Kufa Journal for Agricultural Sciences

Abstract A study was conducted during the (2019-2020) growing season in the plastic house and cold room of the Horticulture Department, College of Agricultural Engineering Science, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimani –Iraqi, aiming to investigate the effect of three factors including growing media (M1, M2, and M3), boric acid at a concentration (0 and 20 mg. L-1) and humic acid at a concentration (0, 2.5 and 5 mg. L-1), on fruit quality and storability of strawberry fruits stored for 20 days in a cool room at storage (2±2°C) with relative humidity 85-90%. The results showed that growing media affected total soluble solid and anthocyanin content. Boric acid at 20 mg. L-1 gave the highest value of total sugars and berry firmness was 6.861% and 486.877g, respectively. Humic acid decreased fruit decay%, while caused an increase in total soluble solid, anthocyanin, and ascorbic acid. The interaction effect between growing media (M3) and 20 mg. L-1 boric acid recorded the highest value of firmness, TSS%, Total sugar%, and ascorbic acid content, but the interaction effect between growing media (M2) and 20 mg. L-1 boric acid gave the lowest fruit weight loss%. Application of growing media (M1) without boric acid showed the highest value of anthocyanin content. On the other hand, the interaction effect between growing media (M3) and 5 mg. L-1 of humic acid gave the lowest fruit weight loss% but the highest value of firmness and ascorbic acid content, as well as, growing media (M1) with 5 mg. L-1 of humic acid gave the lowest decay% and highest value TSS%. The same growing media with 2.5 mg. L-1 of humic acid gave the maximum value of anthocyanin content. The interaction effect between 20 mg. L-1 boric acid and 5 mg. L-1 of humic acid recorded the lowest value of fruit weight loss% and decay%, otherwise, the same treatment gave the highest value of firmness and ascorbic acid content. Finally, the interaction effects of the three factors obtained the lowest fruit weight loss% was observed by growing media (M3), 20 mg. L-1 boric acid and 5 mg. L-1of humic acid, while the same treatment realized the highest value of firmness and ascorbic acid content.

Abstract This survey study was aimed to estimate salinity, acidity, sodium, potassium, and calcium elements in some areas of Najaf. Seven samples were collected by using the cross-diameter method and from 20 cm depth of the soil surface from several agricultural areas planted with different economic crops such as wheat, eggplant, pepper, cucumber and tomato in Najaf Governorate.The salinity and alkalinity results indicated that the highest salinity was recorded in the Abbasiya area planted with wheat, which was 18.43 dsm-1, followed by Al-Brakiya, Al-Wahbi and Maysan areas, while the lowest salinity level was recorded in the greenhouses of the College of Agriculture, which was 1.78 ds m-1. Results of pH showed that in the greenhouses of the College of Agriculture, was 8.36, while the lowest pH was recorded in the Al-Baraka region, which was 5.63. The results of the survey indicated that the highest concentration of sodium ions in the soil of the Al-Mashkhab area reached 49.57 mg. L-1, and the highest concentration of potassium ions were recorded in the greenhouse of the College of Agriculture, reaching 67.30 mg.L-1, meanwhile, the concentration of potassium ions recorded its highest concentration in the Maysan region, reaching 518 mg. L-1.

Abstract Soil fertility parameters (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, calcium carbonate, organic matter) were determined in soil samples that taking from deep 0 – 30cm. In greenhouses sowed with different vegetable cucumber, tomato, pepper, eggplant) in 24 villages of Tainal watersheds (Bazian city-As Sulaimaniyah). In the present study, a new technology of ArcGIS 10.1 was used for mapping. The results obtained from a survey area had 12 km2 (N 35.5731; E 45.1798) for soil fertility. Results show that farmers did not fertile soil based on soil analysis except some farmers in Bagajani sites (N 0.22%, P 92.6 ppm, K 0.038 mEq-L, O.M 2.85%, EC.0.23 dS.m-1).In the same area (N: 35.750, E:45.354), soil in villages (Shuwankara, Zyeka , Gawani ) have the heights ratio in nitrogen comparing to others ( 0.0380% , 0.325% ) . According to the results, all the greenhouses soil samples are low in fertility and need to add appropriate fertilizers. All the soils in other villages’ have the same problem accept one site they were using organic matter before sowing by two months. The study revealed that 82% of the samples were under critical threshold value for soil fertility.

