Mesopotamia Journal of Agriculture

An experiment was conducted at the college of veterinary medicine to
investigate the effect of two types of broiler starter diets, with or without
animal protein, on Newcastle disease antibody production. Bursal weight index
was also studied. Two replicates with 10 male broiler chicks, each were used in
each treatment groups, A and B, for a total of 40 birds .The experimental birds
were reared from day old till 4 weeks of age. Results revealed that there were
no significant effects on antibody titer and bursal weight index, due to different
types of the experimental diets. It was found that out of antibody titers 20 and
40, only 3 and 2 birds were found to be positive, respectively .Where as out of
antibody titers 80 and 160 only 3 birds from each group, A and B, where found
to be positive verses 8 and 4 birds from group B were shown to be positive.

Communication Literatures indicated the importance of Change
agents’ communicative characteristics to their success . Research is needed
to support this assumptions specially in Iraq. The main purpose of this
study was to determine the relationships between selected communicative
characteristics of extension agents with peasants’ implementation level of
cotton crop technologies in Shirqat Region–Salah Alden province. A
sample of 193 cotton peasants included in the study. six instruments were
used for collecting data to measure communicative characteristics of
extension agent as perceived by peasants’. Other instrument used to
measure peasants’ level of cotton crop technologies implementation.
R e s u l t s s h o w e d s i g n i f i c a n t
relationships among research variables. The results also showed a causal–
e f f e c t
relationship among variables.

The variation in some fiber properties at five sites / positions (shoulder,
mid-side, hip, back and rump) over the body of Hamadani sheep were studied with
41 ewes. Staple length, fiber diameter, percentage of innercoat fibers and
percentage of outercoat fibers were affected significantly (P ≤ 0.01) by sampling
site. Although, the pattern of variation was not consistent, the wool at hip position
was longer and coarser than that from shoulder or mid-side positions. The shortest,
finest and highest percentage of innercoat fibers were found on the back site. Since
the mid-side position showed intermediate values among other four positions
together with it’s closer relations to the overall mean. Hence, the best compromise
would be the use of mid-side position as the most suitable site for sampling
Hamadani sheep fleeces.

The Purpose of the study was to describe styles of teaching , and
learning preferences of students in a College of Agriculture and ForestryMosul University. Teaching styles checklist was administered to first, second,
third and fourth year students. The results showed, that instructors leaned
toward less students’ involvement in active learning styles, Whereas students
highly preferred independent learning styles. The results also showed, that third
and fourth year students were more preferring of independent styles of learning
as compared with first and second year students. The conclusion of the study
indicated the need for instructors to be sensitive to the ways students learn, and
adapt instruction accordingly .

The objective of the paper was to determine optimum weld strength
values of the examined packing materials used for packing of wafers.
Overlapped joints of the packing materials were welded by the discontinue
indirect impulse weld machines BH 04 and BH 07 at the pressures of 0.1 and
0.3 MPa. The optimum weld strength values 3.35 ÷ 3. 38 N.15 mm-1 were
reached at the temperature of 160 ÷ 162 ؛C.Using measured values were
characterising the relationship between the temperature of welding and the
weld strength. The gained values were evaluated by the parabola formula

This experiment was carried out at horticultural research fields, Mosul
University, Mosul, Iraq, during 2004-2005 growing season to investigate the
influences of polyethylene mulching, supplementary irrigation and rainfall
incidences on the production of dry bulbs of three onion cultivars grown in
spring seasons. Results showed that supplementary irrigated onions resulted in
significant increases, bulb fresh weight, bulb size, bulb bulk density, number of
storage leaves per bulb, leaf water potential and yield of dry onion bulbs, as
compared to these of rainfalls onions. However, inadequate rainfalls tended to
reveal significant increases in percentage of unbolted plants and bulbing ratio.
Production of dry onion bulbs on bare soil under rainfall incidences in Mosul
are impossible in spring season. Polyethylene mulching substantially improved
growth and yield of onions, particularly these grown under rainfalls. They
confirmed the ability of producing dry yield of onions under rainfalls in spring
season. Clear polyethylene mulching appeared to be the most effective
treatment, as it displayed significant increases in bulb size, single bulb fresh
weight, plant height, leaf numbers per plant, leaf area index, bulbing ratio, dry
matter percentage of storage leaf, plant dry weight, leaf area per plant and dry
yield of onion bulbs. Moreover, it significantly lessen the water requirements
and weed eradication labor cost. Local Red was the paramount cultivar. It
showed the highest responses to supplemental irrigation, rainfalls and
polyethylene mulching, Since it gave the highest, bulb fresh weight, percentage
of unbolted plants and the yield of dry onions. Furthermore, it resulted in the
lowest stalk numbers per plant, leaf water potential, fresh and dry weights of
flowering stalks. On the other hand Local White cultivar displayed
controversial results. The highest yield (1.07 kg‾¹) was confined to
supplementary irrigated Local Red cultivar grown on clear polyethylene
mulched soil.

