Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences

This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity and molecular evolution of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) populations from various countries, which hold significant potential for future breeding strategies and germplasm conservation. To achieve this, a total of 15 sequences deposited in GenBank were analyzed using the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA). The spacer sequence lengths ranged from 156 base pairs (bp) in the Swedish tomato to 713 bp in the Palestinian tomato. A notable variation in GC content was observed, with the Thai tomato exhibiting the highest value (67.48%) and the South Korean tomato the lowest (49.56%). Phylogenetic trees were constructed using both the distance-based Neighbor-Joining (NJ) and Maximum Parsimony (MP) methods. Sequence analysis revealed 38 monomorphic (invariable) sites and 15 polymorphic sites, of which 14 were singleton variable sites and one was parsimony-informative. Alignment of the 15 sequences enabled the identification of five haplotypes. The estimated transition/transversion bias (R) was 17.339, indicating a greater frequency of transitions over transversions in this region. Neutrality tests, including Tajima’s D and Fu and Li’s statistics, produced statistically significant results. The highest levels of genetic diversity were observed in South Korean, Iraqi, and Indian tomato samples.

This study was executed in the northern part of Basrah Governorate in southern Iraq to evaluate the suitability of lands for date palm cultivation by integrating fuzzy logic, remote sensing, and geographic information systems. Nine criteria were studied, including chemical properties (EC, pH, O.C, CaCO₃, and CEC) and physical properties encompassing soil particle size distribution, soil depth, and soil bulk density, in addition to the supervised classification map. The importance and influence of all criterion have been determined through a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) method. Fuzzy logic was then employed to develop a specific mathematical model for evaluating land suitability for date palm cultivation and to produce a land suitability map for study area. 73.96% of the studied lands are unsuitable (N1), while moderately suitable (S2) lands constituted 15.45%, and marginally suitable (S3) lands constituted 10.59%. Lands that classified as S1 were missed due to urban expansion, high soil salinity, high carbonate minerals, and unsuitable soil depth for date palm cultivation. moreover, the developed mathematical equation can be applied to assess land suitability for date palm cultivation in areas with similar conditions to the study area.

The urban development of areas directly affects hydrological processes by changing patterns of surface runoff. Cities growing experience increased flood risks as natural water absorption is reduced by changing permeable ground with structures non-absorbent. The research analyzes how expansion of urban between 2017 and 2023 influenced the Curve Number (CN) in the Erbil Sub-Basin, 1318 km2 using (GIS). This study stands differ from earlier research by focusing solely on how LULC changes affect CN values without considering precipitation data. The study achieves a more precise understanding of urbanization impacts on hydrological responses through its precipitation-independent methodology. This research methodology utilizes high-resolution satellite imagery along with soil classification maps and digital elevation models (DEMs) to determine transformations in land use and land cover (LULC). This study uses the Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) method to analyze runoff changes caused by urban development. CN values steadily grew from 80.53 in 2017 to 81.50 in 2023 as agricultural and barren lands transformed into urbanized spaces. The growing trend points to an increased risk of urban flooding while decreasing groundwater recharge which makes it essential to develop sustainable water management practices.

This study investigates the hydrogeological parameters through detailed pumping test analysis in the Qushtapa and Shamamik areas within the Erbil Basin. This study aims to assess key aquifer parameters, including hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity, and storage coefficient, which are substantial for sustainable groundwater management. Data from 10 groundwater pumping tests were analyzed using established analytical approaches, such as the Cooper-Jacob straight-line method, and the Theis recovery method using AQTESOLV and the Microsoft Excel program to derive hydrogeological parameters of the aquifer. The results show significant spatial variability in aquifer properties impacted by lithological variability and the rate of groundwater recharge. The average hydraulic conductivity ranges between 0.0245 mday-1 and 0.191 mday-1. The average Transmissivity value ranges from 8.62 m2day-1 to 47.725 m2day-1. The Storage Coefficient ranges between 0.071 and 0.323. Based on the Krasny (1993) classification for Transmissivity, the studied area is classified as an area with a Low-Intermediate class of Transmissivity. Pumping tests play a crucial role in ensuring long-term water security and informing sustainable development policies in the study area.

