Kirkuk University Journal For Agricultural Sciences (KUJAS)

The research aims primarily to identify the role of agricultural extension centers in the production and marketing
of tomato in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, as well as determine the variance between the role of agricultural
extension centers in tomato production and marketing according to some variables represented by (Age, Academic
specialization, Academic achievement, Duration of agricultural extension service, and Participation of Training
courses ), in addition identifying the problems facing the process of tomato production and marketing. The research
population included all agricultural extension workers in the Agricultural Extension Directorate and its affiliated
centers in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, numbering (100) agricultural extension workers. After excluding (16)
respondents from them for being included in the survey sample, the number of those included in the research
sample became (84) respondents representing the research population. The result sheds light on the level of the
role of agricultural extension centers in tomato production and marketing is high. The results indicated that there
is no difference in the opinions of agricultural extension workers regarding the role of agricultural extension centers
in both tomato production and marketing according to the research variables (Age, Academic achievement,
Academic specialization, Duration of agricultural extension service), while variations were observed among the
variable (Participation of Training courses). The research results also indicated the existence of many problems
facing the process of producing and marketing tomatoes, the most important of which are the high costs of seeds,
fertilizers, pesticides, labor, and importing tomatoes from abroad, consequently, the researchers suggested offering
training for agricultural extension workers and initiating media awareness campaigns to educate farmers about the
functions of extension centers

Shaqlawa Natural Rangeland, located in the Erbil Governorate of the northern region of Iraq, is an important ecological
landscape with varied topographical and microclimatic conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the diversity and
composition of the soil seed bank and its implication for forage productivity on the northern and southern facades of the
rangeland. A total of 1,087 seeds representing 36 plant species were germinated, with Fabaceae and Poaceae dominating
as the most common families. The seed bank comprised mainly native, C₃ annual forbs that possessed high regenerative
ability and ecological adaptability. Slope aspect and altitude had an evident impact on species richness and functional
diversity. North slopes, with their more humid and cooler microclimate, were more favorable for higher diversity in plant
functional characteristics like photosynthetic pathways, life forms, and taxonomic families. The number of
monocotyledonous species was lower than dicotyledons, and no C₄ species were encountered. Maximum weed richness
was at North × High Elevation, and maximum native species richness was at North × Medium Elevation. These findings
indicate that north slopes and higher elevations favor more diversity of annual species, particularly weeds, and lower areas
favor perennial species. These processes can be used to inform land management to enable native species restoration and
the control of invasive species in rangeland systems.
Although both annuals and monocots were more common at higher elevations, dicot and perennial species dominated at
middle to lower elevations. Remarkably, weed cover was more prevalent at higher elevation, mainly on north-facing
slopes, an indicator that is critical of the need for invasive plant management. In general, the findings support the central
role played by topographic and microclimatic gradients in the modulation of soil seed bank diversity and present useful
data to inform sustainable rangeland management, renovation planning, and biodiversity conservation planning.

The study was conducted at the University of Duhok, College of Science, Department of Biology, from October
2021 to February 2023, focused on investigating the micropropagation and genetic diversity of seven pomegranates
(Punica granatum L.) Masafik, Melisse, Radisho, Armishte, Shahraban, Halapja, and Dwarf. The experiments
were conducted in the Plant Tissue Culture and Plant Molecular Laboratories at the Scientific Research Center
(SRC), College of Science, University of Duhok,. The main aim of this study was to assess the genetic diversity,
genetic relationships, and gene stability of the pomegranate cultivars being investigated, using Sequence Related
Amplified Polymorphism (SRAP) DNA markers.
The results showed that only four tested SRAP primer combinations produced consistent and distinct polymorphic
patterns in all 21 pomegranate genotypes, including the seven cultivars, the produced callus, and the regenerated
plantlets formed from the callus. In the seven cultivars of Punica granatum, the combination of EM29-ME5
primers produced the highest number of banding patterns at 14, while primer EM29-ME17 produced only seven
bands, totaling 42 bands. There were 3 monomorphic bands and 39 polymorphic bands, averaging 91.88%. The
genetic relationship between species was determined using the calculated genetic distance, which ranged from the
lowest value of 0.11989 between Armishte and Melisse to the highest value of 0.73162 between Melisse and
Masafik. The dendrogram recognized three clusters for similarity between the cultivars.

Accurate prediction of environmental events is a result of the combination of climatic and environmental
variables. The Random Forest model was employed in this study to examine the contribution of various climatic
and environmental variables to the phenomenon in question under three scenarios: (1) all variables combined, (2)
climatic variables only, and (3) environmental variables only. Training was conducted using 70% of the data and
testing on 30%. Measures of performance like R-squared, MAE, MSE, RMSE, and MAPE were used to assess
predictive accuracy, whereas the relative contribution of each variable was calculated by employing Gini
importance index.
Results indicate that optimal prediction performance was achieved when all variables were included (R-squared =
0.98, MAE = 0.0271, RMSE = 0.0414), but the performance was lower when climatic variables alone were used
(R-squared = 0.89). Environmental variables alone gave performance which was very close to that of the fullparameter (R-squared = 0.97) case, reflecting their better role in prediction of the model. Variable importance
analysis revealed the top contributing drivers of the variables as urbanization (NDBI) and vegetation condition
(VCI), then Albedo, PDSI, AOD, and LST. Soil moisture and actual evapotranspiration were climatic drivers with
average contribution, while atmospheric pressure and wind speed contributed the least.
These findings demonstrate that Random Forest models can effectively capture complex interactions in
environmental systems and emphasize the core role of environmental variables, particularly urbanization and
vegetation condition, in predictive modeling. This research provides insights for future environmental monitoring
and management strategies in arid and semi-arid regions

