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Yields and Bioactive Substances of Selected European Asparagus Cultivars Grown for Green Spear Production as Influenced by of Post-Harvest Drip Irrigation on Sandy Soil in Central Poland
The Importance of Rainwater Harvesting and Its Usage Possibilities: Antalya Example (Turkey)
The significance and effective use of water, one of the most basic requirements for sustaining vital activities, is gaining importance every day. Population growth and unprogrammed industrialization accelerate the consumption of available water resources. However, drought, as a result of climate change, poses a threat to water resources. Factors such as the exhaustibility of water resources, rapid population growth, unscheduled industrialization and drought increase the tendency towards alternative water resources. Rainwater harvesting is based on the principle of using the rainwater falling into the regions after it is stored. Water collected through rain harvesting can be utilized in many different areas, such as agricultural irrigation, landscape irrigation and domestic use. Among agricultural activities, the idea of water harvesting in greenhouse areas comes to the fore. Due to the gutters on the greenhouse roofs, water can be stored. In Antalya, which has about half of the greenhouses in Turkey, the amount of water in the rain harvest that can be obtained in greenhouses is 224,992,795.8 m3 per year. Monthly calculations throughout the year showed that the minimum water can be harvested in August (938,447.53 m3) and the maximum (54,771,210 m3) in December. Therefore, it is thought that some plant water consumption can be met by building sufficient storage in areas close to the greenhouse.
The effects of high temperature and low humidity on crop water stress index of seed pumpkin plants (Cucurbita pepo L.) in semi-arid climate conditions
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of high temperature and low humidity on the crop water stress index (CWSI) of seed pumpkin plants grown under semi-arid climate conditions to determine the optimum irrigation time. This research unveils the critical impact of high temperature and low humidity on seed pumpkin growth, emphasizing the vital role of the CWSI in optimizing irrigation strategies and seed yield. Moreover, the relationship between CWSI, physiological parameters, and seed yield of the pumpkin was investigated. The mean CWSI values in the I70 (0.40) and I35 (0.56) treatments were 42% and 100% higher, respectively than those in the full irrigation (I100) treatment (0.28). While the I70 treatment showed manageable water stress with minimal impact, the I35 treatment experienced severe stress, significantly reducing crop growth and yield. The mean seed yield (SY) in the I70 treatment increased to 1245.2 kg ha–1 compared to I35 (903.3 kg ha–1) but remained lower than I100 (1339.3 kg ha–1). The CWSI had negative correlations (p ≤ 0.01) with seed yield, chlorophyll content, and leaf area index, while it had positive correlations with water use efficiency and irrigation water use efficiency (p ≤ 0.01). This study showed that pumpkins could be grown successfully at 30% water deficit conditions, and a water deficit higher than 30% may cause a significant seed yield loss in semi-arid climate conditions. In addition, the results highlight the importance of optimal irrigation and CWSI monitoring for informed irrigation decisions and sustainable agricultural practices. Therefore, moderate water deficit (I70) can be adopted in pumpkin cultivation as an alternative to full irrigation.
Evaluation of Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) for High Tunnel Greenhouse Tomatoes under Different Irrigation Levels
An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of water stress on yield and various physiological parameters, including the crop water stress index for tomatoes in the Central Anatolian region of Turkey. For this purpose, the irrigation schedule used in this study includes 120%, 100%, 80%, and 60% (I120, I100, I80, I60) of evaporation from the gravimetrically. Water deficit was found to cause a stress effect in tomato plants, which was reflected in changes in plants’ morphological and pomological function (such as stem diameter, fruit weight, pH, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids). Irrigation levels had a significant effect on the total yield of tomatoes. The lowest water use efficiency (WUE) was obtained from the I60, while the highest WUE was found in the I100 irrigation level. The CWSI was calculated using an empirical approach from measurements of infrared canopy temperatures, ambient air temperatures, and vapor pressure deficit values for four irrigation levels. The crop water stress index (CWSI) values ranged from −0.63 to a maximum value of 0.53 in I120, from −0.27 to 0.63 in I100, from 0.06 to 0.80 in I80, and from 0.37 to 0.97 in I60. There was a significant relation between yield and CWSI. The yield was correlated with mean CWSI values, and the linear equation Total yield = −2398.9CWSI + 1240.4 can be used for yield prediction. The results revealed that the CWSI value was useful for evaluating crop water stress in tomatoes and predicting yield.