The research was aimed to develop a proposed vision to develop the effectiveness of the use of information and communications technology in agricultural extension work/Iraq, To achieve the research goal, the questionnaire was prepared as a tool for collecting information and included 109 items distributed over 8 axes, which are (formulating a strategic plan, providing infrastructure, disseminating culture, Security and safety of information extension, developing workers’ capabilities, improving cooperation and coordination between the extension organization and relevant authorities, Improving the target population’s access to information and extension knowledge, monitoring and evaluation. The research included the governorates of Iraq, except for the Kurdistan region, which number 15 governorates. A 50% random sample was drawn, with 8 governorates: Baghdad, Kirkuk, Babylon, Basra, Anbar, Dhi Qar, Najaf, and Karbala), and the research community included those working in agricultural extension, numbering 773 respondents. A proportional, stratified random sample was drawn with a proportion of 33.1% of the research community and 256 respondents. The data was collected, tabulated, and analyzed using statistical methods and the SPSS program to extract The results: It was concluded that all the paragraphs and axes of the proposed vision, in terms of importance and the opinions of the respondents, obtained weighted means higher than the hypothesized mean of 3 degrees, The researcher recommends the need for officials and specialists in the Ministry of Agriculture, the Agricultural Extension and Training Department, and the Agriculture Directorates to adopt the proposed vision to develop the effectiveness of agricultural extension and its use of information and communications technology.

This experiment was carried out at one orchards grapes in Diyala, during two seasons 2022-2023 on grape, to study the effect of adding bacterial and fungal biofertilizers, vermicompost fertilizer, and foliar applied mineral fertilizer NPK on growth and production characteristics on cv. Helwani, the experiment was carried out a randomized complete block design within split plot with three factors and three replicates, using of 72 trees. The first factor included the addition biofertilizers which included: without inoculation (M0), inoculation with 400 g of fungi (M1).Inoculation with 200 g of bacterial (M2) and inoculation with both fungi and bacteria (M3). The second factor included the addition of organic fertilizer with three treatments, without addition (N0), adding 5 kg/ tree-1 (N1) and adding 7 kg/tree-1 (N2), and the third factor included foliar applied mineral fertilizer NPK as two treatment, without spraying (F0) and Spraying with 2.5 ml L-1 of fertilizer (F1), four foliar applications were applied at 30 day intervals when leaves reached full expansion, results showed significant impact by the triple interaction treatment M3N2F1 on vegetative growth traits such as leaf area, chlorophyll, dry weight, mature canes length and immature canes length, by producing 92.48, 109.67cm2, 279.26, 312.60 (mg.100g-1f w), 48.12, 53.23% and 208.60cm, 214.53 cm, 28.81, 25.88 cm for two seasons Sequentially, the highest percentage of N, P and K in leaves in the mentioned treatment for both seasons.

This study was aimed to investigate relationship between the utilization of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences students for green spaces and their impact on their life quality in its cognitive and social dimensions. The research adopted the descriptive analytical approach to the reality of the green spaces most frequented by students through a field survey, in addition to adopting a questionnaire form distributed among a sample of college students from various departments. after collecting and transcribing the data, it was analyzed statistically and the significant differences between the means were compared with the Least Significant Difference (L.S.D.) test. Results showed that the most important thing provided by the green space environment at the university for students to improve their quality of life was their feeling of joy and vitality as a result of the influence of the colors of the plant canopy of various types and their flower colors, as well as the various forms water elements of the water canal surrounding the academic campus of the university campus and the fountains and lakes from which their water is derived, which enhanced the students' feel of beauty, relax, and reduced stress in them which consequently encouraged them to walk around and spend an enjoyable and valuable time in various academic and social activities, thus improving their academic performance and their sense of responsibility towards preserving this environment.

