Dijlah Journal of Agricultural Sciences

A simple linear and multiple linear regression equation was developed to predict available water in the soils of the Middle Euphrates Governorates from some easily measurable physical and chemical properties. The statistical software SAS was used. The results showed a positive correlation between soil moisture constants (field capacity, permanent wilting point, and available water) and the clay content of the soil. The clay percentage was the most influential factor compared to other properties in the amount of available water. There was a positive correlation between available water and clay and silt content, and a negative correlation between available water and apparent soil density, carbonates, and electrical conductivity. We recommend using the developed prediction model under experimental conditions using the clay fraction, as it yields acceptable results for available water with an error rate of no more than 2%.

During the growing season of 2021–2022, an experiment was carried out in central Iraq's Al-Qadisiyah province to find out how productive the wheat crops Baghdad 3, Babylon 113, and Al-Furat were when they were fertilized with gibberellic acid and macro elements. The recommended fertilizers were 20 kg ha-1 of triple superphosphate and 156 kg ha-1 of urea. Three different types of fertilization were used: T1 was a control treatment, T2 had 75 mg L-1 of gibberellic acid at a concentration of macro elements, and T3 had 150 mg L-1 of gibberellic acid at a concentration of mono and dilute elements. The data indicate that 425 mm of water is used during the year. Gibberellic acid and a fertilizer mixture (balanced mineral fertilizer and microelements) sprayed onto plants at various growth phases produced noticeable changes in spike length, leaf area, and plant height. In this experiment, the integrated fertilizer combination of gibberellic acid, triple superphosphate fertilizer (20 kg ha-1), and urea fertilizer (156 kg ha-1) was successful in spraying microelements, nitrogen, and potassium before planting. The overall wheat yield in the Baghdad 3 cultivar was (3900 kg ha-1 and 3664 kg ha-1) after T2 with T3 fertilization treatments, respectively, compared to 2664 kg ha-1 after T1 treatment. Comparing the Babylon113 cultivar to one treated with T1 fertilization (2500 kg ha-1), the weight of the overall yield rose with fertilization treatments T2 (3664 kg ha-1) and T3 (3920 kg ha-1). Total wheat yield rose from (1832 kg ha-1) with treatment T1 to (2500 kg ha-1) and (3460 kg ha-1) with fertilization treatments T2 with T3, in the Al-Furat cultivar.

The study was conducted in Baghdad Governorate, Al-Mahmoudiya District, Al-Yusufiyah Sub-district (Al-Qasr Al-Awsat) during the 2021 growing season to evaluate the effects of irrigation intervals and organic fertilization on selected soil properties and lettuce production. The experiment included two factors: the first factor was irrigation intervals, consisting of watering the crop every 3, 5, and 7 days (denoted as I3, I5, and I7, respectively). The second factor was the application of organic fertilizer to the soil at rates of 0, 10, 20, and 30 kg ha⁻¹ (denoted as H0, H1, H2, and H3, respectively).The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates, encompassing a total of 36 experimental units, each with an area of 3 m². The results indicated that the I3 treatment (irrigating the crop every 3 days) resulted in the highest green yield productivity, reaching 205.775 μg ha⁻¹. Conversely, the I7 treatment (irrigating the crop every 7 days) produced the best soil aggregate stability, achieving 59.590%.Regarding organic fertilization, the H3 treatment (30 kg h⁻¹ of organic fertilizer) demonstrated superiority across all studied characteristics. This treatment significantly reduced soil bulk density to 1.260 μg m⁻³ compared to the control treatment (H0) at 1.362 μg m⁻³. Furthermore, total soil porosity increased to 52.633% under H3 compared to 48.793% for the control. The H3 treatment also resulted in the highest soil aggregate stability, reaching56.593%, compared to 48.177% in the control treatment. Additionally, H3 achieved the highest vegetative yield of lettuce plants, at 165.727 megagrams ha⁻¹, compared to 119.780 megagrams ha⁻¹ in the control

