Kirkuk University Journal For Agricultural Sciences (KUJAS)

Due to the low-fat content and its richness in fatty acids, especially the saturated ones, and lower cholesterol levels
than mutton and beef, many consumers prefer broiler chicken meat. However, the refrigerated storage may lead to
chemical alterations and microbial proliferation in the meat product, generating metabolites that induce physical and
chemical quality changes in the chicken meat. Thus, the study focuses on chicken meat\\'s oxidation of lipids and proteins,
microbial degradation, and physicochemical attributes during refrigeration. The study involves 30 forty-two-day-old
ROSS broiler chickens with an average live body weight of 2.023 ± 0.017 kg at a commercial plant in Erbil, Kurdistan
region of northern Iraq. After bleeding and evisceration, chicken breast muscle samples were divided into three portions,
then tagged, vacuum-sealed, and stored in a 4°C refrigerator for 1, 3, and 5 days. In this study, there were increased
activities of microbes, including lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, pseudomonas species, and total aerobic counts
(P≤0.05) as the days of ageing went up. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, carbonyl, and free thiol contents
changed significantly as the meat ages for 1, 3, and 5 days. Similarly, the refrigerated storage of broiler chicken meat was
significantly reduced the value of colour, muscle pH, WHC, drip loss, cooking loss, and heavy chains (actin and myosin).
Improved refrigerated storage and meat ageing are vital to ensuring better meat quality, safety, and shelf life.

The experiment was carried out during the growing season (2023-2024) at a farmer\'s field in Baweiza / Telkif, northwest of Mosul city, which is located within the Semi-Arid (36°27\'17.8\"N 43°04\'51.9\" E). Where the rain amount reached 279 mm. The field soil was characterised as a Silt-Loamy soil texture. A Turkish modern disk grain drill was used in the experiment (Skalak), which is manufactured specifically for conservation agriculture, for seeding wheat grains. The experiment included three factors: the first was soil moisture with two high levels of 23% and an ideal moisture level of 17%; the second was three seeding speeds (8.3, 10.3 and 12 km/h); and the third was seeds coverage tool (with and without press wheels), the experiment was established using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) under split-split plot system, where the moisture factor occupied main plots, seeding speed was assigned to sub-plots, and sub-sub-plots were used for seeds coverage tool. The Duncan multiple range test compared means at a 0.05 significance level. The following traits were studied: Slippage percentage, soil adhesion strength, actual soil disturbance volume, and grain yield. The important results are that the ideal soil moisture of 17% achieved significant improvements in all studied qualities compared to high soil moisture of 23%. The results also indicated a significant effect at a speed of 12 km/h, where the highest value of slippage, soil disturbance volume, grain yield, and the lowest soil adhesion strength were recorded. The use of press wheels achieved a significant positive difference in soil adhesion strength, while not using press wheels led to a significant improvement in the slippage percentage. The results showed that the triple interaction between moisture content, seeding speed and seed pressure wheels did not significantly differ in the studied characteristics (slippage percentage, actual soil disturbance volume, and grain yield). However, it was found that there was a significant effect in reducing the value of adhesion force at ideal humidity with a speed of 12 km / h using seeds press wheels

Drought is a significant phenomenon associated with climate change, impacting various sectors. Effective planning is essential to mitigate its effects and minimize potential damage. Remote sensing data and GIS-based spatial analysis were employed to assess drought conditions. This study focuses on Sulaymaniyah Province, located in northeastern Iraq, covering an area of 21,240 km². Geographically, the province lies between longitudes 44°49\'59\" E and 45°59\'43\" E, and latitudes 34°21\'07\" N and 36°15\'48\" N. The study utilized Landsat 8 OLI satellite data to derive two key spectral indices: The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI). These indices were analyzed using ArcGIS 10.4.1 to assess drought conditions and their spatial distribution across the region. Maps highlighting NDVI and NDWI values were created to evaluate the drought impacts for the years 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2022.The findings indicate a clear spatial variation in drought severity across the province. NDVI analysis from 2013 to 2022 shows notable vegetation cover fluctuations, with low vegetation increasing from 43.7% to 66.5% in 2021 and dense vegetation peaking at 11.9% in 2017 before declining sharply. NDWI analysis indicates a rise in extremely drought-affected areas from 17.4% to 34.8%, while no-drought zones decreased from 0.6% to 0.1%. These findings reflect increasing water stress and environmental changes in Sulaymaniyah Governorate. Vegetation density declined after 2017, and drought severity worsened. NDI increased from 0.42 in 2013 to 0.53 in 2022, indicating a growing disparity between plant health and water availability, suggesting worsening drought conditions in Sulaymaniyah Governorate

