Mesopotamia Journal of Agriculture

This study was carried out for the purpose of conducting an evaluation of agricultural lands for wheat and barley crops and monitoring changes in the nature of land use for the studied area located northeast of Nineveh governorate (longitudes
43°04ˉ26˭ and 43°22ˉ23˭ east and latitudes 36° 22ˉ56˭ and 36°34ˉ43˭) Thirteen soil samples were obtained from the study areas for laboratory analysis. Through this information, soil suitability values were found according to its analyzed characteristics in addition to climate characteristics and according to (Sys et al., 1993) standards, which finally came to establish appropriate soil as well as land values for wheat and barley crops. The results indicated that the lands of the region are classified according to their suitability for the production of selected crops into highly suitable lands (S1) for the cultivation of wheat and barley, and constitute (7.70%) of the study samples and suitable lands (S2) for cultivation, and constitute (92.30%) of the study samples, with Considering that the climate factor was not specific for the cultivation of wheat and barley crops.

This study was conducted using 18 Awassi male lambs with an average initial weight 33.57 ± 0.69 kg for the period from 9-12 months of age. Lambs were distributed randomly into three treatments each, included 6 lambs. Lambs in the first treatment (T1) were fed a diet that includes 11% of sunflower meal, the second treatment (T2) fed diet includes 11% of low degradable sunflower meal, and the third treatment (T3) were fed on a diet containing 11% low degradable sunflower seed. The results were indicated a significant increase (P≤ 0.05) in semen volume in (T2) 2.77 ml compared with the (T1) 1.98 ml and (T2)1.69 ml.
Significant improve (p≤ 0.05) was noted in T2 and T3 in individual motility 87.33 and 87.70% and sperm concentration 2.45 and 2.62 × 109 / ml compared to the T1 the individual motility was 84.95% and sperm concentration 2.10 × 109 / ml, respectively. Seminal plasma concentration of total protein, globulin, and urea were higher (P≤ 0.05) in T2 as compared other treatments. Whereas, feeding low degradable sunflower seed (T3) resulted in a significant increase (P≤ 0.01) of cholesterol concentration 140.05 mg/dl in seminal plasma compared with the T1 122.78 mg/dl and T2 125.81 mg/dl, while triglycerides was decreased (P≤ 0.05) in T1 37.49 mg/dl than T2 and T3 52.72 and 58.92 mg/dl respectivly.

To solve the problem of the shortage broad bean crop production in the governorate of Nineveh. The study was carried out between the Horticulture Department, College of Agriculture and forestry, University of Mosul, and the Director of Nineveh Agriculture, to know the effect of two factors: first factor was three varieties of broad beans (local, Spanish and Italian) ,the second factor was three levels of mineral fertilizer NP (0. 300 and 400 kg. ha-1) . The experiment consist of nine treatments. It designed according to Randomized Complete Block Design with Split-plot arrangement with three replicates. Analysis of variance carried out according to Duncan's multiple range test at 0.05. Results showed the Spanish variety gave significant superiority in the number of pods, seeds, and seed yields compared to the other varieties except for the number of pods that did not differ significantly with the local variety. 300 and 400 kg. ha-1 levels of mineral fertilizer caused a significant increase in all studied parameters but there was no significant effect between 300 kg. ha-1 and control. Most effects of interaction treatments showed similar effects as a single factor for every mentioned characters.

The study was carried out at the farm located at the Animal Production Farm, College of Agriculture, University of Tikrit for a period of 70 days excluding 14 days as an adaptation period (from 8ᵗʰ October to 16ᵗʰ of December 2020). The aim of this study find alternative diets for fattening Awassi lambs in the northern region and improved protein of barley. Sixteen Awassi lamb were used, aged 5-6 months, with an average starting body weight of 26.2 ± 0.3 kg. Four formulation diets were randomly allocated to four groups of animals. Group one ( control) 98% barley, Group two (88% barley, 5% soybean meal, 5% vegetable fat), Group three (83% barley, 10% soybean meal, 5% vegetable fat), Group four ( 78% barley, 15% soybean meal, 5% vegetable fat). All the experiment diets were supplemented with 1% salts and 1% vitamins and minerals. The lambs were fed concentrate feed at 3% of live body weight on a dry matter basis with 100 grams of roughage (straw) day/lamb. The results showed that animals in group 2 (T2), group3 (T3) and group 4 (T4) significantly (P≤0.05) higher final body weight, average daily body weight gain and feed conversion ratio, then those from (T1)
. Moreover , animals from T3 and T4 had significant (P≤0.05) higher production performance compared to those in T2 . The weights of hot , cold carcass, and the three main carcass cuts (leg, shoulder, and rack) were ignorantly (P≤0.05) heavier in T3 and
T4 then other groups .The lambs in T3 andT4were also showed (P≤0.05) larger eye muscle area then T1 and T2. There were no significant differences in dressing-out %,or fat thickness between the treatment groups .

Liver samples from 163 slaughtered animals were studied to provide data regarding normal hepatic Copper (Cu) concentration, and Iron (Fe). Results show the mean and median liver Cu concentration in majority samples were normal. Lambs had higher (P<0.05) liver Cu concentration (499) compared to yearling (353), cattle (321), and sheep 200 mg /kg respectively. Cases of being at risk with Cu-toxicity were shown in 2 lambs (1797 and 2449), 1 yearling (1546), and 1 cattle) 1525 mg/kg respectively. sheep did not exhibit a high liver Cu concentration, while a six yearling, an eight sheep, and fourteen cattle revealed marginal hepatic Cu concentration. Moreover, five sheep and six cattle cases showed low hepatic Cu concentration. In addition to that the lambs and yearling cases did not reached hepatic Cu deficiency. Hepatic Fe concentration in sheep was higher (P<0.05) compared to lamb, yearling, and cattle, with the mean concentration of 2047, 1962, 1954, 1925 mg Fe/kg respectively. All sheep liver samples, with 33 yearling sample, and 46 lambs liver samples contained liver Fe concentrations exceeded toxic level (2450 mg/kg). While, one liver sample in cattle contained (3214 mg/kg), exceeding toxic level. There were 14 lambs and 14 yearlings, with 12 and 13 liver samples contained greater than 2000 mg of Fe/kg. In conclusion, hepatic Cu content in the majority of examined sample were normal. Though, high and low levels of Cu were also observed. The low hepatic Cu level might be related to the high hepatic Fe concentration.

The South African agricultural sector plays an important role in creating jobs, alleviating food insecurity and poverty, and contributes to exports. Agricultural commodities from smallholder farmers are often lost after production due to numerous marketing constraints which make it challenging for smallholder farmers to survey full lucrative markets. This, among other challenges, reduces smallholder farmers’ motivation to participate in formal (commercial) or lucrative markets. The study examined factors hindering marketing among smallholder vegetable cooperative farmers in the Polokwane Municipality. Data used were collected through structured questionnaire from a random sample of one hundred and twenty smallholder cooperative vegetable farmers. Descriptive statistics, the Marketing Hindrance Index and Tobit model were employed as analytical tools to accomplish the objectives of the study. Results of the data analysis revealed that some of the factors hindering marketing among smallholder vegetable cooperative farmers include source of water and types of vegetables grown. The result of Tobit regression analysis revealed that access to credit, access to reliable information about marketing, age, access to storage and farming experience in years were significant variables influencing marketing.In view of the research findings, the study recommends encouragement of youth participation in agriculture, improved access to agricultural information and formal market access and enabling accessibility through the development of better infrastructure as critical to enhancing marketing in the study area.