IRAQ JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

A field experiment was carried out during 2012 season at Field Crop Station, College of Agriculture, Tikrit University. The study included the effect of three levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 60 and 120 kg urea/ D) and 15 genotypes of upland cotton R.C.B.D. design by split plot arrangement with three replication, levels of nitrogen fertilizer were in main plots, whereas the in sub genotypes in sub plots. Data recorded for 11 traits: no. of days to 50% flowering, plant height, height of first fruiting branch, no of vegetative and fruiting branch, no of opened bolls, boll weight, and earliness percentage, gaining outturn, seed index and total seed cotton yield. The results showed significant differences between nitrogen levels for most traits except plant height, first fruiting branch, boll weight, earliness percentage and gaining outturn, otherwise the genotypes were significantly differed in all studied traits except no. of days to flowering. The genotypes Dierr22 showed surpassed others significantly for plant height, first fruiting branch and no. of fruiting branches traits , while the genotype (Coker310) was surpassed of opened bolls , gaining outturn and total seed cotton yield and the genotype (Lachata) was surpassed for boll weight and earliness percentage . The interaction between 0 level of N and Coker310 showed superiority for no. of opened bolls and gaining outtuen, and the 120 Kg with the same genotype for total of seed cotton yield, and the 60 Kg levels with Lachata genotype for boll weight. Environment, genotypic and phenotypic variances deviated from zero all traits and at all Nitrogen levels except for number of fruiting breaches in case of two variances, environmental and genotypic. Broad sense heritability was high for most traits and at three levels of Nitrogen, while the expeced genetic advance was high for no. of opened bolls, boll weight and seed cotton yield at the three level of Nitrogen.

A field experiment was conducted during 2010 – 2011 and 2011–2012 seasons at the Experimental Farm, Department of Field Crop Science College of Agriculture University of Baghdad to study the effect of Boron and Vitamin C on some growth characteristics of wheat (var. Abu–Ghraib 3). Factorial experimental in RCBD with four replications was used. Treatments involved two factors , first was foliar application of boron in five concentrations 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 mg .L-1 the second was vitamin C foliar application in five concentrations 0, 1, 2,3,4, gmL-1. Results showed that higher concentration of boron 400 mg L-1 was superior in flag leaf area 43.02 cm2 , 41.59 cm2, number of total tillers m-2 were 680.9 tiller m-2 643.0 tiller m-2 for both seasons, dry weight 1983.5 gm-2, crop growth rate 16.80 gm m-2 d-1 for first season and spike length 12.815 cm for second season, compared to control which gave the least value which were 36.81 cm2, 36.06 cm2, 513 tiller m2, 528 tiller m2, 1534.2 gm m2, 13.001 gm m-2d-1 and 11.852 cm. Boron applied in 300 mg B L-1 was superior in plant length about 99.62 cm , 101.04 cm and dry weight about 2217.0 gm m-2 crop growth rate, 17.185 gm m-2 d-1 for second season. Vitamin C concentration 4 gm L-1 was superior in plant length leaf area, number of total tillers m-2 dry weight, crop growth rate, spike length increasing with% increase of (2.78, 4.461%) (26.513, 21.370%) (12.767, 17.541%) (11.67, 18. 38%), (11.668, 18.390%) and (6.05, 4.13%) respectively, compared to control. The conclusion from this study was boron foliar applied 300,400 mg L-1 affected significantly most of studied characteristics of wheat while vitamin C affected significantly all growth characteristics, so we recommended 300 mgB L-1 and 4 gm L-1 vitamin C.

