ANBAR JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

We are pleased to present Volume 24, Issue 1 (March 2026) of the Anbar Journal of Agricultural Sciences (AJAS), marking an important step forward in the journal’s continuous development and commitment to excellence in scholarly publishing.
Starting with Volume 24 (2026), AJAS also announces a significant transition in its publication frequency from semi-annual to quarterly, with four issues released annually (March, June, September, and December). This advancement reflects the journal’s growth, increasing submission volume, and commitment to the timely dissemination of high-quality research.
In this issue, AJAS introduces a new article layout and design, aimed at enhancing readability, standardization, and overall presentation quality in alignment with international publishing practices. This update reflects our ongoing efforts to improve the author and reader experience while ensuring consistency across all published content.
Furthermore, the journal has adopted a full open-access delivery model, now providing articles in both PDF and HTML formats. The inclusion of HTML articles is a significant advancement that improves accessibility, discoverability, and indexing across digital platforms and scholarly databases.
In line with our commitment to research integrity, AJAS has strengthened its editorial and review processes through the integration of advanced artificial intelligence tools. These tools are utilized for:
• Detecting plagiarism and textual similarities,
• Screening for potential scientific misconduct,
• Verifying the accuracy and integrity of references, and
• Supporting a rigorous and transparent peer review process.
Additionally, the journal has further reinforced its peer review system to ensure the highest standards of quality and fairness. Our editorial policies strictly adhere to internationally recognized guidelines, with a strong emphasis on academic integrity, transparency, and ethical publishing practices.
These developments represent AJAS’s dedication to maintaining a robust, credible, and globally visible scientific platform. We remain committed to upholding the highest standards in research dissemination and to supporting the scientific community through reliable and ethically sound publishing.
We extend our sincere appreciation to our authors, reviewers, and editorial board members for their continued trust and contributions.

This study aimed to assess the concentrations of selected heavy metals, namely cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), in the waters and sediments of Shatt Al-Hilla, Babylon Governorate, Iraq. Three sampling sites were selected along the river course: Al-Bu’alwan in the northern part of Babylon, the city center of Al-Hilla, and Al-Qasim district in the southern part of the governorate. Seasonal sampling was conducted from January to October 2023 to evaluate temporal variations. Heavy metal concentrations were determined using standard analytical procedures and quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The highest concentrations recorded in sediments were 24.86 µg kg⁻¹ for Co, 165.5 µg kg⁻¹ for Ni, 1.09 µg kg⁻¹ for Cd, and 2.01 µg kg⁻¹ for Pb. In water samples, maximum values reached 0.1921 mg L⁻¹ (Co), 0.258 mg L⁻¹ (Ni), 0.03614 mg L⁻¹ (Cd), and 0.0969 mg L⁻¹ (Pb). The highest concentrations of all investigated metals were observed at Al-Qasim site, particularly during the summer season. Although spatial and seasonal variations were evident, all measured concentrations remained within internationally permissible limits

A field experiment was conducted during the 2021-22 winter season at the Agriculture Research Station, belong to the college of Agriculture, University of Anbar, Iraq, to study the growth and flowering characteristics of fennel plants Foeniculum Vulgare Mill. using different concentrations of boron and planting dates. Three planting dates (15 Nov, 1 Dec, and 15 Dec) and three boron concentrations (0, 50, and 100 mg L-1) were examined. The experiment was done by the split-plot arranged by (RCBD) design and replicated three time. The results indicated significant differences for planting dates when the second date recorded the highest averages for vegetative growth characteristics; plant height, number of branches per plant, leaf chlorophyll content, and plant dry weight, and flowering characteristics (number of primary and secondary inflorescences of the fennel plants. Spraying with boron at a high concentration also improved plant height, number of branches per plant, leaf chlorophyll, plant dry weight, and flowering characteristics (main and secondary inflorescences). The interaction between the studied factors showing the behavior individually or together on all the studied traits and it can be most reliable results for improving fennel cultivation in Iraq