The recent research aims to collect fungal fruiting bodies from the Iraqi environment / Baghdad Governorate /Al-Salihiya and diagnose them morphologically and molecularly using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique.The fruiting bodies obtained from wild mushrooms were subjected to quantitative and qualitative analysis using HPLC to detect biologically active phenolic compounds in the fungus. The effect of some physical factors and conditions on the growth rate of fungal mycelium and its density was also studied in terms of (temperature, pH, type and concentration of materials used in preparing the media in addition to the effect of light and darkness factors). The results of BLAST analyses showed that there is a 99% match between the genes of the local isolate and the fungal strains belonging to the edodes species. This local isolate is designated by the symbol (EkRu-Bagadad-1) and the sequence (OM432157). Regarding the phenolic compounds profile, the results showed that the mushroom contains 15 phenolic compounds, which included 6 phenolic acids (Vanillic, Chlorogenic, 4-hydroxyl benzoic, Caffeic, Gallic, Cinnamic,) and 9 flavonoids (catechol, cinnamaldehyde eugnol, quercetin, nigellone, rutin, Pyrogallo, lignans, kaempferol). The total phenolic compounds in the mushroom amounted to 661.64 mg/L, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid was the most concentrated phenolic acid in the mushroom. The results also showed that the highest growth rate of radial mycelium of the local strain of Shiitake mushroom was achieved in potato peel medium at concentrations of 20 gl-1 , which reached (0.473 cm/day). The local strain under study recorded the highest growth rate in all culture media used at pH (6) and temperature 23 C. The results also showed that the growth rate in the dark was higher than the growth rate in the light in all natural media used.

Three transects were chosen in Sulaymaniyah governorate / Iraq. The first was located within the Bazian Plain, while the second was in Sulaymaniyah plain, and the third was located within the plain of Shahrazur, in order to study the effect of parent material and toposequence on the status and distribution of Iron oxides in these soils. Results Shows that there is a differences in the amount and distribution of free iron oxides between the studied pedons, and even within one Pedon. These differences can be attributed to the effect of the difference in the parent materials and topography. Also, the soils developed on Basalt rocks and Red Mudstone were characterized by their high iron oxides and dark brown color, while those developed on Limestone rocks were characterized by their low iron oxides and yellowish brown color. The topographic location also, affected the transport of weathering products of parent rocks from elevated areas and deposed in the plain areas.

The study aimed to investigate the effect of adding humic acid on the adsorption of zinc and boron and on sunflower growth and yield. Field experiment was conducted at one of the research fields of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad, during the spring season of 2022, using sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), cultivar Shamoos planted in Clay loam soil. The experiment involved three factors using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates: humic acid (0 and 50 kg ha¹)and them symbols H0,H1, zinc sulfate (0, 15, and 30 kg ha-¹) them symbols Zn0,Zn1,Zn2, and boron (0, 6, and 12 kg ha-¹) and its symbols B0,B1,B2. Results showed that adding humic acid increased zinc and boron adsorption capacity in the soil. Moreover, humic acid, zinc and boron significantly improved plant height, leaf area, seed yield and water-use efficiency, with the highest water-use efficiency observed in the Zn2 treatment at 1.6642 kg m-³.

A field experiment was conducted during tow spring seasons of 2022 and 2023 in the experimental fields of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences - University of Baghdad using RCBD design according to factorial experiments with three replicates and three factors including sunflower cultivars (Ishaqi 1 and Ishaqi 2). The second factor included seeds priming with seaweed extract (Acadian) concentrations (0, 3, and 4 mg L-1), in addition to with, foliar application of seaweed extract at the aforementioned concentrations. The results showed the significant superiority of the Ishaqi2 cultivar in all studied traits for both seasons. The treatment with priming and foliar application with Acadian at a concentration 4 mg L-1 showed superiority in most of the studied traits. In the first season, the effects of the two-way and three-way interactions of the study factors varied in their impact, but the interaction between the Ishaqi2 cultivar, priming at a concentration 3 mg L-1, and foliar application at a concentration 4 mg L-1 was the most prominent in most of the studied traits. To achieve the best increase in sunflower yield .

