IRAQ JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

This study was conducted in AL-Falluja date palm research station province General date board ,Minstary of Agriculture during the growing season 2011 and 2012. Ninty offshoots were used from each cultivar Zahdi, Khadrawi Baghdad and Barhi from private orchards in Radwanya, while the variety was obtained from nursery from private orchard in Dourah Baghdad, The study was designed to evaluate the variety effect and offshoots resources on some vegetative growth characters (leaf length, leaflet length, chlorophyll content) chemical characters (leaf contents of nitrogen, phosphors, potassium ,carbohydrate, starch,total sugar and protein). The experiment was designled using RCBD, including three varieties , two treatments, three replicates. The experiment showed no effect of variety on most characters except the leaves number, leaves length, leaflet length, and survival percentage Zahdi var. gave the highest survival percentage reached 75% , while the other two varieties Khadrawi and Barhi reached to 50% each. The resource of offshoots had significant effect on all studied characters, so the offshoots taken from nursery gave highest ratio in characters mentioned above, the successive percentage reached at 76.67% , other offshoots had less rate so the survival percentage reached 43.33%. The interaction three were significantly different in all studied characters, Zahdi var. from mother tree had highest survival percentage reached 100%, while other two varieties Khadrawi and Barhi taken from mother tree less rate reached 40% for the two varieties.

Globuly and for the first time results indicate that efficiency of oximatrin on dubas bug Ommatissus lybicus nymphs was days 77, 92, and 93% of the 1, 5, 7 post treatment and was59, 87, and 88% against egg stage. The oxymatrin could be recommended as an effective and safe alternative in the dubas bug control in Iraq.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect ofsucrose, glucose, polyethylene glycol 6000in the amount of secondary metabolites extracted from the callus induced from cotyledenous leaves for bothtomato hybrids: Shorouk and GS-12. The results showed that the addition of sucrose at concentration of 60 g/l to the MS medium gave the highest value of phyton amounted to 1438.13 and 118.76 μg/gcallus dry weighof hybrids: Shorouk and GS-12, respectively, also it increased production of Lycopene and β-carotene in Shorouk callus reached 849.78 and 203.79 μg/g respectively, while the concentration 90 g/l increased the production of Lycopene and β-Carotene in callus ofGS-12 was 268.63 and 204.68 μg/g,respectively. As for the glucose, 60 g/l has given the higher amount of phyton amounted to 98.88 μg/gcallus dry weigh of Shorouk, while influenced the addition of30 g/l in the production of phyton, which amounted 585.12 μg/g for GS-12 hybrid. Adding of 90 g/l of glucose to the medium was more effect onLycopene productionreached 479.37 and 375.33 μg/gfor Shorouk and GS-12 hybrids, respectively, and the highest amount of β-Carotene reached 302.63 and 271.96 μg/g callus dry weighof both hybrids, respectively. The results indicate that the addition of 60 g/l PEG 6000 was the most influential in increasing the production of phyton, Lycopene and β-carotenein callus dry weigh of Shorouk, it was 35.41, 499.62 and 167.30 μg/g, respectively, and it stimulated the production of β-carotenein callus of GS-12which amounted to 319.24 μg/g, while MS media containing 90 g/l of PEG 6000increased the production quantity of phyton and Lycopenein callus dry weigh of GS-12 which amounted to 65.62 and 491.84 μg/g respectively.

