Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences

This experiment aimed to improve the qualitative traits and stimulate the accumulation of antioxidants in potato plants under environmentally sustainable agricultural practices. A field experiment was conducted during the spring season of 2023 at the fields of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad, using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) within split-plot arrangement with two factors and three replications (2 × 6 × 3). The first factor involved the application of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs) at concentrations of 0 and 10 ml·L⁻¹, denoted as (T₀) and (T₁), respectively. The second factor included six treatments as follows: natural irrigation (I), prolonged irrigation (D), biofertilizers under prolonged irrigation (DB), biofertilizers under prolonged irrigation with mannitol (DBM), biofertilizers under prolonged irrigation with xanthan gum (DBZ), and biofertilizers under prolonged irrigation with both mannitol and xanthan gum (DBMZ). The results showed that foliar application of TiO₂-NPs (T₁) led to significant improvements in most of the studied traits. Moreover, the interaction treatment (T₁DBMZ) recorded the highest qualitative and antioxidant traits compared to the prolonged irrigation treatment without any additions (T₀D).

This study was aimed to identification of certain crosses to produce hybrids with higher performance per se can be aided by the determination of simple sequence repeats (SSR), which can improve our understanding of the genetic divergence of maize lines and their classification into different heterotic groups. Variability for each locus was measured using the polymorphism information content (PIC), with an average of 0.55, suggesting that the markers were highly informative. Analysis of the molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated higher divergence among the maize lines, suggesting the existence of different groups. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean analysis (UPGMA) and the three-dimensional principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) revealed seven heterotic groups. Therefore, knowledge on the genetic diversity distribution in these maize inbred lines is essential to determine strategies to exploit heterosis in breeding programs in future studies.

This study aimed to estimate variability and some genetic parameters for yield and yield components in pea (Pisum sativum L.) genotypes under different phosphorous levels. A field experiment was carried out at the field of Horticulture Department, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, Duhok University, on the 1st of November 2021. the experiment unites layout according to split-plot arrangement, the main plots include phosphorus levels (0, 18, 36, and 54 kg ha-1 P2O5 and the subplot represented the thirteen genotypes within RCBD. The results exhibited that phosphorus levels were highly significant for all traits except biological yield, also the genotypes show highly significant the with exception of harvest index, while the interaction between phosphorus levels and genotypes was highly significant for all studied traits except harvest index and pod length. The rate of 54 kg ha-1 P2O5 gave the highest value for the number of pods 281.359), length pod 3.94, 500 seed weight 86.54, biological yield 361.55, harvest index 10.82 and yield seed per plant 23.30. The local variety was superior in leaf area 808.08mm, length pod 10 cm, 500 seeds weight 25.369, also the genotype (1) gave the highest yield per plant 44.0367 kg ha-1 P2O5, for the interaction between genotypes and phosphorus levels of genotype (2).

Since phosphorus (P) is lower in agricultural areas with acid sandy soil, it runs out in different parts of crop plants after harvesting. To boost growth and development in the next cropping system, only overuse of inorganic phosphate fertilizers can adversely affect agricultural sustainability. Phosphate-solubilizing fungi like Candida tropicalis play a role in plant P nutrition through soil P dynamics and growth hormones. Three PSF isolates (Sw01, Pu02, and Pu04) from bulk soil of fresh corn were tested for optimal media and incubation times. The results showed that Sw01 produced the highest population of 593.33×10⁸CFU L⁻¹ when cultured in TB media after five days. These PSFs were used to investigate the potential of C. tropicalis on yield components, chlorophyll pigments, and nutritional value of vegetable soybean cv. Chiang Mai 84-2. The result demonstrated that applying 50% inorganic fertilizer mixed with C. tropicalis enhanced leaf area, root length at the vegetative stage, and chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll contents at the flowering and harvest stage. This application increased pod fresh weight to 11,214 kg ha⁻¹, with an average of 28 pods plant⁻¹ and 47.50 seeds plant⁻¹ compared to fertilizer managements.

