Journal of Kerbala for Agricultural Sciences

A field experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2022-2023 in one of the agricultural experimental fields at Ibn Al-Bitar Vocational School, located in Al-Hussainiya district of Kerbala governorate. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of certain chemical herbicides in controlling wild radish weeds and to identify potential mutations in the ALS and ACCase genes responsible for resistance to some chemical herbicides. The experiment was de-signed according to a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a split-plot arrangement and three replications. The main plots included five groups of wild radish seeds from five Iraqi gover-norates (Najaf, Karbala, Babylon, Wasit and Diwaniyah), while the subplots included four chemical herbicides (Navigator, Tatsteler, Mark Zone and Decimate), in addition to the untreated control. Laboratory results showed the presence of missense mutations in the ALS (Synthase acetolactate) gene in the seeds of Karbala, specifi-cally a missense mutation at codon 349. For the seeds from Najaf, a frame shift mutation was identified, affecting codons 165, 166, 167, 168, 169 and 170. Additionally, a missense mutation was detected in the ACCase (Acetyl-CoA carboxylase) gene in the seeds of Babylon in codon 229. Regarding the field results, the seeds from Wasit weeds excelled by exhibiting the lowest average weed height and chlorophyll content after 60 and 90 days of spraying (60.82 cm and 33.12 SPAD, 80.25 cm and 37.57 SPAD for the two periods, respectively). In contrast, the seeds from Diwaniyah wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum L.) weeds excelled in terms of control and inhibition percentages after 60 and 90 days of spraying (41.63% and 31.52%, 39.71% and 30.32% for the two periods, respectively). Additionally, Navigator herbicide was notably effective in reducing the height of wild radish weeds, decreasing chlorophyll content, and achieving the highest control and inhibition percentages

The experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station of the College of Agriculture, University of Kufa, during the spring season 2024 to study the effect of spraying gibberellic acid (0, 75, 150, and 225 mg L-1) and methyl jasmonate (0, 50, 100, and 200 mg L-1) in the qualitative characteristics of flowers and the flowering age of rose plants. A factorial experiment was carried out using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The results showed that the vase age and flower stem diame-ter increased when plants were sprayed with gibberellic acid at con-centrations of 75 and 150 mg L-1 with 200 mg L-1 of methyl jasmonate, while an improvement was observed in flower diameter and carotenoid content of leaves when treated with gibberellic acid at a concentration of 75 mg L-1 with 100 mg L-1 of methyl jasmonate. As for the number of petals, an increase in their number was observed when spraying with gibberellic acid at a concentration of 150 mg L-1 with 100 mg L-1 of methyl jasmonate, while the higher concentrations of 225 mg L-1 of gibberellic acid in combination with 200 mg L-1 methyl jasmonate led to an inhibition in the hydrogen peroxide content of leaves. It could be concluded from this study the role that plant growth regulators play in supporting plant growth, which has a positive impact on the state of plant growth and improving the qualitative characteristics of flowers, but this requires further studies on this subject in order to increase interest and encourage the spread of cultivation and circulation of cut flowers as an economic resource for the region.

Cadra cautella (Walker, 1863) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a signifi-cant pest insect of dried products that has become widespread in storge products of Karbala Province. Integrating molecular data us-ing Next Generation sequencing alongside morphological data from a comprehensive collection of live specimens was applied to identify C. cautella in Karbala, Iraq. The morphemic identification of the al-mond moth common in Karbala is C. cautella. This identification was confirmed molecularly. In addition, this insect\'s mitochondrial genes mtCOX1 were recorded in GenBank with accession numbers PP916775 and PP921921, with 657 and 651 bp long, respectively Another two genes of this insect were sequenced successfully: the hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA lyase and vitellogenin genes deposited in GenBank under accession numbers PP928485 and PP928484. The results showed that for the first time, the identification of C. cautella and its genes was reported based on molecular biology in Karbala, Iraq. The research results help identify and distinguish the almond moth species using NGS and are beneficial for the better choice and application of control strategies against it.

