The present research was undertaken to study the antifungal activities of Origanum onites L. and Ziziphora clinopodioides L. essential oils against three different isolates (M1-5, M2-1 and M3-5) of Botrytis cinerea (in vitro tests) and to investigate the vapor contact impacts on fungus and strawberry fruit quality (in vivo tests). Antifungal activities of these oils were tested by following the poisoned food technique at four different concentrations (0.25, 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00 mL/L) against B. cinerea. In vitro studies suggested that the 0.50 mL/L and 1.00 mL/L doses of O. onites and 1.00 mL/L and 2.00 mL/L doses of Z. clinopodioides provide high mycelial growth inhibition, 85.29–94.12% and 39.12–94.12%, respectively, by direct addition to food. Thus, these doses were tested in in vivo conditions, as a vapor contact treatment against two isolates (M1-5 and M3-5) of B. cinerea inoculated on strawberry cv. Camarosa fruits. Results showed that both O. onites and Z. clinopodioides essential oils have a moderate to high impact on the prevention of gray mold. The oils were also found to have a slight to moderate impact on weight loss and the loss of soluble solids concentration. Overall, the results demonstrated that the tested oils are a potential biodegradable alternative to fungicides.

This study was carried out in Iğdır University Şehit Bülent Yurtseven Campus to investigate the effects of different mulch materials on weed control, cucumber yield and soil temperature and moisture in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cultivation in 2020 and 2021. Five mulch materials (Linen cover, peat, chopped paper, straw and fresh clipping grass) were used in the study. Temperature and humidity data loggers were used in the study. The research was established in a randomized complete block design with 7 characters and 4 replications. In the both years of the study, the effects of mulch applications on weed dry weights and cucumber yield and some yield components were determined. As a result of the study, a total of 12 weed species belonging to 7 families were determined in the trial area. Accordingly, the effects of mulching on weed dry weight and cucumber yield were significant for both years (p

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of different organic mulch materials and thicknesses in controlling weeds, improving soil temperature and moisture, and increasing crop yield in Capsicum annuum L. cultivation. The experiment was conducted in 2022, using three types of mulch materials (grass, chopped paper, wheat straw) and three different thicknesses (5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm). A total of 22 weed species were identified in the experimental area, and statistical analysis revealed significant differences in all parameters between the mulch treatments and the control group. The use of organic mulch resulted in better weed control, with an increase in mulch thickness corresponding to greater suppression of annual weed species. The highest effect on weed dry weight was observed in the 15-cm paper mulch, which also produced the highest yield (3940.48 kg/da). The study also showed that soil temperature was lower and soil moisture was higher in all mulch treatments compared to the bare soil control group, with some fluctuations observed at times. Overall, the findings suggest that the use of organic mulch is crucial in arid and semi-arid regions for effective weed control, water conservation, improved water efficiency, reduced soil evaporation, and increased pepper yield.

Weeds are a significant problem in eggplant ( Solanum melongena L.) cultivation, causing high yield losses and negatively affecting plant growth. This study aimed to assess the effects of different mulching materials and thicknesses on weed control and plant yield in eggplant cultivation. Three mulching materials [wheat straw (WS), grass clippings (CTG) and shredded paper (CP)] were applied at three thicknesses (5 cm, 10 cm and 15 cm). Parameters, such as weed density, dry weight and eggplant yield, were assessed during and after eggplant cultivation. Mulching was effective in reducing weed density and dry weight, with 15 cm CTG being the most effective. The most effective weed control was achieved using the CTG-15 mulching material. While Sorghum halepense L. maintained high densities even <15 cm thick mulches, Xanthium strumarium L., Convolvulus arvensis L. and other species were effectively controlled with mulch thicknesses of ≥5 cm. Additionally, significant increases in eggplant yield were observed with mulching applications. The application of CTG resulted in the highest yield (15 cm: 83.20 t · ha ⁻¹ ) of all mulch types, with an average yield that was 75% higher than the control plot. A negative relationship was found between weed density and dry weight and eggplant yield. These findings emphasise the practical value of selecting the right mulch material and thickness to enhance yield and suppress weeds effectively.