The study was conducted during the growing season of 2024 at 28 locations in Erbil plain, Iraq, Iraqi Kurdistan
Region, to test the influence of the ionic strength of irrigation water on nitrate (NO3-) concentration of the
cucumber plant. The green test and the spectrophotometric method were used for nitrate determination. The
selected locations were similar in soil properties, type, and amount of chemical and organic fertilizers applied by
farmers. The results indicated the permissible nitrate concentration (NO3-) in the studied cucumber samples was
less than the maximum allowable concentration of 400 μg g-1. The highest soil calcium carbonate, active lime,
and soil pH were ranged between (20.76 - 29.31%), (2.09 - 4.39%), and (7.70 - 8.30), respectively. The nitrate
concentration of cucumber in the study ranged between 189.67 to 324.11 and 182.16 to 316.12 (μg g-1 for both
analysis methods, respectively. A significant correlation was recorded between the green analyzer and the
spectrophotometric method, with a correlation coefficient value of (r =0.97**) was recorded between both methods
in determining nitrate concentration. This means that both methods of nitrate analysis are accurate and dependable
for scientific studies. The negative correlation was recorded between cucumber nitrate concentration and the total
and active calcium carbonate, with the correlation coefficient values (r = -0.57* and -0.83 **), respectively. The
statistical analysis results indicated to a significant correlation between nitrate concentration and ionic strength of
irrigation water, with the correlation coefficient values of (r=0.63* and 0.73*) between nitrate concentration in
cucumber and irrigation water ionic strength for green analyzer and spectrophotometric methods, respectively.
Finally, the nitrate concentration of the cucumber plant had no risk on human health due to its low concentration

This experiment was conducted at the University of Sulaymaniyah\'s poultry farm, Animal Science Department,
College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences. This study is a component of my master\'s thesis. The experiment
began on October 10, until November 13 of 2024, and the chicks were raised for 35 days. This study used 160
unsexed one old broiler chicks of the Ross 308 . the chicks divided to treatments by use completely randomized
design in a 2 × 2 factorial was used two feed forms (pellet and crumble) and two feed quality in starter period
(normal starter and super-starter) diet ،after starter period use same feed for grower (11-20) and finisher period
(21-35) in all treatments. In starter period the interaction between pellet and super starter had significant (p<0.05)
difference between treatments in weight gain, FCR, body weight and intestinal jejunal villi length. Consequently,
in grower and finisher period, Within the same feed type, no significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed in
body weight gain between crumble and pellet forms. Pellet super-starter achieved the highest value (3400.66 ±
352.69. Pellet starter had the best early-phase feed efficiency (FCR) (1.13 ± 0.05), while Crumble super-starter
had the highest late-phase FCR (2.05 ± 0.28). Super-starter feeds outperform traditional starter meals in broiler
development, influencing growth more than physical shape, indicating superiority for optimal poultry production
(P < 0.05). observed the higher significant difference (P < 0.05) in body weight, body weight gain, FCR and
intestinal villi length and width was constantly appear in treatments offered super -starter whether it was use pellet
and crumble. this research it’s a part of my master thesis

Climatic, topographical, and soil factors are the main determinants of the distribution and spread of natural
trees. Therefore, Mount Gara one of the most prominent landmarks of the Zagros Mountains, stretching between
Iraq, Turkey, and Iran which located between longitudes (43°17\'31.9˝ - 43°20\'13.3˝ E) and latitudes (36°59\'53.4˝
- 37°01\'02.4˝N) at an elevation ranging from 1,402 to 1,745 meters above sea level. was chosen as a case study
due to its environmental and economic importance. Various species of trees grow naturally there,
including Quercus Aegilops, Quercus infectoria, Acer monspessulanum, Prunus microcarpa, Pyrus
syriaca, Juniperus oxycedrus, Crataegus azarolus, Prunus webbii, Pistacia eurycarpa, and Lonicera arborea.
Scientific tools were used to measure the area-specific diversity of each sample, based on the number of species
present within a defined unit area. The Margalef index indicated clear variation between samples during the two
periods (2014 and 2024), showing a decrease in diversity at sites with southern exposures and steep slopes. The
Menhinick index showed variation in species richness, which was relatively high at an altitude of (1530) m, while
the lowest value was recorded at (1745) m above sea level. The Shannon-Weaver diversity index (ShannonWeaver) differed in biodiversity between samples, reflecting environmental effects on tree growth. This is
consistent with the Simpson and Evenness indices, indicating high species equivalence. The chi-square test values
showed low values across all indices (Margalef, Menhinick, and Shannon), suggesting no significant difference
between the two time periods at a significance level of (0.05). Similarly, the insignificant chi-square
results between 2014 and 2024 indicate no statistically significant differences in tree composition or species
distribution within the plant community during this period

