Kirkuk University Journal For Agricultural Sciences (KUJAS)

Local isolates of Gluconobacter species produced bacterial cellulose. The fact that bacterial cellulose has no
antibacterial action to stop microbe infections makes it an intriguing material for use in medicinal medications and
industrial coatings. Bacterial cellulose was submerged in a silver nitrate solution to saturate it with silver nanoparticles,
resulting in antibacterial action. The present research was conducted to investigate the antibacterial properties of a
composite of local bacterial cellulose and silver nanoparticles against MDR Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli isolates.
Overall the isolates were obtained from bacteriological unit in Baaqubah Teaching Hospita (different sources of foods).
during the period from December 2024 to January 2025. The absorbed silver ion (Ag+) in the bacterial cellulose was later
reduced to metallic silver nanoparticles (Ag0) with the help of purified bacterial cellulose. The optical absorption band
was visible in silver nanoparticles at about 420 nm. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to analyze the silver
nanoparticles\\\\' particle size distribution. X-ray diffraction also demonstrated the production of silver nanoparticles.
Bacterial cellulose coupled with freeze-dried silver nanoparticles demonstrated potent antibacterial action against isolates
of Staphylococcus aureus and pathogenic Escherichia coli. This research presents a green synthesis method for producing
a new bio-composite that employs bacterial cellulose as a capping agent, demonstrating its efficacy as an antibacterial
agent. The results demonstrated that the inhibition zone of Ag Nps and AgNps/BC against MDR S. aureus ranged between
14-16 mm and 16-20 mm in diameter, and that the silver nanoparticles acquired in the cellulose matrix showed
antimicrobial effects on both resistant Gram-positive and resistant Gram-negative bacteria. in the same order, in contrast,
the inhibition zone against MDR E. coli varied from 15–17 mm to 18–21 mm

The research aims to determine awareness level among agricultural extension employees in Kirkuk Province of
the importance of spraying sour orange trees with Brassinolide. It also aims to study the correlation among the
awareness of agricultural extension employees in Kirkuk Province of the importance of spraying sour orange trees
with Brassinolide and (age, educational attainment, length of service, workplace, and Participate in a training
course).
The research is focused on discovering how much agricultural extension workers in Kirkuk Province understand
the significance of applying Brassinolide to sour orange trees. It also seeks to find out how this awareness among
the agricultural extension staff relates to factors such as age, education level, years of experience, workplace, and
participation in training programs. The study involved all staff engaged in agricultural extension at the Kirkuk
Agriculture Directorate Center and the Extension Training Center, totaling 60 employees. However, 20 of those
employees were removed from the survey sample, leaving 40 employees who were included for the data collection
aspect of the research. Data for the study was gathered through a questionnaire divided into two sections. The first
section contained questions aimed at understanding the unique characteristics of the participants, while the second
section featured a five-point Likert scale with 10 items. The information was collected through direct interviews
and was then compiled and analyzed using various statistical techniques with SPSS software. The findings
indicated that 60% of the agricultural extension workers had a moderate to low level of awareness regarding the
significance of utilizing the growth regulator Brassinolide on sour orange trees. Additionally, there was a notable
link observed between the agricultural extension workers\' awareness in Kirkuk Province about the application of
Brassinolide and factors such as years of experience, work location, and involvement in training courses. The study
suggested organizing training sessions for agricultural extension staff to enhance their understanding of the
importance of applying Brassinolide to sour orange trees

This study conducted in the poultry fields of the Department of Animal Production/College of Agriculture/ University
of Kirkuk, for the period from 2024/7/4 to 2024/8/8, to know the effect of adding clove bud powder and vitamin C as a
heat stress reliever and its effect on the productive performance of broilers. 240 one-day-old ROSS 308 Unsexed broiler
chicks were used and the average initial weight was (39. 09) g. The chicks were randomly distributed into eight treatments
with 3 replicates of 10 birds per replicate. The following experimental treatments :(T0) Control treatment,(T1) Vitamin C
250g/ Ton,(T2) clove bud powder 250g/ Ton Feed,(T3) clove bud powder 500g/ Ton Feed, (T4) clove bud powder 1000g/
Ton Feed ,(T5) clove bud powder 250g + 250g vitamin C Ton /Feed ,(T6) clove bud powder 500g + 250g vitamin C Ton
/Feed ,(T7) clove bud powder 1000g + 250g vitamin C Ton / Feed. The results showed significant differences between
the supplementation treatments and the control treatment in the average live body weight, the average weight gain, and
the feed conversion ratio, and most of the weight increases occurred in the second treatment in all weeks. As for feed
intake , a significant decrease was observed in favor of the sixth treatmen

This study was conducted in a private nursery in Kirkuk Governorate during the growing season 2023-2024 on Damask
Rose (Rosa damascene Mill).The plants were treated with media that consisting (Loamy soil +Sawdust) with three levels
(0,5,10%) and biofertilizer (Azotobacter chroococcum) with four concentratios (0,8,16,24 g pot-1) which applied in three
doses (2023/3/15 ,2023/9/15 ,2024/3/15). The experiment established according to Randomized Complete Block Design
(R.C.B.D). The results showed that, the use of culture media with (10% saw shavings) led to a significant increase in
leaves total chlorophyll content, anthocyanin pigment assessment in flower petals ,leaves nitrogen percentage, leaves
phosphorus percentage and leaves potassium percentage compared with control treatment.Bio-fertilizer application with
24 g pot-1 led to significant difference in leaves total chlorophyll content, anthocyanin pigment assessment in flower
petals, leaves nitrogen percentage, leaves phosphorus percentage and leaves potassium percentage compared with control
treatment , when compared to the control characteristic, the following traits showed(leaves total chlorophyll content,
leaves nitrogen percentage, leaves phosphorus percentage and leaves potassium percentage) notable variation as a result
of the two-way interaction between the biofertilizer and culture media (24 g pot-1 +10% )

