This study examines the relationship between catalase activity in degraded soils and soil properties, and addresses its potential as an indicator of soil health and productivity. Catalase, a key enzyme reflecting microbial activity and soil aeration, has been analyzed in 30 soil samples collected from the disturbed surface layer (0-15 cm depth) of erosion-prone areas characterized by rubble accumulation on hill slopes and soil compaction in foot slopes. The soil in the study area is classified as Typic Xerortent. Catalase enzyme activity in the soil samples varied between 10.4 and 48 µl O2 g-1 dry soil. In addition to catalase, the physicochemical properties of the soil were also assessed, including pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter content, and texture. Nutrient contents, including nitrogen (0.046-0.239 g N 100 g-1), phosphorus (1.77-20.05 µg P g-1), and potassium (0.01-3.31 meq K 100 g-1), were also measured. A positive correlation was observed between catalase activity and potassium and phosphorus levels, but the relationship with nitrogen was statistically insignificant. These findings suggest that catalase activity can serve as a biological indicator for the early detection of degradation in soils at risk of erosion. The study provides valuable insights into the impact of erosion on soil biochemistry and highlights the role of catalase in assessing soil health and guiding sustainable land management practices.

The health and vitality of callus growth is one of the prerequisites for the success of further in vitro studies. This study investigated the efficiency of different percentage (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) of vermicompost tea as an organic substance on in vitro callus growth in sainfoin. Morpho-physiological responses of calli to vermicompost tea measured under in vitro conditions. As a result of this investigation, a combination of plant growth regulators (4 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l NAA) with 20% of vermicompost tea causing significant callus initiation and growth in sainfoin stem explants. Under the light of these scientific findings, vermicompost tea might be used as an organic bio stimulant for efficient callus growth and complementary to commercial chemical hormones in sainfoin. This research is important due to it can contribute positively to the plant species that are difficult in terms of callus growth and plant regeneration in tissue culture.

An Alternative Honeybee Product for the Treatment of Mastitis: Propolis Ekin VAROL Çağrı KANDEMİR Turgay TAŞKIN Banu YÜCEL Enhanced Characteristics and Evaluation Parameters of Vermicompost Fevziye Şüheda HEPŞEN TÜRKAY Applications of Blue Biotechnology in Human Health Mustafa ÜSTÜNDAĞ The Role of Biostimulants in Enhancing Yield, Quality, and Stress Tolerance in Sustainable Vegetable Production Suat SENSOY Agriculture 4.0 and Viticulture: the Current Status of Digital Technologies And Future Perspectives Ruhan Ilknur GAZIOGLU SENSOY Faunistic and Floristic Diversity Around the Marble Quarries in the Vicinity of Lake Yarişli (Burdur, Türkiye) Ümit KEBAPÇI Neslihan BALPINAR

This study evaluates the technical feasibility of decentralized vermicompost production by smallholder farmers within a structured rural development program. Conducted under the KOP-TEYAP initiative in Kırşehir Province, Türkiye, the research assesses whether farmers can consistently produce vermicompost that meets international quality standards following a participatory training and infrastructure support model. Fourteen farmers, selected through a merit-based process from 232 trainees, were provided with standardized production units. The produced vermicompost was analyzed for critical chemical parameters (pH, EC, organic matter, C:N ratio, K, Cu, Zn) and biological indicators (basal CO₂ respiration, microbial biomass carbon) and benchmarked against regulations from the EU, France, Germany, Austria, Canada, India, and Türkiye. Results indicated that the majority of farmer-produced samples successfully met the critical thresholds for chemical quality and safety. Furthermore, biological maturity was confirmed by low basal respiration levels and high microbial biomass across the samples. These findings demonstrate that structured farmer training combined with standardized low-cost infrastructure enables smallholders to reliably produce high-quality vermicompost, validating this model as an effective agroecological strategy for rural development.

Heat treatment of vermicompost and cow manure is mandated before their use as fertilizers to address the risk of pathogenicity in vermicompost derived from cow manure. While vermicomposting under mesophilic conditions does not significantly reduce microorganisms or degrade enzymes and proteins, organic matter passing through the earthworm's digestive system is effectively composted and sterilized. This study focused on cow manure and subjected it to three heat treatments: 25 °C (HT1), 70 °C for 1 hour (HT2), and 121 °C at 1.5 atm for 15 minutes (HT3). We assessed these treatments over five incubation periods (0, 7, 15, 30, and 45 days) on earthworm (Eisenia fetida L.) biomass, juvenile counts, and cocoon production. The results showed that all earthworms in HT3 died at the second incubation, while the HT1 and HT2 groups survived. Cocoon counts in HT1 and HT2 increased with each period (P<0.01). Remarkably, the number of cocoons in the control group exceeded that of the HT2 group throughout the study (P<0.01), highlighting the significant impact of heat treatment on vermicompost quality and earthworm productivity. Earthworm productivity was significantly affected by the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N), organic carbon (%), total nitrogen (%), NH4⁺-N, and NO3⁻-N. Elevated NH4⁺-N from heat treatments had a negative effect on earthworm activity.

This study investigates the effects of vermicompost on the chemical and biological properties of soils, their nutrient content, and the effects on the growth and phenolic content of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Using a controlled experimental setup, we tested five dosages of vermicompost (0%, 4%, 12%, 20%, and 24%, w/w) to evaluate their influence on soil biological activity by measuring basal respiration (CO2-C), microbial biomass C (MBC-C), and dehydrogenase activity (DHA) as well as basil's growth parameters and total phenolic content (TPC). The results show that vermicompost addition to soil enhanced soil microbial activity in direct proportion to the dose of vermicompost. The application of lower dosages of vermicompost (4% and 12%) significantly enhanced both fresh and dry weights. However, higher dosages (20% and 24%) were associated with reduced growth metrics. Notably, the highest vermicompost concentration (24%) led to a substantial increase in total phenolic content (TPC) in basil leaves, correlating with decreased growth metrics. The values for CO2-C, MBC-C, and DHA were determined as 0.135, 20.756, and 12.806, respectively, at the highest solid vermicompost application dose of 24%. Fresh and dry weight were determined at 12% vermicompost application, and plant height and leaf length were also determined at 12% vermicompost application. The TPC showed a remarkable increase at the 24% application dose. This response indicates a defense mechanism of the plant against oxidative stress caused by excess nutrients or salinity from the vermicompost. A multiple regression analysis following a correlation analysis also revealed an inversely proportional relationship between phosphorus content in the soil and total phenolic content in basil leaves. Our findings illustrate that while moderate vermicompost dosages optimize plant growth and health, higher concentrations can strategically enhance phenolic content due to nutrient overload or salt-induced stress. These results offer critical insights for tailoring organic amendment applications to balance plant growth and biochemical properties in agricultural practices.