Jornal of Al-Muthanna for Agricultural Sciences

Soil suitability assessment is one of the essential pillars of sustainable agricultural planning, especially in arid and semi-arid environments characterized by high salinity and degradation of physical and chemical soil properties. The present study aims to evaluate soil suitability for wheat cultivation (Triticum aestivum L.) in Al-Abbasiya District, Najaf Governorate, using the parametric method proposed by Sys et al. (1993).
A semi-detailed soil survey was conducted, and 30 surface soil samples (0–30 cm depth) were collected, with their locations determined using GPS. Laboratory analyses included soil texture, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), gypsum, and other soil characteristics.
The Land Index (LI) was calculated using the Sys (1993) approach, and soils were classified into suitability classes (S1, S2, S3, N1, N2). Results showed that most soils in the study area fall within S2 and S3 classes, with salinity, CaCO₃ content, and soil texture identified as the main limiting factors. Statistical analysis revealed significant correlations between LI and EC, ESP, and CEC.
The study concludes that wheat productivity can be improved through salinity management and improvement of soil physical properties. The study recommends integrated reclamation programs and modern irrigation systems to ensure agricultural sustainability.

A total of twenty-four drinking water samples were collected from several areas at northern Thi-Qar Governorate: Al-Fajr, Al-Qalaa, Al-Rifai, Al-Nasr, Al-Shatra, and Al-Gharraf. Four replicates were taken from each area to study microbial contamination. The efficiency of water treatment plants in the study areas was assessed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards and Iraqi Standard 417 of 2001. The results showed that the sampled areas were contaminated with Total coliform and Fecal coliform bacteria at very high levels in most of them. The presence of these bacteria indicates a malfunction in the water treatment plants serving these areas, either in their filtration and purification processes or in the contamination of the water source supplying these plants, thus negatively impacting consumer health.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the biofertilizer Azospirillum brasilense and the chemical foliar fertilizer Growmore, individually and in combination, on improving some vegetative growth characteristics of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Wonderful seedlings under the Najaf Governorate environmental conditions. The experiment was RCBD factorial included 3 levels of biofertilizer and the commercial balanced Growmore foliar fertilizer, to study the effect of each and their interaction on a number of vegetative growth indicators. The findings showed that the treatments differently affected studied growth parameters namely the increase in seedling height, number of leaves, stem diameter, number of branches, leaf area, and leaf content of macronutrients NPK. The soil applied biofertilizer A. brasilense resulted in significantly higher values in most traits especially at 12 ml seedling⁻¹ compared to the control. Similar but lower effectiveness was detected in the individual treatments with foliar balanced Growmore where the best results were obtained at 300 mg L-1. Overall findings indicate that the highest percentage increase was in the interaction treatment of 12 ml seedling-1 bacterial fertilizer and 300 ml L-1 Growmore, which achieved an increase over the control in seedling height by 120% and stem diameter by 180%. The the leaf area and leaf carbohydrates content recorded an increase over the control by 189% and 200% respectively. This study is confirming that biofertilization with A. brasilense and/or commercial foliar balanced NPK were effective for producing vigor fast growing pomegranate seedlings.

The study investigated the efficiency of pseudomonas fluorescens bacteria in the degradation and consumption of hydrocarbons, isolating 15 isolates of crude oil from different environmental zones, including the (soil of the generators, the soil of the oil change shop, the soil of the diwaniya rubber plant,) Which were contaminated with hydrocarbon compounds( and Drainage water). A number of variables were used to distinguish the ability of bacterial isolates to analyze hydrocarbon compounds by their ability to grow on the medium of solid mineral salts and the addition of crude oil. The bacterial isolates During the period of incubation for a maximum of 7 days and at a temperature of 37 ° C of consumption of crude oil as a single source of carbon and energy in addition to its growth on the center of liquid mineral salts with crude oil by 1% The electrical conductivity and optical density were measured. Electrical conductivity and optical density were continuously measured to indicate the activity of bacterial isolates in decomposing hydrocarbon compounds while in a mineral salt medium supplemented with 1% crude oil. An increase in both electrical conductivity (EC) and optical density (OD) was observed in all bacterial isolates during the incubation period, indicating their efficiency in hydrocarbon degradation. P. fluorescens isolates from generator soil were the most active, exhibiting the highest electrical conductivity (12.7 mS/cm) and an optical density of 0.322.
The enzyme responsible for hydrocarbon degradation, catechol 2,3-deoxygenase, was identified, with the gene appearing in 8 bacterial isolates (53.33%). Sequence analysis of the enzyme in P. fluorescens showed a 100% match with the gene registered under number KF010862.1

Tractor operating conditions strongly affect operator comfort, seeding quality, and energy efficiency, especially in semi-arid soils with high surface roughness. This study evaluated the effects of forward speed, tire inflation pressure, and soil roughness on whole-body vibration (WBV), seed row alignment accuracy, fuel consumption, and effective field capacity during seeding operations. Field experiments were conducted using a Turkish-manufactured New Holland tractor driven by a trained operator (90 kg) in a Randomized Complete Block Design And with three repeats. Forward speed (3–6 km•h⁻¹), tire pressure (0.8–1.6 bar), and soil roughness (smooth to rough) were systematically varied. WBV was quantified using RMS and VDV following ISO 2631, while seeding accuracy was assessed via mean lateral deviation and zig-zag frequency. Fuel consumption and field capacity were also recorded.
Results showed that RMS and VDV increased with speed and soil roughness, from 0.85 ± 0.05 to 2.15 ± 0.07 m•s⁻² and 12.5 ± 1.2 to 31.5 ± 1.5 m•s¹•⁷⁵, exceeding recommended exposure limits under extreme conditions. Concurrently, mean lateral deviation rose from 3.2 ± 0.3 to 10.8 ± 0.5 cm and zig-zag frequency from 2.0 ± 0.2 to 6.2 ± 0.3 per 100 m. Fuel consumption ranged 4.2 ± 0.1 to 5.3 ± 0.2 L•h⁻¹, while field capacity increased 0.8 ± 0.05 to 1.3 ± 0.08 ha•h⁻¹.
Intermediate tire pressure (~1.2 bar) combined with moderate speed and smooth-to-moderate soil conditions achieved the most balanced performance, optimizing productivity while maintaining acceptable vibration exposure and seeding precision. These findings provide practical guidance for improving tractor operation and operator safety under semi-arid conditions.

Livestock farming is one of the most important agricultural activities in Al-Muthanna Governorate, representing a significant source of food and income for the population. Animal husbandry is widespread in rural and desert areas. The research concluded that Al-Muthanna Governorate has begun to suffer in its livestock sector due to drought and low rainfall, which has affected natural pastures. This is compounded by the high prices of feed and other materials, and weak government support, leading many livestock breeders to abandon animal husbandry. This has led to a decrease in this wealth recently, as the absolute change in the studied livestock wealth reached (-80805) during the study period, which threatens the growth of this wealth, not to mention the variation in the distribution of the change index and the relative change of this wealth among the small administrative units, as almost all administrative units appeared with a negative relative change, except for some of them in certain types of animals such as camels and buffalo, for which the relative change appeared in the positive direction.

A field experiment was conducted on the second Raton sugarcane variety CP89-2143 from December 3, 2024, until harvest on January 26, 2026, at the Field Crops Research Station, College of Agriculture, University of Diyala. The aim was to determine the interaction between the optimal concentration of algal extract and the optimal growth stage to achieve the highest stem yield, sugar yield, sucrose content, and juice purity. The experiment was conducted according to the Split Plots Design with three replicates. Each replicate was divided into three Main Plots, which are the growth stages (beginning of the tillering stage, beginning of the elongation stage, and beginning of the early maturity stage). Each Main Plot was divided into four Sub Plots, which are the levels of algal extract (1, 2, and 3 mg/L, as well as a control treatment without spraying). The experimental unit area was 6 m², with a distance of 1 m between each experimental unit and 2 m between each replicate. Each experimental unit included four rows, each 2 m long, with a distance of 1 m between each row. The results showed the following:
1.Spraying the algal extract at a concentration of 2 mg/L at the beginning of the elongation stage resulted in the highest increase in the mean of plant height , reaching 75.9 cm, compared to not spraying the algal extract, which recorded 61.6 cm. Meanwhile, the same concentration, but at the beginning of the tillering stage, achieved the highest increase in the mean of total number of stems, reaching 80.3 tillers , compared to not spraying the algal extract, which recorded 44.6 tillers. The same concentration also caused the highest increase in the mean of stem diameter for all growth stages, reaching 4.5, 4.0 and 3.8 cm, compared to the non-spraying of the algal extract, which recorded 2.8, 3.3 and 3.7 cm for the beginning of the tillering , elongation and early maturity stages, respectively. The same concentration of the algal extract at the beginning of the tillering stage also achieved the highest increase in the mean of stem yield, reaching 85.1 tons.ha, compared to the non-spraying of the algal extract, which recorded 50.8 tons.ha, with an increase of 67.6%.
2. Spraying with a concentration of 2 mg/L of algal extract recorded the highest increase in the mean of sucrose percentage during the different growth stages, reaching 13.0, 13.2, and 15.0%, compared to not spraying with the algal extract, which recorded 10.8, 10.6, and 10.8% for the beginning of the tillering , elongation, and early maturity stages, respectively. Likewise, the same treatments achieved the highest increase in the mean of juice purity percentage, reaching 74.1, 75.2, and 88.3%, compared to not spraying with the algal extract, which recorded 63.8, 59.4, and 61.9% for the beginning of the tillering , elongation, and early maturity stages, respectively.
3. Spraying with the algal extract at a concentration of 2 mg.L at the beginning of the tillering stage achieved the highest increase in mean of sugar yield, reaching 11.1 tons.h compared to not spraying with the algal extract, which recorded 5.6 tons.h, with an increase of 98.2%.

