Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Salinity is an important abiotic factor that negatively impacts maize cultivation, especially in areas with saline soils. The present study evaluates the influence of salinity on the growth and physiological reactions of seven maize genotypes. Highly tolerant cultivars were excluded, while callus cultures were produced from moderately salt-tolerant cultivars and salt-sensitive genotypes on MS medium fortified with 3 mg/L 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/L Kin. The finding showed that high levels of salinity significantly decreased the callus weight. The moderate cultivars (Alfajr and Almaha) demonstrated a high salt tolerance index (STI) compared with sensitive genotypes (T1 and T6). The ionic analysis indicated that genotypes T1 and T6 revealed a higher concentration of the ions Na+ and Cl-. On the contrary, the cultivars Alfajr and Almaha accumulated a high concentration of the cations K+ and Ca2+, along with a greater carbohydrates and proline content that probably led to their developed salt tolerance. Additionally, the molecular analysis based on the RAPD test, classified the tolerant cultivars and sensitive genotypes into two separate groups, confirming the presence of genetic differences related to salinity tolerance. The results highlight the role of ion regulation, osmotic adaptation, and genetic factors to mitigate the impact of salinity on maize. The study provides helpful insights that could assist breeding procedures for developing salt-tolerant maize genotypes that are necessary for maintaining maize agriculture in areas affected by high salt stress.

This study aimed to present a comprehensive approach to analyze the suitability of agricultural lands for wheat production. This study was conducted in the desert of Al-Mauthanaa Governorate, using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model and compared with the Sys1993 method. Ten soil properties were selected for the study: soil texture, soil depth, slope, calcium carbonate content, Gypsum, soil salinity, exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), organic matter, and stoniness. The results of using the Sys method showed that, approximately 6.1% of the total area of the study was classified as S3 suitability class, covering an area of 98 hectares. around 31.1% of the total area of the study was classified as limited suitability classes (N1) with an area of 499 hectares, while the remaining land area, of 62.6%, was classified as unsuitable class (N2) occupying an area of 1003 hectares due to various constraints. According to the Analytic Hierarchy Process method and assigning varying importance to the above soil criteria, it was found that approximately 4% of the total area was classified as moderately suitable class (S2) because there are some limitations, covering an area of 63 hectares. Around 96% of the total area of the study region are classified as highly suitable class (S1) for wheat cultivation, covering an area of 1537 hectares.

The spaces surrounding the royal cemetery were chosen for the purposes of the practical study as they are an important historical, cultural, and urban landmark not only for the Adhamiya district, but at the level of Baghdad governorate. The research aimed to increase environmental awareness and strategic planning among the designers of urban green spaces and decision-makers in the design and implementation of these spaces to increase their efficiency and functionality. The research followed the comparative-descriptive-analytical approach to extract data for these spaces, which went through two phases before development in 2020 and after development in 2021 in the light of five tools for collecting and analyzing information: field survey, climatic factors analysis, urban fabric analysis, personal interviews, and a questionnaire.The results of the study also confirmed the importance of afforestation in reducing temperatures for the micro-climate of spaces, increasing relative humidity, reducing wind speed, and changing its direction.

This study was aimed to investigates effect of herbicides and foliar nutrients of rice varieties yields (Anbar and Yasamin ). A field experiment was carried out at the rice research station at Al-Mishkhab, Najaf during two seasons 2020 and 2021. Factorial experiment Randomized Complete Block Design was used with 3 within replicates. Combinations included two rice varieties (12), with four weeding treatments (H1, H2, weed-free and control without weed control) with two concentrations of nano fertilizer (F1:21 g L-1 and F2:10.5 g L-1) as well as normal fertilization. The results showed that V1H4F3 had a significant superiority in reducing the density and the dry weight of the weeds, which gave the lowest value 84.3 and 82.0 plant m-2 and 101.0 and 123.0 g m-2 for the two seasons, respectively. Variety V2 achieved the highest values the grain yield. of (V2H3F3) which reached 5.43 and 5.31 ton h-1 for the two seasons. The herbicide of H2 gave the lowest weed density of 27.3 and 22.3 g m-2 for the two seasons, respectively. It is concluded that the variety V1 is better into tolerating to the weeds competition.