This study was aimed to investigate antibiotic-resistant genes in Escherichia coli found in drinking water is a global public health concern. The isolation and identification of Escherichia coli in three drinking water treatment plants in Baghdad city was carried out using a mix of biochemical and molecular analysis on selective medium. LacZ gene amplification by Polymerase Chain Reaction was carried out for molecular identification, and the study showed that lacZ was present in each isolate. The molecular method was used to confirm the culture method's findings. Both the molecular diagnostic and the culture method produced the same results. Applying the McFarland standard and the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, the antimicrobial susceptibility test was done against 14 distinct antibiotics. The most commonly found antibiotics to which the isolates were resistant (80%–100%) were tetracycline, erythromycin, and ampicillin, with a significant difference (p = 0.0001). Multidrug resistance was present in all of the isolates, as they exhibited resistance to a minimum of three agents across the nine antibiotic classes tested. Escherichia coli is defined as showing resistance to three or more classes of antibiotics. The blaM gene was detected in E. coli isolates 12/36 (33.3%) that produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL).

The response of cotton aphid Aphis gossypii adults and their predators Coccinella septempunctata and Chrysoperla carnea to infested or uninfested cucumber leaves was tested using a Y-shape olfactometer. Aphids were significantly more attracted to uninfested than infested cucumber leaves. C. septempunctata was significantly more attracted to the infested leaves with aphids than uninfested cucumber leaves. At the same time, C. carnea responded to VOCs from leaves infested with aphids compared to healthy leaves. Moreover, the feeding activity of aphids rustles to release Kairomonal compounds, which can be positively exploited by C. carnea to identify the location of aphids and infested plants. Our results indicated that predators could distinguish between infested and uninfested leaves, and their responses were significant to the differentially released VOCs from infested plants. VOCs were extracted using HS-SPME from A. gossypii-uninfested and infested cucumber leaves and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. 35 compounds were identified in uninfested and infested leaves; 7 VOCs were detected in infested cucumber leaves and were not detected in uninfested leaves. In conclusion, the findings from the current study on how cotton aphids and predators respond to infested leaves compared with uninfested leaves and clean air are due to the emission of volatile organic compounds that reflect the traits of the plant host.

Pomegranate is a self-pollinated species crop, and its improvement programmes depend on molecular genetics and phenotypic variation. However, inadequate information on genetic diversity and population structure among pomegranate genotypes from this region and the variations in phytochemicals hinder its improvement. In this study, 40 pomegranate samples were chosen from 11 locations to represent the genetic spectrum from the Halabja Province. The pomegranate samples were tested using 23 Hypervariable SSRs (HvSSRT) and 19 newly developed Chloroplast SSRs (cpSSR) markers. The highest values of pH (4.40), TSS (16.774 °Brix), density (1066.5 kg/m3), glucose (72.408 mg/ml), fructose (60.071 mg/ml), cyanidin-3-glucoside (71.984 mg/L), and cyanidin-3, 5-diglucoside (155.701 mg/L) were recorded among the pomegranate samples. SSR markers genotyping of pomegranate samples generated 114 alleles, and the MAF, Shannon’s information index (I), and Nei’s gene diversity for HVSSRTs were 0.570, 0.915, and 0.537, and for cpSSRs 0.618, 0.668, and 0.460. The polymorphic information content ranged from 0.129 to 0.723, with an average of 0.467 for HVSSRTs and 0.360 for cpSSRs. Finally, high levels of genetic diversity (66%) were recorded among individuals within populations, suggesting that the Halabja pomegranates are diverse.

This study was aimed to investigate Genetically Modified (GM) Soybean and corn, in some foodstuffs, using molecular screening method based on Polymerase chain Reaction (PCR). To achieve that, a total of 60 food product samples containing corn and soy bean were collected from markets of Suleimania /Iraq. PCR was first applied to detect the presence of soybeans and corn using species specif ic primers. For the general screening of the GM foods, primers targeting the genetic elements that located in the majority of transgenic crops were used, which named NOS terminator and CaMV 35S promoter. Then primers targets specific events in these crops were used, which are GTS 40-3-2, or (RRS) and B t11 in soybeans and corn respectively. The results of this study showed the presence of genes representing soybeans and corn in all foods containing them. General screening of food samples also showed that the incidence of GMOs in the studied samples were 75 % and 82% for P35S and t NOS respectively. Regarding to the events specific, the Bt-11 gene detected in about 34% of food samples contain corn and GTS 40-3-2gene detected in 70 % of food samples contain soya.

