Mesopotamia Journal of Agriculture

The edible coatings and films extend the postharvest life of fresh
fruits. It is used to improve the' appearance of fruits and ensure their
safety due to its environmentally friendly nature. The present study
was conducted during the 2021 and 2022 seasons to investigate the
effect of some edible coatings, such as oils of jojoba (Simmondsia
Chinensis), Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa), or their mixture (1:1), on
the quality and storability of avocado fruits cv. Hass. The fruits were
stored under cold storage conditions (5 ± 1°C/ and 85 - 90% RH/ 6
weeks) compared with untreated fruits (control). The initial
contamination of toxigenic fungi was determined for the collected
avocado fruits. Also, the ability of treated fruits to resist fungal
contamination was evaluated using a simulated experimental study.
The results showed that all edible coating treatments cleared better
physical and chemical properties during storage than untreated fruits
(control). Avocado fruits coated with hibiscus extract resulted in the
highest fruit firmness, vitamin C content, chlorophyll content, the
least titratable acidity, and negligible phenol content. The Jojoba
treatment showed the highest soluble solid content and chlorophyll
b content. Generally, edible coatings with jojoba oil and hibiscus
extract and their mix (1:1) can be recommended to preserve the fruit
quality and extend avocado fruits' storage life.

A field experiment was carried out in the fields of the Department
of Soil Sciences and Water Resources / College of Agriculture and
Forestry/ University of Mosul to study the impact of mineral
fertilization with N, P, and K on the concentration of iron and zinc
in both soil and corn plant (Zea mays L.) grown in calcareous soil
suffers from iron and zinc deficiency. The experiment was carried
out in three replicates and included two factors: the first was
fertilized with three levels, control treatment, the fertilization
treatment with half the recommended amount, and finally, the
fertilization treatment with the full recommended amount of N, P,
and K, which is 320 kg N ha-1
, 200 kg P2O5 ha-1
, and 80 kg K2O
ha.-1
, the second factor is the measuring periods for the
concentration of iron and zinc in the leaves, which are 15, 30, and
60 days after germination, in addition to measuring the
concentration of the two elements in the seeds after harvest. The
results showed a decrease in the available concentration of iron and
zinc in the study soil, and the added NPK elements did not have a
significant effect on the available concentration of these two
elements in the soil, while it increased the concentration of iron and
zinc in the leaves. It also increased the concentration and content
of grains of the two elements. The highest concentration of the two
elements and the highest grain yield were used as the full fertilizer
recommendation for N, P, and K elements.

The pesticidal value of a plant is a function of the phytochemicals it
contains. This study evaluated the effectiveness of lemon grass
(Cymbopogon citratus) phytochemicals on M. incognita infection on
tomatoes in in vitro and greenhouse experiments. Results showed that the
commercial synthetic nematicide (Furadan), alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids,
and saponins all indicated the highest nematode mortality at the highest
concentration after 72-hour exposure in vitro. However, at the lowest
concentration of 10 mg/ml, furadan and alkaloids gave the same results
statistically, achieving the highest nematode mortality of 100%.
Phytochemicals under screenhouse conditions reduced the number of galls
and the root-gall index on tomatoes while enhancing plant growth
parameters. Furadan and alkaloids were, however, not significantly
(P<0.05) different in causing the least reduction recorded in the number of
galls and root-gall index on tomato plants inoculated with 1000 infective
juveniles (J2s). The impact of Furadan showed a significant decrease in the
number of galls from 32.00 to 0.00 and for alkaloids, 34.00 to 0.80 at 5
ml/pot, respectively. The root-gall index was also reduced from the severely
galled index of 4.00 in control plants to a “no infection status” of 0.00 on
applying Furadan and alkaloids at 5 ml, respectively. Plant heights, number
of leaves, shoot weights, and root weight were highest when furadan and
alkaloids were applied compared to other phytochemicals and the untreated
control. This study, therefore, suggests that C. citratus-based
phytochemicals possess strong nematicidal effects and can be used
effectively in an integrated disease management program against root-knot
nematodes.