This study was aimed to evaluate the role of Potassium silicate, humic acid, and salicylic acid in both normal and Nano sizes in eliminating Tetranychus urticae Koch infestations on the eggplant cultivars Jawaher, Barcelona, and Iraq wonder. Potassium silicate was used by 2.5 ml/L and 5 g/L, humic acid 10 ml/L and 20 g/L and salicylic acid 0.1 g/L and 0.2 ml/L for ambient and Nano size respectively, the treatment plants were observed weekly after application to determine the population density of TSSM .The use of prior fertilizers reduces the population density of TSSM as compared to the control treatment in all three cultivars. SEM pictures revealed that the potassium silicate Nano capsule (PSNC), humic acid Nano capsule, and salicylic acid Nano emulsion had diameters of 99, 92, and 26 nm, respectively. The zeta potential values for potassium silicate Nano capsule, humic acid Nano capsule, and salicylic acid Nano emulsion were -68.2, -43.5, and 63.1 mV, respectively.

This study aims to analyze the mineral composition in the AL-Karmah area in the Anbar Governorate in western Iraq, within the flood plain of the Euphrates River, bounded between 33°23'00" and 33°25'00" north, and 43°53'00" and 43°56'00" East, with an area of 54451.14 hectares. 25 surface samples with a depth of 0-30 cm were collected. Bromoform was used to separate heavy minerals from light minerals. The mineral composition was using diagnosis polarized microscope. The ArcMap GIS software analyzed the spatial distribution and produced maps using IDW method. The results of the geographical analysis of the distribution of heavy minerals in the soils of the Karma area showed the dominance of specific ratios of several minerals. Iron oxides (45.76–48.17%) covered the largest area, amounting to 59.04%. While chlorite percentage was (7-10%) in 87.72% of the whole area. Garnet (5-8%) dominated 86.91%, and zircon (3-6%) dominated 96.34%. Pyroxene (5-8%) covered 63.08%, and amphibole (3-5%) scored 93.08%. As for the epidote (4-6%), it amounted to 97.64%. Muscovite (3-6%) was found in 92.39%, while biotite (4-6%) dominated 96.82% of the area.

This study compared the effectiveness of synthetic hormone Ovaprim and natural Carp pituitary extract (CPE) in inducing spawning in common Carp. A total of 12 females and 24 males were divided into two groups. The first group received a single dose of Ovaprim (0.5 ml kg-1 for females, 0.25 ml kg-1 for males). The second group received CPE: females were given two injections (10% + 90%, total 4 mg kg-1), and males one dose (2 mg kg-1). Fertilization was done by dry method 8–10 hours after injection. Hatching occurred after 46 hours in Ovaprim group and 42 hours in CPE group. Statistical analysis showed significantly better results for Ovaprim in ovulation rate (100% vs. 83.33%), fertilization rate (96.5% vs. 76%), and hatching rate (97% vs. 63.21%). Latency period was longer with Ovaprim (12h 38m vs. 10h 21m).

This study was aimed to isolate a halotolerant bacterial strains, four samples were collected from four sources (salty soil) during February 2023. Five bacterial isolates were obtained using Modified Nutrient Agar (MNA) by raising the concentration of sodium chloride to 5% as a medium for isolation. Bacterial isolates were initially diagnosed based on culture and morphological characteristics. The obtained isolates showed varying sensitivity to five types of antibiotics, including ampicillin, azithromycin, amoxicillin, cefexin, and gentamycin. The isolates also showed varying ability to grow in a temperature range from 10 to 50 ℃. The results indicated that the isolates were able to grow differently in different concentrations of sodium chloride, which included (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30%), two isolates showed their ability to grow at a concentration of 30% of sodium chloride. These two isolates were subjected to molecular diagnosis based on the sequences of the 16s rRNA gene, and the result showed that they are two new, previously undiagnosed strains that were registered at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), which are Salinicoccus sp. strain Salman and Oceanobacillus sp. Mostafa.

