not yet fully utilized. Challenges Facing the Sector Some key problems impeding the development of the ornamenta l fish tr ade include: 114 Biosecurity and Quara nt ine: The risk of dise ases that imported species may carry poses a significant threat to local stocks and other aqu aculture a ctivities. The implementation of strict quarantine a nd bios ecurity measures is mandatory. Farming Costs : High costs, espec ially for energy and feed, make it difficult for local production to compete internationally. Education and S pecialization: There is a per ceived shortag e of speciali zed p ersonnel and knowledge regarding the farming and tra d e of aquarium fish in the sector. Cichlid Fisheries in Turkey: The Leading Species in Trade a nd Farming One of the most voluminous and popular segm ents of the ornamental fish trade in Turkey is undoubtedly Cichlid fish. Originating from the Great Lakes of Africa (Malawi, Tanganyika, Victoria) and S outh America, these species hold a significant place in the aquarium hobby due to their color diversity, interesting behavior, and relatively ea sy adaptation. Importance of Cichlid Farming in Turkey Cichlids are a k ey group of sp ecies in Turkish o rnamental fish farming that reduce im port dependency and c onstitute a major part of local pr oduction. High Demand and Popularity: Especially Malawi Cichlids (e.g., Mbuna group, Peacocks) an d some Tanganyika Cichlids (e.g., Tropheus, N eolamprologus species) are in high demand among aquarium enthusiasts. This popularity encoura g es commercial production. Adaptation and Eas e of Breeding: Many Cichlids are more resilient than o ther exotic spe cies and allow for mass production whe n suitable conditi ons a re provide d. For example, Malawi Cichlids reac h sexual matur ity i n a n average of 8 – 12 months, and the female protects her fr y by mouthbrooding. This biological fe ature increases the yield in commercial prod uction. Commercial Capacity: Although the number of registere d a nd lic ensed businesses engaged in ornamental fish p roduction in Turkey is small (esti mated to be around 30), a large majority o f these businesses are focused on Cichlid production. Dynamics of the Cichlid Trade The Cichlid trade is shap ed by both products from domestic fa rming and the import of rare or special spec i es. 115 Dominance of Local P roduction: A signi ficant portion of the domestic market suppl y for high - population and easily bre eding Cichlid species (especially Malawi) is met by local producers. This contributes to the price st ability and widesprea d availability of these species. Role of Imports: Cichlid variations that are difficult or impossi ble to produce in Turkey, especially n ewly discovered or very rare wild-caught variations or special S outh American Cichlids (e.g., Discus, Angelfish, large pr edatory Cichlids), are offe red to the market through imports. Trade Chann els: Cichlids c an be sold from the producer to the wholesaler, from th ere to retail aquarium stores, or even directly to hobbyists through special hobby groups and forums online. A high-priced, niche market exists for spec ial specie s. Challenges and Opportunities in the Sector The problems fa ced in Cichlid farming para llel t h e general challenges in the ornamental fish sector, but there are also unique opportunities for Cichlids. Disease and Qua rantine: Specific dise ases, such as "Malawi B loat" which af fects Malawi a nd Tanganyika Cichlids, can ca use major losses in high -density production tanks or during the import stage. Strict biosecurity measures are nece ss ary. Genetic D egeneration: There is a risk of genetic degeneration in local stocks due to uncontrolled or inbr ed mating. The preservation of high -quality and pur ebred broodstock is of great importance. Opportunities Export Potential: Due to its geographical location, Turkey has the potential to export high - quality and healthy Cichlid species to the Middle East and Eastern European markets. Special Species F arming: The succ essful farmi ng of high -priced and challenging South American Cichlids (e.g., special Discus vari ations) in closed-loop systems could open a gateway for the sector to a high value-added market. Livebearers and Goldfish Trade in Turk ey: Volume and Ac cessibility In the ornamental fish trade in Turkey, Livebearers (Guppy, Molly, Platy, Swordtail) and Goldfish represent the two main streams that enter the sector with the lowest cost and widest 116 accessibility. These species are ideal for b eginne rs in the hobby and ther efore always command a large volume in the mar k et. Livebearers: The Foundation of Local Production Livebearers are the most common and ea siest seg ment of ornamenta l fish farming in Turkey. Rapid Reproduction a nd Low Cost: The s e species (especially Guppy and Molly) multiply very easily and quickly i n closed aquarium syst ems. S ince the females give birth to live fry, the loss rate in farming is relatively low. This biological advantage makes local production quite profitable and minimizes import dependenc y in this segment . Market Dynamics: Livebearers are sold in large volumes due to their low re tail prices. Retail aquarium stores, pet shops, and even wholesalers prefer to work with local producers who p rovide a continuous and stable supply. However, due to hi gh supply, the sales prices from the prod ucer to the wholesaler are g enerally low, and there is signific ant competition in retail sales. Special Species (Hobbyist Segment): Although the main market consists of low-priced mixed species, interest in purebred (full red, half black, Moscow blue, etc.) and genetically special strain s of Guppy and Swordtail has increased in recent years. These niche speci es are generally sold at highe r prices directly through hobby groups and online special sales channels. Trade C hallenge: The abundance of loc al produ ction and the low -price poli cies of wholesalers make it difficult for small-scale home producers to achieve a sustainable income. Goldfish: State-Supported Localization Effor ts Goldfish, as in the rest of the world, are one of the most popular aquarium fish species in Turkey, and their t rade has a large volume. Dominance of I mports: Traditionally, special breeds of Goldfish (Oranda, Butterfly Tail, Ranchu, Ryukin, etc.) were imported, mainly from Singapore and Far Eastern countries. Local Production Breakthrough (Antalya Model): The Mediterranean Fisheries Research, Production, and Education Institute, affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, has been engaged in large-scale G oldfish production at its facilities in Antalya since the 2000s. This center took an important step to replace imports by producing over 1 million or namental fish, including 600,000 Goldfish, in 2020 and 2021. 117 Trade Volume and Pricing: Other private sector companies wholesale their produced Goldfish to the domestic marke t. According to 2021 data, the fish produce d could only meet half of the demand, indicating the intense demand for local production. Although the wholesale pric es from the producer are lower than retail prices, the trade volume is sa tisfactory due to the high demand. Variety: Thanks to local production, the market n ow includes not only common variations but also special and high val ue-added Goldfish strain s such as Oranda, Ranch u, and Butt e rfly Tail. This increases the commercial depth of the sec tor. Results and Discussion The aquarium fisheries trade in Turkey, though small in volume compare d to the larg er aquaculture se ctor, is gro wing in parallel with the expansion of the domestic hobby a nd pet s ector. While imports satisfy the market's demand fo r exotic spe cies, state support and intra -sector coopera tion are important to increase the competitiveness of local produce rs and realize export potential. The sector has the potential to become a larger economic player in the future with stricter biosecurity standards a nd increa s ed production capacity. The Livebe arers and Go ldfish trade ensure the balance of a cce ssibilit y and volume in the Turkish ornamental fish market: Livebearers: They meet t he high-volume and wid esprea d domestic mark et demand with the advantage o f rapid reproduction and low price . Goldfish: Especially thanks to state-supported a nd private sector investments, the local production of special breeds, which were previously imported, is increasing, reduc ing import dependency. These two species groups, along with Cichlids, form the backbone of the ornamental fish trade in Turkey. Aquarium Fisheries in Turkey: Legal Re gulation s and Biosecurity Fr a mework The aquarium fishe ri es trade in Turkey is shaped not only by economic dynamics but a lso by strict legal regulations and biosecurity protoc ol s managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Th ese r egulations aim to protect both local aquaculture stocks and prevent diseases from entering the country through imports. 118 Legal Regulations and Permitting Proce sses The ornam ental fish sector is primarily manag ed within the fr amework of the Aquaculture Regulation (Su Ürünleri Yönetmeliği) and re l ated communiqu e s. Import Procedures and Health Certificates Due to Turkey's reliance on ornamental fish im ports, controls in this area ar e highly important. Mandatory Health Certificate: For live ornamental aquatic products to be im ported, it is mandatory to present a Veterinary Health Certifica te and a Certificate of Origin issued by the official authorities of the seller country, certifying that the fish are f ree o f disease and healthy. Control Document: During import procedure s, a Control Document is required, issued by the Plant Quara ntine Direc to rates or Provincial Directorates working in cooperation with the Ministry of Trade. This document monitors the compliance of the imported products according to their G.T.