Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences

This study was aimed to mitigate the issue of drought in potato production and quality using number of sustainable strategies. The experiment carried out at vegetable field of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences - University of Baghdad during spring season 2023. The experiment was conducted using split arrangement within Randomized Complete Block Design with two factors and three replicates (2X6X3). Applying TiO2-NPs represented the first factor (main plot) (10 mg.L-1), which symbolized (T0, T1). six treatments were included to represent subplots (regular irrigation interval (I) prolonged irrigation interval (D), fungal biofertilizers (DB), fungal biofertilizers + mannitol (DBM), fungal biofertilizers +xanthan (DBZ), fungal biofertilizers + mannitol+ xanthan (DBMZ). Results showed the superiority of spraying TiO2-NPs in all yield traits. Also the results revealed interaction treatment T1DBMX in producing significant results the entire vegetative growth traits and stress related enzymes concentrations in compare to control treatment T0D.

This study was aimed to examine the suppressive effects of Stachys byzantine leaf methanolic extracts on cancer cell lines and pathogenic microbes. Five concentrations of S. byzantine methanolic extract, from 25 to 400 µg/ml, were applied to HepG1 and HCT116 cells. S. byzantine methanolic extracts inhibited liver and colon cancer cell viability at different concentrations. The MTT assay results demonstrated that the extract’s IC-50 values for HepG1 were 271.61µg/ml and for HCT116 was 184.86µg/ml. The methanolic extracts obtained from S. byzantine showed antibacterial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The extract inhibited Staphylococcus aureus with 15, 20, and 22 mm inhibition zones at 100, 200, and 400 mg/ml, respectively. However, the extract was more effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with inhibitory zones of 30, 30, and 35 mm at 100, 200, and 400 mg/ml respectively. This study indicates that methanolic extracts derived from S. byzantine leaves have anti-cancer and antibacterial properties.

This research was conducted to detect some of the allelopathic chemical class in plant residues of nine cultivars of sunflower, including Zahret Al-Iraq, Luleo, Turkie, Al-Isaqi 1, Al-Isaqi 2, Tarzan, Akmar, Shumoos, and Sin Al-Theeb, using appropriate chemical reagents. Some of these chemical were furthered analysed for their content of allelopathic comopounds using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Results revealed the presence of glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, terpenes, steroids and flavonoids the plant residues of the test sunflower cultivars. Concentrations of glycosides, tannins, alkaloids, and flavonoids were measured, were found to be highter in Shumoos and Tarzan 1018 cultivar residues. The analysis with the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) indicated the presence of several allelopathic compounds of phenolic in nature in the different sunflower cultivar residues, namely Rutin, Vanillin, Resorcinol, and Quercetin.

Agrivoltaic systems, which integrate agricultural production with solar energy generation, present a promising approach to ecological sustainability. This study focuses on predicting chili harvests within an agrivoltaic setup using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) with transfer learning. Accurate yield prediction is vital for optimizing both agricultural output and energy generation. The study evaluates three pre-trained CNN models—EfficientNetV2L, EfficientNetV2M, and ResNet 50—fine-tuned with specific agrivoltaic data. The experimental setup includes a solar-powered greenhouse with IoT-controlled micro-climate management to ensure optimal growing conditions. The models were selected based on their high accuracy in Keras applications, with EfficientNetV2L and ResNet 50 achieving 100% accuracy, and EfficientNetV2M reaching 96% in chili crop counting. The results show quick convergence during training and validation, indicating effective model learning. The study also includes a life cycle analysis (LCA), confirming that using photovoltaic systems as a substitute for conventional energy sources is environmentally sustainable. Overall, this research demonstrates that CNN transfer learning is highly effective for crop counting and resource management, contributing to sustainable agrivoltaic farming and highlighting the potential of advanced AI techniques in agriculture.