Cardamom Elettaria cardamomum a spice with known antioxidant and bioactive properties, has been studied for its
potential effects on animal physiology, including reproductive hormones. Male lambs were divided randomly and equally
into four groups control group and three treatments. This study investigates the impact of dietary cardamom
supplementation on sex hormone levels in lambs. Specifically, we examine changes in testosterone, luteinizing hormone
(LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in response to varying doses of cardamom in the diet. The results indicate
that cardamom may influence endocrine function by modulating hormone secretion, potentially enhancing reproductive
efficiency. The observed effects are likely due to cardamom’s phytochemical composition, including flavonoids and
essential oils, which may interact with endocrine pathways. These findings suggest a potential role for cardamom as a
natural supplement to improve reproductive performance in male lambs. Further research is needed to determine optimal
dosages and long-term effects on reproductive health. The aims of this study were to evaluate the impact of using of the
cardamom powder on some sex hormones in karadi male lambs. This study was conducted in the field in Animal Science
Department, College of Agricultural Engineering Science, University of Sulaimani. the total number of animals which
used in the study was (12) male lambs with an average live weight of (24.38±2.8) kg were used in this study. Blood
samples (10 ml) were collected via the jugular vein and then part of blood is transferer to plain tubes for serum preparation,
Serum samples were used for estimation the testosterone, LH , FSH . The results indicate that there was significant effect
of green cardamom powder on serum FSH, LH hormones, but no significance effect on serum testosterone level in karadi
lambs for all treatments

This study conducted in the poultry fields of the Department of Animal Production/College of Agriculture/ University
of Kirkuk, for the period from 2024/7/4 to 2024/8/8, to know the effect of adding clove bud powder and vitamin C as a
heat stress reliever and its effect on the productive performance of broilers. 240 one-day-old ROSS 308 Unsexed broiler
chicks were used and the average initial weight was (39. 09) g. The chicks were randomly distributed into eight treatments
with 3 replicates of 10 birds per replicate. The following experimental treatments :(T0) Control treatment,(T1) Vitamin C
250g/ Ton,(T2) clove bud powder 250g/ Ton Feed,(T3) clove bud powder 500g/ Ton Feed, (T4) clove bud powder 1000g/
Ton Feed ,(T5) clove bud powder 250g + 250g vitamin C Ton /Feed ,(T6) clove bud powder 500g + 250g vitamin C Ton
/Feed ,(T7) clove bud powder 1000g + 250g vitamin C Ton / Feed. The results showed significant differences between
the supplementation treatments and the control treatment in the average live body weight, the average weight gain, and
the feed conversion ratio, and most of the weight increases occurred in the second treatment in all weeks. As for feed
intake , a significant decrease was observed in favor of the sixth treatment

Potato starch obtained as waste from potato gypsum production was used and introduced into the feed of laying hens
as a substitute for yellow corn in an experiment conducted in the poultry field of the Animal Production Department /
College of Agriculture / University of Kirkuk. It lasted for 90 days, divided into 6 production periods, starting from
2/1/2024 until 15/4/2024, to know its effect on some qualitative characteristics of the produced eggs. A flock of 112 laying
hens of the Lohmann Brown breed, 50 weeks old, was us.ed. They were randomly distributed into 7 treatments with 4
replicates per treatment. Each replicate contained 4 hens. The treatments were: T1: contained a standard feed of 100%
yellow corn. T2: 25% potato starch as a substitute for yellow corn. T3: 50% potato starch as a substitute for yellow corn.
T4: 75% potato starch as a substitute for yellow corn. T5: 25% potato starch as a substitute for yellow corn + enzyme
mixture. T6: 50% potato starch as a substitute for yellow corn + enzyme mixture T7: 75% potato starch as a substitute for
yellow corn + enzyme mixture, the results of the statistical analysis showed no significant effect (P≤0.05) between the
experimental treatments and the control treatments in both the relative weight of the yolk and white, while the significant
superiority of the partial starch replacement treatments with the addition of enzymes T6, T7 was achieved for the yolk
index and Unit Haugh compared to the other experimental treatments and the control treatments

Seven local cultivars of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) - Masafik, Melisse, Radisho, Armishte, Sahraban, Halapja,
and Dwarf pomegranate - were cultivated in the Kurdistan region of Iraq from October 2020 to February 2023. The purpose
was to test their callus induction and organogenesis to establish efficient protocols for mass production and future
molecular studies. The results showed that treating the seeds by soaking them in water and a salicylic acid solution
separately for 24 hours increased seed germination in some cultivars. It was observed that the leaves responded better than
the cotyledons for callus induction. Furthermore, the combination of MS salts plus 1.5 mgL-1 BAP supplemented with 1.5
mgL-1 NAA significantly increased callus induction. In addition, Armishte and Shahraban explants exhibited positive
responses for callus induction, followed by Masafik, Radisho, Melisse, Halapja, and Dwarf. The combination of 3.0 mgLˉ¹
BAP with 0.5 mgL-1 NAA resulted in a higher percentage of shoot organogenesis and regenerated plantlets derived from
callus. Conversely, 2.0 mgLˉ¹ BAP + 0.5 mgLˉ¹ NAA and 1.0 mgL-1 BAP + 0.5 mgLˉ¹ NAA protocols showed lower
responses, respectively

