Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the winter and spring seasons on some biomarkers and semen characteristics of Holstein bulls (n = 20) during the Coronavirus pandemic period. Semen was collected for 16 weeks and evaluated weekly, along with the determination of some biomarkers. Sperm concentration, live sperm percentage, the concentrations of the most amino acids, essential, non-essential, and total amino acids, all carboxylic acids, omega 3, 6, 9, total fatty acids, and total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, increased (P<0.05) in semen of spring compared to the winter season. Moreover, the percentage of plasma membrane integrity was higher in the winter than the spring season. The concentration of malondialdehyde in semen decreased (P<0.05) in the semen during the winter compared to the spring season. These biomarkers may have played a role in the fertility and semen quality or were affected by the season and repercussions of the Corona pandemic (feed shortage stress). In conclusion, the level of some amino and carboxylic acids can be adopted as an indicator of climate change (season) and semen quality of bulls or energy level in the diet.

Indonesia is characterized by great diversity of freshwater shrimp, consisting of several islands due to the geographical location on the equator. A recent investigation conducted in Central Java has identified Serayu River as the major habitat of freshwater shrimp genus Macrobrachium. Therefore, this research aimed to determine the type of giant freshwater shrimp found downstream of Serayu River using explanatory method. The experiment was conducted for one year (January - December 2023) and the results found two freshwater giant prawn species, namely Macrobrachium rosenbergii and Macrobrachium spinipes. Moreover, this research is the first record of M. spinipes based on the Cytochrome C oxidase Subunit I (CO1) gene. The mtDNA segment of M. rosenbergii was 631 bp (base pairs) (GenBank accession: LC813231.1), while M. spinipes was 616 bp (GenBank accession: PP735157.1). M. spinipes and M. rosenbergii downstream of Serayu River showed similar locations and characteristics. Genetic distance conducted on 15 species of the genus Macrobrachium showed that giant freshwater prawn serayu had a matrix value of 0.09 - 0.18. Genetic analysis conducted with GenBank indicated that M. spinipes showed significant differences from other species, suggesting the natural dispersal of juvenile through currents across Wallace Line. This research also found that M. rosenbergii was similar to M. dacqueti and related to M. malcolmsonii, while M. spinipes was close to M. suphanense. To support these results, recommendation was made to explore further the rivers in the western part of Java, Indonesia.

This research investigates the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial efficacy of Ipomoea pes-caprae extracts collected from Pantai Talang Siring Pamekasan, Madura. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, tannins, and saponins in the extracts, indicating their rich bioactive profile. Antioxidant activity assessed via the DPPH assay demonstrated concentration-dependent scavenging of free radicals, with methanol and ethanol extracts exhibiting superior activity compared to the aqueous extract. Antibacterial assays against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus revealed significant inhibitory effects, with methanol and ethanol extracts displaying greater potency than the aqueous extract. These findings underscore the potential of Ipomoea pes-caprae as a source of natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents, warranting further investigation into its pharmacological applications and therapeutic potential.

The research aimed to study the effect of natural and nano zinc oxide on some growth parameters of common carp Cyprinus carpio. Seven treatments were used, including the control without any addition, the second, third and fourth treatments by adding nano-zinc oxide at concentrations of 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg feed, respectively, and the fifth, sixth and seventh treatments by adding natural zinc oxide in the same concentrations above. The results showed that the fourth treatment was superior to the traits of the total weight gain, daily growth rate, relative and specific growth rate over the other treatments, which is an indication that the fish benefit from feed enhanced with nanoparticles by 75%, and it differed significantly )p (0.01>from the rest of the treatments. T4 treatment was recorded the best daily growth was 0.29 g/day The best feed conversion ratio was recorded in the same treatment. It can be concluded from the study that the addition of zinc nanoparticles to the diet of fish improves the level of performance and growth without causing any harm to the fish.

