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To boost our understanding of recent frost damage events in apricot trees, we focused on estimating the cell death point in the receptacle and pistil organs of apricots by simulating the unexpected temperature changes occurring in early spring under laboratory-based freezing experiments. The hypothesis also that organic acids (oxalic, propionic, tartaric, butyric, malonic, malic, lactic, citric, maleic, fumaric and succinic acids) and soluble sugar compositions (glucose, fructose, sucrose and total sugar) may directly stimulate the change of the frost tolerance in apricot receptacle and pistil organs was investigated using two apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivars, one tolerant to frost (‘Igdir Salak’) and the other sensitive to frost (‘Mihralibey’). Our results indicated that the mean the cell death point (CDP) of flower pistil (from −13.26 to −14.18 °C) was at lower temperatures than those of flower receptacle (from −6.28 to −8.65 °C) in both apricot cultivars during the full blooming stage. In both apricot cultivars, receptacle organs showed more sensitive changes to the frost tolerance in response to low temperatures compared with pistil organs. In terms of organic acid and soluble sugar contents, significant differences were determined for both apricot cultivars and between the pistil and the receptacle organs of the flowers. Organic acid content was higher in the freezing-tolerant apricot cultivar (‘Igdir Salak’) than the freezing-sensitive apricot cultivar (‘Mihralibey’), but it was lower in the freezing-tolerant organ (pistil) in comparison with the freezing-sensitive organ (receptacle). Moreover, fructose concentrations for both ‘Mihralibey’ and ‘Igdir Salak’ were significantly higher in the receptacle compared to the pistil. A significant negative correlation was also observed between the mean CDP values and both all organic acids and sucrose contents in the pistil and the receptacle organs for both apricot cultivars. There was a positive relationship between the CDP values and fructose content in ‘Igdir Salak’. Additionally, there was a negative correlation between the CDP values and sucrose in 'Mihralibey'. Overall, the data presented suggest that the high level of sucrose and organic acid content of receptacle and pistil organs contributes to support frost tolerance of organs. The results of this study could help in the understanding of how receptacle and pistil organs of two different apricot cultivars react to frost stress, and how they modulate their soluble sugar and organic acid metabolism.

The objectives of this study was to compare bud death of four different grapevine cultivars (’Bronx Seedless’, ’Cardinal’, ’Autumn Royal’, ’Superior Seedless’) after the winter cold of 2018–2019, and was to investigate the relationship between bud death and water content, the presence of lateral shoot and soluble carbohydrates of dormant buds. Bud death rates were determined after exposure to winter temperatures by using binocular microscope after opening buds with a razor blade. Significant differences (p ≤ 0.0) were found among the low temperature hardiness of dormant buds at nodes with or without lateral shoots of four grape cultivar following winter cold. This investigation illustrates that buds in nodes with lateral shoots were bud death at higher temperatures than buds in nodes without lateral shoots. It is revealed that buds in nodes with lateral shoots had less tolerance to winter temperatures. Cultivars were classified as hardy (’Bronx Seedless’ and ’Cardinal’), moderately hardy (’Superior Seedless’) and least hardy (’Autumn Royal’) based on the bud mortality rates. It was observed that water and soluble carbohydrate contents were much higher in the buds in nodes without lateral shoots against to buds in nodes with lateral shoots in cold hardy cultivars namely ’Bronx Seedless’, ’Cardinal’ compared to the other cultivars. The pattern of water content and soluble carbohydrates were highly consistent with the bud death rate. The correlation analysis of cold hardiness indices with bud mortality indicated that the bud death rate is positively correlated with water content and is negatively correlated with soluble carbohydrate content. Because of the presence of lateral shoots reduces the resistance of buds to low temperatures, it is highly suggested to those who grow with these varieties could remove the lateral shoots in time period of summer pruning in cold regions.

