Al-Qadisiyah Journal For Agriculture Sciences

Non-destructive techniques for leaf area estimation are much sought after by both forest managers and researchers in the fields of biology and forest ecology. Leaf area (LA) can be determined by developing linear metrics, such as leaf length (L) and width (W). The objective of this study was to create a reliable approach for accurately estimating the leaf area (LA) of Quercus aegilops L. by using data of leaf length, width, or other dimensions. Seven non-destructive models were formulated to accurately estimate the leaf area (LA) of the species under investigation, developing the leaf dimensions of length (L) and width (W). The regression models that utilized a single dimension, such as length or breadth, were shown to be less effective in predicting the leaf area of Q. aegilops L. compared to models that integrated the product of length and width measurements. Among the seven produced models, the equation LA = 0.3256L*W1.016 was chosen as the final equation since it was considered the most suitable among the other equations.

The application of modern communication technologies and digital devices to agricultural extension service deliveries could enhance the productivity of the extension agents through provision of accurate, timely and relevant information to the farmers. This study examined the Extension agents’ Perception on the use of ICTs for agricultural extension services in Kwara State, Nigeria. About 105 extension agents were randomly selected for the study. Statistical tools such as frequency count, percentage and mean score were used to analyse the data. The result showed that about 98.1 % of the respondents were willing to use ICTs devices for agricultural extension services. The usage of mobile phone for calls (mean =2.88) was the most frequently used ICTs. Digital/ICTs makes extension agents to easily linkup with researchers in order to solve the farmers’ problems (mean =4.47) was highest ranked perception statement. High cost of the Digital/ICTs devices (mean=2.62) was the most severe factor limiting the use of ICTs for extension services. The study therefore recommends that the Extension agents should be empowered to be able to have access and use the various ICTs for agricultural extension activities as they were willing to use it.

The current study focused on comparing two types of plants, Brassica juncea L and Canna generalis, in the bioremediation of soil contaminated with heavy metals, as well as evaluating the plant contamination with lead and cadmium according to global pollution standards. The experiment was carried out in the shade of the College of Agriculture at Al-Qadisiyah University, using a clay soil mixture collected from the agricultural departments of the directorate of Agriculture in Al Diwaniyah province, to assess the efficiency of Indian mustard and canna plants in the bioremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil. Four levels of lead and cadmium concentrations were added to the soil before planting as nitrates for each element and left for 10 days to reach equilibrium. Indian mustard and canna plants were planted on 9/9/2023, and the total concentration of heavy metals was estimated before planting and after the experiment ended on 16/12/2023. The root and shoot parts were washed with tap water and then with distilled water, dried, and ground for digestion to determine their ability to absorb heavy metals as a key factor for phytoremediation according to the standards of plant pollution represented by the biological accumulation coefficient (BAC), the biological concentration factor (BCF), and the translocation factor (TF). The results show an increase in the concentration of lead and cadmium in the shoot and root parts of both Indian mustard and canna plants within increasing levels of addition. Indian mustard plants generally showed good accumulation of cadmium in their root part, exceeding a BCF value, while their ability to transfer lead and cadmium from the root part to the shoot part was weak. As for the canna plant, the results indicated its weak capacity to transfer lead from the roots to the shoot part, and it demonstrated superiority over Indian mustard in accumulating cadmium, due to higher values of BCF, BAC, and TF.

A study was conducted in agricultural season 2021to find out the effect of UV radiation duration and Biological combination (mycorrhiza G. mosseae and Azotobacter chrococcum)(F)on the germination and growth of Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis). jojoba seeds were treated with UV for different durations of 5, 10 and15minutes and coded it (UV5, UV10 and UV15).than seeds were transferred direct after being exposed to UV radiation in pots supported by Biological combination add it under seed by average 10 g every pot By" using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates". The results were analyzed statistical using SAS. The results showed significant increase in interactions UV5+F on number spores, colonization intensity and Mycorrhizal colonization percentage(37.00 g -1soil fungal spore, 55.7%, 90.00% respectively).The highest percentage of Nitrogen% and percentage of phosphorus(3.50%and0.33%) respectively compared by control(2.33.0.21) %respectively,germination percentage (89.67%),the lowest days on germination speed (9.5day) and high plant height(76.67 cm) compared to treatment uv15(75% and high number days for germination (16 days) which no significant differences in the control and the last treatment low high plant (66.33 cm) . The treatment UV10 +F showed a statistically significant increase on number of leaves (67leaves) and total chlorophyll content of jojoba leaves (31.33 spad) compared to control (31leaf, 14.33 spad). Leaf area showed no significant differences in the treatments. Results revealed that the seed treatment with biological combination and UV (particularly UV 5 improved some traits in jojoba seed.

