Euphrates Journal of Agricultural Science

The experiment was conducted in the fields of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Gardening, College of Agriculture, Al-Qasim Green University during the agricultural season (2017-2018) in order to study the effect of planting distance and organic fertilization on growth and yield of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Italica), where the experiment included eight treatments for each replicate, which is the interaction between planting distances (35x50 cm and 50 x50 cm) and organic fertilization (15 tons.ha-1 rice waste and 3 tons.ha-1 poultry manure). The control treatment was (chemical fertilization NPK 300 kg.ha-1). The split-plot design system was used according to the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), with three replicates, where the planting distances were placed in the main plot and the fertilization in the subplot. The averages were compared using the least significant difference (L.S.D) at the probability level 0.05. The most important results can be summarized as follows: The planting distance significantly affected the plant height and percentage of chlorophyll, where the planting distance (50 x 50 cm) gave the highest plant height for the plant and the planting distance (35 x 50 cm) gave the highest percentage of chlorophyll. It is noted that the results of organic fertilization with rice waste and poultry manure did not differ significantly from the results of chemical fertilization in the plant height and percentage of chlorophyll. The planting distance in all the traits of the studied quantitative yield and the organic fertilization did not differ from the chemical fertilization in the traits of the quantitative yield except for the trait of diameter and perimeter of the curd, where the superiority was significant for chemical fertilization compared to rice waste, which recorded the lowest diameter and perimeter. In the results of bi-interaction, it is noted that some bi-interaction has significantly affected the traits of the quantitative yield. No significant differences were observed in planting distances and fertilization factors on the traits of quantitative and qualitative yield. It is noted from the results of the bi-interaction that there is a variation in the significant and non-significant effect on the qualitative and quantitative traits.

The field experiment was conducted in the Saran-covered canopy belonging to Agricultural Preparatory School, Abi Gharq for the spring season (2018-2017) to study the effect of antioxidants (Vitamin E, salicylic acid and selenium) on the tolerance of the Senna coffee plant to salt stress. The seeds of Senna coffee was obtained from a plant grown in a home garden in Baghdad. The study was conducted to study the effect of saline stress at two levels of well water (4, 8 dS.m-1), in addition to the water of control treatment (Tap water) and spraying three factors of antioxidant (200 mg.L-1 salicylic acid and 150 mg.L-1 vitamin E and 173 mg.L-1 selenium) as well as the control treatment of and interactions between factors in the growth and flowering of the Senna coffee plant and its content of active compounds. It was observed that irrigating with well water at a salinity of (4, 8 dS.m-1) led to a significant decrease in all the vegetative and flowering traits for the Senna coffee plant. The spraying with selenium, vitamin E and salicylic acid was significantly affected in improving the most studied traits of Senna coffee plants.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a group of proteins that provide thermotolerance in cell and protect cells against environmental stress. Polymorphisms of the HSP70 gene associated with thermotolerance in farm animals. Thus, the current study aimed to evaluate the association of polymorphism in the HSP70 gene on physio-biochemical parameters in Awassi and Arabi sheep. Two breeds of sexually mature and healthy sheep that aged between 2 to 3 years were involved in this study, including 75 animals of Awassi (22 male: 53 female) and 75 animals of Arrabi (15 male: 60 female). Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood then genotyping analysis and sequencing were performed for each genotype. In the present study, single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis reveals two genotypes (TT and TG) in HSP70 (exon 4) of sheep. One missense SNPs c.33163685T>G was identified in exon 4 HSP70 gene that was responsible on the observed heterogeneity in both breeds. Hematological analysis indicate that the amount of RBC, Hb, PCV% and MCHC were significantly higher (P<0.05) in awassi than Arabi, in summer than winter and in TT than TG genotype. Comparison of analysis of leukocyte profile demonstrated that WBC, lymphocyte, lymphocyte % and granulocyte % mean were higher in awassi breed, winter season and TT genotype. Biochemical analysis refer that the levels of T3 and T4 were found to be extremely highly expressed in the Arabi than awassi, in the winter season and TG genotype. In conclusion, TT genotype was high tolerance of to heat stress, higher frequency of this genotype in Arabi breed make this breed better thermos-tolerance with heat stress conditions.

