Journal of Medicinal and Industrial Plant Sciences

A factorial experiment was carried out using Randomized Complete Block Design layout (RCBD) at the experimental research station, College of Agriculture Engineering Science – University of Baghdad- Al-Jadriyah, in an open greenhouse during the spring season 2023–2044. The aim was to determine the influence of a hormone combination with amino acids on some growth parameters, yield and chemical composition as well as antioxidant activity of rosemary plant (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), local variety. The experiment included two factors, each with three levels, and three replicates, where plants were sprayed with the growth regulators benzyl adenine (BA) and kinetin (Kin) at a rate of 50 mg L-1, In addition to glutamic acid and aspartic acid amino acids at equal concentrations, in three successive sprays throughout growth stages. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences for most of the traits studied. The kinetin application showed significant amelioration in some vegetative growth parameters; such as leaf area, leaf width, dry weight of the vegetative total, leaf content of total chlorophyll, in addition to the fresh and dry leaf yield of the plant per unit area. On the other hand, benzyl adenine significantly enhanced the number of branches and leaf thickness, as well as total fresh weight and dry weights of vegetative parts, percentage of total vegetative mass and dry leaf yield. Among amino acids, glutamic acid was the most superior with respect to plant height, leaf thickness, dry vegetative biomass and its percentage as well as fresh and dry leaf yield. Conversely, aspartic acid increased the number of branch and leaf width and thickness, blade fresh weight, and chlorophyll content. Most visible effects on growth traits, yield, chemical composition and antioxidant status including the improvement in synthetic production of volatile oil compounds are the result of the combined activity of growth regulators with amino acids. These results support the use of this mixture to enhance growth and quality of rosemary plants

A field experiment was conducted during the summer season of 2024 in Al-Boaitha district, Anbar province, with the aim of determining the response of several genotypes of cotton to plant densities and its effect on some yield and components traits and fiber quality. The experiment was applied in split plot arrangement, according to the design of the randomized complete block design (RCBD), with three replications. The main plots included three of plant densities ( 33.333, 44.444, 66.666 Plant h-1 ) while the sub-plots included fifteen cotton genotypes ( Cocker 310, Lashata, ST- 468 , BA440 , FLASH , Cocker 310 X Lashata , Cocker 310 X ST-468 , Cocker 310 X BA440 , Cocker 310 X FLASH , Lashata X ST-468 , Lashata X BA440 , Lashata X FLASH , BA440 X ST-468 , FLASH X ST-468 and FLASH X BA440 ).The results showed that the Cocker 310 X ST-468 genotyp outperformed with the highest average of the studied traits plant height (156.50 cm ) and total number and opened bolls per plant ( 59.40 , 39.32 bolls plant-1 ) which reflected an increase in the individual and total seed cotton yield ( 3.735 tons ha-1) While the Lashata X ST-468 genotype gave the highest average of Upper half mean, the Cocker 310 X Lashata genotype showed the best Strenght 26.70 mm and 23.03 g/tex ) respectively. The increase in plant density led to an increase in the total seed cotton yield 3.972 tons ha-1 .

Recently, agricultural productivity and food security have been seriously threatened by climate changes, which has increased poverty globally. So, it is necessary to address these changes and minimize their detrimental impacts by sowing crops like triticale that are resistant to unfavorable environmental conditions and have consistency in productivity. Triticale's high nutritional value, high productivity and ability to grow on marginal areas as well as capability to adapt to tough environments make it fundamental for treating food deficiency and achieving global food security. This makes it a promising crop and a viable alternative to wheat when environmental conditions are unfavorable. Triticale combines the key characteristics of its parent crops, wheat and rye, with high seed protein content, high-quality essential amino acid content, and high biological value, allowing it to be used not only as a raw material in food products but also in animal feed. In addition to being less affected by environmental stresses and resistant to various diseases. An increase in grain yield and quality and encourages the expansion of its food uses as a result of the increasing demand for these products by consumers. Despite its advantages, its cultivation in Iraq is limited and at an experimental level, which requires attention to this crop to provide a supporting source for wheat. KEYWORDS: nutritional value of triticale, wheat replacement with triticale, environmental impact .

