Tikrit Journal for Agricultural Sciences

The study aimed to present a proposed theoretical vision for the development of the agricultural extension organization in Iraq that meets the needs of farmers and activates the extension role in achieving sustainable agricultural development, by studying the reality of extension work and diagnosing its weaknesses. The study was used the qualitative research approach that depends on reviewing previous research and studies in studying the phenomenon and diagnosing Its weaknesses, and in the light of this study, a proposed vision was presented to develop the agricultural extension organization in Iraq as an organizational structure, activities and tasks that should be activated in a manner that ensures the achievement of sustainable agricultural development. The study recommended policy and decision makers in the Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Extension and Training Office to benefit from this study and put its results into application.

The tomato crop is one of the most important daily consumer food crops that enters the consumer basket and its importance called for necessity Study it through a random sample consisting of (145) questionnaires, of which (75) are intended for farmers and (35) are designated for each of the wholesalers and (35) for retailers in the governorate Salah al-Din, and it is necessary to refer to the average number of dunams planted with the crop for the research sample (5.2) dunams, as the production of one dunam amounted to an average of (4.8) tons / dunam, and the average prices of the crop for the producer, wholesaler and retailer amounted to (382-504.4-701.7) dinars/ kg, respectively, the average absolute marketing margin between wholesaler - producer, retailer - wholesaler, retailer - producer amounted to (81.86 - 197.3 - 319) dina / kg, respectively, while the relative marketing margin between wholesaler - farms, wholesaler The retailer, the retailer-farmer (producer) amounted to (19.50%, 26.11%, 42.37%) respectively, and the profits of the retailer from the absolute marketing margin ranked first, while the profits of the wholesaler ranked second, and the marketing efficiency was measured, amounting to The average marketing efficiency according to the three laws of scale (1) amounted to (59.93%), For scale (2) it reached (65.41 %, 43.95%, 32.66%), and for scale (3) it reached (63.16%), it was concluded that it is low when compared with the marketing systems of the rest of the world. (319) dinars, while the profits of the wholesaler from the marketing margin averaged (197.3) dinars. The reason for this is attributed to the ability of the retailer to bargain without providing marketing services. There is scarcity and shortage in wholesale markets, and this in turn leads to many wholesalers monopolizing the crop and selling it at prices that suit them, as well as the necessity for the owners of wholesale offices to perform the necessary marketing functions (sorting, grading, classifying and packing) This study recommended opening new outlets for wholesale sales and expanding wholesale offices, as the study showed that there is a scarcity and shortage in wholesale markets, and this in turn leads to many wholesalers monopolizing the crop and selling it at prices that suit them

The aim of the research is to identify the importance of policies to diversify the sources of national income in the Iraqi economy and to develop the productive base of the economic sector without relying on the oil sector, as well as to determine the role of agricultural production and its contribution to the process of diversifying sources of income. The Iraqi economy is heavily dependent on oil revenues, making it vulnerable to the volatility surrounding this sector and the fluctuating revenues from it, so it is necessary to adopt strategies and policies to economically diversify the sources of national income in the Iraqi economy, develop the economic base without relying on the oil sector, generating revenues and diversifying sources of national income.
The agriculture sector is one of the leading sectors with its relative abundance of agricultural resources, allowing economic policy to successfully implement a policy of developing and achieving diversified revenues outside oil revenues, as the agricultural sector can play a key and effective role in achieving diversification of sources of income through the necessary food products provided by this vital sector to meet the needs of domestic demand, as well as its contribution to foreign trade through the export of surplus agricultural production and its contribution to output. Gross domestic. The research concluded that the structure of Iraqi exports did not diversify, as Iraq was primarily based on crude oil exports in the composition of its exports by more than 99 percent, making the Iraqi economy more vulnerable to global crises that could occur and which would have an impact on oil price changes.