This study was conducted at the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences/university of Baghdad. Were used wild reeds and barley straw inoculation with cumulative levels of rumen fluid, Which aimed to calculate in vitro total and methane gas production using five treatments, as follows:-
T1: 1 ml of buffalo rumen fluid + 9 ml of lamb rumen fluid.
T2: 2 ml of buffalo rumen fluid + 8 ml of lamb rumen fluid.
T3: 4 ml of buffalo rumen fluid + 6 ml of lamb rumen fluid.
T4: 6 ml of buffalo rumen fluid + 4 ml of lamb rumen fluid.
T5: 8 ml of buffalo rumen fluid + 2 ml of lamb rumen fluid.
The results showed a highly significant decreases (P≤0.01) in total gas and methane production for the treatments T1, T2, and T3 after 24, 48, and 72 hr. of incubation periods compared with, T4 and T5 for wild reed and barley straw samples. The results also showed a highly significant decreases (P≤0.01) in the production of total gas and methane production after, 48 hr. of incubation periods of barley straw samples compared with wild reeds. The results also showed a highly significant increases (P≤0.01) in the values of the organic matter digestibility, metabolizable energy, and net energy for milk production for treatments T4 and T5 compared to treatments T1, T2, and T3 after 24 hr. of incubation period. Conclude be that addition buffalo rumen fluid didn't decrease of total gas and methane production in in vitro, so this means that buffalo are less efficient than sheep in utilizing feed energy.

The current research aims to identify the needs required to enable rural women in the transition to sustainable family agricultural systems, as a questionnaire was prepared consisting of 5 axes of needs (institutional, guidance, economic, social and technological), which included 46 items, data was collected from the research community represented by experts and specialists in the field of rural women's empowerment and sustainable agricultural development, numbering 132 experts in Baghdad Governorate, and the research concluded that 91% of the paragraphs came at a level of great need and 9% of them came at a very large level of need, and this is an indication that there is a large gap between the current situation of rural women and the situation required by the researchers recommended the need to meet these needs through special programs for rural women involving all relevant authorities to achieve the transition to sustainable family agricultural systems.

This study aimed to assess the toxicity of these compounds against the third-instar larvae and pupal stages of the peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata, under laboratory conditions. Three concentrations of the above compounds (1, 3, and 5%) were prepared and evaluated. The results indicated that methyl salicylate and thymol were more effective than limonene, especially at high concentrations, with mortality reaching 100% compared to limonene's 66%. Moreover, the pupal stage was more affected by limonene compared to the third stage of B. zonata larvae. The results suggest that methyl salicylate and thymol compounds could be one of the safe alternatives to chemical pesticides in controlling peach fruit fly, B. zonata, under the integrated pest management program.

This study was aimed to isolate the aim of isolating the Trichoderma longibrachiatum and the Bacillus subtilis from healthy date palm root samples and evaluating their antagonistic effectiveness against the two pathogenic fungi Thielaviopsis paradoxa and Thielaviopsis punctulata that cause black scorch in date palm Phoenix dactylifera. The biological control agents T. longibrachiatum and B. subtilis showed efficiency in inhibiting the growth of both pathogenic fungi T. paradoxa and T. punctulata when double cultured in PDA medium. In specific, the T. longibrachiatum inhibited the growth of both pathogenic fungi T. paradoxa and T. punctulata by 50.58 and 60.17%, respectively. While B. subtilis gave an inhibition rate of 39.99 and 38.09%, respectively. The results of detecting secondary metabolite compounds in cultures of the T. longibrachiatum and the B. subtilis using a GC-MS instrument showed that each of them can produce many bioactive compounds. Among these compounds are Hexanoic acid, 1,3-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester, Terephthalic acid, 2-ethylhexyl octyl ester, Heptane, 1-(ethenylthio)- and 4(1H)-Pyrimidinone, 2-(ethylthio).