This study evaluated the efficiency of locally prepared media made from sawdust, Euphrates poplar, and crushed common reed supplemented with crushed alfalfa as a nitrogen source at 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% levels in cultivating Chinese and local Iraqi Ganoderma lucidum. The prepared media were found to be effective in supporting the production of proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and fatty acids (oleic acid). The Iraqi strain outperformed the Chinese strain in terms of metabolic compound production efficiency, with protein, carbohydrate, oleic acid, iron, and calcium levels of 17%, 24.548%, 2.406%, 8.11 mg kg⁻¹, and 40.55 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The medium prepared from common reed showed higher efficiency compared to the others in cultivating both strains at 18.87%, 24.499%, 2.823%, 24.74 mg kg⁻¹, and 8.55 mg kg⁻¹, respectively for the same metabolic compounds. This shows that the protein, carbohydrate, mineral, and fatty acid content in Ganoderma lucidum varies significantly depending on the media, strain, and supplementation level

The study was conducted during the 2023/24 growing season at the Horticulture Department of the Ministry of Agriculture. It involved crossbreeding three local tomato parents and four cherry tomato mothers using the Line x Tester method. The seeds were sown on 14/12/2023 and then transplanted into the plastic house on 20/1/2024. The parents were arranged in a factorial experiment using a RCBD to conduct the pollination process which was carried out on three different dates: 15/3, 15/4, and 1/5. The seeds from the hybrids for each pollination date were collected separately for testing. The results showed that the second pollination date outperformed in all the studied traits. The P2 X S2 hybrid excelled in fruit number, fruit set percentage, and germination percentage at 10.58 fruits per flower, 53.28%, and 99.11%, respectively. The P2 X S4 hybrid significantly outperformed in terms of seed number, producing 18.97 seeds. The interaction had a significant effect, as the T2- P2 X S2 treatment excelled in number of set fruits, fruit set percentage, and germination percentage, yielding 15.00 fruits, 75%, and 99.69%, respectively. The T2-P1 X S2 treatment outperformed in the number of seeds at 30.33 while T2-P3 X S4 excelled in seed weight and germination vigor at 3.31 g and 25.67%, respectively

Poultry production activities provide employment opportunities, income, and nourishment for the majority of Nigerians. This study assessed the livelihood status of poultry farmers in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 150 poultry farmers were randomly selected for the study using a questionnaire to collect information. The data was analyzed using frequency count, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson Product-Moment Correlation (PPMC), and Multiple Regression Analysis. The results reveal that about 51.3% of the farmers have no access to veterinary services, 80.7% operate all year round, and 66% have high livelihood status. Disease outbreaks/high mortality (mean=1.57±0.60), high production costs (mean=1.53±0.62), and high temperature (mean=1.47±0.58) were the main factors affecting poultry production in the study area. The lack of adequate information/extension services on poultry production (r=-0.206), high production costs (r= -0.165), theft (r= -0.321), high feed costs (r= -0.288), and lack of credit facilities (r= -0.169) had significant and inverse relationships with the livelihood status of the farmers. The socio-economic determinants of their livelihood status were age (-0.268, p<0.05), education (3.323, p<0.05), income (-1.708, p<0.01), and access to extension services (8.625, p<0.01). The study therefore recommended the provision of veterinary services to the farmers to reduce the outbreak of disease and the high mortality rates as well provide support in the form of grants to cushion the impacts of high production costs

This paper aimed to estimate and evaluate the impact of trade liberalization and inflation on agricultural fixed capital accumulation in Iraq for the period 2004-2021. The self-regression model for distributed deceleration (ARDL) was used to evaluate the effects and extent of the independent trade liberalization and inflation variables on the dependent agricultural fixed capital formation variable. This research aimed to estimate and measure the impact of inflation on the composition of agricultural fixed capital, and determine the relationship between them using analytical methods. The agricultural sector suffers from weak capital growth, fluctuating investments and low contribution to GDP. In view of the importance of agricultural capital to the development of local production and the provision of food commodities and agricultural and animal products, it is important to examine the economic variables affecting the accumulation of such capital. Despite Iraq's possession of financial capabilities, resources and institutions, the accumulation of Ray agricultural money still low. The results show a common complementary relationship between trade liberalization and agricultural fixed capital accumulation and the existence of a long-term positive moral relationship between them as well as an inverse relationship between inflation and the accumulation of agricultural fixed capital. The paper recommends the need for commercial liberalization, which contributes to facilitating the absorption of modern agricultural technology, importing raw materials such as fertilizers, seeds, equipment, and machinery to promote local production and profits in a way that supports agricultural fixed capital accumulation. It also recommends maintaining a low inflation rate to enhance producers' confidence in the investment environment and long-term returns. This will boost savings and investment in the agricultural sector, enhance agricultural capital growth, and achieve high rates of domestic food security