Soil salinity represents a critical constraint limiting citrus production in arid and semi-arid regions globally. This study investigated the efficacy of foliar-applied potassium silicate (K₂SiO₃) in mitigating the detrimental effects of salt stress on two-year-old sour orange (Citrus aurantium) seedlings. A factorial experiment was conducted under lath house conditions during the 2024-2025 growing season using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The first factor comprised three salinity levels of irrigation water (0, 2, and 4 dS m⁻¹ using sodium chloride), while the second factor involved three concentrations of foliar-applied K₂SiO₃ (0, 1, and 2 ml L⁻¹). Results revealed that increasing salinity significantly reduced vegetative growth parameters, total chlorophyll content, and membrane stability index. Conversely, proline accumulation, free amino acids, and total phenolic compounds increased progressively with higher salinity levels. Foliar application of potassium silicate at 2 ml L⁻¹ significantly ameliorated salt-induced damage, enhancing plant height, branch number, leaf number, leaf area, and dry matter accumulation. This treatment also increased total chlorophyll content and membrane stability while reducing stress markers including proline and free amino acids under saline conditions. The interaction between salinity and potassium silicate was significant for most measured parameters. These findings indicate that exogenous application of potassium silicate at 2 ml L⁻¹ effectively enhances salt tolerance in sour orange seedlings through improved growth performance, maintained membrane integrity, and modulated biochemical stress responses.

This study was conducted to evaluate the possibility of using honey as an alternative energy source instead of sucrose in tissue culture media for initiating embryogenic callus of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cv. Barhi in vitro. The experiment was designed according to a completely randomized design (CRD) with nine treatments and five replicates per treatment. The treatments included three concentrations of honey (0, 20, 40 g/L) and three concentrations of sucrose (0, 20, 40 g/L). The results showed that treatment C (complete deprivation of energy sources) recorded the worst results in all studied traits. Treatment I (40 g/L honey + 0 g/L sucrose) significantly outperformed all other treatments in the number of somatic embryos (20 embryos), dry weight (304 g), and dry matter percentage (23.2%), with a decrease in water content to 76.8%. Treatment D (20 g/L honey + 40 g/L sucrose) recorded the highest fresh weight (1330 g) and dry weight (304 g) with complete absence of browning and vitrification. Treatment E (20 g/L honey + 20 g/L sucrose) was the worst in terms of browning percentage (70%) with weak embryogenic formation. We conclude that honey at a concentration of 40 g/L can be a complete and successful alternative to sucrose in date palm tissue culture media, achieving the highest production of somatic embryos and high callus quality.

Antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli is a significant clinical challenge, particularly under environmental stress conditions such as pH change. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of acidic and alkaline environments on antibiotic susceptibility and the expression of the beta -lactam resistance gene (blaTEM) in clinical E. coli isolates.
Two hundred clinical samples were collected from patients with blood, urinary tract, and wound infections at hospitals in Anbar Governorate (Ramadi Teaching Hospital, Maternity and Children's Hospital, and Fallujah Teaching Hospital). After microbiological diagnosis using conventional biochemical assays, 50 E. coli isolates were obtained.
Susceptibility testing was performed on ten antibiotics under standard conditions (PH=7), which served as a control group. The same isolates were then retested under acidic (pH=5) and alkaline (PH=8.5) conditions to assess acid tolerance and the change in susceptibility pattern (MIC). Nine isolates exhibiting the greatest phenotypic changes across the three media were selected for molecular analysis. RNA was extracted and converted to cDNA, and the gene expression level of the blaTEM gene was measured using real -time quantitative PCR.
The results showed significant changes in antibiotic susceptibility patterns with varying pH levels. A clear effect of acidic stress was observed in increasing resistance levels to some antibiotic. Furthermore, gene expression analysis revealed a significant increase in blaTEM gene expression in acidic media compared to neutral and alkaline media (p<0.05), suggesting that acidity may enhance beta-lactam resistance mechanisms in E. coli.
These findings underscore the importance of the infection site in modulating bacterial response to antibiotics and the need to consider this factor when selecting the appropriate clinical treatment.

This study sought to assess the impact of liquid whey combined with ascorbic acid on several chemical parameters, as well as the microbiological quality of processed and refrigerated beef sausage. The trial had five treatments: T1 (Sodium Nitrate 0.005%), T2 (Sodium Nitrate 0.005% + Liquid Whey 5 ml), T3 (Sodium Nitrate 0.002% + Liquid Whey 5 ml), T4 (Liquid Whey 5 ml), and T5 (Liquid Whey 5 ml + Ascorbic Acid 5%). Subsequent to production, the sausages were refrigerated, and physical, chemical, and microbiological analyses were performed during intervals of 1, 7, 14, and 21 days. The application of liquid whey or liquid whey combined with ascorbic acid led to favorable alterations in the produced sausages, notably a reduction in pH and a decline in thiobarbituric acid levels relative to the control treatment. The microbiological quality of the treatments was predominantly satisfactory. The results showed a substantial decrease (p < 0.01) in the total bacterial count in the treatments utilizing liquid whey or liquid whey with ascorbic acid compared to the control treatment. Escherichia coli (E. coli) remained undetected in all treatments throughout the storage durations of 1, 7, and 14 days, whereas it was detectable in minimal quantities throughout the 21-day storage period. A substantial elevation (p < 0.01) in lactic acid bacteria levels was noted in all treatments utilizing liquid whey in comparison to the control treatment.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of adding 5% pumpkin seed powder (PSP) per kg of meat on the chemical and bacteriological characteristics of aged Isa Brown chicken meat. Fifty-one 70-week-old female birds, slaughtered according to Islamic rites, were used. Breast and thigh cuts were taken and divided into three groups: the first group (negative control, T1) was plucked and skinned (without hot water); the second group (positive control, T2) was plucked and skinned using scalding water; and the third group (T3) was treatment 1 but the cuts were mixed with 5% PSP per kg. The treatments were compared after 1 and 7 days of storage at 4°C. The results showed a significant decrease in pH values (P≤0.05) in the breast and thigh samples of treatment T3 after 1 and 7 days of storage. It was also observed that moisture, protein, and ash content showed a significant increase (P≤0.05) in samples treated with 5% pumpkin seed powder compared to control samples. Similarly, treatment of cuts with pumpkin seed powder showed a significant decrease in fat content (P>0.05). Biological testing showed a significant decrease in colony formation (CFU) of total aerobic and chemoreceptor bacteria in the T3 treatment compared to the control groups (T1 and T2). Overall, the results indicate that pumpkin seed powder preserved the quality of poultry meat during refrigerated storage, thus extending shelf life and reducing spoilage. Therefore, natural preservatives can be used to improve meat quality and safety, meeting consumer demand for healthy and sustainable meat.

This study aimed to evaluate the possibility of using olive leaf extract (OLE) as a feed additive in the diets of broilers. A total of 180 one-day-old broiler Ross 308 chicks were distributed into four groups, fed on isoprotein and isoenergetic diets with different replacement ratios of OLE as: 0.5, 1, 1.5 % respectively. A control group (0% OLE). Body weight, body weight gain, feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded weekly, and production index (PI) and economic figures (EF) were considered at 35 days old. No significant difference in Body weight, body weight gain, Feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) between experimental groups as compared to control during total period. FCR was more enhanced in the OLE groups than control group during the total period (1-35 days of age). The PI and EF differ with OLE groups and control group which improved in OLE experimental groups compared to control during 1 - 35 d of age. OLE groups were more favorable than the control group. It is safely used of OLE meals in broiler diet to improve broiler performance.

Climate change is one of the greatest global problems that affect the natural resources, particularly the quantity and the quality of water. The significant effect of climate change on hydrological cycles is due to the changing rainfall pattern, rise in average temperatures, and the increase in severe weather patterns. This analysis examines the impact of climate change on water supply by focusing on the factors of accessibility, quality, and the associated risks to the ecosystems and human health. Results emphasize that adaptive policy and sustainable water management practices are required in order to reduce the intensity of such effects.

The extent to which current nursery tray planting relies on trial-and-error procedures limits the achievable tradeoff between productivity and accuracy. To overcome this problem, an integrated modeling framework that links planting speed to seed placement accuracy specifically for automated nursery tray planting is proposed. The framework combines a physical model of seed motion with experimentally derived parameters to create an optimization framework using an objective measure of accuracy. This model describes the relationship between the rate of planting and the accuracy of placement based on the objective function that takes into consideration the accuracy of seed placement (σ) and the efficiency of the process (τ). The main parameters are the mass of the seeds (m), the speed of planting (v), the aerodynamic component (k), and system parameters (ω). Numerical analysis and experimental verification are used to assess the model's validity under the given operational conditions. Analysis of the results shows that the speed of planting can be increased by a maximum of 35% with a planting accuracy of ±0.5 mm, thereby establishing the effectiveness of the proposed approach to determine optimal operation conditions. The results further validate the effectiveness of combining motion modeling with accuracy optimization to offer a systematic approach to overcome traditional trial-and-error technique in nursery tray planting.

Broccoli is one of the most important healthy foods included in healthy eating and weight loss programs. Good broccoli yield for fresh consumption is not only related to the shape or weight of the head but also to its high content of essential nutrients. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the effect of organic fertilization and molybdenum spraying on broccoli yield and its nutrient content. The study was conducted as a two-factor factory experiment using a randomized complete block design (RCBD), comprising 27 experimental units randomly distributed with three replicates. The first factor was organic fertilizer at levels of 0, 1.200, and 1.800 kg/m³, and the second factor was three concentrations of molybdenum (0, 100, and 200 mg/L). The results showed that treatment with organic fertilizer at a level of (1800 kg/m³-1) or spraying molybdenum at a concentration of 200 mg/L-1 significantly outperformed the other individual treatments in the studied indicators. Specifically, the treatments showed a significant increase compared to the control group in plant height (20-25%), number of leaves (13-25%), leaf area (18-43%), total chlorophyll content (2-9%), stem diameter (16-17%), leaf dry weight (30-31%), and flower head weight (33-50%) compared to the control group, which received the recommended organic fertilization. Overall, the best results were achieved with the combined treatment of spraying molybdenum at 200 mg/L-1 in the presence of 1800 kg of organic fertilizer. M3 achieved an increase in the study indicators by 30% for plant height, 43% for the number of leaves, 46% for leaf area, 22% for total leaf chlorophyll content, 23% for stem diameter, 48% for vegetative dry weight, and 56% for flower disc weight compared to the control.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are widely used in fermented foods due to their safety as bio-preservatives. In this study, several strains of organic acid-producing lactic acid bacteria were isolated from locally produced milk to investigate their potential use in fermentation and select the most efficient isolate, and evaluate its effect on improving the physicochemical and functional properties during fermentation. Three strains of lactic acid bacteria were isolated, all Gram-positive and catalase-negative. Three strains of lactic acid bacteria were isolated, all of which were Gram-positive and catalase-negative. The LAB1 isolate was chosen for fermentation due to its high growth rate and superior stability. The fermentation process lasted 48 hours. During that time, we monitored several key factors: pH, the amount of acid present, the concentration of phenols, and the effectiveness of the antioxidant in combating oxidation. After those 48 hours, the pH decreased from 6.64 to 4.23, and the acid levels rose from 0.19% to 0.95%. The results show that fermentation with lactic acid bacteria made more phenolic compounds available, and the antioxidant activity went up. So, using the extract and microbial fermentation together could improve the food product. This study suggests that local lactic acid bacteria isolates may be beneficial in enhancing the nutritional value of fermented foods.