This Research conducted to evaluate performance and estimating some
genetic parameters and path coefficient analysis of fifteen genotype of wheat
bread in the fields of Agriculture College /Tikrit University at (2011-2012) season
by using randomized complete Block design with three replications, each
experimental unit area was three lines (3mlong) and the distance among lines
was (0.2m).seeding rate was 160 kg. ha-1.
Results showed high significant differences among genotypes at 1%
probability level of all studied traits. (Abu Ghraib 3) genotype was superior in
number of grains. Spike -1 (42.3) grain yield (5293.8 kg . ha-1), specific weight
(79.5 kg.hl-1) ,extraction percent (%80.56) ,flour yield (4264.794 kg.ha-1), protein
percentage (%12.26) wet Gluten (%29.9), dry Gluten (10.26%) and
sedimentation volume (52.143 ml) Genetic variances weresignificantin all traits.
besides moderate phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variations in no. spikes.
m2-1, grain yield (kg.ha-1), sedimentation volume (ml) and flour yield (kg.ha-1)
High heritable value of heritability.in the broad sense in most studied traits
companied with high genetic advance in sedimentation volume (44.45). Grain
yield (kg.ha-1) correlated genetically and phenotypically positivelyand
significantly with each no.spikes. m2-1, no. grains. spike-1, 1000 kernel weight
(gm), while flour yield (kg.ha-1), correlated. Genetically significant with each
protein (%), wet gluten (%), and extraction percentage. Also genetic correlation
positive and significant between flour yield (kg.ha-1) and each wet gluten (%),
extraction percentage and specific weight (kg.hl-1).Direct effect of no.spikes.m2
1was high and indirect effect were moderate in grain yield and 1000 grain weight
respectively, while extraction ratio and specific weight have high direct effects
and the indirect effects were positive with quality flour characters flowed by wet
Gluten which regarded as the minor important trait.therefore Abu Ghraib3
genotype can be grown as the best line gave the highest yield and better quality
than others.
Part of the M.Sc. Thesis of the first author.

Korfila is a durum wheat variety (Triticum turgidum L. sub species var durum (Desf Husn. ) .It was introduced into Iraq through co-operation program with The International Agricultural Research in The Dry Areas (ICARDA) in 1991-1992. Korfila was among varieties of the tested nursery. Korfila was selected and tested through the period 1991-2000 in different areas of Northern Iraq under various conditions include moderate, high rain fall, supplemental irrigation and irrigation areas in the middle region of Iraq. In Ninevah it was tested at several locations include: Al-Kosh, Al-Sheikhan, Al-Sharafya, Telaske, Telkaf, Rabiaa, Rasheedya and at Nimrood south of Mosul..Productivity range was from 1603 kg/ha at Rasheedya to more than 4 tons/ha under irrigation in the middle irrigated region of Iraq. At Rabiaa in north of Mosul under supplemental irrigation its yield reach more than 5 tons/ha.
Under moderate rainfed areas (350-450 annual rainfall) and high rainfall areas (>450 mm).
Korfila gave better performance than Waha variety and Garonia (local durum wheat variety).The percentage increase were 7.9 and 16.9% for 1997 and 1998 seasons, respectively.
Korfila is a semi-dwarf (72-100 cm in plant height), resistant to lodging. Korfila has higher kernel number per spike (44 seeds) and larger kernels weight (45g/1000 kernels weight). Korfila is distinct from Om-Rabi-5 in plant height and spike characteristics and from Waha in glum color, glum pubescent and awn color. Korfila is highly recommended for high rainfall areas for its high yielding capacity under supplemental irrigation of northern Iraq.

This study was carried out to determining suitable of factors, climate and soil for growing wheat for area of east Saadia that located between latitudes 33o 52 and 33o 13 north and longitudes 45o and 45o 10 east and is bordered to the north city of Jalawla and west city Saadia and eastward public road leading to the Khanaqin and south Hemrin mountain range. All operations was performed for evaluation of climate and soil factors using a special worksheet from FAO carried out using MS Excel to connect the results with soil units. The Excel file can be used this to make a style suitability evaluation of a set of important data.
And by using ArcGIS was built and correct spatial databases and metadata and linked some to create a database of the study area is ready for process analysis (as selected land characteristics LC and the requirements of field crops CR) within the assessment and classification of current and future suitability of climate and soil factors to growth wheat, then export the results to ArcGIS program for producing digital maps and calculate the area of each class of suitability, as well as use other software such as DEM program for slope calculate. Results of study indicated to several conclusions, the most important possession of the study area climate and soil factors eligible for wheat cultivation.
The results of the evaluation showed high suitability S1 of climate factors to wheat cultivation. The study found the land suitable for cultivation of wheat.