This article is an attempt to protect the main flavor compounds in concentrated orange juice by using polymeric dehydration techniques (sodium polyacrylate), instead of the traditional which causes a remarkable degradation in these compounds. The physiochemical and microbial properties of juice were monitored throughout the concentration processes. Polymeric dehydration was used at different conditions to concentrate orange juice and comparing with traditionally heat treatment. Total soluble solid (TSS), ascorbic acid, acidity, pH, viscosity and tannins have been affected by various levels according to concentration technique and period of storage. The microbial content had never developed even throughout the storage for six months, because 100 ppm sodium benzoate was added to the fresh juice immediately after squeezing. The main flavor compounds in fresh orange juice have been monitored throughout the various concentration processes to evaluate their abilities for maintaining the flavor compounds of concentrated juice.

aimed to investigate the effect of alkaline extraction, using different concentration sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution (0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6)% on the physicochemical and functional properties and final yield of rice, millet and oat starch. The results showed that the yield of starch from rice flour ranged between (50 - 68.18)% and that the highest yield of starch was achieved using alkaline solution (NaOH) 0.4%, while for millet and oat the yield of starch ranged between (47.46 - 54)% and (48.3 - 62.66)% respectively, and the highest yield was recorded with (0.2)% (NaOH) for both crops. The percentage of amylose was high in the starch sample which was extracted using a low concentration of alkaline solution. The percentages of amylose were inversely related to functional properties (swelling capacity and solubility) which increased when the percentage of amylose in the obtained starch decreased. The highest values of swelling capacity were (10.34)%, (8.11)% and (8.97)% for rice, millet , and oat starch samples.

A field experiment was conducted at the agricultural research station, to study the effect of planting dates (three spring dates: February 15, March 1, and March 15), and spray with boron at three concentrations (0, 20, and 30 mg L-1, and 10) on the inflorescence traits of the sweet leaf plant (Stevia). The results showed some floral vital parameters superiority, especially the anthesis date, number of inflorescences on the plant, inflorescence diameter, pollen viability percentage (in vitro), pollen germination percentage of (in vitro), and boron concentration in the flower ovary (221.00 days, 3963 inflorescences plant-1, 7.922 mm, 91.67%, 47.33%, and 51.10 mg L-1, respectively). It could be conclude from this study the significant impact of changing planting dates and boron concentrations on anthesis dates, pollen vitality, fertility percentages, and seeds produced, as inflorescence parameters increased with delaying planting dates to mid-March and increasing boron concentrations.

This experiment was conducted in a greenhouse belonging to the Department of Plant Protection, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad - Jadiriyah during the 2023-2024 growing season. The aim was to study the effect of selenium and manganese oxide in inducing resistance in pepper plants (Capsicum annuum) against the pathogenic fungus Fusarium solani while enhancing certain growth parameters. The results revealed that applying these elements in combination at the optimal concentration of 200 mg/L inhibited fungal growth in vitro by 77.71% compared to the pathogenic fungus control, which showed 0% inhibition. This treatment also improved growth parameters such as plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight in pot experiments. Moreover, it reduced disease severity and infection rate in both pot and field experiments, in addition to enhancing the activity of enzymes such as peroxidase, Phenylalanine ammonia-layse (PAL), and catalase in pepper plants under field conditions.

A field experiment was conducted at the fields of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad, during the summer season of 2023 to study the effects of ethephon foliar application on the growth, yield, and quality of indeterminate soybean cultivars. The experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design (R.C.B.D) with a split-plot arrangement using three replicates. This study included three soybean cultivars (Shaimaa, Giza 22 and Giza 111) and four foliar treatments (100, 200, and 300 mg L-¹ of ethephon, along with a distilled water control). The results revealed that the Giza 22 cultivar achieved the highest means of number of pods per plant (96.16 pods plant-¹) and total seeds yield (2.51 Mg ha-1). The Shaimaa cultivar recorded the highest means of 100 seeds weight (15.88 g) and protein content (38.14%). Foliar application with concentration of 300 mg L-1 significantly enhanced the number of pods per plant (104.90 pods plant-¹), seeds per pod (2.93 seeds pod-1) and total seeds yield (2.59 Mg ha-1). Giza 22 plants treated with 300 mg L-1 exhibited the highest mean values of pods per plant (112.00 pods plant-1) and total seeds yield (3.07 Mg ha-1).