Blood parameters are among the basic growth traits that need to be studied because they are useful for assessing the physiological condition of breeds that are different according to the breed, sex, physiological status, and genotype of the animal. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the possibility of an association between the polymorphism of the MC4R gene (exon 1) with hematology parameters in Iraqi Awassi and Arabi sheep. A total of 150 sexually mature and healthy sheep aged between 2 to 3 years were included in this study. DNA samples were extracted from each blood sample sheep and the genetic analysis were included PCR-SSCP and direct sequencing. Result of the present study identified three genotypes for the MC4R gene (exon 1) (AA, AC, and GC). Two missense SNPs g.59349260G>C and g.59349291A>C were identified in exon1 MC4R gene that was responsible for the observed heterogeneity in both breeds. The amount of RBC, Hb, and PCV%, WBC, lymphocyte, granulocyte, lymphocyte%, and granulocyte % were significantly higher (p<0.05) in awassi than Arabi breed and sex male than female. The genotype AC showed higher accounts of RBC, Hb, PCV%, MCHC, accounts of WBC, lymphocyte, lymphocyte% and granulocyte % relative to other genotypes. In summary, Awassi breed and the sex factor are effecting on blood parameters. The two novel SNP (107G/C and 138 A/C) were highly associated with hematology parameters. The AC genotype was preponderant genotype affecting the sheep growth traits and recommended to be selected and fixed in sheep production.

The experiment was conducted in the unheated greenhouse belonging to the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Gardening, College of Agriculture, Al-Qasim Green University during the growth season (2017-2018) in order to study bearing of some cultivars of clove plant (Dianbhus caryophyllus L.) for salt stress under Iraqi conditions. The addition of the bio-vaccine led to a significant increase in the averages of traits of plant height, leaf area, reducing the number of days required to open the first flower on the plant, vase life of flowers, length of the main root, number of main roots, the leaves content of total soluble carbohydrates, decreasing the effectiveness of enzymatic antioxidants ((Superoxide dismutase(SOD) and Catalase (CAT)), which amounted to (59.81 cm, 248.44 cm2, 159.46 days, 6.55 days, 20.80 cm, 17.18 roots.plant-1, 11.43 mg. 100 g-1 dry weight, 31.45 units.mol-1, and 8.74 units.mol-1), respectively. Salt stress reduced the averages of vegetative and root traits and The lowest values were recorded in plants growing under the S4 salt level (9 ds.m-1), which led to un-flowering the plants. Triple interaction treatments between the study factors worked to achieve the best values for the averages of all studied traits represented by the plant height, leaf area, the number of days required to open the first flower on the plant, the vase life of the flowers, the length of the main root, the number of main roots, the leaves content of total soluble carbohydrates and the effectiveness of enzymatic antioxidants (Superoxide dismutase and Catalase), which amounted to (80.90 cm, 472.08 cm2, 178.22 days, 10.16 days, 37.21 cm, 30.29 roots.plant-1, 16.64 mg.100 g-1 dry weight, 17.32 units.mol-1, 1.67 units.mol-1), respectively.

The textural and sensory properties of a ferrous-induced milk protein gel prepared by heating skim milk with 12–27 mM added ferrous chloride and ferrous sulphate were investigated. Hardness and WHC increased and SWS decreased with increasing concentration for non-flavoured gel, while hardness and WHC of the flavoured gel increased and SWS decreased during storage at 7 °C for 28 days. Sensory studies showed that the gels were acceptable at added ferrous concentrations of 15–21 mM, but 18 mM got the highest score. Adding sugar and flavours did not affect the formation of the gels but increased their sensory scores.