This study was aimed to evaluate the extent of the spread for Mycoplasma gallisepticum in the broiler chicken flocks of the Samarra city. 202 samples were collected from eight meat chicken fields in the city of Samarra for the period from September to December 2022, as these samples showed respiratory symptoms. The collected specimens were dissected in order to obtain both the trachea and the air sacs; After isolating the causative agent on Pleuropneumonia - like organisms (PPLOs) medium, mycoplasma infection reached 32.2%. The result appeared in the form of colonies with a shape similar to that of a “fried egg.” The rates of mycoplasma infection at culture for each of the trachea were (41.1%), while in contrast to the air sac samples, which amounted to (22.1%). Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) results for the 16S rRNA gene also showed a positive result for Mycoplasma gallisepticum. The results were also disturbed by the appearance of respiratory signs, such as coughing and sneezing, along with the presence of ocular and nasal secretions. It was also noted that pathological changes were recorded in both the trachea and air sacs, represented by congestion of these organs.

A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of four application methods of vermicompost tea (without application, ground application, foliar spray, combination of - ground application + foliar spray) , four types of biofertilization (without application, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Bacillus megaterium, the combination consisting of S. maltophilia + B. megagaterium), and two levels (0, 50%) of the fertilizer recommendation in the availability of some soil nutrients and on the growth and yield of squash using as randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that the triple interaction of the combination of application vermicompost tea with the combination of biofertilizer and 50% of mineral fertilizer was effect significantly and gave the highest values for some vegetative growth parameters. Which included the dry weight of the vegetative part, the length and weight of the root, and total yield which amounted 196.35 g plant-1, 65.33 cm, 60.31 g plant-1, 45.14 Mgha-1, respectively. the available of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in soil at the end of the experiment, which amounted 60.56, 38.20 and 191.38 mg kg-1soil in comparison with the treatment without addition, which gave the lowest rates.

This study was aimed to reveal the variation land surface temperature "LST" with some characteristics of desert soils in the Samawa desert at Al-Muthanna province, and to adopt solutions and treatments by identifying factors and indicators that have a direct impact to desertification, by using geographic information systems mapping for spatial distribution Some physical and chemical properties were selected. . the result showed that there was a statistical relationship between LST and the physical characteristics, as it was revealed that the comparison of sand and silt content with the land surface temperature "LST" . There is a significant relationship with the determination coefficient of R2=0.6. The chemical properties, the results showed that there was a significant connection between the electrical conductivity with the land surface temperature with a coefficient of determination R2=0.5 and an It was also observed that there is a significant relationship between the land surface temperature and the temperature measured in the field with a determination coefficient R2=0.6.

A field experiment was carried out at the field of Agricultural Research and Experiments Station during the season 2021-2022 in order to study the synergestic effect and compatible between Bacillus mucilaginosus and Pseudomonas fluorescens when they added as combination on potassium availability in the soil and on some plant growth characteristics and yield of Cucurbita pepo L. The experiment included four treatments B0, control , B1 addition of Bacillus mucilaginosus inoculum, B2 addition Pseudomonas fluorescens inoculum and B1 B2 addition of acombination of B1 and B2 inoculum . The experiment was conducted by using randomised complete blocks design in three replicates . The results showed that the co- inoculation with Bacillus mucilaginous and Pseudomonas fluorescens significant effect on quantity of soluble,exchangeable potassium as well as the plant height, dry weight of shoots, percentage of potassium in the shoot and in the fruits and total yield as compared with individual inoculation for any bacteria B1 or B2 which refers to positive synergestic effect. B1B2 treatment achieved the highest mean of soluble, exchangeable potassium which amounted to(0.163,0.856) cmol kg-1 soil respectively with an increase of (21.642 %, 15.676%) and (33.606%, 22.636%) of what was achieved by treatment (B1, B2) for the mean of soluble, exchangeable potassium respectively . B1B2 treatment achieved the lowest mean of( non-exchangeable and mineral) potassium which amounted to (35.280) cmol kg-1 soil.