The focus of this study is the severe global health concern of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, in particular the growing resistance of the parasites to treatments which are often highly toxic, and have numerous adverse effects. This study aimed to develop an environmentally benign nano-therapeutic approach through the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. In this framework, the extract of Olea europaea L. acted as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent, yielding an environmentally friendly and physiologically safe approach for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) without the use of toxic chemicals. A notable change in color was observed during the synthesis as an important first indication of the reduction of silver ions and the formation of nanoparticles. Several sophisticated methods were utilized to characterize the structure of the nanoparticles, such as FESEM, AFM, FTIR, and XRD. The analyses confirmed the formation of spherical silver nanoparticles of high structural stability. The hemolysis test revealed a 0% hemolysis rate and thus the complete absence of lysis of red blood cells. This demonstrated a high degree of compatibility of the silver nanoparticles for biomedical applications. The MTT assay was performed to assess the biological activity of the silver nanoparticles against clinical isolates of the Leishmania tropica parasite. The results showed a dose-dependent anti-parasitic effect of the silver nanoparticles against the parasite cultivated in 3N medium. The dose of 2000 µg/ml showed the greatest efficacy in suppression of parasite growth with strong statistical significance (P<0.0001). The IC50 value was around 853.7 µg/ml, showing the considerable efficacy of silver nanoparticles in the inhibition of Leishmania parasite proliferation, and indicating that they could potentially be developed into an effective therapeutic option.

For routine needs like food and medications, humans grow plants. There are countless types of crops and goods made from plants, such as cotton, fruits, vegetables, cereals, pulses, and oils. Humans have utilized a range of seed oils as dietary supplements and as feedstock for biofuel production. One such plant that is utilized to produce oil is the date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.). A commercial fruit, date palms are mostly grown in Iraqi nations. Date palm fruit is enjoyed all throughout the world, as are its processed goods including syrup, jams, and jellies. However, after processing, quantities of seed waste are produced, and inadequate methods for disposing of this trash cause environmental issues. According to scientific sources, date palm seed oil is rich in minerals, quercetin, B7, B12, and apgenin extract. The content of apgenin was 16250 µg/mg, the concentration of B12 was 606061 ug/mg, and the chromatograph of B7 extract analysis by HPLC Both the concentration and the quercetin concentration were 10699 µg/mg and 15658 µg/mg, respectively. These bioactive compounds have important pharmacological properties, including hepatoprotectivity, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. This study outlines the phytochemicals found in date palm seed oil, talks about the fatty acid composition of different date palm cultivars around the world, and emphasizes the pharmacological properties of date seed oil, its efficient use in the food and pharmaceutical industries, and the use of seed oil byproducts in the production of biofuel. The manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and biofuel offers a great chance to increase the value of date palm farming and generate profits.
The examination of antioxidant-interesting active components from date palm seeds, such as quercetin, B7, B12, and apgenin extract, begins with this work. A wide variety of phenolic compounds were identified through the extraction of organic fractions and biochemical characterisation utilizing high-performance chromatography (HPLC) analysis.

The University of Karbala, located in a semi-arid region of Iraq, faces significant environmental challenges including water scarcity and high temperatures. This study aimed to document the plant diversity within the gardens of the Freiha Complex at the University of Karbala and evaluate its impact on improving the university environment and student well-being. A comprehensive field survey and documentation of plant species were conducted, alongside a comparative analysis with similar international university campuses. The results identified Plant species, As a prelude to a future study that will inventory all cultivated plant species and specify their exact number such as Phoenix dactylifera, Acacia farnesiana, and Ziziphus spina-christi. The study found that these green spaces significantly contribute to local thermoregulation through shading and transpiration, as well as improving air quality by trapping dust and absorbing carbon dioxide.The research concludes that integrating diverse, drought-tolerant plant species and implementing sustainable water management practices are essential for maintaining a restorative academic environment. These findings provide a scientific basis for the development and management of university gardens in arid regions.

A field trial was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture, Tikrit University, during the 2025 growing season, to investigate the effects of phosphate fertilizer type and application rate, and zinc foliar application, on the growth and yield of sweet corn grown in gypsum soil. The experiment was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates and three parameters: two phosphate fertilizer sources (di ammonium phosphate (DAP) and tri calcium superphosphate (TSP)), three phosphate application rates (0, 90, and 180 kg P ha⁻¹, denoted as P0, P1, and P2) respectively, and three foliar zinc application rates (0, 25, and 50 mg Zn L⁻¹, denoted as Zn0, Zn1, and Zn2) respectively. The results showed that increased phosphate application led to a significant increase in growth characteristics and yield. At the highest level (180 kg P ha⁻¹), the average above-ground dry weight (45.71 g plant⁻¹ and 93.90 g plant⁻¹ for the first and second harvests, respectively) and absolute growth rate (1.607) were at their highest. Average dry weight (g plant⁻¹day⁻¹), number of grains per panicle (545.94, 540.63 grains per panicle), 500-grain weight (156.85 g), grain yield (6779 kg ha⁻¹), and biological yield (13882kg ha⁻¹) were all significantly improved. DAP fertilizer showed significantly better results than TSP fertilizer in most of the traits investigated.
Foliar application of zinc significantly improved growth and yield characteristics. At a concentration of 50mg Zn L⁻¹, average dry weight (44.06g and 91.25g plant⁻¹), absolute growth rate (1.573 g plant⁻¹ day⁻¹), number of grains per panicle (540.63 grains) and 500-grain weight (155.39g), and grain yield (6442kg ha⁻¹) were all significantly improved. The highest values were observed for both ha⁻¹ and biological yield (13536 kg ha⁻¹). The three-factor interaction also showed clear results. Significant effects were observed, with the (DAP × P₂ × Zn₂) treatment showing the highest values in all traits investigated: (Dry weight after two harvests: 51.52 g plant-1 and 105.14 g plant-1), (Absolute growth rate: 1.787 g plant-1 day-1), (Number of panicles: 601.32 grain ear⁻¹), (162.66 g per 500 panicles), (Grain yield: 7957 kg ha-1), and (Biological yield: 15505 kg ha-1). In contrast, the control treatment (P₀Zn₀) showed the lowest values for all parameters with both fertilizer sources.

The experiment was carried out at the College of Agriculture's Department of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering's wooden shade house, Tikrit University, during the 2025–2026 growing season, using Petunia hybrida. The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of foliar application of active yeast extract at three time intervals (no application, after 24 hours, and after 72 hours), coded as L0, L1, and L2, and humic acid application at three concentrations (0, 1 g L⁻¹, and 2 g L⁻¹), coded as H0, H1, and H2, respectively. Based on a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with two variables, the experiment was set up as a factorial. There were nine experimental treatments in the research, each with three replicates of three seedlings per experimental unit, for a total of eighty-one seedlings. The findings demonstrated that foliar spraying with yeast extract and adding humic acid greatly enhanced vegetative development and blooming traits. Plant height (cm), number of branches (branch plant⁻¹), number of leaves (leaf plant⁻¹), flower diameter (mm), and chlorophyll content (SPAD) were all significantly better in treatment H2L2, with values of 20.16 cm, 11.63 branch plant⁻¹, 58.96 leaf plant⁻¹, 11.06 mm, and 29.13 SPAD units, respectively.

The field experiment was conducted at the Second Research Station of the College of Agriculture, Al- Muthanna University, site within longitude of 45.25o east and latitude 31.39o north for the 2024- 2025 planting season to a chive the true impact concentration of zinc element, amino acids, in addition to the effect of interaction between them that enhances the development and productivity of Oat crop. A factorial experiment was conducted using the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) approach, with three replicates. Zinc was applied at tow concentration 0 and 2 g/L. Amino acid were applied at three concentrations 0, 1, 1.5 g/L by spraying the plants until saturated. The findings indicated that a concentration of amino acid at 1.5 g/L superior averages for the following traits, number of tillers per m2 , number of panicles per m2 and grain yield tons ha-1 ( 286.5, 245.7 and 2.79 tons ha-1). Conversely, at a concentration of amino acid 1g/L was superior for the trait number of grain per panicle 41.00. Additionally, the results revealed no significant differences regarding Zinc application or the interaction between the experimental factors.

This study aimed to assess the phenotypic and physiological diversity of selected wild plants in the Al-Muthanna Desert, focusing on their adaptability to harsh desert environmental conditions. The study included an analysis of several phenotypic characteristics, such as leaf, stem, and root features, as well as the estimation of physiological indicators, including chlorophyll content and relative water content. The relationship between phenotypic and physiological characteristics was also analyzed to reveal the adaptation mechanisms employed by these plants in arid environments. The results showed significant variation among the studied species (Achillea santolina L., Citrullus colocynthis L., Astragalus spinosus (Forssk.) Muschl., Artemisia herba-alba Asso. Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) Bunge ex Boiss., Teucrium polium L., Launaea mucronata (Forssk.) Muschl., Apium graveolens L., Lycium barbarum L., and Capparis spinosa L.) in most of the measured characteristics, reflecting different adaptation strategies that enable them to survive and thrive in desert conditions. This study provides a scientific basis for understanding the adaptation of wild plants to arid environments and can serve as an important reference for biodiversity studies and plant resource conservation in desert regions.