The study examines the effects of partially replacing well water with treated sewage water on water quality, growth
performance, carcass composition, and blood parameters in common carp. Common carp (mean weight = 104.16 ± 0.83
g) were reared in 12 experimental tanks, which well water replaced by 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% of treated sewage water.
A result showed that final body weight (FBW) was significantly reduced in fish reared in tanks with 50% well water
replaced with treated sewage water. No significant difference was found among treatments in the values of weight gain
(WG), specific growth rate (SGR), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). The lowest level of survival was (83.33±3.33)
recorded in fish reared in water with 75% well water replaced with sewage-treated water, which was significantly lower
than the control and other groups of fish. Substituting well water with sewage-treated water resulted in higher levels of
BOD, EC, NO₃ ⁻ , COD, Mg, Cl, Na⁺ , K⁺ , TDS, TSS and salinity. However, ammonia levels decreased significantly as
the replacement level increased. Biochemical tests in the serum showed significant changes with the substitution of well
water with sewage-treated water. The levels of AST, ALT, ALP, cholesterol, TG, HDL, VLDL, urea, uric acid, total
protein, albumin, lipase, amylase, and glucose increased with the substitution of 75% of well water with sewage-treated
water. The study concluded that substituting well water with sewage-treated water had a significant effect on water quality
and serum biochemical testing, but no effect on growth performance and carcass composition

The investigation was conducted at the Bakrajo Technical Institute, Sulaimani Politechnic University located in the
Kurdistan Region of Iraq, from 1th December to 1th April to examine the implication of various concentrations of IBA
(0, 3000, 4000, and 5000 mg. L-) and types of cutting (semi-hardwood and hardwood) on the rooting process in the
propagation of Myrtle cuttings. In the experimental investigation, treatments were organized, according to a completely
randomized block design, encompassing three replications. The means were differentiated utilizing Duncan's multiple
range tests at a significance level of 5%. The cuttings for this research were120 cuttings were collected from the garden
of the Bakrajo Technical Institute. In this study, the parameters evaluated included rooting percentage, root length, number
of roots per cutting, shoot length, number of leaves per cutting, and shoot diameter.The findings revealed that the two
different categories of cuttings exhibit in rooting efficacy across all parameters. Furthermore, elevated concentrations of
IBA significantly cause a significant augmentation in the rooting percentage, shoot diameter, leaf number, and root length
compared to the control treatment at significance. regarding the interactive effect of the two variables it was determined
that cuttings subject to 5000 mg. L-1 IBA with semi-hardwood cutting exhibited the highest (55%) rooting, and the most
favorable root and shoot characteristics were attained in the identical interaction as well, shoot length (23.23 cm), shoot
diameter (3.05 mm), leaf number (12.00), and root length (33.30 cm). In light of these results, we inferred that the type of
cutting and the varying concentrations of IBA, had exerted differential effects on the rooting success of cuttings myrtle).
Consequently, this study recommends the propagation of Myrtus indica through semi- hardwood cuttings treated with a
5000 mg-L-1 IBA solution

This study conducted at Bakrajo Technical Institute Sulaimani, Iraq, to investigates the impact of different fertilizer
treatments including foliar nano NPK, bio-fertilizers, and granular NPK (1, 1.5and 2) g L-1 on the growth and yield of
sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum). Utilizing Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at a 95% confidence level, the statistical
analysis revealed that all fertilizer treatments significantly enhanced plant height compared to the untreated plants or just
keep control group, which recorded 52.3 cm. The highest plants were observed by using NPK at (95 cm) with foliar nano
NPK (95.0 cm) and bio-fertilizers (93.1 cm). Notably, increasing the fertilizer concentration beyond 1 ml L⁻¹ did not result
in further height improvement. A similar pattern was observed for branch number and fresh yield, where 1 ml L⁻¹
concentrations of bio and nano fertilizers outperformed granular NPK. Furthermore, all treatments contributed to a
significant raise in dry matter accumulation, with the highest mean dry weight of 297.2 g recorded under 1 ml L⁻¹ foliar
nano NPK treatment. Positive correlations among plant height branch number, and leaf count further underscore the
beneficial role of nano and bio-fertilizers in enhancing vegetative growth. These results highlight the importance of
optimizing fertilizer type and dosage to achieve maximum productivity in sweet pepper cultivation. The study includes
that precise application of nano and bio-fertilizers, particularly at 1 ml L⁻¹, offers effective alternative to traditional
granular NPK, promoting both growth and yield. However, additional research is recommended to investigate the longterm impacts and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for these observed growth responses and
the treatments applied in this study were a control (no fertilizer), foliar nano NPK fertilizer at 1,1.5, and 2 ml L⁻¹, biofertilizer at 1, 1.5, and 2 ml L⁻¹, and granular NPK fertilizer at 1, 1.5, and 2 g L⁻¹

Background: Due to the general effect of climate change, a considerable increase in irrigation demand is expected
globally to pose a future challenge for agriculture.
Objectives: To study the influence of irrigation interval and nano-zinc chelate fertilization on soybean [(Glycine max (L.
Merr.]. Growth, yield, yield components, and oil quality.
Methods: A field experiment conducted at Qlyasan Research Station, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimaniyah, Iraq, during
the 2023 growing season, investigated the effects of irrigation intervals and nano-zinc fertilizer on soybean growth and
yield. The study employed a split- split plot design with three replications, the treatment (main plot) irrigation intervals
(5, 10, and 15 days), three soybean varieties in a subplot (Lee74, Ebba, and Shaimaa), and three nano-zinc fertilizer levels
applied as a foliar spray during vegetative growth in the sub-sub plot (0, 200, and 400 µg L-1), using drip irrigation at3.4
L/h. Results: It was revealed that 5-day irrigation intervals significantly improved plant parameters, including plant height,
leaf area index, seed weight, and seed oil and protein content. Nano-zinc fertilizer application at 400 µgL -1 enhanced root
depth, pod weight, and oil content, while 200 µg L -1 promoted optimal protein synthesis. The Ebba variety achieved the
highest seed yield (1823.75 kg ha -1) under 5-day irrigation with 200 µg L -1 nano-zinc fertilizer. The Lee74 variety
produced the highest protein percentage (34.97%) with 5-day irrigation and 400 µg L-1 Zinc. Both Lee74 and Ebba
varieties reached maximum oil content (24.85%) under 5-day irrigation with 400 µg L-1 zinc application. Conclusions:
Maximum plant height, leaf area, pod weight, seed yield, seed oil, and protein content were enhanced by frequent irrigation
intervals. High levels of nano-zinc fertilizers also augmented plant resilience against water stress, enhancing growth
parameters and elevating yield components