Barley is the second cereal crop grown after wheat in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Low rainfall and high-temperature impact barley yields. A study investigating an F3 population of 100 segregated lines derived from a cross between Clipper, an Australian cultivar known for its high yield, and Local black, a cultivar recognized for its stress tolerance. The segregated F3 lines were assessed under two different environmental conditions at the Grdarash research station in Erbil and the Qlyasan research station in Sulaimani. The field trial data for the F3 population experienced analysis of variance and normality tests. Direct selection of high-yielding genotypes is challenging due to the complexity of the trait. Despite significant differences in yield among genotypes from various sources, genotypes showed no significant differences in harvest index (HI%). Location had a greater impact on yield-related traits of the segregated individuals, with temperature being a major influencing factor In Erbil, biological yield (BY) was significantly correlated with yield and its components, except for 1000-grain weight. In Sulaimani, BY was also significantly associated with yield and components, negatively correlated to HI%. Genetic effects were significant for BY but not HI%, with a negative genetic correlation between BY and HI% in Sulaimani. Significant impacts were observed on all attributes using regression analysis. except for 1000-grain weight, which had no significant correlation with BY or other traits. Biplot analysis indicated significant positive correlations between BY and yield-related traits, except for a negative %HI but insignificant correlation with 1000-grain weight.

This study aimed to investigate a new evaporation technique of essential oils; EOs (oregano, Lemongrass and bergamot essential oils) are in product called Fumite®Aroma. The study included 3 immunological parameters namely immunoglobulin A (IgA), interferon gamma (INF-γ), and newcastle disease (ND) antibody titer (Ab) as well as to compare between aerosol and ocular routes for ND vaccine. The study was designed as follow : {G1: is positive control given EOs(6g) only; G2: given Eos (6g) with ND vaccine by aerosol route; G3: given EOs (6g) with ND vaccine by ocular route; G4: given ND vaccine by aerosol route only; G5: given ND vaccine by ocular route only; G6: is negative control with no evaporation or vaccination}. Level of IgA at 16 days old there was a significant difference in G1 and G6 as compared with another groups. At 25 days old, G2, G3 and G5 revealed the highest levels as compared with another groups. At 34 days old, G3 was highest when compared to another groups. The results of IFN-γ showed at 16 days old showed a higher level in G3 as compared to another groups. the same in age 25 and 34. Levels of ND titer at 16 and 25 days old showed that G3 were significantly highest as compared to another groups. At age 34 days, G3 and G2 showed the highest levels as compared to another groups. In conclusion EOs as evaporation. It can increase level of IgA, INF-γ and it improve immune response against ND.

This study aims to obtain information on the reproductive biology of these species, especially on sex ratio, fecundity, ovarian development, and breeding season. The study was conducted from August 2022 to July 2023 on every full moon with the highest tide in the estuary of Bengawan Solo River, East Java, Indonesia. The obtained samples were placed in the freezer and identified, and a dissection was performed to observe the gonads. There were 617 crabs with an average sex ratio of 1 male to 1.9 females. Mean fecundity of V. litterata was 45350±3182 egg/individual. In each sampling period, there were always females that were maturing gonads. The ovaries of females during the study were the early developed (stage III), late developed (stage IV), and mature (stage V), and no females in the immature (stage I) or underdeveloped (stage II). The highest mean of the Gonadosomatic Index was 0.14±0.3, and the result figured that V. litterata was in stage V. The highest GSI value was in June and December. This study illustrates that V. litterata has the potential to spawn every month and continuously for almost a year, with peak spawning between November and January.

This study was conducted at the poultry Farm / Animal production department, Collage of Agricultural Engineering Science / University of Baghdad, during the period form 8-3-2014 to 19-4-2014 to evaluation of supplementing different levels of turmeric (curcuma Longa) Powders to Broiler diets on economic indicator and histological measurement of intestine. One hundred and twelve unsexed broiler chicks (Ross 308), one day, 41g its initial body weight. The birds were randomly distributed among Four treatments, each treatment contained 28 birds, with two replicates and each replicate contained 14 birds. The chicks of first treatment (T1) control without supplement, while T2, T3 and T4 treatment were fed a standard diet for broilers in addition to the turmeric powder at levels 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6% 100 kg diet respectively. The results obtained indicated that adding turmeric powder at three different levels in Feed conversion ratio were increase significant (p<0.05) in T3 and T4 compared with T1 while T2 similar with T1 there ware increase significant (p<0.05) in T3, T2 and T4 compared with T1 in Production Index and economic indicator in 42 days. There was increase significant (p<0.05) in the total intestinal wall thickness (duodenum, Jejunum. and ileum) in adding turmeric powder in treatments compared with control group, Villi length and crypts of Lieberkahan depth were higher value for supplemented groups as compared with control it could be concluded from this study that turmeric powder have beneficial effect on production index of broiler.