Diabetes mellitus, a common metabolic disorder characterized by dysfunction of pancreatic beta-cells and increased oxidative stress, damages the pancreas. These experiments are a promising study to determine the safety of camel milk in treating streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Male albino rats were divided into six groups: negative control, untreated diabetic, diabetic treated with metformin, and three diabetic rats were exposed to higher levels of freeze-dried camel milk (4, 6, and 8 mL/kg). Serum glucose, insulin, and Malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was determined. Pancreatic tissues were histologically investigated. When camel milk is consumed at 8 mL/kg, the glucose level was significantly decreased in the rats that were given camel milk (138.05 ± 5.74 mg/dL) compared with the diabetes groups (252.5 ± 33 mg/dL), and levels of insulin (485.3 ± 28.1 pg/mL). Conversely, MDA levels were low with a 39.43 ± 6.62 ng/mL. The improvement in islet structure on record was clear with preserved beta cells. Camel milk protects the pancreas in streptozotocin‑induced diabetes by restoring glycemic control (including insulin secretion, oxidative stress, and pancreatic histoarchitecture), making its use as a natural adjunct to the treatment of diabetes more effective, potentially enhancing the pancreas’s organ functions.

The objective of this study was to investigate the capacity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) to enhance efficiency under in vitro micropropagation of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.). Murashige and Skoog (MS) media was used to cultivate shoot tips as well as nodal segments, and appropriate plant growth regulators were added. ZnO-NPs applied at concentrations 0, 10, 20 and 30 mgL⁻¹, whereas Ag-NPs were used at 0, 5, 10 and 15 mgL⁻¹. The study evaluated growth indices during the shoot multiplication phase, rooting features, survival rate after acclimatization, and a few biochemical properties such as chlorophyll, anthocyanin, and flavonoid levels. The study findings revealed that nanoparticle treatments markedly enhanced shoot proliferation, root formation, and the success of acclimatization as compared to the control. For most of the investigated parameters, the usage of ZnO-NPs at 20 mgL⁻¹ and Ag-NPs at 10 mgL⁻¹ produced the best results. Furthermore, nanoparticle treatments resulted in an increased synthesis of secondary metabolites, thus indicating a better physiological and metabolic status of the plants. These results will shed light on the promising application of nanoparticle-based approaches as efficient tools for the improvement of micropropagation protocols of Hibiscus sabdariffa and other medicinal plants.

Diesel engines are renowned for their high efficiency and fuel economy. In recent developments, water-diesel emulsions have been proposed as an alternative fuel to enhance engine performance across various operational settings. This study focused on assessing the impact of different water-diesel emulsion ratios, specifically 7% and 17%, on the performance of a water-cooled, four-cylinder diesel engine operating continuously at 1600 rpm. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design (CRD) to evaluate the effects of fuel type and load. Significant differences between means were determined using the least significant difference (LSD) test at p < 0.05. The results showed that using a 7% water–diesel emulsion increased thermal efficiency by 5.81% compared to neat diesel. This improvement was accompanied by an approximate 7% rise in brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC), while exhaust gas temperature decreased by 13.45%. In contrast, increasing the water content to 17% led to only a slight improvement in thermal efficiency (0.43%), while exhaust gas temperature decreased by 18.52%, indicating a cooling effect during combustion. However, this was accompanied by a considerable increase in brake-specific fuel consumption (26%), which may negatively affect overall engine performance. Overall, the findings suggest that a 7% water/diesel ratio provides a more advantageous balance between performance and emissions reduction under the tested operating conditions.

Soil cracking is a common physical property in Vertisols containing a high percentage of expansive clays of type 2:1, this phenomenon is accompanied by some morphological features such as Gilgai and silken sides as a result of the expansion and contraction that occurs to the soil after periods of wetting and drying. These soils are called inverted soils due to the occurrence of self-mixing because of rising apart of the soil to the top after the soil expansion phenomenon occurs. Some of these expansive clays have a high ability to hold water, as water films are generated on the internal and external surfaces of the layers of minerals that compose them, giving these soils a high property of expansion and plasticity. Under conditions of drought and high temperatures, water is lost from between the layers of clay minerals, which leads to shrinking the soil and causing it to crack. The cracks width and depth are proportional to quantity and type of the prevailing mineral, organic matter, calcium carbonate and other binding materials, Cracks can be reduced by improving soil structure and aggregates through the addition of soil amendments such as agricultural gypsum, organic matter, animal waste, and previous crop residues. Cracks can also be reduced using agricultural practices such as reduced tillage, water management, and modern irrigation methods, however, the study of cracks, directions and their impact on different land uses has not been well-documented or studied with regards to water and nutrients movement, and its transfer through these cracks. Therefore, this review aims to collect the literature and studies related to the subject of soil cracks, their causes, consequences and the mechanics of their formation in addition to the methods followed and appropriate in their management

The study showed that sand dunes are formed as a result of the interaction of the north-west winds with dismantled sand deposits in a flat and dry steppe environment, which led to a variety of forms and patterns such as Crescent, longitudinal and transverse dunes. the results also showed that the weakness of vegetation cover and sedimentary surface characteristics contribute to an increase in the activity of wind processes. the study confirms that sand dunes represent a dynamic phenomenon with environmental effects and geomorphologically important in the study area.

This article aims to introduce one of the most important components of the main soils in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world, which constitute approximately 100 million hectares of the total soil area in the world, specifically gypsum, which has important effects on the overall chemical, physical, biological, and fertile properties of the soil. Physically, gypsum, added in measured quantities to the soil, will contribute to improving soil structure, drainage, and aeration as well as increase water conductivity, in addition to improving the aggregation of soil particles, which in turn will work to reduce the bulk density by improving the structure in natural conditions. On the other hand, the presence of gypsum in large quantities in the soil, or if it is more than 10% It, is considered a gypsum soil, which leads to weakness in its structure and bearing capacity, especially when moistened, due to its high solubility, and may cause collapses, settlement, and sinkholes of the soil. Chemically, gypsum is used in the reclamation of alkaline saline soils, as calcium replaces sodium in the exchange complex, lowering soil pH and reducing dispersion by replacing sodium ions with calcium ions on exchange sites. Therefore, it is used as a soil amendments for alkaline saline soils. The article also highlights methods for managing and utilizing gypsum soils in terms of modern tillage and irrigation systems. The presence of large quantities of gypsum in the soil causes many problems in all its properties. Therefore, adopting shortened tillage systems has proven more efficient than traditional tillage methods and is considered a viable alternative under agricultural conditions for gypsum soils. Furthermore, the irrigation systems used to irrigate gypsum soils have a significant impact on their optimal management, as irrigation science examines irrigation water sources, methods of controlling and utilizing them, and delivering them to agricultural lands. As for the modern and well-known concept of managing the irrigation process, it is the optimal use of water instead focusing on the yield only. Modern irrigation is an advancement in understanding the water processes that take place , such as the movement of water from the soil the plant, which results in the best use of irrigation water ,lowering waste while raising yields and enhancing production quality to maintain global food security proportion to the rate of population growth.

Hydrocarbon contamination from oil drilling operations poses a major threat to soil and groundwater because of the persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulation potential of petroleum-derived pollutants. The oil and gas industry generates enormous quantities of hazardous waste, with produced water accounting for approximately 98% of the total waste generated during drilling activities. Conventional treatment technologies, including stabilization/solidification (S/S), are widely used to immobilize organic and inorganic contaminants; however, concerns regarding long-term stability, contaminant leachability, and the absence of biodegradation limit their environmental sustainability and long-term effectiveness. Biological treatment technologies represent cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional physical and chemical methods. Under favorable environmental conditions, microorganisms can degrade petroleum hydrocarbons into less harmful compounds through intracellular metabolic pathways. Nevertheless, the biodegradation efficiency depends on several factors, including nutrient availability, oxygen concentration, pollutant accessibility, and the molecular structure of hydrocarbons, particularly persistent compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).This review critically synthesizes the synergy between chemical and biological treatment technologies for sustainable oil drilling waste management. Particular emphasis is placed on the integration of bioremediation, phytoremediation, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), nanotechnology-assisted remediation, and stabilization/solidification techniques to enhance hydrocarbon degradation efficiency while minimizing secondary environmental impacts. The review further highlights the role of microbial consortia, pollutant-accumulating plants, and reusable nanophotocatalysts such as TiO2TiO_2TiO2 and ZnOZnOZnO in improving remediation performance. Overall, integrated hybrid treatment systems are identified as promising sustainable strategies for reducing total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) and improving long-term environmental protection.

Solar powered irrigation systems are becoming popular for overcoming energy constraints and for better management of water in dryland and semi-dryland agriculture. In Iraq, differences in climate from location to location can materially affect the field performance of these systems, even when the units have been designed the same. This research investigates the functionality and efficiency of solar powered irrigation system two identical installations located at the agricultural extension farms of the Directorate of Agricultural Extension and Training, Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture, set up in Mosul (Nineveh Governorate) and Karbala Governorate as two climatically different sites. Every installation has a 15-kW photovoltaic array (with 26 modules of 580 W power each) driving a 15 hp Lorentz surface pump. An operational record assembled over a winter monitoring window (November–January) was used in a combined field–numerical framework. The efficiency, power losses, and hydraulic operating conditions of the system are quantified using a numerical analysis, while daily and hourly water discharge, effective operating hours and electrical energy produced are field observations. Although the configurations of both sites are identical and their modeled efficiency indicators are comparable, the Karbala site managed to produce greater water output during the winter season. This increased water output, on average, exceeded that of the Mosul site by about 10-15%. The betterment that has been observed can mostly be put down to better sun received and longer effective hours of working in the desert in the south. The results in this paper show that site selection and climate are key drivers of practical solar irrigation performance in Iraq, even if system design parameters are fixed.

