Journal of Medicinal and Industrial Plant Sciences

The study was conducted at the Research Station of the Field Crops Department, College of Agriculture, Tikrit University, during the summer season of 2024, with the aim of evaluating the effect of foliar application of ascorbic acid on the growth and yield of three soybean cultivars (Shaimaa, Lee, Laura) using four concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150 mg L-¹). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) under a split-plot arrangement with three replications. The results revealed that foliar spraying with 150 mg L-¹ of ascorbic acid significantly enhanced several traits, including plant height (54.06 cm), leaf area (1982.99 cm² plant -¹), number of pods (134.23 pods plant-¹), 500-seed weight (68.44 g), and total yield (2.30 t ha-¹). Among the cultivars, “Shaimaa” outperformed the others in terms of leaf area (2006.66 cm² plant-¹), number of pods (133.62 pods plant-¹), 500-seed weight (67.46 g), and recorded the highest total yield (2.30 t ha-¹). Moreover, the interaction between cultivars and ascorbic acid concentrations had a significant effect, as the combination (Shaimaa × 150 mg L-¹) produced the highest total yield (2.48 t ha-¹), while the combination (Lee × 0 mg L-¹) recorded the lowest values for several traits. These findings indicate the efficiency of foliar application of ascorbic acid, particularly at 150 mg L-¹, in improving growth and yield traits of soybean, with the best performance achieved by the Shaimaa cultivar.

The experiment was carried out in one of the plastic houses of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad, during the fall season of 2023–2024, with aim of the study germination, plant growth, and biochemical attributes of Bitter melon seeds as treated with various Moringa and sweet Fennel extract soaking Durations and concentrations. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications was used. The study included two factors: The first was seed soaking duration (3, 6, and 9Ours), and the second was treatment with plant extracts. These extracts were: sweet Fennel extract at concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 g L-1, and Moringa extract at the same concentrations. Seeds were then planted in trays to obtain seedlings, and the required measurements were recorded. Results showed that the interaction treatment T3M7 produced the highest germination percentage (100%), WhileT2M8 recorded the fastest germination rate (3.327 days seed-1). The interaction treatment T3M4 gave the tallest seedling height (16.13 cm), whereas T3M3 recorded the highest number of leaves and fresh plant weight (10.500 leaves plant-1 and 4.857 g, respectively). The treatment T2M3 gave the highest values for dry weight (1.096 g), dry matter percentage (383%), total chlorophyll concentration, nitrogen, protein, and phosphorus content (21.14%, respectively). Regarding soaking duration, treatmentT2 resulted in the highest germination percentage (86.67%), germination speed (3.891 days seed-1), and dry weight (0.939 g). Treatment T3 recorded superiority in seedling height (12.27 cm), number of leaves (8.225 leaves plant-1), dry matter percentage (4.244 g), nitrogen content (2.401%), and protein (15.00%). In contrast, T1 gave the highest percentage for seedling emergence (5.728 cm).As for plant extracts, treatment M1 outperformed in germination speed (3.521 days seed-1), germination percentage (98.44%), and seedling height (13.51 cm).

Iraqi truffle species were collected from different areas (Anbar District ). The truffle species were studied after identification. They included three species were studied after identification. They included three species: the first is the Jebbeh truffle (Terfezia claveryi), which has a light brown color; the second is the Haraka truffle (Terfezia boudieri), which has a black-dark brown color; and the third is the cream truffle (Terfezia nivea), which has a white to cream color. Samples were taken from the soil surrounding the truffles during collection and from the three species to determine their physical and chemical properties. The biomass ratios Fungi: Bacteria level from 0.107g to 9.080g, According to the method of operation followed. This was done using a light microscope, the percentages of (fungi + bacteria) ranged between 0.39% and 54.78% and 0.25% and 45.05%, respectively; While these ratios varied, This proves that bacteria contribute more to the soil ecosystem than fungi, based on the ratio of fungal to bacterial content. The ratio of bacteria to fungi can be better assessed using the fungi: bacteria ratio, rather than biomass or production rate . However, discrepancies in estimates of microbial production persist due to their complex responses to soil revival activities, as well as the total number of fungi and bacteria associated with the truffle root zone. as well as the total number of fungi and bacteria associated with the truffle rhizosphere. The chemical composition of the soil was as shown, The results indicated that the highest pH was 7.61, the highest salt concentration was CaCO3 370.23 g.kg-1, K was the most abundant element at 366 mg.kg-1, and Cl- were the most abundant ions in the soil at a total of 0.76 Cmol.kg-1. The amino acids contained in the three species were characterized, and the kind and number of the amino acids were studied. The amino acid content of T. claveryi truffle was 0.193 p.p.m. aspartic acid and 193.434 p.p.m. glutamic acid, and the overall amino acid condensatration was 346.633 p.p.m. While the T. boudieri truffle contained a number of amino acids. around (14) amino acids, the values ranged from 0.011 p.p.m. for aspartic acid to 79.365 p.p.m. for glutamic, with a total amino acid concentration of 1132.497 ppm. Finally, the T. nivea truffle contained 0.295 ppm for isoleucine and 233.5556 p.p.m. for alanine, with a total amino acid concentration of 556.367 p.p.m. Soil property differet among the three truffle species, as did the amount of nutrients, and the number of bacteria and fungi varied among the truffle species .