İ.P. (Customs Tariff Statistics Position) number. Physical Inspection: At customs, a visual inspe ction is carried out by authorized persons. I f no health issues are detected, entry int o the country is permitted. The authority to take samples and request fur th er analysis exists. Domestic Production and Licensing Businesses engaged in local production must also comply with certain standards. Operating Permit: Real and legal persons establishing an aquatic products proce ssing facility are obliged to apply to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and obtain an operating permit before starting activities. Biosecurity Obligations: The feeds used in production facilities must not have characteristics that could harm the health or re production of aquatic life. Biosecurity and Quarantine Me chanism s Biosecurity is the entire s et of procedure s aimed at preventing aquarium life fr om carrying or spreading disea s e and creating an adverse effect on native spe cies. The sector strives to comply with international standards in this area . Quarantine Practice s 125 These findings indicate that soaking is an effecti ve, feasible, and low -cost pretreatment method for reducing antinutritional fa ctors, while also providing nutritional improvements that support subsequent processing steps such as fermentation and cooking. Cooking Seeds are typically cooked in distilled water at 100 ° C a t a ratio of 1:10 (w/v) for 20 minutes, followe d by rinsing and drying at 55 °C for 6 hours (Doss et al., 2011). This method facilitates the degrada tion of h eat-labile compounds such as lectins and trypsin inhibitors. Abera et al. (2023) investigated the effects of various processing methods on minera l composition and antinutritional factors in re d, whi te, and blac k kidney b eans. Their findings showed that both soaking and cooking resulted in consi derable r eductions in phytate , oxalate, a nd tannin levels. The phytate content of raw samples (178 – 179 mg/100 g) decreased by 12 – 16% after soaking and by 37 – 38% after cooking. Similarly, tannin levels dec reased by 23 – 30% with soaking and further declined by 21 – 41% following cooking. Oxalate content was also reduced by 4.4 – 13% after both treatments. In terms of mineral composit ion, cooking increase d c alcium and iron concentrations, whereas a slight reduction w as ob served in z inc levels. In addition, the phytate:Ca and oxalate:Ca molar ratios remained below critical thresholds, supporting the positive im pact of co oking on mineral bioavailability. However, the phytate:Fe ratio remained above the critical value, indicating that iron bioavailability may still be limited. Overall, these results de monstrate that cooking is highly effective in reducing heat -sensitive antinutritional factors s uch as phytate and ta nnins, and may enhan ce mineral absorption. Neverthe l ess, complete removal of phytic acid and oxalate may require additional or combined treatments such a s f ermentation or enzymatic hydrolysis (Abera et al., 202 3). Milling 126 Milling is widely applied to cerea ls and legumes primarily to remove the bran lay er and to obtain different p article-size fractions. Through this process, antinutritional compounds such as phytic acid, lectins, and tannins most of which a re conce ntr ated in the outer hull a nd bra n fractions — can be substantially redu ced. Howev er, the simultaneous removal of essential minerals, dietary fibers, and certain phenolic compounds together with the bran is considered the m ajor disadvantage of this method (Gupta et al., 2015). Recent studies highlight milling as a critical technological step in the reduction of antinutritional factors in plant -derived products. A comprehensive study conducted by Zhang et al. (2025) on foxtail millet demonstrated that inc reasing milling degree exerts multi fac eted effects on the chemical composition and functiona l prope rties of the gra in. Ac cording to their findings, a higher milling degree resulted i n a continuous increase in total starch content, w herea s tot al protein, cr ud e fat, total carote noids, and phytic a cid (PA) exhibited a biph asic response initially increasing and subsequently decreasing during advanc ed milling stages. In c ontrast, ash content, GABA levels, tota l phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TF C), and antioxidant capacity decreased significantly with increa s ing milling degree. The same study identifie d 32 phenolic compounds, most of which we re markedly reduced with progressive milling; seven phenolic constituents became completely undetectable a t higher milling stages. Based on these results, the authors emphasized the need to avoid e xcessive milling in order to pre s erve functional components and maintain overall nutritional quality. Sreechithra and S akhare (2025) furthe r demonstrated that, in ro ll er-milled soybean fractions, the application o f pretreatments such as germination, roasting, and hydro thermal pro cessing led to substantial reductions in phytic acid (33.12 – 15.9 2%) and trypsin inhibitor levels (up to 82.68%) , accompanied by significant improvements in protein digestibility. Collectively, these findings indicate that milling is highl y effec tive not only as an independent processing technique but also when combined with pretreatments that enhance nutritional quality and reduce antinutritional factors. Neverthe less, losses of mi nerals and phytochemicals associa ted with bran r emoval must be carefully considered, and milling degree as well as fractionation parameters should be precisely optimized. Boiling 127 Boiling, one of the most c ommonly used thermal processing methods for cereals and legumes, contributes signi ficantly to the reduction of antinutritional compounds while enhancing overall nutritional quality. Rehman and Shah (2005) reported that boiling improves the nutritive value of foods and is effective in reducing antinutritional factors. Recent literature provide s consistent findings. Abera et al. (2023) examined the effects of soaking and boiling on the mineral composition and antinutritional factors of re d, white, and black kidney beans. Their results indica ted that phytate, tannin, and ox alate contents were substantially reduce d by both trea tmen ts, while iron and calcium bioavailability increase d. Phytate levels decreased by 12 – 16% with soaking and by 37 – 38% with boiling. Tannins were reduced by 23 – 30% during soaking and by 21 – 41% during boiling. Oxalate concentra tions showed reductions ranging from 4% to 13%. In addition, boiling markedly improved mineral profiles: calcium content increased nearly threefold, and iron conte nt increased by 33 – 48%. These enhancements sup port the role of boiling as a simple, safe, and effective thermal process that not only reduces antinutriti onal fac tors but also enhances minera l bioav ailability. Moreover, p ressure boiling has been reported to accelerate the br eakdown of hea t -sensitive compounds such as phytic acid and tannins, thereby further im proving nutrient digestibility and overall nutritional quality (Abe r a et al., 2023). Fermentation Ferme nt ation is one of the most effective biological processes for re ducing antinutritional factors while enhancing mineral absorption and protein digestibility in foods (Ertop & Bektaş, 2018). During fermentation, levels of phytic acid, tanni ns, and polyphenols decline, leading to im proved bioavailability and overa l l nutritional quality (Gupta et al., 2015). Humer et al. (2015) reported that phosphorus in pla nt-based fee d ingredients is predominantly present in the form of p hytate, which h as low bioavailability in monogastric animals. P hytate is known to form complexes with minerals such as Ca, Fe, and Zn, as well as with other nutrients, thereby li miting their absorption. However, treatments such as microbial phytase supplementation, germination, and fermentation ca n hydrolyze phy tate and significantly im prove the availabil ity of phosphorus and essential minerals. 128 Autoclaving Seeds are autoclaved at 15 psi (121 °C) for 30 minut es, then rinsed and d ried at 55 °C fo r 6 hours (Doss et al., 2011). Autoc laving activates ph ytase en zymes, increases a cidity, and b reaks down a substantial proportion of antinutrit ional compounds, thereby improving the overall bioav ailability of nutrients (Ertop & Bektaş, 2018). Studies have shown th at autocla ving is highly effective in reducing antinutritional factors (Shimelis & R akshit, 2007; Vadivel & Janardhana n, 2005). Khattab and Arntfield (2009) report ed that among various thermal treatments applied to beans, peas, and faba beans, autoclaving completely eliminated trypsin inhibitor activity. They further observed that autoclaving significantly im proved protein digesti bility and enhanced protein quality indi ces, including the Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER), Chemical Score (CS), and Essential Amino Ac id Inde x (EAA I). Storage Appropriate storage conditions, combined with urea application, have been reported to reduce phenolic compounds particularly condensed tannin s present in feed m aterials. Allowing foliage-based feedstuff s to rest for a period after chopping, rather than feeding them fresh, can accelerate the oxidative or hydrolytic inactivation o f tannins. During this process, ammonia released through the hydrolysis of urea rea cts with tannins, reducing their c apacity to form complexes with proteins. As a result, the antinutritional effects of tannins are di minished, while the bioavailability of n utrients is enhanced. This mechanism is particularly important for improving the utiliza tion of tannin -rich leaf feeds in ruminant nutrition (Makka r & Singh, 199 1). Wood Ash Wood ash has traditionally been used to reduce p henolic compounds in tannin -rich cereals and for age plants due to it s alkaline constituents. Whe n grains with high tannin content, such a s sorghum and millet, are tr eated with ash solutions, the phenolic rings of tannins are p artially degraded, and their tendency to bin d with proteins is r educed. Therefor e, wood ash is c onsidered an economical and ea sily applic able n atural alkaline agent for the detannification of tannin -rich feed resources (Makkar et al., 1991). Drying 129 Drying processes applied to c assava and Leucaena lea ves at dif ferent temperatures such as 48 hours at 60 °C, 24 – 72 hours in the shade, or 24 – 4 8 hours under sunlight ha ve been shown to r educe tannin content (Makkar et a l., 1991). Drying is particularly effective for feed mate rials with high moisture content, lowering levels of tannins and other phenolic compounds. A study conducted by Famuwagun and Taiwo ( 2023) demonstrated that applying various drying conditions (e.g., hot air drying) to P arkia biglobosa seeds resulted in significant reductions in tannins, total phenolic content, and other anti nutritional factors. In contrast, the protein content and mineral composition exhibited no considera ble decli ne. Chemical Treatment Chemical treatments c onsti tute one of th e mos t effective approac hes for improving the nutritional value and dig estibility of feed mate rials, particularly through the inactivation of tannins. For exa mple, the use o f polyethylene glycol (PEG) in the feeding of tannin-rich lea f forages has been shown to block tannin – protein complexes, the reby releasing bound prot eins and improving thei r availability (Yisehak et al., 2014). Similar ly, organic solvents such as acetone, methanol, and ethanol can extract up to 70% of tannins, while a lkaline environments (e.g., 0.05 M NaOH) enhance the oxidation of phe nolic compounds, ther eby contributing to the degradation of antinutritional substances. Moreover, treatments with oxidizing agents such as 0.02 M potassium permanganate have been re po rted to reduce tannin content by up to 95% (Singh, 1993). Conclusion Although ce reals and legumes c ontain antinutritional factors that can limit the digestibilit y of nutrients and the bioavailability of minera ls, these negative effects can b e substantially mitigated through appropriate p rocessing techniques. The literature consistently indicates that treatments suc h as soaking, sprouting, fermentation, autoclaving, b oiling, and mill ing are highly effective in reducing phytic acid, tannins, and protease inhibit ors. These methods enhance the nutritional quality of f eeds by improving enzyme ac t ivity and increasing mineral bioavaila bility. However, some techniques particularly excessive thermal treatments and advanced milling degree s may lead to loss es of vitamins, phenolic co mpounds, and dietary fiber. Therefore, proc essing conditions must be carefully optimized. Although chemical treatments (e.g., PEG, u rea, alkaline solutions, oxidi zing agents) can effectively inactivate compounds such as tannins and phytate, their 130 use requires careful cons ideration due to concerns r egarding residue safety, regulatory constr aints, and environmental impact. In conclusion, the combined application of thermal, biological, and chemical processing strategies represents an effective, practical, and s ustainable approach for i mproving the nut ritional quality of cereal and le gu me grains while minimizing the adve rse effects of antinutritional factors . 