This study aimed to evaluate the biological activity of mannoprotein purified from baker\'s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae available in local markets. The mannoprotein was extracted, purified and the emulsifying activity was detected at each step. The emulsifying activity of crude mannoprotein was 67.85%. The crude mannoprotein was partially purified by precipitation using cold ethanol and the emulsifying efficiency reached to 75%. Then it was completely purified using gel filtration chromatography with Sephadex G-100 gel, the purified mannoprotein had 37.61 mg/ml protein and 32.93 mg/ml carbohydrate with emulsifying activity 87.55%. Mannoprotein was characterized using FTIR and amino acid analysis which showed that the mannoprotein was glycoprotein. The antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of mannoprotein against Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from different clinical sources was tested and show very high effect in the reduction of bacterial growth with rate reached to 98.4%. Also, the mannoprotein inhibited the biofilm formation for bacterial isolates at different rates, the highest rate was 60.09%, while the rates of biofilm degradation were lower and reached to 21.12%. FE-SEM examination showed a reduction in biofilm formation.

This research aimed to identify the obstacles to administrative creativity of agricultural extension managers in Iraq. To achieve the research objectives, a questionnaire was prepared through the literature and previous studies related to the subject and the opinions of specialized experts and their approval were taking, so the final consisting of (58) paragraphs distributed over (3) areas. The research community included all agricultural extension managers, numbering (223) respondents. The research results have shown the existence of several obstacles that limit the administrative creativity of agricultural extension managers in Iraq, including organizational and administrative obstacles, which has come in first place with a weighted average of (3.48) degrees, and a percentage weight of (69.55%) degrees, followed by obstacles related to external environmental conditions with a weighted average of (3.41) degrees, and a percentage weight of (68.23%), while personal obstacles has come in last place with a weighted average of (2.59) degrees, and a percentage weight of (51.8%). Accordingly, we recommend that the responsible authorities in the Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Extension and Training Department adopt the research results and work to overcome and Treat these obstacles and focus more on organizational and administrative obstacles.

This study aimed to compare five protocols to optimize elastin purification, where purification protocols for elastin generally result in greatly damaged elastin fibres and this likely influences the biological response. The optimal protocol for elastin purification from common Carp bulbus comprised 4 M of urea solution, pH 7.2 containing 1 % β-mercaptoethanol, washing with distilled water then autoclaving at 121 C° for 15 minutes depending on amino acid analysis, SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, scanning electron microscopy and sulfhydryl content. Then elastin hydrolysate was prepared using partially purified Catfish elastase and the degree of hydrolysis (DH %) and antioxidant activities were recorded, the degree of hydrolysis rapidly increased in the first three hours (reaching 50.43 %) then gradually increasing was shows to reach 65.53 % after 10 hours. Antioxidative properties of elastin hydrolysate were based on three different assays: radical scavenging activity of DPPH, reducing power activity and total antioxidant capacity. The antioxidant activity of elastin hydrolysate increased with increasing the degree of hydrolysis, Where the IC50 of radical scavenging activity of elastin and EC50 of reducing power and total antioxidant capacity reached 2.309, 2.734 and 0.158 mg respectively after 10 hours of hydrolysis.

The research aimed to analyze some of the external environmental variables of the agricultural extension system in Iraq, namely (economic variables, and technological variables). To achieve the research objectives, a questionnaire was, consisting of (32) paragraphs. The research community included all agricultural extension directors, numbering (220) respondents. The research results showed that there are several opportunities in the field of economic variables, where the paragraph (the abundance of resources and requirements available to provide extension services and activities) came in first place in terms of importance or the level of approval of the respondents on it with a weighted rate of (1.85) degrees, as for the field of technological variables, there are several opportunities, as the paragraph (the emergence of digital channels and programs specialized in extension and other agricultural aspects) obtained the first rank in terms of importance or the level of approval of the respondents. with a weighted rate of (2.77) degrees, Accordingly, we recommend that the responsible authorities in the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Agricultural Extension and Training adopt the results of the research, exploit the available opportunities, and confront the threats as much as possible, to reform the agricultural extension system.