This study was carried out to compare the effects of intravaginal FGA sponges to synchronize estrus on reproductive performance of the Karadi and Arabi ewes , 30 for each breed at 2-4 years during the breeding season were used. Ewes from each breed were equally and randomly distributed into three groups. The first group was treated with vaginal sponges saturated with (40 mg) of FGA within a period of 14 days (T1). The second group administrate with the FGA and is injected with a dose of 400 IU of the PMSG hormone (T2). The third group treated with a dose of 0.5 ml/head of PGF2α hormone (T3) on the day of sponge removal, was injected at. The result of the study showed a non-significant increase in the estrous rate, fertility rate and Prolificacy between Different groups regardless type of breed. Different treatments showed a significant difference (p≤ 0.05) in the pregnancy length, the T3 group showed the shortest period and the highest lambing number in comparison with T1 and T2. Birth weight increased significantly (p≤ 0.05) in T1 and T3 (4.413, 4.310) kg respectively with a slight difference between the Karadi and Arabi breeds. In conclusion, exogenous hormonal treatments in a combination of FGA sponge using PMSG and PGF2α improved reproduction parameters.

This study was conducted in poultry farm in college of agricultural engineering Sciences - University of Baghdad - animal production department. In this study 100 laying hens of local Iraqi chickens were used with age 67day old, were placed in individual cages, each cage was numbered from 1 to 100, for the period from 26/10/2021 till 24/7/2022 to detect the different genotypes of LEPR gene, determining the frequency and percentage of the relevant genotypes local Iraqi chickens, , Productive traits were measured from the sexual maturity in to 100 days for each chicken, the blood samples were collected from 100 laying hens at the 38 weeks of age from the brachial vein, the PCR reaction will done using specific primers, Then sanger sequencing technique were done and three genotypes of leptin receptor gene were obtained TT genotype (wild) , TC (heterozygous) and CC genotype( mutant), the C allele frequency were 0.74 had high significant difference (p<0.01) as compared with T allele were 0.26 ,there were significant effects (p<0.05) between the various genotypes on the feed intake showed CC genotype had the high mean, followed by TC then TT, in 1,2 and 6 periods. The CC genotype had high significant effect (p<0.01) and significant effect (p<0.05) on albumin and HDL concentration respectively followed by TC genotype then TT genotype, The CC genotype affect significantly on maturity age.

The chili pepper plant Capsicum annuum L. is used in processed foods and pharmaceuticals given the importance of Capsaicin; it has been produced through cell cultures of chili pepper obtained from a media known as Murashige and Skoog (MS), which is supplied by the best concentration1.5 and 0.3 mg/L of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and kinetin (kin.), respectively, gave highest fresh and dry weights of callus, reaching (368.06,29.40) mg respectively which was significantly different from other treatments. When determining the alkaloid compound capsaicin by HPLC, Its amount in the callus was found to be 3.8 μg/g after being treated with a nano dose of 0 mg/L. an increase of 1.5 fold over the quantity in the leaves of the plant growing in the field, which reached 2.5 μg/g. In order to increase the synthesis of active compound studied stimulated by iron oxide nanoparticles at concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10) mg/L, the findings indicated that 6 mg/L caused a highly significant increase in Capsaicin, reaching 6.2 μg/g by the amount 1.6 fold compared to 3.8 μg/g in the treatment free the nanocatalyst. While the concentration of 6 mg/L achieved a 2.5-fold increase in its presence in the chili pepper intact leaf sample, the results show that Fe3O4NPs were effective in stimulating the accumulation of capsaicin compound.

