This study deals with the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils of Vitex agnus castus L. The main constituents of the essential oils were characterized by GC-MS which resulted in the identification of 26 components, representing 100 % of the oil. The dominant compounds in the oil of fruits were trans-caryophyllene (19.17 %), sabinene (18.05 %) and 1,8-cineole (16.13 %), α-terpinyl acetate (6.91 %) and dihydroselarene (6.73 %). Antimicrobial activity was tested using the disc diffusion method. According to the inhibition zones, the essential oils were active against all of the tested microorganisms. The essential oils showed the susceptible inhibition zones, but they were less effective against bacterial strains compared to ampicillin and ofloxacin. The organisms most susceptible to these essential oils were Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212. However, further studies must be performed to confirm the safety of these oils for use as an antimicrobial agent.

Genome-editing (GE) is having a tremendous influence around the globe in the life science community. Among its versatile uses, the desired modifications of genes, and more importantly the transgene (DNA)-free approach to develop genetically modified organism (GMO), are of special interest. The recent and rapid developments in genome-editing technology have given rise to hopes to achieve global food security in a sustainable manner. We here discuss recent developments in CRISPR-based genome-editing tools for crop improvement concerning adaptation, opportunities, and challenges. Some of the notable advances highlighted here include the development of transgene (DNA)-free genome plants, the availability of compatible nucleases, and the development of safe and effective CRISPR delivery vehicles for plant genome editing, multi-gene targeting and complex genome editing, base editing and prime editing to achieve more complex genetic engineering. Additionally, new avenues that facilitate fine-tuning plant gene regulation have also been addressed. In spite of the tremendous potential of CRISPR and other gene editing tools, major challenges remain. Some of the challenges are related to the practical advances required for the efficient delivery of CRISPR reagents and for precision genome editing, while others come from government policies and public acceptance. This review will therefore be helpful to gain insights into technological advances, its applications, and future challenges for crop improvement.

No abstract

This study investigated the formation of protocorms and shoots from in vitro cultured seeds of Dactylorhiza iberica (Bieb. ex Willd.) Soó, D. umbrosa (Kar. and Kir.) Nevski, and Orchis palustris Jacquin. Culture conditions included binucleate Rhizoctonia and Rhizoctonia solani isolates, which were symbiotic cultures isolated from the tubers of these plants, and culture media consisting of an oat medium (OM) or a modified oat medium (MOM). The shortest times for protocorm and shoot development of D. umbrosa sowed in OM were 42.67 and 66 days, respectively. The highest rate of protocorm development and the lowest percentage of formation of darkened protocorms in D. umbrosa were 60% (in OM) and 2.99% (in MOM), respectively. The maximum percentage of shoots obtained from protocorms was 35.04% for D. iberica cultured in OM. All data were obtained using binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. inoculates in the nutrient media.

Rapid urbanization, migration and population growth induced demands exceed the carrying capacity of the cities and thus the existing urban infrastructure becomes insufficient. Developments in social life in the metropolitan cities, technological progresses and the related increase in the movements caused introduction of noise to the people's lives. Increase in the length and number of the highways for intra-city transportation in addition to changing life styles cause an increase in the densities, which results in noise pollution in the cities and on the main roads. Noise preventing structures are used to prevent/reduce the noise pollution caused by intra-city transportation. Among these structures, noise barriers and plants as live materials play an active role. In this study, noise sources in the intra-city transportation are described and effectiveness of the measures to reduce noise pollution is discussed.Keywords: Intra-city transportation, Noise, Noise barriers Kent İçi Ulaşımda Gürültü PerdeleriÖzet: Hızlı kentleşme, göç ve nüfus artışı kentlerin taşıma kapasitesini zorlamakta ve buna bağlı olarak mevcut kentsel altyapı yetersiz kalmaktadır. Metropol kentlerde sosyal hayatta yaşanan gelişmeler, teknolojik ilerleme ve bunlara bağlı olan hareketlilik artışı, gürültünün de kaçınılmaz olarak insan hayatına girmesine sebep olmuştur. Özellikle kent içi ulaşımda otoyolların uzunluğunun ve sayısının artması ve değişen hayat standartları nedeniyle trafikteki gürültü kirliliğini önlemek için kent içinde uygulanan hızlı artışlar ve yoğunlaşmalar, şehir ve anayollarda gürültü kirliliğine neden olmaktadır. Kent içi ulaşımdan kaynaklı gürültü kirliliğini önlemede/azaltmada gürültü önleyici yapı türleri kullanılmaktadır. Bu yapılardan gürültü perdeleri ve canlı materyal olarak bitki örtüsü aktif bir rol oynamaktadır. Bu çalışmada, kent içi ulaşımdan kaynaklı gürültü kaynakları tanımlanmış ve gürültü kirliliğini azaltmaya yönelik önlemlerin etkinliği tartışılmıştır.

In this study, the goal was the germination and propagation of Orchis sancta L. which is endangered due to uncontrolled collection and used in obtaining salep, in vitro conditions. By the addition of 0 (control group), 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 g/l concentrations of sucrose, glucose, maltose, galactose, and fructose of carbohydrate forms into Van WaesDebergh culture medium, sugars of effects were determined on germination and development of Orchis sancta L. seeds. In the study, germination, formation of protocorm and shoot periods and ratios were examined. The highest average germination ratio was obtained as 77.85% in Maltose40, the lowest average as 44.36% in Galaktose100 mediums. In protocorm formation, when the highest average ratio was detected as 68.53% in Sucrose100, the lowest average as 25.33% in Fruktose100 mediums. Germination period as 12.50-21.33 days, protocorm formation period as 22.50-50.83 days and shoot formation period as 50.66-105.33 days' intervals were determined.

This research was carried out in order to determine the effects of worm fertilizer and nitrogenphosphorus fertilizer dosage differences on flowering of hyacinth as a bulbous ornamental plant from 2016 to 2017 in Siirt University, Turkey. Solid worm fertilizer was applied at dosages of 25 g/bulb (V1), 50 g/bulb (V2), 75 g/bulb (V3) and 2 kg/decare (NP1), 4 kg/decare (NP2), 8 kg/decare (NP3) Nitrogen-Phosphorus (NP) were applied during the growth of hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis L. cv. "Purple Star"). According to the results, the lowest (the earliest time) mean values of the first flowering time, full flowering time, and harvest time were obtained as 135.25 days, 136.54 days, and 137.70 days in V1 treatment, respectively. The highest mean value on leaf number (5.71), leaf length (128.21 mm), stalk thickness (13.50 mm), and floret diameter (28.14 mm) were determined in V1. The highest mean values belong to flower diameter (66.96 mm) and length (116.33 mm) were evaluated in V2 and V3, respectively. Among NP fertilizers, in NP1 the highest mean value on floret number (37.69) while in NP2 the highest mean value on floret length (26.76 mm) were obtained. The highest mean values on leaf diameter and plant height were found as 28.86 mm and 179.54 mm in NP3 treatment. As a result, it has been determined that the hyacinth can be grown with worm fertilization without chemical fertilizer use under ecological conditions of Siirt province. Considering the adverse effects of chemical fertilizers on the environment, it is proved that there are no statistically significant differences between them and the worm fertilizer, which is a bio-fertilizer.

No abstract