IRAQ JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

A field experiment was carried out in the plastic houses, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad during the spring season 2018. Six inbred lines of bitter gourd were entered into full diallel crosses, and planted during 2018-2019 season (six inbred lines symbolized as 1,2,3,4,5,6 +15 diallel hybrid+15 reciprocal hybrid+control hybrid) according to randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates, each experimental unit occupied 6 plants. Results revealed a significant difference among the genotypes in most of the studied traits. The diallel hybrid (1×4) gave the highest values in the dry weight and the number of flowers and fruits (153.60 gm, 36.83 flowers; plant -1, 23.167 fruits; plant-1). The reciprocal hybrid (5×4) gave the highest values in the number of leaves, dry weight, number of flowers and fruits and the percentage of potassium) 90.50 leaf. Plant-1, 167.700 gm, 34.33 flowers. Plant-1, 29.167 fruits, 3.830%). The diallel hybrid (4×6) and the reciprocal hybrid (6×2) gave the highest values in the concentration of Momordin (577.6 and 394.1 mg. 100 g-1). Most of the hybrids showed the highest concentration of homogenous substance, and it showed significant hybrid abundance and standard hybrid strength in the desired direction in most of the study indicators. Most of the study indicators were affected by the additive gene action, which gives an indication to the plant breeder of the possibility of following crossbreeding in improving these indicators.

The study was conducted to reduce the stress generated by the high intensity of lighting used in raising Japanese quail birds by gradually exposing it to the birds for an experimental period of 12 weeks. Two hundred and forty birds (180 females + 60 males) at the age of 48 days were used in the experiment. The birds were distributed into four treatments, with three replicates at a rate of 20 birds per replicate (15 females and 5 males). They were raised in a room designed to carry out this study. The first treatment was considered a control treatment (T1) and included 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness, while the second treatment (T2) included 15 hours of light, 8 hours of darkness, and a 1-hour gradient in light intensity every 20 minutes, and the third treatment (T3) included 14 hours. Light, 8 hours of darkness, and 2 hours of gradation in light intensity every 40 minutes. The fourth treatment (T4) was 13 hours of light, 8 hours of darkness, and 3 hours of gradation in light intensity every 60 minutes. The results revealed that there was a significant increase (P≤0.05) in the percentage of egg production based on hen house percentage in the first and second periods of the T2 and T1 treatments, while it was observed that there was a significant difference in the average egg weight for all experimental treatments in all periods. On the other hand, there was a significant increase (P≤0.05) in egg mass for the second period in treatment T1 compared to all experimental treatments. Non-significant differences were observed among the treatments in the remaining periods. Concerning the cumulative egg rate, a significant increase (P≤0.05) was observed in the first two periods in treatment T2 and the second period in treatment T1. There was also a significant increase (P≤0.05) in the feed conversion factor in the first two periods in treatment T1 and the second in treatment T4. The feed conversion factor increased (P≤0.05) in the second period of treatment T4 compared to the other treatments. Non-significant differences were observed for the remaining experimental periods. The differences in fertility and hatchability characteristics for the first and second hatchings and all experimental treatments lacked significance. In conclusion, the gradual application of light intensity has reduced stress and increased the comfort of the bird, and this has contributed to improving the productive qualities of the Japanese quail

This study was conducted from 25/8/2022 until 23/10/2022 to investigate the effect of adding Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLs) to fish meal (FM) in enhancing the growth rates of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) by supplementing it with different levels of M. oleifera leaves. The T1 was regarded as a control group without MOLs supplementation, whereas 5, 10, and 15 g kg-1 of MOLs were added to the FM of T2, T3, and T4 groups, respectively. The fish were fed twice daily with a feed rate of (2%) of the fish\'s weight. During the experiment period, fish were weighed every 15 days until the last week of the experiment. Body weight rates, weight gain (WG), daily growth rate (DGR), relative growth rate (RGR), and specific growth rate (SGR) were calculated. The highest average body weight was recorded in the T3 group (77.53 g), followed by the T2 group (74.57 g). The T4 group recorded the lowest percentage of body weight, namely 74.33 g, compared to the T1 group (24.54 g). The WG and DGR rates significantly increased in the T3 group (49.87 and 0.87 g, respectively). In contrast, T2 recorded a non-significant reduction in WG (45.47g) and DGR (0.79 g), while the T4 revealed a significant reduction in WG and DGR being 6.68 g and 0.11 g, respectively, compared with the T1 group for WG (47.06 g) and DGR (0.82 g). Concerning the RGR rate, the T2 and T3 groups recorded a non-significant increase, namely 102.51% and 94.11%, respectively. The SGR results were fluctuating, as the T3 group revealed a non-significant increase of 1.23 %/day, while the T2 group exhibited a non-significant decrease, of 1.16 %/day. The T4 group recorded a significant reduction in RGR and SGR, namely 14.27% and 0.23 %/day, respectively, compared to the T1 group for RGR (96.31%) and SGR (1.18 %/day).