The study was conducted in the laboratories of the Department of Food Sciences, College of Agriculture, Animal House, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tikrit for the period from 20 February to 15 April 2018, in order to determine the effect of oral administration of Agaricus bisporus, with a percentage of 10 and 20% alone or with a concentration of (1, 2 and 3 mg.kg-1 iron) from the weight of laboratory animals bred for 42 days to observe their effects on the immunological parameters of laboratory rats. The results showed that the oral administration of A. bisporus alone or with iron at concentrations of (1, 2, and 3 mg.kg-1) from the weight of laboratory animal caused a significant increase (P <0.05) in the total white blood cell count and the percentage of white cells, the type of neutrophils and the percentage of lymphocytes. It was also found that the oral administration of A. bisporus alone or with iron concentrations caused a significant increase in the levels of immunoglobulins (IgM and IgA) and the concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6). it concluded from the data that using fungus in oral administration improved the immunological parameters for rates in which the anemia was induced.

The current study included the selection of four regions of Babylon's archaeological soils located between two longitudes (32 ° 33 '0 ”-32 ° 33'55” north), and between two latitudes (44 ° 05' 03 '- 44 ° 25' 37 'east). 22 samples were taken at the surface depth of (0-30 cm) and the rhizosphere of (50-60 cm) in order to study some of the physical and chemical properties of Babylon's archaeological soils through palm trees with long age. The volumetric distribution of the soil separates and its textures were varied at the two depths, even in one soil, and the dominance of the sand, silt and clay content alternated. As for the soil interaction (pH) ranged between 6.9-7.6 and 7-7.9, and the electrical conductivity (1.7-12.1 and 1.3-13.0 dS.m-1), respectively at soil depth 0-30 cm and the rhizosphere 50-60 cm. The soil content of the organic matter in the soil of the surface depth amounted to (1.85-27.42) at the rhizosphere soil (1.60-18.6 g.kg-1). The amount of humic acid ranged from 0.70-8.33, fulvic 0.23-1.23 and humin 0.92-12.33 k.kg-1 in the soil of surface depth, and between 0.60-6.83, 0.20-2.27 and 0.70-9.50 g.kg-1 in rhizosphere soils. The different forms for the soluble potassium ranged from 2.1-4.9 and 2.1-3.9, exchangeable potassium (0.05-1.18 and 0.0-1.13), fixed potassium between layers (2.02-4.70 and 2.30-5.90), mineral potassium (14.44-24.22 and 13.44-24.50) and for total potassium (12.35- 31.73 and 12.96-32.83 cmol.kg-1), respectively at the depths of (0-30) and the rhizosphere of (50-60 cm). While the different magnesium forms were for soluble between (1.22-14.90 and 1.53-12.76), the exchangeable of (1.94-12.50 and 1.54-14), the fixed magnesium of (2.51-17.70 and 2.71-16.90) and the mineral magnesium of (17.02-23.10 and 18.88-25.44 cmol.kg-1), respectively at the depths of (0-30) and the rhizosphere of (50-60 cm).

This experiment was conducted on a private farm located in Saddat-Al-Hindya district, Babylon province, on the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Zahdi cultivar, with an age of twenty-five years during the seasons (2017-2018) to know the effect of spraying the leaves of the date palm A (A1 without spraying, spraying the leaves A2), trunk injection B (without injection B1 and trunk injection B2), and ground additives C (the control C1, on the surface C2, to depth 25 cm C3, to depth 50 cm C4) with a nourishing solution (Folia Stim Liquid with adding licorice extract 20 ml.L-1, clove extract, and Cyperus tubers 10 ml.L-1) at a concentration of (10 ml.L-1). The fertilization process was conducted three times before opening the flowering buds, and in the two stages of Hababuk and Chemri, it was implemented as a factorial experiment according to The randomized complete block design (RCBD), with three replicates and a rate of one palm for the experimental unit and arithmetic averages were compared according to the least significant difference test (L.S.D) under the probability level 5%. The results of the study showed that the spraying treatment of the leaves date palm with a nourishing solution with some plant extracts had a significant effect on all studied traits (percentage of fruit set, fruit weight, the weight of bunches, number of bunches, and total yield) which recorded (73.1%, 7.19 g, 5.32 kg, 14.11, 75.13 kg), except for the seed weight, no significant difference was seen. As for the treatment of trunk injection, it showed a significant excelling in the trait of the percentage of fruit set, fruit weight, the weight of bunches, and the total yield which gave (72.2%, 7.13 g, 5.28 kg, 78.03 kg). As for the adding method to the soil, the addition at the depth of (50 cm) has excelled in all studied traits (percentage of fruit set, seed weight, the weight of bunches and total yield) which amounted to (75.4%, 0.90 g, 5.40 kg, 13,93,75.64 kg) except for the weight of the fruit, it has excelled in the adding treatment at a depth of (25 cm).