This study was aimed to investigate variations in some soil properties characteristics of green spaces soils within Baghdad Island Park and Al-Zawraa parks in Baghdad province, Iraq, due to the variation in used management methods. Soil samples were obtained from 22 locations in each park at 0-30 cm depth using a GARMEN GPS device (Oregon650t). Satellite images (Landsat 8 satellite and an OLI sensor) were captured with a 30 x 30 m2 spatial resolution. The research aims to study the effect of the management method of the two parks (BID and Al-Zawra) on some soil pedological characteristics. The results showed a variation in the spatial distribution of the soil texture classes at each park due to particle size distribution variation of the soil classes. The sand particle was dominant, followed by silt and clay, with a variation in the spatial distribution of the soil content of calcium carbonate equivalent and organic matter content. A decrease was recorded in the content of gypsum. The observed variation in the electrical conductivity values is attributed to the irrigation system used and similar management practices for each park's soil. Irrigation and fertilization systems are in correct and require management follow-up to reach green spaces that are fresh and soft in color. Using the NPK Nutrient Readiness Index for green spaces in parks showed that their soils had a low content of available nitrogen and potassium and medium range of available phosphorus.

The experiment was carried out in southwest Baghdad during fall season 2021 and spring season 2022 that aimed to study the effect of biological inoculation, phosphate fertilization and spraying with Brasinolide on the growth and production of industrial potato of the Arsenal cultivar , the experiment carried out as a three-factors experiment (4 × 3 × 3) in (RCBD), bio-fertilizers distributed into main plot and interaction between phosphorus levels and Brassinolide growth regulator within sub plot using three replicates Bio-fertilizers included Aspergillus niger fungus alone and Bacillus Megaterium bacteria alone and the combination between them. Phosphorus treatments included three levels (0.100, 200) kg p2o5 ha-1 and Brassinolide spraying of three levels of (0, 0.1, 0.2) mg L-1. The results showed the triple combination bio-fertilizer together with the addition of phosphorus at 100 kg p2o5 ha-1 and spraying with Brassinolide, 0.1 mg L-1 produced significant highest plant's height (78.78 and 102.830) cm plant-1 and in the number of main stems (3.333 and 2.250) stem plant-1 for both seasons respectively. The highest number of leaves was when the two fertilized were added together with phosphorus fertilization at the level of 200 kg p2o5 ha-1 with spraying at a concentration of 0.1 mg L-1 of Brassinolide (105.333 and 194.111) leaf plant-1 for the two seasons respectively The same combination was characterized by an average tuber weight of 105.185 g tuber-1 in the fall season and this was reflected in the superiority of productivity (35.254 and 36.923) ton ha-1 for the two seasons respectively, The same combination with a concentration 0.2 mg L-1 from Brassinolide also gave the lowest value of SOD enzyme in the leaves for both seasons (121.667 and 126.000) units of g-1 wet weight.

ABSTRACT
A field experiment was conducted at the research station of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad, during the fall season of 2023–2024. The study aimed to investigate the effect of adding an organic nutrient and spraying a fruit-set regulator on the concentration of nutrient elements and vegetative growth traits of the broad bean. The experiment included two factors: the first was the type of fertilization (chemical fertilization recommendation for broad bean and different levels of the organic nutrient Karmino bloom with the addition of 25% NPK). The second factor was the application of the pod-set regulator (Oraset-x) at three concentrations (0, 0.3, 0.6 g L⁻¹). The results showed that using chemical fertilization significantly increased the concentrations of major elements (N, P, K), chlorophyll concentration, and vegetative growth traits. Additionally, applying the organic nutrient Karmino bloom at a rate of 5 L ha⁻¹ with 25% NPK resulted in significant increases in the concentrations of Zn and B. The interaction between this treatment and spraying Oraset-x at a concentration of 0.6 g L⁻¹ led to superior results in the concentrations of Zn, B, and major elements (N, P, K), as well as improved vegetative growth traits. These findings highlight the effectiveness of this combination in enhancing the nutritional content of leaves and vegetative growth traits in broad bean plants.