For the assessment of hydrocarbon contamination, six samples were collected at a depth of 0 to 30 cm from the Rumaila oil fields in Basrah city. Individual n-alkanes and PAHs quantification was done by gas chromatography and a flame ionization detector. The values of CPI vary from 0.27 at station 5 to 0.98 at station 4. It supports the fact that the distribution of alkanes is mainly influenced by human activities. In North Rumaila, the lowest n-alkane content was represented by St6 (7.640µg/g), but the highest value should be at St1 (76.400µg/g dry weight). The C17/Pr and C18/Ph ratios also varied between the different stations, suggesting that there is a combination of both biogenic and petrogenic sources. The total concentration ranged from 7.64 to 76.40 µg/g, with phenanthrene being the most abundant PAH. Soil texture analysis revealed a strong correlation between PAH levels and silt and clay fractions, while sand content had minimal explanatory value. When converted to total organic carbon (TOC) using the van Bemmelen factor (0.58), the levels of organic matter (OM) varied from 0.33% to 1.37%, further demonstrating the role of organic fractions in hydrocarbon retention. The PCA and correlation analyses consistently reveal that hydrocarbon-related parameters are the main drivers of spatial variability across the study area. The integration of both figures highlights the strong coupling between TPH and PAHs, emphasising the predominance of petroleum inputs over natural sediment characteristics in determining contamination levels.

Citrus canker, caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc), represents a significant threat to global citriculture. In the Al-Rajiba and Al-Khairat districts of Karbala province, Iraq, the disease has emerged as a limiting factor for sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) production. This study aimed to (1) assess the epidemiological status of Xcc in these specific arid agro-ecosystems, and (2) evaluate the efficacy of innovative and sustainable control strategies against the local isolates. A survey conducted during the 2024-2025 growing seasons revealed a disease incidence of 38.2 ± 4.1% in Al-Rajiba and 24.7 ± 3.5% in Al-Khairat. Pathogenicity tests confirmed the virulence of local isolates. To address the growing concerns regarding copper resistance, three alternative treatments were tested: (i) Thymol-based nanoemulsions (NET), (ii) Rhamnolipid biosurfactants (RL), and (iii) Bacillus subtilis QST 713. In vitro assays reported MIC90 values of 0.035 ± 0.005% (v/v) for NET, 0.85 ± 0.10 g/L for RL, and 45.2 ± 3.1 µg/mL for standard copper oxychloride. Most importantly, greenhouse trials confirmed that the integration of B. subtilis with NET demonstrated significant efficacy, notably reducing disease severity by 83.9 ± 1.7% under curative conditions and up to 90.7 ± 1.5% under protective conditions, thereby outperforming the conventional copper regimen, particularly under curative applications. This study provides the first comprehensive epidemiological data for citrus canker in Karbala and proposes a viable, eco-friendly integrated management strategy suitable for arid conditions.

Bacterial wilt, caused by the phytopathogen Ralstonia solanacearum, is a devastating disease affecting tomato production in the Karbala Governorate of Iraq, specifically in the agricultural districts of Al-Rajiba and Al-Khayrat. Current management strategies often fail due to environmental persistence and the emergence of resistant strains. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized via a plant-mediated approach using Ziziphus spina-christi leaf extract against tested local isolates from Karbala. The nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Zeta Potential analysis, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Antibacterial activity was assessed through qualitative well diffusion assays and quantitative broth microdilution for Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). The synthesized Zs-AgNPs exhibited a spherical morphology with an average hydrodynamic size of 47.2 nm and high colloidal stability (-26.5 mV). Broth microdilution assays confirmed observable bactericidal activity, with MIC and MBC values determined at 25 µg/mL and 50 µg/mL, respectively, for the majority of tested biovar III isolates. While disc diffusion showed qualitative diffusible inhibitory activity, broth assays revealed reduced susceptibility to streptomycin under the tested conditions for these same isolates. Ultimately, the Zs-AgNPs demonstrated measurable bacterial suppression at significantly lower mass-application thresholds compared to conventional botanical liquids, presenting a promising candidate for future management strategies as a relatively sustainable, plant-mediated synthesis approach.

The field of nanomaterials This field is a promising area with diverse applications in industry, medicine, agriculture, food, and related sectors. Nanomaterials are characterized by dimensions ranging from( 1- 100) nm and exhibit unique properties that differ significantly from traditional materials. Their properties can be controlled according to their shape, size, and syn-thesis conditions. Traditional methods for preparing nanomaterials, such as mechanical and chemical methods, are fraught with many drawbacks in terms of pollution and the use of hazardous chemicals. Therefore, researchers have turned to "green synthesis" methods, which rely on the use of plant natural and extracts materials, contributing to reducing the toxicity of synthesized nanomaterials, minimizing environmental impact, and increasing the effectiveness of drugs against microorganisms and in treating diseases. Research shows that nanoparticles prepared using green methods and plant extracts are highly effective, especially in medical applications as antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. This encourages reducing the use of chemical additives in food products. These particles have been characterized using several sophisticated instruments, including UV, SEM, AFM, XRD, FTIR, and TEM. The factors affecting green methods, such as temperature and pH , reducing agent concentration, and reaction time, have also been discussed.

In 2025, a severe case of eggplant damping-off disease was reported in nurseries of Maysan Governorate, Iraq. In light of this, the causative agent was isolated, tested for pathogenicity, and identified morphologically and molecularly. The isolate Trichoderma asperellum HZA84 was tested against the phytopathogenic in vitro and evaluated for its effectiveness in controlling damping-off disease in soil trays. Six fungal genera were identified, with isolate RAM3 being the most frequent at 44%. RAM3 was identified at as Fusarium spp. morphologically and by amplifying the ITS gene region as Fusarium proliferatum. The antagonistic isolate HZA84 demonstrated high antagonistic efficacy against the pathogen, of 100% after 10 days. The filtrate of the antagonistic HZA84 isolate showed an inhibitory efficacy of 87.71% at a dilution of 30%. Addition of isolate HZA84 with the isolate RAM3 in soil trays also led to an increase in the seed germination and a decrease in the eggplant seedling damping-off to 57.22% and 42.85%, respectively, compared to 21.44% and 81.03% in the treatment of the isolate RAM3 alone. Furthermore, the addition of the antagonistic isolate HZA84 with RAM3 improved seedling growth parameters, exceeding those reduced with RAM3 alone.

Groundwater is one of the precious and indispensable support of life in most dry and semi-arid environments, particularly in desert zones. In those areas, most water sources are dependent on groundwater, Their depths, levels, and quality vary in accordance with the diverse topographic elevations and soil classifications. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate this relationship, as it has been observed that areas with higher elevations above sea level generally exhibit a deeper water table compared to lower-altitude areas. If the groundwater has higher height, the depth will also be higher. Therefore, this study find that the deepest point of groundwater in this area is located in the southwest at the superficial level of (350) m at a land advancement of (400) m above sea level. This reduction is a slow process from the south to the north of the area under study until they reach the lowest depth of about (6)m in the north at the contour line, where the land elevation was less than (10)m above ground level. The study also indicated that there are some additional factors that impact on the variation of the groundwater levels like the underground geological procedure including fractures, breaks and cracks such as the Abu al-Jir fault (north of the study area). This affected the underground reservoirs and result to the occurrence of water in abundance in the area as well as the variety of land. The coarser the surface, the deeper the water, unlike lowland and flooded areas like the Al-Salman, Al-Sa 'a, and other lowlands, which are low-lying areas with permeable soils. In which the groundwater level upsurges and the depth reductions in comparison with the adjacent and higher hills.

The present study was carried out between October 1, 2023 and June 1, 2024 in the village of Al-Awad, district of Al-Shattra in the Thi Qar governorate of Iraq. The purpose of the research was to assess how different types of cow’s age influenced both daily and cumulative yield and how this would subsequently impact certain hematological parameters; RBC count, hemoglobin amount, hematocrit, platelet count and WBC count. A total of 30 mixed breed female Friesian cattle (Friesian-x-Al Janobi) in three different groups each containing 10 animals were used for this experiment. Group one were 2 to 4 year old females; group two were 5 to 7 year old females; group three are all females older than 8 years old. There was a significantly significant effect of age on daily and total milk production (P ≤ 0.05), with Group One being more productive (P ≤ 0.05) than Group Two and Group Three being more productive than Group One, and Group Three producing the most total and average daily milk. It also illustrates statistical evidence suggesting that age affects milk ranges related to some milk components. Groups One and Two produced more than Group Three for age-related amounts of fat and/or lactose; Group Three produced the highest average fat and average fat percentage in the lactose and/or total milk category, whereas Group One produced the lowest average fat and/or total fat category, and Group One produced the highest total fat and/or average fat category in the group versus Group Three had the lowest total fat and/or average fat. When looking at the difference in average percentage of protein and non-fat solid between all three herds, the results indicate no significant difference between the three herds for both protein and non-fat solid. However, the age of the cow impacted significantly the RBC count – the FIFO were significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) as compared to the LIFO cows; there was no significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) between the FIFO and F(children) group, while the average value of RBC count for FIFO were the highest and LIFO the lowest. Again, regarding hemoglobin concentration, the FIFO were significantly greater than the LIFO (P ≤ 0.05); however, no significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) existed between FIFO and F(children) herds. The average value of hemoglobin concentration for FIFO was the highest and LIFO the lowest. When examining PVBC, FIFO attributed significantly greater quantities than did the LIFO (P ≤ 0.05). There were no significant differences (p≤0.05) between the two groups, or between the two groups, or between the first group and the second group. The highest average count was in Group 2 and Group 3 had the lowest average count out of all separate groups. When comparing the platelet count from Group 3 to Group 1 & 2, Group3 had a significantly higher average platelet count. In addition to this, Group 2 had a significantly higher average platelet count than Group 1 (p≤0.05). Group 3 had the highest average of the three groups while Group 1 had the lowest. When comparing total white blood cell counts from groups 1 (1) and (2, Group2 had a significantly higher average total white blood cell count. There were no significant differences (P≤0.05) between the two groups. Group 2 had an average of high average compared with the average of all groups 3 had an average of low average count of total white blood cell count then Group 1. No statistically significant difference was found between the three dairy cow groups regarding percent of neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes and monocytes (P ≤ 0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences between groups of cows for percent of basophils in that group two was greater than both group one and group three (P ≤ 0.05) and the first group was greater than the third group. Basophils were most numerous in group 2 and least numerous in group 3.