A Factorial experiment of CRD was conducted, to study and evaluate the effectiveness of Calcite, Bentonite, and Kaolinite minerals, as well as organic matter, on adsorption and desorption of Pb and Cd. Bentonite and kaolinite clay minerals were treated by adding of 20 % calcite and 5 % organic matter of the weight of the mineral, so that the final weight became 100 g per treatment. Treatments were incubated for 180 days after that, and treated with five concentrations of Pb and Cd, (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 μg ml-1) as PbCl2 and CdSo4 respectively, The results showed the superiority of bentonite mineral over kaolinite in the maximum adsorption Xm and binding energy K by 137, 312.5, 20, and 193.5 % for Pb and Cd respectively. In the case of calcite mineral with both minerals, an increase in the binding energy and the greater adsorption were observed in the case of Cd and a decrease in the case of Pb with bentonite. In case of presence of organic matter with kaolinite, the maximum adsorption Xm for cadmium increased, as it was 204.08 μg g-1, while in the case of bentonite with organic matter it was 111.1 μg g-1. In the case of Pb, it reached 93.46 and 208.3 μg gm-1 for both minerals betonies and kaolinite, respectively. Regarding collective release, the results showed that the order of the treatment for the released Cd was as follows: M2 + O.M + C = M2 +O.M < M2 < M2 +C < M1 + C < M1 < M1 +O.M + C < M1 + O.M In the case of released Pb, the order of treatment was as follows: M1 < M1 + C = M1 + O.M < M1 + O.M + C < M2 + O.M + C < M2 + C < M2 + O.M < M2.

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of three factors, the first was biofertilization with four types (without addition, combination of A.brasilense + A. chroococcum combination of G.mosseae + T. harzianum, and combination of the two previous combinations), The second factor four types of organic fertilizer(without adding,vermicompost ,Orgevit, a combination of the two previous organic fertilizers),and the third factor mineral fertilizer with two levels (0% and 50%) of the fertilizer recommendation in addition to the full fertilizer recommendation treatment (second comparison).RCBD was used with three replications. The results showed that the triple interaction of the biofertilization treatments added with the organic fertilizer combination of organic fertilizer with 50% of the mineral fertilizer recommendation showed the highest averages for the characteristics of growth and the total yield, which gave79.740 Mg ha-1, and the content of leaves and the curd from N, P and K after harvest and the content of the soil of N, P and K after harvesting, which amounted to 70.81, 38.19, 370.44 mg kg soil-1,in comparison with the no addition treatment which gave the lowest averages .

This study was conducted using two different varieties of milk thistle, var. marianum, and var. albiflorum. The plant samples were collected from the Sulaimani region to determine silymarin content, bioactive constituents, and antioxidant activity. HPLC analysis showed that var. marianum contains a high amount of silymarin (365.680±3.815 mg/g). Silybin B, Silychristin A, and Silybin A were the major flavonolignans in these varieties—the var. marianum contains silybins B, silychristin A, and silybin A (174.880±6.495, 86.720±2.113, and 54.960±2.483 mg/g) respectively. The hexane extract analysis of milk thistle seeds of the marianum and albiflorum varieties identified 26 (95.229±1.318) and 19 (94.547±6.541) phytochemical compounds, respectively. Both varieties contain a higher amount of oleic acid, which was found to be 14.800±0.481 and 31.940±0.726 in both varieties, respectively. This study evaluates the scavenging effect of milk thistle plants using a DPPH assay. The result indicated that the var. marianum had a maximum scavenging effect of 72.944% compared to the var. albiflorum, (61.846%). The stronger IC50 was obtained by var. marianum with 17.027±0.064 µg/mL.

A field experiment was carried out during spring and fall seasons of 2021 at the experimental field of Al-Hamidhyia research station -College of Agriculture - University of Anbar to investgate the effect of variety, soaking with atonik and seeding dates on yield and its components of sorghum. the experiment was carried out using RCBD, within split-split plots arrangement with 3 replications. The main plots included three seeding dates for spring season (15/3, 1/4 and 15/4) and three seeding dates for the fall season (1/7, 10/7 and 20/7), while sub plots included seeds soaking with three concentrations of Atonik(0, 2.5 and 5 mlL-1), whereas the sub-sub plots included three varieties of Sorghum bicolor (Inqath, Lilo and Giza 113). The results showed that the Inqath variety was significantly superior in the studied traits and gave highest grain yield (4.70 and 5.70 ton ha-1) for both seasons prodused.Soaking seeds with Atonik had a significant effect on the studied traits; the highest concentration (5 ml L-1) was significantly superior and achieved a highest grain yield (4.79 and 5.36 tons ha-1)for both seasons respectively. Seeding dates significantly affected the studied traits.