To investigate the effect of irrigation water quality and moisture content on Tomato plant yield under covered cultivation using drip irrigation system, field experiment was conducted in aplastic house in College of Agriculture- University of Baghdad at winter season 2009-2010. The experiment was split plot design within a randomized complete blocks design with three replicates and two treatments. First treatment was irrigation water quality including: Abu- Graib river water, mixed water consisted of 50% Abu-Graib river water + 50% General Drain water and General Drain water. Second treatment was water depletion including: irrigation at 40, 60, and 80% of available water. There was a significant increase in early yield for river and mixed water treatments of 50 and 48% respectively comparing with drainage water .Irrigation scheduling by water depletion 60% significantly increased early yield comparing with 40 and 80% available water. Irrigation with mixed water led to the highest total yield of 4.15Mg. house⁻¹ with an increase of 12% comparing with irrigation with river water and drain water. Using mixed water led to higher WUE of 1.10 kg m-3 water with a significant increase of 13% comparing with river and drainage water under the conditions of this study. These results indicated that using drip irrigation system is a suitable method for saline water management

Application of package elements as integrated pest management of the crop in greenhouses reduced mines on the leaf and fruit to 2.74 mines/leaf and 0 mines/fruit respectively, compared with 27.02 mines/leaf and 3.8 mines/fruit in the control. The population diversity of larvae on leaves and fruits decreased in treated greenhouses to 0.72 larvae / leaf and 0 larvae / fruit, respectively, compared with 20.95 larvae / leaf and 2.62 larvae / fruit in the control. The adults captured on pheromone traps in IPM greenhouses reduced to 35.33 adults/trap/week, compared with 173.33 adults/trap /week in the control. The results also showed a dramatic reduction in the percentage of infestation at treated greenhouses which reached to 5.55%, compared with 100% in the control. As a result, yield of treated greenhouses increased to 2230 kg/greenhouse(area of 266 m²), compared with 1284 kg/greenhouse in the control.

A field experiment was carried out in Horticulture Department farms of Agriculture College, Baghdad University, during the spring seasons of 2011 and 2012 to study the effect of of colour plastic film and fertilization on nitrate reductase activity and nitrate accumaltion in tomato fruit. Split plot experiment in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replicates was adapted under low tunnels conditions. The means were compared according to L.S.D. test at 5% significant level. Two factors were studied, the first was fertilizer type (main plots) which contained of poultry manure 10% of soil volumeT2, cow manure 20% of soil volume T3, mix of half level of previous manure T4, mineral fertilizer T1 and control T0, the second factor was tunnels cover color (sub plots) which contained Transparent C, yellow Y, red R and blue B. Results showed that there was a distinct variation in wavelength of transmission spectra, light intensities within each polyethylene that used to covering tunnels at Transparent the highest level of light intensity, yellow, red and blue cover respectively, Organic fertilizer increased soil nitrate and decresed after 60 day after transplanting till the expermeint end, Y treatment increased soil nitrate in the experminet end, T2Y and T4Y increased soil nitrate to 11.96 and 10.10 (N mg kg soil-1) in the end of experiment for two season respectively, Nitrate reductase activity increased in T2 and Y and C treatment for two season, Highest nitrate reductase activity in T2R and T2Y treatment to 5.79 and 5.72 micrmol NO2 g freash weight-1 h-1 for two season, Fruit nitrate decreased in organic fertilizer T2 and Y cover treatment, T0Y and T0C decreased fruit nitrate to 0.43 and 0.37 mg g-1 for two season, respectively.

Three American cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.) hybrids namely Lot Number (EM 285), labeled number 1, Hybrid super Green F1, labeled number 2 and Hybrid Top Caeen F1, labeled number 3 were tested Seeds of these hybrids were exposed to four frequencies of electric current (0,1,2 or 2.5 ) amber(Am.) for 5 minutes and four periods of exposure for ultra violate rays (UV) at 224 nanometer (nm) for (0,30,60 and 90) second. The treated seeds were sown on 2010 in open field that prepared and fertilized. with recommended fertilizers. The effect of electric current Am and UV on the production of these hybrids was studied. Flowers number/plant were recorded after 35 days of sowing, length , diameter and weight of fruit were recorded after 46 days of sowing. Results showed significant differences between the hybrids in the studied parameters. Hybrid 3 showed a significant increase compared with hybrids 1 and 2 since it gave the highest number of flowers (19.97 flower. Plant-1), tallest fruit length and diameter of fruit (14.09 and 7.93 cm.fruit-1 respectively) and highest fruit weight (46.97 g.fruit-1 ). While hybrid 2 gave 16.72 flower.plant-1, 10.35 cm.fruit-1,5.72 cm.fruit-1 (length and diameter of fruit respectively ) and 30.2 g.fruit-1.The results also indicated a significant interaction between electric current and UV in all studied parameters. The 2 Am frequency and 60 sec of UV exposure gave highest flowers number (24.09 flower .plant-1 ) with an increase 85.16% compared with 2.5 Am frequency and 90 sec. of UV exposure. Results also showed a significant interaction between hybrids, electric current and UV. Hybrid 3 treated with 2 Am and 60 sec exposure gave highest fruit weight (86.33g.fruit-1) with a significant increase for all interactions.

