Sait Gezgin

Mineral and heavy metal levels of some fruits grown at the roadsides

The rate of heavy metal pollution of some minor fruit samples growing at the roadsides in Turkey were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). Pb, Zn and Cu were found at the high levels in the fruit samples. The results showed that the average level of Cu changed between 0.27 mg/kg (Sample 11) and 0.05 mg/kg (Sample 15), Cr 0.32 mg/kg (Sample 14) and 0.18 mg/kg (Sample 13), Ni 0.68 mg/kg (Sample 12) and 0.26 g/kg (Sample 15), Pb 2.86 mg/kg (Sample 12) and 1.54 mg/kg (Sample 4) and Se 12.96 mg/kg (Sample 14) and 5.42 mg/kg (Sample 7). The levels of Cu, Cd and Cr in samples do not appear to reach pollution levels.

Recovery and concentration of metals from red mud by Donnan dialysis

The transport fluxes of Al(III), Fe(III), Ti(IV) and Na(I) ions from red mud through charged heterogeneous and Neosepta CMB and CMX cation exchange membranes has been studied as a function of H+ ion concentration in stripping phase. In this process, the feed solutions is initially red mud aqueous solution or half-diluted solution which contains Al(III), Fe(III), Ti(IV) and Na(I) ions and other side is HCl solutions at different concentrations (0.05, 1.0 M). It was shown that the fluxes and recovery factor value of metal ions were enhanced with increasing concentration in feed phase and H+ ion concentration in stripping phase.

Yield and Yield Attributes of Durum Wheat Genotypes as Affected by Boron Application in Boron-Deficient Calcareous Soils: An Evaluation of Major Turkish Genotypes for Boron Efficiency

Abstract Field studies were conducted to determine yield and yield attributes of six durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) genotypes namely; Kızıltan-91, Ç-1252, Selçuklu-97, Kunduru-1149, Yılmaz-98, and Çakmak-79, as affected by applications of different levels of boron (B) (0, 1, 3, and 9 kg B ha−1 delivered as boric acid, H3BO3) in soils deficient in available B (0.19 mg B kg−1) and high in lime (CaCO3) content (20.7%) during two consecutive growing seasons; 2000–2001 and 2001–2002. Agronomic characteristics such as grain yields, spike sterility rates, number of grains per spike, number of spikelets per spike, number of spikes per m2, grain weight per spike, thousand grain weights, test weights, and flag leaf B concentration were investigated. Grain yields in all genotypes were significantly increased by B applications compared to the control. Applications of 1 and 3 kg B ha−1 increased yield an average of 11 and 9% respectively, while 9 kg B ha−1 resulted in lower overall yield increase (7%). Genotypes studied have shown significant variations with respect to their responses to additional B. Kunduru-1149 and Çakmak-79 gave the highest grain yield (4080 and 4315 kg ha−1 respectively) at 1 kg B ha−1, whereas Kızıltan-91 and Yılmaz-98 yielded best (4475 and 5010 kg ha−1 respectively) at 3 kg B ha−1. Interestingly, other two genotypes, Ç-1252 and Selçuklu-97, reached to the highest level of grain yield (4320 and 4360 kg ha−1 respectively) at the highest B level (9 kg ha−1). Yield attributes also showed significant variations with respect to their responses to B application. Kızıltan-91 and Kunduru-1149 appeared to have high sensitivity to B deficiency. On the other hand, Çakmak-79 and Selçuklu-97 were B deficiency tolerant genotypes. The study clearly showed that B deficiency could result in significant yield losses in durum wheat under experimental conditions tested. Hence, B contents of soils for the cultivation of durum wheat should be analyzed in advance to devoid of yield losses. Plant tissue analyses can also result in grain yield predictions. Genotypes proven as tolerant/sensitive to high/low B levels may offer valuable genetic materials for use in B-related breeding programs. Considering relationships between flag leaf B concentrations and grain yield, it was clear that when climatic conditions (second year) suit wheat cultivation, B application in B-deficient soils can make profound contributions to grain yield in wheat compared to adverse climatic conditions (first year). Clear positive contribution of B application to grain yield in durum wheat can be more evident under better climatic conditions.

Ammonia volatilization from ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate, and urea surface applied to winter wheat on a calcareous soil

Abstract Ammonia (NH3) volatilization losses from surface‐applied ammonium sulphate (AS), ammonium nitrate (AN), and urea to winter wheat and the effects of the NBPT [N‐(n‐butyl) thiophosphoric triamide], PG (Phospho‐gypsum), and PR (byproduct‐Pyrite) were determined in a field experiment. Effects on grain yield and protein content of the grain were also measured. Total NH3 losses from AS, AN, and urea varied from 13.6–19.5%, 4.4–6.4%, and 3.9–12.0% depending on the compounds and their levels added to nitrogen (N) fertilizers, respectively. The compounds added to AS and AN increased NH3‐N losses with respect to unamended fertilizers (control). On the other hand, while urea treatments with two tons of PG/ha increased NH3 losses, the other compounds decreased the losses. The highest reductions of NH3 loss were observed with NBPT 0.50% and NBPT 0.25% by 63.4% and 52.8%, respectively. Although the effect of nitrogeneous fertilizers on total N losses and protein content of wheat grain was found statistically s...