The present study was conducted at the experimental field site Qlyasan Research Station, situated within the Sulaimani region. This facility serves as the research hub for the Department of Biotechnology and Crop Science, affiliated with the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences at the University of Sulaimani. A field experiment was conducted in spring during the growing season of (2023) to evaluate the impact of planting date on growth, yield and quality of niger (Guizatia abyssinica Cass.) cultivars The experiment include two factors first was planting dates: (April 1st, April 15th, May 1st and May 15th), while second factor include cultivars (Benglanuglue, Karal and Animax). Results revealed that the longest days to 50% flowering and days to maturity and the highest values plant height, branch number/ plant, capitulum number/ plant, seed number/ capitulum, 1000-seed weight, and seed yield (kg ha-1), seed oil content obtained from crop sown on 1st April as compared to other planting dates. The lowest values of all the mentioned parameters were obtained from the crop sown on 15th May. However, the highest amount of seed protein content was obtained from crops sown on 15th May. Among the cultivars, Benglanuglue performed significantly better than other cultivars and produced the highest seed yield and seed oil content at the 1st April sowing time

This research, conducted at Bakrajo Technical Institute in a multi-span greenhouse during the 2024-2025 growing season, investigates Influence of Irrigation Water Electrical Conductivity EC on Lettuce Growth and Yield, Treatment 1 (EC = 1.6 dS m-1), Treatment 2 (EC = 4.4 dS m-1), Treatment 3 (EC = 3.98 dS m-1), Treatment 4 (EC = 2.67 dS m-1), Treatment 5 (EC = 2.86 dS m-1), and Treatment 6 (EC = 0.750 dS m-1). Experiment design plant height, leaf number, chlorophyll Content change to intensity, fruit change to head diameter, fresh weight, root weight, and dry matter yield. The study reveals a clear negative correlation between higher EC levels and plant development, with lower EC values (0.750 dSm-1) promoting optimal growth across nearly all the measured parameters. Plants exposed to the 0.750 dSm-1 EC level exhibited the highest average values for key growth metrics, including plant height (42.0 cm), leaf number (45), and chlorophyll SPAD readings (87.4), indicating superior growth and photosynthesis. As the EC levels increased, plant performance steadily declined. Specifically, EC values above 2.67 dSm-1 significantly reduced growth indicators, including plant height, leaf number, and head size. This decline in performance is attributed to osmotic stress and nutrient uptake limitations caused by high salinity. The study also found that excessive salinity severely affected other growth parameters, leading to marked reductions in fresh weight, root weight, and dry matter, especially at EC levels of 3.98 dSm-1 and 4.4 dSm-1. Further correlation analysis confirmed strong positive relationships between several growth parameters, such as plant height, number of leaves, and yield. The findings of this study underscore the critical importance of effectively managing irrigation EC levels to maintain plant health and optimize agricultural productivity. It suggests that excessive salinity in irrigation water can hinder plant growth, limit nutrient absorption, and negatively affect overall plant development, highlighting the need for careful monitoring and control of EC in irrigation systems.

The purpose of this research is to identify the level of effectiveness of human resource management practices from the perspective of agricultural extension workers in achieving the objectives of agricultural extension centres in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, as well as to classify the fields of these practices according to their importance, and studying the correlation between them and a group of independent variables. The research population comprised all agricultural extension personnel employed at the extension centres within Sulaymaniyah Governorate, totalling 95 workers in agricultural extension. These workers were distributed throughout the various districts and sub-districts of the governorate; the research findings illustrated that the effectiveness of human resource management practices in agricultural extension centres is low, with a tendency to reach a medium level. Additionally, the research results revealed that planning practice was the highest-ranked discipline compared to other practices. They also findings indicated a correlation between the effectiveness of human resource management practices and certain research variables, specifically (Age, Gender, Duration of agricultural service, Duration of agricultural extension service, Participation in Training courses, and Workplace) However, no correlation was identified concerning other variables, such as (Academic specialisation, Academic achievement, Marital status, Attitude towards human resource management practices, and Sources of agricultural information). Therefore, the researchers recommend enhancing awareness and training on the importance of human resource management and its role in improving productivity and providing the financial and technological resources necessary for effectively implementing these practices within the agricultural extension centres in the governorate

These studies were carried out with the purpose of boosting the efficiency of oil crop production. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of how the use of organic and mineral fertilizers can influence the physical and chemical features of gypsum soils. Compost, manure, and biochar are examples of organic soil additions that may provide an increase in soil porosity, water-holding capacity, soil microbial population, root penetration, and nutrient utilization. These improvements can be accomplished by the application of organic soil amendments. On the other hand, there is the availability of concentrated inorganic fertilizers, which provide a substantial amount of elements such as minerals and vitamins. These fertilizers are composed of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and their purpose is to improve the quality of crops as well as the vitality of plants. By combining a number of different methods of fertilization, it is possible to successfully lessen the quantity of soil that is compacted and to optimize the efficiency with which nutrients, root conditions, and water regimes are cycled through the plant. Research conducted in the field has shown that the implementation of the strategy leads to an increase in the amount of oil crops that are produced. An increase in oil quality and quantity, as well as an increase in the plant\'s resistance to abiotic stresses like salt and drought, are the means by which this objective may be attained. According to the findings of this research, the management of gypsum soils should make use of methods that are both effective and environmentally friendly. It also established that the most effective method to attain these aims is to combine organic and mineral fertilisers as the acceptable and practical techniques to promote sustainable agriculture and realise the oil crop production potential on gypsum soils. This was determined by the findings of the study.

