Kufa Journal for Agricultural Sciences

Spodoptera litura causes significant damage to plants and disruption the production process of Jatropha curcas seeds up to 70% if not controlled in attacks above the economic threshold. S. litura control is now beginning to be constrained by S. litura resistance. The suspected resistance is due to the usage of synthetic pesticides that not controlled. entomopathogenic bacteria are important biocontrol of S. litura pests that support sustainable plantations. J. curcas plant is an alternative biodiesel producer with a potential seed oil content of 47.58%. Currently, the exploration of local entomopathogenic bacteria from the rhizosphere J. curcas hasn\'t been done. This study uses exploration and descriptive methods by analyzing data characterization of entomopathogenic bacteria through analysis using the website PBSTAT-CL 2.1.1 https://apps.pbstat.com/reports/pbstat-cl/. The effectiveness of bioassay in analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics 26 software, with probit analysis (lethal time 50) LT50. This research obtained 34 isolates of entomopathogenic bacteria rhizosphere J. curcas with 6 groups of characterization. The maximum cophenetic distance at 0.7 from isolates. Effectiveness from all isolates reached 100% mortality and the analysis results of LT50 probit fastest for 31,645 hours.

The cowpea beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) is a common and extremely polyphagous pest of legumes including some of the most economically important stored grains. This work aimed to test the insecticidal effect of the peel extract of pomegranate by observing the survival, biochemical and exploits various different stored grain legumes, Exposure to pomegranate peel extract led to changes in antioxidant enzymes and increased CAT, SOD, and GST activities of cowpea weevil (females and males) in the first and second generations of the examined. These variations can result in survivorship and energy skill conduction during oviposition, likely mechanisms complex with herbal extract toxicity. This result can contribute to finding a new method to control stored pests such as cowpeas.

In one of Agriculture college fields – Basrah University in Garmit Ali campus an experimental filed conducted in silty clay loam soil to study the effect of soil pulverization index and forward speed for agricultural machinery on some soil properties for compacted soil depths. The soil was tilled by moldboard by different speeds to get on three soil block its pulverization index 53.52, 21.06 and 7.55mm (P.I1,P.I2 and P.I3). Then the tractor passed on these pulverized soil blocks with three forward speeds of 0.49, 0.74 and 1.05m.s-1 (S1, S2 and S3). After that, measured soil penetration resistance (P.R.), dry bulk density (ρb¬) and total porosity (f) on four soil depths 0-5, 5-10, 10-15 and 15-20cm (D1, D2, D3 and D4). The results indicated that the S1, P.I1 and D1 gave a lower P.R (2.07, 1.96 and 0.66 Mpa respectively) and ρb (1.13, 1.11 and 1.00 Mg.m3 respectively) and a higher f (57.48, 58.10 and 62.35% respectively). The interaction between these factors gave different indicators. Where, the S2P.I1, S1P.I1 treatments had the lowest values for P.R (1.85 and 1.86 Mpa respectively) and ρ_b (1.09 and 1.10 Mg.m3 respectively) and the highest values for f (59.05 and 58.54 %respectively). Additional that, the S2P.I1D1 and S1P.I1D1 reached lower values for ρ_b (0.88 and 0.91 Mg.m3 respectively) and higher values for f (66.82 and 65.75 %respectively).

The present study aimed to study the factors affecting biofilm formation in drinking water distribution system. Our Results reveal that most pipe surfaces in water distribution systems are colonized by microorganisms. Heterotrophic bacteria, coliform, and Enterobacteriaceae have been isolated and enumerated from the biofilm in distribution systems. Also, this study investigates some safety aspects of drinking water in some locations in Sulaimani city. The safety parameters covered some physicochemical parameters that affect biofilm formation, and the results were ranged as follows; pH between 7 – 7.7, Electrical conductivity (EC) between 239– 942 μS cm -1, Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) between 673 and 201 mg.L-1, Nitrate (NO -3 ) between 1.10 - 4.90 mg.L-1, Ammonia (NH 3) between 0.06-0.44 mg.L-1, total Phosphate (PO4) between 0.0 – 0.44 mg.L-1, Sulfate (SO4) between 11-97 mg.L-1, Iron (Fe) between 0.02-0.07, Biological Oxygen Demand ( BOD) between 0.09- 0.040 mg.L-1, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) between 0.11- 0.76 mg.L-1, Temperature(temp.) between 12-27 oC, turbidity is < 1 for all samples of drinking water, taste, odor and color are in satisfactory limit. In this study, the physicochemical values except free chlorine are found within the permissible limit of the World Health Organization (WHO), and all the water samples do not pose any water quality problems regarding physicochemical parameters.

