The aim of this study is to research natural land cover change caused by the permanent effects of human activities in Duzce plain and its surroundings, and to determine the current status of the land cover. For this purpose, two Landsat TM images were used in the study for the years 1987 and 2010. These images are analysed by using data image processing techniques in ERDAS Imagine©10.0 and ArcGIS©10.0 software. Land cover change nomenclature is classified according to the Coordination of Information on the Environment Level 2 Classification (1--urban fabric, 2--industrial, commercial and transport units, 3--heterogeneous agricultural areas, 4--forests, and 5--inland wetlands). Furthermore, the image analysis results are confirmed by the field research. According to the results, a decrease of 33.5 % was recorded in forest areas from 24,840.7 to 16,529.0 ha; an increase of 11.2 % was recorded in heterogeneous agricultural areas from 47,702.7 to 53,051.7 ha. Natural vegetation, which is the large part of land cover in the research area, has been changing rapidly because of rapid urbanisation and agricultural activities. As a result, it is concluded that significant changes have occurred on the natural land cover between the years 1987 and 2010 in the Duzce plain and its surroundings.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of protected cultivation on the earliness, yield, and fruit quality characteristics of some low chill peach-nectarine cultivars grown in the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. Phenological observations, yield parameters, and fruit quality characteristics were investigated. The chilling durations as CH (chilling hours), CU (chilling unit) and heat accumulations were determined. 'Astoria' cultivar reached the highest cumulative yield as 29.11 kg/tree and 38.72 t/ha, and fruit size was 131.89 g and 61.74 mm in protected cultivation. The CH and CU values under protected cultivation were 28% and 40% lower than in open area cultivation. The heat accumulation was 30% higher for GDH30 in the protected. The results of this study revealed that low-chill-peach-nectarine cultivars grown in protected cultivation showed variable earliness, yield and fruit quality depending on chilling duration and heat accumulation.

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Turkey is one of the main genetic origins of figs (Ficus ssp.). The study was carried out to determine the phenotypic variation of fig genotypes grown in Tarsus, Mersin, in the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. In the study, 24 female fig genotypes selected from Tarsus were investigated based on plant and fruit quality characteristics. Only Haziran ?nciri ripened the breba (first) crop and the other genotypes ripened the main crop. The fruit weight of the fig genotypes ranged between 22.37 g and 90.16 g, total soluble solids content (TSS) ranged between 12.6 and 25.0% and TSS/acidity ranged between 29.2 and 161.5. From the plant and fruit characteristics, 26 out of 45 attributes were determined to be more appropriate in the identification and discrimination of the fig genotypes in the research area. Siyah ?ncir6, Bardak1, Sar? ?ncir1 and Siyah ?ncir3 genotypes were the highest in overall quality parameters. The results showed that the measured plant and fruit characteristics of the fig genotypes have significant phenotypic variations.

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The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Bud Feed application on fruit set, yield and fruit quality in Mikado and Mogador apricot cultivars. Methods and Results: In the study, Bud Feed (6 L 100 L -1 ) was applied 35 days before bud break. As a result of the study, Bud Feed application increased the initial fruit set by 14.41% in the 'Mikado' cultivar and 22.40% in the 'Mogador' cultivar compared to the control plants. In both cultivars, Bud Feed application provided 2-day earliness. This application has been found to be more effective in increasing the yield per tree and yield per decare (25.29 kg tree -1 and 4.22 ton da -1 , respectively) in the 'Mogador' cultivar. In addition, Bud Feed application has improved fruit size and red color formation in the fruit skin in 'Mikado' and 'Mogador' cultivars. Conclusions: Bud Feed application has been found positive in terms of improving the yield and quality of apricots in the seasons when the chilling duration is insufficient. Significance and Impact of the Study: Insufficient winter temperatures in the Mediterranean Region may cause yield losses in early apricot cultivars. The results showed that Bud Feed application ın 'Mikado' and 'Mogador' apricot cultivars can be used in early apricots to solve this problem.

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The aim of this study is to determine the changes in fruit quality during the winter season of 'Sabrina' strawberry cultivar grown in soilless culture system in Antakya (Hatay) province. Methods and Results:In this study, 'Sabrina' strawberry variety was used as material. Within the study, amount of some contents such as; fruit weight, width and length, appearance (1-5), taste (1-9), fruit color L* and h° values, fruit flesh firmness, juice pH values, total soluble solids (TSS) content, titratable acidity (TA) content, TSS/TA ratio, total antioxidant capacity, total anthocyanin, total phenolic solid, total flavonoid and Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic acid) were examined during winter season. Conclusions: It should be noted that firmness of fruit flesh is an important matter in the case of shipping the product to distant markets, especially in hot temperature conditions when there is a significant decrease in fruit flesh firmness. 'Sabrina' strawberry variety grown in soilless culture conditions that includes "Cocopeat" which is consisting of coconut shells and fibers. Consumer acceptability can be increased by replacing some plant nutrients in the 2nd and 3rd harvest periods with a calcium-based nutrition program. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study was carried out in order to determine the changes in fruit quality of 'Sabrina' strawberry during the winter season, and It is expected that the results of the study would contribute to literature, and the relevant sector which is growing in the province.