To determine whether Clean Salt, a salt conditioner, could alleviate salinity stress in barley, we established a field experiment in Thi-Qar Governorate, Iraq, during the 2024–2025 growing season. Four irrigation salinity levels—4.5 (control), 6, 9, and 12 dS m⁻¹—were tested in combination with three Clean Salt application rates: 0, 0.5, and 1 liter per 1000 liters of water. A split-plot design with three replications was used to assign treatments. We looked at several yield-related traits, including grain yield, harvest index, 1000-grain weight, spikes per square meter, and grains per spike. As salinity increased, most of these traits tended to decline, though grains per spike held steady. For example, grain yield dropped from 6.37 t ha⁻¹ in the control treatment to 5.40, 4.69, and finally 3.59 t ha⁻¹ under the highest salinity level—a statistically significant reduction. Across salinity levels, C2 improved spikes m⁻² (253 vs. 235), 1000-grain weight (41.73 vs. 38.12 g), grain yield (5.453 vs. 4.512 t ha⁻¹), and harvest index (43.50% vs. 39.74%) compared to C0 (LSD 0.05 = 2.15, 0.65 g, 0.217 t ha⁻¹, 1.74%, respectively). The C1 rate showed intermediate effects. A significant interaction (C2 × W0) produced maximum spikes m⁻² (280.33), 1000-grain weight (49.00 g), and yield (7.369 t ha⁻¹) (LSD₀.₀₅ = 16.54, 1.94 g, 0.707 t ha⁻¹). However, Clean Salt effectiveness diminished markedly at W3, recovering only 11.2% of yield loss compared to 34% recovery of 1000-grain weight loss. At a rate of 1 L per 1000 L of water, Clean Salt proved effective at reducing salinity stress in barley under low to moderate salinity levels (up to 9 dS m⁻¹). However, its performance dropped off sharply at 12 dS m⁻¹, suggesting that it cannot stand alone under severe salinity and may need to be combined with other management strategies.

The laboratory experiment on seed germination was conducted in the Seed Technology Laboratory, Department of Field Crops, College of Agriculture, University of Karbala, utilizing a completely randomized design (CRD).to evaluate the effect of gibberellic acid (GA3) at four concentrations (0, 50, 100, and 150 mg L⁻¹) on germination characteristics of two wheat cultivars ( local Ibaa and imported Nizar ) The results indicated that all applied concentrations of gibberellic acid (50, 100, and 150 mg L⁻¹) significantly improved germination percentage, plumule length, and radicle length compared with the control treatment. The concentration of 150 mg L⁻¹ recorded the highest values for germination percentage, plumule length, and radicle length (48.500%, 26.667 mm, and 8.833 mm, respectively), whereas the control treatment recorded the lowest values (21.000%, 14.000 mm, and 4.000 mm, respectively).
The imported cultivar Nizar significantly outperformed the local cultivar Ibaa in all studied traits, recording higher mean values for germination percentage, plumule length, and radicle length (38.250%, 21.750 mm, and 6.750 mm, respectively) compared with Ibaa (29.500%, 18.333 mm, and 5.583 mm, respectively). Moreover, the interaction between gibberellic acid at 150 mg L⁻¹ and the imported cultivar Nizar showed a significant superiority in all germination traits, achieving the highest mean values (55.000%, 29.000 mm, and 9.666 mm, respectively), compared with the control treatment, which recorded the lowest values (18.000%, 13.000 mm, and 3.666 mm, respectively).

Pistacia khinjuk and Pistacia atlantica, known as Qazwan in Kurdish, are important wild species widely distributed in the Kurdistan region of Northern Iraq. This study aimed to investigate the effect of storage period on quality indices and physical characteristics of fixed oil extracted from Qazwan fruits. The study also evaluated the fatty acid composition, antibacterial activity of the extracted oils, and the proximate composition of Qazwan fruits. The proximate compositions of fruit samples were evaluated through the determination of moisture, oil, protein, fibre, and ash contents. Fruits are rich in oil, which ranged between 21.60% to38.47%,fibre content was relatively high, ranging from 19.95% to 27.19%, suggesting that the fruits may serve as a good dietary fibre source, indicating the presence of essential mineral elements, moisture ranged between 11.37% to 14.02% and crude protein ranging from7.61% to 9.01%. The major fatty acids were oleic, linoleic and palmitic, which comprised 48.88–54.93%, 13.89–22.78%, and 19.61–22.26%, respectively. The effect of storage period on the quality indices and physical characteristics, such as viscosity, color intensity, and refractive index of fixed oils extracted from Qazwan fruits, was assessed. Also, the quality index, including acid value, peroxide value, and iodine value, was measured during storage periods of one day, one month, and three months. The results showed that the storage period significantly affected oil quality after the three-month storage period. Acid values of fresh oil were 3.41 -3.99 mg KOH/g, which increased to 4.98–5.88 mg KOH/g oil after three months of storage, as well as peroxide values increased from 0.64- 0.69 meqO2/kg to 0.85–1.60 meqO2/kg, while iodine values decreased from 89.23- 78.23 g/100 g to 71.30–72.86 g/100, despite the changes that occurred at the end of the storage period, the values were within limits of standard specifications.. The study revealed that the fruit samples possess valuable nutritional characteristics and may be considered promising sources of edible oil, dietary fiber, and other nutrients for food. Pistacia of khinjuk oil from Duhok exhibited the highest antibacterial activity, producing inhibition zones of 21 mm against P. aeruginosa and 16 mm against S. aureus, while the zone diameter of P. khinjuk oil from Sulaymaniyah was 15 mm against P. aeruginosa only

This study was conducted at the poultry farm of the Animal Production Department, College of Agriculture, Al-Muthanna University, from February 1, 2025, to March 8, 2025. 225 one-day-old broiler chicks were used. They were randomly distributed into five treatments with three replicates per treatment. The treatments were as follows: T1: Control (no additives). Treatments T2, T3, T4, and T5, an enzyme mixture (β-xylanase 2000 IU + β-glucanase 100 IU + cellulase 500 IU) was added at levels of 250, 500, 750, and 1000 gm ton of feed, respectively. The results of this study show that the use of soybean hulls enhanced with a mixture of enzymes (β-xylanase, β-glucanase, and cellulase) in broiler chicken diets, led to a significant improvement (P≤0.05) on some hematological parameters and vital signs of the broilers.

The experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research and Experiment Station, College of Agriculture, Al-Muthanna University, from February 1, 2025, to March 7, 2025. 315 one-day-old, unsexed Ross 308 hybrid broiler chicks, weighing 38 grams each, were used. The chicks were randomly distributed into 7 experimental treatments, with 45 chicks per treatment and three replicates per treatment (15 chicks/replicate). The experimental treatments were as follows: T1: Control treatment with no additives. T2 and T3 add of citric acid at a concentration of 1 and 2 gm/kg of diet. T4 and T5 add of acetic acid at a concentration of 1 and 2 gm/kg of diet. T6 and T7 T6: Add of citric acid + acetic acid at a concentration of 0.5 and 1 gm/kg for each to the diet. The results indicated a significant improvement in both the weight and relative length of the small intestine segments (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum). Furthermore, there was an improvement in histological parameters, namely villus height, crypt depth, and the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio. T7 significantly outperformed (P≤0.05) compare with all experimental treatments and the control treatment.

To investigate the effect of fulvic and humic acid levels on the growth and yield of wheat crops, a field experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2022–2023 in Al-Muthanna Governorate. Humic and fulvic acids were applied at growth stages: plant height and booting. The experiment included three fertilizer concentrations: 0, 20, and 30 mg/L. A Randomized Complete Block Design (R.C.B.D.) with three replications was used.
The effects of fertilizer treatments were evaluated based on several growth and yield parameters, including plant height, leaf area, spike length, number of tillers, number of spikes per meter square, number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, and grain yield.
The analysis of variance results indicated that the control treatment produced the tallest plants, with an average height of 65.73 cm. In contrast, the 30 mg/L fertilizer treatment recorded the highest mean values for leaf area and grain yield, reaching 25.63 cm² and 5.00 tons/ha, respectively. Meanwhile, the 20 mg/L fertilizer treatment achieved the highest average number of spikes, reaching 865 spikes/m².

The experiment was carried out during the winter growing season of 2022–2023 in a farmer's field at Al-Zubair district, Basra, Iraq. The study aimed to evaluate the response of two oat varieties (Al-Shifa and Genzania) to four foliar spray concentrations of humic acid (0, 2, 4, and 6 mL L⁻¹, designated as H1, H2, H3, and H4, respectively) applied at the tillering and pre-flowering stages. A factorial experiment was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The results revealed that increasing humic acid concentrations significantly improved growth and yield traits. The highest concentration (H4, 6 mL L⁻¹) achieved the maximum values for plant height (91.51 cm), flag leaf area (22.42 cm²), number of tillers (461.2 m⁻²), number of panicles (449.8 m⁻²), grains per panicle (32.12), 1000-grain weight (49.36 g), and grain yield (3.367 Mg ha⁻¹). Among the varieties, Al-Shifa outperformed Genzania, recording the highest plant height (86.22 cm), grains per panicle (39.03), 1000-grain weight (45.81 g), and grain yield (2.959 Mg ha⁻¹). The interaction between factors significantly influenced grain yield, with the combination of Al-Shifa and 6 mL L⁻¹ of humic acid producing the highest yield.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of banana peel extract and eggshell powder as organic fertilizers on the growth and yield of squash (Cucurbita pepo L.). The experiment was conducted during the 2024–2025 summer growing season in the Zab region of Hawija, Iraq, using a completely randomized block design (CRBD) with three replications. Three concentrations of banana peel extract (200, 250, and 300 g/L) and eggshell powder (200, 250, and 300 g/L) were used to evaluate their effects on vegetative growth and productivity. The results showed significant differences among the treatments, with the highest values recorded for plant height (123.63 cm), number of leaves (28 leave plant-1), dry weight (43.92 g leave plant-1), number of fruits (7.66 fruits plant-1), and total yield (22.21 tons leave plant-1) were recorded when using 300 g/L of banana peel extract. Similarly, the use of eggshell powder at a rate of 300 g/L resulted in the highest values for plant height (121.63 cm), number of leaves (28 leave plant-1), dry weight (45.62 g leave plant-1), number of fruits (8.66 fruits plant-1), and total yield (25.21 t/ha). The interaction between banana peel extract and eggshell powder significantly improved growth and yield characteristics, with the combined treatment at a dose of 300 + 300 g/L yielding the highest values for plant height (83.0 cm leave plant-1), number of leaves (33 leave plant-1), dry weight (45.0 g leave plant-1), and number of fruits (6 fruits leave plant-1).