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of fruit maturity stage, storage container type, and storage duration on the content of active compounds and vitamins in hot pepper fruits (Capsicum frutescens L.), as these are important factors in maintaining the postharvest chemical quality and utility of food. The experiment was carried out in spring season of 2024 at the Horticultural Research Station, College of Agriculture, University Kirkuk, Its geographical coordinates are approximately (44.3) degrees east longitude and (35.3) degrees north latitude. according to Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and with three replication under three factors. The factors consisted of two maturity stages (green fruits A1 and red fruits A2), two storage container types (metallic B1 and clay B2) and three storage periods (45 days C1, 90 days C2, 135 days C3). Results were significant for all factors analysed. The maturity stage A2
outperformed in phenols, alkaloids and flavonoids while capsaicin and the vitamins studied were most abundant at stage A2. Successive extractions Efficiency of retaining active compounds was greater in clay (B2) than metal containers. In relation to storage period, 45 days was best for most of the traits and the highest capsaicin content a peel was observed at 135 days. The interactions demonstrated the dominance of A2B2C1 treatment phenols, alkaloids, vitamin A, B6 and C (280.1 mg 100g⁻¹, 1.1033 %, 123.67 ppm, 40.67 ppm, 199.77 ppm) respectively. The findings indicate that the late maturity and fermentation in clay pots, followed by short-term storage, help to decrease loss of oxidation-sensitive compounds because of the stabilization of storage conditions and minimization of metabolically mediated degradations. This validates the possibility of improving the chemical value of hot pepper fruits through proper postharvest handling.

A field trail was conducted during the 2023–2024 season at two environmentally different locations, Telkaif 20 km north of Mosul and Jleokhan19 km southeast of Mosul, in Nineveh Governorate. The study involved three trial factors. The first factor was three cereal crops: Rye (Secale cereale L.), 2-row Barley (Hordeum distichum L.), and bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The second factor included three Seeding rates (200, 300, and 400 grains.m-2), while the third factor was two irrigation regimes (supplementary Irrigation SI and rain fed). The trail was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) using a split-plot design . Barley was the fastest crops to mature and reach the full maturity stage (Z-94), followed by Wheat and then Rye, with a clear varying ripening time . At the Telkaif site. Barley exceled the other crops in grain yield—especially under SI with seeding rate of 400 grains.m-2. Conversely. Wheat recorded the greatest test weight. Regarding quality characteristics, Barley had the highest Gluten percentage %, while Rye showed the highest Protein percentage% under rain fed conditions with low seeding density .At the Jleokhan site. Barley showed the highest Grains Yield under SI with higher seeding density .Wheat recorded the highest test weight. In terms of quality characteristics, Rye showed the highest Protein percentage % under rain fed with low seeding rate, whereas Barley showed the highest gluten percentage % regardless of irrigation regime . These results indicate the success agronomic of rye under rain fed and supplemental irrigation conditions in northern Iraq

Black seed (Nigella sativa L.) is an internationally important oil crop, field experiment was carried out at two locations in Erbil province, Kurdistan region-Iraq, at Grdarasha Research Field, Collage of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, is locating at 36. 40ᵒ N, 44.10ᵒ E and at an elevation 470m above sea level and at Khabat Technical Institute, and Khabat field is locating at 36. 27ᵒ N, 43.65ᵒ E and at an elevation 250m above sea level, during growing season of 2024-2025 to investigate the impact of spraying of different Zinc concentration were arranged with 4 levels (0, 100, 200 and 300ppm) on growth and yield component, fixed oil and protein seed content traits of three black seed varieties (Russian, Syrian and Local). The result of the study revealed that in both locations, the greater rates of most of growth parameters were found with Syrian and locally varieties at 300ppm. Yield contributing characters like No. of capsules plant-1, No. of seeds capsule-1, 1000 seed weight and seed yield, findings show that in grdarasha field Russian and local varieties occupy first position, but in khabat field Syrian was surpassed. In both locations the maximum production of yield parameters was obtained with zinc foliar application at 200 and 300ppm. For interaction, Syrian and local varieties with all Zinc spray was recorded the highest values. Fixed oil content (31.43%) recorded the maximum amount in Syrian variety and protein (22.66%) in local variety in Grdarsha field, while in khabat field Russian variety increased the oil to (30.21%) and protein for local to (24.33%), in both locations oil and protein content and their yield, 200 and 300 ppm selected the greater data. For interaction between treatments, all varieties had significant positive with all zinc spray. T-test analysis was used to compare between the field locations, results show on No. of branches and oil content had significant differences between the two fields.