The present study involved the applications of silver nano particles (AgNPs) to improve the yield of oat varieties under
dry land conditions at two ecosystems, Kirkuk, Altun kopru and Erbil, Koya. A field experiment was implemented in the
winter season of 2020 according to the randomized complete block design in a split-split plot arrangement. The experiment
consisted three factors; the first factor consisting two locations Altun Kopru/Kirkuk and Koya/Erbil and the second factor
consisting (0,10,20,30 and 40 ppm AgNPs) ; while the third factor consisting eight Oat varieties; (Pimula, Genzania,
Hamel, Icarda short , Icarda tall, Kangaroo, Mitika and Possum). The results showed significant superiority of Nano silver
spray in achieving the highest means for most studied indicators. Spraying of 30 ppm AgNPs achieved the highest means
for plant height, tillers and panicles number ,grains yield, straw yield, biological yield except of panicle grains weight and
harvest index. which the both achieved the highest means at 0 ppm. The Mitika variety recorded the lowest grain yield,
straw yield, biological yield and the highest harvest index. The Hamel variety was superior in grain yield, straw yield, and
biological yield. The Icarda short - variety recorded the highest grain yield and biological yield. while Possum and Pimula
recorded the highest grain and Straw yield. In Koya location grains yield, biological yield and harvest index showed the
significant superiority with Altun kupro location. All cultivars caused a significant increase in grain, straw and biological
yield with the concentration increase of Nano silver spray from 0 to 30 ppm

The experiment was conducted to assess the effect of different type of fertilizers on growth, yield and yield
components of maize plant, conducted at Qlyasan Agricultural Research Farm in Sulaimani governorate, Iraq. The
study was conducted during the summer growing season in (2024). Experimental treatments have been organized
and experiment was laid out in a randomized completely block design with three replicates. The treatments
included seven levels of different fertilizers. 150 kg N ha-1, 150 kg P2O5 ha-1, 100 kg K ha-1, Organic fertilizer of
cattle manure (10 Mg ha-1), Nano NPK (20:20:20) (0.4 g L-1) and NPK (20:20:20) chemical fertilizer (150 kg ha-
1), and two genotypes of maize (Fajer and Medium). The results showed that the effect was significant at (P≤0.05)
on the growth criteria of a maize plant. The experiment shows the effect of fertilizers in parameters, such as:
Vegetative growth, Reproductive growth, Grain, and Yield parameters. Compared to Control, Urea is a very
effective fertilizer for Vegetative and Reproductive growth, in plant height (183.01, leaf number (17.91), leaf area
(446.32), spike length (22.37), row spike-1 (19.00), and spike diameter (5.02), compared to Control’s (159.98),
(12.87), (356.00), (18.13), (13.67), and (4.22) respectively. Finally, in Grain and Yield parameters, Urea has a
greater effect compared to control in Number of grain rows-1 (48.17), Number of grain spikes-1 (915.67), 100 grain
weight g (29.43), Biological yield (Mg ha-1) (30.65), Grain yield (Mg ha-1) (14.20), and Harvest index % (46.74),
compared to Control’s (32.67), (446.0), (22.98), (21.87), (5.38), and (24.94) respectively

The level to which farmers utilize Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as an eco-friendly agricultural
technology in Duhok Governorate, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, is evaluated in this research. The research further
examines the socio-economic reasons behind its application. integrating bio-logical, cultural, mechanical, and
chemical control practices is key to sustainable farming and environment-al health. data were collected from 266
farmers in 28 villages of seven districts with the help of an eight-dimension standardized questionnaire. The results
showed that just 22.56% of the farmers applied IPM at a high level, while 59.02% applied IPM at a moderate level
and 18.42% applied IPM at a minimal level. Statistical analysis revealed that there were significant positive
correlations between application of IPM and factors such as age, education, land owner-ship, area under
cultivation, mode of farming, and crop type. However, characteristics like training participation, practice of
irrigation, and farm family size engaged in farming did not significantly influence, reflecting gaps in continuous
extension work.
The study identified significant impediments constraining IPM application. They are a lack of government loans,
high initial price of technology, lack of adequate availability of professional training, inadequacy in the availability
of pro-environmental agricultural technology, low availability of experts, and lack of effective facilitation of
technology transfer by government. These impediments reflect economic and institutional constraints that
discourage farmers from applying more sustainable practices. Research underscores the urgent need for contextual
policies, funding support, and enhanced extension services grounded in the actuality of the local farming
communities. Promoting farmer-centered training, diminishing the price of technology, and investment in expert
support represent important steps to enhance IPM application, promote environmental sustain-ability, and enhance
food security in the region. The findings highlight the moderate application of IPM among them, influenced primly
by socio-economic factors and hindered by financial and institutional barriers. Addressing these through tailored
policies, accessible training, and expert support is crucial to enhancing application level