The study took place at the Fish Laboratory of the Animal Production Department at the College of Agriculture, University of Anbar, from March 24th to June 16th, 2024. Its purpose was to investigate the impact of natural zeolite on the blood parameters of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). The experimental treatments were distributed into five treatments with three replicates for each treatment: the control treatment (T1) without addition, the second treatment (T2) added aflatoxin to the feed (200 mg/kg), the third treatment (T3) added natural zeolite as stones placed in the pond water (10 g/kg), the fourth treatment (T4) added aflatoxin to the feed (200 mg/kg), zeolite stones were placed at the bottom of the pond water (10 g/kg), and the fifth treatment (T5) added aflatoxin to the feed (200 mg/kg), and zeolite was placed (25 g/kg). The results indicated significant differences (P≤0.05) among the various experimental treatments in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and the primary thyroid hormone (Thyroxine-T4). However, there were no significant differences among the different experimental treatments in glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, globulin, cortisol, enzyme activity, red blood cells, white blood cells, and pituitary hormones. This suggests that the addition of zeolite has no detrimental effect on the health of carp fish, and may even help improve certain blood parameters, counteract the negative effects of aflatoxin, and reduce the pH in pond water. The study recommended conducting more scientific research to accurately determine the effects of zeolite on fish blood parameters

The research aims at calculating the annual growth rates of the most important variables that reflect the success or failure of the price policy and foreign trade policy implemented in Iraqi agricultural sector. In addition, the research assesses the performance of the agricultural price policy also, it measures the efficiency of foreign trade policy in the agricultural sector in Iraq between (2000 -2017(.
The research objective has been achieved through the use of mathematical models to calculate the net nominal protection factor of the main grain crops and the standards employed for measuring the efficiency of agricultural foreign trade during the above period. Values of the net nominal protection factor reveal fluctuation and instability in the government’s price policy since the values of the protection factor ranged between an integer one and its fractions. When the values of the net nominal protection factor are less than an integer one for some years, this reflects the support submitted by the state to the producers of the main grain crops through indirect taxation. On the other hand, when the values of the net nominal protection factor are greater than an integer one for most of the study years that points out to the state support submitted to the producers of the main grain crops. The positive annual growth rate of agricultural imports between (2000-2017( shows the direct relation between the above variations and the policy of support represented by the value of the net nominal protection factor greater than one for the main grain crops in most of the years of study.
The positive annual growth rate of agricultural imports in the period (2000-2017(shows that the policy of support represented by the value of the net nominal protection factor greater than one for the main grain crops (wheat, barley, corn (in most of the study years did not fulfill its purpose due to the lack of production compared to the increase in population.
The study has concluded some recommendations; the most important of which is to take macroeconomic policies into consideration when setting agricultural price policies by decision makers in the agricultural sector. The most important related macro variables are the exchange rate of the local currency against foreign currencies

The study was conducted at laboratory experiment included a completely randomized design (CRD) to study the efficiency of NPK-Chitosan fertilizers derived from shrimp shells with a ratio of1:1,1:2and 1:3 (NPK-Chitosan) (coating and mixing) at four fertilizers levels (0,500,1000 and 2000 mg kg-1 soil) and two levels of organic fertilizer (0 and 2.5%) Cow waste in terms of nitrogen availability in two types of soil (Silty clay and sandy loam soil comparing with NPK15-15-15 fertilizer (commercial) control treatment and incubated for four periods (7, 14, 28, and 56 days) to evaluate nitrogen availability. The results showed that adding fertilizers and organic fertilizer significantly increased the availability of nitrogen in both soils, NPK-Chitosan fertilizers, with a ratio of 1:3 coating and 1:3 mixing treatments, outperformed control treatment (fertilizer NPK alone) in increasing of available nitrogen. The results also revealed a significant effect of fertilizer levels on increasing of nitrogen concentration in both soils. The concentration increased with higher fertilizer level, (2000 mg kg-1 soil) achieving the highest nitrogen values of both soils, 90.9 and 91.47 mg kg-1 soil, respectively, with a significant difference compared to 500 and 1000 mg kg-1 soil levels. Furthermore, the 1000 mg kg-1 soil level outperformed the NPK fertilizer (control treatment). The results revealed a significant interaction effect between type and level of fertilizer on nitrogen available concentration. The treatment NPK-Chitosan fertilizer with a ratio of 1:3 for coating at level of 2000 mg kg-1 soil outperformed the other treatments, providing the highest nitrogen concentration of 129.00 and 167.40 mg kg-1 soil for both soils, respectively. The availability of the element increased with higher levels of added fertilizers and the addition of organic matter, but decreased with longer incubation periods.

