IRAQ JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

The study was conducted in order to develop spatial distribution map for soil suitability for wheat growing within Abo-Bshot project and to show the relationship between suitability values and wheat yield production. The study area was selected in Abo-Bshot agricultural project in Maysan Government, soils were used for grain crops and some vegetables. The study area covers about 21000 don. Twenty farms were selected in the study area and soil samples were taken from each farm (0-30cm depth) to determine some physical and chemical soil properties. Soil suitability for wheat production was determined by using Sys et al.(1993) system. Wheat yield was determine by using square method and the relationships between wheat yield and soil properties were determined using simple statistical analysis. Temporal differences in the value of NDVI were determined using images of Landsat-8 for OLI sensor-images were taken in 11/11/2015 ,15/2/2016 and 5/3/2016.
The results indicated that the study sites show some differences with in their soil properties mainly in soil texture salinity and organic matter content -Also ,the results indicated that differences in the management practices used by the farmer in the study area including weeds controlling and tillage practices . The result revealed that soil proportion show different suitability values for wheat production. Salinity and organic matter contents are the most limiting factors for wheat suitability production. These are permeant limitation which can be improve by using some suitable management practices. In general soils of the study area are suitable for wheat production and fall within suitability classes of S1 S2 and S3. The results of simple regression analysis show a positive correlation between wheat yield and the content of organic matter and gypsum. While, other soil properties show a negative relation with wheat yield .Also, the results indicated a positive correlation between wheat yield and NDVI values, and there is temporal variation for NDVI in the study area. Wheat yield varies the study area varies between 350 to 1200 Kg/don. with mean of 589.75 Kg/don These variation in wheal yield related mainly with soil properties and some management practice used in the study area. There is a good correlation between the spatial distribution of wheat yield and soil suitability values.

Molecular screening was carried out on 17 varieties of wheat cultivated in Iraq to investigate 10 DNA markers (SSR and STS) associated with 12 rust resistance genes, caused by fungus Puccinia spp. The results showed that variety 3 Tamooz2 possessed the highest number of resistance genes (10), followed by (Iraq, Noor, AL-Rasheed, Rizgaree and IPA99) 9 genes, while variety 9 Australian had the lowest number of genes (5). It was also noted that the genes Sr24\ Lr24, Sr36 were the most dominant of studied genes, as it was presented in all of the wheat varieties, followed by Lr34 gene which was present in 15 of the tested varieties, while others tested genes were in between.

The effects of 4 different levels of salt stress induced by sodium chloride (NaCl) at early seedling growth stages of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were compared under laboratory conditions. The objective was to determine genotypic and phenotypic differences among cultivars and to determine the most sensitive component to stress.
Results showed that there was a significant different at 1% in mean of variety and between salt concentrations and interaction between them, With a decreasing trend in shoot and root length and on fresh and dry weight. Fresh shoot weights were less affected (17, 47, 68 and 71%) than dry weight (31, 61, 77 and 82%) respectively, while a drastic Increasing in root/ shoot ratio was recorded with the increasing concentrations of NaCl, root/ shoot ratio increased which shows shoot growth is more sensitive than root growth to salt stress. Data revealed variation of wheat genotype in their ability to tolerant the salt stress, Varity Baghdad 1 gave lowest reduction percentage (7.6, 29.2 and 29.3%) following by genotype 321 in root length and on fresh weight (8.5 and 34.3%), and genotype 323 on dry weight (34.1%) respectively. While genotype 321 and Varity Baghdad 3 gave lowest reduction percentage in shoot length (44.2 and 45.5%) compared to its control and another genotypes.
The results indicated that the values of variances were varied among studied characters. The values of the genotypic and phenotypic variance were more than environment variance for all characters. The higher values for broad sense heritability appeared in fresh shoot weight as 96.97%.
The correlation was positive and high significant among all characters except the root/ shoot ratio, which showed highly significant and negative correlation with another characters.