This field experiment was conducted during winter 2023 at the Al-Buaitha research station of the College of Agriculture, University of Anbar using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and employing two factors. The first was the addition of biofertilizers (full fertilizer connection, mycorrhizae+½ connection, rhizobia + ½ connection, mycorrhizae+ rhizobia+ ½ fertilizer connection) and the second involved leaching with sorbitol and larger elements and four treatments (no spraying, sugar alcohols, zinc, boron, sugar alcohols + zinc + boron). The results showed that adding biofertilizers (mycorrhizae + rhizobia) led to a significant increase in plant length (113.29 cm), number of branches (8.51 plant branch-1), pod length (9.10 cm), pod weight (7.41 g), number of seeds per pod (6.63 pod seed-1), number of pods (31.87 pod plant-1), plant yield (237.14 g plant-1), hectare yield (12.65 ton ha-1), seed nitrogen content (3.15%), seed phosphorus content (0.422%), seed TSS ratio (14.08%), and seed protein percentage (19.69%). There was also a significant effect from the sorbitol and microelements spraying treatments on plant length (117.70 cm), number of branches (9.35 plant branch-1), pod length (9.63 cm), pod weight (7.60 g), number of seeds per pod (6.99 pod seed-1), number of pods (31.61 pod Plant-1), plant yield (240.27 g plant-1), hectare yield (12.81 t ha-1), seed nitrogen content (3.17%), seed phosphorus content (0.427%), seed TSS ratio (14.36%), and seed protein percentage (19.81%)

Water is a basic requirement and one of the conditions for life in any geographical area and its security and management occupies a central position in national economic policies. The Iraqi government’s water resources management measures include establishing dams and water storage facilities to protect the country from floods as well as provide for times of water shortages. This study examines the adequacy of storage facilities to achieve water security in Iraq without having to rely on external sources. Water supply from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers is decreasing, from about 20 billion cubic meters in 2012 to about 8 billion in 2022 in the case of the latter. Water storage in Iraq declined by 0.4% while its population increased by 2.7%, making the Iraqi per capita share of water reserves decline from 2,270 m3 in 2000 to 1,066 m3 in 2021. The storage adequacy period for 2,000 m3 of water annually per Iraqi declined from 414 days at the beginning of the current century to 195 days in 2021. The study recommended increasing water imports and improving their quality through political and economic collaboration with neighboring countries, as well as raising internal sources through improved harvesting, storing, and preserving of water. The surplus thereof can be managed in ways that reduce the loss of water storage, preserve it, and coordinate its use according to needs

The importance of viable alternatives to soil management practices cannot be over emphasized. This is in an effort to mitigate the effects of land degradation on soil. Thus, the dissemination of such practices to ensure timely, efficient and effective soil management practices (OSMP) is crucial. This study therefore assess the competency needs of agricultural extension workers in disseminating OSMPs farmers in Kwara state, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to assess the level of importance attached to OSMPs by extension workers, examine their competencies and competency needs in OSMPs. A two-stage sampling technique was used to select 154 extension workers for the study. Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire and summarized using frequency, percentages, mean, standard deviation, and Borich model. The study showed soil erosion control to be of primary importance (70.1%), many extension workers (73.4%) attached moderate importance to selected OSMPs, while 84.4% were found to be moderately competent. The Borich model analysis showed that organic matter amendments (MWDS= 4.49) was the highest ranked area of competency needs. Also, the workers were observed to attach a moderate level of importance and were fairly competent in disseminating OSMPs to farmers. As such, there is a need for intensive training to promote better dissemination of information and practices to farmers and stakeholders