The study conducted at Bakrajo Technical Institute in 2023, for evaluating the effects of different agricultural
treatments on the growth, development, and productivity of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum), aiming to
identify the most effective practices for enhancing crop yield and health. The research employed a Completely
Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications, Then the comparison was done among the mean of the studied
factors using DMRT test with four main treatments: humic acid, fulvic acid, biofertilizers, and Rimsulfuron
herbicide at a 25% concentration. These treatments were applied at varying dosages to assess their impact on a
value of agronomic traits, including plant height, number of branches, fruit yield, chlorophyll content, fresh fruit
weight, shoot weight, and dry weight. The results demonstrated that humic acid and fulvic acid, when applied at
0.04 g plant-1, significantly improved the number of branches, indicating their role in stimulating vegetative growth.
In contrast, higher doses of Rimsulfuron herbicide, particularly at 12 ml/plant, adversely affected both branch
production and fruit yield, suggesting phytotoxic effects at elevated concentrations. Biofertilizers applied at 0.4 ml
plant-1 had a positive influence on chlorophyll content and fresh fruit weight, supporting their role in enhancing
photosynthetic efficiency and fruit development. However, when biofertilizers were combined with high levels of
herbicide, a reduction in biomass accumulation was observed, pointing to negative interaction effects. Overall, the
findings underscore the importance of selecting and balancing appropriate agricultural inputs to optimize plant
performance. Humic acids and biofertilizers emerged as beneficial treatments for promoting growth and
productivity, while excessive herbicide use was shown to impair plant health. The study highlights the critical need
for integrated and judicious management of agricultural treatments to ensure sustainable crop production and
recommends further research to determine optimal treatment combinations and dosages for maximizing tomato
yield under similar growing conditions

The study aims to evaluate the quality of groundwater of wells spread in Salah al-Din Governorate/Tuz Khurmatu for
drinking, irrigation, livestock and poultry purposes. The study area is located between latitudes (34º, 53’,59’’-34º
,52’,46’’) N and longitudes (44º, 44’,32’’-44º, 36’,41’’) E. with a total area of (191801.65) hectares. 25 wells were
randomly selected in the study area during the dry season (September 2024) and the wet season (March 2025). After that,
water samples were taken to the laboratory to conduct physical and chemical analyses. There are three types of WQI for
drinking water in the dry season. The first type is excellent for drinking, and it reached 16% of the total wells. The second
type is good for drinking, and it reached 44%. The third type is poor and not suitable for drinking, and it occupied 40%.
As for the wet season, the results were different, and it was found that there were three classes for different purposes was
evaluated and compared. Through a detailed study of the variation in groundwater characteristics in different areas in Tuz
Khurmatu district by determining the irrigation water quality index with eight criteria, the drinking water quality index
with twelve criteria, and the water quality index for livestock and poultry with eight criteria, it was found that the wells of
the study area with respect to For the indicators of water quality for drinking, irrigation, livestock and poultry in the dry
season, the categories were (excellent, good and poor), (excellent, good, poor and very poor), (excellent, good and poor)
for each of them respectively. In the wet season, the water quality for drinking, irrigation, livestock and poultry was
(excellent, good and poor), (excellent, good and poor), (excellent, good and poor)

Monitoring and predicting river water quality is crucial for urban water management, agriculture, and environmental
sustainability, especially in hot and arid regions. The presence of dams along the river course can significantly alter water
quality by affecting flow regimes and salt accumulation, potentially leading to increased salinity and other related
problems. However, such changes can be effectively managed through accurate modeling and forecasting. This study
assesses the performance of two machine learning models, Random Forest (RF) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM),
in predicting electrical conductivity (EC) and sodium absorption ratio (SAR) within the Maroon River Basin, Iran.
Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and stepwise regression were employed to reduce input dimensionality and enhance
model efficiency. Results indicate that the LSTM model consistently outperforms RF at both Idank station (upstream of
Maroon Dam) and Tang-e-Tekab station (downstream of Maroon Dam) for both parameters, particularly in SAR
prediction. At Idank station, the LSTM model combined with stepwise regression achieved the highest accuracy for EC
prediction, with an R² of 0.96, RMSE of 61.56, and KGE of 0.96 on the test dataset. For SAR at the same station, LSTM
again demonstrated exceptional performance, attaining an R² of 0.99, RMSE of 0.08, and KGE of 0.99. At Tang-e-Tekab
station, LSTM with PCA yielded the most precise EC predictions (R² = 0.96, RMSE = 76.60, KGE = 0.97). Similarly, the
best SAR predictions at this station were obtained using LSTM with PCA (R² = 0.96, RMSE = 0.18, KGE = 0.95). These
findings underscore the effectiveness of combining LSTM networks with tailored input selection techniques based on sitespecific conditions, highlighting their potential application in water resource decision support systems. Overall, this study
demonstrates that although dam operations influence water quality, such impacts can be successfully managed through
advanced predictive modeling to facilitate sustainable water resources management

