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This study, conducted in 2017 and 2018, aimed to determine the yield, quality, and several morphological characteristics of different soybean (Glycine max L.) genotypes. The experiments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications, using seven lines (HAT I–VII) and six registered cultivars (Arısoy, Ataem-7, Çetinbey, Nova, SA-88, and Umut 2002). Sowing was carried out in six rows with 45 cm row spacing, and identical agronomic practices were applied to all genotypes. Key agronomic and technological traits—seed yield, protein and oil contents, plant height, first pod height, thousand-seed weight, number of pods per plant, and flowering duration—were evaluated. Significant differences among genotypes (p<0.01) were identified for most traits. Seed yield ranged from 292.2 to 397.3 kg da⁻¹, with HAT I showing the highest yield. Protein content varied between 36.4% and 40.4%, with Umut 2002 and HAT VII exhibiting the highest values. Oil content ranged from 19.2% to 22.0%, and the highest value was recorded in HAT II. Plant height varied between 99.9 and 118.1 cm, first pod height between 5.7 and 8.2 cm, thousand-seed weight between 115.8 and 157.5 g, number of pods per plant between 24.2 and 32.5, and flowering duration between 70.3 and 74.3 days. Overall, the results indicated that genotype performance varied depending on climatic and soil conditions. HAT I, HAT II, and Ataem-7 were prominent due to their high yield potential, balanced oil–protein ratio, and morphological stability. In the context of increasing climate change and water limitation, selecting early

Water is the most important factor limiting diversity yield. In arid and semiarid areas with insufficient rainfall, the limited availability of irrigation, its high cost, and problems such as salinization also limit afforestation efforts. With climate change, the risk of desertification and erosion is increasing in these areas, where rainfall is increasingly decreasing, in land devoid of vegetation. Sustainable and reasonable afforestation in these areas depends largely on rainfall. Water harvesting, the accumulation of precipitation that passes into surface runoff within the soil profile, is effectively used in arid areas. This study, conducted between 2015 and 2019, investigated the effects of contour banks and eyebrow banks, a micro-catchment water harvesting technique, on soil water conservation in afforestation studies with Taurus cedar (Cedrus libani). Cover materials were also applied as sub-themes, and plastic, stone, sawdust, and control materials were tested. As a result of the experiment, the highest soil moisture content was found in the KŞSp (381.90 mm) and EYEP (368.69 mm). Statistically significant differences were found in the control soil moisture content of 248.35 mm for the cover materials, while the plastic, stone, and sawdust cover materials were 375.30, 328.48, and 294.59 mm for the respective plastic, stone, and sawdust covers. At the end of the experiment, plant height was measured as 125 and 99 cm for the contour and brow berms, respectively, and the differences were found to be significant. It was observed that the plastic cover materials provided a 100% increase in plant height compared to the control.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different gibberellic acid (GA₃) concentrations, application doses, and application timings on key morphological and phenological traits of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Four yield-related traits were examined: plant height, head diameter, fertilization rate, and flowering time. The experiment was established as a randomized complete block design with three replications. Six GA₃ concentrations (0, 45, 60, 75, 100, and 200 mg L⁻¹), three application doses per plant (5, 7.5, and 10 mL plant⁻¹), and three application timings (47th, 50th, and 53rd day) were evaluated. GA₃ solutions were prepared using distilled water, and applications were carried out by spraying. According to the results, GA₃ applications had a statistically significant and positive effect on plant height; particularly, GA₃ applied within the 75–200 mg L⁻¹ range caused a marked increase in plant height. In contrast, GA₃ applications reduced head diameter, and the highest head diameter was obtained from the control treatment. In terms of fertilization rate, moderate GA₃ applications (45–75 mg L⁻¹) produced favorable outcomes, whereas higher concentrations decreased the fertilization rate. Flowering time generally shortened with GA₃ applications, and especially the 60–75 mg L⁻¹ levels promoted earlier flowering. Overall, the findings indicate that while GA₃ enhances vegetative growth in sunflower, it may exert bidirectional effects on generative traits. Applying the optimum GA₃ level at the appropriate dose and timing may contribute to improving yield-related parameters. This study provides important scientific information for the effective use of plant growth regulators in sunflower cultivation.

Drought, irregular rainfall, and rising temperatures caused by climate change are placing serious limitations on agricultural production. In Türkiye, incorporating drought-resistant alternative crops into production systems has become a crucial necessity to ensure the efficient use of water resources, food security, and support rural development. Prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L.), with its high water use efficiency thanks to Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis, offers strategic potential in this respect. Prickly pear has adapted to the Aegean and Mediterranean regions of Turkey and stands out for its uses in fresh fruit, food, feed, erosion control, and biomass production. In Türkiye, production has remained limited to natural populations, and modern agricultural practices and processing infrastructure have not been sufficiently developed. Lack of variety standardization, difficulties in harvesting and thorn removal, and inadequacies in marketing are the main factors limiting economic evaluation. In contrast, prickly pear offers a significant opportunity for sustainable agriculture and rural development due to its low water requirements, high nutritional content, and ease of processing. Supporting value-added product manufacturing, branding, and cooperative processes; improving variety breeding, mechanization, and cold chain infrastructure are necessary. Prickly pear cultivation has the potential to make a significant contribution to sustainable agriculture if it is implemented using scientific methods and multi-stakeholder strategies, developing high value-added products, ensuring efficient use of water resources, and strengthening local economies. This study evaluates the current status, economic importance, challenges, proposed solutions, and emerging opportunities of prickly pear cultivation in Türkiye using existing literature, resources, data, and records.

Herbicide safeners are chemical or biological compounds used to protect crop plants from herbicide-induced non-target injury. The first safeners compounds were developed in the 1970s. Although initially used only in certain cereal species, they are now widely applied to staple crops such as maize, wheat, barley, and rice, as well as oilseed crops such as sunflower, rapeseed, soybean, and cotton. The primary function of safeners is to reduce the toxic effects of herbicides by stimulating plant metabolic detoxification pathways. This article comprehensively reviews the historical development, chemical classification, mechanisms of action, molecular and microbial interactions, and field performance of safeners. Literature findings indicate that safeners play an important role in reducing oxidative stress, particularly by activating the glutathione S-transferase (GST) and cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme families. Furthermore, safener applications have been shown to regulate the expression of numerous detoxification and stress response genes in plants. When the effectiveness of safener-herbicide combinations was examined under field conditions, a 10–30% increase in yield along with a marked reduction in phytotoxicity. Microbial and biotechnological approaches represent a new era in safener research. Consequently, safeners are not only adjuvants that increase herbicide selectivity but also important tools for understanding plant stress physiology. However, more comprehensive evaluation of environmental safety, residue management, and biological interactions is needed. This article provides a foundation for future research into the ecological, molecular, and biotechnological roles of safeners within sustainable agricultural systems.