The study aims to detect the effect of adding of Bacillus licheniformis bacteria (1 × 108 cells/day/animal) to reduce the negative effect of cholesterol added to the food ration by 2% on body weights and the effect on some parameters, blood images and lipid profiles in male laboratory rats after a period of 28 days. In this study, 15 adult male Albino Sprague- Dawleyweanling rats of 8-9 weeks of age and average weight of 142 g are used. The animals are randomly distributed into 3 groups with each group consisting of 5 animals. The results show that the addition of cholesterol causes a significant increase at (P<0.05) in body weight, as the weight gain is 43.18 g compared with 19.13 g in the control group. The results also show a decrease in total number of red blood cells, hemoglobin levels, HCT and a significant increase in the number of white blood cells and platelets for groups of rats feeding cholesterol at (6.12 , 10.44 , 35.32 , 11.94 , 850.60) compared with the control group (7.09 , 12.30 , 38.54 , 9.22 , 597.40) respectively. The results also show an increase in the level of cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides, and a significant decrease in the level of HDL compared to the control group.
The addition of Bacillus licheniformis with cholesterol has a significant effect in reducing the negative effect of cholesterol on all the above-measured parameters.

The aim of the current study was to explore growth performance and carcass traits using ultrasound measurements of calves of different cattle breeds under pasture and concentration feeding system. A total of 25 male cattle calves between the ages of 6 to 7 months with an average body weight of 162.37 ± 7.7 kg were fed two separate fattening trials for seven months (pasture and finishing period). Animals were divided into five groups (five of each breed): Kurdi, Rustaki, Jenoubi, Herford and Friesian crossbred. The average daily weight gain was similar (P > 0.05) for calves of different cattle breeds during growth (pasture) period, while these values were significantly higher in Kurdi, Rustaki and Friesian crossbred calves during finishing period. The body size measurements were similar among calves of different cattle breeds. The highest increase in Longissimus muscle area and subcutaneous fat thickness was observed in Kurdi, Rustaki and Friesian crossbred calves. In conclusion, Kurdi, Rustaki and Friesian crossbred calves possess the promising potential for beef production under the barn rearing or finishing period.

The research dealt with the study of the productive and economic performance of broiler farms in Diyala Governorate - Iraq for the 2020 production season, through a questionnaire conducted for a group of broiler breeders, whose number was (35) breeders out of a total of( 360) products, they were randomly selected in order to know the status of production, costs and efficiency Farm management, and a multivariate productivity function model with value units was used to know the impact of production costs on production. The statistical and econometrics analysis showed an inefficiency in exploiting the available production capacities through the parameters of the estimated function, as it turned out that the slope of rented labor X2 towards production is high, as its value reached ( 2.875569), the slope of the feed purchase cost X3 in the estimated production function was (4.700436), while the other variables had a lower slope. The production performance indicators were also measured, which included the efficiency of food conversion, the economic indicator and the productivity index scale, as the economic index reached (27.8) and is considered low compared to the standard value that ranges between (170-200), while the value of the efficiency of food conversion was (1.6 kg of meat / kg of feed). Where the results showed the lack of sufficient knowledge of broiler breeders in the technical management of the broiler flock, as well as the misuse of the available productive resources. The study recommended increasing the number of the flock in the available production capacities according to scientific bases in order to achieve the reduction of fixed production costs and training broiler breeders on advanced technical methods To achieve efficiency in managing the broiler herd, thus minimizing production costs and maximizing profits.

One of the most important aspects of livestock is the supply of essential quantities of balanced nutrients manufacture. In several physiological functions of nutrients, concerning organisms, protein has an important role. Ruminants are not wholly protected of amino acids by microflora degradation of animal feed sources and by maintaining proteins from the breakdown in the rumen where both high and medium yielding ruminant amino acids are required, they must be met; therefore, rumen-protected protein (RPP) dietary supplementation, including primarily rumen-protected protein (RPP), methionine (RPMeth), protected from rumen flora, it was necessary. Numerous scientists are attracted in the study of the character of (RPMeth) in a dairy cow about it’s an impact on milk produce, growth rate, N- efficiency, coefficient digestibility, intake of DM. Unluckily, the findings obtained from many RPMeth investigations showed excessive fluctuation results in ruminant nutrition between its helpful and useless influence, specifically during early and late lactation periods. Thus, for ruminants, when they use this review post, farm owners may be careful when they are plan to apply RPMeth to the diet of animals. In summary, supplementation RPMeth also has a positive balanced effect, even with no detrimental effect on the yield of milk, animal productivity and hemato-biochemical parameters, especially during the early lactation when used with a ruminant diet low in crude protein.