Given the importance of hydraulic conductivity in agriculture—particularly in determining soil’s ability to transport water through its pores—understanding this property is essential for improving productivity, minimizing water and nutrient loss, enhancing soil aeration, selecting suitable crops, managing salinity, and optimizing fertilizer efficiency. Therefore, this article aims to assess hydraulic conductivity and highlight the key factors influencing it. The average hydraulic conductivity values in different regions of Iraq were recorded as follows: 3.36 cm•h⁻¹ in the north, 2.24 cm•h⁻¹ in the central and southern regions, and 2.95 cm•h⁻¹ in the west. A review of previous studies indicates that gypsum and its concentration significantly affect hydraulic conductivity. When added to the soil, gypsum increases pore size, thereby enhancing hydraulic conductivity. Additionally, the dissolution of small gypsum crystals in moist soils leads to soil disintegration and an increase in pore spaces, which improves soil permeability and consequently enhances hydraulic conductivity. The presence of salts also influences hydraulic conductivity, depending on the dominant salt type. Calcium and magnesium salts promote soil particle aggregation, increasing hydraulic conductivity. In contrast, monovalent ions such as sodium cause soil swelling and particle dispersion, leading to reduced conductivity. This effect is exacerbated in soils dominated by 2:1 clay mineral, unlike 1:1 clay mineral, which are less affected by increased SAR (Sodium Adsorption Ratio) and ESP (Exchangeable Sodium Percentage). The impact of sodium begins at 5% and worsens at 15% or more, particularly in soils with higher clay content, which increases bulk density and decreases hydraulic conductivity. Tillage practices and the type of plow used also significantly influence hydraulic conductivity. Studies show that chisel plows yield the highest conductivity values compared to other plows across different soil types. Additionally, conductivity values tend to decrease with soil depth. Research further indicates that incorporating organic residues—regardless of type and source—or biochar (whether derived from plant or animal materials) enhances hydraulic conductivity. Moreover, hydraulic conductivity is not only affected by the solid phase of the soil but also by the type and properties of the infiltrating fluid, as it depends on the density and concentration of the percolating liquid.

Afield experiment was conducted at the Agricultural College Research Station, University of Basra, KarmatAli, during the spring season of 2023–2024 to evaluate the effects of emitter distance and soil conditioners on water productivity, water use efficiency, and plant biomass under border drip irrigation. The study included three emitter distances: 20 cm (X1), 30 cm (X2), and 40 cm (X3), along with three soil conditioner treatments: (1) 3% crushed corn cobs, (2) a mixture of 3% crushed corn cobs and 0.3% used fuel oil, and (3) 0.3% used fuel oil alone, in addition to a control treatment. The experiment was designed as a factorial arrangement using a randomized complete block design (RCBD).The results indicated that water productivity, water use efficiency, and plant biomass increased as emitter distance decreased. Treatment X1 (20 cm emitter distance) recorded the lowest water productivity (0.78 m³ kg⁻¹), while X3 (40 cm emitter distance) exhibited the highest (0.84 m³ kg⁻¹). Among the soil conditioners, the mixture treatment (3% crushed corn cobs + 0.3% used fuel oil) resulted in the lowest water productivity (0.70 m³ kg⁻¹), followed by the crushed corn cobs and oil treatments, all of which showed significant differences compared to the control (0.90 m³ kg⁻¹).Water use efficiency also increased with decreasing emitter distance, with values of 12.92 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹, 12.45 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹, and 12.06 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ for emitter distances of 20 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm, respectively. The mixture treatment achieved the highest water use efficiency (14.22 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹), followed by the crushed corn cobs and oil treatments, while the control had the lowest value (11.16 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹).Similarly, plant wet and dry weight increased with decreasing emitter distance. The 20 cm emitter distance recorded the highest wet weight (21.73-ton ha⁻¹) and dry weight (14.30-ton ha⁻¹), while the 40 cm emitter distance recorded the lowest (19.16-ton ha⁻¹ and 12.33-ton ha⁻¹, respectively). The addition of soil conditioners further enhanced plant biomass, with the mixture treatment (CO+O) resulting in the highest biomass values (24.02-ton ha⁻¹ wet weight and 15.61-ton ha⁻¹ dry weight), followed by the crushed corn cobs and oil treatments. The control exhibited the lowest biomass (16.67-ton ha⁻¹ wet weight and 10.90-ton ha⁻¹ dry weight).These findings highlight the positive effects of reducing emitter distance and using organic soil conditioners on water efficiency and plant growth, contributing to more sustainable agricultural practices