Background: The small intestine plays a key role in food processing and absorption. Consists of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, which differ in their morphological structure and morphometry. Stem cells are specialized epithelial cells specifically designed to line the crypts and produce four intestinal cell types.
Aim: This study aimed to investigate the histological structures of the small intestine and the distribution and expression of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) in the small intestine of neonate goats. Methods: The study involved ten newborn local goats aged 1-7 days, obtained from healthy pregnant females. After separating them from their mothers, the goats were obtained from healthy pregnant female goats brought from the AL-Qasim livestock market and kept in a barn in the animal house of the College of Veterinary Medicine/University of Baghdad until their delivery, and tissue sections from their intestines were prepared and stained for analysis.
Results The study found that the small intestine structure in neonatal goats is similar to that of adult goats and other mammals, consisting of similar layers but differing in measurements. The mucosa has varying villus shapes and sizes, with more goblet cells in the ileum and specific cell types in different intestinal regions. Lgr5 is an intestinal stem cell marker used to locate stem cells through staining. In neonatal goats, ISCs were mainly located at the Lieberkühn crypt bases and extended along the villi, especially in the duodenum and jejunum. These findings emphasize the important role of ISCs in intestinal growth and renewal during development.
Conclusion The histological structure of neonatal goat small intestines resembles that of adults, with similar tunicae but varying measurements for absorption. Lgr5-positive stem cells were prevalent in the duodenum and jejunum, indicating high regeneration needs.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the responses of two barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars, Ibaa 99 and Ibaa 265, to increasing levels of biochar application (0, 2, 4, and 6 ha-1) and determine subsequent effects on some yield components, total productivity, and harvest index. Most of the studied traits exhibited highly significant positive responses as indicated by the data. The highest overall mean values for grains per spike (48.5), 1000-grain weight (44.5 g), total grain yield (4.47 ha-1), biological yield (11.54 ha-1), and harvest index (38.48%) were recorded at the maximum biochar level (6 ha-1), which translated into a 50.5% increase above the control as far as grain productivity was concerned. On the other hand, spike number {m-2} showed a clear parabolic trend, reaching its maximum at 4 ha-1 with 322.5 spikes m-2 and then reduced sharply to 296 spikes m-2 at 6 ha-1 due to a temporary biological nitrogen immobilization. Because of its better genetic and physiological efficiency in source-to-sink partitioning, "Ibaa 99" consistently outperformed "Ibaa 265" in all the parameters studied to give a superior grain output of 3.94 ha-1 and a harvest index of 38.62%. The two-way interaction exhibited strong genotypic sensitivity; "Ibaa 265" suddenly dropped at 6 ha-1,231 m-2, but "Ibaa 99" continued to make an upward linear response for spikes m-2 up to the maximum biochar level (361 spikes m-2). However, "Ibaa 265" exhibited a great biological mechanism for compensating for yield components, maximizing grains per spike to counteract the decrease in spike density (47.0). At 4.82 ha-1 and 12.19 ha-1, respectively, the combination of (Ibaa 99 + 6 ha-1} biochar produced the experiment’s highest grain and biological yields. Thus, it is highly recommended to combine charcoal amendments with high-performing genotypes as a sustainable strategy to maximize barley output.

Blood coagulation disorders are medical conditions that disrupt the body’s natural clotting process. When this system malfunctions, it typically results in one of two dangerous extremes: thrombophilia (excessive clotting) or coagulopathy (excessive bleeding). GC–MS analysis of Melilotus extract showed the presence of several active compounds, primarily 2H Pyran 2 one, tetrahydro 6 methyl, and significantly, it also detected the presence of coumarin, a natural anticoagulant. The main component of cinnamon extract was (E)-cinnamaldehyde, followed by eugenol and cinnamyl acetate.
Thirty adult rabbits (2–2.5 kg) were acclimated for 14 days under controlled conditions (12h light/dark, ad libitum feeding). Thrombosis was induced via IV injection of collagen (0.5 mg/kg) and epinephrine (0.06 mg/kg) every other day for four doses. Animals were divided into five groups (n=6): a negative control (saline), a positive control (collagen/epinephrine), and three treatment groups receiving daily oral doses of Clopidogrel (25 mg/kg), Melilotus officinalis (200 mg/kg), or Cinnamomum zeylanicum (200 mg/kg) for three weeks. Initial and post-induction hemostatic status were monitored via bleeding (BT) and clotting times (CT). This research was designed to analyze and contrast the anticoagulant properties of different therapeutic agents ( Melilotus officinalis and Cinnamomum verum) in rabbits with collagen-epinephrine-induced thrombosis. Clopidogrel and Melilotus officinalis had the greatest effects on hemostatic balance, while cinnamon had a moderate but steady effect. The hematological and coagulation parameters revealed a marked decrease in platelet activity and INR in the clopidogrel and Melilotus groups, while cinnamon showed a moderate effect. Bleeding and clotting times measured weekly also confirmed the potent anticoagulant effect of clopidogrel and Melilotus. In conclusion, Melilotus officinalis showed strong anticoagulant activity, confirmed by the presence of coumarin, and was comparable to clopidogrel, with cinnamon showing a moderate effect.

A field experiment was done on wheat crop (Triticum aestivum L.) in the experimental farm field of the Guidance and Training Center in Babylon, 81 km north of Babylon, on the wheat crop in latitude (O32.61 North) and longitude (O44.30 East) above sea level. during the winter growing season of 2025-2026, with the aim of supporting the wheat crop by providing a package of components to withstand drought stress and the stresses associated with and arising from it. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a split plot design was employed and three replications were used. The most important factor was water stress with the control treatment (S1) using 50% of the water available, and 75% of irrigation water plus 50% of the water (S2) added to the control treatment. These were given the symbols S1, S2 and S3, respectively. Subplot treatments were: spraying plants with glutamic and citric acids (T1), soil injection with a baker's yeast extract, Saccharomyces cerevisia (T2), the antitranspirant, kaolin (T3), a combined treatment (T4) comprising all the above, and a control treatment (T5) in which only distilled water was sprayed onto the plants. The water stress treatment S1 was significantly superior for all the studied traits compared to the 75% and 50% of the added water from the control treatment which were the lowest average treatments. In the same way, the average seasonal water consumption at treatment S1 was 374.25 mm whereas the water consumption for the remaining two treatments were 303.00 mm and 231.75 mm, respectively. Except for water use efficiency, where the 75% and 50% tensile treatments excelled the control treatment, with averages of 1.49 and 1.55 kg m-³, respectively, compared to the control treatment S1, which had the lowest average at 1.44 kg m-³ .
Treatment T4 significantly excelled treatment T2 for most of the studied traits, with no significant difference between them, except for anatomical traits. All treatments combined significantly improved anatomical traits, with no significant difference between them, as they all contributed to reducing the average length and width of the stomatal opening of the flag leaf and recorded the lowest averages, compared to treatment T5, which recorded the highest averages for these traits at 26.68 and 2.26 µ.

Sensors in environmental and agricultural monitoring systems are widely used due to their low-cost and ease of integration with microcontrollers and the Internet of Things (IoT). However, relying on real-time readings from these sensors can lead to inaccurate results due to their susceptibility to various environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, sensor age, and manufacturing variations between different units. Therefore, this research focus on calibrating a group of sensors, including the MQ-2, MQ-7, MQ-135, MQ-136, and MQ-137, with the aim of improving measurement accuracy and increasing the reliability of the resulting data. The calibration process involved determining the reference resistance (Ro) of each sensor under standard operating conditions, then calculating the resistance ratio (Rs/Ro) and using calibration curves derived from the technical data sheets to convert the electrical readings into actual gas concentration values. The sensors' responses to several target gases were evaluated. The results showed that applying calibration procedures significantly improved measurement accuracy and reduced the deviation between measured and reference values. It also contributed to increased sensor stability during continuous operation. The results further indicated that each sensor has different response characteristics, requiring specific calibration processes to achieve optimal performance. This study underscores the importance of initial and periodic calibration of MQ sensors before their deployment in practical applications to ensure reliable data for use in environmental monitoring systems, smart agriculture, and IoT applications.

BACKGROUND: Articular cartilage defect repair presents a significant clinical challenge, primarily due to the tissue's inherently low cell density, limited nutrient availability, and the restricted capacity of bone marrow-derived stem cells and resident chondroprogenitor cells to regenerate true hyaline cartilage.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the use of bovine menisci powder implants for the regeneration of cartilage defects in a rabbit model.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under general anesthesia and aseptic conditions were established, twenty-four healthy male rabbits were used. All rabbits will be carrying out to arthrotomy on the right-hand limbs, a full-thickness cartilage defect (4 mm in diameter, 3 mm in depth) was created in the center of the middle of the trochlear groove, immediately after drilling the defect was rinsed with a saline solution. Depending on the way of the treatment, the animals were divided randomly into three main equal groups (12 rabbits/group). The cartilage defect was treated with 1ml phosphate buffer saline (PBS) as control group, in bovine menisci powder group was treated with press fitted bovine menisci powder implants.
RESULTS: The outcome was assessed macroscopically at 4th and 8th weeks post surgery in control group showed (ICRS) scores which indicated fibrocartilaginous or fibrous repair in control defects that were improved in the bovine menisci powder group and further confirmed by higher Goebel scores. Although demonstrated at 8th weeks, significant differences (P≤0.05) in bovine menisci powder group compare than those in control groups.
CONCLUSIONS: We developed bovine menisci powder with minimal deteriorative effects on the composition and functional characteristics and potential effective in advancing the formation of cartilage-like tissue for repairing cartilage defect through adhere, proliferate, and secrete extracellular matrix. Histopathological examinations demonstrated the gap filled with mature fibrous connective tissue and no obvious cartilaginous extracellular matrix was identified by safranin O staining in control group at 8th weeks after surgery. However, that better filling with hyaline like cartilage of the defect relative to the surface of normal adjacent cartilage, better integration of repair tissue with surrounding articular cartilage and matrix staining with safranin O fast green in the bovine menisci powder groups than in those with control group.