The research aimed to study the effect of sterilization methods, adding antioxidants, and the source of the plant part on the rate of growing and healthy samples in the initial stage of Populus euphratica oliv. Different sterilization methods were employed using various concentrations of disinfectants. Sodium hypochlorite, for instance, was utilized at concentrations of 10% and 20% for a duration of 10 to 20 minutes. Similarly, calcium hypochlorite was employed at concentrations of 10% and 20% for the same time. Mercury chloride was used at concentrations of 0.1% and 0.2% for a duration of 2 to 4 minutes. The results showed that the use of as for mercury chloride, a concentration of 0.1% for 2 minutes helped reduce microbial contamination and resulted in a percentage of developing samples (46.67%).
In addition, the specimens underwent a treatment involving the combination of Ascorbic acid at a concentration of 100 mg/L and citric acid at 100 mg/L. Polyvinyl peroxide (PVP) was utilized at a concentration of 100 mg/L, while activated charcoal (AC) was introduced at 200 mg/L. The environment was deliberately darkened for a duration of one week.
Remarkably, the treatment with Ascorbic acid at 100 mg/L + citric acid at 100 mg/L, along with the addition of activated charcoal (AC) at a concentration of 200 mg/L, exhibited the most favorable outcomes in reducing oxidized phenol levels in the environment compared to other treatment methods. and the results of the study on the effect of the source of the parts showed that the best treatments were in parts taken from the buds in the order (5-2) on the branch or parts of the top of Suckers (bud 2) compared to the source obtained from Suckers

This study aimed to investigate the influence of dietary local Gujarat (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) powder (LGP) supplementation on some biochemical attributes, antioxidants, and visceral bacterial contents of the broiler. This study was conducted at the Poultry Farm belonging to the Animal Production Department, College of Agriculture, Shoraw, University of Kirkuk. Three hundred unsexed one-day-old chicks of Ross 308 broiler were divided randomly into six treatments, with five duplicates per treatment and ten birds per replicate. The birds were fed on diets supplemented with LGP at 0.5, 1, and 2% for the treatments T3, T4, T5, and T6 respectively, while the T2 group was supplemented with BHT. The results showed a significant (P≤0.05) decrease in the concentration of LDL, VLDL cholesterol, triglycerides, MDH, and the kidney and E. coli bacterial count for the groups supplemented with Gujarat powder compared to the control group. A significant (P≤0.05) increase in HDL, GSH concentrations, and lactic acid bacteria count was observed for the sixth treatment compared with the control group. The differences in the total protein, albumin, and globulin concentrations for all treatments lacked significance. Moreover, a significant increase in glucose concentration was noticed in groups supplemented with LGP. In conclusion, LGP supplementation can improve some blood biochemical attributes and broiler chickens' antioxidant and visceral lactic acid bacterial contents

The current study aims to determine farmers’ perception on climate change and its impact on vegetable production tomatoes, cucumbers and green pepper…etc., and identify socio-economic shacieteristics as age, education level, marital status, experience in agricultural work, farm size, annual income,.etc. were also recorded influencing their perception of climate change.
This study was conducted in Essaouira and Al-Mahmoudiya districts in Wasit and Baghdad Governorates. Data were collected by using face-to-face interviews from the randomly selected sample of 125 respondents through 1st January to 30th January, 2022. Results indicated that 100% of respondents don’t participate in training courses. Results revealed that the majority (60.8%) of respondents have a low perception on climate change impacts. The study recommended raising farmers’ perception of climate change needs to increase agricultural extension services and government support to help them to be taken and improve their perception on climate change and its impacts on vegetable production

The objectives of the research are to identify the degree of extension service quality and the crop farmers\' satisfaction with it in Tal Afar District / Nineveh Governorate, as well as to determine the correlation between the degree of extension service quality and the crop farmers\' satisfaction with it and the variable of farmers\' readiness for change.
The research included (120) farmers who were randomly selected (17%) out of the total number of crop farmers (708) in Tal Afar district. A questionnaire form was used as a tool to collect data from the respondents to achieve the research objectives. The questionnaire form consisted of (32) items distributed into two aspects. The data was collected in October 2023. The SPSS statistical program was used to present and analyze the results. The research results showed that most (68.4%) of the farmers indicated that the extension service quality is medium. Farmers also had medium satisfaction (70%) with the extension service provided. There is also a strong and positive correlation between the degree of quality and satisfaction of farmers with the extension service provision and the readiness to change on the part of field crop farmers, as the percentage of readiness to change reached 90.88%. The research recommended the necessity of providing agricultural extension service to farmers, especially its quality and satisfaction, because it significantly impacts agricultural development, increasing production, and developing rural society. It is necessary to emphasize the readiness of farmers and what is appropriate to their current situation in their practice of growing field crops, which has an impact and is relevant in providing agricultural extension service, especially its quality, satisfaction and adequate support