This research was conducted during the spring season of 2012,at the Project of tomato and potato development/Department of plant production /directorate of Ninva agricultural, IRAQ. the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of four concentrations of seaweed extract(Ultra kilp 40- , Alga 300 —and Nap seaweed) used as afoliar spray on two potato varieties (Sylvana and Taurus).Random Compelet Block Design (RCBD) with three replicate for each varietiey was applied in this research .All data were tested by using Duncan’s multiple range tested under0,05.Resultes obtained that Sylvana variety significantly superioer in average tuber weight,yield per plant ,total yield and marketable yield as compered with Tuarus variety.The concentration of Nap seaweed extract (2ml/l) caused asignificant increase in yield per plant,total yield and marketable yield as compeared withcontrol.

Field study was conducted at AL-Twaitha Experimental Station/Baghdad,The agricultural Research, Ministry of Sciences and Technology during spring and fall seasons of 2011.Seed tuber produced from the hydroponic culture and the imported Riviera cultivar class Elite were cultivated in split – plot design with R.C.B.D which included the effect of chemical fertilization and spraying nutrient on growth and yield of potato tubers. Results showed that imported cultivars (C) was superior in plant emergence , plant height , leaf area and the dry weight of the vegetative parts (95.00 % , 50.77 cm , 89.83 Dcm2 and 56.10 g / plant respectively) for spring season while no significant difference for the studied characters in fall season. Fertilizer treatments significantly increased the averages of the vegetative characters,F1F4(Nutrient solution+Agroleaf) treatment significantly increased the number of stem per plant and the dry weight of vegetative parts for both spring and fall seasons (3.99 stem / plant, 61.41 g/plant) and (3.50 stem/ lant, 53.31g/plant) respectively, where as treatment F1F3(Nutrient solution+Magnum ) was superior in plant height of 54.33 cm in spring season and treatment F1F2 of 47.92 in fall season. Treatment F1F4 significantly gave the highest average number of tubers, plant yield and the total yield (6.66 tuber/plant, 723.00 g, 32.78 ton/ ha.) and (6.91 tuber / plant , 580.00 g , 30.66 ton/ ha) for both seasons respectively. The same treatment F1F4 gave the highest tuber weight of 83.91 g in fall season.The interaction treatment CF1F4(imported seeds+ Nutrient solution+ Agroleaf ) significantly increased the plant yield and total yield in ton / ha. For both seasons up to (834.00 g,42.96 ton/ ha) and (592.00 g , 31.48 ton/ha) respectively.