As the most consumed source of animal protein in Southern Algeria, this study focused on monitoring the quality of fresh camel meat stored at different temperatures by analyzing some physicochemical and microbiological parameters according to national standards. Dried and salted camel meat, locally called (Kadid), was used as a control sample. The microbiological results of fresh camel meat showed a total aerobic mesophilic flora (TAMF) load of 5,8 Log10 CFU/g, 3,86 Log10 CFU/g for total coliforms, and 2,95 Log10 CFU/g for fecal coliforms. All samples analyzed were free of pathogenic bacteria, namely coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS), Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella spp. However, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) species with a load of 3,47 Log10 CFU/g were identified as follows: S. saprophyticus and S. epidermidis. In less than 7 days, sample B stored at room temperature experienced deterioration, with the microbial load exceeding the maximum acceptable threshold (M) set by national regulations, along with changes in physicochemical parameters, rendering the product unfit for consumption. This degradation was faster compared to the sample A stored at a maximum temperature of +10°C. However, for the control sample, the physicochemical results of dried and salted camel meat (Kadid) showed an acidic medium (pH=5,26). The analyzed samples had moisture content (MC %), sodium chloride content (SCC %), and total solid content (TSC %) of 10,73%, 0,3% (3g/L), and 89,27%, respectively. From a microbiological points of view, fresh camel meat stored at +10°C meets national legislation requirements for a maximum storage of one month. In contrast, the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of dried and salted camel meat (Kadid) allow it to be preserved for an extended period, even at room temperature. The traditional method of preparing and preserving the meat has proven effective against microbial contaminants. It maintains a balance of physicochemical parameters that enhance preservation and improve the nutritional and organoleptic quality compared to chilled fresh camel meat.

Genotype evaluation for stability and high yielding in maize is an important factor for boosting productivity and sustainability of maize production. A total of 25 maize genotypes were evaluated over six environments namely Bako (BK), Asosa (AS), Hawasa (HW), Pawe (PW), Jimma (JM) and Arsi-Negele (AN) using randomized complete block design with three replications during 2022 for the objective to identify superior and stable maize genotypes through stability analysis. Combined ANOVA revealed highly significant (p<0.01) difference among genotypes, environments, and genotype by environment interaction (GEI) for studied traits including grain yield (GY). The environment and GEI were found to be the most significant causes of the grain yield (GY) accounted 60.3% and 21.4 % of overall variation, respectively. The sum of the first two principal components of AMMI and GGE biplot explained the GEI variation for GY 74.5% and 78.1%, respectively. The AMMI and GGE biplot analysis depicted some genotypes G20, G25,G2, G17, G21, G13, G9 and G16 gave GY above the mean and less affected by GEI. The polygon view of the GGE biplot showed that the first mega-environment contains four environments BK, PW, AS, and HW with G20, the second and third environment contains JM and AN with G11 and G13 as winner genotypes (vertex), respectively. Environments AS, PW and BK identified as best environments based on its yield, discriminating and representativeness which were close to ideal environments. Genotypes G20 (3XM2110426) identified as ideal and G25 (BH520), G2 (3XM2110423), G17 (BH549), G21 (3XM2110422), G9 (3XM1900467) and G18 (3XM2110424) considered as desirable genotypes based on proximity to ideal genotypes. Therefore, G20 (3XM2110426) and G2 (3XM2110423) are recommended for verification and release after confirming the reliable performance of these genotypes through conducting multiyear evaluation and determining mega-environments for maize production in similar agro-ecologies of Ethiopia.

The aim of this study to evaluate the effects of die holes diameter and speed of die on the performance of machine and feed pellet quality. Machine productivity (Kg.h-1), consumed power (kW), pellet durability (%) and pellet bulk density (g.cm-3) was studied. The study factors consisted of three diameter of die holes (3, 4, and 5 mm), and three speeds die (280, 300, and 320 rpm). Results showed with increasing of die holes diameter from 3 to 4 and to 5 mm give a significant increase in machine productivity, while consumed power, pellet durability and pellet bulk density a significant decreased. By increasing the die speed, from 280 to 300 then to 320 rpm, the machine productivity increased significantly, while consumed power, pellet durability, and pellet bulk density decreased significantly. The highest machine productivity 86.90 Kg.h-1, less consumed power 2.34 Kw recorded with die holes diameter of 5 mm and speeds of 320 rpm, while die holes diameter 3 mm and speed of die 280 rpm recorded the highest pellet durability 91.96% and pellet bulk density 0.6383 g.cm-3. It was concluded that the die holes diameter and die speed have a significant effect in the performance of machine and the pellet produced.