This study aimed to determine and analyze market power among rice exporters to the Iraqi market by estimating the residual demand for different types of rice. Four countries were included in the study: Thailand, India, Pakistan, and the United States of America. The inverse residual demand elasticity of these countries was measured during the study period, 2005-2021. The results showed market power among the countries supplying rice to the Iraqi market. Thailand has greater market power than the United States due to lower export prices and a weaker local currency. On the other hand, competition between Pakistan and India was intense in the Iraqi rice market. The study recommended government intervention to support farmers in improving productivity, enhancing food security, and reducing dependence on imports.

The research aims to identify the obstacles facing agricultural extension workers to enhance the competitiveness of the local agricultural product of vegetables in Baghdad province. The research community included all workers in the Department of Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Training, and the Directorate of Agriculture of Baghdad\ Karkh and their number (114) workers. To achieve the research aims, a questionnaire was prepared consisting of (34) items as obstacles distributed over three areas (obstacles related to the agricultural extension aspect, obstacles related to the local agricultural product, and obstacles related to vegetable farmers). To measure these obstacles, a four-graded scale was used, consisting of four levels according to the degree of importance of the handicap to the respondent (a major handicap, a moderate handicap, a slight handicap, and an unimportant handicap), and weights were assigned to them (4, 3, 2, 1), respectively. Data was collected in October and November 2023, and the data was analyzed using the statistical program (SPSS). The results of the research showed that the obstacles suffered by the respondents were of high importance, as they obtained weighted means that ranged from (3.256 - 3.719) and these scores are much higher than the hypothetical mean of (2.5) degrees, and with a percentage weight that ranged from (81.35 - 92.97%). This means that agricultural extension workers suffer from many obstacles that hinder them from performing their work properly.

This research aimed to examine how farmers are impacted by risk by estimating the off-farm labour supply model. The study used a qualitative response model to determine the extent to which independent factors influence the dependent factor, using the Probit model. Information was collected randomly from 134 farms it included all crops grown in it of the agricultural divisions of Baghdad Governorate's Karkh and Rusafa sides for the season 2021/ 2022. The research found that the size of the agricultural family is directly proportional to the probability of participating in work outside the farm, as its parameter was 0.015. Also, the higher the educational level of the farmers, the greater the likelihood of participating in work outside the farm. Farm by 0.364. It is also noted that the inverse proportion between the size of the total holding and the percentage of participation in work outside the farm reached 0.011. Likewise, when animal income based on the availability of farm animals increases, it is inversely proportional to the probability of participation in work outside the farm. Therefore, the research recommends reviewing agricultural holding laws, preparing land use maps, reforming small agricultural holding laws and systems, and developing risk management strategies by providing adequate financing and banking facilities.

The research aimed to compare imported inflation in the agricultural sector in Iraq and Jordan, where data collected for time series for the period (1990-2022) and using ARDL model. The results showed a positive and significant relationship between imported inflation and both the price index of agricultural imports, agricultural product, population, agricultural trade openness and exchange rate in the short and long terms in Iraq, the variables were significant in the short term in Jordan, but in the long term some variables were not identical to economic logic, It turns out that there is a long-term equilibrium relationship between the dependent variable and some illustrative variables because not all variables have a long-term equilibrium relationship. The research recommended doing more researches and studies on inflation in the agricultural sector in Iraq and Jordan and more Arab countries and searching for other economic variables affecting inflation in the agricultural sector and reducing inflation rates that affect the agricultural sector which reflects positively on the Iraqi and Jordanian economies; Also supporting agricultural products prices and providing a subsidy for agricultural inputs for the purpose of increasing local production, developing the local economy and reducing imported inflation resulting from the increase in food and agricultural imports.