The research was aimed at identifying the determinants that impede the role of agricultural extension in the
performance of its tasks in the rural from the point of view of agricultural employees of the directorate of
agriculture of Nineveh in general and the identification of the determinants in each of its fields and in each of the
Item of each of the determinants that impede the role of agricultural extension in the performance of its tasks in
the rural, and create the relationship between the tablets that hinder agricultural extension homes In the
performance of its tasks in the rural from the point of view of agricultural employees of the Nineveh agriculture
directorate and among the following independent variables (age, Academic achievement, gender, Academic
specialization, Service duration, upbringing, Sources of information to which agricultural employees are exposed
to in the field of agricultural extension).
The research included all the Nineveh Agriculture Directorate's agricultural employees (398) Agricultural
employees and a proportionate caste random sample of these employee’s members was selected in proportion
(30%) The research sample was
)120( agricultural employees. This percentage was taken from the departments
and people of the directorate. (30%) of each department and division in the directorate), data collected by
questionnaire form which included (54) A item to measure the determinants that impede the role of agricultural
extension in the performance of its tasks in the countryside is divided into five fields concerning the determinants
that impede the role of agricultural extension in the performance of its functions in the countryside. (Determinants
related to central planning, Determinants related to the rural environment, Administrative determinants,
Determinants related to the extension employees, Financial and technical determinants) Each field has a number
of Item: (11, 9, 11, 12 and 11) respectively, the apparent authenticity of the questionnaire was extracted and its
constant coefficient was calculated by the Fakronbach method and for data analysis. The results show that )
61.67%
( of. researchers say there are intermediate determinants that tend to rise.
The results also showed that the highest field of determinants hindering the role of agricultural extension in the
performance of its tasks in the rural is one (determinants of central planning), with an average calculation of
(43.22%), and the lowest field of determinants impeding the role of agricultural extension in the performance of
its tasks in the rural is one (financial and technical determinants) and with an average of (34.25%
( .There is also a
moral relationship between the degree of determinants that impede the role of agricultural extension in the
performance of its tasks in the rural and the variable (Academic achievement - Academic specialization - Number
of years of Service duration). While there is no moral relationship between cognitive needs and the (age variable -
gender - upbringing - sources of information to which agricultural personnel are exposed in the field of agricultural
extension), research has included a number of conclusions and recommendations

The global demand for healthier functional foods, particularly cereal-based products, is rising. Consumers seek options
low in sugar and carbohydrates while rich in protein, minerals, and dietary fiber. This study aimed to develop nutrientdense pancakes with enhanced fiber and antioxidant content by incorporating novel functional ingredients. Beetroot
powder (BT) was added at varying levels (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20%) as a partial flour replacement. Samples underwent
physical, chemical, sensory, and microstructural evaluations using SEM.
Physically, increasing BT levels decreased diameter and whiteness, while thickness and volume increased. Chemical
analysis showed significant (P<0.05) increases in protein (11.0% to 16.25%), moisture (45.7% to 49.0%), ash (1.3% to
1.7%), fat (10.3% to 13.4%), and dietary fiber (2.6% to 4.7%). Carbohydrate content decreased by nearly 50% at 20% BT
substitution. Sensory evaluation indicated that all formulations were acceptable (scores >5), with 20% BT being the most
preferred. SEM analysis revealed that BT addition reduced starch gelatinization, strengthened the gluten-starch matrix,
and increased micro-holes, enhancing structural integrity.
In conclusion, the results confirm possibility of developing healthier pancake using novel ingredients and BT with
acceptable physical and sensorial attributes in order to replace conventional pancake that would be acceptable by
consumers

تم تلقيح عقلات الكرمة بأنواع Ph. aleophilum (Phaeoacremoniumو ،)Ph. hungaricumوظهرت على العقل تغيرا في اللون الى البني وتقرحات
نخرية. في كل من اختباري التثبيط المزدوج واختبار التسمم الغذائي، أظهر كل من Trichoderma harzianumو Bacillus subtilisأعلى نشاط تضادي ضد
بنسبة تصل إلىB. subtilis %، يليه93.3 معدلات تثبيط تصل إلىT. harzianum ، حيث سجلP. hungaricumوPhaeoacremonium aleophilum
،%80.3في حين أظهر كل من Saccharomyces cerevisiaeو Clonostachys roseaفعالية متوسطة إلى ضعيفة ضد العزلات الفطرية المختبرة. واظهر
Clonostachys roseaقدرة على تثبيط P. aleophilumبنسبة %67.5و P. hungaricumبنسبة .%42.3وقد تم تقييم كفاءة العوامل الحيوية في الحد من
الممرضات باستخدام اختبار القصب المنفصل ) (Detached Cane Assayعلى مواد الإكثار في المشاتل، وأظهرت النتائج أن C. roseaكان الأكثر فعالية في تقليل
طول التقرحات ( 13–10.6مم) ، في حين أن Pseudomonas fluorescensكان الأقل تأثي ًرا ( 21.3مم). واظهرت المعاملات الأخرى، بما في ذلك .T
harzianumو B. subtilisو ،S. cerevisiaeدرجات متفاوتة من تقليل التقرحات

A pot experiment was conducted from July to October 2024 in the plastic house belonging to the Horticulture
Department, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Sulaimani, located at (35 32 18.4 N and 45 21
55.3E) to examine the effect of mycorrhiza, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and the interaction between them on maize (Zea
mays L.) growth and nutrient uptake at different levels of NP fertilizers (0%, 25 %, 50 %, 75 %, 100 %) of dose, using
urea and triple superphosphate as the source of NP. A Factorial experiment was conducted using a complete randomized
design (CRD) with three replicates in silty clay soil collected in Kani Panka at a depth of 15–30 cm. Before harvesting,
the plant height and chlorophyll intensity were measured, and then the plants were harvested to measure root and shoot
dry weight, root colonization, and N, P, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu concentration in dry shoots. The results show that coinoculation led to significantly greater plant height 85.67 cm, chlorophyll intensity (61.00 SPAD), root dry weight (3.46
g) and shoot dry weight (8.18 g) at 75% NP, while root colonization (77.67%) was highest at 50% NP fertilizer. Maize
shoot N, P, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu content were respectively observed at (18.80 g Kg⁻¹, 1.37 g Kg⁻¹, 94.37 µg g⁻¹) at 50 %
NP, (69.00 µg g⁻¹, 94.83 µg g⁻¹, and 44.00 µg g⁻¹) at 75 % NP fertilizer. Additionally,inoculation by Azotobacter
chroococcum alone significantly increased plant growth and nutrient uptake, but mycorrhiza resulted in less effective for
increases in plant growth and nutrient uptake compared to control