This experiment was carried out at the unheated plastic house of the vegetable research farm of the Protected Cultivation Department in Zakho Technical Institute/Dohuk Polytechnic University on Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) during the growth seasons (2021and 2022) from 1st September to 1st April, to study the effect of three concentrations of Algae Seaweed extract (0, 4 and 8) ml.L-1 three concentrations of Urtica dioica extract (0, 4 and 8) ml.L-1 and three concentrations of Zinc Sulfate (0, 5 and 10) g.L-1. The results showed that there were no significant differences between seasons in leaf area (cm2), number of secondary heads.plant-1, secondary head weight.plant-1 (g), plant yield (kg.plant-1), total yield (ton.ha-1), and head weight (g). Using 8 ml.L-1 of algae seaweed and 8 ml.L-1 of Urtica dioica with spraying10 g.L-1 of zinc sulphate produced a highest total yield of 57.50 (ton.ha-1). The triple interaction among the three factors had a significant difference, the best interaction was observed among Algae Seaweed 8 ml L-1, Urtica dioica 8 ml.L-1 and Zinc Sulfate10 g.L-1 for all vegetative growth and yield characteristics of broccoli.

This study was conducted to ascertain the influence of addition thymol powder to the diet on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and some blood biochemical parameters of lambs fed a diet consisting of 60% concentrated and 40% alfalfa hay. Sixteen Arabi male lambs were randomly distributed into four groups; the first group lambs were received diet without any addition and served as control group, while the second, third, and fourth groups lambs were received 200, 300 and 400 mg thymol.kg-1 dry matter, respectively, for 105 days. The results showed that the supplement groups had a significantly higher (P≤0.05) in total and daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and feed intake than in control group. Lambs received 300 mg thymol.kg-1 significantly improved (P≤0.05) digestibility coefficient of dry matter and nitrogen free extract as compared with control lambs. Lambs received 300 mg thymol.kg-1 feed) were higher (P>0.05) than those received 200 mg thymol.kg-1 feed in terms of organic matter, crude fiber, cellulose, and hemicellulose digestibility coefficient. Blood urea concentration was significantly lower (P≤0.05) in the second group (200 mg thymol.kg-1) than control group. While other blood parameters such as glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, phosphorus, and calcium concentrations were not affected by thymol addition. It can be concluded that addition thymol at 300 mg.kg-1 enhanced growth performance and nutrient digestibility in Arabi lambs without adverse effect on blood biochemical parameters.

The research aims to improve agricultural extension services provided to beekeepers in Holy Karbala Governorate, Iraq. A random sample of 100 beekeepers in the governorate was taken. A questionnaire was prepared, including six main areas: suggestions for improving the agricultural extension system, improving the marketing, improving the equipment, improving the innovation stimulation, improving the policies and the enabling environment, and improving the financing. The results have shown a high level of agreement among beekeepers on the suggestions of improving the Agricultural Extension Services (AESs) provided to them. Consequently, this high level of approval and satisfaction with the suggestions presented in the research must be matched by an organized process to put these suggestions into actual practice by decision-makers. This will significantly and effectively contribute to solving the problems faced by beekeepers and achieving the desired economic, social, and environmental aims of beekeepers in Holy Karbala Governorate.

Studying the effect of adding magnesium in the dispersion of clay and its effect in the chemical equilibrium forms of potassium. A laboratory experiment was carried out on two types of soils, the first is clay S1 and the second silt clay S2. The soil was incubated with magnesium at two concentrations: 25 and 100 mmol Mg2+.L-1. The results of the X-ray diffraction analysis showed that there was a change In the diffraction intensity of clay minerals and to the two concentrations, The X-ray diffraction analysis results also showed that the predominance of minerals in the two soils was Smectite > Kao. = Mica > Chl. In the first, the second was Smectite > Mica > Kao. > Chl. the results also showed that adding magnesium to the soil contributed to an increase in soluble and exchangeable potassium by 5.517, 28.276, 12.215, and 48.188% and a decrease in non-exchangeable potassium by 11.421 and 28.274% compared to the comparison treatment Mg0 and for the two concentrations of 25 and 100 mmol Mg2+. L-1, respectively, for clay soil, while in silt clay soil, the values of soluble and exchangeable increased by 15.789, 55.263, 20.800, and 37.200%, and non-exchangeable potassium decreased by 12.466 and 20.000% for the two concentrations of 25 and 100 mmol Mg2+.L-1, respectively, compared to the comparison treatment Mg0.