The apricots growing in different environments face the risk of frost in spring months. There is limited information about how floral organ structures of apricots are protected from frost injury during late spring frosts. As a solution related this matter, the cell death points (CDPs) of some apricot flower organs (pedicel, receptacle, petal, stamen and pistil) at different development phases (first white, first bloom and full bloom) were described for the first time using differential thermal analysis under temperature-controlled, laboratory-based freeze assays. The CDPs were clearly identified for the different apricot cultivars that were evaluated during all blooming phase. In order, from the most sensitive flower organs to the least sensitive on average, were the receptacle, pedicel, petal, stamen and pistil organs. Moreover, a significant cultivar effect was found on freeze damage to most of the flower parts. Under laboratory-based freeze assays, the CDP initially occurred in the receptacle of the apricot flower and ranged from -1.9 to -11.7 °C. The pistil, the most tolerant flower organs, however, remained tolerant of low temperatures range of -6.6 to -17.0 °C, the lowest temperature tested in the research. Overall, flowering organs of ‘Erzincan Tokaloglu’ was the most sensitive to freezing, whereas flowering organs of ‘Igdir Salak’ and ‘Sekerpare’ were the most freezing-tolerant. The DTA assays indicated that the receptacles are much less frost resistant than other flower organs, and especially in contrast to pistils, are not cold tolerant. The CDP of floral organs in apricot is an effective mechanism that protects developing offspring from possible cold injury result of episodic late spring freezing events. In conclusion, cultivar variability effects on frost tolerance of open apricot flowers were defined, which can be exploited in breeding programs to improve the cold hardiness.

To the better management of spring frost problem in the apricot cultivars, evaluation of biochemical changes in flower and/or flower organs during bud break could be one of the key factors. In this study, the relationship between the biochemical metabolites such as amino acids and minerals in the receptacle and pistil organs of two different apricot cultivars (frost-sensitive and frost-tolerant) and their relative effects on the frost tolerance of the cultivars and their organs were investigated during full blooming stage. In both apricot cultivars, it was found that the cell death points (CDP) of flower receptacle (− 6.3 to − 8.4 °C) were at higher temperatures than the CDP of flower pistil organs (− 13.1 to − 14.5 °C). Receptacle organs in flower, therefore, had less tolerance to spring frost damage. In addition, significant differences in mineral and amino acid contents were detected both between apricot cultivars and between the receptacle and pistil organs of the cultivars. Amino acid and mineral contents were lower both in the freezing-sensitive apricot cultivar (“Mihralibey”) and the freezing-sensitive organ (receptacle) in comparison with the freezing-tolerant apricot cultivar (“Igdir Salak”) and the freezing-tolerant organ (pistil). A significant negative correlation was also observed between the mean CDP values and both amino acid and mineral contents in the receptacle and pistil organs of both apricot cultivars. A negative correlation was found between CDP values and glutamate from amino acids and N, K, and Mg from minerals, and also these were determined that they had positive effects on frost tolerance increase. An important finding from our work revealed that the amount of each mineral and amino acid allocated differently to the receptacle and pistil organs of the apricot cultivars. The understanding of the amino acids and the mineral dynamics may contribute to improving the tolerance of flowers of apricot or other deciduous species to frost damage during spring. In the future, we may conclude that protection strategies such as increasing amino acids and mineral content in the receptacle organ of flowers would be necessary to cope with the negative effects of spring frost.