Ten genotypes of aestivum wheat (Fortane, Wyalkatcheme, King Rock, Endure, Magentae, Zippy, Bumper, Westonia, Yassien) Which introduced from Austrian, in addition of control variety (Sham–6). A field experiment was carried out during 2010\2011 (Al-Shameya Location–Al-Kafagiey Villege), 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 (Al–Jassera location– Al – Sakran Villege) in Haditha town (130 km west of Ramadi) Al-Anbar Province west of Iraq. RCBD with three replicate was used. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of these genotypes and determination the furthers which are sutable for target envirorment of Iraq. Result showed the superiority of Endure genotype by givins a high number of spike (271.0 per. M-2), grain in spike (80.6 grain) and grain yield (7.10 ton . ha-1) in location (Al–shameya–Al kafagiey) 2010/2011 season. The same genotyope was superior in number of spike and grain yield (248.0 spike. M-2 and 5.0 ton . ha-1) and (207.3 spike. M-1 and 6.83 ton . ha-1 ) in location (Al–Jassera, Al–Sakran) for the season 2011/2012 and 2012/ 2013 respcetively, while Bumper genotype was suprior in weight of 1000 grain (34.0 and 34.2 g) for the two locations respectively.

The study was performed for evaluating eight durum wheat genotypes (Azegar-2, Icarash-2, Maassara-1, Fadda98, Beja6-SLA, Mikki-3, Amedakul-1 , Lahaucan) besids the check variety (Baghdad 1) by using different irrigates frequently (2 ,4 ,6 irrigates) during season growth. Seeds of genotypes were grown during 2016-2017 season by using Randomized completely block design in a siplit plot design with tree replications in Salahaddin Governorate, Tooz district, Bara Bara Villige.Traits studied were: Days to 50% Heading (day) ,plant height (cm), flag leaf area (cm),spike length(cm), no.spikes.m2 ,no.grains.spike-1, 1000 grains weight(gm), grain yield (t/h) ,biological yield (t/h) and harvest index. Significant differences were appeared among genotypes and irrigation frequently and their interactions for all traits studed except spike length and days to Heading for the genotypes and interaction respectively, best interaction were (Azegar-2×6th irrigates) for days to Heading, (Amedakul-1 ×4th irrigates) for 1000 grains weight and (Icarash-2×6th irrigates) for flag leaf area, number of grains per spike and grain yield. Phenotypic and genotypic variances were high comparing with environmental one for traits under investigates of three irrigates frequently that state the important role of genes controlling these traits and selection can be affected of improving traits under investigation for less amount affected by environments which that can be depended of improving genotypes.

Afield experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of cultivar,
transplanting depth and transplanting method on rice grain yield and its
component at the rice research station in Mashkhab / Najaf province for the
growing summer season of 2015. Two types of rice including Amber 33 and
Yasmine which represented main plot, two transplanting depths included: 4 cm,
8 cm which represented sub plot and three transplanting methods included:
riding type, walking type and transplanting manual which represented sub sub
plot were used in this study. Number grains in panicle, weight of thousand
grains, plant height and grains yield were measured in this study. The
experiment was conducted in accordance to split plot design under randomized
complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Least significant
differences under 0.05 probability (L.S.D=0.05) was used for comparison
between the mean of treatment.
The results showed the following:
1–There was no significant differences in the studied properties attributed by
rice transplanting equipment.
2–Increased transplanting depth from 4 cm to 8 cm has led to significant
decrease in the number grains in panicle from 167.4 to 162.6 grain.panicle-1
.
3–Amber 33 cultivar achieved a significant superiority in the plant height
reached 137 cm and more number of grains in panicle reached 176.4 grain
Panicle-1
. Yasmine cultivar recorded a significant higher grains yield
reached 7.581 ton. Ha-1
compared to 5.466 ton. ha-1
for Amber 33 cultivar.
4-The interaction between 8 cm transplanting depth and walking transplanting
showed significant increase in weight of thousand grains reach 20.10 g.
There was a significant effect of dual correlation between Amber 33
cultivars and manual transplanting on achieving the highest plant height
reached 139.23 cm. There was a significant effect of the interaction between
Amber 33 cultivar and 4 cm transplanting depth on getting the highest plant
height stood 138.40 cm.
5-There was a significant effect of triple interaction among Amber 33 cultivar, 8
cm depth and riding transplanter on achieving a higher weight of thousand
grains stood 20.47 g.