The experiment was conducted during the fall season of 2024 and extended until March 2025 inside a 500 m²
plastic house located at Malta Nursery, which is affiliated with the Directorate of Horticulture in Duhok City,
Kurdistan Region, Iraq. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of two planting dates
(September 15 and October 1), three broccoli hybrids (Batavia, Covina, and Lucky), and three concentrations of
seaweed extract (Marine-Fert) (0, 1, and 2 ml/L) on various parameters of broccoli, including vegetative growth,
yield performance, and nutrient content under protected cultivation conditions. Foliar spraying of the Marine-Fert
seaweed extract was carried out three times throughout the growing season. The first (6.10%). In contrast, the first
planting date (September 15) resulted in a higher lateral floret yield (494.59 g/plant) and nitrogen content (2.28%).
Among the three hybrids, ‘Lucky’ exhibited superior performance, recording the highest values for main head
weight (1029.17 g/head), lateral floret yield foliar application began 15 days after transplanting, and the following
sprays were applied at 15-day intervals. The aim was to monitor how these treatments influenced the physiological
and productive traits of the broccoli plants. The findings demonstrated that the second planting date (October 1)
significantly enhanced the main head weight (978.44 g/head), phosphorus content (0.526%), and potassium content
(520.33 g/plant), total yield (38.74 tons/hectare), and nitrogen content (2.28%). Moreover, the foliar application of
Marine-Fert at 2 ml/L yielded the best outcomes in terms of growth and productivity. These results highlight the
critical role of optimized planting time, hybrid selection, and foliar nutrition in improving broccoli production
under plastic house conditions

The study was conducted in the nursery of the Horticulture Department, College of Agricultural Engineering
Sciences, Duhok University, Iraq, during the period from 01 September 2024 to 01 June 2025 for the fall season
to investigate the response of three cold turf grass seeds mixtures included (1, 2 and 3) to two concentrations of
Salicylic acid (0 and 10 mg L-1) was spray every month after germination of seeds and different concentrations of
benzyl adenine (0, 100 and 200 mg l-1) was spray two times. The experiment was performed by using Factorial
Experiment Randomized Complete Block design with three factors and three replications. The results explained
that the spray turf grass mixture with 10 mg L -1 of salicylic acid had a significant effect on plant density (210.19
plants 100 cm-2), mowing number (2.67), cumulative dry weight of vegetative growth (25.20 g) and percentage of
carbohydrates in clipping yield (0.88%). The foliar sprayed of turf grasses mixture with benzyl adenine (BA) at
200 mg L-1 significantly superior than control and 100 mg L-1 in total carbohydrates in clipping yield (0.89%),
whereas results at concentration of 100 mg L-1 of BA caused significant increase in plant density (208.39 plants
100 cm-2) as comparison with other concentration. As for turf grass mixtures noticed that mixture 1 was
significantly superior to two other mixtures in the pant density (218.78 plant 100 cm-2, leaf area (2.64 cm2),
cumulative dry weight of vegetative growth (24.92 g) and root depth (21.03 cm), while mixture 3 was significantly
superior to other mixture in total carbohydrates in clipping yield (0.91)

This experiment was conducted in the fields of Agriculture Faculty/ University of Kirkuk/ Department of Animal
Production. Using 120 85-week-old Lohmann's egg-laying hens. The study aimed to evaluate the replacement of
sunflower oil with rice bran oil in laying hens on the productive qualities of eggs. The distribution of the coefficients
is as follows: the first treatment: basic Bush, the second: 20% substitution, the third: 40%, the fourth: 60%, the fifth:
80%, the sixth: 100% of rice bran oil instead of sunflower oil. The results of the experiment showed that the 3rd
treatment was significantly (P≤0.05) higher than the 5th treatment in egg production percentage. No significant
differences were recorded among all experimental treatments in egg weight. As for egg mass, the 3rd treatment was
significantly (P≤0.05) higher than the 5th treatment. Regarding the feed conversion ratio, it improved in the 3rd
treatment, which was the best treatment.
The results of this study note that the addition of rice bran oil to laying hens improved some production qualities,
including egg production rate, egg mass and feed conversion ratio.

Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient to support many physiological and biochemical functions in plants, such
as enzyme activation, protein synthesis, and growth regulation. But bioavailability in calcareous soils is limited,
like those found in many production areas including Erbil Governorate, Iraq. Cause by high soil pH, and zinc can
become tied up in indissoluble forms resulting in reduced availability to plants. To solve this problem the current
study intended to isolate, characterize, and molecularly identify zinc-solubilizing bacteria (ZSB) from agricultural
soils in the Erbil area. Soil samples were collected from the rhizosphere zones of different cultivated plants because
the levels of microbial activity are usually greater in these locations. The bacterial isolates were screened for their
Zn-solubilizing ability employing the Pikovskaya's agar medium, with zinc oxide (ZnO) as a poorly soluble form
of zinc. Seventy-one (71) bacterial isolates were isolated and analyzed. Three of these isolates (Bacillus subtilis,
Delftia tsuruhatensis, and Pseudoxanthomonas mexicana) had much better Zn solubilizing ability, each with a
clear halo and were determined to have solubilization indices (SI) > 2.5. The bacterial isolates were identified with
morphological, biochemically, and molecular analysis using 16S rRNA gene . Quantitative analysis of the strains'
growth in liquid culture presented via Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) showed solubilising large amounts
of zinc. Overall, it is conceivable that the identified ZSB isolates might provide excellent tools as bio-fertilizers
for increasing zinc availability in soils with zinc deficiency, leading to better plant growth and improved soil health.
The use of these indigenous strains may represent an environmentally friendly and sustainable strategy for
maximizing agricultural productivity in the area