The current study aim to evaluating the composting in bins for organic fraction municipal solid waste and tracking the changes in physio-chemical and microbial characteristics such as Temperature, pH, C/N ratio and total viable count, total streptomyces, total coliform and pathogenic microorganisms as total Salmonella Shigella count. Seven treatments were used in research into the quick composting of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste. Two Composting bins contained municipal solid waste (MSW) mixed with animal and poultry manure (3:1), (2:1), waste mixture (2:1:1), and agricultural waste mixed waste. On the first day of composting, the pH was slightly acidic, then increased to alkaline, as EC . Microbiological parameters such as Total viable count are reduced during the thermophilic phase. They increased at the cooling phase , for TSC proliferation occurred in alkaline pH during composting and reached 4.1 CFU/g at maturation in composting bin 7. In conclusion, all composting bins developed a thermophilic phase, all had narrow alkaline pH with EC in some treatments less than 4mS.Cm-1, and C/N reached the desired ratio as stable compost,also microbiological parameters fluctuate with temperature.

This research investigates the biochemical profile, antioxidant properties, and antigenotoxic activity of red seaweed (Gracilaria sp.) extract on micronuclei formation in peripheral blood erythrocytes of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to a methomyl-based pesticide. Results revealed a diverse phytochemical profile in the red seaweed extract, with the presence of alkaloids, triterpenoids, steroids, tannins, coumarins, terpenoids, quinine, phytosteroids, flavonoids, and phlobtannins. GC-MS analysis identified compounds such as Heptadecane, Neophytadine, Hexadecanoic acid, Oleic acid, and Adipic acid in the sample. The antioxidant activity exhibited a concentration-dependent response, demonstrating increased strength with higher extract concentrations. Antigenotoxic analysis indicated a significant reduction in micronuclei frequency in peripheral erythrocytes of tilapia. In conclusion, the research underscores the potential of red seaweed extract as a valuable natural resource with antioxidant properties and a mitigating effect on genotoxicity induced by pesticide exposure in aquatic organisms.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of IL-27 serum level and IL-27 gene SNP rs153109 with the risk and clinical features of the Iraqi patients with AITD. The blood samples were collected from 120 AITD patients and 60 healthy controls. Serum levels of interleukin-27 were assessed using ELISA kit. The study results showed a higher significant difference of IL-27 in sera of AITD patients compered to controls (p<0.001). The allele frequency and genotypes in the patient and control groups were determined using High-resolution melting (HRM) to detect the genetic variation in IL-27 gene SNP (rs153109). the result showed that CC and TC genotype of rs153109 had a statistically significant increased frequency in GD patients compared to controls (OR=19.4, P-value =0.0002), (OR=2.9, p-value =0.011). while the CC genotype of rs153109 was found to be more common in HT patients than control (OR = 6.8, value=0.017). In conclusion, the study suggested that genetic polymorphism of IL-27 gene rs153109 may be associated with AITD risk among Iraqi population.

A study was conducted to investigate the most sensitive, early, and precise methods for detecting pregnancy in Iraqi She-camels using plasma progesterone levels, ultrasonography, and rectal palpation techniques. The study involved twelve multiparous, non-lactating one-humped She-camels.The sensitivity of plasma progesterone for diagnosing pregnant She-camels decreased (P ≤ 0.01) from 100% at day 20 post-mating (PM) to 80% during subsequent periods. Conversely, the specificity for diagnosing non-pregnant She-camels increased (P ≤ 0.01) from 71.4% at day 20 PM to 85.7% at day 30 PM, reaching 100% at days 40, 50, and 60 PM. The sensitivity for diagnosing pregnant she-camels using ultrasonography was 100% on day 20 post-mating (PM) and 80% during subsequent periods. The specificity for diagnosing non-pregnant she-camels increased significantly (P ≤ 0.01), rising from 71.4% on day 20 PM to 85.7% on day 30 PM and reaching 100% by days 40, 50, and 60 PM. The sensitivity and specificity of rectal palpation achieved 100% on days 60 and 90 PM. In conclusion, we can effectively detect early and accurate pregnancy in Iraqi she-camels using progesterone levels and ultrasonography techniques as early as day 20 PM.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of different feeding levels of Alfalfa pellet ration (APR) on the productive performance and economic feasibility of Pekin ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). A total of 270 one-day-old ducklings were used. The birds at seven-day-old were assigned to 9 indoor pens of (1×2.2m) with outdoor and swimming pool (1×9.8m) and Each box represented an indoor replicate with 30 ducklings. The feeding program for Pekin Duck group treatments with alfalfa pellet rations (47% alfalfa) was used as a replacement to the basal diet at different percentages (0%, 25%, and 50%) for control (T0), first (T1) and second (T2) groups. The results showed no significant differences among treatments except accumulative feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and mortality percentage, which showed significant differences among the treatments, the second treatment (50%) resulted in a higher accumulative feed intake, lower production index, and lower mortality% compared to the control and first treatment. The economic profit of the second treatment was the highest. The treatments showed a non-significant effect on carcass percentage except back and neck cuts. There were significant effects of sex on live body weight at marketing age and on the neck and breast cuts, male neck% were significantly higher than females, while females showed significantly higher breast%. In general, feeding ducks with a 25% of Alfalfa pellet ration improved production performance, while feeding ducks with a 50% Alfalfa pellet ration improved economic values.