Drought is a widespread problem affecting the production of field crops, including wheat, not only in Iraq, but in most of the world's arid and semi-arid regions.The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of several selection indices to identify drought tolerant genotypes under drought stress conditions. Twenty seven bread wheat local cultivars and genotypes differing in yield performance were grown under drought stress and normal irrigation during 2014 and 2015 growing season, were evaluated in split plot design with three replications. Principal component analysis (PCA) based on the correlation matrix, indicated that PCA1 (80.6%) and PCA2 (18.1%) accounted for 98.7% of variations among the indices. Results showed that MP, GMP and STI were more effective in identifying high yielding genotypes in both drought-stressed and irrigated conditions. Where as G1,G10 and G11 were more tolerant for drought but G25 and G26 as more sensitive genotype to drought stress.

A field experiment was carried out in the winter season 2016-2017 at the site of the organicfertilizer and mushroom cultivation project of the Dhi Qar Agriculture Department / Ministry of Agriculture, located in Shatrah district of Dhi Qar governorate, 45 km north of Nasiriyah city center. The implantation of genetic structures on the lines of the distance between the line and the last 20 cm in the experimental units of 6 m 2 and the design of the complete random sections (RCBD) and three replicates, the soil and crop service operations according to the scientific recommendations of the wheat crop and removed the bushes Manually and for two phases within the growing season Twenty-three morphological characteristics of the UPOV structures were Studied in estimating the genetic variability between the studied structures. Eleven characteristics showed high differences between the structures, namely the coloration of the scabbard sheath, the date of the ears, the presence of the wax layer on the spike, the general shape of the spike, the color and shape of the grains, The capillaries on the last node form the width of the shoulder and the length of the beak, while the rest showed less morphological distinctions of contrast or differences between the compositions and studied cultivars. The date of flowering, the color of the spike and length of the plant did not show clear differences between the studied structures, while the shape of the relation between the genotypes indicated a high variance, with the highest score of 0.83 between July 2 and Iraq. N22 and 0.82 are two ICARDA entry structures. A class of 22 studies identified a high affinity of 0.81 with the input structure of ICARDA N10, and a genetic affinity in some phenotypic traits between the two approved varieties July 2, Iraq and 99 and N12, N4, N22 and N16 At 0.80 she had Were found in a separate group, while the other group was close to 0.56, with the RCD, N22 and N14, and 0.64 respectively, while the Abu Ghraib group was only 0.16 and the rest were studied.

Genotypes of bread wheat Sham8, Sham6, Tamoz2, Tamoz3, IPA95, IPA99, Al-Iz, Latefia, Rasheed, Intisar, Bohoth22, Maxipak, AbuGraib3, Kreta and Fatih were planted at Al-Tharthar area of Salah Al-Din Governorate during the arowing season 2012-2013 in two experiments, the first was irrigated by fresh waters of river and the second from the well and using three levels of potassium fertilization 0, 200 and 400 kg per hectar (The water and fertilizer combinations represents six different environments) using a randomized complete block design with three replications, in order to evaluate its stability for characters, date of flowering, plant height, number of spikes per cm2, flag leaf area, spike length, number of spikelets per spike, 1000 grain weight, grain yield, biological yield, harvest index and protein percent. Combined analysis of variance results showed that the mean square of each of the environments, genotypes and that related to the interaction genotypes x environments was significant for all the traits except the date of flowering in the cases of environments and interaction. The variations related to the environments was much greater than those of each of the genotypes and interaction for all characters except the date of flowering, plant height and grain yield, and that related to the environments or genotypes greater than those of genotypes x environments interaction. The broad sense heritability appeared low for number of spikes per cm2, biological yield, harvest index and protein percent, while was high for plant height and spike length and moderate for other traits. Results of stability parameters showed that genotypes Sham8, Sham6, IPA95 and Intisar was high stable for grain yield and date of flowering, as well as the distinguished IPA95 in its high stability to the protein percent. These four genotypes showed their adaptability to the good environments only for some traits, including IPA95 for spike length, number of panicle per spike and number of grains per spike, Intisar for spike length and number of grains per spike, and the two genotypes sham 8 and sham 6 for biological yield. These findings offer the possibility benefit from genotypes of high stability in future breeding programs by hybridization to create new varieties characterized by good productivity and quality traits, and stable in a wide range of environmental changes, in addition to the possibility of expansion grow at a wide range of environmental conditions.