Current study aimed to detect the spread of new strains of bacterial wilt disease on tomato in Iraq particularly some areas of Najaf province for the agricultural season 2024. Results of the pathogenicity test of Ralastonia solanacearum on tomato for the 22 studied isolates showed that the two isolates, R. solanacearum 1 and R. solanacearum 4, outperformed the other isolates in the severity of the disease and reached 46.67% and 42.74% respectively. Based on the diagnostic keys, the results confirmed that the bacterial isolates belong to R. solanacearum. Results of microscopic and morphological examination indicated that the bacteria were Gram-negative, rod-shaped, and had the appearance of white colonies with red centers on the (TZC) medium, while in the SPA medium, transparent colonies appeared. Biochemical tests also indicated that R. solanacearum gave positive results for some tests, including Catalase test, Oxidase test, and Pectolytic test. The tests that gave negative results included KOH, Livan, Hydrolysis of Gelatein, Arginine, Starch Hydrolysis, Aesculin Hydrolysis, and Indol test. Biovar test results showed that it was from Race 3, which infects the Solanaceae family, including tomatoes. The molecular diagnosis, which was based on the 16 SrRNA gene, showed that new strains were obtained for the first time and were registered in (NCBI) with the accession numbers (PP473560 and PP473561).

This experiment was conducted on the farm of Al-Anwar Poultry Company in Babylon Governorate for 35 days from 28/11/2022 until 2/1/ 2023, 360 unsexed Ross-308 broiler chickens were used. The experimental groups included (0, 8, and 16 mg/kg feed of copper NPs (Nanoparticles), 8 and 16 mg/kg feed of copper NPs loaded on papaya plants, and 10 mg/kg feed of Papaya fed for groups (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, and G6), respectively. All groups of the chicks were subjected to a consistent temperature of 34±1 cº for the whole duration of the trial. The study yielded the following results: There was a significant improvement in the live body weight, packed cell volume (PCV), heterophile count, and heterophil-to-lymphocyte (H/L) ratio for groups G2, G3, G4, G5, and G6 compared to group G1. Group G5 showed a significant increase in weight gain and hemoglobin levels. Additionally, groups G3 and G5 exhibited a significant increase in feed intake compared to group G1. Group G6 showed a significant improvement in feed conversion ratio compared to group G1 in the fifth week. Furthermore, groups G3, G4, and G5 showed a significant increase in red blood cell count compared to the other groups. Similarly, groups G2, G4, G5, and G6 showed a significant improvement in lymphocyte ratio. Nano-copper green synthesis can be regarded as a safe and promising nano-growth promoter in broilers when introduced to the diet at a dosage level of 8 and 16 mg/kg.

The study aimed to determine the interaction between the composition of planting media, varieties and concentration of liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) that affects the growth and production of melon plants. The research was conducted at the Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Hasanuddin University, under greenhouse conditions. This study used a split-split plot design and there were 27 treatment combinations that were repeated 3 times. Each replication consisted of 3 experimental units, so there were 243 experimental units. The treatment used in the main plot was the planting media, which consisted of 3 compositions of planting media, soil : trichocompost = 1:1, soil : trichocompost = 1:2, soil : trichocompost = 2:1, and sub plots were 3 types of melon varieties, namely: Glamour F1, Rio F, Noni F1, while sub-sub plots the concentration of LOF, that are : without LOF (control), 5 mL.L-1, and 10 mL.L-1. The results of this study brought the conclusion that the combination of planting media treatment with a ratio of 1 soil : 2 trichocompost, on Noni F1 variety with an additional concentration of LOF 5 mL.L-1 produced the best average yield on production which is 0.9 kg plant-1

Pesticide contamination has become a central issue across the worldwide because of the overuse and misuse of pesticides in agricultural fields. The present study was conducted to explore the kinetic behaviour of Difenoconazole in the clay loam soil. This investigation has been performed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The results demonstrated that Difenoconazole is subjected to the first order model, registering 0.01 Mg kg-1 as a rate-breaking dawn constant K, compared to the second order that has recorded 0.015 mg kg/mins. In contrast, the distribution coefficient of Difenoconazole reached 1.53 mL g-1. This indicates that Difenoconazole has a high ability to move between the soil and its aqueous. Interestingly, According to the model study, has been observed that Difenoconazole followed the Langmuir model instead of the Freundlich model. The aL/KL value was 0.166 and the bF value was 0.159. This indicates that Difenoconazole moves on the non-regulator surface. Based on the Langmuir model, it takes 55.9 minutes for the first reaction order and 642 minutes for the second reaction order to degrade 50% of the initial concentration.