The structure of fish community was evaluated before and after Aski-Kalak City at Greater Zab River, Erbil Province, Iraq during the period from November 2020 to October 2021. A total of 1582 specimens belonged to 25 fish species were collected and reached to 570 Kg of total weights. These fish were mostly belonging to Cyprinidae family and one for each Mugilidae, Siluridae, Bargridae, Sisoridae and Mastacembelidae. According to fish occurrence in (S1), there were five fish species be as resident, 8 and 10 species as seasonal and rare respectively. The annual values of fish species, weight and catches effort 10.7, 184 and 33.25 Kg/hour respectively, and in (S2) fish species of 6, 6 and 11 as resident, seasonal and rare respectively.The annual values of fish species, its weight and catches were 10.7, 210 and 38.59 Kg/hour respectively. The present study concluded that section of Greater Zab River (S2) was suitable for fish composition more than(S1).

The estimation of genetic parameters of certain productive characters in different lines of quail is very important to make a breeding schedule for such lines of quail in the future. This study was carried out for three generations to estimate the response to selection, selection deferential, genetic, and phenotypic correlation between studied traits (growth and laying performance) and heritability estimates in two lines of Ukrainian quail (Coturnix coturnix coturnix). A total of 120 Ukrainian quails from ) 500 ( quail birds (base population), were

selected as parent generation for both lines and also 120 offspring birds specified for the third generation. The selection was based on body weight which was carried out on the 20th day of age. The results showed that the selection can improve breast weight, leg weight, carcass%, and live body weight in both lines. However, the realized heritability has moderate values for 42-day age body weight for both lines; but the dark line recorded a higher genetic correlation between body weight and weight gain compared to the white line. The highest phenotypic correlation estimates between body weight and egg weight were recorded for the white line; in addition, the same line receded better estimates for the studied genetic parameters in all other studied characteristics. It could be concluded that the selection based on the genetic parameters for growth and laying traits was effective for improving it through the three generations.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of resveratrol as a natural antioxidant in improving the chemical properties and some qualitative and microbial properties of chilled ground beef stored at 2 C° for 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days. The study included 7 different treatments: T1 (control treatment without addition) T2 (Resveratrol 0.10% g/kg) T3 (Resveratrol 0.20% g/kg) T4 (Resveratrol 0.30% g/kg) T5 (Resveratrol %0.40g/kg) T6 (Resveratrol %0.50g/kg) and T7 (Addition of Butylated hydroxyanisole 0.01% BHA). All addition treatments showed a significant (P<0.05) decreases in dry matter percentage of Fat and Ash and increase in protein, moisture and water holding capacity (WHC) percentage as compared with the control treatment at any refrigerated storage time. Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) were lower (P<0.05) in treatments (Resveratrol) as compared with the control treatment at any refrigerated storage time. Resveratrol treated samples recorded lower (P<0.05) total plate count of bacteria during refrigerated storage times . It can be concluded that the resveratrol had positive significant influence on quality characteristics and microbial safety of ground beef meat when stored under refrigeration at 2 C° up to 12 days.

