Mesopotamia Journal of Agriculture

Two strains of Aspergillus niger were propagated on Czapek broth
medium using submerged culture in a shaker incubator at 30 °C and 125 rpm to
produce glucose oxidase. The strain ATCC 166808 was selected because it
gave higer enzymatic activity than the strain IMI 84305. The presence of
glucose and sucrose in the medium at concentration of 20 gm/l for each
enhanced maximum enzyme production after 3 days of incubation. The enzyme
was found to be intracellular and the sonication time required to rupture the
cellular walls was 15 minutes at 10 KHz. The enzyme was precipitated from
the cell-free extract by the addition of 2 volumes of cold acetone and was
partially purified by gel filtration chromatography using Sephadex G-150
followed by ion-exchange chromatography in a DEAE-cellulose column. A
specific activity of 8528.6 units/mg protein and a purification of 53.2 folds with
a yield of 47.6% was achieved.

The objectives of this research were to asses the training needs of
Tommato farmers in Sengar District in new technology and its relationship
with some factors. The research sample included (58) farmers representing
(10%) of the total number of tommato farmers in Sengar District. A
questionnaire was developed to collect the data which was analyzed by using
simple correlation and step wise regression analysis. It was found that the high
training need was in item, How to use insecticide to cantrol fruite worm it was also found that there are negative and significant relationship between the
degree of the farmers training needs and these factors: Education level, years of
work in agriculture, standard of living. According to these finding it is
recommended to develop training programs for farmers, specially younger
farmers, with lower standard of living and lower education

Lignin samples were isolated from Eucalypt wood (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis) by kraft process, and then all samples were examined and tested
with Fourier Transform Infrared Instrument Technique for identifying the types of
lignin monomers units from their spectra.The Lignin monomers spectra chart
showed these peak bands( 616.80, 795.11, 876.96, 1057.14, 1127.19, 1458.74,
1509.21, 1542.05 , 1636.26, 1735.68, 2863.72,2922.35, 2967.95, 3447.01,and
3650.56 cm-1 ).No evidence for methoxyl group bands were observed, though all
monomers of the tested lignin in this investigation which obtained from Eucalypt
wood by KRAFT process consist mainly of P-hydroxy phenyl propane units

The study aimed at determining the amount of red meats production and
consumption in Iraq during (1980-2004) for the period , determining positive
and negative differences between production and consumption to determine
the country self sufficient or there are a nutritional gap of this goods. Red meats
are considered as essential food goods for Iraqi families' nutrition basket and
important source for supplying animal protein in human nourishing. The
question of food providing is apolitical matter rather than economical one.
This circumstances persuaded the researcher to carry out this study which
concentrated at studying the present situation of red meats production and
consumption in Iraq finding showed that there were shortage in production of
red meat , and the gap is getting expand according to population increase
demand. This situation caused expanding of gap between the production and
consumption. Altimetly this problem leaded to decrease in individual
consumption share percentage from red meat. The finding also showed that the
country mean production of this goods is (46000) thusend Tan but the average
of total consumption is (108000) Tan. The average of individual consumption
is (6,6) km.