The safety of food and drinks in Hussein processions and their availability to meet the needs of visitors on this major religious occasion is of particular importance because it is one of the most important requirements that accompanies the visitor regardless of his geographical destinations. The study was conducted in the field during the forty models’ period of 2023 in Wasit Province to determine the degree of microbial and metal contamination of the foods and drinks most consumed among visitors in Hussein processions and to provide recommendations for developing the design of nutritional evaluation monitoring. A total of 270 samples were collected randomly from 30 procession from 5 different regions. These samples consisted of 45 water samples, 120 samples of ready-to-eat foods (beef hamburger, falafel, boiled rice, boiled beans), and 105 samples of drinks (yogurt, orange juice, lemon juice and Noomi Basra juice). Somebacterial species were detected in the studied samples, as they were found after culturing the samples on different culture media to investigate microbial contamination. The results showed that the total number of aerobic bacteria (TBC), Escherichia coli,and Staphylococcus aureus exceeded the Iraqi standard specifications and international standards for some types of samples studied, while they were free of Salmonella spp. As for investigating metal contamination, lead and cadmium was analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometer technology (Model Phoenix-986 AAS). The results showed accumulations of lead and cadmium slightly exceeding the permissible limits locally and internationally. The data derived from this study show that the methods followed by most Hussein procession owners in preparing food are effective and therefore safe to use, but making more effort is better to protect visitors. The microbial and mineral quality of foods and drinks was satisfactory in most of the samples studied. The Iraqi authorities must establish health and preventive guidelines that provide for the safety of visitors and protect them from diseases transmitted through water and food, and cases of food poisoning.

The management of cover crops is one of the classic agricultural strategies and is now receiving global attention. cover crop include plant species that used for reason beyond primary grain, or the forage productions, often categorized as leguminous broad leave, non-leguminous broad leaves, or the grasses. According to the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA), CCs used to safeguard, and enhance the soil through intervals of annual crop cultivation or between trees in orchards and vines in vineyards. Proper managements are required to realize several benefits associated with cover crops. Effective cover crops need meticulous planning and the selection of suitable types, seeding rate, planting periods, termination stages, and termination procedures. Among the management techniques, species selections, termination stages, and terminations strategies are identified as the most crucial elements for optimizing cover crops to provide numerous advantages while preventing nutrient immobilizations, and competition with the subsequent cash crop. Integrating crop residues with tillage practice is an advantage by adding organic matters, and carbon the soil which is a prerequisite for better physical, biological and chemical properties. Leaving crop residues on the soil surface reduces its apparent density and compaction. It has been found that the value of water conductivity is greater in the case of no-tillage compared to the ploughed soil due to the greater number of large plants and increased microbial activity. Incorporating crop residues into soil increases the rates of water conductivity saturated, and regulating soil temperature.

To better understand how terrestrial isopods impactagricultural soil enzymatic activity, methane absorption, and their role in decomposition by consuming and digesting leaf litter, this study examines the function of isopods innutrient cycling, organic matter breakdown, and the safe disposal of diverse wastes. Five locations in the Al-Jadriya region were chosen. Sites 1, 2, and 3 had isopods,but sites 4 and 5 were devoid of isopods andexclusively populated by earthworms, ground insects, and snails, and their overall density was 2400 ind/m². This study was conducted in five agricultural fields in Baghdad from October 2023 to June 2024.The results of the current study showed that the presence of isopods insites 1, 2, and 3 had a clear effect in changing the environment, accelerating the processes of recycling nutrients, analyzing organic materials, and getting rid of many cellulosic wastes, as an increase in the effectiveness of soil enzymatic activities was observed: alkaline phosphatase, dehydrogenase, and urease, compared to the sites where the appearance of isopods wasnot recorded.It also had a clear effect on the numbers of bacteria and fungi, as the numbers of bacteria decreased in the sites inhabited by isopods (sites 1, 2, and 3). It also had an impact on the abundance of bacteria and fungi, while only Bacillusand Pseudomonasspecies were recorded in sites 1, 2, and 3 (where isopods werepresent). In contrast, high numbers of bacteria were recorded in the soil of sites 4 and 5, where the isopods didnot appear, represented by the species Rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, Microbacterium, Serratia, Azotobacter, Actinomyces, Bacillus, Propionibacterium, Acetobacter, and Methanococcus.As for fungi, high numbers were recorded in the sites inhabited by isopods,represented by the species Aspergillus niger, while the numbers of fungi were moderate in sites not inhabited by isopods andincluded different species such as Mucor, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, and Rhizopus.The results of the current study also showed a clear effect of the presence of isopods onthe abundance of nutrient forms in the soil of the sites they inhabit. High values were recorded for potassium (K) and phosphorus (P), and the sites inhabited by isopods alsorecorded high values of methane (CH₄), ammonium (N-NH₄), nitrate (N-NO₃), and carbon dioxide (CO₂)