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İlker YÜCE 1,*, a 1 Sivas University of Scienc e and Technology, Facult y of Agricultural Science s and Technology, Department of Field Crops, Sivas , TÜRKİYE *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] Abstract Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a strategic crop species for global agri culture due to its broad ecological adaptability, genetic diversity, and versatile use. This review comprehensively ex amines curre nt approaches in ba rley breeding, including the conservation of genetic resources, population structure analysis, molecular ma rker systems, genomic selection, regi onal breeding programs , accelera t ed breeding techniques, and C RISPR-based gene-editing perspectives. Extensive genetic pools supported by ex situ and in situ conservation methods provide critical allele source s for modern breeding programs. Geographic regions such as Et hiopia, Iran, and the M editerranean basin serve as important centers fo r barley im provement due to their high genetic diversity, enriched with locally adapted landraces and w ild relatives. Molecular marke rs (SS R, SNP, EST-SSR ) and high -density genotyping platforms have revealed the evolutionary re lationships and adaptation mechanisms of barley populations with grea ter resolution. Genomic selection models incorpora ting marker – environment interactions have incr eased the accuracy of selection for complex tra its, including yield, quality parameters, and stress toleranc e. Regional breeding programs conducted in countries such as Türkiye, Spain, Ethi opia, Ira n, and B razil play a crucial r ole in developing varieties adapted to local environmental conditio ns. In r ecent years, s peed br eeding and early -harvest systems hav e significantly shortened bree ding cycles, enhancing annual genetic gain. CRISPR/Cas tec hnologies offer new opportunities i n barle y improvement by enabling tar geted genomic modifications aimed a t optimizing phenological deve lopment, enh ancing grain quality, and impro ving resistance to biot ic and abiotic stresses. A lto gether, these advancements demonstrate that genomic and biotechnological approac h es will be decisive in shaping the future o f barle y br eeding. Keywords: Barley breeding, Genomic selec tion, Speed bre eding, CR ISPR/Cas gene editing a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9761-3561 134 Conservation and Utilization of Barley Genetic Resource s Barley ( Hordeum vulgare L. ) is one of the earliest domesticated cereal species and remains a strategic agricultural re source today for food, feed, and industrial production. Therefore, the conserva tion of barley genetic r esources is a fundamental component of sust ainable br eeding programs. Preserving g enetic diversity is crucial not only for maintaining curr ent agricultural productivity but also for ensuring future ada ptabil ity in the face of climate change, ne w pathogen race s, or environmental stresses. Recent studies have demonstrated that barley g enetic resources across the world harbor extensive morphologi cal, physiologi cal, and molec ular diversity, and much of this variation remains underutilized in modern breeding processes (Degu et al., 2023; Martínez - Moreno et al., 2024; Meng et al., 2023). The domestication of barley is believed t o hav e begun approximately 10, 000 – 12,000 years ago in the Fertile C rescent (Harris, 2001; Badr et al., 2000). During thi s process, two main genetic pools emer ged: one sp read westwa rd into Europe a nd the Mediterranean B asin, while the other spr ead eastward into the Iranian Plateau, Central Asia, and China (Nevo & Chen , 2010; Komatsuda et al., 2007). Adaptation of these pools to diverse ecological conditions has created a rich diversity portfolio observed today. For example, mi cro-center s such as Ethiopia and the Tibetan Plateau harbor barley genotypes with unique adaptive traits that remain underexploited in modern breeding p rograms (Degu et al., 2023; Wu, 2010). Thus, conserving genetic resource s through both ex situ and in sit u methods is essential for the sustainability of breeding efforts. Ex sit u conservation strategies include g ene bank s, seed collections, and l ong -term storage techniques. One of the largest barley collections worldwide is held at the IPK Gatersleben genebank in Ge rmany, which serves as a key refe rence for m olecular genotyping studies (Mascher et al., 2019; Milner et al., 2019). Lik ewise, national gen e ban ks in Japan, the United States, and Ethiopia play important roles in preserving regional diversity (Degu et al., 2023 ). 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This study comprehensively examines innovative see d coating materials and techniques focused on sustainability. Particular emphasis is placed on biologically based polymer s, microbial inoculants, biostimulants, and nanotechnologica l approaches. Pr ecision application technologies that contr ibute to resource use efficie n cy, environmentall y friendly formulations, and stress tolerance are discussed in detail. The study highlights the future potential of smart coating systems in sust ainable crop p roduction. Keywords: Seed coating, S ustainable agricultu re, B iopolymer coatings, Microbial inoculants, Biostimulants, Nanotechnology, Smart coating systems a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8312-8434 242 Introduction The growing global pop ulation, environmental stresses caused by climate change, de clining soil fertility , and shrinking water resources seriously threaten the sustainability of a gricultural systems. Therefore, im proving the pre -planting q uality of seeds, the most funda mental biological input in production, has bec ome a critical strategy f or modern agriculture in t erms of both productivity and environmental sensit ivity . S eed germin ation success, s eedling em er gence, and e arly growth ar e directly af fected by both biot ic and abiotic stress factors. Under these conditions, seed coating technologies are attracting attention as an innova tive intervention are a a imed at im proving seed performance. Seed coating is a technique that directly a f fects seed behavior by applyi ng thi n layers that impart physic al, chemical, or biological properties to the se ed surfa ce. Th rough this tec hnology , seed water uptake, oxygen transmission, microor ganism interaction, nutrient access, and me chanical properties can be controlled. Javed et a l. (2022) defined seed c o ating a s “an innovative, tar geted, a nd sustainable application for modern agriculture” and showed that coated seeds are particularly more resistant to biotic stresses. The researchers also reported that coating has a reducing ef fect on the total use of chemical inputs thanks to the controlled release of active substances ca rried to the s eed environment. In the context o f r educing inputs, one of the fundamental principles of sustainable agriculture, the role of seed coating t echnologies has become increasingly important. Paravar et al. (2023) stated that “microbial seed coating is a powerful tool for sustainable agriculture” and that mic robial inoculants are more effectively transferred to the soil along with the seed. This increases the activity of microor g anisms (PGPR , mycorrhiza, etc.) that promote plant growth in the rhizosphere environment around th e seed, a ccelerates s eedling develo pment, and improves the plant's performa n ce unde r stre ss. Similarly , Afzal et al. (2020) reporte d that microbial and biostimulant - based coatings provided statist ically significant increases in both germinatio n rate and plant biom ass. Another im portant aspect of seed coating is that it increases compatibil ity with agricultural mechanization. Particularly in small-seeded species, pelleting and e ncrustin g tec hniques increase the volume a nd weight of the seed, making it compatible with pre cision seeding mac hine s. Ermiş (2025) emphasizes that pelleting technology “increases homogeneity in mechanical seeding and reduces seeding errors.” This i s important in terms of both yield and reducing economic losses. 243 Environmental factors al so play a significant role in the growing interest in see d coating technologies. The non -biodegradability of some synthetic polymers used in traditional coating formulations has raised t he issue of microplastics in agric ultural production. Langlet et al. (2024) showed that the use of microplastic-free biopol ymers in seed coating both p reserves the soil microbial structure and reduce s environmental risks. Therefore, moder n research is increa singly turning to bio - based polymers such as chitosan, alginate, and sta rch derivatives. On the other hand, de velopments in nanotec hnolo gy have added a new dimension to the field of coatings. Zaim et al. ( 2023) reported that nanoparticle-b ased coatings increase seed germination rate, seedling vigor index, and stress tolerance; the y also improve resourc e u se ef fi ciency by enabling the controlled release of active ingredients. Such developments pave the way for innovative solutions called “smart coa ting sys tems” that respond to environmental signals (moisture, pH, temperature). In this context, seed coating technology has three key functions in modern agriculture: (1) Increasing resistance to biot ic and abiotic stresses during the early devel opment stage of the seed, (2) Strengthening environmental sustainability by re ducing chemical inputs, (3) Increa sing agricultural productivity by i mproving mechanical compatibility during the sowing process. Therefore, seed coating s hould be considered not merely as an auxiliary technical application, but as a scientific and technological strategy that optimizes the ini tial stage of plant production and aligns with the fundamental goals of sustainable agriculture . Fundamentals and Classificat ion of Seed Coati ng Seed coating is a technology that aims to change the post -sowing behavior of seeds b y applying one or more laye rs that impart physica l, chemical, o r biological properties to the se ed surface. The main purp ose of seed coating is to opti mize the germination process, control the germination environment, target nutrients and protective substances to th e seed environmen t, and increase emergenc e succ ess. This technology has become an important tool in modern agriculture, particularly because it im proves seedling establishment under stress conditions. Halmer (2004) defines