This study aimed to look into the impact of road transportation in the dry, hot region of Erbil-Kurdistan, Iraq, on blood parameter changes and heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) expressions in lambs as welfare indicators. A total of thirty Awassi Syrian sheep 1-year-old lambs with an average live weight of 63.894±0.48kg were subjected to three pre-slaughter handling groups of ten (10) animals each one day before transportation. The first group was kept under normal farm conditions and used as a control (T1). The other two groups were loaded into an open truck and driven for 2 hours before being unloaded and then lairage for 0h (T2) 12h (T3). According to the findings, the response of biochemical parameters and heat-shock protein in kidney and liver tissues rose significantly. Cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline, glucose, and lactate levels were considerably higher in T2 than in T1 and T3 lambs. According to heat shock protein 70 expressions, transit without shade was more stressful for the lambs. Therefore, it is necessary to use an appropriate resting time following road transportation pre-slaughter to prevent welfare problems.

The research was carried out in the poultry unit fields / Nineveh Research Department, to identify the effect of four generations (1st , 2nd, 3rd and 4th) and feather color groups (black, brown, desert and white) of female quail on their productive performance. The results showed a significant improvement (P ‎<‎0.05) through generations from 1st to 4th on egg production percentage and weight of eggs produced / kg, a significant increase (P ‎<‎0.05) for feed consumption / kg as well as a significant decrease (P ‎<‎0.05) for abnormal color percentage, while the four generations had no significant effect on Feed conversion ratio (feed kg / egg kg), age at 5% eggs production / day, hatchability percentage, fertility percentage, and sexual ratio. On the other hand, the desert color group feathers excelled significantly (P ‎<‎0.05) in eggs weight / kg., Feed consumed / kg and the food conversion ratio / kg eggs compared to the black group only, and the lowest significant percentage (P ‎<‎0.05) for colors anomalous was of the desert color group, there was no significant difference between the color groups of the rest of the other traits.

A field experiment was conducted during the autumn season (2019) at the Research Station of Field Crops Department / College of Agriculture, Tikrit University, to study the effect of spraying potassium on the growth characteristics, yield and its components of the three genotypes of corn (Zea Mays L.). The first factor contained two concentrations of foliar spraying with potassium (2500 and 5000 ppm) and the second factor was three genotypes of corn (DKC6589, DKC6120, and ZP). The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design (R.C.B.D), with three replications. The results showed that foliar spraying with potassium had a significant effect for both levels on the following characteristics: plant height (171.50 cm), leaf area (6157.56 cm2), the weight of 300 grains (104.99 g), and total grain yield (9.134 Mg ha-1).
The genotypes were also significantly affected by the following traits. The genotype (DKC 6120) gave the highest values: Plant height (173.60 cm), leaf area (5992.83 cm2), ear length (18.14 cm), number of days from planting until 50% of tasseling (56.72 days), number of days from planting until 50% of silking (60.54 days), number of rows per ear (15.64 row ear-1), number of seeds per row (27.75), the number of grains in the ear (418.97), the weight of 300 grains (101.50 g), and the total grain yield (9.535 Mg ha-1).

A field experiment was carried out during the winter season 2020-2021 in the AL-Sufia area, east of Ramadi, to estimate effect of spraying cytokinin on the growth and yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). By using the split plot plate arrangement by randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications, the study included two factors, the first factor, three concentrations of cytokinin 0 (K1), 30 (K2) and 60 (K3) mg L-1. taken and sprayed on the vegetative part in equal parts for two sprays, each spraying 0, 15 and 30 mg L-1 when the first vegetative branch appeared. The second factor is the planting dates and they were Oct 25th , Nov 10th, Nov 25th and Dec 10th, and the symbols (D1, D2, D3, D4) were taken. Concentration of 60 mg L-1 of cytokinin significantly affected the yield characteristics and its components, as this concentration recorded the highest average in the characteristics number of grains in the spike, weight of 1000 grains, and grain yield was 26.20 grains in the spike-1 and 53.77 g. and 5.633 ton H-1 respectively. The planting dates also had a significant effect on the yield characteristics and its components, second date superior Nov 10th in most of the studied traits, and the yield traits recorded the highest rates in the trait of the number of spikes 402.7 spikes m-2 and number of grains spike 26.17 grain spike-1, and grain yield amounted to 6.198 ton h-1