Wild edible plant species found in Ağrı are nutritionally and economically relevant. Plants are collected by the villagers and brought to the market for sale in the spring. Interest in these plants responds to the increasing demand for organic and natural food. In this study, 350 in-depth face-to-face interviews with villagers about the edible plants used in Ağrı (7 districts, 35 villages) were conducted in the region from April 2016 to October 2017. The species, parts used and their consumption and preservation techniques were analyzed and documented. Some of the wild edible plant species are consumed cured or canned, raw or cooked, dried, and some are frozen. The collected 100 wild edible species belong to 25 different plant families. Species are consumed as vegetables (91), spices (19), beverages (16), subterranean parts (5), fruits (3), seeds (3) and exudates (2). The most important species according to their cultural importance were: Amaranthus retroflexus, Beta trigyna, Gundelia tournefortii, Mentha longifolia, Polygonum persicaria, Rumex scutatus, Tragopogon porrifolius subsp. longirostris, and Urtica dioica. Leaves and young shoots were the most frequently used parts. Our study shows that wild edible plants are still well known and used by the local people of Ağrı as a food source. The documented data on these plants herein could be used as baseline information for further investigations on nutritional contents, as they could have the potential to become valuable nutrition sources. Las plantas silvestres comestibles que se encuentran alrededor de Ağrı siguen siendo importantes para la alimentación y la economía local. Estas plantas son recolectadas por la población local y vendidas en el mercado en primavera. El interés por las plantas silvestres comestibles ha aumentado debido a la creciente demanda de alimentos orgánicos y naturales. En este estudio se realizaron 350 entrevistas cara a cara entre abril de 2016 y octubre de 2017 a habitantes de la región de Ağrı (7 distritos, 35 pueblos). Se analizaron y documentaron las especies empleadas, la partes comestibles y sus modos de preparación, conservación y consumo. La mayoría se consumen, pero también se toman crudas. También se procesan en forma de conservas, se secan o se congelan. Las 100 especies registradas pertenecen a 25 familias y se usan como verduras (91), condimentos (19), bebidas (16), órganos subterráneos (5), frutos (3), semillas (3 ) y exudados (2). Según su importancia cultural, las plantas más importantes son: Amaranthus retroflexus, Beta trigyna, Gundelia tournefortii, Mentha longifolia, Polygonum persicaria, Rumex scutatus, Tragopogon porrifolius subsp. longirostris, y Urtica dioica. Las hojas y brotes jóvenes son las partes más utilizadas. Estos resultados muestran que las plantas silvestres comestibles todavía son muy conocidas y utilizadas por la población local de Ağrı como fuente de alimento. Además, los datos recopilados sobre estas plantas podrían usarse para futuras investigaciones sobre sus contenidos nutricionales, ya que tienen el potencial de convertirse en valiosas fuentes de nutrientes.

The aim of this study was to confirm the hypothesis that pretest temperature changes could alter the cold hardiness of the grapevine dormant buds and eventually the result of differential thermal analysis (DTA) test. For this reason, dormant buds of 'Karaerik' grape cultivar were collected at different times and tested using different DTA procedures. Dormant buds taken at nine different sampling temperatures (8, 6, 5, 3, -1, -3, -4, -5, and -9 degrees C) were exposed to freezing test according to three DTA test approaches (TestA-A, TestA-4 and Test20-4, to represent ambient storage and ambient test, ambient storage and 4 degrees C test, and 20 +/- 2 degrees C storage and 4 degrees C test or standard DTA method, respectively) to verify our hypothesis in 2015-16 and 2016-17. The LTE (low temperature exotherm) temperatures were determined as the indicator of death of primary buds at grapevines' dormant buds, tested according to TestA-A approach, TestA-4 approach and Test20-4 approach (the standard methodology). It was found that temperature changes such as rapid cooling, warming and thawing in the TestA-4 approach, and warming-cooling and melting-cooling in the Test20-4 approach altered LTE values of dormant buds depending on the test start temperature. It was determined that the LTE values of dormant buds tested according to TestA-4 and Test20-4 approaches were higher than that of the ones tested with TestA-A approach. Compared to TestA-A approach, the LTE values of dormant buds were between 0.00 and 4.00 degrees C in the TestA-4 approach and 0.00 and 2.77 degrees C in the Test20-4 approach based on temperature changes. As a result, to achieve reliable, and consistent LTE results at DTA tests, it was determined that dormant buds should be brought into laboratory by keeping the temperatures at the sampling time, prepared for test at these temperatures and to start DTA test from these temperatures is a right approach.