seed co ating as “the application of various materi als to the surf ace o f the seed to improve its p hysical and physi ological properties” and states that coating directly affects the germination environment by regulating seed- water relationships. According to Halmer, coating 244 applications “create a m icroenvir onment that en hances seed performance through the controlled arra ng ement of polymers, fillers, and ac tive ing redients added to the see d su rface” ( Halmer, 2004). The most widely acce pted classification of seed coating in the scientific lite rature is divided into three main groups: (1) Film coa ting (2) Encrusting (3) Pelleting Film Coating Film coating is a coating method that involves applying a very thi n polymer layer to the seed surface, which does not significa ntly alter the sh ape and volume of th e seed. Scott (1989) de fined film coating as “one of the most effective methods for applying ac tive substances to the seed surf ace in a homogeneous layer without altering the morphological cha racteristics of the seed.” The polym ers used fo r film coa ting are gener ally wa ter-based and biode grada ble, enabling plant protection product s, biostimulants, pigments, and nutrients to adhere to th e seed surface. “Reducing dusting and minimizing the loss of active ingredients to the environment” is the gr eatest advantage o f this method (Halmer, 2006). Encrusting (Semi-Coating) Although the encrusting method produces a thicker coating than film coating, it largely preserves the original sh ape of the seed. Jyoti and B handari (2016) d efine the encrusting technique as “a method th at enhances the physical properties of the see d, p articularly its compatibility with the seeding machine, but does not cause as much volumetric change as pelleting.” The fillers used in this method (e.g., calcite, clay, talc, biopolymers) increase the se ed 's flowability, weight, and sowing a ccuracy. Javed et al. (2022) reported that encrusting coatings “increase sowing accuracy while forming a matrix suitable for the controlled re lease of plant protection components.” 245 Pelleting Pelleting is a n a dvanced coating method. I t completely changes the shape of the seed, making it larger and flatter. This method is widely used to ensure high accuracy in mechanical sowing, especially for sm all-seeded species (lettuce, carr ot , onion, etc.). Halmer (2006) d efines pelleting as “ a multi -layered and homogeneous coating system in which the original morphology of the seed is lost.” The coating materials use d in this method increa se the volume of the see d while also controlling its water retention and transmission properties. According to research b y Pedrini et al. (2017), pelleting is a method that increases sowing accurac y, especially in small- seede d species: “Pelleting modifies se ed morphology to im prove sowing precision, espe cially in small-seeded spe cies where uniformity is critical.” These results demonstrate that pelleting is an important technology that incr eases emergence uniformity in species requiring precise sowing. The Scientific Importance of Seed Coating Classi fication This categorization is not merely a technical distinction but also a fundamental framework that helps optimize coating technology for industrial, biological, and ecologica l applications. The chosen method affects coating thi ckness, material composition, and the coating's imp act on seed behavior. Each coating type offers different adva ntages for plant species, sowing techniques, and environmental conditions. Innovative Coating Materials Seed coating technologies have expande d fa r beyond classic chemical polymer applica tions in re cent years. Microbial inoculants, biostimula nts, bio-based polymers, a nd nano- and smart material-based systems have come to the fore for the sustainability requirements of modern agriculture. A common feature of new coating materials in the li terature is that they enhance the early biological performance o f seeds and reduce their environmental impact. Kah et al. (2019) d efined this category as “seed coating materials evolving from mer ely being ca rrier stru ctures to becoming active components that intera ct with the plant microenvironment.” 246 Below, innovative coating materials are discuss ed under three main headings: bio -based polymers, functional additives, and smart/nano-based coating systems. Bio-based Polymers Biopolymer-based polym ers are increasingly preferred in modern coating fo rmulations due to their biodegradability, lack of toxic residues, and compatibility with biological agents within the coating. Halmer (2004) e xplains the importance of biopolymers as “natura l film formers that optimize the germination environment by regulating water dynamics in seed- coating interactions.” Chitosan, alginate, starch, and cellulose are the most common bio -based polymers. Chitosan stands out due to its antimicrobial properties. A study by Moumni et al. (2023) fou nd that “chitosan coating positively affec ted both germination performa nce and microbial control on the seed surface .” Similarly, alginate-based hydrogel coatings are a common application in sustainable agriculture practice s because they enable the control led release of nutrients and microbial inoculants. Martínez - Cano et al. (2022) emphasized that alginate-based coating matrices suppo rt seedling development an d increase w ater retention capacity. They stat ed, “Alginate matrices provide a moisture -retentive and biocompatible environment that enha nces early root proli fera tion and seedl ing vigor.” The environmental advantages of bio -based poly mers have been clearly d emonstrated in the literature. I n a study by Langlet et al. (2024), the environmental impacts of microplastic-free coating formulations were eval uated, stating that “Biopolymer -based coa tings signi ficantly reduce soil microplastic contamination compa red to conventional polymer coatings.” This makes biopolymer-based coatings critical not only in terms of agricultural performance but also in terms of ecological sustainability. Functional Additives (Micr obes, Biostim ulants, and Nutrients) Another important com ponent of innovative coating mate rials is biol ogical or chemica l additives that directly enhance seed performance. Microbial inoculants (PGPR bacteria, mycorrhiza l fungi, Trichoderma spp.) , biost imulants (humic acid, amino acids, seaweed extracts), and nutrients (slow-release NPK, microelements) f orm the basis of current coating formulations. 253 Challenges and Future Perspec tives Seed coating technologi es are s een as a strategic int erve ntion area to respond to modern agriculture's increasing demands for productivity, sustainability, and environmental sensitivi ty. Early-stage d evelopment in crop production is imperative due to global population growth, water scarc ity, soil degradation, and climate change. Therefore, strengthening seeds physically, physiologically, and biologically during pre -planting processes is cru cial for the resilience of agricultural systems. Javed et al. (2022 ) d efined seed coating as “an innovative, targ eted, and sustainable practice for modern agric ulture” and noted that it significantly improved early seedling development under both biotic a nd abiotic str ess condit ions. I n this context, c oating technologies are seen as both a physic al barrier that protects the see d surface and a biotec hn ological tool that control s the controlled release of a ctive ingredients, creates microenvironments around the seed, and optimizes early development. Seed-water, respiration, and microbial intera ctions form the scientific basis of seed coating. Coating refers to “the application of physical, chemical, or biological mater ials to the surface to improve seed performance in the field.” (2004) highlight ed its direct effects on water imbibition, oxygen exchange, and ra dicle emergence. Film coating, encrusting, and pelleting are several methods of coating application. Scott (1989) states that they ensure homogene ous distribution of active ingredients without altering seed morphology and reduce dust ing; Jyoti and Bhandari (2016) state that encrusting applications increase me chanical sowing accuracy. Pelletin g, on the other hand, is a technique that increa ses emergence uniformity and reduces seeding errors, especially in small-seeded species. As stated by Pedrini et al. (2017), pelleting is “a critical technology that incre ases mechanical accurac y, especially in species requiring precise seeding.” Synthetic polym ers in coating materia ls have been repl aced by bio-based polymers, smart materials, a nd microbial systems. Bio-based polymers, particularly chito san, alginate, starc h, and cellulose derivatives, form the basis of sustainable coating for mulations due to their biodegr adability and biological compatibili ty with seeds. Moum ni et al. (2023 ) demonstrat ed that chitosan coating improves both germination performance and m icrobial control. Simil arly, Martínez -Cano et al. (2022) noted that algina te-based hydrogel coatings support early root development by incr easing water retention capacity and that these matrices enable controlled re lease. Interest in natural polymers free of microplastics has gained furthe r importance with increasing environmental c oncerns. Langlet 254 et a l. (2024) revealed that biopolymer c oatings “exhibit significantly lower pe rsistence in soil and do not pose an ec ologic al risk compare d to synthetic polymers.” Another important component of innovative coati ng materia ls is microbial inoculants. P aravar et al. (2023 ) defined microbial coatin g as “ an effective biotechnological tool that en ables the targ eted delivery of b eneficial m icroorganisms directly to the rhizosphe re” and noted that these coatings increase nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and ro ot biomass. Afzal et al. (2020) highlighte d the importance of this technology for ecological adaptation, stating that micr obial coatings significantly increase germina tion and seedling growth under drought and sa linity st ress. Although rotary drum systems are widely used in terms of coating techni ques, advanced technologies such as fl uidized bed coating, electrostatic spraying, an d layer -by-layer (LbL) deposition have been increasingly researched in rece nt years. Fluidized bed systems offer significant advantage s, particularly in nano- coatings, by providi ng high precision and homogeneity. Zaim et al. (2023) stated that “fluidized bed syst ems provide superior distribution prope rties in nanoparticle - based co atings.” Electrostatic spraying is a technique that reduces coating waste and increases adhesio n. Kah et al. (201 9) stated that ele ctrostatic applications “significantly reduce active ingr edient loss and increa se coating efficiency.” Layer -by-layer techniques enable the development of smart systems that respond to environmental stimuli. Poonia and M ishra (2022) emphasized that this method forms the basis of controlled release mechanisms and holds high potential, particularly for sensitive food or microbial applications. Physical and technological indicators such as coating integrity, dusting, active