The objectire of the present study was to investigate the effect of nutritional additive of associated phytogenic P.E.P. and organic acids supplemented in drinking water on their, blood parameters, lipid profile and intestinal histomorphology in broilers. For this purpose, 240 chicks (Ross-308) one-day old were divided randomly into 6 equal groups each group 40 chicks as follow. G1supplemented with( 0.015 cc Essential Oil (EO) with Aromatic Oil (AO) 0.5cc/L) , G2 add (AO 2cc/L) ,G3 was mix (EO 0.06cc with AO 1,5cc/L) ,G4(0.03 EO with1cc AO/L ,G5 0,12cc EO /L and control (G6) group was fed the basal diet ,the results of blood parameters were indicated significant (P≤0.05) increase in amount of WBC,RBCs, hemoglobin and PCV in groups 3, 4 and 5 compared with the control , also revealed significant increased (P≤0.05) of HDL-cholesterol concentration in G3 and G4 but decreased in triglyceride, total and low density lipid concentrations were influenced by the dietary treatments in G4,3,2 and VLDL in G3 and 5.also exposed significant (P≤0.05)increased in the height and thickness of villus and crypt depth in all parts of small intestine of G3,G4 and G5 compare to the control group. In conclusion the mix Essential Oil and Aromatic Oil supplementation to the broiler diet improve blood picture (RBCs .WBCs,Hb and PCV) and enhanced with maintenance the function of the small intestine .

This study was aimed to evaluate the influence of adding dietary three medicinal plants and vitamin E on productive performance, serum physiological parameters, immunity and antioxidant status of broiler chickens under heat stress (34 - 38) C° for 35 days. A total of 600 Ross one day old broiler chicks were distributed randomly into eight treatments with five replicates 15 birds per each replicate as follows: T1: broiler were fed standard ration (negative control); T2: 50 mg vitamin E /kg ration (positive control); T3: 5g Dill powder /kg ration; T4: 10g Dill powder /kg ration; T5: 5g Adiantum powder /kg ration; T6: 10g Adiantum powder /kg ration; T7: 5g Crataegus powder /kg ration and T8: 10g Crataegus powder /kg ration. Live body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and mortality rate were measured at weekly intervals. There was a significant effect of medicinal plants on live body weight at 35 day. However, non-significant difference was noticed on feed intake, significant differences on feed conversion ratio, mortality and livability%. Regarding male chickens, T3 treatment had significantly higher carcass yield as well as each of T3 male and T4 female had higher dressing percentage. Furthermore, higher production index was found in T4 while, high value of economic figure was shown in T5 as well as significant effect on serum thyroid hormone T3,T4, corticosterone hormone and enhanced total antioxidant capacity and stable malondialdehyde all helped to reduce oxidative stress as well as boost antibody titers of ND and IBD compared with T1. It can be concluded that the supplementation of medicinal plants to broiler´s diet had a beneficial effect on most of broiler performance, improving immunity, resistance characteristics and oxidative stress particularly in T4 (Dill10g/kg) under heat stress.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of spraying benzyladenine and phosphorus on growth, flowering, and medicinal active compound content of Calendula officinalis cultivar "Bon Bon” under wooden shade conditions. The experiment was conducted using a factorial experiment within Randomized Complete Block Design with three replicates, examining two factors: benzyladenine at three concentrations (0, 50, and 100 mg L-1) and phosphorus at three concentrations (0, 2.5, and 5 mg L-1). The results indicated that benzyladenine (BA2) and phosphorus (P2) treatments significantly enhanced vegetative and floral growth, including plant spread, height, leaf number, branch number, and both fresh and dry weights. Additionally, these treatments improved floral characteristics such as flowering duration, number of flowers, flower diameter, peduncle length, peduncle diameter, fresh and dry flower weights, and flower longevity on the plant.