A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of local isolates Oscheius onirici, Oscheius myriophilus, commercial isolates Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema car-pocapsae of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) to compare them with the plant pesticide Oxymatrine in controlling the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta on the tomato cultivar Ala in the laboratory. The results showed that the local biological treatment Oscheius spp gave the highest mortality rate for the third-stage larvae at concentra-tions of 100, 300, and 500 Ijs/ml and a cumulative killing rate of 100% during 5 days, respectively, followed by the commercial iso-late H. bacteriophora, which had a mortality rate of 100%. There were no significant differences between the three isolates; the con-centration of 500 Ijs was the highest cumulative killing rate for the biological treatments. At the same time, there was a significant dif-ference between the commercial isolate S. carpocapsae and the other isolates, as the larval mortality rate reached 40% compared to the chemical pesticide.The mortality rate of the third-stage larvae T. ab-soluta at concentrations of 1.8, 1.5, and 1 ml during 5 days reached 40%, 36%, and 30%, respectively, as the recommended concentra-tion of 1.8 gave the highest cumulative killing rate of 40% and with a highly significant difference between the three isolates. Still, there was no significant difference between the commercial isolates. The chemical pesticide S. carpocapsae reached a 40% mortality rate over 5 consecutive days.

A field experiment was conducted in one of the fields of Ibn Al-Bitar Vocational Preparatory school in Al-Husseiniyah district in the Holy governorate of Kerbala for the spring season of 2022 according to a randomized complete block design with three replications (R.C.B.D). The experiment included three factors. The first included three levels of agricultural sulfur (0, 1500 and 3000 kg ha-1), symbolized by (S0, S1 and S2, respectively). The second factor included two levels of thiobacillus bacteria: the control treatment (no addition) and the treatment with bacteria, symbolized by (T0 and T1). The third factor included three concentrations of nano-zinc (0, 50 and 100 mg L-1), symbolized by (Zn0, Zn1 and Zn2, respectively). The results of the experiment showed that the addition of sulfur had a significant effect, as the level of 3000 kg ha-1 was superior in the concentration of iron and zinc in the soil, protein, carbohydrates and sulfur in the grains, with averages of (4.32 and 2.88 mg kg-1, 10.79 and 76.38 and 0.272% respectively). Also, the treatment with Thiobacillus bacteria showed superiority in the concentration of zinc in the soil and the concentration of protein and sulfur in the grains with averages of (2.55 mg kg-1, 10.25 and 0.248%). As for nano zinc, the third con-centration (100 mg L-1) was superior in the concentration of protein, carbohydrates and sulfur in the grains with averages of (10.15, 74.00 and 0.239%). It was also observed that some interactions were significant in most of the traits studied.

The significance of agricultural financing for sustainable agricultural and financial improvement in emerging economy like Nigeria cannot be over emphasized. This re-search work analyzed the impact of rural financing on financial sustainability in Nigeria. The dataset is time series information variables spreading a 40 year period, from 1981 to 2020. Annual aggregates data on capital expenditure, agricultural credit, ex-port loans, and gross domestic product (GDP) were sourced from the distributions of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The research was conducted in 2023 and data sets were analyzed using Unit Root test, Cointegration test, and error correction model. Results revealed that agricultural credit, export financing, and capital expenditure affect GDP positively in Nigeria. Therefore, there is need for policy formulation and im-plementation on arrangement of satisfactory funding facilities to agricultural production and export sector with moderate interest rates at a minimal cost of capital. Government should also embark on massive infra-structural development in order to enhance sustainable financial growth and development.

This study examined the efficiency of cold aqueous extract of gerani-um, neem, and peppermint plants in mortality in different stages of the peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata. The results indicated that each of the three extracts had an effect on the third larval instar. The results showed that neem extract had the highest effect on the third larval in-star. The cumulative corrected mortality rate after 72 hours reached 67.3%, while the corrected mortality rate of larvae due to the effect of peppermint extract was 58.6%. As for the geranium extract had the least effect among the three extracts on the larval stage, as the correct-ed cumulative mortality rate reached 52%. As for the effect of the aqueous extracts of the three plants on the stage of pupation, the neem extract was the most effective among the three extracts, as the highest rate of non-emergence of adults at a concentration of 7% was 30%. As for peppermint extract, the mortality rate was 10%, while for geranium extract, the mortality rate was 6%, There was no effect on the pupal stage at the concentration of 3%. These compounds also showed a clear effect in repelling the adult stage, as the geranium ex-tract had a significant impact in repelling insects, as the insect repellency rate reached 72.16%. As for the neem plant extract, the insect repellent rate was 50.03%, while the peppermint plant extract showed a 62% repellent rate for B. zonata adults.