Yabancı otlar domateste (Solanum lycopersicum L.) önemli verim ve kalite kayıplarına sebep olup, hasat işlemlerini de zorlaştırmaktadır. Organik sebze üretiminde yabancı otlarla mücadele yöntemlerinden biride malçlamadır. Bundan dolayı bu çalışmayı 2020 ve 2021 yıllarında Iğdır’da domateste farklı kalınlıktaki farklı malç materyallerinin domates verimi ve yabancı otlar üzerindeki etkileri belirlemek amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Çalışma kapsamında üç farklı malç materyali (kırpılmış kâğıt, çim ve buğday samanı) ve üç farklı kalınlıkları (5 cm – 10 cm – 15 cm) kullanılmıştır. Çalışma sonucunda her iki yılda da malç materyallerinin etkileri SÇKM hariç diğer parametreler üzerinde istatistiki olarak fark %1 düzeyinde önemli bulunmuştur. Deneme alanında 9 familyaya ait 16 yabancı ot türü tespit edilmiştir. Deneme alanında her iki yılda da Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers., Xanthium strumarium L. ve Chenopodium album L. yabancı ot türleri yoğun olarak görülmüştür. Yapılan sayımlarda genel olarak yabancı ot yoğunluklarında artış olup, yabancı ot yoğunluğu malç materyallerine ve kalınlıklara göre değişiklik göstermiş ve en düşük yabancı ot yoğunlukları kalınlıkları fazla olan parsellerde gözlemlenmiştir. Yabancı ot kuru ağırlıkları üzerine en yüksek yüzde etki oranları ilk yıl %91,11 oran ile Saman 15 cm, ikinci yıl %91,40 oran ile Kâğıt 15 cm parsellerinde belirlenmiştir. Çalışmada en yüksek domates verimleri ilk yıl 6075 kg/da ile Çim 15 cm ve ikinci yıl 5.740,48 kg/da ile Kâğıt 15 cm parsellerinden elde edilmiştir. Ayrıca her iki yılda da en düşük domates verimleri yabancı otlu kontrol parsellerinde elde edilmiştir. Sonuç olarak malç materyallerinin kalınlıkları arttıkça yabancı ot yoğunlukları ve kuru ağırlıklarında azalma meydana gelmektedir.

Study was carried out in two different locations (L1: Yüzbaşılar village and L2: TUAM (Iğdır University Agricultural Application and Research Center) in 2020 to determine the effect of different waste mulch materials on weed control and tomato yield. In the study, five different mulch materials (tree of heaven, fine sawdust, wood chips, shredded paper and sheep wool) were used. Each plot has weed and weed-free control group. The effects of mulching on weeding, weed dry weight, yield (kg/da), fruit weight (gr) and number of fruit per plant (pieces) were investigated. Three counts were made to determine the weed density in the plots. As a result of the study, a total of 17 weed species belonging to 9 families were determined in the experimental areas. As a result of the counts, it was observed that Sorghum halepense L., Convolvulus arvensis L. and Xanthium strumarium L. weeds emerged the most in the plots where the mulch materials were laid. Depending on the location, the lowest density among the weed density counts was obtained from the paper plots. In the study, the lowest average weed dry weight among the mulch materials was paper (L1: 97.63; L2: 73.12 gr/m2), the highest average was tree of paradise (L1: 191.87; L2: 165.27 gr/m2) plots. As a result of the study, the best results in tomato yield (L1: 6.078.50; L2: 6.807.87 kg/da) and fruit weight (L1: 142.67; L2: 147.35 gr)) were obtained in the use of paper mulch. The highest number of fruits per plant was obtained in the use of wood chips (L1: 45.774.83/ pieces) and tree of heaven leaves (L2: 46.627.41/pieces). The fact that mulch applications give better results than control groups suggests that mulches will be much more beneficial for controlling weeds and improving fruit yield and quality.