A field experiment was conducted at College of Agric., Baghdad Univ. of during the winter season 2015-2016 to determine the effect of seed priming on some traits of growth, yield and its components for three cultivars of bread wheat. A factorial trial was conducted with two factors according to randomized complete block design with three replicates. First factor is cultivars of bread wheat (Abu–Graib3, IPA99 and Al-Fateh). Second factor is seed priming through soaking seed with concentrations of growth regulators and plant extracts (100, 100, and 150 mg L-1 of benzyl adenine, salisylic acid and gibberellic acid (GA3), respectively, and 100% concentrations of each one of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Salix Sp) in addition to control treatment (disttiled water). The results showed that cultivar IPA99 was supremacy significantly in dry weight of plant and plant growth rate at beginning of tillering stage, beginning of elongation stages, beginning of booting stage and beginning of spike emergence stage, number of spikes per square meter (598.5) and grain yield (6.218 ton ha-1). The treatment of seed soaking with GA3 was supremacy significantly in plant dry weight, plant growth rate in growth stages that mentioned above, stem diameter, plant height, chlorophyll content of leaf, length of flag leaves is green, flag leaf area, spike length, number of spikes per spike, number of spikes per square meter, number of grain per spike and grain yield. Treatment of seed soaking with GA3 didn’t differ significantly with treatment of soaking seeds with licorice extract and benzyl adenine. The most less averages of traits above was related with control treatment. The interaction treatment between cultivar IPA99 and seed soaking with GA3 was supremacy significantly in plant dry weight, plant growth rate in growth stages that mentioned above, number of spikes per square meter (723.4), number of grain per spike (82.1) and grain yield (7.664 ton ha-1). The most less averages of traits above was related with interaction treatment between cultivar Abo-Graib3 and control treatment. It can be concluded that using seed soaking technique could be one of important key to improve growth and increase grain yield of bread wheat, especially seed soaking with GA3.

Rice is considered as a sensitive crop to salt stress, particularly in seed
germination stage and varieties tolerance difference based on their genetic
characteristics or genetic content. The current study aimed to investigate one of the
important genes responsible for rice tolerance under salinity stress condition (SKC1)
in seven local varieties of rice: Amber Al-Baraka, Amber-33, Yasmin, Furat-1,
Bouhoth, Mushkhab-1 and Mushkhab-2. RNA was extracted from the leaves of these
varieties at 45 days after they were grown at the salted level (15 dS/m), as well as the
control treatment (3 dS/m), and the study of their gene expression subjected using
the molecular technique SYBR Real time PCR. The results showed that the two
cultivars, Mushkhab-1 and Mushkhab-2, were reveal SKC1 gene high expression,
which is associated with salinity tolerance when compared with other studied
cultivars. While the two cultivars, Furat-1 and Bouhoth were considered relatively
salt-tolerant or semi-tolerant, because the SKC1 gene expressions to them were
relatively high compared with the control treatment. The varieties that the
experiment confirmed its sensitivity to salinity are Amber Al-Baraka, Amber-33,
and Yasmin, since the amount of gene expression did not appear any significant
difference or expression after exposure to salt tolerance compared with the control
treatment

A field trial was conducted at Al-Mishkhab Rice Research Station during 2016 rice season, aimed to to study the effect of different sowing dates on growth and yield and its components of six new rice genotypes (Oryza sativa L.) introduced from Iran. They are: (KHAZAR وDORFAK و NEDA و NEMATو GOHAR و SHIROODI), these genotypes were compared with local Jasmine and Furat1 varieties as they are most common in Iraqi farmers' fields. The trial was performed as split plot based on a complete randomized blocks design having three replications. The sowing date was (10 June, 20 June, 1 July) occupied main plots, while rice genotypes occupied sub plots. The results indicated that the local variety Furat1 was gave significant superiority among all introduced genotypes in both of the grain yield and biological yield. 20 June were gave superiority in most of characteristics of vegetative growth, yield and its components compared with other sowing date, the increased was significant in the biological yield, grain number per panicle, 1000 grain weight, unfertile grain rate, grain yield and harvest index. The10 June were significantly higher in the number of active tillers per m², dry matter weight, plant height, day numbers from sowing to flowering of 50% and to maturity. Recommended, planting of KHAZAR genotype at the end of May due to it is late maturity to provide better growth conditions because it has a large number of grain per panicle and there is possibility of raising its productivity.