Despite the significant expansion in health and nutrition research, resulting in a large number of academic publications, previous studies have primarily focused on functional foods. Furthermore, most published research has concentrated on micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, and their role in influencing the immune response. Consequently, the recent trend has led to increased demand for immune-boosting foods. The use of natural fruits as immune modifiers is quite common and simply requires concrete scientific evidence to prove its effectiveness. Numerous studies have shown that fruits are rich in bioactive compounds such as vitamins (A, C, E, etc.), minerals, and phytochemicals (such as beta-carotene, flavonoids, and phenols). These components have the potential to enhance our immunity by supporting lymphocyte proliferation, eliminating free radicals, reducing oxidative stress, improving the anti-inflammatory mechanism and immune modulation, and supporting platelet aggregation. Therefore, adding an appropriate amount of fruit daily to the diet can support the body\'s natural defenses by strengthening our immune response. In this introduction, we attempt to summarize the important role that various phytochemicals and bioactive compounds in fruit play in boosting our immune system.

A field experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2024–2025 at the Field Crops Research Station (FCRS), Field Crops Department, College of Agriculture, Tikrit University, to estimate the effect of foliar application of manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) on growth and quality traits of barley, variety Ibaa 99. The study included four concentrations of Mn (0, 1000, 2000, and 3000 ppm) and four concentrations of Fe (0, 1000, 2000, and 3000 ppm). Foliar sprays were applied in two stages: the tillering stage and the booting stage. The experiment was arranged in a factorial split-plot design based on a Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with three replications. Five growth and quality traits were measured. The results exhibited that the Mn and Fe concentrations, as well as their interaction, were significant for all studied traits. The highest concentration of Mn (3000 ppm) led to significant increases in chlorophyll content, leaf area, and plant height, in addition to Increase the concentration of Mn in the grain. Similarly, the highest Fe concentration (3000 ppm) significantly enhanced chlorophyll content, leaf area, plant height, Increase the concentration of Fe in the grain. Overall, foliar feeding with Mn and Fe at higher concentrations improved both growth performance and grain quality in barley .

The experiment was conducted at the Khabat Technical Institute (Erbil Polytechnic University, Kurdistan, Iraq) during September of 2025. This study aims to identify the chemical composition of the six flax genotypes in terms of their oil, protein, mineral, and vitamin content. Chemical analyses revealed significant differences in chemical composition among the genotypes. The laboratory experiment was then conducted to evaluate the effect of treating flaxseed with five concentrations of salicylic acid (SA) (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mM) on the germination rates of six flax genotypes (Germany, Leider, Local, Poland, Syrian 1, and Syrian 2). For the germination experiment, the seeds were treated with salicylic acid (SA) for 24 hours, and parameters such as germination percentage and early growth indicators were recorded. Treatment with SA had a variable effect on germination, with a positive effect observed at concentrations of 0.5 and 1 mM in some genotypes, and a negative or negligible effect in others at concentrations of 1.5 and 2 mM. These results highlight the importance of selecting the appropriate SA concentration for each genotype to improve germination and suggest that the chemical diversity of flaxseed genotypes may be related to their physiological response to the hormone .