The study was conducted from (2023/4/1) to (2024/4/1). using the plastic greenhouse of the College of Agriculture and Forestry/ University of Mosul. to evaluate the efficiency of Nano Fe and GA3 acid by spraying on the Brachychiton populneus. he spraying process was conducted using two factors: the first factor was Nano Fe fertilizer at four concentrations (0, 1, 3, 5) mg.L-1 and the second factor was GA3 acid at four concentrations (0, 250, 500, 750) g.L-1. The seedlings were arranged using a completely randomized design with three replications, where each replication contained 16 treatments, and each treatment included five seedlings. The results showed that seedlings treated with Nano Fe at a rate of 3 g/L-1 significantly outperformed in several growth traits. These included an increase in stem diameter growth by 15.891mm. seedling-1, an increase in the number of vegetative branches by 2.072 branches. Seedling-1 and an increase in the dry weight of the vegetative mass by 24.515 g. Additionally, spraying with GA3 at a concentration of 500 mg. L-1 had a significant effect, with seedlings showing an increase in stem diameter growth by 13.539 mm. Seedling-1 and an increase in the dry weight of the vegetative mass by 20.095 g. On the other hand, the interaction between Nano Fe at a concentration of 3g. L-1 and GA3 acid at a rate of 500 mg. L-1 had a significant effect, with seedlings showing an increase in stem diameter growth by 18.630 mm. Seedling-1 and an increase in the dry weight of the vegetative mass by 27.110 g. Furthermore, the results showed that the interaction between spraying with 5 g. L-1 Nano Fe and 500 mg. L-1 of GA3 acid had a significant effect on increasing stomatal density, which reached 0.107 stomata.mm-2

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological quality of Kurdish white soft cheeses locally produced in different places at Khabat District in Erbil governorate. A total of 20 samples of white soft cheeses were collected randomly from Khabat District markets. Physiochemically and microbiologically analyzed. Physicochemical analysis of the white soft cheese samples was determined as 6.01 for pH, 1.23 % total acidity, 53.82 % moisture content, 22.26 % protein content, 2.34 % ash, 15.69 % fat, 2.45 % salt (NaCl), 30.49 % solid non-fat, 46.18 % total solids on average, respectively. Microbiological examination data presented that the total aerobic count of white soft cheese samples ranged between 1.6×104 and 3.5×106 cfu/g, and coliform bacteria were detected in 18 out of 20 examined white soft cheese samples, ranging between 3.8×102 and 5.2×104 cfu/g. Escherichia coli were present in 17 examined cheese samples, ranging between 4×102 and 1.5×106 cfu/g. Staphylococcus aureus at the interval 4.1×103 and 2.6×105 cfu/g, while in all soft cheese samples, the Salmonella spp. was not detected. Also, yeasts and molds were present in all soft cheese samples at the interval 2.4×102 and 1.6×104 cfu/g. White soft cheese produced in Khabat District is incompatible with the Iraqi Standard and Specification

Green synthesis of nanoparticles using plants has rapidly emerged as an environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable approach within the expanding field of nanotechnology. This comprehensive review aims to thoroughly explore the potential of plant-mediated synthesis as a viable alternative to traditional chemical and physical methods of nanoparticle production, which often rely on toxic chemicals, hazardous reagents, and energy-intensive processes. These bioactive compounds play a crucial role in controlling the nanoparticles' size, shape, and stability, allowing for precise and efficient nanoparticle formation. Despite these advantages, the review also addresses several challenges and limitations associated with scaling up the process for industrial applications, such as standardisation, consistency, and cost-effectiveness. In addition, the review investigates the promising potential applications of plant-derived nanoparticles in various fields, including biomedicine, environmental restoration, agriculture, and energy. These applications illustrate the transformative potential of plant-mediated nanoparticle synthesis in addressing global sustainability challenges, underscoring the role of green nanotechnology in advancing eco-friendly and sustainable solutions for the future. Ultimately, the review emphasises the growing importance of plant-based approaches in developing next-generation nanoparticles and their potential to drive the future of sustainable nanotechnology

This study involved two techniques for transferring important genes related to nitrogen fixation into Bacillus megaterium. Initially, morphological characteristics and molecular properties were analyzed to identify isolated bacteria. This process led to the isolation of Bacillus megaterium, Azotobacter chroococcum, and Rhizobium leguminosarum using a specific growth medium. Morphologically, the results showed that all the bacterial colonies were circular, convex, and smooth. A. chroococcum was creamy color, while B. megaterium and R. leguminosarum appeared white. The application of molecular approaches relied on identifying chromosomal DNA, specifically the nifH1 and nifV genes of A. chroococcum, and the plasmid DNA, including the nodD1 and nodG genes of R. leguminosarum. Additionally, genomic DNA and two primers of B. megaterium were included. The nodD1 and nodG genes were successfully transferred from R. leguminosarum to B. megaterium, resulting in 46 colonies on agar plates of Sperber medium that contained tetracycline and ampicillin as genetic markers. Furthermore, the nifH1 and nifV genes were transferred into the transformant B. megaterium from A. chroococcum via a conjugation mechanism, leading to the growth of 170 colonies on plates of Sperber\'s agar medium containing erythromycin and ampicillin as genetic markers. To confirm the success of these transfers, molecular analyses were conducted to detect the nodD1 and nodG genes in the transformant B. megaterium, as well as the nifH1 and nifV genes in the conjugant B. megaterium. This was achieved using appropriate primers and PCR conditions for all the genes, followed by gel electrophoresis, demonstrating the successful completion of both techniques