The study was carried out in the tissue culture laboratory of the Date Palm Research Center, University of Basrah in 2022-2023 Ad, three types of nutritional media were used, Murashige and Skooge,( 1962)(MS) , Woody plant media ( WPM) (Lloyd and McCown, 1981), and Gamborg, (1968) (B5) supplied with two types of cytokines Zeatin and 2ip at four concentrations for each (0, 0.5 ,1 ,2) mg L-1 and two types of auxins NAA and IBA at three concentrations for each (0, 0.1, 0.5) mg L-1 to formation embryogenesis of Barhi cultivar in vitro. The results showed that the WPM and MS media gave the highest rate of the number of embryos, which amounted to 7.45 and 7 embryos, with a significant difference from the B5 media which reached (4.92 embryos ) Also, no significant differences were observed in the number of embryos for the cytokine type trait, while the results showed that the concentrations of 0 and 0.5 mg.L-1 were ex-celled in the rate of the number of embryos, which amounted to 7.13 embryos, with a significant difference from the rest of the concentrations. the WPM nutrient media recorded the highest percentage of embryos, number, and length of roots, which amounted to 41.7%, 1.6 roots, and 5.48 cm, respectively, with a significant difference from the MS media, which amounted to 30% percentage of embryo, and the number and length of roots amounted to 1.36 roots and 5.06 cm, respectively, while the type of auxin did not record any significant effect on the embryo percentage and root length, while IBA was ex-celled in the rate The number of roots reached 1.6 roots compared with NAA concentration exceeded 0.5 mg L-1 significantly in the per-centage of embryo, number of roots and their length at a rate of 48.8% and 1.7 roots and 6.125 cm compared to the control treatment, while the effect of the double and triple interactions did not record any significant differences with statistical significance

Information Communication Technology (ICTs) plays a pivotal role in enhancing dry-season vegetable production. The study assessed the evaluation of Information Communication Technology (ICT) utilization among dry-season vegetable farmers in Ejigbo local government area of Osun State. A structured interview schedule was used to collect information from 120 respondents for the study selected using a two-stage sampling procedure with the aid of purposive and random sampling techniques from 171 farmers constituting about 93%. Data ob-tained were analyzed with both descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation). The results show that more than half (65.8%) of the respondents were female, and three-quarters (75.0%) were married with mean age, household size, and years of formal education of 35±13.2, 5±1.38 and 5.15±1.38 respectively. Mo-bile phone was the major ICT used in facilitating input procurement with a weighted mean score (WMS) of 2.53 and delivery to farm (WMS=4.06) was the main purpose of ICT usage. The major constraints to ICT usage were inadequate capital (WMS=1.61) and the high cost of ICT tools (1.53). A significant and positive relationship exists between each age (r = 0.453), household size (r =-0.204), years of experience (r =-0.376), and the utilization of ICT. The study con-cluded that farmer's use of ICTs was low and informed by socioeconomic factors such as inadequate capital and the high cost of ICTs limiting purposeful usage. It is recommended that ICT infrastructural development should be prioritized in rural communities of Nigeria.

This research aims to manage cucumber root rot disease caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani using Vermicompost, the microbial product Effective Microorganisms (EM1), and humic acid under field conditions. The field survey results confirmed the spread of cucum-ber root rot disease in the surveyed areas, with infection rates ranging between 48.0% and 46.23% while disease severity between 28% and 38%. Several types of fungi associated with root rot disease were isolated and identified, with Rhizoctonia solani being the most frequently occurring pathogenic fungi, followed by Fusarium spp. and Macrophomina phaseolina. The results also showed that all tested isolates of Rhizoctonia solani were pathogenic and caused a significant re-duction in the germination rate of cucumber seeds. Additionally, the results demonstrated the ability of the microbial product EM1 to inhibit the growth of Rhizoctonia solani on P.D.A with the highest inhibitory effect was observed at concentrations of 5%, 10%, and 15%, where the percentage of inhibition reached 100%. The field experiment results showed that all tested treatments reduced disease severity to varying degrees. The treatment combining all control factors (EM1 + Vermicompost + Humic Acid) recorded the highest inhibition rate of disease severity of 6.66%, compared to 77.77% in the pathogen-only treatment. This combination effectively controlled the pathogen and significantly limited the spread of the infection. The combination of the bio-product and Vermicompost ranked second, reducing disease severity to 13.33%, followed by the combinations of the Bio-preparation with humic acid and Vermicompost with humic acid, with disease severities of 22.22% and 26.66%, respectively.