A field experiment was carried out at the Department of Horticulture and land scape gardening, College of Agriculture, University of Baghdad, Abu Ghraib, in the season 2008 - 2009 to study the effect of different concentrations of manganese (0,30.60 mg. Liter- 1) and borone concentrations (0,250, 500 mg. Liter- 1) in the growth and productivity of seeds of onion plant (Allium cepa L) variety Texas Early Grano experiment applied in Factorial experiments (3X3X3) within RCBD in three replications , plants sprayed with manganese and boron four times ( spray at 1/12/2008 and repeat spraying each 30 days.
Statistical analysis results showed significant superiority of treatment Mn2 (60 mg . L -1) to give a higher number of flowers in umbel ( 787 flower ) and higher percentage of flower setting (69.7%) compared to the least values that were found at the treatment of Mn0, It also B1 (250 mg . L -1) treatment characterized by giving the highest values of the yield of umbel (6.08 g) and total production (609 kg. H -1) as well as the germination percentage (91.11%) compared to the lowest values when treatment B0 , effect of interaction has characterized in the treatment of Mn2B1 which gave highest values the number of seeds in flowers 3658 seed ), yield of umbel (6.75 g ) and total yield (675 kg. H. - 1), while the lowest values found in treatment Mn0B0.

Showing results of the study on the pepper seed (Capsicum annuum L.) were exposed to magnetic field strengths different 1500, 2500 and 3500 G for two periods of time 15 and 30 minutes as well as the treatment of control without magnetic (unexposed to magnetic) and showed the presence of in influence significant magnetic field treatments in the indicators of the study and for both two seasons 2011 and 2012. The treatmentintensity 3500 G for 30 minuteswere given percentage increase in plant height 25.48% and leaf area 38.21% and the content of leaves from auxin IAA 37.17 µmg. liter -1 in the first season and in the effectiveness of the enzyme peroxidase in both seasons 100.73 and 25.24% compared to control, The treatment intensity 2500G for 30 minutes was givenincrease in the content relative to the chlorophyll in the first season 24.82% and plant height 28.59% in the second season compared to control. And treatmentintensity 3500 G for 15 minutes was given rate increase. In the leaves from content GA3 in the first season 45.39 µmg. liter-1 and leaf area 40.15% and the relative content of chlorophyll 22.56% in the second season compared to control.

The study was conducted during 2009-2010 season to find out the effect of some antioxidants on storage behaivor of okra fruits (Abelmoschus esculuntus (L.) Moenth cv. Mahaly). Seeds were planted under plastic tunnels in winter season at Abu-Al-Khaseb .south of Basrah. Iraq. Fruits were soaked in ascorbic and citric acids at three concentrations for each of them(0.50.100) mg/L and a mixture of both of them ( 50+50).(50+100).(100+50).(100+100) mg/L for 5 minutes. Fruits were packed in perforated polyethylene bags (1 kg weight. 16 holes .6.2 mm diameter for each of them) and stored at (10°C ± 1) for 12 days .also stored at (- 18°C ± 2) and natural drying (solar) for a period of four months. . Results showed that treatment with (100 mg/L) ascorbic acid was the best in reducing the loss of fresh weight of the fruits stored at (10°C ± 1) and drying fruits. Fruits retained in the highest amount of vitamin C . total chlorophyll and protein for those stored at (10°C ± 1)and (- 18°C ± 2). Dried fruits treated with 50 mg / L ascorbic acid which had no significant differences compared with those treated with 100 mg / L ascorbic acid and significantly differed from control fruits were superior in reducing the loss of the total protein and phenolic substances of fruits. The treatment with citric acid in the concentration of 100 mg / L was the best in reducing the loss of total chlorophyll. protein and phenolic substances. The interaction between ascorbic acid 100 mg / L and citric acid 50 mg / L significantly decreased the loss of vitamin C. The results also indicated to the reduction of vitamin C . total chlorophyll. protein .phenolic substances and fresh weight of fruits with the continuation of the storage periods . The results refered that the treated fruits with ascorbic acid and citric acid retained natural color until the end of the storage period at ( -18 °C ± 2).

