Analysis of Energy Use Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Lemon ( L.) Production in Turkey
The purpose of this study was to determine the energy use efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions of lemon production. It was performed during the 2019-2020 production period in Turkey. The agricultural inputs and outputs used in lemon production were calculated to determine the energy use efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions. According to study findings, the energy inputs in lemon production were calculated respectively as 16,046.98 MJ ha (55.43%) chemical fertilizers energy, 4168.93 MJ ha (14.40%) chemicals energy, 2815.20 MJ ha (9.72%) electricity energy, 2740.42 MJ ha (9.47%) diesel fuel energy, 1864.80 MJ ha (6.44%) irrigation water energy, 705.67 MJ ha (2.44%) machinery energy and 610.20 MJ ha (2.11%) human labour energy. Total input energy and output energy were calculated as 28,952.20 MJ ha and 60,165.40 MJ ha, respectively. Energy use efficiency, specific energy, energy productivity and net energy values were calculated respectively as 2.08, 0.91 MJ kg, 1.09 kg MJ and 31,213.20 MJ ha. The consumed total energy inputs in lemon production can be categorized as 27.74% direct, 72.26% indirect, 8.55% renewable and 91.45% non-renewable. Total greenhouse gas emissions were calculated as 2650.96 kgCOha for lemon production, with the greatest share for nitrogen 950.62 kgCOha (35.86%). Based on the study findings, it was concluded that lemon production in 2019-2020 production season was profitable in terms of energy use efficiency (2.08). Greenhouse gas emission ratio (per kg) was calculated as 0.08. This study is important since there is no study on the energy balance and greenhouse gas emissions in lemon production in Muğla province, Turkey.
Relationship Between Mass Loss and Fruit Quality of Sweet Orange at Two Different Storage Conditions
Mass loss from fresh produce is linked to a reduction of its aesthetic value. However, a relationship between mass loss and biochemical quality parameters at different storage conditions has not been widely explored. Therefore, the current study is designed with the objectives to determine the behavior of fruit quality parameters and a relationship between fruit mass loss and fruit quality at two different storage conditions. Sweet orange fruit stored in a zero energy cool chamber (ZECC) had greater shelf-life of more than 15 days, fruit size (62.40 mm) and peel (35.15%) and lower mass loss (4.94%), juice (32.19%) and electrical conductivity (EC) (2.06 S/m) as compared to ambient conditions in laboratory during 25 days of storage. In ZECC, only EC was positively correlated (r = 0.57) with mass loss, whereas at room temperature EC (r = 0.76), total soluble solids (TSS) (r = 0.60) and fruit internal temperature (r = 0.64) were positively and peel (%) (r = -0.52) and fruit diameter (r = -0.49) were negatively correlated with mass loss. Correlation of combined storage conditions revealed that EC (r = 0.47) and TSS (r = 0.50) were positively and peel (%) (r = -0.77) and fruit diameter (r = -0.55) were negatively correlated with mass loss (%). The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the scores of room temperature were strongly associated with TSS, pH, EC, mass loss (%), juice (%) and internal temperature (°C), whereas scores of ZECC were strongly associated with pulp (%), ascorbic acid (mg 100 mL), acidity (%), and fruit diameter (mm).
Internal Factors Affecting Competitiveness in Agribusinesses: A Case Study in the Hazelnut Sector in Ordu and Giresun Provinces of Turkey
The study's primary purpose is to reveal the factors affecting the competitiveness of hazelnut agribusiness enterprises. The data used in the research were obtained from surveys with 51 enterprises in Ordu and Giresun provinces, Turkey. The enterprises were divided into competitive and non-competitive with a two-step cluster analysis. Indices were calculated to measure enterprises' competitiveness, and the t‑test was used to compare enterprises' characteristics and competitiveness values. The research results indicated that the size of the enterprises, implementation of corporate governance processes, support for personnel development, employment of qualified personnel, differentiated process management, robust information technologies infrastructure, and using e‑commerce applications increased the competitiveness. The research results confirmed that the competitiveness of enterprises was affected not only by financial indicators but also by internal factors within the enterprise. The non-competitive enterprises focused on low-cost production and overlooked other internal and external factors necessary for competitiveness. The hazelnut enterprises could increase their competitiveness by investing in e‑commerce and information technologies infrastructure by prioritizing personnel and corporate management processes.