Melanin pigment has broad applications in medicine, cosmetics, and agriculture. In this study, Streptomyces atrovirens TA4, a soil isolate was used for the first time to produce bioactive melanin pigment. This work mainly focuses on media optimization and using statistics to obtain optimum concentrations of the medium composition for maximum pigment production. Starch casein broth was the best melanin pigment-producing medium (127.6 mg/L ) among 8 tested media. Central composite design analysis using (Design-Expert-13), a statistics-based method, revealed casein as the most significant factor affecting melanin production with an F-value of 1878.8 and the model exhibited good fitting, with a correlation coefficient of 0.88. An experimental model was generated according to the values of response resolved in the designed experiment and the R2 value was 0.8174. The suggested optimal concentrations of (starch, casein, KNO3 and Nacl) were (20 g\L, 3 g\L, 0.5 g\L and 1 g\L), respectively. The model's accuracy was determined and results showed that the melanin pigment yield was 123 mg\L which was Approximately matches the predicted value (109 mg\L).

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of some plant extracts of yerba mate Ilex paraguariensis and Cinnamonum cassia against the pathogen Vairimorpha (Nosema) ceranae in the digestive system of workers of the global honey bee Apis mellifera L. at different concentrations, and showed The results of the laboratory study showed that the alcoholic extract and powders of mate and cinnamon plants at concentrations of 1, 2, and 3% were efficient concentrations and had no side effects on bees. The alcoholic extract of mate at a concentration of 3% was more efficient than the rest of the other concentrations and reached 2070, 1980, 1730, 1390,1080 and 70 x 103 spores / ml respectively with a reduction rate of 97%, The alcoholic cinnamon extract, at a concentration of 3%, was more efficient than the other concentrations, reaching 2600, 2350, 2260, 2190, 1750, 1390, and 1140 x 103 spores/ml respectively with a reduction rate of 56% after 1,3,7,14,21, and 28 days respectively. Yerba mate powder at a concentration of 3% was more efficient than the rest of the other concentrations, which reached 2470, 2240, 2080, 1750, 1460, and 1020 x 103 spores / ml respectively with a reduction rate of 61%, and cinnamon powder at a concentration of 3% reached 2530, 2440, 2280, 2050, 1920, and 1810 x 103 spores/ml respectively with a reduction of 33% after 1,3,7,14,21, and 28 days respectively.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of treating the food of third-instar larvae of the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) with ethanol and hexane extracts of Ajuga iva leaves at concentrations of 5%, 7.5%, and 10%, and their impact on the biological aspects of the insect. The results showed that the 10% concentration achieved the highest larval mortality rate, with an average of 51.84% for both extracts, while the lowest mortality rate was 19.17% at the 5% concentration, and 3.33% in the control treatment. Additionally, there was a reduction in the percentage of larvae that pupated, with the ethanol extract being more effective in reducing the number of pupae its reached average 61.68% and 82.53% for the ethanol and hexane extracts, respectively, compared to 96.70% in the control treatment. The highest rate of pupal deformities was observed when treated with the 10% ethanol extract. It was also noted that the ethanol extract significantly prolonged the larval and pupal stages. The results also indicated that the 10% ethanol extract had the highest impact in reducing the adult longevity, reduced the number of eggs and laid by females reduced the egg hatch rate.

A total of 100 fingerlings of Bunni, Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi weighing between 10-15g were used in the current experiment. The experimental fish treatments involved adding different concentrations of lead acetate exposure as follows: T1 control treatment ; T2 and T4 exposed to 0.2mg/l and 0.4mg/1 of lead acetate with complete replacement of water aquarium every two days and added lead acetate continuously in the same proportion. T3 and T5 exposed to lead acetate of 0.2 and 0.4 mg/l in first time only without adding the above percentage of lead acetate with complete replacement of water aquarium every two days. , Results showed after 30 days of exposure that the total weight gain ranged between -5.14g to 3.69g in T2 and T1 respectively.Values of Relative growth rate (RGR) ranged from -38.64-30.59% in T2 and T1 respectively, while the values of specific growth rate (SGR) ranged between -0.0018-0.0039 % / day respectively in the same treatments. The study found that higher concentrations of lead (0.4 mg/l) and continuous exposure had the most detrimental effects on the weight loss, feed intake and the behavior of fish.