Maize is an important crop. Plant fertilization plays an important role in improving and increasing crop productivity in a sustainable manner. In the fall season of 2023, a field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different combinations of chemical and nano NPK fertilizers on some growth traits of five adopted genotypes, and to study the genetic variations at the molecular level. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used with split-plot arrangement and three replicates. The main plots included six treatments: five fertilizer combinations plus a control treatment (no fertilization). The sub plots included genotypes (three hybrids: Reserve, Jameson and AGN720 and two synthetic cultivars: Al Maha and Al Fajr). Results showed that a significant effect on almost all of the studied traits was due to fertilization levels, genotypes, and their interaction, as the use of 50% mineral + 50% nanofertilizer led to a significant increase in plant height, stem diameter, number of active leaves, leaf area and crop growth rate, which corded 206.4 cm, 19.18 mm, 12.2 leaf plant-1, 6416 cm2, and 4.651 gm plant-1 day-1, respectively. On the other hand, the values of the control treatment gave the lowest values. The synthetic varieties outperformed in most of the studied traits. The Al-Maha synthetic variety gave the highest stem diameter and leaf area, which recorded 18.94 mm and 6419 cm2, while the Al-Fajr synthetic variety gave the highest plant height and crop growth rate, which reached 211.7 cm and 4.469 gm. plant-1 day-1. It can be concluded that mineral fertilizers can be replaced by nano-fertilizers, but can be considered as a supplement to mineral fertilizers and not a substitute for it.

Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) life cycle was investigated the mean duration of the pre-mating, pre-oviposition, oviposition, and post-oviposition were 1.75, 2.50, 2.20, and 3.50 days, respectively. The average number of laid eggs was 138.80 eggs, and newly emerged larvae completed their growth inside the cages. The average incubation period, larva development period, pupation period, and adult longevity were 4.62, 28.50, 7.04, and 40.16 days, respectively. The duration of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th larval instars was 4.52, 4.80, 4.95, 3.90, 4.60, and 6.13 days, respectively, with a total larvae longevity of 28.90 days. Mentha longifolia L. had the largest mortality rate, 89.00 %, of the larvae and Ocimum basilicum extract, with a mortality rate of 81.00 %, while Thymus kotschyanus Bioss. was the lowest mortality rate, 55.00 %. The plant extracts treatment showed that the effective Mentha longifolia L., which gave 42.00 mortality for 48 hours at 50 % concentration and raised to 89.00% at a rate of 100% concentration, Ocinum basilicum gave 37.00 % and 81.00% after 48 hours at a rate of 50 % and 100 % concentration respectively, but the Thymus kotschyanus Boiss. Gave 41.00 % and 55.00% after 48 hours at 50 % and 100 % concentration, respectively.

The study aimed to identify the most important factors influencing the cashew farmers\' output in Ejigbo Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria. A sample of 120 cashew farmers was selected from communi-ties in the local government area using a multistage sampling proce-dure. Primary data were collected from respondents using a structured interview schedule. Data were analysed using descriptive (means, fre-quency, and percentages), and inferential (regression analysis) statis-tics. Results reveal that the cashew farmers were aged, with a mean age of 60.00 years; male (86.67%); married (77.50%) with a mean house-hold size of 7 persons per household with a mean of 4.02 years of formal education. The mean cashew farm size, years of cashew farm-ing experience, and cashew output were 4.43 hectares, 23.63 years, and 63.47 tonnes per year respectively. Farm size and cashew farming experience influenced cashew output positively. Constraints to cashew production are the unavailability of farm inputs, low prices of cashew nuts, and poor infrastructural facilities.

The effect of wheat seeds (Abu Ghraib variety) priming at different concentrations of ascorbic acid and boron foliar nutrition on certain morphological and physiological characteristics of wheat plants was investigated. A field experiment was executed in the city of Ramadi, Al-Jazeera region, from November 15, 2022, to April 19, 2023. The experiment included two factors: the first factor was seed prim-ing by ascorbic acid (vitamin C) at different concentrations (0, 10, 20, and 40 mg.L-1), represented by (P0, P1, P2, and P3). The second factor was three concentrations of boron foliar spray at (0, 3, and 5) mg.L-1 represented by (B0, B1, and B2 ) was added to plants as Boric acid (H3BO3). The experiment was carried out according to the ran-domized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. The results showed that all ascorbic acid concentrations, boron foliar fertilization, and their interactions increased significantly with con-centrations increasing in all studied characteristics. The results showed significant differences at the concentration of 40 mg.L-1of ascorbic acid and 5 mg.L-1of boron for plant height (102.667cm), number of branches ( 14.000 branches. Plant-1), leaf area (68.55 cm2) and total chlorophyll (5.227 mg.gm-1).