Freezes during early spring can injury flower buds of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.). The reduction in apricot production owing to cold injury to flower buds can be significant and serious problem for apricot growers and is common and among commercial production in some regions of the Turkey. Therefore, in this study, using Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), freezing point (FT, LTEs), and/or freezing injuries in flower buds were determined at different development stages, such as first white, first bloom, and full bloom. Some domestic and foreign apricot cultivars tested were Hasanbey, Hacihaliloglu, Sekerpare, Erzincan Tokaloglu, Mihralibey, Salak and Roksana. With the development of flower buds, the frost tolerance of buds decreased, which indicates that their freezing point increased, and the frost tolerance of buds changed according to different phonological stages and apricot varieties. Additionally, cold tolerance of flower buds gradually decreased while their sensitivity to first white, first bloom and full bloom temperatures increased. The apricot cultivars were classified as hardy (Hacihaliloglu and Salak), moderately hardy (Hasanbey, Sekerpare and Roksana) and least hardy (Erzincan Tokaloglu and Mihralibey). The evidence illustrates that this investigation will provide a better comprehension of apricot frost tolerance and will assist to apricot growers in decision-making of frost control practices.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPR) and boron (Bio-B) on the plant freeze injury, antioxidant enzyme activity and fruit yield of grapevine cultivar. The experimental plot was acompletely randomized design with 5replicates. As atrial model Bio-B and control were used as fertilizer agent. Bio-B fertilizer has been applied in different ways as soil + foliar, soil and foliar application methods to grapevine plants. Data through 2 years trials results showed that the use of Bio-B significantly decreased freeze injury and increased antioxidant enzyme activity of grapevine leaf. The highest damage rate at control group occurred with -20 degrees C and 94.89% ratio. In the same temperature degree at grape plant, the damage ratio of the Bio-B application from soil decreased by 21.55%; the application from leaf by 25.53% and with the application from soil + leaf by 26.24%. In addition to this, compared with control, in the CAT, POD and SOD enzyme activities increases occurred with the ratios as 28.57%, 22.05% and 39.25%, respectively. Generally, as results of this study under field conditions, Bio-B fertilizer application decreased freeze injure and increased antioxidant enzyme activity of the grapevine plant.

The fine details of freezing behavior in flower buds during deacclimation and their exothermic characteristics are poorly understood with the use of differential thermal analysis (DTA). Understanding how spring frosts affect cold tolerance of flower buds is a fundamental question in deciduous fruit species and will be useful in developing cold-tolerant varieties and species. The occurrence of cell death point (CDP), bud death time (BDT) and exothermic characteristics in apple (Malus domestica L. 'Golden Delicious'), pear (Pyrus communis L. 'Santa Maria'), quince (Cydonia oblonga L. a native wild 'Type- 24'), sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L. 'Kutahya'), wild apricot (Prunus armeniaca L. 'Zerdali-24'), nectarine (Prunus persica var. nectarine L. 'Armking'), peach (Prunus persica L. 'Loring'), plum (Prunus salicina L. 'Formosa') and cherry (Prunus avium L. 'native wild type') flower buds in pink-white bloom and at the full bloom stages were determined using DTA. During controlled freezing of flower buds in deciduous fruit species one distinct freezing events (single exothermic peak) was detected by DTA, and it was considered the cell death point of the flower buds. The fruit species were classified as most (sour cherry, peach, quince and cherry), moderately hardy (apple and pear) and least hardy (wild apricot, plum and nectarine) according to tolerance to low temperatures. The highest mean BDT values of flower buds were observed in pear and nectarine species compared to other species. The flower buds of nectarine and pear species showed large and wider single exothermic peaks compared to quince, sour cherry, wild apricot, plum, apple, cherry and peach species. The single exotherms in the flower buds of the fruit species support the hypothesis that supercooling in buds is lost mainly starting with bud swell and usually spreads rapid ice nucleation into the flower buds due to established xylem continuity between the woody tissues and the bud scales. This hypothesis, however, reflects the complexity of the freezing process in flower buds, and so indicates that comprehensive observational studies are essential to understanding freezing tolerance traits in deciduous fruit species, after and during budbreak.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated changes in peroxidase (POX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities through adventitious rooting in hardwood cuttings of grapevine rootstocks. Three grapevine rootstocks with different propensity to produce adventitious roots were selected: recalcitrant (Ramsey), non-recalcitrant (Rupestris du Lot) and intermediate (99R) cultivars. RESULTS: The averages of root number at 65 days were 96 in Lot, 76 in 99R and 30 in Ramsey. Both enzyme activities characteristically increased before adventitious rooting, regardless of rooting ability of the rootstocks, and then decreased. POX activity increased in Ramsey cuttings at 22 days, in Lot and 99R cuttings at 14 days after planting, and then decreased gradually until 51 days. The highest POX activity was determined in Ramsey rootstock with the highest rooting ability and the lowest activity was determined in the rootstocks with the lowest rooting ability. PPO activity gradually increased in Ramsey rootstock cuttings from 10 days to 22 days, in Lot and 99R cuttings at 14 days, and then decreased until 51 days. A significant correlation was identified between high POX activity and adventitious rooting capability in rootstocks, but the same result was not determined with PPO activity. CONCLUSION: A recalcitrant rooting variety cannot increase POX activity sufficiently before rooting. Therefore applications that could increase POX activity in stem cuttings during rooting may facilitate increased rooting in such rootstocks. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry

Neonatal sepsis is one of the leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality in the newborn period. The purpose of this study was to compare a rapid bed-side test against central laboratory analysis for CRP in newborn infants with suspicion of sepsis.We included 23 newborn infants with suspected or proven sepsis (group 1). Age and gender matched 40 infants without sepsis were assigned as controls (group 2). A total of 116 blood samples (58 samples from each group) were drawn from the peripheral vein for C-reactive protein (CRP) measurements. For the NycoCard CRP tests, 5 microL of whole blood and the same amount of serum was used to determine the CRP value (wCRP-N and sCRP-N). As the reference CRP test, serum concentrations of CRP (CRP-Lab) were simultaneously measured by immunonephelometric method requiring 1 mL of serum sample. CRP valuesor = 10 mg/L were considered positive for all three tests.It was found that the median values of wCRP-N (18.9 mg/L), sCRP-N (25 mg/L), and CRP-Lab (22.2 mg/L) of group 1 were higher than group 2 (wCRP-N: 1.1 mg/L, sCRP-N: 5 mg/L, and CRP-Lab: 2.9 mg/L) (p0.001). Nycocard-CRP were positively correlated with CRP-Lab. With considering CRP-Lab positive at10 mg/L, both CRP-NycoCard tests have high sensitivity and specificity, although sCRP-N has slightly higher predictive values. Passing-Bablok regression and Bland-Altman analysis showed that NycoCard tests have no statistically significant systematic proportional bias.Nycocard-CRP tests have high predictive values, require a very small amount of blood, and results can be obtained quickly. Determinations of CRP concentrations by NycoCard-CRP test seems to be helpful in distinguishing septic and aseptic newborns.

The aim of this study is to select promising wild apricot rootstocks among wild apricot populations propagated by seeds naturally found in Malatya, Erzincan, Nev?ehir, Sivas and Elaz?g provinces. In the first stage, land scans were carried out between 2007 and 2009 and 756 genotypes were determined which could be suitable for the characteristics of the rootstock by considering the phenotypic characteristics. On land surveys, the wild apricot trees that are healthy, productive, bitter seeds, thornless, dwarth growth habit and smooth trunk structure was selected. Among the marked wild apricot types were selected 240 types in 2008, 262 types in 2009 and 254 types in 2010. Seeds taken from these determined wild apricot trees were planted for 2 years in Erzincan and Malatya locations and germination experiments were carried out. In the study, Hasanbey and Hac?halilo?lu apricot varieties were used as control plants. Seed germination percentage, seedling diameter, height, diameter and high homogeneity were determined. At the end of three years of germination experiments were evaluated according to weighting ranking score and finally 8 types that has hight score selected for Malatya location and 18 types for Erzincan location. In the second step, these 26 types after selected in germination tests, was grafted by cv. Hac?halilo?lu in Malatya and by cv. Hasanbey in Erzincan. After grafting success, shoot diameter, homogenity, shoot length and homogenity were evaluated. Then, the data was selected according to weighting ranking score and finally 7 types (58/6, 58/7, 24/111, 24/7, 24/25, 24/33 and 44/8) that has hight score selected for Malatya and Erzincan locations, and transferred to the third stage. In third stage, collection orchards will be established and rootstocks-scion, yield, phenological observations, pomological analysis, tree growth and habit will be evaluated.