This study was conducted during April–August 2020, in an open field at Qularasi Research Station, Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region-Iraq, to determine the effect of watermelon variety on population density of melon weevil Actopeus curvirostris persicus. Results showed that the melon weevil has distinct daily activities. Two activity peaks were observed in late-June and early-July. The general mean of population density on June 28 was (1.611) weevil /week, which was less than July 4 (2.583) weevils/week, the lowest number of weevils were observed at 7:00 am on the variety (Qamar F1) with (0.789) weevil/hour. Whereas, the highest number of weevil was observed at 7:00 am on Crimson Sweet variety with (1.525) weevil/hour. However, at 11:00 am, all varieties (Charleston Gray, Topgun F1, king Charles, Qamar F1, and Crimson Sweet) recorded the highest number of weevil (4.571, 4.238, 4.048, 4.048 and 1.524) weevil/hour, respectively. The population densities of melon weevil were high on all watermelon varieties in the last week of June and first week of July. Temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed correlations showed a great effect on melon weevil population density during the study period. The correlation was negative significant (-0.208) for temperature in the variety Crimson Sweet, while it was positive significant in the other varieties of Charleston Gray, Topgun F1, and King Charles with (0.165, 0.183 and 0.147), respectively. The correlation was positive significantly for relative humidity in the variety Crimson Sweet) with (0.165) however, it was negative significant for wind speed in the variety Topgun F1 with (0.137).

A field study was conducted in date palm orchards in Salah al-Din Governorate during the period from 1/10/ 2020 to 30/10/2021 to survey the species of date palm borers and estimate their population density and relative presence during the study period. The results showed the diagnosis of three species of palm borers belonging to Coleoptera of the family Scarabaeidae, which included Oryctes elegans, Pentodon sp and Tanyproctus sp. The relative presence of males and females for the three borers was (53.00, 47.00%), (51.98, 48.02%) and (52.76, 47.24 %), respectively., the highest population density for males and females of the three borers during the month of June was (224, 192), (145, 132) and (68, 57) respectively, and the sex ratio for each of the three borers was 1.1:1 The highest total of adults caught by IPM Russell traps during one year was for O. elegans and Pentodon sp. it reached 418 and 236.3 adults/trap, respectively, while the total of adults of the two insects in the local trap was 75.7 and 49.9 adults/trap, respectively. For the borer Tanyproctus sp., the local trap superior on other traps , in which the total number of adults caught was 312 adults/trap, while it was 50 adults/IPM Russell trap.

The present study aimed to investigated the assessed total content of Arsenics, Ba, Pb, Rb, Sn, Sr, U and V in serpentinitic soils and rocks that wide spread over Penjwin and Mawat area in Sulaymaniyah governorate/ Kurdistan region of Iraq. This research was carried out during the seasons of 2018-2019 in seven pedons (1, 2 and 3 from Penjwin area, 4,5, 6, and 7 from Mawat area) that chosen according to the variation in chemical composition of the parent materials that soil developed. The pedons of Penjwin area were classified as Inceptisols, while the pedons from Mawat area were classified as Mollisols. The results showed that the total selected metals concentration of soils in all pedons were varied, and the total contents of heavy metal in the soil samples decreased in the order of V > Sr > Ba > Rb > Pb > As >Sn > U. The total concentration of As, Ba, Pb, Rb, Sn, Sr, U and V in soils were ranged between (< 0.2 to 11.8, 20 to 310, 1.3 to 22.7, 3.2 to 71.4, 0.2 to 4.1, 69.1 to 179.0, 0.1 to 1.9 and 88 to 277 mg kg-1) respectively. In addition, V contents in these soils were higher in compared to the other studied elements, with considerable variation between pedons on different landscapes, which reflected the serpentinitic differences and degrees in chemical weathering of the associative serpentinitic rocks. Total concentration of studied metals in rocks from both areas were varied and these values ranged between (<5 to 6.0, <10 to 10, 6 to 37.3, 0.2 to 1.2, <0.2 to 17.3, 5.2 to 137, <0.1 to 0.4 and 15 to 206 mg kg-1) for As, Ba, Pb, Rb, Sn, Sr, U and V respectively.