This study was aimed to investigate yield and yield components of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under six different environmental conditions E1- E6 including two sowing date S1 and S2 at three location (Qlyasan, Kanipanka, Chamchamal) in KIR using 10 barley cultivars (C), Numar, Rafidain, Al-warka, Al-Amal, IPPA 265, IPPA 99, Arivat (local), Samir, Qalay 1, and Ukraine (Common cultivated). Experiment was applied using to complete randomized blocks design. The stability analysis was done using the linear regression model. The differences between the means were compared through Duncan multiple range test. The results was revealed that the mean sum of squares due to cultivars, environment, and C x E were highly significant for all studied characters. The cultivar Numar which had highest mean grain yield (3.559) th-1, high bi value1.96 and low S2di 0.058) considered optimal yield stability cultivar. The combination C1E3 gave the top grain yielding (6.91 th-1) due to very high GS, high NS and good TGW performances.

The objective of this study is to improve the nutritional value of Culban Vicia peregrina using four different methods: soaking in water for 12 hours, cooking for 40 minutes, roasting for 15 minutes, and germination for 7 days to reduce the effects of anti-nutritional. For 56 days, soybean meal was utilized to replace the grains treated by the abovementioned procedures by 40% ( T3, T5 T7 and T9) and 20% (T4, T6 and T8) in the diets for common carp Cyprinus carpio L., as well as a control diet comprising 30% of soybean meal (T1). The results of the statistical analysis showed the superiority of the fed fish the T7 significantly (P≤ 0.05) in the criteria of TLW,TG and DWG. The fed fish outperformed the T4, T5 and T6 significantly in the criteria of RGR and SGR compared to the control diet(T1). The best FCR and FER were obtained in the T6 and T7, which differed significantly from the T1. With the exception of treatments T2, T7, and T9, the fed fish performed significantly better than all other treatments in the PPV criterion. It can be concluded in present study the substituting culban seeds heated or biologically(germination technique) processed could replace up to 40% of the soybean meal.

Acinetobacter baumannii is a significant public health problem because it is capable of forming biofilms that may be responsible for the survival of this pathogen in the hospital environment. The aim of this study is to determine the role of (OmpA, CsuE) genes in biofilm production among A. baumannii isolates. A total of 100 clinical isolates of bacteria were collected from a different sources. All isolates were identified by biochemical test, specific selective media (CHROMagar) and polymerase chain reaction by detection presence of (blaOXA51) gene. only 60 isolates were diagnosed as A. baumannii, and to determine the biofilm production capacity two different methods were used Congo red agar method(CRA) and Microtiter plate method (MTP). MTP method result showed 85% of isolates were able to form biofilms, on the other hand, 33.33% of isolates had a biofilm production ability by showing bright black colonies on CRA. Conventional PCR was used to detect the presence of (OmpA, CsuE) genes and the result showed the prevalence of both genes in all isolates were 97%(58/60). It also shows a strong correlation between the presence of these genes and biofilm formation.

Both chitin and deacylated form of chitosan are considered the second most biopolymer available in nature after cellulose. Chitin and chitosan have an economic value related to their industrial, biological and biomedical applications. In this study, chitin was extracted from of Iraqi carp fish scales (Cyprinus carpio L.) and then deacylated into the chitosan. The obtained samples have been distinguished through Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The FTIR analysis for chitin showed the characteristic spectra at 1541 cm-1 and 1647 cm-1 associated to N-H bending vibration and C=O stretching vibration respectively. Thus, the FTIR spectra of chitosan gave characteristics bands of 1647 cm-1 for a carbonyl group. Thus, thermogravimetric analysis suggests that chitin had been found to be more stable than chitosan. Moreover, study of physiochemical properties for obtained chitosan was identified the molar mass (MW) of prepared chitosan to be 2.5 x 105(g/mol) with 4.5%moisture content, 0.050% ash and insoluble content about 0.59%. The degree of deacetylation (DD) was also studied based on potentiometric titration and FTIR were reached to 57% and 63% respectively. It has been confirmed by the functional properties of the prepared chitosan that it can be commercially used in different fields. Preparing chitosan from fish waste would be minimise the pollutants to the environment.

