The viability of slow-roll approximation is examined by considering the structure of phase spaces in scalar-tensor theories of gravitation and the analysis is exemplified with a nonminimally coupled scalar field to the spacetime curvature. The slow-roll field equations are obtained in the Jordan frame in two ways: first using the direct generalization of the slow-roll conditions in the minimal coupling case to nonminimal one, and second, conformal transforming the slow-roll field equations in the Einstein frame to the Jordan frame and then applying the generalized slow-roll conditions. Two inflationary models governed by the potentials V (φ) ∝ φ 2 and V (φ) ∝ φ 4 are considered to compare the outcomes of two methods based on the analysis of n s and r values in the light of recent observational data.

Introduction White tip nematode, Aphelenchoides besseyi, is one of the most widespread nematodes causing economic yield losses in rice-growing areas. White tip nematode is a seed-borne ectoparasite of rice and it has been reported in the majority of the rice-growing countries of Africa; North, Central, and South America; Asia; Europe; and the Pacific. The yield losses caused by this nematode in rice show differences according to rice cultivar, growing year, temperature, cultural practices, and other variable factors. In infested fields, the average yield losses range from 10% to 30%; in fields where all plants have been attacked, yield losses of up to 70% for susceptible cultivars and 20% for resistant cultivars have been reported (Prot, 1992). Aphelenchoides besseyi is an important nematode pest of rice crops in Turkey. It was first reported in 1995 in the İpsala and Gönen districts of Edirne and Balıkesir provinces, respectively (Öztürk and Enneli, 1997). The yield losses have reached up to 57.9% for susceptible cultivar Halilbey in fields having 77% plants with white tips on the infected flag leaves (Tülek and Çobanoğlu, 2010). In several countries, control of this nematode has been achieved using nematode-resistant rice cultivars (Qu, 1985). Differences in susceptibility of rice cultivars to A. besseyi were previously reported in 1949 and appear to have become widespread since then; resistance (Bridge et al., 1990) or moderate resistance in rice cultivars has been observed in most rice-growing regions (Sivakumar, 1988). It has been reported that certain rice cultivars

The effects of Anguina tritici on wheat yields and agronomic components were investigated at Thrace Agricultural Research Institute, Turkey, during the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. Evaluations during 2013 focused on the wheat cv. Pehlivan, which is widely cultivated in Turkey. In this cultivar, A. tritici led to a grain infection in infected spikes of 0-100%, with an average of 61.8%. In 2014, yield losses caused by A. tritici were investigated in four wheat cvs, Pehlivan, Selimiye, Gelibolu and Kate-A. Results indicated that there were significant yield losses averaging 55% in plots infested with A. tritici (average yields = 3.74 t ha−1), as compared to control plots (average yields = 8.38 t ha−1). Yield losses in the four wheat cvs Kate-A, Pehlivan, Selimiye and Gelibolu were estimated as 51.3, 53.2, 56.6 and 59.6%, respectively, with seed infection levels by A. tritici of 21.4, 20.9, 24.4 and 18.3%, respectively.

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