The experiment was conducted during the fall agricultural season of 2024–2025 under a plastic house (300 m2)
without heating at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of
Duhok, Kurdistan Region, the site is geographically positioned at a latitude of 36.51° N, longitude of 42.52° E,
and an altitude of 473 meters above sea level. Iraq. A factorial experiment was carried out using a Randomized
Complete Block Design (split plot design) with three replicates, comprising 54 treatments. The treatments were a
combination of two cabbage hybrids (‘Tropicana’ and ‘Globe Master’), three levels of Bio Health (0 g, 15 g, and
20 g per m²), and three levels of Hum-Zinc foliar spray (0 g, 1.5 g, and 3 g per liter). The objective was to evaluate
the effects of Bio Health application and Hum-Zinc foliar spraying on the growth, productivity, and yield of
cabbage.
The results showed that the ‘Globe Master’ hybrid was significantly superior to the ‘Tropicana’ hybrid in terms of
the number of rolled leaves (29.43 leaves per plant), average head weight (1.61 kg), total yield (58.92 t. ha-1),
nitrogen percentage (2.65%), and potassium percentage (0.99%). In contrast, the ‘Tropicana’ hybrid showed
superiority in stem length (9.60 cm) and phosphorus percentage (0.23 %). The application of Bio Health
significantly affected all measured parameters, demonstrating its role in enhancing plant performance. Similarly,
foliar application of Hum-Zinc significantly influenced all growth and yield traits, with the exception of stem
length.
The best results for most vegetative growth characteristics, total yield, and yield components were obtained with
the application of Bio Health at 20 g/m² and foliar spraying of Hum-Zinc at 3 g/L. These findings indicate that the
integrated use of Bio Health and Hum-Zinc can effectively improve cabbage growth, yield, and nutrient content
under protected cultivation conditions. This study highlights the potential of combining organic amendments with
micronutrient foliar sprays to achieve sustainable and productive cabbage cultivation

This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of Hybrids, nano, foliar application of seaweed extracts, on broccoli
leaves (Brassica oleracea var. italica). The findings demonstrated that both Hybrids mofed and Agassi have
significant differences in terms of vegetative growth characters, All studied traits in both Hybrids were significantly
increased by the Agassi RZ cultivar during the study seasons. It was also observed that adding seaweed extract
significantly increased all investigated traits in both Hybrids. The interactions between nano and seaweed extract
were marked by the elevation of most detected traits. Combination between them significantly impacted most
measures, whereas 6g.L-1 and 8g.L seaweed extract produced the greatest overall result in all vegetative growth
parameters (Number of leaf.plant-1, plant high (cm), stem length (cm) , branch number. Plant-1 and chlorophyll
contents (SPAD). Regarding nutrients contents, significant differences were showed. The combination among
three factors was significant enhanced all studied traits. The levels of Pb and Cd in the heads of two broccoli
hybrids were within the acceptable limits for these metals in vegetables

Iron is an essential micronutrient that plays a fundamental role in various physiological and metabolic functions
in plants, such as respiration, photosynthesis, enzyme activity, and chlorophyll synthesis. Although iron is naturally
present in most soils, it is often found in insoluble forms, particularly in calcareous or alkaline soils, which
significantly limits its availability to plants and leads to iron deficiency, negatively affecting crop yield and plant
health. This study was conducted to isolate, characterize, and molecularly identify iron-solubilizing bacteria (ISB)
from agricultural soils collected in the Erbil Governorate of Iraq. Soil samples were taken from the rhizosphere
zones of cultivated plants and inoculated onto King’s B agar medium supplemented with iron oxide (FeO) to detect
ISB based on their ability to form clear halos around the colonies, indicating iron solubilization. A total of 114
diverse bacterial isolates were obtained and further characterized using morphological, biochemical, and molecular
methods, including 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The isolates were identified as Streptococcus sobrinus (35 strains),
Pseudomonas putida (40 strains), and Stenotrophomonas acidaminiphila (39 strains). Among these, two highly
efficient isolates, Fe9 and Fe19, demonstrated the highest iron solubilization potential, forming distinct halo zones
with solubilization indices (SI) greater than 2.5. Their iron-releasing capacity in liquid culture was also confirmed
through precise quantitative analysis using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The findings suggest that
these native, beneficial bacterial strains have strong potential to be developed into environmentally friendly
biofertilizers for improving iron availability in soils, thus enhancing plant growth and reducing reliance on
synthetic chemical fertilizers in modern sustainable agricultural practices

This study aims to estimate the biomass and carbon sequestration potential of naturally occurring Calabrian pine (Pinus
brutia Ten.) in the trunk and branches across three distinct sites in the Duhok Governorate, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. At
each site, a total of 43–60 trees were measured to develop robust allometric models for estimating tree biomass and carbon
storage, using diameter at breast height (DBH) and total tree height as key predictors. Site-specific variables such as
elevation, slope, and soil characteristics, which can significantly influence biomass accumulation and carbon dynamics,
were also taken into account. Tree selection encompassed a range of size classes and age groups to ensure a representative
sampling of the natural forest structure and growth variability. Carbon content was estimated by applying a widely
accepted carbon conversion factor of 0.5 to the calculated dry biomass. The findings reveal that trees in Zawita store
substantially more carbon, with an average of 326.7 kg for a tree with a 40 cm DBH, compared to 123.6 kg in Atrosh and
157.9 kg in Belkef. The highest overall carbon stock in trunk and branches was recorded in Zawita, reaching up to 577.6
kg for a tree with 50 cm DBH, indicating superior sequestration capacity and higher biomass productivity relative to the
other sites. These results carry important implications for forest management, carbon accounting, and climate change
mitigation strategies in the region. Moreover, the study provides a valuable baseline for long-term ecological monitoring,
sustainable forestry planning, and carbon stock assessments. By emphasizing the ecological and climate-related
importance of natural pine forests in semi-arid mountainous environments, the research supports conservation initiatives
and underscores the role of Pinus brutia as a vital carbon sink contributing to both regional sustainability and global
climate goals.