This study was aimed to investigate the response of two types of ornamental herbaceous plants (Wedelia trilobata and Jacobaea maritima 'Cirrus') to different agricultural environments and the application of potassium silicates to the living walls system LWS (Felt layer system) under the climate conditions of Baghdad city. Each experiment involved the cultivation of a different plant species, and the study duration was from September 15, 2021, to August 1, 2022. A Strip-Plot Design experiment was conducted using two factors: factor M with four levels of substrates (50% peatmoss and perlite (M1), 50% Vermicompost and perlite (M2), 50% Water hyacinth compost and perlite (M3), 50% wheat straw compost and perlite (M4)) and factor S with three levels of foliar spray of potassium silicate (0, 1.5, and 3 ml Lֿ ¹) S1, S2 and S3 respectively. The results differed according to the different substrates, and the study indicators were superior using potassium silicate concentrations compared to the comparison treatment.

A field experiment was carried out within the Shanafiyah - Nasiriyah project / Iraq during the autumn season 2022-2023 to evaluate the performance of the different tillage systems in some soil physical and hydraulic properties when irrigated with salt water and 25% Leaching factor throughout the growing season. In addition to evaluating its performance in mechanical technical properties before sowing. The experiment included three systems: A. minimum tillage with a disc harrow b. Tillage with Chisel Plow and Spring Tooth Harrows c. Tillage with Mold Plow and Spring Tooth Harrows. The study results showed that the Mini Tillage with (Disk Harrow) treatment was superior in giving the best values for the mechanical and technical properties and the soil’s physical and hydraulic properties compared to other systems.

This study was aimed to find out the effect of different soil components of some Iraqi soils under different climatic conditions and different parent materials on the adsorption of lead and cadmium. Soil samples were collected from four governorates (Dohuk, Wasit, Salah al-Din, and Basra), with three sites in each governorate, and two depths (0-30 and 31-60) cm. A chemical analysis of the soil were carried out to determine the amount of organic matter, carbonate minerals, total and crystallized free iron oxides. Results showed that the values of and soluble and exchangeable lead binded with carbonate minerals, organic matter, oxides, and clay fraction in rates ranging between (0.27-1.04), (0.83-1.51), (18.81-41.58), (2.31-21.95), (3.93-23.75), and (5.65-5). 67.83)% respectively of the soil content and the values of the coefficient of determination R2 (0.86, 0.16, 0.72, 0.79, 0.40, and 0.69), respectively. As for the cadmium element, the results showed that its values were (0.49-1.66), (1.13-2.47), (40.24-79.51), (0.24-7.98), (3.25-36.76) and (6.74-38.24)% for the soluble ,exchangeable and binded with carbonate minerals, organic matter, oxides, and clay fraction respectively.

Alnajmi Agricultural project, Muthanna, Iraq, featured with wide salt affected soils, although it is considered as a significant project for irrigated agriculture. Salt affected soils in this project were studied in different methodologies. Micromorphology descriptive study was conducted to get more information about the salinization process in this project. Eight pedons out of twenty-five ones were selected to be examined micromorphologically. Six of these pedons were salt affected, while the other two were none salt affected soils. As a comparison among those eight pedons, saline soils showed different features related to microstructure and porosity, besides coatings as salwans (salt cutans) and calcitans (carbonate cutans). Paleosalinization process showed clear salwans in examined soils, while recently salinized soils showed weak features of salt coatings. Carbonate coatings were found in all samples due to the nature of the soil formation in arid and semi-arid regions. None salt affected soils did not show salt coatings, while they showed carbonate minerals coatings.

The current study was aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of grape seed extract (GSE) on Alloxan (120mg/kg of body weight) induced diabetes in mice as well as characterize the chemical composition and phytochemical content of grape seeds from three grape cultivars (Ahmer, Halawani, and Kamali) grown in Iraq as well as pomace. Ahmer gave the highest values for crude fat14.84±0.2 and phytochemicals (tannins, saponin, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenol, and anthocyanin) as compared to other cultivars. phytochemical analysis using High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed that the highest concentration of proanthocyanidins polymers (catechine, procyanidin, and epicatechine) was recorded in Ahmer seed extract which were (796, 170, 244) µg/g, respectively, while the lowest amounts were in pomace 489, 99, and 143 µg/g, respectively using HPLC. Oral administration of grape seed natural extract (600 mg/kg/day) reduced the level of glucose in mice which was highly statistically significant (p <0.01) compared with the diabetic control mice (untreated), which was 206.83±6.7 and 349±27.50 mg/dl, respectively.