The aim of the study was investigate the occurrence of multidrug resistance efflux pumps genes in local clinical isolates of Salmonella sp and try to apply efflux inhibitor for phenotypic detection besides their possibly future therapeutic uses to retain the activity of some frequently used antibiotics. Among 114 bacterial specimens obtained from several hospitals in Baghdad city only 67 isolates were diagnosed to Salmonella typhi according to conventional and molecular methods. The disk diffusion (Kirby Bauer) method was adopted to assess the antibiotic susceptibility of S. typhi isolates, and the results revealed variable rates of resistance to various antibiotics. While Gentamicin are the most effective antibiotic in this study since 100% sensitive to it .Cartwheel method used for evaluating the efflux pumps activity by using ethidium bromide in different concentration, the outcomes appeared positive reaction for 42 isolates (62.6%) at 0.25 µg/ml, 25(37.3%) at 0.5 µg/ml , 15(22.3%) at 1 µg/ml , 9(13.4%) at 1.5 µg/ml , 4 (5.9%) at 2 µg/ml, 4(5.9%) at 4µg/ml. Four isolates which characterized highly expression level of efflux pumps activity and high resistant to antibiotic were selected to confirmed the result of cartwheel assay through determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) level though applied different concentration (500, 250, 125, 62.5, 31.25, 15.62, 7.8, 3.9, and 1.9) µg/ml of fluphenazine decanoate as efflux pump inhibitor (EPIs) and appeared at 15.62 µg/ml of EPIs the positive activity efflux pumps became negative and Etbr appeared fluorescent.

This study was aimed to find a hopeful antibacterial product from Streptomyces spp. acts against colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from different clinical samples. Among 46 K. pneumoniae isolates, 4 (8.7%) isolates represented Colistin resistance using the disc diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration. Out of 20 soil samples collected from different gardens at Essaouira city, 18 Streptomyces spp. were isolated and identified. The bioactivity of each Streptomyces isolate was checked against antibiotic-resistant pneumococci. The result showed that only six isolates had high antibacterial activity, 3 isolates with moderate activity, 7 isolates with weak activity, and two with no activity. PCR and DNA sequencing of 16s rDNA was done for the highest active Streptomyces spp. isolate, the result showed 96% identity to Streptomyces azureus.

The study looked at what happened to the weeds growth in the field when different types of sunflowers released root exudates grown in the summer of 2023. The goal was to determine if sunflower types' allelopathic potential affects weed growth and number. The results showed that after 30, 60, 90, and 120 days of cultivation, the Flamme cultivar did better than the Sakha, Aqmar, and Abba5 cultivars in reducing the number of weeds and their dry weight. The weed density dropped by 60%, 46%, 38%, and 35% compared to the control treatment, and the weeds' dry weight dropped by 61%, 66%, 62%, and 53% compared to the control treatment, in that order. The Sakha and Aqmar cultivars were next. The Abba5 cultivar recorded the lowest reduction in the number of weeds and their dry weights. We used the staircase experiment method to get rid of any competition when we tested the allelopathic potential of the fluids from the Flamme and Sakha cultivars. The Flamme cultivar's root exudates were found to be better at stopping the growth and dry weight of wild beet and purple panic weed than the Sakha cultivar's root exudates. The high-performance liquid chromatography test revealed that the Flamme and Sakha cultivars' root exudates had nine different compounds. The amounts of these phenolic compounds varied between the two studied cultivars. Most of the isolated compounds were found in higher amounts in the Flamme cultivar than in the Sakha cultivar. Most of the isolated compounds are known to stop plants, even weeds, from sprouting and growing naturally.

The Staphylococcus aureus is a ubiquitous Gram-positive bacterium, which may resident in various parts of body as a nqiormal flora, but this bacterium can also cause community and nosocomial infections, which enhanced by different virulence factors. Hence, the goal of the recent work is isolation and identification of S. aureus form different sources and investigate the capability of these isolates to synthase microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMs). For achieving this aim, a total of 326 samples were obtained from various clinical sources, including wounds, blood, acne, skin, vagina and gum. Among these samples, only 100 isolates were confirmed as S. aureus, after subjecting to conventional identification techniques as well as molecular detection of nuc gene utilizing PCR technique. The molecular investigation of mecA gene was carried out for confirmation of the methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). The results show 70 isolates were MRSA and the rest of these isolates were regarded as methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). The investigation of virulence factor presence was carried out by molecular detection of nine genes (fnbA, fnbB,eno, ebps, fib, bbp,clfA, clfB, and cna), which encode to MSCRAMs of S. aureus. The findings revealed that the majority of MRSA isolates harbored clfA (52%% of total isolates), followed by eno, clfB, fib, bbp, fnbA, fnbB, ebps, and cna with (35, 34, 33, 25, 22, 21, 19 and 16%), respectively. This study indicates thatdifferent of MRSA isolates may harbor one or more these genes in different distribution.