ingredient stability, and compatibility with the seeding machine are also important in performance evaluations. As noted by Scott (1989), non-uniform coa ting can de lay radicle emergence by altering water uptake dynamics. Halmer (2006) re po rted that modern p olymer technologies reduce dusting, which is an important advantage for the environment and human health. Coatings that enable controlled release make resources more efficient by reducing fertilizer and p esticide use. Albuquerque et al. (2022) reported that algina te - NPK hydrogel coatings “increa s ed nutrient use efficiency and signi ficantly reduce d l eaching.” Despite the widespread adoption of seed coating technologies, some limitations exist. Maintaining the viability of microbial inoculants within the coa tin g, maximizing polymer - microorganism interactions, and improving long -term storage conditions are important technic al 255 challenges. Paravar et al. (2023) noted that “viability loss during coating, drying, and storage stages is the most significant bott lene ck” in microbial co atings. Additionally, Kah et al. (2019) highlighted the uncerta inty surrounding the long -term environmen tal impacts of nano-coatings. This is an area where the environmental impacts of nanomaterials are not yet fully understood. The cost of advanced coating systems is also a significant e conomic constraint. Poonia and Mishra (2022) e mphasized that “advanced coating systems are currently e conomically inaccessible for low -income agricultural regions.” There are strong predictions for the futur e. Bio-b ased and mic roplastic-free polymers will provide controlled release by r esponding to envi ronmental signals and op timize coating processes with artificial intelligence and data ana lysis. This will bring new standards for sustainable agriculture. Sohail et al. (2022) highlight ed the technological aspects of the future, stat ing that this change will “redefine precision agricult ure with environmen t ally responsive co ating systems.” Therefore, s eed coating technologies will continue to evolve as a st rategic production innovation as a result of digitalization, environmental re quirements, and sc ientific advances. Conclusion This study has demonstrated the strategic importance of seed coating techno logies for modern and sustainable agric ultu ral practices. 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Journal of Nanobiotechnology , 21(1), 112. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-023-02015-4. **This study is a part of EKREM KADİR ÖZTÜRK’s mast er thesis accep ted title of ‘ Isolation, Identification and Investigatio n of Biological Control Possibilities of Species of the Genus Acidovo rax , Pathogen ic to Cucurbitaceae in Erzuru m and Erzincan Province s’’ by the adviser Fatih DADAŞOĞLU 258 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Full Text Paper Prevalen ce and Morphol ogical Identific ation of Pa thogenic Acidov orax Species on Cucurb itaceae in Erzurum and Erzin can Province s Ekrem Kadir ÖZTÜRK 1, a , Fatih DADAŞOĞLU 1, b 1 Atatürk University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Protection, Erzur um, TURKEY Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] Abstract This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and perform morphological identification of Acidovorax species c ausing diseases on Cucurbit aceae plants in Erz urum and Erzincan provinces. Within the scope of the study, production areas with intensive c ucurbit cultivation and high incidence of bacterial diseases were identified in both province s. The prevalence of Acidovorax species was determined in Er zurum and Erzincan, with the d isease being most prominent in Pasinler and I lıca districts of Erzurum an d the Ç ağlayan and Uluköy regions of Erzincan. Survey studies in the identified regions resulted in the collection of pla nt samples exhibiti ng bacterial diseas e symptoms, which were then evaluated under laboratory condit ions. Isolation procedures were perf ormed on TSA (Tryptic Soy Agar) and N A (Nutrient Agar) media, and pure strain were obtai ned from the deve loping colonies. A total of 70 str ain were obtained from these r egions. The strain were derived from the fruits and leaves of watermelon, melon, cucumber, pumpkin, squash, and seed pumpkin plants. Morphological identification included the examination of colony shape, color, margin, and surfac e character istics, a s well as detailed obs ervations under a microscope. T he results indi cated that Acidovorax sp ecies are widely distributed in the study regions and pose a potential risk to cuc urbi t production. This study pr ovides significant scienti fic data for the di agnosis and regional distribution of Acidovorax- related bacterial disea s es in Erzurum and Erz inc an provinces. Keywords: A cidovorax, Cucurbitaceae, b acterial disease, morphological identification, prev alence, Erzurum, Erzinca n a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3643-946X b ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9331-1913 259 Introduction Cucurbits (Cucurbitaceae) are widely cultivated worldwide and hold sign ificant importance in the food, ph armaceutical, and fe ed industries. The f amily comprises m ore than 100 genera and over 825 spe cies. Archaeological evidence indic ates that cu curbit species were cultivated between 8000 – 6000 BC in Mexico and Peru, where they played an importa nt rol e in human nutrition. Turkey is among the leading countries in cucurbit produc tion, with a particular ly high production capacity for watermelon and melon. In recent years, increased cultivation areas, suitable climatic conditions, and expanded varietal diversity have made cucurbit production an essential component of regional agriculture in E rzurum and Erzincan provinces. However, parallel to thi s increase in production, a rise in the incidence of bacterial diseases has also been re ported. The primary bacterial pathogens causing diseases in cucurbit plants include Acidovorax citrulli , Pse udomonas sy r ingae , and Xanthomonas cucurbitae . Acidovorax cit rulli is the causa l agent of seedling blight and bacter ial f ruit blotch, part icularly in watermelon and melon. B eca use it is seedborne , the pathog en spreads rapidly and can cause epidemics under favorable environmental conditions such as high temperature and hu midity. The disease leads to necrotic spots on leaves during the seedling stage, water -soaked lesions on stems, and dark lesions on fruits in later developmental stage s. Economic losses caused by thi s pathogen vary among countries, but under favorable envi ronmental conditions it can affect nearly th e entire crop. Studi es conducted in Türkiye h ave shown that the disea s e i s widespread particularly in the Mediterranean and Southeastern Anatolia regions, whereas insuff i cient research has been carried out in the Eastern A natolia Region. In this context, the pr esent study aimed to determine the presence and prevalence o f Acidovorax species in cucurbit production areas in Erzurum and Er zincan provinces. The findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the status of bacterial diseases in the region and serve as a guide for both growers and researc hers. Mater ial and Method Information on the preparation of culture media and solutions used throughout the resea rch is provided below. 260 Lauryl broth (LB): A liquid medium wa s prepared by adding 10 g of NaCl, 10 g of peptone, and 5 g of yeast extract to one liter of sdH₂O, and the medium was sterilized in a n a utoclave at 121°C for 15 minutes (Klement et al., 1990). It wa s us ed for preparing stock cultures of the bacteria. 70% Ethyl Alcohol: Seventy milliliters of ethyl alc ohol were mixed with 30 ml of sdH₂O to make a final volume of 100 ml, and the prepared solution was stored at –20°C. It was used for sterilization purposes. %30 Glycerol: A mixtur e was prepared by a ddin g 30 ml of glyc erol to 70 ml of sdH₂O in a graduated cylinder, and t he solution was sterilized in an autocl ave at 121°C for 15 minutes. I t was used for preparing stock cultures of the bacteria. Nutrient agar (NA): A culture medium was prepared by weigh ing 28 g of nutrient agar mixture (Oxoid) on an analytical balance and disso lving it in 1 L of dH₂O, after which it was st erilized in an autoclave at 121 °C for 15 minutes and allowed to cool. Once the medium was cooled to 45°C, it was poured into sterile P etri dishes and left to soli dify (Lelliott and Stead, 1987). This general - purpose medium was used for strea king o r spread-plating procedures following bacterial isolation. Trypticase soy agar (T SA) besi yeri: Fifteen g rams of granulated agar ( BBL #11849) a nd 30 g of Trypticase soy broth (BB L #11768) were weighed on an analytical balance and added to 1 L of dH₂O in a 2 -L Erlenmeyer flask. The mixture was stirred on a heated magnetic sti rrer until the agar was completely dissolved. It was then sterilized i n a n autoclave at 121°C for 15 minutes and allowed to cool to 60° C. Afterwards, the medium was poured into Petri dishes inside a sterile c abinet and lef t to soli dify at room temperature (Klement et al., 1990). This general-purp ose medium was used for streaking or spread-plating procedures following bacterial isolation. Collection and Transpor t of Diseased Plant Samples: For the study, plant materials showing cucurbit dis ease symp toms were collected from various locations in Erzurum and E rzincan provinces. Each sample was individually labeled and transported to the laboratory in polyethylene bags. Isolation and S torage of Bacteria: Standard Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA) and Nutrient Agar (NA) medi a were used for isolations. Diseased plant materials, veg etables, and fruits were first washed under t ap water, then surf ace-sterilized by immersion in 70% ethyl alcohol for 5 minutes, followed by rinsing with sdH₂O. Small tissue piec es containing both disea s ed and healthy a reas were 261 excised and placed in sterile tubes c onta ining 2 ml of sdH₂O, where they were kept for 1 hour. Serial dilutions were pre pared at a 1:5 ratio, and 100 µl from each dil ution was transfe rred onto standard media and spr ead evenly using a glass rod. Th e cultures were incubat ed at 25°C, and pure cultur es were obtained by subculturing fr om individual developing colonies. Ea ch isolate obtained in pure form was assigned a un ique code number, and information related to the isolation (host plant, location, date, etc.) was recorde d. Until further diagnostic a nd charac t erization procedures were performe d, th e strain were stored at –86 °C in stock media containing a 1:1 mixture of 30% glycerol and Lauryl Broth (LB). Classical Methods Morphological Characteristics: Pure cultures of bacteria in liquid med ia were used to examine their cultural characteristics. The strain were streaked onto solid media a nd allowed to form colonies. Colony morphology was examined under a microscope to determine their appearance and color. Results and Discussion As a result of field studi es conducted in Erzurum and Erz incan p rovinces during the 2025 production season, a total of 70 ba cterial strain were obtained from 46 diseased