A flock of one hundred twenty-eight laying hens of brown Loman
classic chickens, fifty-seven weeks old, was used in the current
study. Hens were raised in the poultry fields - Department of
Animal Production -College of Agriculture and Forestry,
University of Mosul, in a semi-closed hall divided into pens. The
hens were allocated into four groups with 3 replicates/ group, the
hens were fed a balanced diet supplemented with choline chloride
in proportions of 0.0, 0.12, 0.17 and 0.22 % of diet respectively, to
evaluate the effect of choline as a nutritional supplement on the
productive performance of laying hens in the late productive age
stages. The rearing period lasted seven weeks, during which some
productive traits and egg characteristics were measured—as well
as some reproductive parameters and some blood biochemical
characters. The results revealed that choline supplementation
improves significantly the weekly average egg weight, egg
production, and egg mass as well as feed conversion ratio,
thickness of the shell. Weight of the shell, the diameter, and the
height of the yolk. All studied blood parameters were
insignificantly affected by choline chloride supplementation. In
conclusion, the choline chloride supplementation improves
productive performance, especially in the late stages of production
for laying hens.

The present research seeks to assess Iraqi Kurdistan's apple fruit
value chain, emphasizing the identification of the major
stakeholders and the support services available. A non-probability
sampling of 120 respondents from the value chain in Duhok City
was conducted. Therefore, the respondents were well distributed
regarding age, education, and occupation, making the study results
more credible. Using regression analysis, it was seen that there is a
high correlation between the availability of quality apples and other
factors like stakeholders, input suppliers, research institutions, and
financial services, as shown by R2 = 0.974. This paper highlights
some challenges, including the absence of advanced cultivation
practices and inadequate access to finance, which impact the
quality and pricing of the products. However, the suitable climate,
good soils, and many varieties of apples that grow in Kurdistan
offer a potential for export development. The conclusion shows the
need to address the challenges identified and build on the strengths
to improve the performance of the apple fruit value chain in the
Kurdistan region.

This study was conducted to investigate the nettle plant's
physiological effects on the broilers' antioxidant status. At one day
of age, 240 chicks (Ross 308) were randomly distributed in three
groups (80 birds/group, weighing 40.6±0.3 g each), with four
replications for each, and were reared until 42 days of age. The
groups were as follows: 1st group (control): received a basal diet
without addition; 2nd and 3rd groups: received a basal diet with 2.5
and 5 g nettle/kg diet, respectively. The addition of the nettle
resulted in a significant (P≤0.05) increase in total antioxidants at the
5 g/kg diet dose. Similarly, levels of glutathione and glutathione
peroxidase increased. On the contrary, the malondialdehyde
decreased, and it was significant at the 5 g/kg diet dose, which led
to a substantial decrease in corticosterone compared to the control
group. Insulin-like growth factor-1 was not significantly affected by
adding nettle, while leptin (P≤0.05) decreased significantly
compared to the control group. On the other hand, nettle
significantly improved the broiler's productivity, especially at the 5
g nettle/kg diet dose, as mean final body weight, total weight gain,
and feed consumption significantly (P≤0.05) increased. The feed
conversion ratio significantly improved at 42 days of age compared
to the control group. We included that the nettle plant can improve
the physiological performance and the antioxidant status of broilers
and may also reduce oxidative stress, thereby promote growth and
improve feed conversion efficiency.

The research aims to measure the level of application of growers to
smart farming techniques to confront climate change. The study
population included all farmers in Sheikhhan district, totaling 300
farmers. A simple random sample of 40% was selected, resulting in
120 respondents. A questionnaire form consisting of three parts was
developed. The first part included the independent variables: age,
educational attainment, land area, type of land tenure, and
participation in training courses. The second part comprised 50 items
to measure the application level, using a three-point scale with three
options: (applied extensively, applied moderately, not applied), with
weights assigned as (3, 2, 1) accordingly. The third part aimed to
identify the problems hindering the application of smart agriculture
techniques. Data were collected through personal interviews.
Subsequently, the data were coded and prepared for statistical analysis
using SPSS software. The results indicated that 69.2% of respondents
had a weak application level. Additionally, the results revealed a
significant correlation between the independent variables (attitude
toward applying smart agriculture, access to information sources,
participation in extension activities) and the application level.
However, no significant correlation was found between age or
educational attainment and the application level. The issue of high
costs ranked first with the highest percentage (2.63%). The researcher
recommends attracting capital investments into smart agriculture and
establishing dedicated communication channels related to food
security.