A general survey on aphid species was conducted at wheat fields in the governorate of Babylon, Wasit, Najef, Dewanyia and Baghdad during 2011-2012 seasons. Results have been indicated the presence of fours species namely Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), R. maids Fitch and Sitobion avenae (Fab.). The first two species were the most dominate species on wheat fields. Gradual increase in aphid population was observed up to the mid of March then followed by a sharp decrease. Leading to population outbreak which occurred at the end of March. Sharp decline also was observed early April. Consqueaty the population of natural enemies directly affected by aphid\'s population which increase gradually reached high density at the first week of April. Survey also has included predators and parasitoids species. Three predator\'s species of Coleoptera, three species of Hemiptera, two of Diptera and one species of Neuroptera were recorded. Farther more six species of the parasitoids Aphidiidae were recorded including two species as hyperparasitoid.

A field trial was carried out at the Rice Research Station in AL-Mishkab during 2010 season to stuady the effect of sowing Date (5/6, 20/6 and 5/7) and transplanting space (10,15 and 20 cm) on yield and yield components of three rice varieties (Ormatic 48, Ormatic 64 and Anber 33). Factorial experiments with RCBD arrangement in three replicates was used. The statistical analysis showed significant increments of early Planting (5/6) in number of panicles .m-2, number of grains. Panicle-1 and paddy yield and significant increment of space (10) cm in number of panicle. m-2. Local variety Anber 33 gave highest values of number of grains. panicle-1 while variety Ormatic 64 gave highest values of number of panicles. m-2, weight of 1000 grains and paddy yield. It Can be conclude that early planting date (5 June) was the optimal dating with 10cm Spacing. The Promising variety Ormatic 64 was the best in its performance in terms of yield and its components.

Cultivation Five inbred lines of sunflower within full diallel cross proposed by Griffing (1956). In the spring season 2011 in farmer field in Al-Dour city. Seeds of (20) hybrids and it (5) parents were produced. Hybrid were cultivated in the autumen season 2011, according to randomized complete block design with three replications. The objective of this study was to estimate heterosis on the basis of the highest parent for Plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, head diameter, number of seeds in the disk, seed weight, seed set, seed yild, oil content and oil yield plant. The hybrid (2×5) revealed heterosis for oil content and seed yield (179.68% and 134.71%) respectively, with mean seed yield (79.33)g/p. The highest hybrid vigor for reducing plant height was (-18.02%) for the (2 × 3).

A field study was conducted during two spring season (2012 and 2013) at the experimental farm of the Dept. P Field Crop, College of Agriculture, University of Baghdad that was study the effect of different treatments of irrigation and concentrations of abscisic acid (ABA) in yield and its components, evapotranspiration and water use efficiency, by using randomized complete block design in the arrangement of a split-plot with three replications. Irrigation treatments: control treatment (50% of available water) 70, 50, 30% water of the control treatment were assigned in the main plots while concentrations of (ABA) (0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5) micromole were assigned in the sup plots. The results showed that the treatment of irrigation control (50% of available water) gave the highest average of the relative water content and chlorophyll and turgor pressure and oil content in seeds was (80.15 and 81.09%) and (43.07 and 41.43 mg g-1 weight fresh) and (2.45 and 2.54 MPa) and (40.91 and 40.74%) for both seasons, which don't differ significantly from the treatment of 70% of the irrigation treatment (control), which gave an average of (77.17 and 80.21%) and (41.71 and 40.38 mg g-1 weight fresh) and (2.34 and 2.47 MPa) and (40.19 and 39.79%) for both seasons, while the treatment of irrigation recorded 30% of the treatment (control), the highest average for proline content was (3.85 and 3.14 mg g-1)and saturation deficit ratio (36.08 and 27.91%) for both seasons. Affected the concentrations of Abscisic Acid in significant characteristics physiological, as the superiority of concentrations 7.5 micromole ABA significant and gave the average water content relative (73.97 and 77.27%) and proline content (3.73, 2.01 mg g-1) and chlorophyll content (40.46 and 40.83 mg g-1) weight fresh and turgor pressure (2.23 and 2.31) MPa for two seasons and effectiveness of the peroxidase enzyme (73.13 absorption unit. g-1) for the second season only. Conclusion from this that spray abscisic acid has improved physiological characteristics that help drought tolerance under water deficit circumstances, and the irrigation 70% of the amount of water available had no significant effect on physiological traits and oil content. Thus, we recommend treatment plants sunflower abscisic and acid concentration of 7.5 micromole, irrigation and 70% of the amount of water ready without any impact on the characteristics of Physiology and oil content.