This study aimed to compare the production performance and meat quality of two Iraqi local chicken lines. The study was carried out between January 5, 2024, and June 5, 2024, at the Kani-Graw private field, which is 22 kilometers from Erbil City. 300 fertile eggs of two local line Iraqi Chickens (White and Black) were obtained from Agriculture Research Centre-Ministry of Agriculture-Baghdad. The hatchability percentage was 68%. Day old chicks hatched from eggs on 5 January 2024 of each line were divided randomly into four replications. The feeding system and lighting program were used based on ISA-BROWN guidance. The results cleared that, all production performance traits, which included the live body weight at 18 weeks of age, total weight gain, accumulative feed intake, feed conversion ratio, mortality percentage with production index, showed significant differences between the studied chick’s line, Black line showed higher total weight gain with lower mortality percentage and then higher production index than white line. The carcass parts, giblets, and inedible parts percentages, as it described that the white line was more significantly recorded on the carcass, thighs, neck, gizzard, skin with subcutaneous fat and Abdominal fat percentages than Black line. Likewise, the Black line was more significantly recorded breast, liver, spleen and Inedible parts than white line. The physical traits of breast meat cleared that the breast of white line recorded more significantly content of drip loss percentage than Black line, while Black line recorded more significantly content of W.H.C. percentage than white line. Furthermore, there were no significant variations in the cooking loss, pH value and breast color. In conclusion, Black line showed higher performance in production than white line

This research was conducted in the field belong to the College of Agriculture and Forestry located in the tourist forest area / University of Mosul / during the autumn growing season of 2023 to show the effect of two irrigation systems: (drip irrigation system and sprinkler irrigation system) and mechanical weeding at two depths (the first depth is 4-6 cm and the second depth is 7-9 cm), then using the split-plot system once within the RCBD design with three replicates, after which the data were recorded and then statistically analyzed according to the design used. The results were as follows: The drip irrigation system led to a reduction in the number of cut bushes and a significant increase in the number of tubers per plant, the yield per plant, the total yield and the net profit compared to the sprinkler irrigation system, as the values of the above-mentioned characteristics in the superior drip irrigation system reached 27.33/m2, 6.50 tubers/plant, 1298.00 g/plant, 81.125 tons/ha and 5483.75 USD/ha. While the mechanical weeding depth of 7-9 cm was significantly superior to the mechanical weeding depth of 4-6 cm in the control percentage, yield per plant, total yield and net profit, as the values of these traits for the superior depth reached 92.00%, 1192.33 g/plant, 74.521 tons/ha and 4848.40 USD/ha respectively for each trait, while the mechanical weeding depth of 4-6 cm led to a reduction in the number of cut bushes compared to the other wedding depth. The interaction of the drip irrigation system with the mechanical weeding depth of 7-9 cm gave results in the traits of yield per plant, total yield and net profit, as the values of these traits reached 1318.33 g/plant/82.396 tons. Ha and 5589.65 USD/ha, respectively, for each trait

The current experiment was conducted in the poultry field of the department of animal production at the College of Agriculture - University of Kirkuk for the period from 22/2/2024 until 4/4/2024, to study the effect of improving the nutritional value of local sunflower seed meal used in broiler diets by adding a lactic acid bacteria and its effect on production traits. 280 one-day-old, unsexed Rose 308 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into seven treatments, with four replicates for each treatment (ten birds for each replicate). The treatments were as follows: (T1) the control diet without any additives, (T2) 25% of the soybean meal replaced with sunflower meal, (T3) 50% of the soybean meal replaced with sunflower meal, (T4) 75% of the soybean meal replaced with sunflower meal, (T5) 25% of the soybean meal replaced with sunflower meal and the lactic acid bacteria added, (T6) 50% of the soybean meal replaced with sunflower meal with the addition of the lactic acid bacteria and (T7) 75% of the soybean meal with sunflower meal with the addition of the lactic acid bacteria. The results showed Significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) in the treatments (third, fourth, sixth and seventh) in the feed consumption rate and no significant differences in the nutritional treatments (first, second and fifth) in the weight gain rate, and in the cumulative week for the feed conversion treatment, the results showed no significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) between the treatments (third, fourth, sixth and seventh), and as for the carcass weight, the first, second, third, fifth and sixth treatments were significantly superior to the fourth and seventh treatments. The relative weight of the gizzard, the fourth treatment, was significantly superior (P ≤ 0.05) to the rest of the nutritional treatments, unlike the relative weight of the breast, which showed a significant difference (P ≥ 0.05). The results of the study showed that there were no significant differences (P≤0.05) in the relative weight of the liver, heart, thigh, back, wings and neck