The study was conducted on the vegetation cover of Al-Muthanna Governorate, located in southern Iraq, bordered to north by Najaf Governorate, to the east by Al-Qadisiyah Governorate, and to the west by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. study the dynamics of vegetation cover in Al-Muthanna Governorate using the natural difference index for plants (NDVI), to analyze changes in vegetation cover between 2015 and 2025. Landsat 8 satellite images, which include multiple spectral bands, were used to analyze the health of the vegetation cover and identify areas of change was the aim of the research. The images were analyzed after correcting meteorological and radiometric data.
The results showed that the vegetation cover in the region had improved slightly, with an increase in areas containing healthy vegetation cover and an increase in areas covered by shrubs 2025 compared to 2015.
A slight improvement in water distribution in the region was also observed, and the four-way classification of areas based on index values showedNDVI found that areas covered by non-vegetation were larger in 2015, while areas covered by healthy plants and shrubs increased in 2025. The classification also included four categories: Non-vegetated land, shrubs, healthy plants, and water.
By integrating this data with geographic information systems (GIS)Using GIS, maps were created showing the distribution of vegetation cover and identifying areas experiencing changes in vegetation cover. The study showed a slight improvement in vegetation cover in Al-Muthanna Governorate, with an increase in areas covered by shrubs and healthy plants between 2015 and 2025. An increase in water bodies was also observed, which may indicate improvements in water resource management and improved environmental and agricultural resource management strategies in the governorate.

The study was conducted in a shaded area covered with saffron at a private nursery in Thi Qar Governorate, during the spring growing season of 2025, to investigate the effect of foliar spray treatments with humic acid at concentrations of (0, 2, and 3 gm. L-1), and the nutrient solution BIO-20 at concentrations of (0, 100, and 200 ml. L-1) and their interactions on increasing the chlorophyll and carbohydrate content, and the nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) in the leaves of local lemon seedlings. The study results showed a significant advantage of humic acid spray treatment at a concentration of (3 gm/L-1) in increasing the leaf content of (chlorophyll, carbohydrates, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), with average increases of 50.2 SPAD, 6.346 mg.gm-1 dry weight, 1.83, 0.519, and 1.48%, respectively. The results also showed a significant advantage of spraying with the OMEXBIO-20 nutrient solution at a concentration of 200 ml.L-1 in increasing the leaf content of chlorophyll, carbohydrates, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The average SPAD content was 47.15, 5.135 mg.gm-1 dry weight, 1.41, 0.463, and 1.43%, respectively. The interaction treatment (3 gm. L-1 humic acid + 200 ml. L-1) also had a significant effect on increasing the leaf content of chlorophyll, carbohydrates, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as follows 56.82 SPAD, 6.948 mg. gm-1 dry weight, 1.88, 0.551, and 1.51%, respectively.

This study aimed to determine the impact of economic and agricultural variables governing agricultural production in Iraq, namely (agricultural worker productivity, net agricultural trade exchange rates, agricultural subsidies, agricultural loans, agricultural labor force, cultivated land, and the rate of agricultural trade openness), on agricultural output in Iraq. Data were collected from various secondary sources for the period 1990-2025. The extended Dickey-Fuller time series stationary test was performed to estimate the model parameters using a specific model. ARDL This was done to determine the impact of the aforementioned economic variables on agricultural output. The study revealed that net terms of trade have an inverse relationship with agricultural output, while agricultural labor productivity, agricultural subsidies, agricultural loans, and the agricultural workforce all had a direct relationship with agricultural output. The variables of cultivated land and agricultural trade openness were excluded due to their negative impact on the estimated model. The research recommended...usually Restructuring agricultural credit policy and shifting from cash loans to in-kind financing directed towards modern technologies (such as smart irrigation systems and agriculture the Smart Agriculture and Preservation To ensure that loans are not diverted for personal consumption and Adopting policies Smart protection (Smart Protectionism) such as seasonal tariffs to protect local crops during harvest seasons.

The field experiment was conducted with an objective to investigate the effect of bio-inoculation using three local isolates of P. polymyxa and three varieties of wheat on growth and yield of wheat plant (Triticum aestivum L). The field experiment was undertaken in 2024 at Al-Muthanna Governorate, under the conditions of the second Agricultural Research Station affiliated to the College of Agriculture, University of Al-Muthanna in soil texture (Silty Clay Loam).The experimental design was Randomized Block Design (RCBD), having three replications and was comprised of two factors, the first factor included four Local Isolates (level), which were designated P0 – P1 – P2 – P3 and the second factor included three different wheat varieties i.e. Rasheed Class (C1), Tamooz Class II (C2) and Ibaa 99(C3). Based on results obtained from the experimentation of bio-inoculation of the various levels of Local Isolates and the growth and yield for the three varieties of wheat, the following was noted:In the P3 bio-inoculation experiment, there were significantly higher levels of phosphorus and nitrogen in both soil and vegetative parts of treated plants during the flowering stage for both treatments, respectively (P3:11.39 mg/kg & 1.4300%; P2:18.22 cm & 41.22 g/1,000 grains).The Tammuz 2 variety performed best overall for phosphorus concentration in soil, spike length, and weight of 1,000 seeds (11.06 mg/kg) among the varieties tested and Abaa 99 had higher levels of nitrogen than 1,4208% as indicated by the average values for each treatment.
Third:When isolates were cross-pollinated with varieties, variations were observed. The Al-Rumaytha isolate with the Tammuz 2 variety recorded the highest average spike length and thousand-grain weight, reaching (20.33 cm - 45.70 g plant-1) respectively, while the Al-Khadar isolate with the Abaa 99 variety had the highest plant nitrogen concentration, reaching (1.4567)%. The Al-Khadar isolate with the Tammuz 2 and Rashid varieties also had the highest soil phosphorus concentration, recording the highest average of (12.30) mg kg-soil.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of three predominant non-genetic effects; season of calving, newborn sex and parity order on milk yield and its components recorded from Holstein cows raised at Al-Khalis Cattle Station located at Diyala Province during 2024–2025 production season. Sixty three lactating cows participated in this study and daily milk yield, 305 day milk yield, total milk yield and milk components including fat percentage, protein percentage, lactose percentage, total solids and specific gravity were recorded. Descriptive statistics were conducted and Multifactorial ANOVA was applied to find out the significance of the main effects and interactions among studied factors. Results indicated that season of calving had a significant impact on milk yield traits as cows calved during winter, summer and autumn seasons showed higher daily milk yield and total milk yield in comparison to cows calved during spring season. Furthermore, cows calved during winter and summer seasons showed significantly higher fat percentage than cows calved during spring season. Results from this study showed significant effect of newborn sex on milk yield as cows delivered female calves showed significantly higher milk yield compared to cows delivered male calves while no significant effect of calf sex was found on milk components.Results confirmed that parity order had significant effect on milk yield where cows in second and third parity had the highest average milk production in comparison to cows at their first parity. Effects of parity were significant only on fat percentage while no effects were observed on milk yield or any other milk components.The outcome of this study highlighted the importance of environmental effects and management practices on productive performances of Holstein cows in local conditions that should be taken into consideration while implementing improvement programs and production management plans.

Field investigations on the lesser date moth were conducted during the 2026 growing season across a private orchard in Al-Muthanna Governorate, targeting three distinct date palm cultivars during the Hababouk stage. The field data revealed that the (Osta Imran) cultivar exhibited the highest susceptibility to infestation. This cultivar recorded a peak infestation rate of 46% in fallen injured fruits, coupled with a mean infestation severity of 58.3%. Conversely, the (Shwkar) cultivar displayed the lowest susceptibility, with a fallen fruit infestation rate of 30.6% and a strand infestation severity of 52.7%. Meanwhile, the (Balka) cultivar occupied an intermediate position, demonstrating a 35.6% infestation rate in fallen fruits and a 55.5% infestation severity on the strands.

The study was conducted in the laboratory of the Badia and Sawa Lake Studies Center in 2025 with the aim of testing the efficiency of some biological and chemical factors in inhibiting the growth of some fungi associated with yellow corn crops and the germination of their seeds in Al-Muthanna Governorate / Iraq. The results showed the superiority of the alcoholic plant extracts (Heliotropium bacciferum and Achillea virescens) in giving the least growth of the pathogenic fungi Fusarium solani and Fusarium phialophorum. Alernaria tenuissima showed growth rates of (1.0, 1.0, and 1.3) cm, and (3.2, 3.7, and 4.1) cm respectively at a concentration of 7.5% for both species. The extracts also provided protection for maize seed germination in media contaminated with pathogenic fungi, yielding germination rates of (100, 100, and 75)%, and (75, 75, and 62.5)% respectively for the extracts at the same concentration. We also note a significant decrease in the growth of the three fungal isolates when using the five bacterial isolates at varying rates, but the Streptomyces griseus isolate stood out by giving the lowest average growth of (2.5, 0.9 and 2.2) cm respectively and protection rates for the germination of yellow corn seeds of (75.5, 100 and 62.5)% against the three fungal isolates respectively. As for the fungicide Othello Top 32.5% SC, it reduced the growth of pathogenic fungi with diameter areas of (1.7, 1.9 and 1.5) cm respectively at a concentration of 1.5%.