Four experiments were carried out at the research field of horticulture
Dept, Agriculture & Forestry college, Mosul University, during 2004-2005
growing season to investigate the ability of boosting drought resistance in four
faba bean cultivars by foliar spraying of alar (B9) at rates of 0, 250, 500, 750
and 1000 mg. L‾¹.; cultar (ppp3) at rates of 0, 50, 75 and 100 mg L‾¹; indole-3-
butyric acid (IBA) at rates of 0, 50, 75 and 100 mg. L‾¹ and naphthalene acetic
acid at rates of 0, 25, 50 and 75 mg. L‾¹ at the commence of flowering and was
repeated after 2 weeks. Experiment 1 , 250 mg. L‾¹ alar was the most effective
treatment in enhancing drought resistance of Aquadulce cultivar. It increased
yield of dry seeds (52.8%). Furthermore, it improved stomata behaviors to
sustain gas exchange good through increasing stomata populations and
reducing their aperture dimensions. Experiment 2 results exhibited that 50 mg.
L‾¹ cultar rate was the most suitable treatment for increasing drought resistance
of Local Syrian cultivar. It gave dry seed yield increases of 48.4%, in relation
to check. In addition to that it highly modified stomata dimensions to improve
gases exchanges. Experiment 3 results displayed that 75 mg.L‾¹ IBA rate
applied on Babylon cultivar was the most potent treatment in relation to
untreated treatment. It substantially increased the yield of dry seeds (86.4%),
when compared to untreated control. Finally, experiment 4 results revealed that
the application of 25 mg.L‾¹ NAA on the determinate Taka357 cultivar
showed profound increases in yield of dry seeds (30.5%), as compared to
control.

The main aim that of this work is to determine the time path and
developing for area, crops and production of the cash crops in Iraq, mainly
cotton in Nineveh. The study also aims at determining agricultural break–even
point that is one of the most important criteria of economic feasibility for
agricultural projects that separate between the lose and the profitable
production size. Field data, collected through a questionnaire form, were used.
The questionnaire included the cotton farming process. A random sample
consisting of 15% of the study population, consisting of 100 farmers from all
over Nineveh, was included. Results showed that financial break–even point
for each donum is 110 US$ according to 2005 prices. Cotton farmers should
produce 391 kg/donum as a minimum to cover the costs of each donum in
order to make pure profit. The mean donum productivity was 619 kg/donum.
This means that the farmers profit is 228 kg/donum of cotton

Four experiments were carried out at the research field of horticulture
Dept, Agriculture & Forestry college, Mosul University, during 2004-2005
growing season to investigate the ability of boosting drought resistance in four
faba bean cultivars by foliar spraying of Fe-ethylene diamine-di-o-hydroxy
phenyl acetic acid ( Fe-EDDHA ) at rates of 0,50,100 and 150 mg. L‾¹; boric
acid ( H3BO3 ) at rates of 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg.L‾¹; potassium iodide
(KI) at rates of 0, 25, 50, and 75 mg.L‾¹, phtoFert. at rates of 0, 1, 2 and 3g.L‾¹
at the commence of flowering and was repeated after 2 weeks. Experiment 1
results showed that spraying local Syrian cultivar with 100 mg. L‾¹ Fe-
EDDHA appeared to be the most effective treatment. It significantly increased
the yield of dry seeds (19.7%), in relation to its corresponding checks. In
experiment 2 , the application of 50 mg.L‾¹ H3BO3 was the paramount
treatment. It exceeded the yield of dry seed of untreated treatment by 28.4%.
Experiment 3 results revealed that potassium iodide rates resulted in adverse
effects on all detected parameters favorable for aqueduce cultivar growth and
yield. Consequently, negative correlation were found in most growth,
flowering, pod development, seed fillings and yield component parameters .
Experiment 4 results manifested dramatic negative correlations caused by foliar
spray of phytoFert rates in most favorable traits for the improvement of plant
growth and yield. The worst treatment was 3g.L‾¹.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Zingiben
Officinale boiled extract on some blood parameters , blood glucose , cholesterol
and triglycerides in local male rabbits (6 – 7 months old) . Rabbits were divided
into 2 groups (6 rabbits each) . The first group was treated with distilled water
(control group) . The second group received the boiled extract of Zingiben
Officinale orally at (1000 mg / kg B . wt) daily for 28 days . The results
revealed a significant reduction in blood glucose , cholesterol and triglycerides
levels and an increase of total leukocytes count and a significant decrease
erythrocytes count and hemoglobin concentration.