This study was conducted on the wild wormwood plant collected from Mount Piramagroon with coordinates 35°46\'21.6\" N, 45°13\'46.7\" E and an elevation of 2611 m, Sulaymaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan, aiming to focus on the phytochemical profiling, antioxidant, and anticancer activities of this plant. The results showed that the methanolic extract of this plant contained total phenols at 61.45 mg GA/g, while total flavonoids reached 32.51 mg rutin/g. The plant extract also contained total glycosides (18.9 mg securidaside/g), total saponins (25.5 mg/g), and total alkaloids (23.5 mg/g). By using advanced HPLC technology, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, apigenin, catechin, gallic acid, and kaempferol at concentrations (30.7, 491.3, 307.1, 663.1, 256.5, and 384.1 µg/g), respectively, were detected, with a dominance of catechin, followed by p-coumaric acid. The volatile oil extracted by hydro-distillation, Clevenger apparatus, and GC-MS technology was found to contain 16 active compounds, with the highest concentration being the α-pinene compound at a concentration of 12.33%, followed by myrcene (9.15%). Furthermore, strong antioxidant effects were observed. The IC50 value of the extract was 62 μg/mL compared to 250 μg/mL for ascorbic acid. The results of cytotoxicity testing using the Cell Line technique depicted that the methanolic extract showed a highly significant anticancer activity against MDA-MB231 cells at a concentration of 10000 μg/mL after 72 h of incubation. Based on these comprehensive results, we conclude that there were very high concentrations of active compounds present in the extract of this plant, in addition to its high antioxidant and anti-breast cancer activities, making the plant a promising natural source containing powerful antioxidants and anti-breast cancer agents.

Water samples were taken from 36 wells in agricultural lands in Erbil governorate, Iraqi Kurdistan region. Soil samples were taken from five calcareous and seven gypsiferous soils from different locations in the Erbil and Nineveh governorates. Some of the chemical properties of the studied waters and soils were analyzed. Then, the water types, soil types, ion pairs, and their activities and ionic strengths were calculated. The main results were summarized as follows:
The water of (11, 10, 9, 2, 2, and 2) wells before correcting ion pairs plus activity had (Ca-SO4, Ca-HCO3, Mg-SO4, Mg-HCO3, Na-HCO3, Na-SO4) types, respectively. After correcting ion pairs and activity, the water of (1, 16, 3, 6, 7, and 3) wells had the mentioned types, which means correcting ion pairs and activity had a great impact on changing the water types.
The soil samples represent seven gypsiferous and five calcareous soils, depending on their calcium carbonate and gypsum content. The amount of ion pairs in gypsiferous soils is higher than their amount in calcareous soils. The ratio between ion pairs in gypsiferous to calcareous soil ranged from 0.67 to 3.19. The highest value was recorded for (CaSO4)0, while the lowest value was for (MgHCO3) 0. The series of ion pairs for both gypsiferous and calcareous soils was arranged as [(CaSO4)0, (MgSO4)0, (CaHCO3) +, (MgHCO3)+, (NaSO4)-, (KSO4)-, and (NaHCO3)0]. The dominant ions contributing to ion pair formation are Ca+2 and SO4-2; their highest and lowest values were recorded at Sinu1 and Akri locations, respectively. The highest correlation coefficient value between ionic strength and ion pairs was recorded in gypsiferous soil compared with calcareous soil, with the mean values of correlation coefficient of (r= 0.71** and 0.54*), respectively

This study was conducted in the poultry field of the Animal Production Department, in College of Agriculture, University of Kirkuk, for the period from 1/9/2024 to 24/11/2024 for a period of 84 days, with the aim of studying the effect of using celery seeds as a natural antioxidant with the industrial antioxidant Butylated Hydroxy Toluene (BHT) on the productive and physiological performance of LOHMANN BROWN laying hens. 128 laying hens, 86 weeks of age, were used. The birds were randomly distributed into eight nutritional treatments, with four replicates for each treatment, and each replicate had four hens. The nutritional treatments were as follows: First treatment: Control feed free of celery seed additives and BHT, The second treatment: Adding 100 mg/kg of the synthetic antioxidant BHT, Third treatment: Adding 1% of celery seeds, Fourth treatment: Adding 1.5% of celery seeds, Fifth treatment: Adding 2% of celery seeds, Sixth treatment: Adding 1% of celery seeds with the addition of 100 mg/kg of the synthetic antioxidant BHT, Seventh treatment: Adding 1.5% of celery seeds with the addition 100 mg/kg of the synthetic antioxidant BHT, Eighth treatment: Adding 2% celery seeds with 100 mg/kg of the synthetic antioxidant BHT, At the end of the nutritional study, blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of the 12-weeks-age chickens to conduct chemical blood analyses and some production traits. The results of the study showed a significant superiority (P≤0.05) of the eighth treatment over the control treatment in terms of egg production, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio. As for the blood chemical characteristics, there was a significant improvement (P≤0.05) in the level of glucose (mg/dl), cholesterol (mg/dl), high density lipoproteins mg/dl (HDL) and low density lipoproteins mg/dl (LDL), while there were no significant differences in the concentration of total protein (g/dl) and albumin (g/dl) in blood