This study was aimed to determine the composition of essential oil contained in Viola odorata flowers and leaves. As well as assessing the cytotoxic effects of this oil on cancer cells and its antioxidant properties. A GC-Mass analysis was conducted to reveal essential oil components in flowers and leaves. For testing the antioxidant capacity of flowers and leaves oil, DPPH (1,1 Dyphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), resazurin dye, and hydroxyl were used. An in vitro study was conducted using lung cancer (A549) and breast normal (MCF-10) cell lines with concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 200, and 300 µl/ml of V. odorata L. essential oil. According to the results, essential oils derived from flowers and leaves contain different components in terms of quality and quantity. At a concentration of 300 µl/ml, the results showed that flowers' essential oil was highly antioxidant (98.16 %, 92.47%, 94.00 %) when combined with DPPH, resazurin dye, and hydroxyl, respectively. There was variation in cytotoxic effects on cancer cells based on oil concentrations and sources (flowers and leaves). In conclusion, the A549 cell line was significantly affected by flower oil than by leaves oil. The highest effect of flower oil was observed at a concentration of 300 µl/ml.

This study was aimed to assess the water quality of different water resources (Surface water, subsurface in water, and groundwater) across the Balak river basin. Twenty two different water resource samples were collected and subjecting to a comprehensive physicochemical analysis. Balak river basin, situated in Erbil governorate, Iraq, it is located 10 km to the east from Bekhal Waterfall. Five attributers combine with Balak River within the basin areas which are: Rezanok Sub River, Balakiyan Sub River, Basan Sub River, Roste Sub River, and Alana Sub River. The hydro chemical study of all water resources during the investigated period revealed that the spring waters are relatively higher in electrical conductivity value compared to other sources. Some surface water samples were recorded high turbidity value. Values recorded for physicochemical parameters were within WHO and Iraqi standards guideline values except for some samples of turbidity. According to water classification, all samples have a very similar composition, and can be classified as Ca-HCO3 water. This indicated that they correspond to different sampling points along different rivers, and different samples along the same river.

Phytoremediation is the ability of some plants to bio accumulate, decompose, or transformation of pollutants in soils, water, or air. In the current study, an effort is made to study the effectiveness of free-floating plants to treat simulated industrial wastewater polluted with Lead and Cadmium ions using Azolla Pinnata plant in a lab condition. Free water surface flow constructed wetland were fed with simulated Cd and Pb ions in different concentrations (5, 10 and 20) mgl-1. Different operating conditions were studied such as; pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, temperature, and sodium adsorption ratio to find out the possibility of using treated wastewater for irrigation. Results showed that, Azolla plant had a higher removal efficiency to extract Lead ions (90.1%, 86.67%, and 81.3%) than Cadmium (79.3%, 78.4%, and 69.7%) when the initial concentration is (5, 10, 20) mgl-1 respectively, during 5 days. A slight reducing in pH (8.3 to 7.4) and dissolved oxygen (8.7 to 7.2) mgl-1 observed, all these values mentioned satisfied with the Iraqi standards and World Health Organization. From values of electrical conductivities (250- 750) (µScm-1) and the sodium adsorption ratios (0- 10) it was found that treated wastewater falls into class C2S1 which mean that water has good quality and can be used to irrigate moderately salt-tolerant crops on soils with good permeability.