This study was conducted to investigate the protective effect of Zingiben
Officinale against the H2O2 induced oxidative stress in local male rabbits 5 – 6
months old . Rabbits were divided into 4 groups 4 rabbits each . Zingiben
officinale was used as capsules at a dose of 1000 mg / kg. B. wt . The rabbits
were treated dialy for 28 days . Oxidative stress was determined through
measuring the levels of glutathione GSH and malondialdehyde MDA in liver
tissue and of ALT and AST enzymes levels . H2O2 treatment showed
significant decrease in liver tissue MDA and a significant increase liver tissue
GSH serum AST and ALT were significantly increase also the above changes
indicate the ability of H2O2 (1 %) in the induction of oxidative stress in local
male rabbits .The treatment with zingiben officinale showed the following
results significant decrease in ALT and AST serum levels , also significant
decrease in liver tissue MDA and significant increase in GSH level , significant
decrease in liver fat % These results indicate the protective effect of
ZingibenOfficinal against oxidative stress .

Ammonia volatilization from urea and sheep manure in calcareous soil
classificed as calci – camborthids , fertilizers were added sperately and together
at rate 80 kg N.D-1 with agriculture sulphure at 2500 Kg.D-1 during four
seasons (Spring ,Summure , Autumn, and Winter) 2003-2004 .Ammonia gas
were collected under closed system in Boric acid 2% under feild
conditions.The results showed sulphure caused a significant reduction in
ammonia volatilization,for surface application,the percent of reduction were
28.79,44.41,35.07 and29.62% for urea ,8.45,15.67,10.89 and 27.27%for sheep
manure during the four season respectively ,while the sub surface application
caused more reduction in ammonia volatilization ,50.82,36.72,37.07 and 37.5% for urea and 62.27,15.59,19.43 and 66.66% for manure sheep during the four
season respectively. This result may contribute in increasing of Nitrogen
fertilization effeciency and contributed in the ecological contract

A study was conducted to evaluate sulfate release kinetics in calcarious
soil amended with different levels of agricultural sulfare and to select the best
mathematical models that describes the mechanism of sulfate under different
time of incubations. Agricultural sulfur was mixed with soil at the rates (0, 250,
500, 750 and 1000 mgS.Kg-1 soil. Water was added to rais the soil moisture
content to field capacity. The soil samples were incubated at 298 k˚. Sulfate
content of treated soil were determined after (1, 7, 14, 28, 56, 168) day. Five
kinetics models (zero order, first order, parapolic diffusion, Elovich, and power
function) were applied to describe sulfate release rate coefficient, in order to
select the best model according to high (r ) value and lowest (SE) value and to
calculate ΔG˚ and t1/2 for sulfate release. The results showed a significant
increase in the accumulated sulfate release with sulfur treatments with
increasing incubation period but the increase declined in the last periods of
incubation. The results showed that power function equation was the best
equation to describe the rate coefficient of sulfate accumulation that range from
0-70 to 0-71 mg-kg-day-1 and free energy of reaction was negative and
spontaneous change.

The relationships between body weight, body and fat tail dimensions of
119 hamdani lambs at weaning were studied. A total of 500 records of 115
hamdani ewes (test day milk yield) were analyzed. The overall mean of testday
milk yield was 0.414 kg. The effects of flock , age of dam , stage of
lactation and body weight of dam on this trait were significant. Repeatability
estimate for test-day milk yield was (0.52 ± 0.04) , and the estimated value of
BLUP for ewe depending on milk yield ranged from (-155.56 to 214.58 gm )
for the first flock, and (-162.46 to 240.39 gm ) for the second flock. The overall
mean of weaning weight (WW),body length (BL) hearth girth (HG), height at
shoulder (HS) & at hip(HH) width at shoulder (WS) and at hip (WH) were
21.41 kg, 49.69 cm, 61.79 cm, 54.73 cm, 56.99 cm, 14.05 cm,16.99 cm,
respectively .The overall mean of fat tail length (FL) , fat tail width (FW1) at
the point of attachment with the body and at the middle point (FW2) were
13.81 cm , 20.30 cm and 23.83 cm, respectively. Positive correlation
coefficients (p<0.01) were observed between all these traits. The best equation
used to predict weaning weight with R=89.35 % was :
WW= 29.70 + 0.35 (BL) + 0.45 (HG) + 0.27 (FW1).