Boron Content of Cultivated Soils in Central-Southern Anatolia and its Relationship with Soil Properties and Irrigation Water Quality

Boron toxicity may occur in semi-arid regions due to high levels of B in soils, in the ground water, in fertilisers or in irrigation water (U.S. Salinity Lab. Staff, 1954; Nable et al., 1997).

Controlling ammonia volatilization from urea surface applied to sugar beet on a calcareous soil

Abstract The extent of ammonia (NH3) volatilization from surface‐applied urea to sugar beet and effects of NBPT [N‐(n‐butyl) thiophosphoric triamide] PG (phosphogypsum), PR (by‐product‐pyrite) and KCl (potassium chloride) on NH3 volatilization, nitrogen (N) content of leaf blades and petioles, sugar, amine N, and refined sugar contents, and root and refined sugar yields were determined in the field. Total NH3 loss varied from 7.0% to 23.6% depending on the compounds incorporated with urea and rate of addition. With respect to unamended urea, 540 kg KCl/ha, 1000 kg phosphogypsum/ha, and 1000 kg pyrite/ha increased NH3 loss by 86.7%, 40.1%, and 36.2%, respectively, but the other treatments decreased the loss. The highest reduction of NH3 loss was found with 0.5% of NBPT by 44.5%. The NBPT, KCl, and PG treatments increased both root and refined sugar yields compared with urea alone. The highest refined sugar yield and lowest NH3 volatilization loss was obtained with 0.5 % of NBPT treatment.

STUDIES ON DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSE OF SPRING CANOLA CULTIVARS TO BORON TOXICITY

Although many states recommend boron (B) fertilizer for many field crops, information about B toxicity of canola is lacking. This experiment was carried out at Central Anatolia, Turkey from 2002 to 2003, to determine genotypic range in B efficiency of eight spring canola cultivars, to identify the B-inefficient cultivars and to identify specific responses. The cultivars were grown under B moderate deficiency (extractable B 0.56 mg kg−1) and toxic B applied (15 kg B ha−1) conditions. According to the results, seed yield varied significantly among the cultivars and B application decreased the seed yield by 31% on average. Also, toxic B application reduced protein and oil contents similar to seed yield, and increased leaf B concentration in all varieties. This study has shown that leaf B concentration has increased considerably when B is applied to Pactol and Star cultivars, but seed yield of +B and −B has not shown significantly a change. It is possible to say that Star and Pactol—which have not been affected by the toxic B application—are genotypes that are tolerant to B toxicity and may be cultivated at B toxic lands.

Genetic diversity and population structure of wheat in India and Turkey

Genetic diversity assessment plays an important role in plant improvement. It becomes more significant when evaluation is done at different ploidy and geographical origin levels. The present study provides a better understanding of the genetic association of Indian and Turkish hexaploid and tetraploid wheat. The Turkish hexaploid population demonstrated its close association with Indian hexaploid and tetraploid varieties. This confirmed their relatedness within the diverse gene pool. The results revealed in this study can be effectively used by breeders and evolutionary biologists for the development of genetically diverse, promising and healthier wheat varieties.

Yield and Yield attributes of Durum Wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) as Affected by Boron Application

Boron (B) deficiency causes grain set in bread wheat to fail (Rerkasem and Jamjod, 1997). Rarkasem et al. (1993) reported that B deficiency lowered the number of grains per spike and grain yield in wheat via suppression of the growth of flowering organs. In another study, Rerkasem et al. (1997) found that B deficiency clearly depressed seed yield, number of grains per ear, and grain set index of bread wheat, without any apparent effect on number of ears per m2, number of spikelets per ear, average size of the ear, and component florets per spikelet. Boron deficiency was considered to be the main reason for sterility in susceptible wheat genotypes since B application reduced sterility from 42.6 to 4.5 % (Subedi et al., 1997). Since B has important effects in pollen tube elongation, and on pollen grain germination and growth (Dickinson, 1978), the main effects of B deficiency are usually expressed during generative development rather than in vegetative plant parts (Rerkasem and Jamjod, 1997; Huang et al., 2000).

Seasonal variations of metal concentrations in muscle tissue of tench (Tinca tinca), water and sediment in Beysehir Lake (Turkey)

Concentrations of 10 metals (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in muscle tissue of tench (Tinca tinca), water and sediment in Beysehir Lake were analysed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometry (ICP‐AES). Tench is one of the most abundant fish species in Beysehir Lake. Metal levels were analysed in only the muscle tissue of the fish, because this provides information on the potential risk to the fish themselves and to consumers of these edible portions of the fish. The Cu concentration was the highest in all the samples of the lakes sediments and waters, studied in all seasons, and ranged between 24.01 µg g−1 (in spring) and 90.30 µg g−1 (in summer), but Cu concentrations in T. tinca were low: 0.03 µg g−1(in summer) to 0.21 µg g−1(in spring). Metal concentrations in sediments, waters and tench varied seasonally. All metal concentrations in sediments were higher than those in water and fish. However, all metal concentrations, except Zn, were lowest in fish muscle tissue.