This field experiment investigated the Flami sunflower crop’s physiological response to spraying of 0, 50, and 100 µmol methyl jasmonate (MeJA) concentrations at the 6-10 leaves and pre-flowering stages and the impact of 5, 9, and 13-day irrigation intervals. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a split–split plot arrangement with three replicates. The 5-day irrigation interval achieved the best values for the studied growth and physiological indicators, followed by 6 and 13 days, respectively. The MeJA spray treatment enhanced plant growth, with the highest concentration achieving the best values, producing increases in LA by 8.01%, DW by 21.69%, CGR by 14.92%, RGR by 10.65%, NAR by 18.34%, Ch. a by 22.02%, Ch. b by 24.17%, RWC by 8.65%, and proline by 17.34%, while decreasing solute leakage by 47.93% compared to control. Overall, the best interaction for growth and physiological performance of the crop was obtained for the 5-day irrigation interval and 100 µmol MeJA spray combination at the pre-flowering stage

The study area covered Al-Anbar governorate, specifically in the district of Ameriyat Al-Sumoud, Iraq, Plot 21/Al-Shamiya. The objective was to assess temporal variability using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and to evaluate the productivity potential of strategically cultivated cereal crops. A variation in the NDVI was observed based on the classification and interpretation of the index across the three reference years of 2005, 2015, and 2025. The results for the five NDVI classes showed the highest value for the "barren land" class in 2005 (71.44%), while the "severely degraded" (34.85%), "moderately degraded" (5.63%), "mildly degraded" (9.01%), and "not degraded" (9.81%) classes recorded their highest increases during 2025. The study indicates that vegetation class in 2025 was predominantly of high quality, covering 58.55% of the total study site area. Regarding land productivity potential, the “excellent” class increased in particular soil series, specifically DW85, DW46, and MW7, and represented 33.42% of the study area covering a total of 18,949.35 ha

The study aimed to determine the effect of administering the aqueous extract of Artemisia herba-alba and vitamin E on some physiological traits of local male lambs. Thirty local male lambs, aged between 4 and 4.5 months, with an average body weight of 21.35 kg, were randomly divided into six equal groups of five lambs each. All lambs were fed the same diet. Lambs in the first group (T1) were drenched with distilled water and served as the control group. The second group (T2) was drenched with the aqueous extract of Artemisia at a dose of 100 mg kg-1 live body weight every day. The third group (T3) received the aqueous extract of Artemisia at a dose of 200 mg kg-1 live body weight. The fourth group (T4) was drenched with vitamin E at a dose of 15 mg kg-1 live body weight. The fifth group (T5) was given a mixture of Artemisia aqueous extract and vitamin E at doses of 100 mg+15 mg kg-1 live body weight, while the sixth group (T6) received a mixture of Artemisia aqueous extract and vitamin E at doses of 200 mg+15 mg kg-1 live body weight. The results revealed a significant improvement in the parameters of Artemisia, vitamin E, and their combination compared to the control group. Improvements were observed in rumen fluid characteristics, total protein, globulin, and glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity, along with a decrease in malondialdehyde levels. No significant differences were recorded in albumin levels. Artemisia and vitamin E, alone or combined, demonstrated beneficial physiological and metabolic effects, suggesting potential as natural feed additives for lambs

Diabetes is a metabolic illness marked by chronically high blood sugar levels caused by oxidative stress and free radicals, which leads to pancreatic beta cell malfunction and insulin resistance, worsening the condition. This study investigated the protective effect of moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE) on some biochemical variables in diabetic male rats treated with alloxan, which increased blood sugar levels. Male rats weighing 180 ± 150 g on average were placed in four groups, each containing five male rats. Several major biochemical tests were conducted on glucose, HbA1c, lipid levels, renal function indices, and antioxidant levels. The results showed that MLE significantly reduced glucose and HbA1c levels, lipid profile, and kidney function while enhancing antioxidant activity and reducing oxidative stress in the diabetic rats. This could be due to the compounds in the MLE, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, modifying enzyme catalytic activity and compensating for diabetes-induced defects in rats. As such, MLE can be regarded as a potent antioxidant, mitigating the effects of free radicals and metabolic abnormalities associated with diabetes