This study was designed to investigate the effects of Thyme leaves (
Thymus vulgaris ) on some physiological parameters and lipid profile , tissues
chemical composition , body components in male and females local rabbits .
The rabbits ( 12 weeks old ) were divided into 4 groups 6 rabbits each ( 2
replicates ) for males and females . 1st group ( males ) and in the 2nd group (
females ) were given the standard ration ( control ) , the 3rd ( males ) and the 4th
( females ) groups were given standard ration containing 2 % thyme leaves for
10 weeks . Blood and tissue samples were obtained at the end of 10th week.The results revealed a significant decrease in W.B.C and R.B.C , hemoglobin con. ,
p.c.v. in both sex , the decrease in males was significant as compared with
females , Thyme leaves produced a significant increase in M.C.H, M.C.H.C. in
both sex .Also the Thyme leaves caused a significant decrease in Cholesterol
levels in both sexes , the decrease in females was significant, also caused a
significant increase in Triglyceride in both sexes, the increase in males was
significant , HDL – C significantly increased , while LDL – C was decreased ,
in both sexes , the improvement was better in males . These alteration in HDL –
C,LDL – C were reflected in a significant improvement of risk ratio.The
treatment causes a significant increase in dry matter , fat % in liver and heart
tissues in both sexes , while the thigh tissue showed a significant increase in fat
% only. Also there was a significant increase in visceral and shoulders fat % in
both sexes , and a significant increase in females carcass weight .

The growth of lactic acid bacteria of yoghurt culture Str.salivarius sub-sp
thermophilus (Str. thermophilus) and Lacto bacillus delrueckeii sub-sp bulgaricus
(Lacto. bulgaricus)in milk inhibited the growth of vegetative cells of B .cereus
and spores that resisted the high heat treatment which was isolated from raw milk
and prevented the B .cereus from producing the enterotoxins in yoghurt . The B
.cereus did not affect the growth of yoghurt starter culture, also the rate of acid
development in yoghurt was not affected in the presence of B. cereus. The
poisoning by this bacteria did not happen in dairy product when number decreased
to less than 106 c.f.u. /ml .

Soft white cheese was manufactured from both sheep’s and cow’s milk
activated by the (LPS) system at 30 : 70 ppm concentration of KSCN : H2O2
respectively .Refrigerated cheese samples cooled at 5 ◌ْC for 1,6 and 15 days
were tested for pH total solids , fat , total and soluble proteins , salt content ,
organoleptic properties and yield of the cheese were also determined . Results
revealed that the (LP)-treatment decreased the total solids as a result of
increasing the cheese moisture , this also affected the other components of
cheese as compared with control . But the cheese yield increased in spite of the
decrease in total solids , total protein. salt content and pH-level for that of the
LPS-treated milk as compared with that of untreated (control). Results of
treated sheep’s milk significantly dominated over those of cows milk for all test
. The produced cheese was organolepticaly accepted , therefore this study
recommend the use of LPS to obtain cheese organoleptically very close to that
produced from fresh untreated sheep’s and cow’s milk .

Growth function were use for estimating the basal area and volume per
hectare of Populus nigra stands Zakho Region, data have been collected from(45)
random samples, each area of the sample was ( 0.1) per hectare. The
characteristics of each sample were measured , the samples cover different ages
and densities of Populus nigra stand . By using four mathematical models and differentiation among them depending upon statistical measurements, we have got
the following equation:
G = -1.597 +3.395(H) – 80.72(1000/N)
The coefficient of determination was (0.86 ) and standard error percent of the
mean (3.18 ). This equation was check for a good fitting of basal area per hectare
for Populus nigra , and it was used for preparing a basal area table depending on
height and number of trees. The integration of the equation of basal area are
extremities which lead to the following:
V = 148.045 – 1.59(1000/N) + 3.394(H)(1000/N) - 40.36(1000/N)2
A table was prepared form the equation to estimate production for unit area
at specific density and height.