This study was aimed to investigate the potential of cellulose gum as a substitute for fat in Mozzarella cheese production and evaluate its impact on the cheese's physicochemical, rheological, and sensory properties. Cellulose gum was added in different ratios of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5%, revealing treatments A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5 to skimmed milk, respectively. As well as the positive control treatment C+ manufactured from whole milk, there is a negative control treatment C- made from skimmed milk without cellulose gum. After processing, several tests were conducted to determine the quality of the product. Chemical tests were carried out to measure moisture, protein, fat, lactose, and ash and total acidity percentage. Physical tests were also conducted, including, pH, compression, and elasticity measurements. In addition, sensory evaluations were conducted immediately and after 120 days of storage at (5 ± 1) º C. The results revealed that the cellulose gum treatments contained a higher moisture content than C+ and C- recorded at 48.13 and 50.40 %, respectively. In comparison, it varied from 56.85 to 55.00 % for cellulose gum treatments A2 (the best treatment in sensory properties). During 120 days of storage at (5±1)ºC, all treatment values significantly reduced moisture content. Fat content increased significantly in all cellulose gum-treated skimmed milk, while lactose percentage remained constant across all treatments. Adding cellulose gum to cheese production improved its rheological test results for compression and elasticity compared to the control group. Also, adding cellulose gum enhanced cheese yield and improved the sensory properties of low-fat Mozzarella cheese.

Experiment of half diallel cross among eight maize inbred lines was carried out during spring 2021.The varietal traits for F1 cross and parents with local hybrid were conducted during autumn 2021 Field of College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences , University of Duhok, using Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications .The results were revealed that the analysis of variance for genotypes and general and specific combining ability were significant effect on studied traits , also the ratio of degree of dominance is less then one for all traits . The cross 7x8 gave the heighest value ( 219.35g) for grain yield per plant and the same cross gave positive significant heterosis over mid parent , best parent and local hybrid .The heritability were high for number of ear per plant and ear diameter with value( 0.55) and( 0.45) respectively, the expected genetic advance was low for yield and yield components.

This study was established to investigate the ability of the sunflower callus plant (Helianthus annuus L.) to tolerate salinity stress for two levels of NaCl (0 and 80 mM), three concentrations of IAA (0, 1.0, and 2.0 mg l-1), and BAP (0, 1.0, and 2.0 mg l-1) in lab conditions. Calli cultures were induced from the cotyledon of H. annuus L. cultured in an appropriate combination of growth regulators 2,4-D and kintein. The salinity results exhibited negative effects in most of the study indications, which can be revealed by a significant increase in sodium content (Na+), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehde content (MDA). While, the decrease in the study indications such as fresh weight (FW), dry weights (DW), relative water content (RWC), potassium content (K+), sodium/ potassium ratio (Na+/K+), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) enzymes activity. The experiment revealed a positive effect for the exogenous growth regulators IAA and BAP in reducing the harmful effects of salinity stress on calli cultures. The nominated regulators succeeded in reducing the harmful effects of salinity stress, where the FW, DW, RFW, browning density (BI), RWC, K+, Na+/K+, SOD, and CAT enzymes activity. However, the exogenous growth regulators reduced the negative effect for each of Na+, H2O2, and MDA under the salinity stress.

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is one of the most important crops belong to the leguminous family native to East Asia. Chemical fertilizers are widely used to increase production in quantity and quality. As a result of the harmful effects caused by chemical fertilizers, it become necessary to find alternative solutions as sustainable approach toward supply plant by elements needs such as biofertilizers. In this study, Bradyrhizobium japonicum alone or in combination of microorganism inoculation included (B. japonicum, Bacillus subtilis, Glomus mosseae, and Anabaena azollae) were tested toward soybean growth parameters under open field condition. Results showed that there is a significant differences in terms of plant height, vegetative and dry grain of soybean and other parameters with combined inoculation and B. japonicum alone in compare with control treatments. Moreover, key pest larval density were also affected by treatments such as Popillia japonica, Spodoptera littoralis and Agrotis ipsilon. The results suggest the use of specific combination of microorganism is recommended as alternative approaches toward sustainable agriculture production of soybean crop.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of agricultural TOT shocks and the strength of their effects on some indicators of the agricultural sector. The research uses VAR, Variance decomposition and IRF approaches. The research is due to the almost monolithic exports and the multiplicity of imports, and the results of the agricultural product response to the shock of the agricultural gross terms of trade (GBTT) indicated that it had a negative impact, due to the shocks that the last variable was subjected to, which was reflected on an agricultural product, but they are not permanent as they returned to the normal situation within the sixth year. The research recommended adopting the TOT criterion as one of the criteria for drawing agricultural development plans in Iraq and one of its basic indicators to link the import capacity with the export capacity, as well as the need to pay attention to reviving agricultural exports to Iraq to stimulate agricultural terms of trade and then agricultural investment.