Sustainable food packaging solutions with biocompatible macromolecules are becoming increasingly popular. This study addresses the difficulty of extending the shelf life of meat through innovative packaging. It investigates nanocellulose coatings as a possible solution for microbial growth and oxidative stability issues. The goal of this study is to develop a novel nanocellulose (NC) edible film to protect and extend the shelf life of meat cuts. In this study, cellulase is used in a modified method to convert microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) into nanoscales. X-ray diffraction analysis of enzymatically treated MCC revealed a decrease in crystallinity from 53.8% to 42.8%. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of cellulose fibers treated with cellulase show particles in the nano-dimensions, and the surface roughness profile has Rq and Ra values of 0.082 µm and 0.068 µm, respectively. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images revealed that NC films have uniform nanoparticle distribution, and the nanoparticles range in size from 35 to 46 nm. The microbial content and chemical properties of the NC coating solution were studied in three treatments (T1, T2, and T3) with a control. The study examined the effects of NC coating on the microbial growth of aerobic bacteria, coliform bacteria, Clostridium bacteria, yeast, and mold. The control group showed significant growth in all microbial populations over the 10-day period. The treatment groups exhibited growth at lower levels compared to the control group. Meat with NC coatings has a significantly lower pH than control group meat, and NC coatings at higher concentrations improve oxidative stability and reduce lipid oxidation. NC coatings in meat cuts act as antioxidants, boosting oxidative stability, decreasing PV, and lowering lipid oxidation. As a result, this study introduced an innovative NC edible film to preserve meat cuts.

The experiment was conducted during 2023 and 2024 growing seasons in a private orchard in Alexandria area in Babylon Governorate. study included three factors, first was spraying growth regulator triacontanol at three levels: no spraying (T0), spraying 10 mg.l-1 (T1), spraying 20 mg L-1 (T2): second factor is spraying Nano-zinc at three levels (0, 50, 100 mg L-1), as Z0, Z1, and Z2 respectively and third factor is adding liquid organic fertilizer at three levels (0, 50 , 100 ml Tree-1) is represented by symbols O0, O1, O2 respectively. Spraying and adding process is carried out five times in spring season and three times in autumn season with an interval of 20 days between one spray and another. This is also case for addition and for two growing seasons. Coefficients were repeated three times in RCBD factorial experiment so trees number included in experiment was 81 trees. Experimental results showed that spraying triacontanol at 20 mg L-1 and spraying Nano zinc at 100 mg L-1 and adding liquid organic fertilizer at 100 ml L-1 as an interaction treatment (T2Z2O2) gave best results in average fruit weight trait (92.00, 89.88) g , total tree yield (9.893, 12.000) kg tree-1, total fruits acidity (4.75, 4.87) %, vitamin C fruit content (45.45,46.25) mg 100 ml-1, GA3 leaves content (161.64) and IAA (39.24) μg g-1 FW for two growth seasons respectively compared to control treatment that gave lowest values.

This study evaluated how adding coenzyme Q10 to the Tris diluent affects semen quality in Holstein bulls after cooling and cryopreservation at 2, 30, 60, and 90 days. Each week, semen was collected from each bull using an artificial vagina and then pooled. The pooled semen was split into three groups: the control group (Q1) received only Tris, while the other two groups had coenzyme Q10 added to the Tris diluent at 0.2 mM (Q2) and 0.5 mM (Q3). The results showed that adding 0.5 mM Co-Q10 significantly increased the total number of progressive motile spermatozoa (×106), the percentage of sperm with normal morphology, plasma membrane integrity, overall sperm function, and acrosome integrity compared with the control groups throughout all experimental periods. In conclusion, the addition of 0.5 mM Co-Q10 improved the post-cryopreservation semen quality of Holstein bulls. This enhancement is expected to increase the fertility rate of artificially inseminated cows and, in turn, support economic growth. Enhanced semen quality will contribute to higher animal productivity, helping to meet growing consumption demands, address the rising population, and adapt to the climate changes currently affecting the planet.