Three pedons were selected representing the soil series of the study area in Baiji city, which are Khadraniya, Al-Sharqat, and Manjour soils series, representing calcareous and gypsiferous soils, to diagnose some of micro-morphological Features in soil series horizons. Pedons were morphologically described, and disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were collected from each horizon. The presence of (calcic) and (gypsic) horizons has been diagnostic by morphological field results, ccumulation of lime and gypsum in soil matrix as vertical gypsic threads and beards and aggregates under gravel and gypsum crystals the size of coarse sand, as well as some lime and gypsum as nodules intertwined within soil structure units in soil horizons that reflects the influence of parent material and primary sedimentation sources.
The results of morphological characteristics are represented by the presence of gypsum crystals in distinct shapes, including lenticular, and spindle as Enhedral and subhedral, and the size of fine to coarse sand, as well as the granules that in filling pores, as well as the presence of pores in vughs and chamber, as well as the spongy and granular structure, as well as the presence of iron coating in the form Encases of gypsum crystals.

For clean a agriculture and a safe environment, this study was conducted, which included the preparation of a compost from Prosopis fracta and Alhagi maurorum plants, and evaluation Its as a medium for tomato seedlings production comparing it with peat moss, and as an organic fertilizer in comparison with a number of organic fertilizers - poultry wastes, cow with sheep wastes and spent mushroom compost residues, the results showed the superiority of the prepared compost over the peat moss in the speed and percentage of germination, plant height, and dry vegetative weight of tomato seedlings with a percentage increase of these traits amounted to 27.27%, 8.13%, 52.46% and 33.20%, respectively.. The results of evaluating compost as an organic fertilizer showed that the two treatments of poultry and compost were superior to mushroom residues, the mixture of cow and sheep manure in chlorophyll content, dry vegetative weight and fruit yield, as the chlorophyll content reached 52, 51, 48 and 50 SPAD, the dry vegetable weight of 776, 761, 633 and 643 g plant-1, the total yield of fruits 11.6, 11.1, 6.6 and 8.3 kg plant-1. The results of chlorophyll, dry vegetative weight of plants and total fruit yield of the combination of organic fertilizers - poultry wastes, compost, mushroom residues, and mixture of cow and sheep wastes- with 1/2 amount of chemical fertilizer NPK amount of 66 , 64, 57, 63 SPAD, 1125, 1123, 1076 and 1081 gm plant-1, 15.8, 15.7, 14.9 and 15.3 kg plant-1 respectively.

Economic and useful forest trees belong to the group of Gymnospermae. This class includes four orders. One of the largest and most important order is Coniferales, to which belong 550 species spread all over the world. This order concentrated in the northern hemisphere, especially in cold regions. It grows in poor soils and has the ability to adapt to harsh environmental conditions. It also produces good timber for various purposes. For these reasons, there was great interest to study it in natural forests. One of the largest families under this order is Pinaceae. This family includes nine genera with up to 210 species. Pinus L. is considered one of the most important and largest genus, which contains more than 90 species. Its plants are found in cold and temperate regions. However, in hot areas, it is found only on high mountains. Brutian pine spreads at different altitudes (0 - 1600 meters) above sea level. It grows naturally in Iraq including the governorates of Nineveh and Dohuk. Particularly, areas such as Zawita and Atrush are involved. Pine spreads in cold and temperate regions. In the Arab world, there are types of pine and it is found in the mountains of the Levant. It is found in the regions of Mount Lebanon Matn, Kesrouan, Chouf and Aley, in Syria in the mountains of Lattakia and Mount Aleppo, and in the Syrian forest areas, and it is found in northern and central Palestine and Jordan. In the Maghreb, it is found in the forests northwest of Tunisia, in the mountains of Algeria and the Moroccan countryside, and is found in the areas adjacent to the city of Al-Bayda.