This study was conducted during 2022 in a private vineyard located in Chwarta town northeastern Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region-Iraq, the vineyard was rain-fed cultivation. This research was aimed to investigate the effect of tipping, foliar application of proline (0, 100, and 200 mg.L-1), botminn plus (0, 3, and 6 ml.L-1) and their interaction on vegetative growth parameters, and some leave mineral content. The results showed practicing grapevine's shoot tipping significantly increased single leaf areas, leaf’s chlorophyll content, lateral shoot number, N, P, and K%, except proline content. The foliar application of proline especially at (200 mg.L-1) significantly increased all study characteristics, spraying botminn plus especially at 6 ml.L-1gave the highest value of all study parameters. The triple interaction between tipping, proline, and botminn plus greatly enhanced all traits since tipped vine + 200 mg.L-1 proline + 6 ml.L-1 botminn plus significantly outshine in leaf area, number of lateral shoots, proline content, and N% in leave petiole, whereas the interaction of non-tipped vine + 200 mg.L-1 proline + 6 ml.L-1 botminn plus significantly increased chlorophyll content.

This study was carried out in a private vineyard, located in Sulaymaniyah governorate, Kurdistan region-Iraq, during the growing season (2022) to investigate the effect of foliar applications of amino acids (0, 5, 10 mL.L-1), benzyl adenine (0, 100, 200 mg.L-1), and Nano-NPK fertilizer (0, 2, 4 g.L-1) and their interactions on the activity of pollen grains and some chemical components. The results confirmed that 10 mg.L-1 amino acid produced the highest pollen viability, pollen germination, leaf chlorophyll content, total carotene, and vitamin C, while it caused a significant decrease in total phenol compared to the control. Benzyl adenine, 200mg.L-1 gave the highest significant values of the undertaken parameters except for phenol and vitamin C, they were not affected by spraying BA. Nano-NPK fertilizer at 4g.L-1 poduced the highest significant means of parameters. Meanwhile, the triple interaction effects of 10 mg.L-1 AA + 200mg.L-1 BA + 4g.L-1 Nano-NPK obtained the superior significant values of pollen viability, pollen germination, leaf chlorophyll content, total carotene, vitamin C, the least significant value of total phenol compared to the remainder treatment combinations and control.

Two field and storage experiments were conducted at a Research Station affiliated with the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences / University of Baghdad during the 2023 and 2024 season. To investigate the effect of cobalt chloride at three concentrations 0, 5, and 15 mg. L-1 (C0, C1, C2) and silica gold at four concentrations 0, 5, 10, and 15 ml.L-1 (Si0, Si1, Si2, Si3) to increase tubers production and quality and raise the storage capacity of industrial potato hybrid Hermes as factorial experiment within R.C.B.D. with three replicates. The storage experiment was conducted in the refrigerated warehouse belongs to private sector, following the same design of field experiment, the results revealed that the C1 treatment recorded the highest percentage of ascorbic acid and total phenols in tubers for both seasons while C2 treatment recorded the highest plant productivity and tuber weight in both season and lowest percentage of microbial contamination. The Si2 treatment resulted in the highest activity of catalase enzyme and the lowest weight loss percentage.

This study aimed to estimate soil erodibility in the middle of Erbil province. The results of indirect methods were compared with the observed K-factor in order to determine the most suitable method. The tests were carried out for nine soil locations by taking samples from topsoil. Samples were analyzed for physicochemical properties. The soil in study area is mostly clay and silt clay. The analysis was performed using three assessment models of soil erodibility; the Erosion Productivity Impact Calculator (EPIC), Vaezi et al and Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) models. Soil erodibility for direct measured K values varied from 0.27 to 0.39 t h MJ−1mm−1 with standard deviation of 0.041 t h MJ−1mm−1. The statistical evaluation of the models for K-factor estimation showed that the EPIC and USLE nomograph models were the most suitable models for the studied area.