Crop sorghum enjoyed by the possibility of grains harvested more than once from planting one (this is known as Ratoon) in relation to the grains varieties. The date of harvest of sorghum in the spring is the later planted in the autumn season making conditions favorable for the application of cultivation ratoon. As the plants resulting from ratoon sorghum will change their requirements for nutrients because of branching, most important of those elements nitrogen, among the nutrients needed by plants in large quantities outweigh the rest of the other nutrients, and other elements important element potassium, which need to plant outweigh the need for any of the nutrients other than nitrogen, has its major role in the transport, storage and representation. Therefore, this study aimed to know the performance ratoon sorghum under the influence of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers. Carried out in the fields of research station Abu-Ghraib, Agricultural Research Office, during the spring and autumn seasons for 2012 factorial experience and according to the RCBD design with three replications. Using levels of fertilizer Naatroyjana (160, 200, 240 and 280) kg N.H-1 and levels of fertilizer potassium (0, 120, 160 and 200) kg K.H-1. Results showed that holds grain influenced significantly with increasing nitrogen fertilizer and potassium and interactions. The fertilizers effect in 1000-grain weight, biological yield and harvest index was significantly increased with the addition fertilizers individually, and there are no interaction significant effect on those qualities.

The salt is the most important a biotic stress which adversely affect the germination of seeds of sorghum and stimulate, the emergence of the embryo and the process of assembling the dry matter of seedlings in the early stages, which are affected by the gene expression. Implemented a factorial experiment in 2013 in the laboratory of biological technologies-Agricultural Research Office, accordance with the RCBD design with three replications. Used six genotypes included two selectable (Diwaniya 1, Diwaniya 2) and varieties entered (Giza113, Giza15, Dorado) with control (Inqath), and six levels of salinity (0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20) ds.m-1. To study the the germination percentage after 24, 48 and 72 hours and 10 days after. As it outperformed all genotypes in germination percentage at (0 ds.m-1) after 24, 48 and 72 hours and after 10 days, but decreased with the continued stress and salt concentration, especially at the level of 20 ds.m-1. Gizaf113 gave a max weight of coleoptil, radicle, plumule length and fresh weight total (0.843 g) and (0.78 g) (5.467 cm) and (1.749 g) respectively, at 0 ds.m-1. All genotypes Decline at 20 ds.m-1 and gave lower values for all traits.

To identify the most appropriate date for the weed control during the growth stage of maize. Implemented a field experiment in the research station Abu Ghraib-Agricultural Research Station, through the seasons Autumns 2011 and 2012, using RCBD for synthetic variety 5018 with three replicates and five treatment (weedy, spray pesticide before germination, spray pesticide before germination and hoeing after two weeks, spraying insecticide before germination and hoeing three weeks later, pesticide spray before germination and hoeing after the four weeks). The results showed superiority spray treatment in grain holds compared to the treatment of comparison (weedly) by 19 and 27% gave the spraying of the pesticide treatment before germination and hoeing, two weeks after the highest values of the quotient by 47 and 49% for two consecutive seasons. We conclude that the maize respond to manual control and chemical control, especially after two weeks of germination. Accordingly, we recommend against the control weeds during early stages of grow.