The study was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Basra University, Karma Ali region, to investigate the effects of foliar spraying of different concentrations of proline (0, 100, 200) mg. L-1 and chelated iron (0, 250, 500) mg.L-1 and their interaction on vegetative growth and chlorophyll pigments and carotenoid contents of cowpea plants. The results showed that plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, number of branches, fresh weight, dry weight, and carotenoid contentin leaves increased significantly after spraying with proline. Spraying with chelated iron resulted in a significant decrease in plant height, chlorophyll and carotenoid content in leaves. On the contrary, it resulted in a significant increase in the number of branches and fresh and dry weight of the plants. The interaction between the two factors studied showed significant effects on most of the traits examined, except for total chlorophyll and carotenoid traits

Poultry farming is a significant source of air pollutants, including ammonia (NH3), fine particulate matter (PM), and greenhouse gases (GHGs). Effective mitigation strategies are essential to reduce these emissions and their environmental impact. This review explores different ways to mitigate emissions in poultry houses. By introducing techniques and implements to deal with harmful gas emissions that can be significantly reduced. implementing advanced ventilation systems and bio filters can further improve air quality. Also improving feed composition and improving manure handling techniques, these strategies not only contribute to environmental sustainability, but also improve animal welfare and farm efficiency

Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) is a highly contagious pathogen that threatens livestock health and global food security. The viral 3C protease (3C^pro) plays a crucial role in viral replication and represents a promising target for antiviral intervention. In this study, we employed molecular docking to evaluate the binding affinity and interaction profiles of selected small-molecule ligands against FMDV 3C^pro. Docking results revealed several compounds with strong binding affinities, notably Ligand1, which formed multiple stabilizing interactions with the catalytic dyad residues His46 and Cys163. Compounds Y and Z also demonstrated favorable binding profiles through hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic contacts, and π–π stacking within the active site. Comparisons with the reference inhibitor Rupintrivir indicated that some ligands exhibited superior or comparable binding strength, highlighting their potential as antiviral candidates. These findings provide theoretical evidence supporting the further in vitro and in vivo evaluation of these compounds, contributing to the development of novel therapeutic strategies against FMDV

This study aims to describe soil contamination with heavy metals such as lead, nickel, chromium, cadmium, cobalt, mercury, and copper, and to assess their effects on selected chemical, physical, and biological properties of the soil. Contamination was evaluated using modern assessment indices, including the Contamination Factor (CF), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Enrichment Factor (EF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), and Degree of Contamination (Cdeg). The concentrations of heavy metals and the values of these indices were compared with international thresholds established by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2007) .Lead, chromium, cadmium, and cobalt are considered contaminants when their concentrations exceed 100, 200, 3, and 10 mg·kg⁻¹ of soil, respectively. The contamination factor is considered very high when its value exceeds 6. The Pollution Load Index indicates soildegradation when it exceeds 1. The enrichment factor is classified as extremely high when it surpasses 40. The Geoaccumulation Index reflects severe contamination when it is greater than 5. The Degree of Contamination is regarded as very high when it exceeds 35

The pot study was conducted in the research laboratory of the Department of Soil Sciences and Water Resources, College of Agriculture, University of Wasitto determine the effects of the combination of Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis and biochar on the growth characteristics of Canola seedlings under salinity stress. The growthchamber experiment included three salinity levels of NaCl (0 mM NaCl, 50 mM NaCl and 100 mM NaCl), three biochar levels (0, 5 and 10 %) before planting, and add the biostimulants (P. fluorescensand B. subtilis) at a rate of 100 ml per pot separately after 3 weeks of planting. The results of the study showed a significant negative effect of salt levels on some traits and indicators of vegetative growth of canola seedlings, and on the amount of chlorophyll and the percentage of major nutrients (NPK). The bio-agents and Biochar applications mitigated the negative influence of salinity stress on plant growth characteristics of canola seedlings, enhancing chlorophyll content and plant nutrient element uptake. Therefore, it can be concluded that combining biochar and biostimulants could be used to minimize the detrimental impacts of salinity stress conditions in canola seedlings.