This study aimed to isolation and identification the causal of root and stem rot disease of cowpea in some governarates in the middle of Iraq, testing the pathogenicity of its isolates and evaluating the efficiency of the bacteria Azotobacter vinelandii (AV1) and some chemical compounds in its control. The results of isolation and identification showed the existence of the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina in the samples collected from Karbala ,Baghdad, and Babylon governerate in percentage of existence ranged 17.50-35.00% ,and identified to genus and species level on the bases of cultural and morphological characteristics ,results also showed that the fungal isolate MP which tested on cowpea seed, had the superiority which reduced seed germination to 30 % compared with 90% in control treatment. The results of isolation and identification of bacteria from soil led to obtain three isolates of bacteria A.vinelandii depending on cultural,microbial and biochemical characteristics, the lab. antagonistic activity test of this bacteria cultured on PDA media indicated that this bacteria possessed higher antagonistic activity against M.phaseolina which gave percentage of inhibition ranged 81.66-86.52%. The results of evaluation chemical compunds and bacteria A.vinelandii in the controlling of M.phaseolina under field conditions indicated that all treatments increased the germination percentage ,reduction in disease incidence and severity of disease and increased plant yield . The germination in all the control treatment ranged 61.46-94.79% with the superiority of AV1 as alone which gave 94.79% and less percentage of infection and severity 0.00% compared with M.phaseolina isolate individualy which gave 12.50% seed germination with the 100% infection and 85.00% severity .The plant yield in AV1 treatment was 674.44gm/plant compared with 17.1gm/plant in the treatment of pathogenic fungus only.

The present study was conducted with the aim of genetic modification of the commonly grown Sesbania grandiflora plant in many regions of the world including Iraq. Phytoremediation is the use of plants for the remediation of contaminated land mainly in bearing plants and pollutants, which means the ability of plants to tolerate or assemble high concentrations of toxic or harmful substances whether they are organic or inorganic in their tissues without affecting their life cycle in order to produce tolerant plants. Two plant species were subjected to genetic modification in this study namely, Sesbania grandiflora and Arabidopsis thaliana. The bacterium victor Agrobacterium tumefacies was used to transform the two plant species with the cytochrome gene P4502E1 which has been isolated from rabbit liver. The presence of the gene was investigated in plants using polymers chain reaction (PCR) after designing primers for this purpose to detect the presence and expression of the transferred genes. Transformation was proved after gene expression of P4502E1. Results showed generation of a new metabolic pathway in the genetically modified plants towards their ability in degrading many environmental pollutants. The current work has built the principles for S. grandiflora A. thaliana genetic modification and propagation in vitro which facilitates the processes of genetic modification in the future for these plants with a new plant genes and apply this technology to other plants. This approach will lead to reduce land reclamation cost much less than traditional methods, in addition to other advantages such as lowering atmospheric temperatures, increasing vegetation and improving the overall environment for aesthetic, health and social considerations.

A field experiment was carried out during the winter season 2010-2011 at the Experimental fields of the Field Crops Dept., College of Agriculture,University of Baghdad. to study the spraying effects of foliar application of three levels of GA3 at 0,100 and 200 mg GA3.L-1 with three levels of Foeniculum vulgare Mill Extract 0,5% and 10%,in a randomized complete block design with three replications.In order to response detect the inflorescence characters on chamomile plant (Matricaria chamomilla L.) common cultivar, in order to determine the best level of growth regulaters which increase efficiency ability of plant production, and study plant morphological changes which result from physiological process,spraying accompanying, more over atrial to access to plant extract which give the same needed effects which hormone Gibberellin marked caused in plant from using some active compounds found in some medical plants which act as growth encouraging factors or growth inhibition factors. Results indicated that treat with GA3 and Foeniculum vulgare Mill extract was significantly increase values of all parameters measure.However, levels of 100 mg GA3.L-1 and the water spraying showed highest values of : the inflorescence stalk length 78.06 cm-1, the time to the appearance of flower buds 125.33 day, the time to the appearance of flowering 142.00 day, number of inflorescence 128.40 flower. plant-1, percentage of fruit─set 83.40%, inflorescence diameter 4.73 cm-1, yield of oil 21.46 L.ha-1.