Four selection criteria; grain/plant (GN), anthesis-silking interval (ASI), yield efficiency (YE) and leaf area duration (LAD) were tested in selected plants of maize (Zea mays L.) Bohooth106. The experiment was applied for six consecutive seasons (2009-2011) on the farm of the Dept. of Field Crops Sci./College of Agric./Univ.of Baghdad. Plants of high grain coincided with the desired criterion were taken, selfed, and harvested for three selection cycles under 200 and 400 kg N/ha . Seeds of third cycle of each selection criterion were planted for panmixia. The resulted seeds were grown in a yield trial for evaluation under 60 and 80 thousands plant/ha in spring and fall seasons 2011. The results showed that plants under low nitrogen were selected for shorter ASI and longer green duration (LAD) increased leaf area index (LAI) by 7.6% and 5% for spring season and 24.5% and 7.8% for fall season ,respectively .Ear length increased by 25, 15, 18, 14% than original population for ASI and LAD for spring and fall season respectively. Rows number/ear increased by4.6% in fall seasons. Grain number/row increased by 29, 7, 20 and 7.6% for ASI and LAD in spring and fall season respectively. This increase was reflected as an increase in grain yield (93.15gm and 146,11 gm) in spring and fall season respectively. Selection cycles also affected =all selected plants under high nitrogen. (LAI) increased for GN, ASI, YE except LAD. Ear length increased by 9, 19, 5.5, 5.5, 28.59 and 5.6 for GN, ASI and YE respectively. Grains number/row increased from 29. 27 and 31.26 to 34.66 and 40.66 grain for ASI in both. seasons. Grain yield increased by 32.8, 28.5, 55.3 and 30% in spring and fall seasons for ASI,YE respectively Plant density 80thousandes plant /h caused to increase LAI, decreased ear length ,rows number/ear and grains number/row and grain yield (gm), in high and low nitrogen for both seasons. Selection under high and low levels of N led to improve individual plant performance for many field characters, that resulted in increasing the efficiency of plants that were selected under high and low levels of nitrogen. It is recommended to use these criteria for selection and to develop inbred that will be tolerant to low nitrogen and high densities.

A field experiment was Conducted at the Field trials of the Department of Field Crop Science, College of Agriculture, University of Baghdad during the growing Season 2010-2011, to investigate the possibility of improving the growth and Seed yield aspects of Nigella sativa L. plant by using Glutamic Acid with the concentrations (50, 100, or 200) mg. Liter-1 in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 4 replicates. The results showed high concentration (200) mg. Liter-1 significantly increased the leaf dry weight, total the dry weight, root dry weight, number of branchs-plant-1, chlorophyll content of leaves at 75% flowering, chlorophyll content of leaves at 75% physiological maturity and Seed yield.plant-1 by 49.50, 28.64, 25.77, 41.29, 5.41, 21.58 and 39.04% respectively. While Glu. 50. Liter-1 increased the constant oil percentage by 25.75%.

Pots experiment was conducted to study the effect of interaction among
soil content of gypsum, soil depth and irrigation water salinity in content of
available nutrients N, P and K in soil. The experiment was conducted at
Khaldiyah city-Ghazwan during the season 2008L2009 in plastic pots (90cm
high, 42 cm diameter) by using the complete randomized design.
Experiment content three factors. First was soil content of gypsum with
two levels 98 and 194 gm.kg-1 soil. The second soil depths which were 15 and 30
cm. The third were irrigation water salinity with three levels 1.13, 2.65 and
3.80ds.m-1. The treatments were irrigated after losing 50% of available water, so
that taken soil samples for estimate content of available nutrients elements N, P
and K in soil.
Results showed that soil content of gypsum (p), soil depth (D), irrigation
water salinity (w) and the interaction among these factors had significant effect
on soil properties according to following mathematical relationships:
Available of N in soil:
Available of P in soil:
Y= 73.822 -0.452p +3.963w
Y= 71.227 – 0.454p – 7.838w
Available of K in soil:
Y= 130.889 -0.31p +14.713w -0.024pw-0.008pdw

Phosphorus (P) deficiency limits plant production in many soils worldwide even when P is added. It has long been known that genotypic differences for P deficiency tolerance exist in rice. The main objective of this study was to investigate plant and soil P interactions in P deficient conditions. Using pots in a preliminary experiment, a 25/75% subsoil/sand mix was determined as a P deficient to be used for screening 30 rice genotypes (Oryzasativa L.). During June2011, a box experiment when watered with Yoshida’s nutrient solution (YNS) either with (YNS+P) or without P (YNS-P) was designed using a randomised complete block designto assess whether rice genotypes differ in extracting P added in liquid form. Results indicated that P treatment x genotype interaction was significant on shoot dry weight (SDW). On average, YNS-P treatment significantly reduced the SDW for genotypes compared to that of plants grown in YNS+P treatment. Rice genotypes from theaus subgroup grown in-P treatment accumulated significantly more SDW than indica and japonica genotypes. In -P treatment, the genotypes that accumulated higher SDW relative to the others were Black Gora, Rayada, Kasalath, Azucena, IAC 25, Dom Sufid, Aux1Wild type, FR 13A and especially Sadu Chowhich can be used in breeding program.