A field experiment was conducted to determine the influence of two plant densities Pd1 (50400) and Pd2 (62500) plant ha-1, two cultivars C1 (Samsun-3) and C2 (Funtua), and six sowing conditions Sc1 (Sowing at 22 Feb.-covered), Sc2 (Sowing at 7 Mar.-covered), Sc3 (Sowing at 30 Mar.-free cover), Sc4 (Sowing at 22 Feb.-greenhouse), Sc5 (Sowing at 7 Mar.-greenhouse) and Sc1 (Sowing at 30 Mar.-free cover plus two irrigations) on yield contributing traits of sunflower under rainfed condition. Results showed that the effects of plant densities, cultivars, sowing conditions, and their interaction on the studied yield parameters, disk weight, disc diameter (cm), 1000- seed weight (g), number of seed disc-1 and seed yield (t h-1) were highly significant (P≤0.01). Maximum mean values were recorded for the disk weight (g) and number of seed disc-1 in Sc3 (Mar-30) with Samsun-3 and Pd1(50400 plants ha-1), disc diameter in Sc4 (Feb-22) with Samsun-3 and Pd1(50400 plants ha-1), 1000- seed weight (g) in Sc4 (Feb-22) with Samsun-3 and Pd1(50400 plants ha-1), and seed yield (t h-1) in Sc4 and Sc2 (Feb-22) with Samsun-3 and Pd1 (50400 plants ha-1). According to the seed yield, Samsun-3 surpassed Funtua by 23%, while Pd2 surpassed Pd2 by 17%. Yield reduction was large under Sc3 late spring sowing (22 %) compared with too early sowing Sc4. Based on the results, it is concluded that high quantity production was obtained on the Feb-22 date of sowing with Samsun-3 under a high population (62500 plants ha-1). Favorite or Performer variety can be grown for their high seed under climate conditions in Sulaimany-Kurdistan-Iraq or other similar areas.

Aiming to study the effect of planting dates and spraying with the compound DSPER Size on the growth of (Zea mays L.), a factorial experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block de-sign (RCBD) with split-plot design and three replications. The experiment was carried out in one of the agricultural fields designated for the Field Crops Department, College of Agriculture, University of Kerbala, at the Ibn Al-Bitar Vocational School in the Al-Husseiniya region during the summer season of 2024. The experiment included two factors Main plots planting dates (July 10, July 20, July 30, and August 9) and Subplots concentrations of the DSPER Size compound (0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0) g l-1. The results showed that the third planting date (July 30) outperformed in some of the studied traits, recording the highest mean plant height (223.71 cm) and stem diameter (29.781 mm). Meanwhile, the fourth planting date excelled in leaf area, with a mean of (6853.6 cm²), and chlorophyll content, of (60.581 SPAD). The treatment with the compound concentration of 3 g L⁻¹ significantly outperformed in giving the highest means for all traits plant height (213.25 cm), stem diameter (29.810 mm), number of leaves (13.240 leaf plant-1), leaf area (6697.4 cm²), and chlorophyll content (61.230 SPAD).The results of the study also showed the superiority of the interaction treatment between the third planting date (July 30) and the concentration of 3 g L⁻¹, which resulted in the highest plant height of (225.23 cm) and the number of leaves reaching (14.630 leaf plant-1).

This study, was conducted at Hemn Private Hatchery in Erbil, Kur-distan Region, Iraq, examined 600 eggs (average weight 52.75±0.13 g) from 50-week-old indigenous chickens under sterile conditions. Findings revealed that Kurdish local chickens had a higher egg weight (55.60 g) compared to Iraqi black line (49.83 g). On the 18th day of incubation, average egg weights were 48.20 g for Kurdish chickens and 42.13 g for Iraqi black line, while by day 21, the weights dropped to 35.12 g and 31.93 g, respectively. Egg loss was 7.70% in Kurdish chickens and 7.40% in Iraqi black line. During the season, egg weight decreased by 17.90% in Kurdish chickens and 20.48% in improved chickens. Hatchability rates of total eggs were 67.27% for Kurdish chickens and 69.69% for Iraqi black line, while hatchability of fertile eggs was 75.05% and 76.71%, respectively. Embryo mortality was 33.33% in Iraqi black line and 30.40% in Kurdish breed. Additionally, Improved chickens showed greater resistance to Newcastle and Gumboro diseases than local Kurdish chickens.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of three different growing media loamy soi(G1), silty (G2) clay , and a peat moss-perlite mix (G3) on the germination and growth of three walnut cultivars (Juglans regia L.): Denarta (C1), Choman (C2), and Hawraman (C3). Results showed that both growing media and cultivar type significantly influenced germination rates and seedling growth parameters. The highest germination percentage was observed in G3 for C3 (81.48% and 92.59%) respectively. Furthermore, the combination of G3 and C3 produced the greatest seedling height (25.33 cm) and root length (18.33 cm). These findings suggest that peat moss-perlite (G3) is the most suitable growing medium for walnut seedling propagation, and the Hawraman cultivar (C3) exhibits the best growth performance. This combination is recommended for walnut nursery operations and reforestation efforts in the Kurdistan region.