The aim of this research is to study the characteristics of the vegetation cover of the bush and to identify
the most common and widespread weeds associated with the fields of agricultural districts Due to the lack
of environmental studies for the previously selected area, The study was conducted from April 2023 to
the end of May 2024,The study found that the dominant weeds in agricultural fields were identified as 39
species out of 20 families in agricultural fields, 25 of which were annual plants (62.5%), 12 perennial
plants (23.5%) and 2 biennial plants (5%). The dominant weed species in the counties included the
following families: Poaceae, Compositae, Solanaceae. The number of weed plant species in the area was
9, 8 and 3, respectively, All plant species and their numbers that appeared in the square were recorded
and the vegetation cover characteristics (density, frequency, abundance and coverage) were calculated for
each plant species in the square. The results showed that the highest density was 7.06 plants m-2 Raphanus
raphanistrum L. It was followed by Xanthium strumarium with 6.10 plants m-2, while the frequency
ranged from 22 to 1.3 for Imperata cylindrica L. and Vaccaria pyramidata, respectively. The abundance
ranged from 8.0 to 0.8 for Chenopodium album L. and Polygonum aviculare L., respectively. The highest
coverage value was 5.20 for Chenopodium album L. and the lowest for Melilotus indicus L. with 0.05
plants m-2. The spread of these plants can pose a serious challenge to crop production if not adequately
controlled. Each agricultural district should adopt appropriate weeding plans and strengthen weed control
according to local conditions, especially the characteristics of the weed distribution area

Monitoring the quality and quantity of groundwater is crucial for the effective and sustainable
management of this valuable resource. In arid and semi-aried areas, irrigation water quality and soil
salinity were the main limiting factor for growing agricultural crops, increased salinity of groundwater
used in dry areas with limited rainfall hinders crop diversification that can be produced. Therefore, it is
important to ensure the quality of irrigation water, this study dealt with the physical and chemical
composition of groundwater in a location where groundwater in the Kharayeb al-Sheikh area is considered
the main source of water for irrigation of crops, The water in those places is characterized by some
problems related to the quality and suitability for irrigation field crops and trees, The aim of this study is
to show the chemical characteristics of groundwater used in the irrigation process and classify it according
to the scheme [1] and evaluate it according to the standard specifications of the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the International [2] . Water samples were obtained from the six wells located within the
study area for the period between the year 2023 to 2024 and in various seasons.
The values of hydrogen ion potential (pH) of well water were ranged between (6.8-7.3), the electrical
conductivity (ECe) of salts ranged between (3.9-7.4 dSm-1), and the sodium absorption rate (SAR) ranged
between (7.6-16.2) Potassium (K+) (6.7- 19.8) Calcium (Ca+2)(16.1- 30.1), Magnesium (Mg+2) (9.9-
22.3), Chloride (Cl-) (40.8- 56.1), Bicarbonate (HCO3 -) (8.81- 27.5) sulphate (SO4-2)(25.0- 37.9),
sodium (Na+)(32.4-60.1) meql-1, and the Kelley index was (0.66-1.94), The results of the study showed
variations of some chemical characteristics over a range Its suitability for irrigating crops. Well water is
classified as C5S1, C5S2, C4S1, and C4S2, all of which have high salinity, the study recommends taking
administrative measures when using this water.

This study conducted in College of Agriculture - University of Kirkuk from 1/5/2024 to 6/8/2024, to study the
genetic correlation of productive, egg quality and biochemical traits of laying hens. One hundred twenty Lohmann
Brown laying hens aged 64 weeks, housed in vertical battery cages. Each battery contained 4 floors, and each floor
contained 3 cages. The dimensions of each cage were (35 x 30 x 40 cm). The results indicated a negative and
significant genetic correlation between blood cholesterol level and EP rate, EW and EM, while the genetic
correlation was positive and significant between cholesterol and the FCR. A negative and significant genetic
correlation was also recorded between the AST enzyme in the blood and EP rate, EW and EM, while the genetic
correlation was positive and significant between the AST enzyme and the FCR. On the other hand, a positive and
highly significant genetic correlation was observed between the cholesterol level in the blood and the yolk index,
as well as a positive and significant genetic correlation between the AST enzyme and the two traits of the yolk
index and the shell thickness. Thy study recommends using indirect genetic improvement programs based on some
biochemical traits in blood serum (glucose, total protein, cholesterol, AST and ALT enzymes) due to their positive
and significant correlation with productive performance and egg quality traits in laying hens.

A field experiment was conducted in the autumn season of (2024) in Diyala Governorate to estimate the genetic
parameters and analyze the path coefficient when spraying boron at a concentration of 150 mg/L¹ according to the
plant growth stages, which are (the five-leaf stage S:2, the growth point differentiation stage S:3, Boot stage S:5,
and Half bloom stage S:6). For seven varieties of sorghum, namely (Rabih, Buhuth, Enqaz, Giza, Lilo, G, and
Khair), according to the split-plot system with a complete randomized block design RCBD and three replicates,
the main plots contained the boron spraying stages, while the secondary plots included the varieties. The study
showed values of genetic variance and phenotypic variance were higher values of environmental variance in most
of the studied traits and at all stages of boron spraying, the coefficients of genetic variation were between medium
and low for all stages of boron spraying, while the phenotypic variation coefficients were high for the trait of
number of head seeds, head weight and biomass yield in the fourth stage of boron spraying, which were (31.139,
34.887, 33.563) respectively. As for the heritability in the broad sense, it was high for each of the traits of number
of head seeds, head diameter, biomass yield, and grain yield, and they reached (70.132, 60.835, 61.665, 61.422)
respectively. the expected genetic advance as a percentage, it was high for the trait of number of head seeds and
biomass yield (40.529, 35.189) respectively. While the path coefficient analysis showed high direct effects for
number of head seeds, head weight, head diameter, 1000-grain weight, biomass yield and harvest index at different
stages of boron application, the indirect effects were high for plant height, number of head seeds, head weight,
head diameter, 1000-grain weight and biomass yield at different stages of boron application.