Improving the drought resistance of high yielding rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties for areas prone to drought is a goal of rice breeders. Identify the location of genes that impart to drought avoidance in a quantitative manner should capable the using of these genes in plant breeding and speed up this goal. A total of 328 cultivars of the Diversity Panel Rice have been assessed for drought avoidance. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for the visual scores of leaf rolling were identified by using efficient mixed model analysis (EMMA). QTLs were considered reportable if they had P values (below 0.0001).
The most significant SNP associations (EMMA4.2, EMMA6.2 and EMMA7.1 respectively) were in each of the rice chromosomes 4, 6 and 7. All genes positioned 200 kb around associations were selected. The candidacies of the most promising were Zinc finger proteins (Os04g53700), organic cation transporter protein (Os04g53930) and bZIP transcription factor (Os06g41770) which has been expressed in leaf tissue and need to be investigated further

The study include 14 samples were chosen for sucrose phosphate synthase - sps gene. Molecular characterization which were characterized by PCR using SPS primer to identify up to generic level. Genomic DNA purification of 14 parallel Rice samples was carried out by DNeasy Plant Kit. The Yields and purities of the purified genomic DNAs were measured by spectrophotometer. The purities of all samples were higher than 1.7, which clearly demonstrates that the purified genomic DNA is of high quality. The integrity of the purified genomic DNA was also analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The genomic DNA was used as template for PCR utilizing primers specific for the sps gene, and the amplified PCR products size were about 251base pair and the results demonstrate that the purity of the purified genomic DNA is sufficiently high for a sensitive PCR analysis. Detection primer with the optimized quantity of 10 pmole, were used in the PCR. PCR products treated with that primer pairs were observed only in rice samples. The present study confirmed that detection primer pair could efficiently amplify the corresponding gene. Nonspecific bands were not present at the annealing temperature 60°C and the sps internal gene was amplified in all the rice samples with a size of 251 bp. For rice specific genes. PCR products treated with SPS primer pairs were observed. We showed that the PCR detection system used in the present study under optimized condition could be an appropriate tool, without primer interference or dimerization, for the detection of GM rice events. Here, we present results that will be useful for GM crop assessment in detecting multiple targets simultaneously with simplex PCR-based methods for various purposes, such as a part of the approval process or post-market monitoring.

Increasing CO2 concentration in the atmosphere influences on the physiology, morphology and biomass of plants and their interactions with plant pathogens. Fusarium head blight and crown rot are among the most important diseases of cereals causing high yield loss in wheat and barle in many countries and regions including Australia. Over 1390 isolates of four Fusarium species from crown tissues of two wheat varieties were obtained from a Free-Air field CO2. Enrichment (FACE) trial from 2007 and 2008 and from a controlled environment. Five isolates from the dominant Fusarium species of each treatment were selected for the aggressiveness detection. There was a significant increase in the pathogencity of Fusarium species by increasing CO2 level. There was a significant increase in the aggressiveness ability of F. culorum and F. pseudograminearum by increasing CO2 concentration after five cycles of monoculture of wheat variety.

Eleven soil pedons were selected representing the area of Abu-Ghraib project. Soil pedons reclassified after the site of pedons checked for their electrical conductivity and exchangable sodium percentage .The pedons were classified at subgroup level of Typic Torrifluvents, Vertic Torrifluvents and limited area of Typic Haplogypsids.
Lands of the area were also evaluated for their suitability for crops, wheat, barley, maize, potato and clover.
About 74% of lands out of studied area (90293 ha) is under class (S2) suitable for wheat and barley followed by 25.4, 29.7 and 36.5%, respectively are suitable under class (S2) for clover, potato and maize respectively. Some lands of the area unsuitable for studied crops. The main limitations were salinity (slight to sever) and /or alkalinity, soil depth, fertility, lime content and pH.