This study investigates the effects of varied row spacings of 20, 40, and 60 cm on three distinct grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) varieties IF133, IF102, and IF003.The experiment was conducted at the Qlyasan Agricultural Research Station in the Sulaimani Governorate(Lat 35˚ 34' 307"; N, Long 45˚ 21' 992"; E, 755 MASL),during the winter of 2022–2023 to determine the optimal row spacing and variety for grass pea development, forage yield, and yield characteristics under local climatic conditions. The experiment was designed in Factorial and conducted in CRBD (Randomized Complete Block with three-replication .At the Effect of interaction be-tween Grass Pea Varieties and Row Spacing on Growth and Forage Yield Characters. The results showed that the variety IF003 produced the tallest plants with (105.667 cm) when 20 cm of row spacing was used. In contrast, the interaction of 20 cm row spacing with variety IF 102 resulted in the lowest plant height with (72.633 cm). Further-more, variety IF003 with 20 cm row spacing produced the maximum number of days to 50% flowering reached (121.98 days), while variety IF133 with40 cm row spacing produced the highest number of days to maturity (180.373days). At 40 cm row spacing variety IF133, had the highest stem dry weigh reached (8.172g), while variety IF 102 with 20cm row spacing had the highest dry leaf with (10.325 g).At the Effect of Interactions between Grass Pea Varieties and Row Spacing on Seed Yield and its Components. Showed that variety IF 102 with 40 cm row spacing had the highest harvest Index which is (0.544).While variety IF003 recorded highest biological yield at 60 cm row spacing reached (15.224 tons/ha).

A pot experiment was carried out in the Horticulture and Landscape Department, College of Agriculture, University of Kerbala during the spring season of 2024. The study aimed to investigate the im-pact of thiourea spraying at concentrations of 0, 500, 750, and 1000 mg L-1 (T0, T1, T2, T3 respectively) and boron spraying at concen-trations of 0, 25, 50, and 100 mg L-1 (B0, B1, B2, B3 respectively) on the vegetative growth characteristics of sweet marjoram. The study was conducted according to a randomized complete block de-sign with three replications. The results showed the differential ef-fect of adding the study factors individually, as the concentration (1000 mg L-1) thiourea had a significant superiority in all traits ex-cept for the leaf area trait, while for spraying boron, the significant superiority was for the concentration (100 mg L-1) in all traits. The interaction between thiourea and boron was significant, as treatment T1 B3 was superior in plant length and gave (29.45 cm), while treatment T3 B2 was superior in stem diameter and number of branches and gave (2080 mm) and (18.68 branches plant-1) respectively. As for leaf area, the highest average was at the interaction equation T2 B3 and reached (1.134 cm2), and the interaction treatment T3 B3 gave the highest average of dry matter percentage of (24.97%) and the highest total chlorophyll content of (57.91 mg 100 g fresh weight). The important conclusion of this study is the significant effect of the study factors on the growth of this herb of medical importance.

In this study, the qualitative properties of surimi fish powder produced from storing carp fish in a freezer at -18°C for (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14) days were studied, and the chemical composition of the powder was tested, including protein content, oil absorption capacity, density, emulsification and emulsion stability, thiobarbituric acid content, and gelatinous ability. The results showed that increasing the freezing time of fish led to an increase in the values of thiobarbituric acid and an increase in density, and a decrease in other qualitative properties, such as protein solubility, the ability to form pow-der gel, and the oil absorption capacity. It can be said that long-term storage of carp in freezing led to a decrease in the quality properties of the surimi powder produced.