The experiment was conducted in animal production fields of the Department of Animal Production, College
of Agricultural Engineering, University of Salahaddin, in the Grda Rasha area, Erbil, to study the influence of
different levels of feed addition of Moringa oleifera seed powder compared to the synthetic antioxidant
butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality in the broiler. The expirment
took place for 35 days (8th of October – 11th November 2024), The average weight of 400 unsexed 1-day-old Ross
308 chicks was 38.85 ± 0.07 g, used and randomly distributed into five experimental treatments with four replicates
per treatment (20 birds/replicate). The treatments were as follows: T1: Control (Standard diet=SD). T2: SD +
0.02% BHT. T3: SD + 0.25% Moringa oleifera seed powder (MOSP). T4: SD + 0.50% MOSP. T5: SD + 0.75%
MOSP. Statistical analysis results showed significant differences in both treatments T2 and T4 in both live body
weight and considerable superiority in the total weight gain rate and feed conversion efficiency rate, while the
results of carcass traits (dressing percentage, breast weight, thigh weight) did not show significant differences
between treatments. And for meat quality, non-significance different were recorded at pH values, color, and
cooking lossing, while significant differences appeared in treatments when investigating water holding capacity
(WHC) and shear force in favor of treatment T5. The study concludes that the use of Moringa oleifera seed powder
as a feed additive (At a rate of 0.25- 0.50- 0.75%) for broiler chickens contributes to the production of chickens
with significant weight gain, feed conversion efficiency, high (WHC), and shear force of broilers' meat

The current study focused on the study of the influence of giving aqueous extract of green tea with a mixture of
vitamin A and E in the early pregnancy stage. The experiment used 20 local Awassi ewes, two years old and an average
weight of 45.30 ± 2 kg. It was randomly distributed among four treatments, with five ewes for each group. The sheep
of the first treatment were dosed with sterile and clean water free of additives and were regarded as the managed
treatment. The second treatment was dosed with an aqueous extract of green tea at a concentration of (100 ml/ Kg
BW). The third treatment was dosed with an aqueous extract of green tea water was managed in a concentration of
(200 ml/ Kg BW), and the fourth treatment’ ewes are dosed with a mixture of vitamin A at a dose (400 IU/ Kg BW)
and vitamin E at a dose (200 IU/ Kg BW). The administration of aqueous green tea extract, particularly at 200 ml/kg,
combined with vitamins A and E, significantly improved the physiological performance of Awassi ewes during early
pregnancy. Notable improvements were observed in metabolic parameters such as blood glucose, total serum protein,
immunoglobulin levels, liver enzymes (AST and ALT), and serum cholesterol. These results show that green tea and
vitamin supplementation may positively influence biochemical traits and metabolic activities in ewes, leading to better
overall health. Further research is required to explore the underlying mechanisms and long-term effects of these
treatments on sheep health

Since 2000, there has been a growing trend towards using probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in poultry
nutrition. Although the probiotic was first used to bring about early microbial balance in the chicks, current studies
have revealed the existence of other great benefits for the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics. Including
improving the productive performance of flocks of broilers, laying hens, and broiler breeders. It has been proven
that probiotics contribute to improving growth and feed conversion ratio and reducing mortality of broiler flocks.
It also leads to improving egg production, raising fertility and hatching rates. Reducing level of cholesterol in blood
of birds and their products such as meat and eggs, as well as maintaining the effectiveness of liver by removing
toxicity of many types of bacterial toxins and some metabolic products of harmful bacteria by process called
Detoxification. In addition to increasing the rate of digestion and availability of many nutrients such as proteins,
fats, carbohydrates, mineral elements, vitamins, metabolizable energy, increasing effectiveness of immune system,
raising level of cellular and humoral immunity and also reducing need for use of antibiotics by impeding speed of
growth and settlement of pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, salmonella and streptococcus and
Campylobacter. Finally, reducing the incidence of diseases that threaten the lives of domestic birds and decreasing
their productive efficiency, it has been confirmed that the development of intestinal flora plays an effective role in
reducing the incidence of respiratory diseases. Based on the benefits mentioned above, this review highlights the
importance and benefits of using probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in the diets of domestic birds

The study area (Dawodi Plain) is located in the northeastern part of Iraq, Salah Al-Din Governorate. It
covers a total area of 70,622 hectares, situated between longitudes (44° 55' 39" – 44° 33' 27") E and latitudes
(34° 48' 48" – 35° 08' 30") N. The region experiences a climate characterized by rainy winters and hot
summers, with an annual rainfall of less than 383 mm and an average annual temperature of 22°C. The soil
moisture regime is classified as Aridic, while the soil temperature regime is Hyper thermic. The area has a
plain morphology with a gentle slope of 2-5%. Five sites were selected for soil profile sampling, where one
profile was excavated at each site and divided into its respective horizons. A total of 25 soil samples were
collected from the profiles for physical, chemical, and morphological analyses. The study revealed that the
pH values of the studied profiles ranged from slightly alkaline to neutral. The CK3 horizon of Profile 2
recorded the highest pH value (8.1), while the Ap horizon of Profile 1 had the lowest pH value (7.1).
Additionally, pH values were generally higher in subsurface horizons compared to surface horizons. Most
of the studied profiles exhibited low salt content, except for the Ap horizon of Profile 1. Calcium carbonate
content was found to increase in subsurface layers. Gypsum content varied in Profiles 1, 2, and 5, while no
gypsum was detected in Profiles 3 and 4. All studied profiles featured a surface diagnostic horizon of the
Ochric type and a subsurface diagnostic horizon of the Calcic type. According to the USDA soil taxonomy,
the soils were classified as Typic Haplocalcids, while under the WRB system, they were classified as Haplic
Hypercalcic Calcisols.