Calculation of the Potential Biogas and Electricity Values of Animal Wastes: Turkey and Poland Case
This research aimed to analyze the potential amount of electrical energy from biogas energy obtained from animal wastes in Turkey and Poland. Animal waste values were calculated by taking into account the recommended literature values. In determining the biomass energy potential of livestock enterprises in Turkey and Poland, FAO’s 2012–2021 data were taken into account. The animal breeds selected as material in this study were cattle, goat, sheep, chicken, duck, goose, turkey, horse, pig, mule and donkey. Considering 10-year calculations, the potential amount of biogas energy that can be obtained from animal wastes for Turkey is 28,845,975 GJ, which is equivalent to 8,105,058 MWh of electrical energy. In Poland, the potential amount of biogas energy that can be generated from animal waste is 13,999,612 GJ, which is equivalent to 3,902,020 MWh of electricity. Moreover, it is estimated that the percentage of the potential amount of electricity to be obtained in 2021 to cover the amount of electricity consumed is 0.303% for Turkey and 0.392% for Poland. For 2021, the amount of economic gains that can be from electricity obtained was also calculated, and it was determined that this value can be 78,650,302 Euro for Turkey and 62,182,435 Euro for Poland. At the same time, it was calculated that the electricity needs of 406,170 houses in Turkey and 171,958 houses in Poland can be met in 2021. As a result, it is thought that the potential electricity to be obtained will contribute to determining energy gains and investment plans for biogas plants.
Determination of the Effects of Different Irrigation Levels and Vermicompost Doses on Water Consumption and Yield of Greenhouse-Grown Tomato
This study was conducted in pots under a polycarbonate greenhouse to determine the effects of different irrigation levels and vermicompost doses on the morphological and phenological characteristics, water consumption, water use efficiency, and yield parameters of tomato plants. For this purpose, different irrigation levels of 100%, 75%, 50% (I100: full irrigation, I75, I50) and vermicompost (VC) doses of 0, 10% and 20% (VC0, VC10 and VC20, w/w) were applied as the treatments. The study’s results determined the irrigation levels and vermicompost doses affected the tomato plants’ morphological and fruit quality parameters. The highest and lowest plant water consumption (ET) values for the treatments were determined as 47.8 L (I100VC10) and 21.2 L (I50VC0), respectively. Moreover, irrigation water levels and vermicompost doses significantly influenced the total yield of tomatoes. The highest and lowest total and marketable yields were obtained from the I100VC20 and I50VC0 irrigation levels and vermicompost doses. Similarly, the highest and lowest total water use efficiencies were achieved from the I100VC20 (21.9 g L−1) and I50VC0 (11.0 g L−1) treatments. Furthermore, the highest and lowest marketable water use efficiencies were obtained from the I100VC20 (21.9 g L−1) and I50VC0 (7.8 g L−1) treatments. The yield response factor (ky) was found to be 1.42. Although the highest efficiency was achieved from 100% full irrigation and a 20% vermicompost dose in the study, it is suggested that 75% irrigation level and 10% fertilizer doses can also be applied in places where water is limited and fertilizer is expensive. The results revealed that the appropriate irrigation level and vermicompost doses could reliably be used to enhance tomato yield.
Determination of the Effect of a Thermal Curtain Used in a Greenhouse on the Indoor Climate and Energy Savings
In order to reduce the impact of outdoor extreme weather events on crop production in winter, energy saving in greenhouses that are regularly heated is of great importance in reducing production costs and carbon footprints. For this purpose, the variations in indoor temperature, relative humidity and dew point temperature in the vertical direction (2 m, 4 m, 5.7 m) of thermal curtains in greenhouses were determined. In addition, depending on the fuel used, the curtains’ effects on heat energy consumption, heat transfer coefficient, carbon dioxide equivalents released to the atmosphere and fuel cost were investigated. To reach this goal, two greenhouses with the same structural features were designed with and without thermal curtains. As a result of the study, the indoor temperature and relative humidity values in the greenhouse with a thermal curtain increased by 1.3 °C and 10% compared to the greenhouse without a thermal curtain. Thermal curtains in the greenhouse significantly reduced fuel use (59.14–74.11 m3·night−1). Considering the heat energy consumption, the average heat energy consumption was 453.7 kWh·night−1 in the greenhouse with a curtain, while it was 568.6 kWh·night−1 in the greenhouse without a curtain. The average heat transfer coefficient (U) values were calculated at 2.87 W·m−2 °C with a thermal curtain and 3.63 W·m−2 °C without a thermal curtain greenhouse. In the greenhouse, closing the thermal curtain at night resulted in heat energy savings of about 21%, related to the decrease in U values. The use of a thermal curtain in the greenhouse reduced the amount of CO2 released to the atmosphere (116.6–146.1 kg·night−1) and fuel cost (USD 21.3–26.7·night−1). To conclude, extreme weather events in the outdoor environment adversely affect the plants grown in greenhouses where cultivation is performed out of season. A thermal curtain, used to reduce these adverse effects and the amount of energy consumed, is essential in improving indoor climate conditions, providing more economical greenhouse management and reducing the CO2 released into the atmosphere due to fuel use.