This study was aimed to investigate the impact of starch isolation methods from wheat (Buhooth 22) and rice (Anbar ) on the chemo physical , functional properties and final yield of starch .The starch isolated from wheat using three different methods (Dough ball (DB),Batter method( BM) , Alkaline method),and from rice using Alkaline extraction (NaOH 0.15%) .The obtained results showed that the yield of the isolated starch for wheat ranged from (42.6-63.0)% ,and the highest percentage achieved using alkaline isolation (NaOH 0.15%) was 61% and 63% for DBS , As for rice the highest yield was 72.30%,while the lowest yield for wheat using alkaline solution (0.50% NaOH) was (42.6)%. Amylose percentages in wheat starch reached to 55.3% in case of using 0.10% NaOH and it dropped gradually with increasing the NaOH concentration .The resistant starch percentages ranged from (0.06-0.73)% in the starch samples with significant difference among the isolation methods and also between rice and wheat samples .The results of SEM revealed that the isolation methods influenced the starch granules morphology and the chemical and functional characters as well.

This study was aimed to use of the probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei CNCMI-1572 to reduce the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus and determine its effect on the production or reduction of aflatoxin B1 through several treatments. All treatments (bacteria grown in MB and exposed to an ultrasonic device, bacterial filtrate exposed to ultrasonic, both treatments examined by FESEM to determine the final particle size, bacteria in MB only, bacterial filtrate only, all at concentrations of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5%, and finally the treatment of solid MRS medium and bacteria with the fungus grown on it and incubated for seven days) showed significant differences in inhibiting fungal growth. The reduction of the toxin showed very high significant differences after measuring the concentration using HPLC technology. The last treatment was the best, showing no fungal growth with 100% inhibition and, consequently, no toxin production.

This study was aimed to detect the effect of co-enzyme Q10 against infectious bursal disease vaccinated with different programs (recombinant HVT-IBD single dose at one day old, classical vaccines D78 at eight days old, and E228 at 16 days old) through the evaluation of levels of interferon-gamma (INF-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in serum. Two hundred and ten broilers were divided into seven groups, with 30 chicks in each group. T1, feed Q10 (20 mg/kg diet) and vaccinated by (D78, E288); T2: feed Q10 (20 mg/kg diet) and vaccinated by (rHVT); T3: feed Q10 (40 mg/kg diet) and vaccinated by (D78, E288); T4; feed Q10 (40 mg/kg) and vaccinated by (rHVT): T5; vaccinated (D78, E288) only: T6; vaccinated (rHVT) only: T7; negative control. The results of the titers of interferon-gamma (INF-γ) on day 15 showed that T6 and T5 were significantly (P≤0.05) higher compared with other groups. In contrast, on days 25 and 33, they showed a decline throughout the experiment. At the same time, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) results indicated that T1 and T7 recorded a lower level than other groups at day 11. In comparison, on days 19 and 25, T1, T2, and T7 had the lowest titers among the different groups. In conclusion, the co-enzyme Q10 (40 mg/kg feed) enhances immunity function by modulating the immune response, especially (INF-γ), and decreasing pro-inflammatory markers (TNF-α).

The current study was aimed to investigate the effect of beta-casein protein (β-CN) hydrolyzate, purified from Iraqi camel milk, on blood glucose levels, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), the levels of insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), level of liver enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT)] and the lipid profile status of alloxan-induced diabetes rats. The results indicated that the β-CN protein hydrolysates at concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/kg showed a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the level of blood glucose during fasting and in (OGTT). However, there were, significant increasing (p<0.05) in the level of insulin, GF-1 and the level of high-density lipoproteins (HDL-C), meanwhile, a significant decreasing were observed on levels of liver enzymes AST and ALT, the levels of cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C), and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL-C). The findings of this study suggest camel milk β-CN protein hydrolysates could be as natural alternative product for the pharmacology medication in controlling the high blood glucose, increasing the concentration of insulin and IGF-1, in addition to controlliny the levels of lipids and liver enzymes at the normal limit.