Abstract The study was carried out to report the new recorded genus Herpetogramma (Crambidae: Lepidoptera). A full description of the genus including, larva, pupa, and adult (antennae, labial palps, proboscis, tarsal seta end as well as wing venation) was used. A program of ImageJ for measurement was also used. The aim of the current study was to diagnose the species H. phaeopteralis (Crambidae: Lepidoptera), which is first recorded attacking turf grass of a football stadium in Basrah province, Iraq and to update our knowledge with recently collected data on the fauna of Crambidae of Iraq.

This study was carried out in private field Kani Graw – Erbil city during the periods from 1/8/2021 to 20/11/2021 by using two genotypes of chickens, Kurdish local chickens (KK) and Super Harco commercial dual-purpose chickens (HH) which were reciprocally mated to produce four combinations ( HH , KK ,HK and KH) . body weight among genotypes, general combining ability (GCA) and specific combing ability (SCA), heterotic effect percent (H%), and direct additive effect (DAE) for body weight in two genotypes and their crosses were investigated regarding the bodyweight at aching, 4, 8 and 12 weeks . GCA and SCA were also used to estimate breeding value (BV) and genetic value (GVFM) for two parents and their crosses.Bodyweight (BW) was measured and analyzed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks of age using full diallel analysis. The results indicated that there were significant differences (P< 0.01) among genetic groups in body weight (BW) at all stages of age. The K ×H genotype recorded the highest value in body weight at age 12 weeks. , general combining ability effects indicated that additive genetic variance was important in determining BW and revealed the superiority of the HH genotype in these traits. This genotype, therefore, may be used as one of the parents if its improvement is sought through crossbreeding. Specific combining ability was significant for BW at all ages, except at hatching, Heterosis estimates showed that crossing between Kurdish males and Super Harco females at all stages of age gave the highest heterotic effects for BW. On the other hand, both cross and reciprocal were positive values for BW at 4 and 8 weeks of age. The HH genotype had the highest value of direct additive effect (DAE) at 12 weeks of age. Both the HH and KK genotypes had negative DAE values at hatching and the HH genotype had positive breeding values for BW ,while the KK genotype had a negative value. The cross had an intermediate breeding value of body weight at the same age .In addition, the genetic value of K×H had the highest value in body weight at 8 and 12 weeks of age.

Abstract The experiment was carried out in the palm propagation unit at the Faculty of Agriculture / University of Kufa, in 2020-2021. The study involved the effect of two factors: First, different concentrations of AgNPs (A1= 0, A2= 1, andA3= 2 mg L-1), and second factor: different levels of sodium chloride salt (B1= 0, B2= 25 and B3= 50 mmol L-1) On the Biomass weight and growth rate of the callus as well as their effect on the content of the compounds S-allyl cysteine, Allyl methyl trisulfide and Diallyltrisulfide In the callus cells of garlic plants, ex vivo. A completely randomized design factorial experiment (C., R., D.). AgNPs showed superiority in the Biomass weight and growth rate. The focus (1mg L-1) Record the highest rate of Biomass weight and growth rate reached (468.4 mg and 13.16 mgday-1) sequentially. As well, ther are Positive increase between different levels of sodium chloride salt. Focus (25 mmolL-1) was the highest in the Biomass weight and growth rate reached (462.8 mg and 12.96 mg.day-1) sequentially. AgNPs Showed superiority in the secondary metabolites. The focus (2mg L-1) Record the highest rate in S-allylcysteine, Allyl methyl trisulfide and Diallyltrisulfide content (168.28, 225.41and 533.14µg ml-1) sequentially. As well, theer are a Positive increase between concentrations of sodium chloride salt. The focus (50 mmol L-1) Record the highest rate in S-allylcysteine, Allyl methyl trisulfide and Diallyltrisulfide content (98.26, 201.85 and 510.23 µg ml-1) sequentially. Whereas, the Overlap treatment (2 mg L-1 of AgNPs and 50 mmol L-1 of NaCl) recorded a Positive increase in S-allylcysteine, Allyl methyl trisulfide and Diallyltrisulfide content (233.84, 285.31 and 608.44 µg ml-1) sequentially.