The research was carried out in the lath house of Forestry Department / Agricultural Engineering Science
College, University of Duhok, Duhok, Iraq, during the period from Oct., 25, 2024 to June, 1, 2025. The study
aimed to investigate response of two tulip bulbs cultivars (Apeldoorn and Blushing Apeldoorn) to soaked in
different gibberellic acid (GA3) primer concentrations including: (0, 200 and 400 mg L-1) for 24 hours and spray
plants with amino acid (Tryptophan) at three concentrations (0, 150 and 300 mg L-1) in each 30 days till flowering.
Three factors were used in the factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) experiment. Each treatment
will consist of 3 replicates and each replicate consisted of 6 pots with diameter 17 cm, The Duncan's Multiple
Ranges Test was used to compare the means at a significance level of 5%. The results explained that Apeldoorn
cv. was significantly superior to Blushing Apeldoorn cv. in the plant height (18.63 cm), bubllets number (3.26)
and total carbohydrate content in leaves (6.25%), while Blushing Apeldoorn cv. was superior significantly in leave
area (60.11 cm2), date to flower opening (148.38 days) and bulbs size (8.11 cm3). As for effect of gibberellic acid
premier it noticed that the both concentrations of GA3 (200 and 400 mg L-1) appeared a significant effect on dry
weight of leaves (1.91 and 1.93 g) and bulblets number (3.39 and 3.06) respectively than control, where GA3 at
concentration (200 mg L-1) affect significantly on vase life of flowers (6.56 days), total chlorophyll content in
leaves (69.39%) and total carbohydrates content in leaves (6.49%), on the other hand GA3 at concentration (400
mg L-1) had a significant impact on plant height (19.73 cm), and flowers stalk length (8.11 cm). Also spray of
tryptophan significantly effect on some characteristics of tulip plant includes leaf area (61.72 cm2), bulblets number
(3.50), total chlorophyll content (69.57%) and total carbohydrate content (6.40%) were affected significantly at
150 mg L-1 ,but dry weight of leaves (2.03g), bulb size (8.15cm3) affected with 300 mg L-1.

The genetic stability of genotypes under fluctuating environmental conditions is one of the most important
elements in plant breeding programs. These factors enable breeders to make decisions regarding the adaptability
of different genotypes to various environments. However, reactions of different genotypes to extreme
environmental factors such as water stress, high temperatures, salinity, and other stresses complicate the choice of
superior genotypes. So, analysis of genetic stability (in particular, the AMMI model) and estimation of GEI could
be one of the most important criteria that plant breeders should take into consideration. In this regard, plant breeders
use various statistical tools and methods for the detection of stable and high-yielding genotypes across
environments. Of the many tools available, AMMI Biplot is one such important and effective methodology. This
method is capable of showing those genotypes which combine genetic stability with productivity in various
environments. Such genotypes are considered stable due to their superior genetic makeup and resilience to
changeable environmental conditions. The AMMI-Biplot technique has been very efficient in the analysis of GEI
and in the identification of superior genotypes. In the plant varieties, genetic stability is thought of as a multivariate
character that is a consequence of the interaction of thousands of gene pairs with various environmental factors,
therefore causing wide variations in the phenotypic expression of the characters. Genetically stable genotypes
possess a high level of adaptability to diverse approved environments. The importance of this interaction in
agriculture rests on the fact that testing of varieties in more than one environment is a pre-requisite for its approval,
as well as for selecting a suitable environment and the development of genetically stable varieties resistant to
environmental fluctuations. For this reason, the relevance of AMMI analysis rests on the possibility of classifying
genotypes according to their stability in the environment, identification of optimal environments for each genotype,
and realization of the analyses of the genotype-environment interaction through biplots. The final objective of
AMMI analysis is thus to study the interaction of genotypes with environmental conditions for assessing
productivity stability of varieties

Factorial experiment used randomized complete block design with three replication conducted in the wheat
field in the Qoritan region of Erbil State, Kurdistan, Iraq, for the study the effect of cutting, threshing, separation
and cleaning units, also measuring the total losses and combine performance efficiency under two speed 2.5 and
3.5 km.h-1 and two higher cutting 10 and 20 cm. combine speed 2.5 km.h-1 recorded lower losses in threshing,
separation, cleaning units and total harvester loss. While cutting unit and efficiency were higher. Increasing higher
cutting gave losses 3.60%, 2.99%, 0.24% for cutting, threshing, separation and cleaning, respectively. Combine
total losses was 6.83% while combine efficiency was reduced with speed harvester. Increasing higher cutting from
10 cm to 20 cm causes increase threshing unit loss 2.25% to 3.72% , and separation unit loss 0.20% to 0.35%.
more than, increasing the total losses from 6.32% to 7.42% while the rest of parameters study were reducing.