This experiment was conducted to assemble and test a cooling system operating with a thermoelectric cooling system (TEC) used to preserve crops and agricultural products from April 14 to June 24, 2021 AD. The study included a test of adding Heat Sink to the cold side of the thermoelectric cooling plates (TEC) with two levels (without heat sink (A1) and with heat sink (A2)) inside the system. 6 cooling models (TEC) were used with 6 heat sinks distributed in the form of two groups, and each group includes three cooling model (TEC). The following characteristics were measured (internal temperature (Tin), temperature difference (∆T), relative humidity (RH), time required to cool (t), cooling capacity (Qc) and Coefficient of Performance (COP). The results reveated that the presence of Heat Sink (A2) was superior than without (A1) in the following characteristics: It gave the lowest temperature inside the system 6.55Cº by 35% over treatment (A1), and pointed the highest (∆T, RH, t, Qc and COP) by (24.19 Cº, 82.32% , 43.73W and 19.87%) respectively. All these obtained results give with a cooling time 4.6h which was higes about 14% than (A1). Where the electrical capacity used 220W.

This study aimed to investigation was carried out to evaluate the performance and product emission of four cylinder 4- stroke water cooled direct injection (DI) diesel engine fueled by permanent magnet exposed diesel fuel compared with diesel fuel (DF). Three levels of magnet field intensity were used including Diesel fuel exposer to 3000 Gauss (DG3), Diesel fuel exposer to 5000 Gauss (DG5) and Diesel fuel exposer to 9000 Gauss (DG9) fuel respectively. Permanent magnetic device was employed and installed on fuel line before interring high pressure fuel injection pump . The engine run at constant speed 1500rpm(revolution per minute) and loaded by two levels 4.5 kW and 9 kW represented as L1and L2 respectively. Results obtained showed that fuel DG5 registered an increased in thermal efficiency(TE) about 20.09% at load L1 compared with DF. Maximum reduction in brake specific fuel consumption (bsfc) about 12.12%, when using DG5 fuel at load 1 compared to DF fuel. All exhaust emission Unburned Hydrocarbon (UHC), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Carbon Dioxide (CO2),Particular Maters (PM), and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) are decreased when diesel fuel treated with different magnetic intensities 3000,5000 and 9000 Gauss. Compared with conventional diesel fuel. Maximum reduction in PM,HC,NOx,CO2,and CO about 16.56-27.08%, 3.89–64.26%, 4.79–7.91%, 4.05-5.71and 11.46-53.48% respectively. CO2 emission was increased by 1.65-4.28 at DG5 with L1 and L2 respectively due to the operating conditions.

This study was aimed to identify the basic principles and design considerations (cultural and natural) that can be relied upon in the urban landscape design for vertical residential complexes in Baghdad city. The descriptive and analytical approach was followed to collect and extract the data for urban green spaces of Al-Salhia residential complex within Baghdad city that based on six tools for data collection and analysis which were: field survey, climatic factors analysis, urban fabric analysis, personal interviews, cultural factors analysis, and questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of the people and specialists from Al-Salhia complex residents. After collecting the forms, the data was gathered by the "Excel Office Microsoft" software, and the " System Analysis Statistical" program was used to download the data and the differences between the means were compared with the least significant difference "LSD" test. The results revealed that the decrement in the green space’s percent of the complex and their efficien. And the shades created by the residential buildings were not taken into consideration by designing the green spaces and their impact.

This research was performed during the 2021 seasons in private orchard located in Bara-Bhar-Duhok governorate to study the effect of soil application of chemical and Nano-NPK, foliar spray with chelated Nano-Zinc and their interaction on vegetative growth of Taifi and Kamali grape cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.). NPK (20:20:20) was added to the soil at five levels (0, 216 g.vine-1, 324 g.vine-1 chemical NPK, 3.24 and 6.48 g.vine-1 Nano-NP (, chelated Nano-Zinc was added at three concentration (0, 100 and 200 mg.l-1). The results showed the superiority of the Taifi cultivar in traits of number of leaves per vine, Single leaf Area and leaves dry weight over the Kamali cultivar, while Kamali cultivar was superiority in traits of leaf area per cluster ratio and total chlorophyll over the Taifi cultivar. Soil application of chemical and Nano-NPK and foliar application of Nano-zinc fertilizer achieved significant increase in vegetative growth (number of leaves, Single leaf Area, and total leaves area per vine, total chlorophyll and leaves dry weight) compare to control. Furthermore, combination among high concentration of Nano-NPK, Nano-zinc for Taifi and Kamali cultivars improved all parameters in comparison with the control.