The experiment was conducted in the laboratory of cell and tissue culture, Department of Horticulture and
Landscape Design, College of Agriculture, University of Kirkuk, Iraq. The explants were collected from plants
species (Mora Senza, Spain), from August 1, 2024, to March 1, 2025.
Callus and artificial seed production of blackberry plants were stimulated using tissue culture technology effort by
cultivating a single plant cell or a group of plant cells in a regulated environment, plant tissue culture technology
makes use of the capacity of these cells to develop into entire plants. The explants were grown on (WPM)
supplemented with plant growth regulators: 2,4-D at concentrations of (0.0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0) mg L-1 to
determine the best medium for the form callus from the leaf explant and the apical explant. The data indicate that
the highest response rate (100%) was in the leaf explant at all concentrations of 2,4-D except the control treatment,
and in the apical explant the response rate was 100% at 0.75 mg L-1 2,4-D. In addition, the largest callus size was
observed in the leaf explant and the apical explant (47, 27) at 1 mg L-1, respectively. Statistical analysis showed
that the greatest callus weight was in the leaf explant (2.0734) g at 1 mg L-1 2,4-D, but in the apical explant the
largest callus weight (0.8766) g was at 0.75 mg L-1 2,4-D. We used sodium alginate with calcium chloride to
produce artificial seeds at a ratio of 1 g/50 ml of water, it was stored in the refrigerator for 40 days

The effectiveness of competition in predicting the increase in diameter (DI) for Brutian pine trees (Pinus brutia Ten.)
in Duhok Governorate, northern Iraq latitude
)37° 20′ 33.55′′ - 36° 18′ 12.64′′(, longitude 40.50′′ - 42° 20′ 25.36′′(
)44° 17′ was evaluated. The results indicated that competition is a significant factor in determining growth in these forests.
That competition varies locally, with variable tree densities and relatively complex tree structures, creating heterogeneous
conditions. This study was conducted at different and varied sites regarding climate and topography by selecting three
distinct density levels, from each of which (10) circular samples with a radius of (11 m) were chosen. From these, various
data and geographical coordinates were collected including (D, height, CH, crown radius, BA, number of trees per unit
area, distance between competing trees) and the target tree, and then developing several equations representing the
relationship between competition indices based on distance as an independent variable and diameter growth as a dependent
variable. The R² values for the low-density level were (CI6 = 0.21, CI7 = 0.42, CI8 = 0.21, CI9 = 0.42). For the mediumdensity level, they were (CI6 = 0.45, CI7 = 0.43, CI8 = 0.83, CI9 = 0.43). For the high-density level, they were (CI6 =
0.24, CI7 = 0.69, CI8 = 0.70, CI9 = 0.83)

The present study conducted at the Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Soran University in Soran city, in
the Iraq-Kurdistan Region, using pot experiment to investigate the influence of salicylic acid, Biochar, and their
combined effect on the broad bean physiological characteristics exposed to cadmium stress. The experiment was
included three factors, five levels of cadmium (0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 ) mg Cd kg⁻¹soil, two levels of Biochar (0, 250 )g
pot-1 and two concentrations of salicylic acid (0, 100) mg L-1 and their interactions on certain growth, yield
components, and overall yield of the broad bean plant cultivated in calcareous soil. The factorial pot experiment
was conducted utilizing a complete randomized design (CRD) with 5 replications. Results show that cadmium,
Biochar, and their interactions substantially influence plant height, the maximum mean height was recorded from
Cd2, B1, and Cd2B0 with the mean values of (21.64, 29.23, 22.85 ) cm and the minimum values obtained from
Cd5, B0, and Cd4B0 with the mean of (18.47, 20.51, and 17.98) cm. Moreover, the effect of treatments and their
interactions significantly influenced pod weight, with maximum values of 127.92, 129.10, 150.66, and 162.50 g
for B1, B1SA1, Cd5B1, and Cd5B1SA1, respectively. The minimum values were 102.09, 101.36, 89.03, and 84.53
at B0, B0SA0, Cd1B0, and Cd1B0SA0, respectively. Furthermore, singular treatments and their interactions had
significant effect of seed protein content the maximum values were obtained from Cd5, Cd5B1, Cd5SA1, B1SA1,
and Cd5B1SA1 with the mean of ( 27.16, 27.23, 27.59, 25.31, and 28.70 )% respectively , while the minimum
values( 23.07, 21.20, 21.74, 22.28, and 19.83) % were noted from Cd1, Cd1B0, Cd1SA1, B0SA1, and Cd1B0SA1)
respectively.

This investigation was conducted in Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Soran University, located in Soran
District, Erbil Governorate, in Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The research investigated the influences of five
concentrations of Nano-zinc EDTA, which contains 12% Nano-zinc (0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 mg L-1), applied via
foliar and soil application methods, along with two concentrations (0 and 100 mg L-1) of Salicylic acid and their
combinations on growth, yield components and total yield of broad bean plant (Vicia faba L.) cultivated in
calcareous soil.
The factorial pot experiment was carried out using Randomized Complete Design (CRD) with four replications.
The results showed that Nano-zinc concentrations, methods of application, salicylic acid concentration and their
interactions significantly influenced most of the growth and productivity characteristics. The highest leaf area
values were observed in treatments with Zn2 (60 mg kg-1), soil application, and SA1 (100 mg L-1) with the values of
(16.38, 15.32 and 15.34 cm2) respectively. In contrast the lowest values were obtained from Zn3 (120 mg L-1), foliar
application and SA0 (0 mg L-1) with the mean values of (12.98, 14.83 and 14.81 cm2) respectively. The maximum
and minimum leaf area values (18.21 and 11.60 cm2) were obtained from interaction treatments of (Zn2 (60 mg kg-
1) × soil application × SA1 and Zn3 × Foliar × SA0) respectively. Similarly, the highest pod weight values (134.81,
107.63 and 107.88 g plant-1) were associated with treatments Zn4, soil application, and SA1 respectively. The lowest
values (81.08, 96.00, and 95.76 g plant-1) were noted from Zn1, foliar application, and SA0 treatments respectively.
Interaction treatments also revealed significant differences, with the highest pod weights (143.02, 161.06 and
115.18 g plant-1) were obtained from (Zn4 (180 mg kg-1) × soil application, Zn3 × SA1, and soil application × SA1)
respectively, while the lowest values (79.75, 75.73, and 91.30 g plant-1) were found from (Zn1 (0 mg kg-1) × soil
application, Zn1 × SA1, and foliar application × SA0) respectively