This study was conducted at the farm of the College of Agriculture, Department of Animal Production, Kirkuk University, from April 28, 2024, to August 4, 2024, to evaluate the effects of substituting yellow peas with soybean meal on egg quality in laying hens. A total of 140 hens were randomly assigned to seven dietary treatments, with varying inclusion levels of yellow peas (0%, 20%, 40%, and 60%) replacing soybean meal. Enzymes were also included as part of a duplicated treatment design. The experiment followed a completely randomized design, with four replications per treatment, and data were analyzed using ANOVA and Duncan’s multiple range test at P ≤ 0.05. Egg quality parameters, including egg weight, shell thickness, albumen height, yolk color, and Haugh unit, were measured. Results showed significant differences in egg weight during specific weeks but no overall differences among treatments. The egg shape index varied significantly among treatments, with the highest recorded in the soybean meal-based diet. Yolk percentage was highest in the 20% and 40% yellow pea treatments, while albumin percentage was highest in the 60% yellow pea treatment. Eggshell percentage remained unaffected by dietary changes. These findings suggest that yellow peas can partially replace soybean meal in laying hen diets without negatively affecting overall egg quality. However, minor variations in certain parameters indicate potential influences of dietary protein composition and amino acid balance

Palm trees are the most important economic resource for Iraq in the past, which occupied advanced positions in the world in the number of palm trees and date production. However, palm groves have suffered a significant decline in their numbers for many reasons, such as climate change, drought, urban sprawl, neglect, geopolitical events, wars, and pests that affect palm groves. Studies have proven that biological determinants, which include disease and insect infestation, were among the oldest and most influential factors in the spread of palm groves and the decline in their numbers, which were approximately 30 million palm trees and declined to nearly half in the first quarter of this century. The article discussed the most important and most lethal pests in palm orchards, such as Khiyas palm pollen disease, shoot death, frond spotting, rot of the growing top, dobas, myxa, dust mites, and red palm weevil. These pests can lead to the destruction of large numbers of date palms, with infection rates ranging between 30 and 100% when appropriate conditions are provided. Because of its spread. It is concluded that insect pests are the most important biological factors affecting the spread of palm groves, and they cannot be eliminated and the deterioration of palm groves prevented except by developing an integrated control program under the auspices of the relevant state institutions

Stevia produces a low-calorie sweetener, which is a calorie-free sweetener, considered a helpful food additive for people with hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. The highly potent diterpene glycosides (stevioside and rebaudioside A), which are sweeteners, are 300 times sweeter than sucrose. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of micronutrient applications on diterpene glycosides (stevioside and rebaudioside A) in three stevia varieties using the HPLC analysis technique and to investigate the expression levels of UGT76G1 gene using gene-specific primers. In this context stevia sweeteners (Stevioside and Rebaudioside A) leaves contents were extracted and determined. The results indicated that different treatments resulted in variable steviol glycoside contents. In addition, the gene expression level of UGT76G1 was affected with the micronutrient applications, as an increase in the transcription abundance of the gene was observed. In conclusion, micronutrients were found to enhance stevia glycosides accumulation in the leaf tissues, especially in Egy1 and China1 varieties. In addition, the application of the three micronutrients (Zn, B and Mo) depicted the most favourable effects on stevia leaves

The experiment was conducted during the fall season of the 2023-2024 agricultural season in the tomato cultivation project using modern technologies affiliated to the Basrah Agriculture Directorate in Khor Al-Zubair. With the aim of studying the effect of foliar spraying with proline acid and chelated iron at three concentrations of each (0, 100, 200) mg L-1 and the interaction between them on the growth and yield of potato plants of the Prowin variety. The results showed a significant superiority of spraying with proline acid at a concentration of 200 mg L-1 in plant height, number of aerial stems, number of leaves, leaf area, number of tubers, marketable yield, total yield, percentage of dry matter, starch and specific gravity of tubers. Plants sprayed with chelated iron at a concentration of 200 ml L-1 gave a significant superiority in number of aerial stems, number of leaves, leaf area, marketable yield and total yield. The interaction between the two study factors showed a significant effect on all studied traits except for the percentage of total soluble solids. Plants sprayed with proline acid and chelated iron at a concentration of 200 ml L-1 each gave the best values for marketable yield and the total yield reached (22.25, 24.75) tons/ha with an increase rate of (91.15, 92.29) % compared to unsprayed plants, respectively.

Food fortification has been increasingly used to improve the sensory, functional, and nutritional properties of food products, addressing nutritional deficiencies and helping to prevent diseases in women, children, and the elderly. This study aimed to evaluate the enrichment of yoghurtwith mint extract powder (Mentha spicata L.) and assess its effects on yoghurtproperties. Mint powder was added to yoghurtat 0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%. The highest pH was observed on the first day, with the lowest pH recorded after 14 days of storage. The lowest pH was found in the 0.3% mint concentration (F3), followed by 0.2% (F2), and the highest pH was in the control sample. Yoghurts with mint powder showed a smaller decrease in pH compared to the control at the end of storage. Water holding capacity (WHC) increased slightly with higher 8concentrations of mint extract, but the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Syneresis values significantly differed between treatments, with the control sample exhibiting lower syneresis than the fortified yoghurts. Mint powder significantly enhanced the antioxidant capacity of yoghurtby 47.2% compared to the control after 20 days of refrigeration, reducing lipid peroxidation. At 0.2% concentration, a substantial improvement was noted (p < 0.01). No significant difference was observed at low mint concentrations (F1), but significant differences were found at higher concentrations (F2 and F3), with the lowest bacterial count recorded in F3 (3.2 log CFU/g).