The experiment was conducted during the autumn season (2018-2019) in one of the greenhouses belonging to Research Station of Department of Horticulture and Landscape Gardening, College of Agriculture, University of Diyala. The research was conducted for the period from 8/11/2018 to 25/5/2019, to study the effect of foliar spray with Tryptophan at concentrations of (100, 150, and 200 mg.L-1), in addition to spraying with distilled water as a control treatment and foliar spraying with zinc sulfate at concentrations (0, 1, 2, and 4 g.L-1) in the growth and flowering of Snapdragon plant (Antirrhinum majus L.) Monaco cultivar. Plants were sprayed with tryptophan and zinc sulfate twice after 30 and 45 days of seedling, with two days separator between spraying tryptophan and zinc sulfate. The research was conducted as a factorial experiment (4 × 4) according to Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), with three random replicates. The study showed that the treatments of foliar spraying with tryptophan led to improving all the traits of the vegetative and flowering growth for the Snapdragon plant, where the spraying treatment with tryptophan at a concentration of (200 mg.L-1) has excelled by recording it the highest results compared to the control treatment. Foliar spraying of plants with zinc sulfate improved all the vegetative and flowering traits for the Snapdragon plant, where the spraying treatment with zinc sulfate at a concentration of (4 g.L-1) was significantly excelled by recording it the best results compared to the control treatment. The result of the interaction between the foliar spraying with tryptophan and zinc sulfate showed a significant effect on all traits of the vegetative and flowering growth for the plant, where the interaction treatment between the spraying with tryptophan at a concentration of (200 mg.L-1) and spraying with zinc sulfate at a concentration of (4 g.L-1) was significantly excelled by recording it the best results for the studied vegetative and flowering traits.

A field experiment was conducted during the winter season of (2017) in one of the farmers' fields in Abi Gharq district, 10 km northwest of Babylon province. The experiment was designed according to The Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), in the order of split-split plots, where the two cultivars of broad bean (Hab Luz De oton from Spanish origin and Extra Hative a Graine from Italian origin) represents the main plots, which are symbolized by (V1, V2). As for the sub-plots, it included four concentrations of bio-fertilizer (EM0 control treatment, EM1 100, EM2 200, EM3 300 ml.10 m2), and the sub-sub plots included three concentrations of the nutrient solution (Al-Jamia) (F0 control treatment, F1 5, F2 10 ml.L-1). the experiment included 24 treatments, with three replicates, the results were as follows:The Italian cultivar (V2) was significantly excelled on the Spanish cultivar (V1) in the traits, the number of days for flowering 50%, the length of the pod, the number of green pods, the number of green seeds per pod, the weight of 100 seeds (g), the total yield of green seed, the percentage of protein which gave the highest values amounted to ( 29.00 days, 18.89 cm, 13.93 pods.plant-1, 5.09 seeds.pods-1, 158.75 g, 2496.75 kg.dunum-1, and 27.11%), respectively. Fertilization with bio-fertilizers also excelled and the EM3 treatment gave the highest values for the traits of the number of days for flowering 50% amounted to (75.83 days), the length of the pod (19.23 cm), the number of green pods (16.52 pods.plant-1), the number of green seeds per pod (5.31 seeds.pods-1), the total yield of green seed (2,657.67 kg.dunum-1), the percentage of protein (28.89%). The spraying with the F2 level also significantly excelled by giving it the highest values for the traits of the number of days for flowering 50% (74.42 days), the length of the pod (20.99 cm), the number of green pods (16.25 pods.plant-1), the number of green seeds per pod (5.40 pods.plant-1), The total yield of green seed yield (2758.63 kg.dunam-1), percentage of protein (30.11%). While the results of the interaction between the factors of the study did not show any significant differences between the treatments.