plant samples. During the surveys, leaf spots, stem rots, sunken lesions on fruit surfac es, and water -soaked necrotic areas were obse rved on the plants. Samples exhibiting these symptoms were selected from different species belonging to the Cucurbitace ae family. The strain were cultured on Nutrient Agar (NA) and Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA) media, and colonies were examined after incubation at 25°C for 48 – 72 hours. Significant differences were observed among the col onies in terms of color, surface texture, and glossi ness. The developing colonies exhibited colors ranging from red, yellow, beige, cream, to white, indi cating that different bacterial species may h ave been isolated. Overall, most strain we re found to be consistent with the cultural charac teristi cs of the genus Acidovorax . As a result of the survey conducted in Erzincan p rovince, a total of 20 bacteri al strain were obtained from 11 samples (EKO-1 – EKO-20). Strain EKO1 to EK O6 were obtained from sam ples collected from wa termelon produc tion area s in the Çağlayan district of Erzincan. Additionally, strain EKO7 to EK O19 were obtained from 262 samples collected from watermelon production areas in the Uluköy district of Erzincan. The EKO20 isolate was obtained fro m a sample collected from a seed pumpkin ( Cucurbita pepo var. styriaca ) production area in the Uluköy district. The colonies developed in shades of beige, white, light cre am, red, light red, a nd ye llow, with some stra in exhibiting a semi-transparent, glassy appearance on the surface. Of the strain obtained in Erzinca n, 95% were from watermelon production areas and 5% fr om seed pu mpkin production areas. Among these strain, 85% were obtained from fruit and 15% fr om leaves. As a result of survey studies conducted in Er zurum province, a total of 50 ba cterial strain were obtained from 35 samples (EKO-21 – EKO-70). From samples c olle cted in the Aziziye district of Erzurum, strain EKO21 to EKO26 were obtained from watermelo n production areas, strain EKO27 to EKO29 from melon production area s, strain EKO30 and EKO31 from pumpkin production areas, and strain EKO32 to EKO35 from cucumber production areas. 269 onto Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA) and Nutrient Agar (NA) media as isolation media. The cultures were incubated at 25 –30 °C, a nd after 24 – 72 h, colonies exhibiting distinct morphological character istics were subcultured onto fresh media to obtain pure isolates. Each isolate was assigned a unique cod e number including isolation -related information (such as location and d ate of is olation) and recorded accordingly. Until identification and characteriza tion procedures we re p erforme d, the isolates were preserved at −86 °C in stock media containing Lauryl Broth (LB) supplemented with 30% glycerol. Determination of Phosphate Solubizing Potential of Bacte ria 24-hour bacterial cultures grown on nutrient a g ar we re suspended in sdH2 O and their density was adjusted to 108 CFU/ml. Tubes containing 5 ml of NBRIP -BPB in each suspension w ere inoculated. After a 15 -day incubation period, the phosphate solubilization ability of b acter i a that showed discoloration in the medium w as evalu ated as pos itive (Metha and N autiyal 2001). In addition, the potential of the isolates to dissolve Mazıdağı Rock P hosphate was tested by adding Mazıdağı Rock Phosphate to the Ca3(PO4) 2 medi um contained in NBRI P. Detection of Nitr og en Fixation of Bacteria Bacteria were contaminated by streaking from stock cultures into NA medium. After 2 -7 day s of incubation, bacterial colonies were drawn on to nitrogen -free medium (N-Free Solid Ma lat e Sucrose Medium) and allowed to grow in an incubator set at 27 °C for 7 -1 0 days. Bacterial growth in the medium was evaluated as nitroge n fix ation positive. Greenhouse tests For strains with potential biofertilizer properties, 100 mL of liquid growth medium was prepared, and the bacteria were cultured in this medium on a shaker for 24 h. S ubsequently, the bacterial suspensions we re adjusted to a concentration of 10⁸ CFU mL⁻¹. Fifteen se eds were then immersed in eac h bacterial suspension, and 5 g of sucrose was add ed. The mixtures were shaken for 2 h to ensure uniform coa ting of the seeds. After trea tment, the seeds were filtered and a ir -dried, and sowing was carried out at a rate of five seeds per pot. The fresh weights of plants germinated from the sown seeds we re determined. Sterile NB medium, used for diluting the bacterial suspensions, served as the negative co ntrol. The experiment was conducted und er the same conditions with three 270 replicates for each strain and strain combination. The data obt ained f rom the tests were statistically evaluated using a n alysis of variance (ANOVA) in the SPSS statistical soft ware. Results and Discussion Data related to the strains obtained as a result of isolations from rhizosphere samples of alfalfa plants cultivate d in the Az iziye and Narman districts of Erzurum province, a s well as their phosphate solubilization and nitrogen fixation abilit ies, are presented in Table 1. According to the results, a tot al of 39 strains were isolated and purifi ed, of which 33 strains originated from the Aziziye dist rict an d 6 strains from the Narman district. Among these isolates, five strains w ere determined to possess both phosphate-solubilizing and nitrogen-fixing capabilities. Microorganisms ar e the main factor in the nat ural P cycle. Bacteria s olubilize insoluble inorganic phosphate in the for m of t ricalcium, dicalcium, roc k phosph ate and hydroxy apatite (Goldstein 1986, 1995), and organic acids produc ed by microorganisms are considere d to be the main mechanism in the solubi lity of minera l phosphates (Leyval and Berthe lin 1989, Salih et al. 1989, Hadler e t al. et al. 1990). In the present study, five different strains previously determined to possess phosphate-solubilizing activity were used in greenhouse experiments. Cur rently, it is estimated that biofertilization accounts for approximately 65% of the nitrogen supp lied to plants worldwide. All of these bacteria are capable of forming symbiotic a ss ociations with leguminous plants (Bloemberg and Lugtenberg, 2001). Accordingly, bacteria with nitrogen-fixing ability were specifica lly selected for use in this study. Th ese strains, which possess both phosphate -solubilizing and nitrogen -fixing capabilities, were employed in the greenhouse trials because they me et important criteria for promoting plant growth. Table 1. Host, location, P and N test results of Bacterial Strains Strain No Host (Alfalfa) Locatio n P N ÖFK1 Rhizosp here Aziziye + + ÖFK2 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK3 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK4 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK5 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK6 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK7 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK8 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK9 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - 271 ÖFK10 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK11 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK12 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK13 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK14 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK15 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK16 Rhizosp here Aziziye + + ÖFK17 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK18 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK19 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK20 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK21 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK22 Rhizosp here Aziziye + - ÖFK23 Rhizosp here Aziziye + + ÖFK24 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK25 Rhizosp here Narman - - ÖFK26 Rhizosp here Narman - - ÖFK27 Rhizosp here Narman - - ÖFK28 Rhizosp here Narman + + ÖFK29 Rhizosp here Narman - - ÖFK30 Rhizosp here Narman - - ÖFK31 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK32 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK33 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK34 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK35 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK36 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK37 Rhizosp here Aziziye - - ÖFK38 Rhizosp here Aziziye + + ÖFK39 Rhizosp here Aziziye + - P: Phosph ate solubility, N: Nitrojen f ixation The data obtained from the statistical analyses of the results of the greenhouse experiments a re presented in Table 2. According to these re sults, in terms of mean fresh weight, the ÖFK -23 and ÖFK -28 strains produce d the most significant difference s comp ared with the control treatment. In contrast, the mean fresh weight values of the other strains were found to be statistically insignificant when compared with the control. Table 2. Greenhouse test results of Bacterial Strains Strain No Avarage fresh w eight (gr) Value ÖFK 23 21,45 A ÖFK 28 20,70 AB ÖFK 38 18,71 CDE ÖFK 16 16,67 DEF ÖFK1 15,46 EFG Control 16,50 DEF 272 In c onclusion, evaluation of all data obtained from the present study revealed that, among the bacterial strains isolated from the rhizosphere o f alfalfa, five strains possessed both phosphate - solubilizing and nitrogen-fixing a bilities. Gr eenhouse experiments conducted with these stra ins demonstrated that, in particular , the ÖFK - 23 and ÖFK -28 str ains resulted in an increase in alfa l fa yield compared with the control tre atment. 