This study was conducted on the branches of trees growing in the Dibs Forest/north of Kirkuk city. (Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Populus euphratica, Populus alba, Populus nigra, Platanus Oreintalis, Platanus Orientalis, Salix alba and Dalbergia Sissoo) where the study samples were taken from the lower branches of the trees, and samples were taken from the main trunk of the trees for comparison purposes. The technological characteristics studied included the morphological description of the branches and anatomical characteristics (length and diameter of fibers, diameter of Lumen, thickness of cell wall, Rankel ratios, Slendeness and flexibility coefficient) and chemical characteristics (percentage of soluble extracts, lignin, ash and Holocellulose) in addition to measuring density as a physical characteristic. It was not possible to measure the mechanical characteristics of the empties due to the significant twisting and lack of straightness.
Data varied within the studied species. Anatomical characteristics in branch wood showed a decrease in values, while the percentage of Holocellulose and density values increased in tree branches. Branch wood can be used in the manufacture of cellulose pulp and medium-quality paper, as well as in the production of composite panels

Drought is an environmental disaster worldwide, especially in countries with limited water resources and even in other countries affected by this phenomenon. This study aims to conduct a spatial survey of drought signs and causes, monitor, map and evaluate the drought phenomenon using remote sensing and geographic information systems. The study has great importance in knowing the time periods in which droughts occurred and predicting the upcoming dry periods in order to give a clear vision to decision makers to avoid the phenomenon of drought or to reduce its negative effects. The drought indicators normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and normalized difference water index (NDWI) have been used for this purpose. Drought areas, vegetation cover and water bodies were calculated by analyzing and evaluating the effects of drought on soil, vegetation cover and water bodies in the study area. The results showed that drought areas increase towards the south of the study area. The study area was greatly affected by the drought phenomenon in 2000, and this can be observed when comparing the image of 2000 with the image of 2023, as the areas of barren lands were large in 2000, and the area of vegetation cover and the area of water bodies decreased. The desertification area decreased in 2023 compared to 2000, as the desertification area in 2000 was 16532.06 km2 or 15435.04 km2 or the desertification area in 2023. The evidence of the NDVI and the NDWI confirms the occurrence of drought in the study area in 2000

This review explores recent dietary fat intake trends, focusing on fat replacers\\' classification, energy density, and functional roles. Fat replacers mimic fats\\' sensory and physical properties while aiming to reduce caloric content and improve nutritional value. Given the association between high intake of saturated fats and elevated risks of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and certain cancers, fat substitutes offer a promising strategy for health promotion. They may contribute to weight management, improve lipid profiles by reducing LDL cholesterol, and enhance satiety. Natural ingredients like egg whites, milk proteins, pectin, and fruit-based pastes (e.g., prune or cherry) not only act as fat replacers but may also increase antioxidant intake. This review also examines their applications in various food systems and evaluates their health implications. Future research should provide long-term clinical data on the health effects of fat replacers and explore novel sources and nano-formulations to enhance their effectiveness and consumer acceptans

Crops cultivated locally are considered among the most important crops worldwide because of their abundant essential nutrients and significant economic potential. This study evaluates the nutritional value, mineral composition, and phytochemical compounds of locally cultivated grains compared to imported varieties in the Sulaimani governorate of Iraq. Locally grown wheat, lentils, chickpeas, and maize were sourced from the Directorate of Agricultural Research, which promotes high-quality products from regional farmers, while imported grains were obtained from a retail outlet known for its diverse offerings and high consumer demand. Analytical results revealed that locally grown chickpeas had the highest fat content (5.23%), while lentils exhibited superior protein levels (25.11%) and the highest dietary fiber composition (29.31%). Additionally, local maize and wheat displayed the highest carbohydrate (73.87%) and moisture (13.07%) contents, respectively. Mineral analysis demonstrated that local grains consistently exhibited high concentrations of essential minerals. Lentils contained notable levels of iron, zinc, manganese, and potassium (7.69, 4.80, 16.36, and 957.33 mg/100g, respectively), while chickpeas were rich in magnesium and calcium (136.13 and 158.80 mg/100g, respectively). Enhanced energy composition observed in these local crops is likely attributed to a combination of genetic factors and favorable environmental conditions. Furthermore, the assessment of phytochemical constituents, namely phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and tannins, indicated a more robust antioxidant profile in locally produced maizeze grain (174.25, 5.77 and 46.70 mg/100g) relative to imported counterparts, respectively. The findings underscore the potential benefits of local crop cultivation to enhance food security and promote sustainable agricultural practices while delivering economic and health advantages to the community. The correlation analysis indicated that there is a strong positive correlation between protein and dietary fiber, while strong negative correlations exist between protein and carbohydrate (g), and phenolic acids and ash, with weaker correlations seen in other cases, such as Mg and Mn.

