Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a herbaceous perennial plant in the Asteraceae family and is native to Northeast Paraguay. Its leaves contain steviol glycosides, a family of zero-calorie natural sweeteners that are 200-300 times sweeter than table sugar and can replace sucrose as well as other synthetic sweeteners. In addition to its use in the food sector, the plant is also considered to be a source of natural dyestuffs. Especially the utilization of the pulp after the extraction process is important in terms of providing a sustainable resource. In this study, the dyeing properties of stevia plant and its pulp were investigated. Silk and cotton fabrics were selected for this study. Alum [KAl(SO4)2.12H2O] and iron (II) sulfate heptahydrate [FeSO4.7H2O] were used for dyeing by pre-mordanting method. Rubbing (dry and wet) and washing fastness tests and color depths were evaluated in terms of K/S and CIELAB color difference values. The data obtained in this first study in the field of dyeing with stevia plant and its pulp showed that the stevia plant can be used as an important source of natural dyestuff. The color scale obtained by using different mordants and dyeing methods can be expanded. Especially the adoption of pulp uses as an environmentally friendly approach will be a source for further studies.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cutting management practices on the grain characteristics and feeding quality of triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack). The research was conducted over two consecutive years (2014–2016) at the Research and Application Field of the Faculty of Agriculture, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Dardanos Campus, using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Five stubble heights (5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, and 15 cm) and five cutting frequencies (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 times) were evaluated. Grain samples were analyzed for crude protein, crude ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), digestible organic matter (DOM), metabolizable energy (ME), digestible energy (DE), and net energy (NE). Increasing cutting frequency and stubble height resulted in significant reductions in grain crude protein and energy contents. The highest crude protein (12.4%), digestible organic matter (84.6%), metabolizable energy (2.43 Mcal/kg DM), and net energy (1.46 Mcal/kg DM) values were obtained from the treatment cut once with a 5 cm stubble height. Conversely, higher cutting frequencies increased NDF and ADF contents, leading to lower overall feed quality. It is concluded that a single cutting at a low stubble height (5–7.5 cm) represents the most suitable management practice for maintaining the feeding quality of triticale grain. This management approach helps preserve the nutritional composition and sustain high energy values essential for animal feeding.

This study addressed the increasing need for effective and rapid breeding strategies against Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), a major constraint in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) production due to the lack of chemical control options for viral diseases. The research aimed to develop PMMoV-resistant pepper lines representing different fruit types demanded by the market by integrating SNP-based Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) genotyping with phenotypic biotest assays and subsequently using selected resistant plants as donor material for doubled haploid (DH) line production. Five F₂ genotypes (B05, B06, B07, B08, and B10) obtained from a private sector breeding program were evaluated under controlled conditions. Seedlings were subjected to mechanical PMMoV inoculation and scored for resistance on a 1–10 scale, while KASP analysis was conducted in parallel to confirm resistance at the marker level. Across genotypes, 113–146 plants per population were biotested, and 69–108 individuals per genotype were initially classified as resistant. Combined evaluation of biotest and KASP results ultimately confirmed 23–32 resistant plants per genotype, which were transplanted and cultivated under soilless greenhouse conditions to provide flower buds for androgenesis. Anther culture was performed on MS-based induction medium, and embryo formation was monitored. Embryos were obtained from four genotypes, whereas no embryo induction occurred in B05. A total of 6, 1, 2, and 21 embryos were produced from B06, B07, B08, and B10, respectively, and 16 regenerated plants developed into spontaneous doubled haploids and successfully produced DH0 seed. Overall, the findings demonstrated that combining KASP-based marker validation with DH technology enabled the rapid development of PMMoV-resistant, fully homozygous breeding lines, supporting the advancement of domestic hybrid cultivar development and strengthening the competitiveness of local seed companies.

One of the most widely produced essential oil–bearing plants in the world, rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L.), is extensively used in industry. Although more than two hundred and ninety components have been identified in its essential oil, the plant is considered a high value-added species, particularly preferred in the perfumery sector due to the increasing demand for its essential oil, its broad industrial applications, and its rose-like aroma. For this reason, the development of economically feasible, environmentally friendly, and sustainable practices that can enhance productivity is of great importance. This study was conducted to determine the effects of elicitor applications on shoot development of rose-scented geranium under in vitro conditions. In the study, the effects of different doses of melatonin, methyl jasmonate (MeJA), and pectin elicitors on in vitro plant growth were comparatively evaluated. As a result of the findings obtained, significant changes were observed in various parameters depending on the type and dose of the elicitor applied. Pectin treatments, particularly at doses ranging from 50 to 150 mg/L, supported regenerative growth by producing values close to or higher than the control group in terms of root formation and shoot number. This indicates that pectin is an elicitor with balanced effects on plant development and low phytotoxicity. In melatonin treatments, an increase in shoot length and dry weight was observed at a low dose (10 µM); however, with increasing doses, marked decreases occurred in rooting, shoot number, and biomass production. MeJA treatments suppressed root and shoot development at all doses and exhibited inhibitory effects on shoot growth, especially at medium and high doses. Overall, it was concluded that pectin may be preferred as a suitable elicitor in in vitro studies focused on regeneration and growth, melatonin may be preferred in studies aiming to enhance shoot length and biomass at low doses, whereas MeJA suppresses shoot development across all evaluated parameters and may yield unfavorable results in regeneration-oriented studies.

This study evaluated the efficiency of two culture media, CBM and Nitsch, for embryo induction and doubled haploid (DH) plant production in the Beith Alpha cucumber type, with particular emphasis on genotype-dependent responses. A total of 1,004 ovaries were cultured on CBM medium, resulting in embryo development in 439 ovaries, whereas only 79 embryos were obtained from 983 ovaries cultured on Nitsch medium. Colchicine treatment was applied to 231 and 13 healthy haploid plantlets derived from CBM and Nitsch media, respectively, leading to the successful development of 202 DH plants from CBM and 9 DH plants from Nitsch. Comparative analysis revealed that CBM medium was markedly more effective than Nitsch medium in terms of both embryo formation and DH plant regeneration. Additionally, the results demonstrated a strong genotype dependency in embryogenic response and DH plant production. Within the CBM medium, genotype BA20 exhibited the highest embryo induction capacity, while genotype BA64 showed superior performance in DH plant regeneration. Overall, the findings indicate that both culture medium composition and genotype play critical roles in determining the success of gynogenic embryo induction and DH plant production. These results provide valuable insights for optimizing haploid and DH production protocols in cucumber breeding programs.