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Developments in next generation sequencing technologies and bioinformatic analyses enable the identification of sequence specific DNA markers at the whole genome/transcriptome level. During the last decade, diversification of the next generation sequencing platforms as well as the associated sequence analysis algorithms have made generic marker systems such as RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) and ISSR (inter simple sequence repeat) almost obsolete and sequence specific markers constitute useful genomic tools for applications in plant molecular genetics. The aim of the present work was to develop genic SSR (simple sequence repeat) markers specific for the well-known medicinal and aromatic herb, oregano (Origanum vulgare L.). Although the Origanum genus hosts widely-recognized medicinal and aromatic species, only 33 genome-specific markers have been developed to date for the genus. In the course of the present work, the transcriptome sequence of O. vulgare L. ssp. vulgare, one of the most widely known members of the Origanum genus, was assembled via a de novo transcriptome assembly approach. The assembly was scanned for the identification of trinucleotide SSRs. GC rich loci were found to be the most abundant simple sequence repeats, which is indeed characteristic for coding sequences. While genic SSRs are more conserved compared to genomic SSRs, markers that represent transcribed loci are more likely to be useful for trait association studies. In the course of the present work, the loci identified in the transcriptome sequences were used in the high-throughput marker development process, yielding a total of 1731 sequence-specific genic SSR markers. Since SSR polymorphisms located in open reading frames and 5’/3’ UTR (untranslated region) carry the potential to affect the amino acid sequence or protein folding and the level of gene expression, the markers introduced in the present work constitute a genome-specific set of candidate functional markers.

Limited rainfall during the growing season negatively affects yield and quality values of bread wheat grown under semiarid climate conditions in Konya Plain. Irrigation is a must for optimum grain yield and quality production. However, water resources are quite limited in the region and therefore water-saving irrigation strategies are needed. For this purpose, a two-year field experiment was conducted in Konya to determine the effects of different supplemental irrigation strategies based on critical development stages (Stem elongation, heading and milk stage) of bread wheat on flour yield of wheat. The experiment consisted of a total of 13 plots, one of which was non-irrigated (rainfall), three of which were dependent on soil moisture and nine of which were applied fixed amounts (50, 70 and 90 mm) of irrigation water. The results obtained showed that the highest flour yields were obtained from the applications where wheat was irrigated during the three critical development stages and the lowest flour yield was obtained from the application based on rainfall. It was determined that supplemental irrigation strategies had a significant effect on wheat flour yield, but there was no significant difference between the flour yields of 321 mm (71.2%) and 150 mm (70.3%) irrigation applications. The results of this experiment showed that optimum flour yield in wheat could be achieved with deficit supplemental irrigation, where 50 mm of irrigation water was applied in each stage instead of full irrigation, and 150 mm in total, during the stages of wheat stem elongation, heading and milk stage.

Despite its adequacy in many agricultural products, Türkiye has a large deficit in vegetable oil production. For this reason, it is necessary to focus on the studies conducted on new oil crops that will contribute to vegetable oil production and be effective in eliminating our oil deficit. Safflower is one of the plants that make up this group. In this study, it was aimed to determine the most suitable nutrient medium in order to speed up the obtaining homozigot lines in the breeding programs of safflower through the immature embryo culture technique in different Safflower genotypes. The study was carried out at the Speed Breeding Center of the Eastern Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute. In the study, five safflower genotypes (Line-1, Line-2, Line-3, Line-4 and Dinçer) and three media (MS, NN and B5) were tested. Immature embryos isolated 14 days after pollination from the seeds of plants grown under open field conditions were tested. Plant weight, plant root length, plant height and number of leaves per plant were investigated in the regenerated plants from the cultured embryos. The research findings showed that the average values of plant weight, plant root length, plant height, number of leaves per plantlet and regeneration rate varied as 0.15-0.28 g, 2.22-2.84 cm, 1.59-1.80 pieces, 1.35-1.59 cm, respectively, depending on the media. The averaged values of the mentioned characteristics varied as 0.14-0.27 g, 1.41-1.61 cm, 2.09-3.12, 1.53-1.82 pieces and 0.8-33.8% respectively, depending on the genotypes. Based on the research results, it was concluded that the immature embryo culture technique could be used to accelerate the obtainment of homozygous lines in safflower breeding, that the genotype and nutrient medium significantly affect the application efficiency of the technique, and that the nutrient medium to be used is dependent on the genotype.

Domestic and industrial wastewater discharged directly into the receiving environment without treatment causes serious deterioration in aquatic ecosystems due to their high phosphorus content, which threatens life. Phosphorus accelerates the eutrophication process, especially in stagnant water bodies such as lakes and dams, causing algae formation, decreased oxygen levels and disruption of ecosystem balance. For this reason, wastewater should never be discharged into the receiving environment without ensuring phosphorus removal within the limit values specified in the Water Pollution and Control Regulation of the Republic of Türkiye. This effective, phosphorus removal method is one of the natural filters found in abundance in Türkiye, can choose adsorptive phosphorus removal. This is aimed at natural filter materials sand, zeolite and vermiculite are sieved from each of them and materials remaining between sieves with a diameter of 1 and 2 cm are formed (50 cm3) homogeneous mixtures with a total volume of 150 cm³ and tested using chromatography columns with an inner diameter of 3 cm from a micro distance representing wetlands in the laboratory environment. In the experiments, synthetic wastewater solutions containing phosphorus at concentrations of 25, 50 and 100 ppm were transferred to the columns with a peristaltic pump at flow rates of 1 and 2 ml/min and samples were taken at 3rd, 6th, 12th, 24th and 48th hours and filtered, and pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and total phosphorus analyses were performed. According to the results obtained, the highest phosphorus removal efficiency was obtained as 99% in 3 hours at 2 ml/min flow rate and 50 ppm concentration, while the lowest efficiency was observed as 3% in 48 hours at 100 ppm and 2 ml/min conditions. It has been determined that the materials used in mixture form have higher performance than their pure forms.

Recently, the sustainability of agricultural production, influenced by intensive agricultural practices and climate change, has become increasingly important, particularly through the adoption of environmentally friendly methods. Researchers are showing growing interest in precision agriculture techniques, and sustainable farming practices are being actively developed. Phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Fitch) infestations have led to the widespread adoption of grafted vines as one of the most sustainable methods in viticulture. However, some grapevine rootstocks exhibit poor rooting and grafting success. To address this issue, synthetic chemicals are often used to enhance the rooting rate of cuttings. Nevertheless, the harmful effects of these chemicals on human health and the environment have increased interest in biostimulants in recent years. This study investigates the effects of thyme hydrolate on the rooting of grapevine cuttings. To this end, cuttings from the 41 B (V. vinifera x V. berlandieri) rootstock and the 'Narince' (V. vinifera L.) table grape variety were dipped in thyme hydrolate for three seconds before being planted in a rooting medium. The untreated cuttings served as the control group. Root number, root length (cm), fresh and dry root weights (g), shoot length (cm), and shoot diameter (mm) were measured. The results showed that thyme hydrolate application significantly increased root number, root length, and both fresh and dry root weights while reducing shoot diameter in both genotypes. The 'Narince' variety treated with thyme hydrolate exhibited the highest values for root length (24.67 cm), root number (12.67), root fresh weight (4.07 g), and root dry weight (0.70 g). In contrast, the control vines of the 'Narince' showed the greatest shoot length (25.67 cm) and shoot diameter (4.32 mm). Overall, the findings indicate that thyme hydrolate is a promising, environmentally friendly approach for enhancing root development in grapevine saplings.