This study was conducted in the Plant Protection Department-College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences - University of Baghdad for the period 2021-2022 with the aim of isolating and identification the pathogens that cause root rot and wilt disease on the Catharanthus roseus plant in different regions of Baghdad by morphological and molecular methods using PCR technique dependence on the ITS region. The results of sampling collection showed the spread of root rot and wilt disease on C. roseus plant in all the regions covered by the study in Baghdad (Al-Gurayat, Al-Sidiyah, Al-Khadhra, Al-Ghazaliya and Al-Dura) and the incidence rate between 15-85%.The results of isolation and identification showed the presence of 4 types of fungi associated with diseased plant: Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, F. equiseti and Rhizoctonia solani. All the isolates were differed in their pathogenicity on the dwarf and shrub cultivars of C. roseus, the FeL1 isolate recorded the highest incidence & diseases severity 100 & 65% respectively both cultivars of C. roseus, meaning that there are no significant differences between two cultivars, also the infection intensity of FeL2 isolate was 75% in shrub cultivar, while the control treatment recorded the lowest infection rate and infection intensity reaching 0%. Also, these fungi were diagnosed based on the microscopic and molecular characteristics. The results of the molecular identification showed that the three isolates FeL1, FeL2 and FeL9 belong to the F. equiseti and they showed a conformity ratio of 99.60, 99.39 and 95.97 respectively when compared with the nucleotide sequences of isolates of F. equiseti gene bank of Brazil JQ936262, Ghana OL998428 and China GU586830 respectively. All isolates were recorded in the gene bank and the bank code was given for each isolate. Also, the results confirmed that the sequences belonging to the two isolates (FsL8 and FsL10) gave a conformity ratio of 99.62 and 99.63 respectively when compared with the sequences of KU528858 from Tunis and OM936032 from Pakistan and confirmed their identification as F. solani, while the results of the FoL7 isolation, its identification was confirmed to be related to the F. oxysporum after it showed an conformity ratio of 99.98 with the isolate from China with the number MN96002.

The experiment was carried out to study some engineering factors for a locally manufactured machine, It cuts agricultural residues to make animal feed , in the workshops of the Agricultural Engineering Department/Faculty of Agriculture/Ain Shams University for the academic year 2021-2022. The effect of three-speed knives cutting speed (1000,1200,1400 rpm) and three-speed feeding speed (0.75,1,1.25 m/s) and the knife cutting angle with two angles (15°.30°) was studied at a knife clearance of 2.5 mm and a moisture content of 5.3%. With an electronic system with sensors to operate the machine and without. Among the technical indicators that have been studied are productivity, cutting power consumption, specific energy, machine operating costs and the thrust power, The results showed that the performance of machine with an electronic system(senser) to a maize chopping machine is better than a maize chopping machine without In terms of specific energy consumption, machine operating costs, at constant clearance of 2.5mm and moisture content 5.3% and an optimum knife speed of 1400 with cutting angle (30°), The maize chopping machine with an electronic system (sensor) of specific energy consumption (0.0027 kw.h/kg), machine operating costs (0.2159 LE/kg) and highest productivity (105,170 kg/hr) at cutting angle (30°).