A field experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different levels of organic and mineral fertilizers and agricultural sulfur on availability of N,P and K in soil and their concentrations in potato tubers. The experiment was carried out in the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences - University of Baghdad, during 2021 by adding three levels of organic fertilizer (Poultry manure) 0, 5, and 10 Mg ha-1, and their symbols were OM0, OM1, and OM2, respectively. three levels of mineral fertilizer 0, 50 and 100% of the fertilizers recommendation, their symbols were C0, C1, and C2 respectively. three levels of agricultural sulfur 0, 1000, and 2000 kg ha-1, their symbols are S0, S1, and S2 respectively. Randomize complete block design was used with factorial experiment using three replicates. The results showed an increase in soil of available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium with levels of organic, mineral fertilizers and agricultural sulfur. The results showed that the treatment OM2S2C2 achieved the highest mean of 62.87, 35.62 and 313.24 mg for N,P and K kg-1 soil, respectively, compared to the control treatment OM0S0C0, which gave the lowest mean of 28.7, 9.3, 262.56 mg kg-1 soil for N,P and K, respectively. The results also showed an increase in the concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in potato tubers. The treatment OM2S2C2 achieved the highest mean of 1.29, 0.47, 1.56 % for N,P and K, respectively, compared to the control treatment OM0S0C0, which gave the lowest mean of 0.99, 0.25, 1.02% for N,P and K, respectively.

The research was conducted with the aim of obtaining equations to estimate the diameter growth of different tree ages for the species (Ziziphus spina-christi) to determine the validity of the site for cultivating the species under study. Field data were collected from the site of the University of Anbar in Anbar Governorate, the city of Ramadi. The samples were randomly selected. Cross sections of the tree were taken. The data were collected by conducting the required field measurements, then the data were tabulated using the Excel program, and by using the method of linear and non-linear regression analysis in the Statgraphics2022 statistical program. Obtaining equations for diagonal growth, precision measures were used to compare between equations (coefficient of determination, standard error, and average absolute error). The equation was reached: d = 0.409131 + 1.90377 * A - 0.384178 * P -0.0443618 * T1 for the diameter growth, where the value of the coefficient of determination was (95.98%), the standard error was (0.084), and the mean absolute error was (0.055).

This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of new edible film prepared from deamidated rice bran protein (RBP). Deamidation was carried out at temperatures of 80, 100, and 120°C under varying pH conditions of 8, 10, and 12 for durations of 15 and 30 minutes to enhance protein solubility. The resulting film was then assessed for its physical, mechanical, and optical properties. The results revealed that protein solubility of deamidated RBP improved across all temperatures and pH levels compared to the control. A film made from deamidated protein under conditions of 120°C and pH levels of 8, 10, and 12 was evaluated using protein concentrations of 3, 4, and 5%. The solubility of the film increased as the pH was raised from 8 to 12 compared to the control. Swelling also increased with a higher protein percentage. However, films prepared through deamidation at pH levels of 10 and 12 at 120°C became fully soluble in water and completely dissolved. The puncture strength of deamidated, control, and SBP films increased as the RBP concentration rose from 3% to 5%. Among all RBP films, the deamidated (D) film exhibited the highest puncture strength, although it was still lower than that of the soybean protein (SBP) film. The elongation also improved with the increase in puncture strength. The opacity of RBP films increased with higher protein levels but remained lower than that of the control.

This study aimed to used automated spraying inside greenhouses using automated sprayers and compare it with traditional spraying. An experiment was conducted in one of the greenhouses at the Research Center of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad / Jadriyah, during the summer season on the cucumber crop cultivar CADIAR F1. The techniques used in the spraying process included a locally-made automated sprayer to spray pesticides inside the greenhouses horizontally and a knapsack sprayer. Two types of nozzles were used: universal flat fan nozzle (120-02C) and (120-04C), with three different pressures (1.8, 3, 5) bar, using a constant speed of 2 km h-1. This was to study the spray quality characteristics and the amount of waste resulting from using both methods. The experiment results indicated the automated sprayers’ success in achieving good spray quality with less waste compared to the backpack sprayer. The automated sprayer achieved good results in increasing the spray penetration rate into the foliage and reducing the waste rate of pesticides by (34.3%) and (2.42%) respectively, compared to the backpack sprayer, which achieved (14.46%) and (18.42%) respectively.