The present study was conducted in Ninevah forest to study some
effects of pollarding on Robinia pseudoacacia seedling at one year age . The
pollarding method was done each two monthls at the fixed different heights
above ground level namely , 10 , 20 and 30cm to stimulate the growth of the
plant to maximize biomass production . The results indicated that the highest
average of monthly growth in length ( 5.27 cm ) was obtained when the
pollarding was done at level above ground height , while the highest average in
diameter ( 0.25 ) occurred in plant pollarded 10 cm above the ground level .
With respect to the number of pollarding , it appeared that that with out
pollarding was the best when compared with other numbers of pollarding ,
since it gave the highest average of monthly in length ( 3.55 cm ) and diameter
( 0.30 mm ) .As for pollarding dates, 1st of October, was the best in a achieving
, the highest increase in the average monthly growth in height ( 16.54 cm ) and
in diameter ( 1.62 mm ) among the other pollarding dates .The highest overage
of dry Biomass of shoots from each pollard and the total pollards was reached
when pollarding was done at the ground level . these overages were ( 7.70 gm
and 19.29 gm ) . No pollarding among the number of pollards of Robinia
seedling at one year old was the best in its effect on giving the highest overages
of dry Biomass of the shoots from each pollard and from total pollards (
60.15 and 50.94 g ) in regard to the date of pollarding Ist November was the
best in giving the highest mean (18.88 g) in dry weight of shoots.

Sixteen new durum wheat genotypes in addition to the local variety, Um-
Rabeeh were studied in RCBD with three replications under the rainfed
conditions of northern region of Iraq to study: number of days to 50% anthesis,
plant height, spike length, number of grains/spike, number of spikes/m2 ,
biological yield, grain yield, harvest index, 1000-grain weight and protein
percentage were studied. Phenotypic and genetic variances were highly
significant for all the characters. Phenotypic correlation was positive and
significant between number of days to 50 % anthesis and each of spike length
and biological yield as well as between 1000- grain weight and protein
percentage. Genetic correlation was positive and significant between harvest
index and grain yield, number of spikes /m2 and protein percentage and
between grain yield and biological yield. Broad–sense heritability estimates
were high for number of days to 50% anthesis, plant height, biological yield,
grain yield, harvest index, 1000- grain weight and protein percentage.

Twenty bread wheat of ICARDA in addition to the local variety, Abou-Garib
3 were evaluated in Nienvah governorate, Iraq for two locations, , Al-Rashidia and
Rabeeha,15 and 120 km from Mosul center . The characters studied were : plant
height, number of spikelets/spike, number of grains/spike, number of spikes/m2, grain
yield, biological yield, harvest index,1000-grain weight and protein percentage.
Values of phenotypic and genetic variances were significant for all characters. For
both locations, genetic correlation was positive and significant between grain yield
and harvest index, broad sense heritability estimates were high for protein percentage
and low for plant higher, grain yield, biological yield, harvest index and 1000- grain
weight.

Field experiment was conducted to study the performance of the four
wheels drive tractor with two plow types [new designed (experimental model)
and local made (113)], two levels of the depths 20-25 and 25-30 cm and three
different speeds 4.4 and 6 and 9 km/hr. Then their effects in power
requirements criteria (drawbar power, slippage percentage and effective field
capacity). And plowing criteria (soil inversion percentage, vertical stability,
sidelong stability). In power requirements criteria, the designed mould board
plow significantly surpassed and showed better results in effective field
capacity, while the different levels of depths and speeds had significant effects
in all power requirements criteria. All interactions (plows and depths, plows
and speeds, depths and speeds) had significant effects in all power
requirements criteria. In plowing quality characteristics, the designed plow
surpassed and showed better results.