The detail description of the genus Phyllotreta striolata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticinae) and a Molecules
have been identified in the Erbil city. Samples were gathered by using an Arial insect net to collect from the
Capparis spinosa plant during period from 1/October/2024 till 22/ November/2024. The important characters of
species are, mandibles apical parts consist of four tentacles, maxillary palp consists of four segments. The Antennae
pale brown- brown consist of 11th antennomers, 1st-5th antennomer pale brown, 5th antennomer 2 times as long
as the 6th antennomer, swollen,11th antennomer oval elongated. The elytra dark brown, middle part pale yellow.
Speculum gaster Y-shaped. Aedeagus pale brown, tubular-shaped. Pictures of the key parts were included. They
show where each sample was found, what plants they were on, and the date they were collected.
In order to create and differentiate genetic evolutionary tree, the molecular test showed a 550 base pair band from
the mitochondrial gene. Cytochrome c oxidase I, which was amplified using PCR from Phyllotreta striolata. In
order to compare the sequenced nucleotides with those of other Phyllotreta species, the Cytochrome c oxidase I
gene sequences of the insect species were aligned. The search was performed within the National Center for
Biotechnology Information's GenBank database using tools based on the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool
algorithm.
P. striolata sequences were acquired using the mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase I gene, as shown in the result
illustration. P. striolata's sequence Cytochrome c oxidase I was uploaded to GenBank under accession PV 123233

With scientific progress in agricultural sciences and the steady increase in population, many technologies have
been used to increase production. These technologies include the use of chemical fertilizers and various chemical
pesticides, including insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, nematodes, and other chemicals. These chemicals have
disrupted the natural balance between these factors, on the one hand, and negatively impacted the environment, on
the other. These negative effects on humans, animals, and plants are significant, with the aim of meeting the
growing global population's need for crops. Estimates indicate that nearly half of the world's population is currently
fed as a result of the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and chemical pesticides, which has led to severe
environmental issues such as land degradation, pollution from non-point sources, and greenhouse gas emissions.
This has prompted growing consumer awareness to demand the natural production of agricultural products, thus
ensuring clean and healthy food and environmental conservation. This is known as organic, natural, biological,
green, or clean production, all of which are different names for a type of agriculture without the use of dangerous
chemicals or toxins. Previous studies indicate that the adoption of organic agriculture depends on several factors,
including individual farm characteristics and farmer knowledge and training, as well as socioeconomic factors such
as fertilizer supply chains and environmental policies. Despite these advantages, farmers should be encouraged to
adopt organic farming due to its soil conservation and environmental friendliness. This should be achieved through
media campaigns (written, audio, and visual) on the importance of converting to organic farming. An insurance
program should be established for organic crops, providing farmers with security in the event of their conversion
to organic farming, given the sustainable nature of organic production, which produces healthy crops and feeds
animals with safe and healthy products without harming the environment or humans

Smart irrigation systems have become essential for mitigating water scarcity, climate variability, and rising
energy costs in modern agriculture. This review synthesizes recent advances in multi-source sensing, IoT/LPWAN
connectivity, and hybrid edge–cloud AI frameworks that enable real-time irrigation and fertigation optimisation.
A PRISMA-based methodology was applied to over 150 studies, focusing on high-impact contributions from
2017–2025. Results show that AI- and sensor-driven scheduling commonly reduces water use by 15–40% while
maintaining or improving yield and nutrient-use efficiency across open-field, orchard, and greenhouse systems.
Machine-learning models (RF, XGB, LSTM, CNN–LSTM, Transformer) and control strategies (MPC, RL, fuzzy
logic) significantly enhance ET estimation, soil-moisture forecasting, anomaly detection, and automated valve
control. Commercial platforms such as Netafim NetBeat®, Rivulis Manna, Jain AquaSphere, Rain Bird IQ4, and
Toro IntelliDash demonstrate scalable field deployment, integrating IoT diagnostics, hydraulic monitoring, and
interoperable APIs. Key barriers include sensor drift, connectivity limitations, proprietary architectures, and the
limited explainability of deep-learning models. Future directions emphasize interoperable data standards,
trustworthy and uncertainty-aware AI, self-calibrating sensing systems, high-fidelity digital twins, and energyautonomous edge hardware. Collectively, these innovations position smart irrigation as a core enabler of climateresilient, resource-efficient agricultural water management.

Wetlands are special ecosystems providing crucial hydrological, ecological, and socio-economic services. The study investigates the long-term development of the Hammar Marsh in Iraq from 2000 to 2025, focusing on water level trends and the driving environmental forces of the changes. Remote sensing imagery is analyzed using Google Earth Engine to obtain monthly water surface areas and other key climatic and ecological variables. Mann–Kendall test and Sen's slope estimator were applied to detect significant trends in water level, and there was an overall increase, with summer and autumn being particularly so, while winter and early spring had slower changes. Stepwise Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) analysis was performed to reduce multicollinearity among predictors so that all remaining variables had VIF values below 10. A Random Forest model was then executed to infer the relative importance of environmental drivers. The model exhibited test set R² of 0.690 and RMSE of 0.154, indicating good predictability. Calculation of the variable importance indicated that the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) and soil moisture were the dominant controlling factors of water level change, followed by vegetation cover (NDVI) and land surface temperature (LST), with the other variables of precipitation, vapor pressure, wind speed, runoff, and aerosol optical depth having secondary effects.
The results highlight the synergistic effects of climatic and hydrological drivers on wetland dynamics and demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating remote sensing, trend analysis, and machine learning for wetland monitoring. The outcomes of this study have significant implications for the sustainable management and conservation of Hammar Marsh and other similar wetland ecosystems in the face of changing environmental conditions.