The Link Between Geographic Indication, Sustainability, and Multifunctionality: The Case of Table Olive Groves in Western Turkey
As in all branches of agricultural production, it is thought that the concepts of sustainability, geographical indication, and multifunctionality are very important in table olive farming. The main purpose of this study is to examine the holistic and organic link between geographic indication, sustainability, and multifunctionality parameters in table olive cultivation. Table olive production supplied by Manisa has unique attributes. Of the 12 varieties of table olives with geographical indication registration in Turkey, two belong to Akhisar district. These cultivars are named 'Akhisar Domat Zeytini' and 'Akhisar Uslu Zeytini'. Therefore, Akhisar district was chosen as the study area. A survey was conducted with a total of 121 olive farmers between February and July 2020. In the survey questions, besides continuous and discrete data, the answers and data obtained from the questions formed with the yes/no options were evaluated. Basic descriptive statistics such as arithmetic mean and percentage rates were used in the analysis. It can be emphasized that table olive farming in the region has become an important habit and culture that has a long cultivation experience. The effects of parameters such as marketing possibilities and price advantages are very important. The fertilization and plant protection practices are carried out in a coordinated manner in the region and with as little damage to the environment as possible. It is clarified that geographical indications are an important tool in the sustainability of table olive cultivation and that the principle of multifunctionality in agriculture is ensured by keeping the farmers in table olive farming.
[Effect of Soil Contamination on the Reflective Properties of Reflective Groundcovers]
The objective of the present work was to study the effects of contamination on the reflective properties of groundcovers used for enhancing fruit colouration in the orchard. Contamination also affects longevity and possible sustainable re-use of materials. A white, woven textile (polypropylene Lumilys™) and silver aluminium foil were experimentally contaminated with soil, similar to the situation after an autumn storm in a fruit orchard. Clean material served as control.Using a spectrophotometer (StellarNet; Tampa, FL, USA), vertically directed (0°) and diffuse (45°) was compared from clean and contaminated groundcover . Reflection from vertically directed aluminium foil exceeded that of Lumilys™; however, the highest reflection in all spectral measurements was at 45° (diffuse) from the clean woven textile, i.e., in all directions, and exceeded that of aluminium foil. In contrast, the contaminated vertically directed (0°) aluminium foil reflected less light than the clear foil but, surprisingly, reflected much more light at 45° than the clean foil. Both materials showed reflection peaks at 625-640 nm; light spectra and peaks remained unchanged irrespective of soil contamination. was concomitantly measured at CKA Klein-Altendorf near Bonn (50°N), Germany, at 0.5 m and 1 m height using a portable TRP‑3 light sensor (PP-Systems, Amesbury, MA, USA) on sunny and cloudy days at a solar angle of 49°. Surprisingly, in these field measurements, Lumilys and aluminium foil reflected most light in both directions (0° and 45°) when slightly to moderately contaminated. Only with heavy contamination did the reflection decrease. Both groundcovers reflected more light than the grass in alleyways of fruit orchards or open soil under the trees. was examined in parallel in the field using an X1 optometer (Gigahertz Optik, Türkenfels, Deutschland), as it enhances anthocyanin biosynthesis and red fruit colouration in combination with PAR and low temperature. Straight (0°) UV‑B reflection from aluminium foil exceeded that from white woven textile (Lumilys™) on both clear and overcast autumn days. As expected, straight (0°) UV‑B reflection from aluminium foil decreased with soil contamination to a certain extent, but it unexpectedly increased from the woven textile with soil contamination.Surface roughness in dependence of contamination was measured non-destructively by a profilometer type VR5200 (Keyence, Osaka, Japan). The roughness index, Sa, increased from 22 to 28 µm with soil contamination of the woven textile and from to 2 to 11 µm with aluminium foil, possibly explaining differences in the observed reflectivity.Overall, the expected severe decline in light reflection (PAR and UV-B) was not seen. In contrast, light (2-3 g soil/m) and moderate (4-12 g soil/m) contamination improved light reflection of PAR (400-700 nm) and UV‑B (280-315 nm) by woven textile (Lumilys™) and aluminum foil. Thus, with slight contamination the materials can be reused, whereas severe contamination (24-51 g soil/m) reduces light reflection.