Candida albicans is an universal fungi, belong to the phylum Ascomycota, the infection caused by Candida albicans is called candidiasis. The study aimed to evaluate the Syzygium aromaticum extract as antifungal activity and fungicidal against C.albicans. Furthermore, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was performed to determine active components of clove oil which indicated the presence of eugenol (41.24%), followed by caryophyllene (18.36%) . The disc diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration was done to evaluate the anti-candidal activity of different S.aromaticum concentration. Extract with S. aromaticum yield percentage of 46.6 %. The in-vitro anti-candidal extract exhibited the highest antifungal activity against C. albicans, with inhibition zone diameters of 22.0 mm at 0.5mg/disc. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the extract was 1mg/ml against C. albicans, while the minimum fungicidal concentration was 2mg/ml.

The aim of this study is to investigate the economic feasibility of paper recycling factories in Iraq by studying the technical, marketing and financial feasibility to establish a paper-recycling factory in Najaf Governorate and to show the importance of these projects in achieving sustainable efficiency as well as achieving economic efficiency. The expected investment and operating costs were estimated and then the economic profitability criteria were adopted in addition to conducting a sensitivity analysis and determining the break-even amount. The research hypothesis was proven, which confirms that there is an economic, an environmental and marketing feasibility for paper waste recycling projects, as it was found that the project recovers all the money invested in it within a year and a month and a half, and the accounting return rate reached 82%. The net present value was (78,403,069,418) Iraqi dinars, while the discounted profitability index criterion was about (2.546). The internal rate of return criterion was (115%). The risk analysis proved that the project can withstand a 60% decrease in its revenues, and the break-even point quantity was about 1729 tons. The sensitivity analysis also proved that the project is insensitive to changes in investment costs and operating costs, and insensitive to fluctuations in the prices of the project's products. In light of the results, it was found that the project is economically feasible. The study recommended the need to support waste recycling projects as they contribute to achieving environmental sustainability and economic efficiency.

This study aimed to investigate the taxonomical relationship among eight species belonging to Asteraceae based on natural products as fresh leaves of eight species (Carthamus tinctorius L., Centaurea iberica Trevir. ex Spreng., Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist, Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist, Launaea mucronata (Forssk.) Muschl., Senecio glaucus L., Sonchus asper (L.) Hill, and Sonchus tenerrimus L.) have been collected from different regions of Baghdad. The phytochemical screening of hexane extracts from eight plants showed different secondary metabolites in the studied species. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of eight hexane extracts showed the existence of eighty-one chemical compounds of eight taxa of Asteraceae, including hydrocarbons, alcohols, organic acids, esters, amines, and heterocyclic compounds. The agglomerative hierarchical clustering analysis dendrogram was carried out depending on 81 chemical compounds of the eight taxa of Asteraceae, gained by Euclidean distance using Ward's method. The HCA dendrogram showed the closeness of Sonchus asper and Sonchus tenerrimus and a divergence between Conyza canadensis and Conyza bonariensis and their affinity to Launaea mucronata while Carthamus tinctorius is the most divergent species from the rest of the species.

The current study aimed to determine the effect of adding mixture of dried dill (Anethum gravelens) powder at levels 0.2 % with yogurt to the quail diet on the productive and physiological characteristics of male and female quails. The experimental birds were divided into four treatments, and each treatment was divided into three replicates, with 8 birds for each replicate. The results showed a significant superiority of quail birds in the fourth treatment in the body weight at 42 days (210.08±3.34 g/bird), carcass weight (125.50±1.9 g/bird), highest value of HDL (14.50 ± 0.33 mg/dL) and the number of white blood cells (123.21 ± 5.66100/µL). While the birds of the second treatment excelled in the hemoglobin ratio in the blood (22.50 ± 0.31 g/dL) and recorded the lowest percentage of total cholesterol (188.63 ± 47 mg/dL) and the lowest LDL value (22.58 ± 1.66 mg/dL). Female quail were significantly superior in body and carcass weight at 42 days of age, while males were superior to females in most of the physiological traits studied. Brown quails also significantly outperformed white quails in body weight at 42 days (215.52 ± 4.83 g/bird), carcass weight (127.66 ± 2.33 g/bird), and white blood cell count (120.49 ± 4.16µL/100).