In this study, a highly levansucrase-producing strain was isolated, identified as Bacillus lichniformans MJ8, and registered with the accession number OM672244.1 in the NCBI database. The SacB gene responsible for levansucrase production was transferred from this bacterium into Escherichia coli. It was found that the gene contains 1449 bp nucleotides, encoding 482 amino acids. The gene has been given the accession number ON811641.1 in the NCBI gene bank. The transformation was achieved by a cloning the SacB gene to plasmid pTG19-T, which was transferred to Escherichia coli DH5α. The Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), with pet-28a (+) vector, was used to express the gene. One mM IPTG is induces the cloned gene to produce SacB protein. The levansucrase activity was 14.31 U/ml after transformation. The study also included the identification and characterization of levan produced by the bacteria using HPLC and FTIR techniques.

The current study was aimed assessing the effects of cultivars, sowing date and locations on bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L) quality parameters grain protein concentration (GP), Gluten Index GI, falling number (FN), Water absorption capacity (WAC %), Pasting temperature (PT), and loaf volume (LV) of five bread wheat cultivars viz. Alla, Hassad, Charmo, Maaroof, and Adana as control, two sowing dates (Nov 15th, Dec 15th) at each location under rainfed environment. Grain samples were obtained from previous field experiments were conducted at two locations of Sulaimani Governate in Iraq-Kurdistan-region, Qlyasan and Halabja, during growing seasons 2018-2019. The experiments were conducted using RCBD within split plot arrangement with three replicates. Result for companied analysis, showed that cultivars sowing date, locations, the interactions CS, CL, and SL and tri-interaction CSL were high significantly affects to all quality traits except GP for location, LV for SL and GP for CS interaction, which were non-significant. The results confirmed that sowing wheat lately is an accept option for maximizing GP, GI, PT, and LV, while, optimum sowing was increasing FN and WA traits, regardless of cultivar or location. Wheat grown at Qlyasan appeared to have more GP content, FN, WA, PT, and LV, while Halabja location to have stronger gluten quality (GI). The di-interactions viz. CS, CL, and SL and tri-interaction CSL played a significant important role in changing or modifying the values of the quality traits.

The research aims to identify the financial feasibility of cultivating the wheat crop under modern irrigation systems in desert areas and to clarify the impact of the capacity of the systems in those projects in achieving the financial feasibility of their establishment, using the economic evaluation criteria for the projects. The research included a study of 60 projects in Anbar Governorate for the 2020-2021 production season. It has been shown that projects that use several systems, despite their high investment costs, can recover the money invested in them within a relatively short period. The projects that use modern irrigation systems covering 60 donums were among the best projects that achieved technical efficiency in the productivity of the wheat crop, and the average net income reached the cash in the sample is about 1.3 billion dinars, while the average net income per donum in the research sample is about 189 thousand dinars. The sample was not able to achieve accounting profits, The research recommended the need to use electric power systems as an alternative to relying on electric power generators, as the average price of solar power systems in the Iraqi market is currently within reach.

A field experiment was conducted during two seasons 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 at the Grdarasha Research Station of the Agricultural Engineering Sciences College-Salahaddin University-Erbil. The experiment was designed as factorial within randomized complete block design (RCBD), with three replicates. The first factor included three target seeding rates of Triticale (×Triticosecale wittmack, variety Admiral (200,250,and300seeds.m-2), while the second factor was three grain size grades whole, thousand kernels weight (TKW) 47.32 g, heavy seeds, TKW 54.04 and light seeds TKW 40.18 g. The results revealed to no significant influence of seeds weight or seeding rates and their interaction on this trait excluding whole sample seed (ungraded) at the rate target of 300 seeds.m-2, which was significantly reduced flag leaf area. Leaf area index was significantly varied among seed weight and target seeding rates or by their interactions. The plant height of triticale although it was higher for heavy seeds and higher target seeding rates, but it was not reached significant level, either by seed grade or target seed rate and their interactions in both. Plant height ranges from 88.00 for heavy seeds at rate 300 seeds.m-2 to 83.00 for light seeds at rate 200 seeds.m-2 for the season 2019-2020. The highest tillers number was recorded for seed rate 300.m-2 with whole ungraded seeds (176.00).