This study was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture Engineering Sciences. To
investigate the effects of varying Zn concentrations (0, 0.50%, and 0.75%), as well as varying BA concentrations
(0.50, and 100) mgl-1 on some vegetative traits of two cultivars of Zinnia plant. The results showed that: The mean
values showed that the largest plants (90.556 cm) were recorded in the Zinnia Lavonda cultivar. Also, the same
cultivar shows the highest number of branches, fresh and dry aerial weight, and total carotene reached (8.160,
213.194 g, 11.534 g, and 12.398g), respectively. While another parameter such as leaves number, internodes
number, leaf area, and total chlorophyll were observed in the Zinnia rosso scarlatta cultivar and gave the maximum
results reached (23.28, 10.79, 19.20, and 30.56), respectively. Also, data reported in the same table reveal that
leaves number, branches number, number of internodes, shoot fresh and dry weight, leaf area (cm2), and finally
total carotene increased significantly with a 50 mgl-1 concentration of BA for the Zinnia Lavanda cultivar (26.741,
9.296, 12.556, 259.054, 13.829, 24.489, and 14.798 cm2), respectively, compared to the control. About the three
factors, the highest plant high for two cultivars Zinnia Lavanda and Zinnia rosso scarlatta, reached 101.411 cm
when spraying the plant by 50 mgl-1 + 0.50% Zn and 96.622 cm at 0.50% Zn alone, respectively, than the control
plants (77.856 and 77.356 cm), respectively, were obtained in two cultivars. While the number of leaves, number
of branches, number of internodes, and leaf area (cm²) increased significantly compared to control and other
treatments, the main value reached (30.889, 9.778, 15.222, and 33.230 cm²) respectively, when the Zinnia Lavanda
cultivar was spraying with 100 mgl-1BA+ 0.50% Zn. Also, the plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, total
chlorophyll, and total carotene give the height value reached (333.080g, 15.680g, 42.714 mg.g-1, and 17.90 mg.g-
1), respectively, when the Zinnia Lavanda cultivar was spraying with 100 mgl-1BA+ 0.75% Zn

This review examines the diverse applications of enzymes in modern food biotechnology, emphasizing their roles in
enhancing quality, safety, functionality, and sustainability across multiple sectors. Carbohydrases improve dough
rheology, gas retention, and nutritional value in bakery products. L-asparaginase mitigates acrylamide formation in heatprocessed foods, while β-galactosidase supports lactose hydrolysis and galacto-oligosaccharide production in dairy
systems. In beverages, pectinases and auxiliary enzymes enhance clarification, stability, and filtration efficiency. Redox
enzymes such as glucose oxidase and lactoperoxidase extend shelf life through oxygen management and microbial
control. Proteases optimize tenderness and gelation in meat and seafood, and lipases enable trans-fat-free lipid
structuring via interesterification. Phytase enhances mineral bioavailability, and transglutaminase improves protein
structuring in animal- and plant-based matrices. Advances in enzyme immobilization enable continuous processing,
reduce waste, and support clean-label, sustainable manufacturing. Collectively, these biocatalytic strategies offer
precision, efficiency, and adaptability, aligning technological innovation with nutritional and environmental objectives
in the global food industry

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects somatic cell count on milk yield and composition in Simmental dairy
cows. The cows were milked by machine twice a day during the period. Milk samples were taken at monthly intervals
from each cow during the evening milking between September 2024 and April 2025. Monthly variation significantly
affected milk yield and composition (P < 0.001), whereas somatic cell count did not show a statistically significant effect
(P = 0.1315). The ratio of fat, protein, solid not fat, lactose, density, salt, freezing point, water, milk temperature and milk
electrical conductivity no statistical difference was observed in the level of somatic cell counts (P˃0.05). The somatic cell
count increased (P˂0.001) in milk with high levels of somatic cell count. Milk fat percentage was significantly higher in
cows with ketosis (P < 0.001), whereas protein levels increased significantly in cows with acidosis (P = 0.003). This study
indicates that high somatic cell counts negatively affect not only milk composition but also milk yield and quality

Water stress is a global problem with wide-ranging economic and social repercussions. The roots of water stress stem
from an unbalanced conflict between supply and demand; as the demand for water rises in all sectors, the amount of easily
accessible, good-quality water at low-cost decreases rapidly, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, which is
the driest region in the world. With regard to the impact of plants on the amount of water available, there are three levels
of water stress, namely mild stress, in which the water potential of the cells decreases by a very small amount of units of
water potential (MPa), followed by moderate stress, in which the water potential of the cells drops to the range of (-1.2 to
-1.5 MPa). Severs stress represents the highest level of stress, in which the water potential of the cells decreases by less
than (-1.5 MPa). The vulnerability of plants to drought conditions depends on which of the above three levels they are
exposed to during their growth and production stages