A field experiment was carried out at the field of Field Crops Department, College of Agric., Bagdad Univ. The objectives of experiment were to estimate the some genetic parameters, phenotypic and genotypic variation coefficient, genotypic and phenotypic correlation, coheritability, and path coefficient for some traits of maize. Five inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.) were used (Zm43w (ZE), ZM60, ZM49w, ZM19 and CDCNS) in 2013, for two seasons. On spring season, seeds of inbreds were planted at 17 March. At anthesis full diallel cross between inbreds was done. On fall season, F1 seeds of crosses (20cross) resulted from diallel cross and five parents were planted by using Randomized Completely Block Design with four replications. Results of statistical analysis for these crosses and parents were highly significant different. Genetic analysis illustrate that the genetic variation for all traits was more than environment variation. Thus all genetic variation coefficient (GCV) were all closed of phenotypic variation coefficient (PCV). All values of heritability were high. The highest value of coheritability was for number of grains per row with number of leaves and leaf area1.071 and 1.044 respectively. All genetic correlations were high than phenotypic correlations. The highest value for direct effect was for ear length (0.853). It can be conclude that all traits controlled by genetic factors and possibility of using ear length and number of grains per row as selection criteria to improve the grains yield of maize in breeding programs

A laboratory experiment was carried out to determine the further combination of GA3 concentration (distilled water, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm) and soaking duration with GA3 for (12, 24 and 36 h) through its impact on germination and traits of viability and vigour of maize seeds (synthetic cv. 5018). Factorial experiment according to Complete Randomize Design (CRD) with four replications was carried out.
Results showed significant superiority of soaking with 300 ppm concentration of GA3 gave best values for first day of germination (FDG), last day of germination (LDG), time it takes for the germination (TG), mean of germination time (MGT), percentage of germination in first count (FG), percentage of germination (G), coefficient velocity of germination (CVG) and germination rate index (GRI) (1.3 day, 2.8 day, 1.5 day, 2.2 day, 95.7%, 95.7%, 46.7%.day-1 and 46.4%.day-1) respectively. Significant superiority of soaking duration for 36 hours was gave best values for FDG, LDG, MGT, FG, G, CVG and GRI (1.4 day, 3.3 day, 2.3 day, 92.8%, 94.5%, 44.6%.day-1 and 43.6 %.day-1) respectively. Results of interaction showed significant superiority of soaking with 300 ppm concentration of GA3 for 24 hours was gave best values for LDG, MGT, FG, CVG and GRI (2.3 day, 2.0 day, 99.0%, 50.8%.day-1 and 51.7%.day-1) respectively. Significant correlation positive and negative was found between most of those attributes. It conclude that soaking of maize seeds with GA3 reduced duration of soaking from 36 to 24 h and increased viability and vigour of seeds through improve germination and its traits. We recommend soaking of maize seeds with 300 ppm concentration of GA3 for 24 hours before planting.

experiment was conducted in spring 2012 in-Research Agricultural Abu Ghraib (ARO). Cultivated and crossed, six inbred (mothers) by three parents (two tester and hybrids), to produce eighteen hybrid. in autumn 2012 and planted according to (RCBD) in three replicates. Statistical analysis was conducted of various genetic and estimates by fixed model (10). The effects was Partitioned to see the difference between all genotype, to detect epistasis. Hybrids was best in most traits, especially number of grain per ear (584.34) and seed weight (56.66 g) in analogous of the mean yield plant (143.79 g) and the general mean (134.26 g). The difference back to the high variability in coefficient components variation. The number of grain per row (15.5) was the highest in index of variation. The genetic variability for inbred, was highly significant for the most of traits. Inheriting additional and epistasis genes was founded except yield. Accumulation inheritance of genes desired. Interventional epistasis genetic action missed except of the flowering (98day) and seed weight (399.03) observed significant of the type (i) only. High heritability in the broad sense of all traits, low environmental, genetic and phenotypic variation and index. So hybridization can be performed according to the viability of the specific combining ability. Hybrids were the best in the most traits