This research was aimed to purified beta-glucosidase from apricot seeds using ammonium sulfate precipitation, followed by gel filtration chromatography, then ion exchange chromatography. Ion exchange chromatography resulted in the enzyme sample with a specific activity of 41.3 U/mg with a purification fold of 15 and a yield of 30.3%. The apricot beta-glucosidase had an optimum pH of 4 with good stability between pH 3 and 6. The optimum temperature was 60°C and there was good stability between 5 and 40°C. Faba beans treated at pH 5.5 containing beta-glucosidase showed higher total vicine removal than with only water at pH 5.5 after 4 h. Additionally, treatment at 40°C showed higher total vicine removal that treatments at 25°C. However, treating faba beans at pH 5.5 with and without beta-glucosidase resulted in a lower total vicine content for the enzyme treatment before cooking but the total vicine content after cooking was the same for the water treated compared to the enzyme treated. As an industrial by-product, apricot seeds are a rich source of beta-glucosidase that may be used to treat faba beans to increase their nutritional composition.

The study was aimed to determine heterosis, GCA, SCA and some genetic parameters in maize (Zea mays L.). Seeds for half diallel crosses among eight inbred lines Planted in spring season 2021 during fall season 2021, the eight parents and 28 hybrids were sowing (10/7/2021) using Randomize Complete Block Design with three replications at the field of College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Duhok. The results revealed that the mean square for all genotypes was highly significant effects in all studied traits except number of ears per plant. The (Un44052) line was superior in number of rows per ear and grain yield per plant, while the cross (Zp-505 x Un44052) was superior in number ear per plant and number of rows per ear. Six crosses exhibited significant positive heterosis, the crosses Dkc-f-59 x Dk-17, Dkc-f-59 x Un44052, Dkc-f-59 x Zp-430, Zp-505 x Un44052, Zp-607 x Zp-505 and Zp-179 x Un44052. The heritability in broad sense was higher than the heritability narrow sense in studied traits, between 0.33 and 0.97 for number of ear per plant and grain yield per plant. The average degree of dominance was higher than one in studied traits.

This study was aimed to testing 25 genotypes (5 parents + 10 diallel + 10 reciprocal crosses) using full Diallel mating design in winter season 2021-2022 for F2 generation of common wheat, in two locations. The first was in Qlyasan Agricultural Research Station, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences; University of Sulaimani located (Lat 35° 34′; N, Long 45° 21′; E, 765 MASL), the second was in Koya Agricultural Station-Ministry of Agricultural (Lat 36° 04′; N, Long 44° 37′; E, 582 MASL). The results of the study confirmed that the mean squares of genotypes was highly significant for all characters in both locations, the same for the mean squares for gca with the exception of grain weight plant-1 in Qlyasan location which was only significant. The mean square for sca was highly significant for most characters at Qlyasan location, while at Koya location it was significant only for grain weight plant-1. The mean square for rca was significant for spike weight plant-1 at Qlyasan location and 1000-grain weight at Koya location and not significant for the other characters. The Diallel cross 1×4 at Qlyasan location and the reciprocal cross 2×1 at Koya location showed the best performance for grain weight plant-1 recording 58.083 and 40.941g plant-1 respectively. The magnitude of σ2sca was more than σ2gca for all characters in both locations indicating the importance of non-additive gene effects in controlling these characters. Heritability in broad sense for Diallel crosses due to grain weight plant-1 was found to be high in both locations, while for reciprocal crosses was low, and it was low for narrow sense for all crosses.