The Big Head Myiasis Fly Chrysomya megacephala ( Fab. ) is considered to be one of the most important pests caused health problems to animals 0f Farm ;The present study concerned some biological aspects of this insect. Result showed that temperature and relative humidity had influenced on the biological and ecological aspects of the Big Head myiasis fly , the eggs didn’t hatch at 17.55 ċ and 64.0% Rh+. and also had influenced on larval and Pupal period, as well as mortality. At 35.15 ċ and 29.8 Rh+ pupa didn’t emerged , and mortality was 100 %. Life span’s average for both adult was 37.0 days at 27.0 ċ and 44.8 % Rh+ . At the same degree the longevity was reached 25.4 & 29.7 days for males and females respectively .The optimum temperature for laying eggs was 27.0 ċ

This research was aimed to isolate and identify rhizospheric bacteria capable for producing indole acetic acid and indole butric acid. However, quantification of IAA choose the best producing isolate. Two nitrogen free media and modified minimal medium (MS) with tryptophan were used in bacterial isolation. Different bacterial isolates (non spore forming and spore forming) were screened for IAA production. Qualitative screening of bacteria indicated that only six isolate out of thirty two produced red zone around the bacterial growth after treatment with Salkawski's reagent. The radius of zone reached to 30 mm with KM2 isolate culture, whereas, five non spore forming isolates and two spore forming isolates produced red zone appeared restricted to the growth. Quantitative determination indicated that KM2 produced 15 microgram/ml IAA followed by B2 which produced 11 microgram/ ml. The identification tests indicated that the isolate KM2 is belong to Pseudomonas spp and B2 to Bacillus spp. Analysis by HPLC depending on standard phytohormones showed that indole acetic acid (IAA) and indole butric acid (IBA) were produced by both isolates.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of three biofertilizers (Azotobacter), Azospirillum, Glomus mosseae and their interaction on growth, fruit yield and quality of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus.L.) cv. Mahi-45 in the Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture Technology and Science, Allahabad, India during the summer season 2013. Eight treatments were included in the trial viz; T1 (Control); T2 (Azotobacter); T3 (Azospirillum); T4 Mycorrhizae (Glomus mosseae); T5 (Azotobacter + Azospirillum); T6 (Azotobacter + Glomus mosseae); T7 (Azospirillum+ Glomus mosseae) and T8 (Azotobacter + Azospirillum+ Glomus mosseae) were tested in three replication. The experiment design was randomized complete block design. This study showed all biofertilizers treatments and their interaction significant effect in plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (cm), number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant (g) and fruit yield (t/ha) compare with control treatment. Also this study showed that the treatment (T8) significant effect on all parameters which study where recorded (150 cm), (4.33), (35), (13.25 cm), (1.85 cm), (33), (487.28 g) and (14.66 t/ha) respectively.

The rainfed region in Iraq comprises an area of more than 5 millions ha of forest, grazing and farmland areas. Except the plains, the region suffers from moderate to severe water erosion due mainly to overgrazing and land mismanagement. Due to population growth and the shortage in water resources, an expansion in land used for agriculture in the region is expected. Terracing is an option when utilizing sloping land for agricultural production. A terrace design criterion was developed for the region in which terrace spacing was determined using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE); terrace channel specifications were determined using conventional hydraulic computations. Analyses showed that terracing is feasible on rolling and hilly sloping land in the high rainfall zone (seasonal rainfall > 600 mm) on the condition that high value cash crops are grown to offset the high cost of terrace construction and maintenance. In the medium and low rainfall zones (seasonal rainfall 400- 600 mm and < 400 mm), terracing for water erosion control is generally not needed on cultivated land less than 10% in slope where wheat and barely crops are normally grown; however, pioneer research projects are need to assess the feasibility of terraces of the level (detention) type to conserve rain water in these two zones for a more successful rainfed farming venture-