The objective of this study is to modify Iraqi natural bentonite (NB), a readily accessible and low-cost raw material, using various techniques and to explore the possible use of it as an adsorbent for the elimination of amoxicillin (AMX) from aqueous solutions through batch system studies. Chemical and physical processes were used to create the modified bentonite (MB): (1) NB was mixed with cationic surfactants (long and short alkyl chain surfactants), and (2) heat activation created calcined bentonite. The synthesized MB is characterized by surface area, "scanning electron microscopy" (SEM), and "Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy" (FTIR). There are many variables that affect how much AMX is eliminated, such as contact time, pH of solution, rate of agitation, initial concentration, and dose of the sorbent. The results showed that the Freundlich and pseudo-second-order models fit the experimental data better, with maximal removal efficiencies for calcined, long, and short alkyl chain modified natural bentonite being 94%, 70%, and 96%, respectively. The results of the trials showed that the modifications improved NB's capacity to extract AMX from aqueous media.

Thirty-seven different F. oxysporum ciceri isolates were isolated from 55 chickpea fields at Sulaimani and Halabja governorates during 2021. Fourteen Foc isolates were pathogenic and displayed various morphological traits. The ideal temperature for Foc ranged 25-30°C. PDA was the best media for the fungal growth. The isolates showed a variety of growth patterns, including appressed, flat/velvet, fluffy to partial fluffy, and cottony. However, Foc-28 displays nerve type mycelium growth on PDA at 25ºC. Microconidia (6.1-8.7x2.9-4.98µm), macroconidia (10.0-20.1x2.7-5.2µm), chlamydospores (7.2-15.0x6.8-10.7µm), and colony diameter on PDA were all significantly differed among the isolates. Significant differences in virulence of 14 Foc isolates were detected on 10 chickpea wilt differentials. The isolates were classified in to two groups and ten physiological races accordingly. Each isolate’s genomic DNA was amplified by the ITS primers to a maximum size of 400bp, producing a single band for each accession. The basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) analysis supported the morphological identification, whereby the closest match 99-100% in the NCBI GenBank database. The accession numbers for the sequences were registered at the NCBI gen bank under different codes. The phylogenetic tree proposed two major clades with stains distributed across the dendrogram irrespective of their geographic status.

Antibiotic residues in food are accelerate the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, transfer of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to humans, cause allergies (penicillin), and cancers. This study was designed to investigate the risk factors of some antibiotic residue in imported red meat at Baghdad markets, their reference values, and their impact on genotoxicity and DNA damage in human cells.Atotalof144 meat samples were collected from January to July 2022.The results showed that the overall contamination percentage was35.4%. Buffalo meat showed the lowest contamination percentage 15% whereas the minced beef showed the highest (94.5%) (OR=402.33).Tetracycline residues detected in 42.8% of samples with significant risk (P=0.0001)(OR=33.37;95%CI=7.74-143.94).The mean of tetracycline was 83.80 ppb with lower and upper limits of 56.7, 110.9 ppb, respectively. Blood samples of 18 healthy males were used to isolate lymphocytes to detect the genotoxicity and DNA damage of antibiotic residues. Results showed significant effects of antibiotic residues on genotoxicity and human DNA damage. These results also showed that although the antibiotics residues concentrations are below the allowed maximum residues limit, this does not reduce the hazards of these residues on public health resulting from their accumulative increase in consumers' tissues.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of propolis [(crud propolis and Water Ethanol Extract Propolis (WEEP)] as feed additive on growth performance, hematology and survival rate in common carp, Cyprinus carpio challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. A total of 60 C. carpio, (average weight 75±10g) were randomly distributed into five treated groups as follows: control group (C) fish were fed basal diet without any addition of propolis; T1 fish were fed basal diet supplemented with 10g/kg crud propolis; T2, T3 and T4 fish were fed WEEP at concentrations of 2g, 4g and 8 g/kg diet respectively for 42 days. Results indicated that the best Final weight, specific growth rate (SGR%) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in T2 followed by T1 compared to control and other treated groups. At the end of the feeding period, fish were intraperitoneally challenged by A. hydrophila. The survival rate recorded highest value (100%) in T2 compared to control positive group (42%). Hematological indices showed considerable changes in the mean values of RBCs, Hb, PCV and WBCs. This study suggests that growth performance and survival rate against any infection with A. hydrophila of common carp can be improved by dietary supplementation with crude propolis and WEEP propolis at concentration of 2 g/kg diet which is beneficial for fish culture.