This study was conducted in Halfa Elgadida area, Kasala State, Eastern Sudan, it was aimed to evaluate how vegetable farmers use pesticides. Population of the study was constituted of (241) vegetables A random sample of 60 farmers representing 25% of the population from the three vegetables growing areas. Data was collected by using questionnaire form through field interviews. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings of the study show that; (45%) of the respondents have 5-10 experience farming years, (86.7%) of the respondents are under 45 years old, and (50%) have a primary school certificate and are illiterate. (55%) not use protective cover during spraying, (48.4%) used Knapsack spryer, (51.7%) from respondents spraying in the morning, (53.3%) storage pesticides inside their house, only (20%) of the farmers included in the study store pesticides in safe places. (45%) non-observance of waiting period. It also turns out that morning is the preferred time for farmers to control pests, Television and radio ranked first among the sources of information from which farmers obtain agricultural information. The study concluded that the absence of agricultural extension in training farmers about safety used of pesticides. The study recommends organizing training programs to improve farmers\\\\&#039; knowledge. to handling, mixing, storage, safety use, effective and responsible extension role to improve farmer awareness against pesticides application and its hazards to human and environment, mass media channel should be involved in giving different programs related to safe usage of pesticides. Individuals handling pesticides must be trained and licensed to do so, and manufacturers are required to affix instructional labels to their containers

Cold stress significantly limits the growing season of plants, leading to substantial losses in both crop yield and quality. Due to global climate change, the damage caused by cold stress to agricultural crops is steadily worsening. In the present study, we investigated the effects of foliar applications of calcium and potassium on yield, quality, and plant growth in radish under cold stress conditions. Radish seedlings were exposed to cold stress by planting them at five different times. In the study, foliar applications of 1% K₂SO₄ and Ca(NO₃)₂ were evaluated. The results indicated that the highest tuber weight was obtained from the 1% Ca application. Similarly, the best results in tuber diameter and tuber length were also achieved with the 1% Ca treatment. Moreover, the highest shoot length and shoot thickness were observed in the same treatment. The potassium treatment also produced better results compared to the control, similar to the calcium application. However, no significant differences were observed in chlorophyll index, leaf fresh weight, leaf dry weight, and relative water content of the leaves among the treatments. These results indicate that both calcium and potassium play crucial roles in mitigating the negative effects of cold stress, thus promoting better growth and yield in radish. Furthermore, while both treatments provided benefits, the calcium application appeared to be more effective in improving tuber characteristics. These findings suggest that optimizing nutrient management under cold stress conditions could significantly enhance crop productivity. Further research is needed to determine the optimal application doses and timing under varying ecological conditions. In conclusion, foliar applications of 1% K₂SO₄ and Ca(NO₃)₂ are recommended for achieving good plant growth and high yield in radish cultivation under cold stress conditions.

The study was conducted during the 2023–2024 winter agricultural season as part of the Tomato Cultivation Techniques Project of the Basrah Agriculture Directorate in the Khor Al-Zubair area. It aimed to evaluate four eggplant hybrids in terms of growth and yield under low plastic tunnels in the desert regions of southern Iraq. The results showed significant differences among the hybrids in both growth and yield parameters. The hybrids Lucia and Bolt exhibited significantly greater plant height (98.0 cm and 97.3 cm) and stem diameter (2.34 cm and 2.40 cm), respectively. The Lucia hybrid also recorded the highest number of branches (6.33), fruit weight (260.0 g), and fruit diameter (7.93 cm). The Jawaher hybrid had the highest number of leaves (118.3), dry matter percentage in the vegetative system (28.36%), and number of fruits per plant (14.3). The Jawaher and Bolt hybrids were superior in leaf area, with values of 44.4 dm² and 43.5 dm², respectively. The Bolt hybrid demonstrated significant advantages in yield per plant (2.600 kg), total yield (22.88 tons ha⁻¹), fruit length (20.33 cm), dry matter percentage in fruits (26.17%), and vitamin C content (11.25 mg per 100 g fresh weight), as well as in total soluble solids (6.46%).

The study was conducted in the field of the College of Agriculture, University of Kirkuk, located in Al-Sayada area, Iraq, during the 2024 growing season, to study the effect of three types of mulberry cuttings (Basal or Hardwood, Meddle and Terminal) by immersion in the growth regulator IBA at three concentrations (0, 1000 and 2000) mg L-1 at depth of 3cm for 10 seconds, and planted in two ways (Open and Greenhouse). The experiment was designed according to a RCBD design with two independent experiments. The number of cuttings for each cultivation method was 270 cuttings, and the total number of cuttings included in the study was 540 cuttings. The results showed that the basal (Hardwood) cuttings were significantly superior in all the studied traits of vegetative and root growth, except for the seedling height, for both the open and greenhouse cultivation methods, compared to the meddle and terminal cuttings. The treatment with a concentration of 2000 mg L-1 of auxin IBA was superior in the percentage of rooted cuttings, root length and the average number of new leaves formed on the cuttings, while the concentrations of 1000 and 2000 mg L-1 were superior in the number of roots and the average number of new branches compared to open cultivation. As for the greenhouse cultivation method, the concentration of 2000 mg L-1 of IBA had a significant improvement in all studied traits except for seedling height, in which the concentrations of 1000 and 2000 mg L-1 had a significant effect compared to the control treatment. The two-way interactions between the two factors a significant effect on all studied traits for both cultivation methods