The research aims to analyze the job description of workers in
Agricultural Extension in Iraq by identifying the reality of the job
description. The research populations included all Iraqi provinces, a
total of 15, except the three governorates of the Kurdistan Region. A
random sample was selected at a rate of 53.3% and a rate of 8
provinces. In contrast, a proportional stratified random sample was
used to select the workers in Agricultural Extension in the Directorates
of Agriculture and Agricultural Training Extension Centers in the
provinces of Iraq, numbering (330) and (456) respondents
respectively, at a rate of (33%), with (110) and (150) respondents
respectively, distributed over the provinces of Iraq. Accordingly, the
size of the sample subject to the study is 260 respondents. A
questionnaire was prepared to collect data from the workers in
Agricultural Extension, consisting of (72) items distributed over (7)
axes, including psychological qualifications (10) items, social
qualifications (7) items, scientific qualifications (10) items, and
physiological qualifications (7) items, while the tasks and duties axis
included (17) items, and the axes of the conditions of the extension
work and powers and responsibilities (12) items and (9) items
respectively, the results of the study concluded that the axis of
psychological qualifications came in first place in terms of its
importance with the agreement of the respondents, with an arithmetic
mean of (4.51) degrees and a standard deviation of (0.50) degrees,
while the axis of authorities and responsibilities came in last place in
terms of its importance with the agreement of the respondents with an
arithmetic mean of (4.31) degrees and a standard deviation of (0.55)
degrees, based on results the research recommend that the nature of
agricultural extension work should be evaluated and tasks should be
redistributed to suit the qualifications of the workers.

The experiment was carried out during the 2023/2024 agricultural
season in the village of Al-Qubba, affiliated with the Tel Kaif
district, which is 17 km north of Mosul. The aim is to evaluate the
performance of bread wheat genetic compositions and to determine
the crop response to nitrogen fertilisation in plant growth and yield
traits, using a complete randomised block design. In a split-plot
Replaced by design and three sectors, the experiment included two
factors: the first has three levels of nitrogen fertilization, urea 46%
(0, 120, 240 kg/ha), distributed in the main sectors, and the second
factor has been ten genetic compositions of soft wheat (BAASH14, AZAD-2, BAOBAB-1, ASEEL-1, Ibaa99, Buhuth22,
Mawaddah, Baghdad1, Jihan99, Adana99) . It is important to state
that the results of the variance analysis showed that nitrogen
fertilisation levels were significant at the 1% probability level for
all studied traits. The genotypes have been significant at the 1%
probability level for all traits except flag leaf area cm2
and harvest
index%, which have been significant at the 5% probability level.
The interaction between genetic compositions and fertilization was
significant at the 1% level for all traits except for the trait of leaf
area and flag, where it was significant at 5%, exceeding the
nitrogen level of 120 kg/ha with the highest average for most traits,
which are (weight of a thousand grains/g, biological yield g/m2
,
grain yield g/m2
, harvest index%).

This study was conducted in the Department of Animal Production,
College of Agriculture, University of Basra, Iraq, from October 1, 2024,
to January 1, 2025. Seventy-two pieces of fresh duck breast meat were
collected from local markets in Basra. They were divided into six
treatments as follows: T1 (uncoated negative control treatment), T2
(positive control treatment coated with polyethylene bags only), T3
(breast pieces coated with oat starch only), T4 (breast pieces coated with
oat starch enriched with cardamom oil only), T5 (breast pieces coated
with oat starch enriched with bay leaf powder only), T6 (breast pieces
coated with oat starch enriched with cardamom oil and bay leaf
powder). The treatments were stored in the freezer at 18°C for (0, 30,
60, 90) days. The chemical properties and oxidation indicators were
studied. The study showed a decrease in the percentage of thiobarbituric
acid (TBA) and peroxide number in treatment T6 and T4, respectively.
As for the storage periods, oxidation indicators were reduced with the
advancement of the storage period and improved chemical properties.
We conclude that the treatments with oat starch fortified with
cardamom oil or oat starch fortified with cardamom oil and bay leaf
improved the quality of the meat and extended its storage life by
reducing the oxidation indicators.