The study was conducted in Bsheli and Helbako in Lattakia governorate, Syria to evaluate the effect of location and treatment with 1000 ppm concentration of indole butyric acid and aloe vera gel on the rooting of Rosa canina cuttings. The design was completely randomized in this factorial experiment. The results showed that the rooting percentage (52%) in the Bsheli was superior to Helbako (47%) while average root length in Helbako at 5.85 cm exceeded that of the Bsheli’s 4.40 cm. At the same time, location had no significant effect on the average number of roots and buds or on survival percentage. The highest rooting rate (86%) was achieved for Bsheli cuttings treated with 1000 ppm indole butyric acid concentrations for ten seconds combined with aloe vera gel, followed by those treated similarly from Helbako (79%). The lowest rates were obtained from the untreated cuttings from Bsheli and Helbako at 14.97% and 11.73%, respectively. The interaction between location and experimental treatments significantly affected average rooting percentage, number of roots, root length, and number of buds on the cuttings. The findings recommend using 1000 ppm indole butyric acid concentrations together with aloe vera gel to obtain the best rooting and highest survival percentage for the rose hip cuttings

Climate change poses a significant threat to small ruminant farming globally, and understanding farmers' perceptions and adaptive strategies is crucial for developing effective resilience measures. This study hypothesizes that farmers' perceptions of climate change, their management practices, and demographic factors influence their capacity to adapt and sustain small ruminant production in Northern Jordan. To test this, we conducted a survey with 272 farmers complemented by focus group discussions across four regions. Results showed that the majority of farmers reported increases in temperature coupled with reductions in both rainfall and rangelands in both short and long term. Despite those observations, only 55 percent of farmers expressed concern in climate change. In addition, while many had begun implementing mitigation measures, over 70 percent had not yet made any changes to try and address these changes. Interestingly, a large number of local breed farmers stated that they appreciated the native breeds for their climatic adaptability and local environmental suitability, and they had also adjusted grazing and feeding management practices accordingly. Additionally, those reasons suggested that most farmers were responsive to change

This research aimed to determine the key role of microbial diversity, segetal plants, and location (edge versus center) in regulating the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) in the agricultural lands of the Kurdistan region, Iraq. A key finding was that significant SOC dynamic variability exists in sites related to spatial site-specific conditions. A high degree of SOC variability was also recorded intra-site, with edge localities consistently having more SOC than central regions. This suggests that micro-environmental conditions or interactions with adjacent ecosystems may promote SOC accumulation in edge environments. Microorganisms such as Penicillium, Fusarium, and B. cereus were seen as contributing to the decomposition of organic matter, resource cycling, and soil health improvement. Complex interactions among the microorganisms’ SOC content, with fungi such as A. quadrilineatus, negatively correlate with SOC and prevent carbon accumulation. Fungi such as A. sydowii and A. malleus positively correlated with bacteria, suggesting mutualistic relationships that support soil fertility and plant growth. Penicillium species, P. citrinum, and P. centrum support microbial collaboration, which is important for carbon storage. Conversely, F. incarnatum has negative correlations with various microbes, emphasizing its role in competition over SOC dynamics. However, while identifying several explanatory factors, the predictive model shows that much of the SOC variance is left unexplained, indicating the need for even more refined models that scale up to larger ecological processes. Therefore, these findings exemplify the importance of microbe interactions in managing SOC, soil health, and carbon cycling

In Talassemtane National Park, a protected area in northern Morocco, tree cover is subject to several factors. Few studies have attempted to assess the extent of this problem. This study aims to assess and quantify tree cover and loss in the area from 2001 and 2023 using global forest change data. Google Earth Engine and ArcGIS Pro software was used to display and analyze this dataset. Google Earth Engine displayed the dataset through a JavaScript code, evaluate tree cover extent, loss, and annual loss in this region. ArcGis Pro was used to perform a geoprocessing analysis to evaluate tree cover extent, loss, and annual loss per province and per commune. The results showed that tree cover comprised 36331 ha in 2000, or 56% of the area of the park, 70% of which was in the communes of Bni Selmane, Tassift, and Talambote. Tree cover loss according to Global Forest Change analysis, was 2989 ha, or 8% of tree cover in 2000. These results provide valuable information for decision-makers and managers to better assess the impact of programs aimed at the restoration and conservation of forest ecosystems