A field experiment was conducted during the summer growing season of 2025 at one of the fields of the Agricultural Research and Experimentation Center, College of Agriculture, University of Kirkuk, Iraq. The study aimed to investigate the effect of genotypes (Hit Black, Hit Red, Areb, and Sudan-3) and foliar application of different concentrations of dry baker’s yeast suspension under two fermentation periods (control treatment, 3 g/96 h, 6 g/96 h, 9 g/96 h, 3 g/120 h, 6 g/120 h, and 9 g/120 h). The experiment was arranged according to a Randomized Complete Block Design (R.C.B.D.) within a factorial experiment, with three replicates. The studied genotypes exhibited clear variation in their degree of stability across different environments. The genotype Hit Red demonstrated stability in most traits, including calyx yield, seed yield, and several other characteristics. However, it did not exhibit stability in days from sowing to 50% flowering, number of branches, and fresh and dry capsule weight

A pot experiment was conducted in Kirkuk Governorate/Hawija District/Al-Riyadh Sub-district during the 2025 growing season to study the effect of soil salinity levels (3.64, 7.04, 10.32, and 14.00 dS m-1) and Irrigation Water Salinity (4.00, 8.00, 12.00, and 16.00 dS m-1) on the vegetative growth, yield, and qualitative characteristics of Salicornia cultivar ICBA-10. The experiment was conducted using a complete block design (RCBD) with six replications. Fresh and dry weight measurements were taken from three replications, while yield measurements were taken from the remaining three. The results showed that both soil and Irrigation Water Salinity had a significant effect on the studied characteristics. The average plant height increased from 44.44 cm at the lowest soil salinity level to 55.50 cm at the highest level. It also increased with increasing Irrigation Water Salinity, from 45.23 cm to 54.58 cm. The highest plant height (60.40 cm) was recorded at the intersection of the highest soil and Irrigation Water Salinity levels. Regarding the fresh weight of the foliage, it increased from 177.57 g plant-1 at the lowest soil salinity level to 225.29 g plant-1 at the highest level. With increasing Irrigation Water Salinity, it increased from 183.07 g plant-1 to 223.34 g plant-1, while the highest fresh weight (252.07 g plant-1) was recorded at the intersection of the two highest salinity levels. Dry weight increased from 36.36 to 46.95 g plant-1 with soil salinity and from 37.74 to 45.83 g plant-1 with Irrigation Water Salinity, with the highest dry weight (52.21 g plant-1) recorded at the overlap between the two highest levels. Grain yield gradually increased from 5.53 g plant-1 to 8.90 g plant-1 with soil salinity and from 5.66 to 9.06 g plant-1 with Irrigation Water Salinity, with the highest yield (11.33 g plant-1) recorded at the overlap between the two highest levels. Likewise, protein concentration improved from 20 % to 22.50 %. The highest concentrations of protein and oil (23.84% and 28.40% respectively) were recorded at the intersection of the highest soil and irrigation water salinity levels. were reached at the overlap between the two highest levels of soil salinity and irrigation water, indicating a synergistic effect that promotes vegetative growth, dry matter accumulation, and plant quality yield.

Watercress (Eruca vesicaria) is a rich source of secondary metabolites with disease-preventive properties, including the phenol apigenin. This work aimed to examine the impact of various extraction methods on apigenin yield from watercress (Eruca vesicaria L.) leaves and its antioxidant capacity/blood coagulant effect. Organisations compared modern with traditional extraction methods. Active compounds identification and overall qualitative chemical analysis proved that the extract is rich in flavonoids, phenols, and terpenes. The selected solvent and the method of extraction had a remarkable impact on both yield and purity of apigenin. Free radical scavenging ability of saliva and phenolic content were also found high and these values were correlated, suggesting that its phenols may significantly contribute for the high oxidative activity. The results of this study further showed that apigenin is involved in modulating the blood coagulation system via prolonging prothrombin time (PT) and activating activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). This indicates that Ap inhibits intrinsic as well extrinsic coagulation paths. These results suggest that the leaves of E. vesicaria represent a rich source of apigenin, which may be used as potential phytochemicals in nutraceutical and cardiovascular disorders related to oxidative stress and thrombosis-induced diseases prevention

This study, conducted at the Central Laboratory for Plant Tissue Culture in Kirkuk, aimed to establish an efficient In Vitro protocol for Helianthus annuus L. by optimizing sterilization and micropropagation phases. The experimental framework, designed under a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with ten replicates, first evaluated the efficacy of Sodium Hypochlorite (as commercial Clorox) at varying concentrations (0, 20, 40, and 60%). Results indicated that while the absence of the sterilizing agent led to total contamination, a 40% concentration significantly minimized the infection rate to 30% without compromising tissue integrity. Subsequently, the research investigated the morphogenic influence of the cytokinin BA (0, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg L⁻¹) on vegetative development. Statistical analysis revealed that the 2.0 mg L⁻¹ BA treatment was the most effective for enhancing biomass and growth indicators, yielding the highest mean values for node number (3.250 per explant), leaf count (7.000 per shoot), and fresh and dry weights (0.862 g and 0.080 g, respectively). Interestingly, the control group exhibited the maximum shoot length (3.000 cm), suggesting a distinct response pattern to hormonal concentrations. These findings provide a standardized approach for the successful clonal propagation of sunflower industrial crops