This work aims to reveal the influence of Phytobiotic dietary addition
as an antioxidant on broiler growth and health status, to alleviate cold
stress. 600 (Ross-308) one-day-old broiler chicks were distributed into
six treatments, and four replicates were as follows: T1- control: 0.0%
(basal diet), T2- BHT (butyl-hydroxy-toluene)150 mg/kg basal diet,
Phytobiotic oils: T3- Betony oil (0.6 ml/kg diet). T4- Peppermint oil
(0.6 ml/kg diet), T5- Basil oil (0.6 ml/kg diet), T6- 0.6 ml/kg diet
combination of 0.2 ml/kg diet of each Phytobiotic oil. The dietary
results additive of (Betony, Peppermint, and Basil) oils and their
combination had significantly higher body weight, body weight gain
(BWG), feasibility, goblet cells No., villus height, villi and crypt width
of the small intestine, duodenum pH and digestive enzymes (amylase,
lipase, and trypsin) concentrations, high count of Lactobacillus
bacterial, serum total protein, high density lipoprotein (HDL),
antioxidant enzymes activities in serum superoxide dismutase,
glutathione peroxidase, Catalase and total antioxidant capacity.
However, mortality%, bacterial counts of E.Coli in the small intestine,
glucose, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides,
and heat shock proteins (40 and 70), corticosterone hormone
concentration, H/L ratio, and Malondialdehyde were significantly lower
compared to the BHT-T2 and the control T1. In turn, all treatments of
oil additives had achieved superiority in all characteristics.

The research aimed to identify the level of knowledge for rural women in
reducing environmental crises in Nineveh governorate/ Hamdaniya district,
and to determine the correlation between the level of rural women's
knowledge in reducing environmental crises with the following independent
variables (Age, level of education. Matrimonial Status, Size of Farm
Tenure, Participation in Environmental Activities) The comprehensive
research was made up of 338 rural women. Data was collected using the
questionnaire form for the Hamdaniya district. The Alpha Crow Vegan
equation extracted the constant with a survey sample of 30 researchers; the
constant was 0.87. After this, data was collected, emptied, and analysed
through the Spss programme. The results showed that rural women's
knowledge of environmental crisis reduction was moderate and tended to
decrease. And also, As to the order of the paragraphs according to their
importance, the paragraph (non-dumping of waste in agricultural land)
ranked first with an average arithmetic of 0.97 also the results showed the
correlation was created Among rural women's knowledge level to reducing
environmental crises with a range of independent variables studied, the
results shows a correlation between (age, level of education, participation in
environmental activities), therefore, the researcher recommends that
programmes and efforts aimed at conducting pro-environmental behavioural
changes should be intensified and provided with knowledge Encourage
them to participate in rural local organizations and contact agricultural
extension workers to help them develop their capacities.

A field experiment was conducted during the 2024 growing season on 15-
year-old Bashika olive trees planted in a private orchard in the village of
Kasara, Duhok city, Iraqi Kurdistan, to investigate the effect of foliar
spraying with three concentrations of Brassinolide (0, 2.5, and 5 mg L⁻¹)
and nano-silicon fertilizer (0, 200, and 400 mg L⁻¹). The third factor
involved the addition of a bio-fertilizer (mycorrhizal fungus) at three
concentrations (0, 50, and 100 g tree⁻¹). The experiment used a
Randomized Complete Block Design (R.C.B.D) with three factors, three
replicates, and one tree per experimental unit. Therefore, the total number
of trees used in the experiment was 81). The results showed that high
concentrations of the three factors (5 mg L⁻¹ Brassinolide, 400 mg L⁻¹
nano-silicon, and 100 g tree⁻¹ mycorrhizae), both individually and in all
binary and triple interactions, resulted in the highest significant values for
traits such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium concentrations, total
yield, oil percentage, and anthocyanin content in the fruits. The study
recommends using these concentrations for optimal results, especially for
yield quantity and oil percentage in the fruits.