Three field experiments were conducted in Al- Rashidiya region, Istiqlal district, north of Baghdad governate, to study the difference the irrigation interval under subsurface drip, sprinkler, and furrow irrigation systems in water requirement and yield of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) during the summer season 2021.Three field experiments were conducted, each including three irrigation systems, subsurface drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, and furrow irrigation. It was implemented as a Factorial experiment within the design of Nested-Factorial Experiments Design. Where the second factor distributed three irrigation intervals on the main plot (2-day, 4 day and 6 day), then the three factors were divided into four replicates in which the levels of organic fertilization under every system (control, 2000 kg ha-1 Orgevit fertilizer and 4000 kg ha-1 Orgevit fertilizer). The seasonal water consumption of peanut under the subsurface drip irrigation system at the irrigation intervals 2, 4, and 6 days were 362.34, 362.35, and 362.06 mm, respectively. The seasonal water consumption of peanut, calculated under the sprinkler irrigation system at irrigation intervals 2, 4 and 6 days, was 507.02, 507 and 505.63 mm, respectively. The seasonal water consumption of peanut under furrow irrigation at irrigation intervals 2, 4 and 6 on day 583.44, 584.88 and 583.35 mm, respectively. The average total yield of Peanut pods increases by 25% and 33.43% under furrow and subsurface drip irrigation system respectively compared to a sprinkler system.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of vermicompost extract and mineral fertilizer on growth, grain yield of barley and nutrients availability during the season 2021-2022, in clay loam soil using Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD). Vermicompost extract was added at three levels: without addition (VE0), injected into the soil (VE1) and applied as a foliar application (VE2). Mineral fertilizer was added at (0, 50 and 100%) from the recommended level Symbolized (C0, C1 and C2) sequentially. Results showed a significant effect of adding mineral fertilizer at 100% from the recommended level in available nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil achieved 32.06 mg N kg-1 and 21.55 mg P kg-1 respectively, and also excelled in plant height, leaf area, stalks number, 1000 grains weight, grain yield and biological yield) which achieved 66.36 cm and 18.45 cm2, 7.91 stalks plant-1, 41.78 g, 4.05 and 10.93 Mg ha-1 respectively. Vermicompost extract gave a significant effect as a spray on the plants compared to the injected into the soil in available nitrogen, phosphorus in the soil, stalks number, 1000 seeds weight, grain yield and biological yield which achieved 31.48 mg N kg-1, 19.72 mg P kg-1, 7.58 stalks plant-1, 39.43 g, 4.02 and 10.34 Mg ha-1 respectively.

The current study was conducted in two different sites , these, sites S1 and S2 were located before and After Al- Kut Barrier respectively at Tigris River middle of Iraq. This study focused on evaluation the effect of lead Pb and cadmium Cd on Guttan, Luciobarbus xanthopterus for the period from January to September 2021. Monthly, some of water qualities were measured. The values for Water temperature ranged between 6.2 to 20.6 ºC , DO2 were recorded values between 11.16 to 6.12 mg /l. , BOD5 values were showed values between 1.03 to 3.42, water turbidity values of 11.7 to 72.4 NTU, The pH water values were ranged between 6.4 to 7.7 at sites S1 and S2 respectively. Lead and Cadmium concentration of water at Tigris River were 0.010 at S1 to 0.513 µg /l at S2 for Lead .Where’s, cadmium concentration ranged between 2.53 at S1 to 11.573 µg /l at S2. At the present study, some of Liver enzymes activity for Guttan were measured. These fishes blood enzymes AST, ALT and ALP were recorded a value of 51.2, 15.53 and 8.98 U/l respectively at S1. And a values of 410, 47.52 and 72.89 U/l for the same enzymes respectively at S2.The conclusion of current study showed that water quality at S1was suitable for Guttan, as well as, Fishes were best healthy than these at S2.