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This study is a part of ÖMER MUSTAFAO ĞLU’s master thesis acce pted title of ‘Identification of Bacterial Diseases in Squash an d Cucu mber Production Ar eas in Erzurum Province and Investigatio n of Biological Contro l Possibilities’’ by the adv iser Fatih DADAŞOĞ LU 274 Internationa l Congress on Food, Agricultu re a n d Animal Scienc es 13-16 November 2025, Antalya, T ÜRKİYE Full Text Paper Investigat ion of the Diagnosis of B acterial Diseases and B iological Control Options in Pumpkin and Cu cumber Pr oduction Areas in Er zurum Pro vince Ömer MUSTAFAOĞLU 1,*, a , Fatih DADAŞOĞLU 1, b 1 Ataturk University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Protection, Erzurum, TÜRKİYE *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] Abstract This study aimed to elucida te the etiology of bacterial di seases observed in squash ( Cucurbita spp.) and cucumber ( Cucumis spp.) plants grown in the Uzundere, D adaşköy, Porsuk, and Aziziye districts of Erzurum province. Wi thin this scope, a total of 33 differe nt bacterial strains were obtained from diseased plant samples. To evaluate the plant pat hogen potential of the obtained strains, they were first subjected to the Hypersensitive Reaction (HR) test. The test results revealed the strains 14 strains showed a positive reac t ion. The first phase of the study, invol ving isolation and preliminary pathogenicity determination, has been successfull y completed. In subsequ ent phases, the molecular character i zation of these factors, the cla rification of their epidemiology, and the investigation of biological control methods within the framework of sustainable agricultural practice s are planned . These findings will form the basis for developing an effective control strategy against bacterial pathogens threa t ening squash and cuc umb er production in the region. Keywords: Bacterial Disease s, Cucurbitacea e , Pathogenicity, HR, Biological Control a ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0629-4491 b ORC ID : https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9331-1913 275 Introduction The Cucurbitaceae fa mil y is well defined but taxonomically isolated from other plant families. The family contains 115 genera and 960 spe cies that make up this famil y and are predominantly herbaceous annual vines or perennial li anas and fre quently with tendrils (Paris 1989). The Cucurbitaceae family encompasses v egetable species (squash, cucumber, melon, watermelon, etc.) that are vital to the global food system and human nutrition. Turkey is a sig nificant producer o f this family due to its extensive agricultura l lands and favo rable c limatic conditions. How ever, the cultivation of these plants is threatened by bacterial, fungal, and vir al pathogens, particularly with increasing glob al trade a nd climate change. Bacterial diseases, due to their rapid spread of infection and their ability to be transmitted by seed and water, can cause signi ficant economic losses in crop production. Vein necrosis, leaf spot diseases, and soft rots, in particular, directly reduce yield and product quality. In Erzurum, a high-altitude region of Anatolia, vegetable cultivation plays a signi ficant role in the local economy. Howeve r, despite disease s ymptoms observed in squash and cucumber fields in thi s region, there is no comprehensive study systematically identifying the specific bacterial pathogens that ca us e the se symptoms. P roper management of plant diseas es depends prima rily on accurate diagnosis of the pathogens. The primary objective of this study is to strain the bacter ial agents responsible for these symptoms, which are commonly observed in d iffere nt ecological niches in Erzurum p rovince (Uzundere, Dadaşköy, Söğ ütlü, etc.), to d etermine their pathogeni city levels, and to reveal the potential spre ad of these pa thogens in the region. The data obtained will provide the scientific basis for the development of spec ific m anagement protocols for regional agriculture. One of th e most studie d defense responses of plants against microbial pathogens is the hypersensitive response (HR). HR is a complex multicellular process involving progra mmed cell death at the site of infecti on. The standard method for measuring plant defense and HR is to measure the release of cellular electrolytes into water after infiltration with pathogenic ba cteria. (Johansson et.al. 2015). Although it is relatively easy to cultur e common phytopathogenic bacteria and observe their growth and effects on in oculated plant leaves, the molecules responsible for hypersensitivity and fundamental pathoge ni city were unknown 50 years ago. (Kvitko et.al. 2023). 276 All phytopathogenic bacteria induce a hypersensiti ve response (HR) in l eaf mesophyll tissue. Saprophytes, howev er, a re not thought to induce this response; this makes HR a quick and use ful diagnostic test for dist inguishing saprophytes from plant pathogens. (Braun -Kiewnic k and Sands 2001). Injecting the bacterial inoculum between the veins of tobacco leaves is easie r than doing so in evening primrose; howe ver, this is a laborious process requiring skil led hands. Of ten, injecting the bacterial suspension into the leaves of evening primrose is not possible due to the extre mely thin a nd delicate struc tur e of its leaves. (Umesha et.al. 2007). The hype rsensitive r esponse (HR) in plants is a programmed cell death me chanis m that occurs upon the recognition of a harmful, for eign cell. It occ urs in the region of pathogen infe ction and thus prevents pathogens from feeding on and multiplying within plant tissue. Elucidating the molecular components underlying this proc ess r equires robust and quantitative metho ds capable of determinin g whether plants lacking f unctional genes exhibit de fects in HR compared to natural -type controls. (Linares et.al. 2022). The overall objective o f t his study was to identify bacter ial pathogens strai n s from squash and cucumber fields in the Erzurum region, to investigate their epidemiological processes and biological control potential in det ail. The present report presents the results of the first phase of thi s comprehensive pl an: sampling, isolation, and hypersensitivity reaction (HR) testing, and details the ongoing scientific proce s s. Mater ial and Method Research Are as and Collection of Plant Samples The study was conducted in nine commercial squash and cucumber growing areas in Erzurum province du r ing the 2025 production season: A ziziye, Uzundere, Dadaşköy and Porsuk. During the peak disease symptom periods, more than 100 plant sa mples showing typica l disease symptoms (leaf spots, vein blackening, and rot) were collected from each location using ran dom sampling. The samples were placed in sterile bags, labeled, an d transported to the lab oratory under appropriate conditions (+4° C). 277 Isolation of Bacterial Strains Surface sterilization was used to strain bacterial agents from collected diseased plant tissues. Small pieces taken fr om the border of dise ased and healthy tissue were ground into a suspension (afte r being soaked in 1% sodium hypochlorite solution for 1 minute and rinsed with sterile distilled water ). This suspension was seeded onto standard NA and TSA media using the sprea ding technique, and dilution series were created. The plate s were incu bated at 25±2°C for 48– 72 hours. Hypersensitive Reaction (HR) Assays The plant pathogenic potential of the 86 pure strains obtained was preliminarily asse ssed by the Hypersensitive Reaction (HR) test. This test is based on the principle that plant pathogens genera lly indu ce rapid and localized cell d eath ( HR) in leaves of tobacco p lants, which are not their natural hosts. Application: The prepared suspension was inject ed into the lower surface of mature tobacco leaves using either the n eedling or syringe infiltration method. Sterile distilled water serve d as a negative control. Evaluation: Necrotic reactions were observed on the leaves 24 to 72 ho urs after i njection, and HR severity was scored as nega tive ( -) and positive (+). Results and Discussion The information re gardi ng the strains obtained in the present study is provided in Table 1. According to the results, a total of 33 bacterial strains were isolate d and purified from diseased cucumber and zu cchini plants collected from differ ent locations in the province of Erzurum, and their froze n cultures were pre pared and stored at –86 °C. In the HR tests conducted with these strains, 14 produced posi tive reactions, whereas 19 yielded ne gative results. I t was determined that a ll 14 strains showing positive HR reactions were isolated from cucumber plants. In a previous study , ba cterial strains obtained from the seeds of eight different cucurbit species (cucumber, bottle gourd, pumpkin, sweet pumpkin, ridge gourd, bitter g ourd, sponge gourd, and snake gourd ) were identified as Pseudomonas s yringae pv. lachrymans, and their HR t ests were reported to be positive (Shila et al., 2013). Similarly, in the present study, 1 4 strains isolated from diseased zucchini and c u cumber plants ga v e positive HR test results. 278 Table 1. Host, location, part of sample and HR test results of Bacterial Strains Strain no Host HR Part of sample Locations ÖM -1 Cucumber + Leaf Uzundere ÖM -2 Cucumber + Leaf Uzundere ÖM -3 Cucumber + Leaf Uzundere ÖM -4 Cucumber + Leaf Uzundere ÖM -5 Cucumber + Leaf Uzundere ÖM -6 Cucumber + Leaf Uzundere ÖM -7 Cucumber + Leaf Uzundere ÖM -8 Cucumber + Leaf Uzundere ÖM -9 Cucumber - Leaf Dadaşköy ÖM -10 Cucumber - Leaf Dadaşköy ÖM -11 Cucumber - Leaf Dadaşköy ÖM -12 Cucumber - Leaf Dadaşköy ÖM -13 Cucumber - Leaf Dadaşköy ÖM -14 Cucumber + Leaf Dadaşköy ÖM -15 Cucumber + Leaf Dadaşköy ÖM -16 Pumpkin - Leaf Aziziye ÖM -17 Pumpkin - Leaf Aziziye ÖM -18 Pumpkin - Leaf Aziziye ÖM -19 Pumpkin - Leaf Porsuk ÖM -20 Pumpkin - Leaf Porsuk ÖM -21 Cucumber - Leaf Porsuk ÖM -22 Cucumber - Leaf Porsuk ÖM -23 Cucumber + Leaf Porsuk ÖM -24 Cucumber + Leaf Porsuk ÖM -25 Cucumber - Leaf Porsuk ÖM -26 Cucumber - Leaf Porsuk 285 In r ecent years, an increasing number of studies have focus ed on the role of phytohormones in regulating plant re spon ses to stress. In pa rticular, hormones such as s alicy lic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) have bee n investigated for their effec ts on secondary metabolite production and antioxidant capacity under drought, salinity, or temperature stress in various medicinal plants (Ghorbanpour et al., 2017; Majdi e t al., 2017). Moreover, the potential of some medicinal and aromatic plants as feed crops and their nutritional characteristics have also been explor ed, providing important insights into how plant hormones a ffect both str ess tolerance and feed quality. In thi s section, the effects of phytohormone applications on secondary metabolite production and feed quality are discussed in detail based on c u rrent literature. Drought stress has b een shown to enhance the p roduction of bioactive m etabolites, such as flavonoids and polyphenols, in Thymus vulgaris, thereby increasing its antioxidant capacity. I n a study conduc ted by Khalil et a l. (2018), the e ffects of SA a pplication at 0, 1, 2, and 3 mM concentrations under drought stress were examined. It was observ ed that espe cially 1 – 2 mM SA concentrations provided additional increases in m etabolite levels and enhanced radical scavenging activity. S A induces the expr ession of genes responsible for thym ol biosynthesis and the accumulation of flavonoid/terpenoid metabolites, exerting a regulatory effect on the essential oil profile. While drought alone reduces the thymol content, application of 2 mM SA increases thymol; other components such as carvacrol, p- cymene, camphor, and β -caryophyllene are e le vated a t moderate SA conc entrations. Linalool and 1,8 -cineole reach their maximum levels with 3 mM SA treatment. At moderate concentrations, SA enhances the plant’s antioxi dant capacity and stress tolerance , and although very high conc entrations may cause some adve rse effects, tot al flavonoid, polyphenol, and r adical scavenging activities sti ll show increases. These findings indicate that S A plays a protec tive role under drought by optimizing bioactive metabolite production. Table 1. Foliar spraying of s alicylic a cid induced accumu lation of ph enolics, incr eased radical scavenging activity and modified the composition of the essential oil of water stressed Thymus vulgaris L. Bioactive Component Condition SA Concentration Change / Effect Notes Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) Drought 0 mM +20 – 25% Drought stress alone increases flavonoid production 286 Bioactive Component Condition SA Concentration Change / Effect Notes TFC Drought + SA 1 mM +35 – 40% Additional increase with SA application TFC Drought + SA 2 mM +45 – 50% Maximum increase observed TFC Drought + SA 3 mM +40% Very high SA may cause some adverse effects Total Phenolic Content (TPC) Drought 0 mM +15 – 20% Stress alone increases phenolic compounds TPC Drought + SA 1 mM +30% Further stimulation with SA TPC Drought + SA 2 mM +40 – 45% Maximum increase TPC Drought + SA 3 mM +38% High SA shows limited negative effects Thymol Drought 0 mM −15% Drought reduces thymol perce nt age Thymol Drought + SA 1 mM −5% SA partially compensates for the negative effec t Thymol Drought + SA 2 mM +10% Highest thymol content (25% FC a t 2 mM S A) Carvacrol Drought 0 mM +20% Carvacrol can increa s e while thymol decrea s es Carvacrol Drought + SA 1 mM +25% Enhanced with SA application p-Cymene Drought 0 mM − Decrease obs erved p-Cymene Drought + SA 2 mM Maximum increase SA increase s its perce nt age Linalool Drought + SA 3 mM Maximum increase Highest value observed with high SA 1,8-Cineole Drought + SA 3 mM Maximum increase Optimized with SA Mixed essential oils (γ - Terpinene , Thymyl methyl ether, etc.) Drought + SA 1 – 3 mM Decrease o r increase depe nding on component Some components decrease under dr ought but can be restored with SA In the study conducted b y Alipour et al. (2025 ), t hree thyme sp ecies (T. v ulgaris, T. serpyllum, an d T. kotschyanus) were sub jected to drought stress and different concentrations of abscisic acid (ABA) 287 (0, 25, and 50 µM). The re sults demonstrated that drou ght stress increa sed the levels of thymol, carvacrol, p- cymene, thymoquinone, and γ -terpinene in all species, with thymol being the most variable component, risi ng from 0 to 7541 ng/g DM. Moderate ABA application (25 µM) further enhanced the contents of th ymol, p- c ymen e, and γ -ter pin ene, whe reas levels of c arvacrol and thymoquinone decreased. Although some components decreased below the control level under high ABA treatment (50 µM ), their concentrations remained higher than th ose observed und er non - stressed control conditions. Overall, drought and ABA applications promoted terpe noid production in a species- and concentration -dependent manner, resulting in distinct variations in the terpenoid profiles. Table 2. Integrated metabolomics, transcriptomic, and p hytohormonal analyses to study the effects of water str ess and foliar abscisic acid application in Thymus species using LC-MS/MS Terpenoid Component T. vulgaris T. serpyllum T. kotschyanus Effect Description Thymol ↑ Drought; ↑ ABA25/50 ↑ Drought; ↑ ABA25 ↑ Drought; ↑ ABA25/50 Significant increa se in all species under drought and moderate- to -high ABA concentrations Carvacrol — Drought; ↓ ABA — Drought; ↓ ABA25 ↑ Drought; ↑ ABA25 Strong increase in T. kotschyanus; only drought effect observed in other species p-Cymene ↑ Drought; ↑ ABA25; ↓ ABA50 ↑ Drought; ↑ ABA25; ↓ ABA50 ↑ Drought; ↑ ABA25; ↓ ABA50 Increase a t moderate ABA concentrations; partial decrease at high ABA Thymoquinone — Drought; ↓ ABA25/50 ↑ Drought; ↓ ABA25 ↑ Drought; ↓ ABA25 Minimal in T. vulgaris; increases under drought in other species but decreases with ABA γ -Terpinene ↑ Drought; ↑ ABA25/50 — Drought; ABA effect negligible ↑ Drought; ↑ ABA25/50 High in control T. serpyllum; ABA increa s es in other species In the study conducted by Talebi et al. (2018), the effects of methyl j asmonate (MeJA) application on essential oil components and antioxidant capacity were investigated unde r salinity stress in two b asil cultiv ars ( Genove and Rubi). MeJA was applied as a foliar treatment at 0 mM (control) and 0.5 mM, while NaCl treatments wer e administered at 0, 30, 60, and 90 mM. In control 288 plants without MeJA, increasing salinity re duced total phenolic content by approximately 42.7%. However, 0.5 mM MeJA a pplication sign ificantly e nhanced total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity in b oth cultivars. Regarding essential oil yield, MeJA resulted in the highest values in the Rubi cultivar at 0 and 30 mM NaCl and in the Genove cultivar at 30 mM NaCl. MeJA application increa sed the proportions of linalool and 1,8-cineole in the essential oils, while decre asing α - cadinol, α - bergamotene, β - maaliene, and eug enol levels. Analysis of the salinit y × MeJA interaction revealed that the highest antioxidant activity was observed under 0 mM NaCl + 0.5 mM MeJA in the Rubi cultivar and under 60 mM NaCl + 0.5 mM MeJA in the Genove cultivar. Overall, the study demonstrated that foliar application of 0.5 mM MeJA alleviated the negative metabolic effects of salinit y stress by enhancing the quantitative accumulation of essential oil components and mitigating stress-induced reductions in phenolic metabolites. Table 3. Effec ts of MeJA (0.5 mM) Application on Selected Biochemical Parameters and Essential Oil Components in Two Basil C ultivars under Salinity Stress Parameter Effect of Salinity (without MeJA) Effect of Me J A (0.5 mM) Notes / Most Effective Conditions Total Phenolic Content Decrease (~42.7%) Significant increa se in both cultivars MeJA compensated for salinity- induced reduction in phenolics Antioxidant Activity (DPPH) Decrease Increase Rubi: 0 mM NaCl + 0.5 mM MeJA; Genove: 60 mM NaCl + 0.5 mM MeJA Essential Oil Yield Tendency to decrease Increase Rubi: 0 & 30 mM NaCl; Genove: 30 mM NaCl Linalool — Increase Elevated in both cultivars with MeJA 1,8-Cineole — Increase Increased in both c ultivar s following MeJA application α -Cadinol — Decrease Relative proportion reduced α -Berga moten e — Decrease Decrease d und er all treatments β -Maaliene — Decrease Reduced with MeJA application Eugenol — Decrease MeJA suppressed its biosynthesis In the study conducted b y R ashed et al. (2017), the mitigating effects of 10 0 ppm gibberellic acid (GA₃) and 10% pl ant growth – promoting rhiz obacter ia (PGPR ; Azospi rillum sp. + Azotobacter sp.) on seawater-induced salinity stress (1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 p pm) were inv estigated in Nigella sativa. Salinity stress caus ed ma rked reductions compared with control plants, in cluding 289 decreases of up to 25% in plant height, 30% in branch numbe r, and approximately 40% in dry biomass, while capsule n umber, capsule yi eld, and 1000-seed weight were signi ficantly reduced at all salinity levels. Under the same conditions, c h lorophyll content dec lined by 18 – 35%, fixe d oil perce nt age decreased by up to 22%, and relative water content (RWC) was reduce d by nearly 15% . Among stress indi cators, proline content increased approximately twofold at 3000 – 4000 ppm salinity, whereas peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities reached 1 40 – 160% of the control. Application of GA₃ and PGPR significantly improved growth parameters at all salinity levels, with increases in plant height of 18 –27% with GA₃ an d 22 – 30% with PGPR, and an approximately 20% increase in chlorophyll content under both treatments. More over, RW C incr eased by a bout 12% with GA₃ and 15% with P GPR, and the loss in capsu le y ield was reduced from ~40% to 10 –15%. GA₃ and PGPR applications also enhance d the antioxidant defense system, increasing POD and CAT activities to approx imately 1.7-fold of the control and further sti mulating proline acc umulation, thereby supporting os mot ic adjustment. Overall, the study demonstrated that 100 ppm GA₃ and 10% P GPR applications effec tively alleviated the adverse effects of salinity stress on Nigella sativa at growth, physiological, and biochemica l levels. Table 4. Effects of sali nity stress and GA₃– PGPR applications on growth, physiological, and biochemical paramete rs of Nigella sativa (Rashed et al., 2017). Parameter Effect of Salinity Stress (1000 – 4000 ppm) Change with GA₃ (100 ppm) Change with PGPR (10%) Plant height 25% decrease 18 – 27% increase 22 – 30% increase Number of branches 30% decrease 15 – 20% increase 20 – 25% increase Dry biomass Decrease o f up to 40% 20 – 28% increase 25 – 32% increase Capsule number & yield Marked reduction Improvement of up to 25% Improvement of up to 30% 1000-seed weight Decrease Partial increa s e (~10%) Higher increase (~12 – 15%) Chlorophyll content 18 – 35% decrease 18 – 22% increase 20 – 25% increase RWC (Relative water content) 15% decrease 12% increase 15% increase Proline ~2 -fold increase Additional 10 – 15% increase Additional 15 – 20% increase POD activity Increase to 140 – 160% of control 1.7-fold of control 1.7-fold of control 290 Parameter Effect of Salinity Stress (1000 – 4000 ppm) Change with GA₃ (100 ppm) Change with PGPR (10%) CAT activity Increase to 140 – 160% of control Additional increase (20 – 25%) Additional increase (25 – 30%) Fixed oil (%) 22% decrease 10 – 12% increase 12 – 15% increase In a study conducted by Afkar (2024), the effects of salicylic acid (SA) applications (0, 0.5, and 1 mM) on the essential oil composition of Mentha piperita were i nvestigated, and SA was reported to significantly alter both essential oil yield and chemical profile. While 33 compounds were identified in control plants, 36 compounds were detected in S A-treated plants. The total identified essential oil fraction was determined as 94.68%, 9 9.21%, and 97.93% in the control, 0.5 mM S A, and 1 mM SA treatments, respe ctively. S A applications notably increased the monoterpene fraction; levels of 1,8 -cineole, menthofuran, isomenthyl acetate, and menthol incre ased by 1.2 - to 21.2-fold under 0.5 – 1 mM SA treatments compared to the control. In contrast, reductions were observed i n certain constituents, inc luding pulegone, aromadendrene, and germacrene D. In addition, SA application led to the appearance of ne w compounds in the esse nti al o il, such as 2 -E-hexenal, myrcene, trans-pinoc arveol, and thymol, and in creased total ess ential oil yield by up to 1.5 -fold relative to the control. Overall, SA markedly mod ified both the quantity and relative composition of essential oil, enriching its chemica l quality primari ly through enhanc ed mon oterpene acc umulation. In a separate study by Yol cu et al. (2024), the effec t s of BAP, IBA, and IAA hormones applied at 50 and 100 ppm on biochemic al constituents of Mentha piperita seedlings were comprehe nsively evaluated. The results indicated that although hormone treatments significantly improved growth parameters, they induced li mited yet measurable changes in chemical composition. Total phenolic content did not differ sta tistically from the contro l in any treatment; however, sli ght increases w ere observed, with approximately 4% under IAA50, ~3% under IBA50, and ~2% under B AP50. Antioxidant capac ity as sessed by CUPR AC and FRAP assays confirmed the relatively weak hormonal effects. Comp ared to the contro l, CUPRAC values increased by approximately 5% in BAP100, 4% in IAA50, and 3% in IBA100, while changes in other treatments remained below 2%. Similarly, FRAP analysis showed no statis tica lly significa nt differe n ces among treatments, although modest increases of app roximately 3 – 4% in IAA50 and IBA50 and ab out 2% in BAP100 were reported. Overall, the study demonstrated that hormone applications did not induce large -scale [Document text truncated for crawler view.]