This study investigated the influence of organic manure and nettle plant extract at three concentrations on the vegetative and yield characteristics of the Starking, Granny Smith and local apple cultivar during the 2024 growing season at a private orchard in Duhok government, Iraq. Foliar spraying was conducted on the 25th of April and May, 2024. A factorial randomized complete block design with three replications was used. Statistical analysis using SAS software with Duncan's multiple range test (p≤0.05) revealed significant cultivar-specific responses. The Granny Smith cultivar demonstrated superior performance in vegetative parameters, exhibiting 97.6% greater leaf area (90.92 cm² against. 47.32-47.48 cm²), 12.1% higher leaf chlorophyll content (28.38 mg·g⁻¹), and 64.5% greater yield (183.33 kg·tree⁻¹) compared to the Starking and local cultivars. The optimal treatments (4 mL·L⁻¹ organic manure + 200 mg·L⁻¹ nettle extract) significantly enhanced various physiological and yield parameters for leaf area (+97.6%), fruit peel chlorophyll (+67.2%), total soluble solids (19.67%), and anthocyanin content (98.82% in Starking), while reducing fruit acidity by 30.4% in the Granny Smith. These findings show that integrated organic amendments can effectively improve apple productivity and fruit quality, with cultivar-specific responses highlighting the importance of genotype selection in sustainable orchard management systems

The experiment was conducted over a 42-day period from February 2 to March 15, 2025, at a private farm in Tartous Governorate to evaluate the effects of incorporating olive leaf powder as a natural feed additive on broiler growth and health. A total of 200 one-day-old Ross-308 chicks, with an initial average weight of 40 g, were randomly assigned to four experimental groups, each with five replicates of ten birds. The control group received the basal diet without additives, while the other three groups were supplemented with olive leaf powder at levels of 0.15%, 0.25%, and 0.35%. A gradual improvement in the studied parameters was observed in groups T2, T3, and T4 compared to the control group T1, with the most marked improvement observed in group T4. Significant increases (p ≤ 0.05) in average body weight of 4.5% and 4.3% were recorded, accompanied by improvements in feed conversion ratios improving by 5.7% and 5.4% at the end of the first and second phases, respectively. Hematological and biochemical analyses showed significant increases in red blood cell count by 4.6% and 4.2%, hemoglobin by 1.5% and 1.4%, white blood cell count by 2.2%, total protein by 2.9%, albumin by 2.6% and 2.5%, and globulin by 3.3% and 3.6%, along with a significant reduction (p ≤ 0.01) in glucose by 7% and 6.9% and total cholesterol by 9% and 8.8% on days 21 and 42, respectively

This study evaluated the impact of dietary supplementation on certain hematological parameters during pregnancy in ewes. Twenty ewes, aged 2-3 years from the Fallujah region in Anbar governorate were divided into four groups of 5 each for observation from June to October 2023. The G1 and G2 groups received 4 g and 2 g of VêO® premium (with barley and green fodder), respectively while G3 received 40 mg of vitamin C (with barley and green fodder) and G4 served as a control (only barley and green fodder). The findings revealed that Hb levels were significantly higher (P≤0.05) in G1 and G2 before pregnancy and during mating, while they increased in G3 and G4 at 45 and 75 days of pregnancy. RBCs were elevated in G3 throughout the trials. For G1 and G4, they rose at 75 days of pregnancy, whereas in G2 and G3, significant increases (P≤0.05) were noted before as well as at 45 and 75 days of pregnancy. ESR showed varying trends. G2 had higher values before pregnancy, G3 exhibited significant increases (P≤0.05) during the mating period, and G1 showed an elevation at 45 days of pregnancy. MCV was significantly higher (P≤0.05) in G1 before pregnancy, on days 45 and 75 of gestation, and in G4 during mating. Analysis by period revealed an increase in MCV in G1 before pregnancy, whereas all other groups showed increases during mating. MCH rose in G1 before pregnancy and at 45 days of gestation, while values increased only during the mating period for G2 and G4. No significant differences in MCHC or monocyte counts were observed among the groups. However, MCHC levels increased in G2 before pregnancy and during mating. Eosinophil counts rose in G1 and G2 at day 45 of pregnancy, while G4 recorded an increase at day 75. Across periods, eosinophil counts peaked on day 45 for G1 and G2, while that in G4 became apparent at day 75. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with VêO® premium or vitamin C significantly affects the hematological parameters in Iraqi ewes before and during pregnancy

The peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders), is a major pest of the Tephritidae family, causing significant economic damage globally. Native to India, where it was first recorded in Kashmir, B. zonata has since spread to various regions, particularly Asia and the Mediterranean, affecting many crops, including peach, custard apple, guava, mango, and citrus. Infestations result in fruit damage, premature fruit drop, and the imposition of quarantine restrictions that disrupt export markets. As resistance to chemical pesticides continues to rise, the need for alternative pest control methods becomes increasingly urgent. Plant-derived insecticides are emerging as an eco-friendly and sustainable solution for pest management, as they effectively control pest populations while posing minimal risks to non-target organisms. In this study, a behavioral bioassay was performed using Petri dishes to evaluate the behavioral response to three essential oils, namely limonene, thymol, and methyl salicylate, of B. zonata adult females over four intervals of 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes. The results revealed that methyl salicylate exhibited consistent repellent effects across all time intervals. In contrast, thymol showed repellent effects only after 60 minutes, while no significant differences were observed with limonene. In the field, essential oil formulations reduced the population density of B. zonata on citrus fruits. These findings highlight the ecological potential of methyl salicylate as a promising, eco-friendly pest control agent

A useful, abundant, and inexpensive byproduct, walnut shell waste has many benefits. It may be recycled into eco-friendly materials for numerous sectors. This study investigated the effects of fortifying edible films with 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% aqueous and alcoholic extracts of walnut shell powder on the microbial and sensory quality of chicken thigh pieces after 12 days of cooled storage. Solutions to environmental problems come from reducing agricultural waste by transforming walnut shells into edible coatings. Results showed that extraction method and solvent type directly impact the extract's capacity to inhibit Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The proportion of extracts supplied also affected this factor. Alcoholic extract inhibited better than water extract. While the 100% concentration inhibited target bacteria by more than 50%, the clear zoon around the hole of the alcoholic extract was 16.4, 14.9, 18.9, and 19.5 mm in dishes cultured with E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and B. subtilis, respectively. Adding 1.5% walnut shell alcoholic extract to edible chicken-thigh cut films considerably reduced bacterial growth and activity. The logarithm of total, coliform, and psychrophilic bacteria in films containing 1.5% walnut shell alcoholic extract after 12 days of refrigerated storage was 6.22, 4.042, and 4.880 cfu/g-1. Fortifying the films with 1.5% walnut shell alcoholic extract improved the sensory qualities and overall acceptability of chicken thigh pieces after storage, as color, flavor, texture, and juiciness reached 9.420, 8.980, 8.740, and 8.600, respectively. Total acceptance was 8,000

This study aimed to assess the training needs required for developing communication skills among the agricultural extension workers in Duhok Governorate. It also sought to evaluate the importance of such skills from their perspective, identify the correlation between training needs and the importance of those skills, and to test the variation in these needs according to individual and functional variables. To meet these objectives, a 41-item questionnaire was developed covering four main skill dimensions: extension communication (organizing and presenting ideas), language communication (vocabulary and grammar), vocal communication (pronunciation and fluency), and the use of body language during communication. Data was collected from a random sample of 60 agricultural extension workers comprising about 43% of the 140 employees of the Directorate of Agriculture (DoA) and the Extension Center in the governorate. The results showed that all dimensions of communication skills had a higher weighted mean than the hypothetical mean of two, reflecting a major need for developing these tested skills. The skills most frequently identified as requiring substantial training included the ability to organize and present ideas in a clear and logical manner, the use of simple and accurate language, communicating smoothly and confidently, and effective use of body language during communication. The findings also indicated a robust positive correlation between the perceived importance of these skills and the level of training required. Factors such as age, academic background, and number of years of professional experience were found to affect the level of training needed. These results show the importance of strengthening communication skills among extension personnel to promote the efficiency of extension works and improve the quality of services delivered to the local farmers. Additionally, developing extension training programs that accommodate personal differences and enhance practical applications will assist in ensuring optimal outcomes and increase the overall effectiveness of agricultural extension activities within Duhok governorate