Current Issue

Breeding Designer Legumes for Food and Nutritional Security

Abstract

Influence of Different Mulching Materials on Growth of Adansonia digitata Linneous Seedlings

Abstract

Adansonia digitata seedlings face challenges due to harsh environmental conditions; mulching can mitigate these effects and enhance growth performance significantly always. This study investigated the effect of mulching materials on the growth performance of Adansonia digitata seedlings in the nursery unit of Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Federal University Dutse. Four treatments including T1 (Sawdust); T2 (Rice bran); T3 (Moringa leave) and T4 (Control) were formulated. The treatments were arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with six replications. The mulching materials were weighted 20g and carefully spread on the soil surface. Plant height, diameter (stem girth) was measured, leaf production (leaf count) counted and leaf area was assessed through formular. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was carried out and the means were separated using Least Significance Difference (LSD). The results showed that the mulches evaluated have significance effects on the seedlings parameters of Adansonia digitata. However, the mean values obtained for all the parameters considered revealed the sawdust as the best performing mulching materials. For the shoot height, mean value ranged between 26.08cm and 35.62cm, a range from 0.58cm to 0.75cm was recorded for diameter, a range from 38.50 and 43.92 was recorded for the leave area, while the mean values between 19.5 and 32.25 were obtained for number of leaves among the treatments at week 10. It concluded from the study, that sawdust should be used as mulch in the nursery for the production of Adansonia digitata seedlings. Key words: Adansonia digitata, Mulching, Sawdust, Moringa Leaves, Rice bran, Growth.

A Flexible Approach to the HACCP Principles for the Ready-to-Eat Food Enterprises

Abstract

The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) defines ready-to-eat (RTE) foods as raw or processed foods that are prepared, handled, or cooked and intended for consumption without any further processing. However, RTE providers that are in a class of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) could pose a risk for bacterial spoilage on manufacture line, especially when it comes to spoilage and contamination, because of many different types of raw material in the processing, such as poultry, beef, dairy, etc., and their own microbiological risks. According to data from the Food Safety Information System in Turkey, the number of RTE meal enterprises has increased markedly, from 2275 in 2019 to 17417 as of January 26th, 2026, surpassing the growth observed in catering establishments, which rose from 377 in 2019 to 4013 as of January 26th, 2026. The rapidly increasing role of RTE meal providers in the food supply chain emphasizes public health implications associated with this sector. Therefore, food safety management practices in RTE meal providers, particularly through the effective implementation of fundamental HACCP principles, are essential to ensure consumer health protection and prevent foodborne illness risks. The objective of this study was to present food safety management system practices related to the hazard analysis flexibility approach to the Codex HACCP principles for the RTE providers. For this purpose, regulatory requirements and audit-based observations, common non-conformities have been identified according to the EU Regulations and Guidelines for Food Safety Control Measures, CAC Notices for food retail activities, and the 5996 Law on Veterinary Services, Plant Health, Food, and Feed. Prerequisite programs and a flexibility approach based on HACCP principles were evaluated and practices for controlling PRP and foodborne hazards in ready-to-eat food establishments have been presented. It is expected to be a useful tool for SMEs, especially RTE food enterprises. Keywords: Ready-to-eat foods, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, Food safety management system, Prerequisite programs, Flexible approach, the Codex HACCP principles.

Role of Brassinosteroids (BRs) in Alleviating the Effect of Irrigation Water Deficiency in “Crimson Seedless” Grape Cultivar

Abstract

Water deficit is one of the most important abiotic stresses limiting grapevine growth, yield, and quality, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Brassinosteroids (BRs) are plant hormones known to enhance physiological and biochemical tolerance to water stress in various crops. This study was conducted during the 2024 and 2025 growing seasons, using a randomized complete block design (RCBD), and results were discussed separately for each season. The objective was to evaluate the effects of foliar BR application at three concentrations combined with different irrigation levels on the performance of the ‘Crimson Seedless’ grapevine. Treatments consisted of three BR concentrations (0, 0.75, and 1.5 ppm) combined with three irrigation levels (100% ET₀ as control, 75%, and 50% ET₀). Brassinosteroids were applied at the beginning of vegetative growth, after flowering, and two weeks before veraison, while irrigation regimens were scheduled based on crop evapotranspiration (ET₀). Results showed that foliar application of BR at 1.5 ppm under 75% ET₀ irrigation deficit exhibited superior performance in most vegetative and reproductive parameters. In contrast, ABA concentration was comparatively higher under BR at 0 ppm combined with 50 % ET₀. These findings highlight the potential of BR application as a practical strategy to optimize water use efficiency and improve grapevine performance under limited water availability. Keywords: “Crimson Seedless” cv., Brassinosteroids, Deficit irrigation, ABA Concentration.