This study was conducted during 2005 growing season. Olive seedling
of three cultivars (Khodeiri, Dremalali and Sorani), were sprayed with four
concentrations of cheated Zinc (0,25,50 and 75 mg Zn.L.-1), two times in the
season, one month intervals between each spray, and the first spray is done at
the middle of April. Results which were obtained at the beginning of October
indicated that there were significant increase in the N,K and Zn concentration
in the leaves, seedlings leaves area, stem high and diameter, number of new
branches, dry weight of leaves, stem and roots, and a significant decrease in
the concentration of P and Fe in the leaves with the increase of Zn
concentration in the spray solution. Dremalali cultivars were dominated over
Khodeiri and Sorani cultivars in all studied characteristics except, K
concentration in the leaves of two cultivars and number of new branches of
Khodeiri cultivars. The critical concentration of Zn in the leaves were 55.87
,58.33 and 44.24 mg. Zn.Kg.-1 for Khodeiri, Dremalali and Sorani cultivars
respectively.

This experimental study was conducted at the lath house of Nineva
Horticulture station/ Mosul-Iraq . To study the effect of the stratification
periods of 0, 60, 90 and 120 days on three cultivators of hazelnut seeds Corylus
avellana at (5 ± 1°c). The seeds (Corylus avellana; Emadia local type,
Barcelona and Kenttish Cob hazelnut) had been soaked in three concentrations
of Gibberellic acid at zero, 250 and 500 mg.lit-1 . respectively. The results
asserted that the increased stratification periods and the soaking of the seeds in
Gibberellic acid have significant effect on subsequently seedling growth. The
study also revealed that there has been a clear-cut difference as regard to the
response of the cultivators of the hazelnuts under study and as follows:
Barcelona cultivator seedlings which had been grown out of the seeds treated
with 500 mg.lit-1 GA3 and stratified for 90 days recorded the highest average of
plant highest and diameter as well as one single leaf area The figures read
successively: 42.65 cm,5.71mm, 54.20cm2/leaf . The highest average of the
number of the leaves on the seedling was 24.45 leaves / seedling on Barcelona
seedling cultivator which had grown out of the seeds treated at 500 mg.lit-1
(GA3) and stratified for 60 days. Emadia seeds cultivator treated with 250
mg/lit-1 (GA3) and stratified for 60 days have produced the highest range of
shoots number on the seedling amounting to 4.0 shoot/seedling. With
significantly advantage as compared with the other treatments

To study the effect of cytokines and explants sources on multiplication
of shoot tip an experiment was conducted by using shoot tips of carnation
Dianthus caryophyallus cultured on MS medium supplemented with 6-Benzyl
adenine (BA) at (0.0, 0.5, 1.5, 3.0, 5.0) mg/L and kinetin at (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0,
15.0) mg/L, and the explants provided from plants grown in field and from in
vitro. Then, the shoots produced from in vitro was rooted on different strength
MS salts with or without 0.1 mg/L IBA. Planting shoot tips on media
supplemented with 0.5 mg/L BA gave significantly best results of shoot
number 21.0 shoots/explants, shoot length 3.9 cm, shoot number more than 0.5
cm 8.1 shoots/explants and leaves number was 4.9 leaf/shoot. On other hand,
explants taken from field gave significantly higher number of shoots 15.0
shoots/explants, and the longest shoot length 4.9 cm, shoot number more than
0.5 cm 7.0 shoots/explants and leaves number 4.0 leaf pairs, when cultured on
MS supplemented with 3.0 mg/L BA. Planting shoot tips produced from in
vitro gave 100% rooting, root number 9.6 root/shoot and shoot length 7.4 cm
when rooted on ¼ MS strength supplemented with 0.1 mg/L IBA

This experiment was involved the study of three different soil mixes,
loamy soil with coarse sand alone, and with manure, or with peat moss in the
same volumetric, and the addition of nitrogen fertilizer ( Urea ) in
concentrations 0, 150, 300, 450 mg / L. on growth of Nephrolepis exaltata
Using a mixture of loamy soil, coarse sand and manure gave the best results in
fronds number and leaflet number per frond 20.6 fronds and 38.6 leaflet
respectively, leaf area per plant reached 1334.81 Cm2. These plants formed a
higher number of stem rhizomes and plantlet, which reached 17.33 stems 1.66
plant let and 21.83 buds. The leaves of plant planted in the previous media gave
a higher quantity of phosphors 0.460% and 0.376% after three months from the
beginning of plant treatment, at the end of study and higher quantity from
chlorophyll 60.10 mg / gm as a fresh weight. There are no differences between
the results, which were obtained from the culture of plants in media that
contained a peat moss instead of manure. On the other hand, planting in these
two types of media gave better results than culture in media formed from loamy
soil and coarse sand only. Nitrogen fertilizer levels did not give significant
results on vegetative characteristics studied where compared with control,
except fronds number and leaves area. Leave area increased significantly,
where the plants were fertilized with nitrogen fertilizer. Using high
concentration 450 mg N / L decrease most vegetative characters .Yet , planting
N. exaltata “Bostoniensis” in media contain manure or peat moss with the
addition of nitrogen fertilizer at 150 or 300 mg N / L weekly, gave the best
results

The objective of this study was to find out the effect of adding potassium
chloride (KCl) to drinking water in different concentrations to reduce the negative
effect of heat stress in broiler (Faw bro) subjected to rotational heat degree (25-
36-25) ºc on some productive and physiological traits. Chicks raised on standard
condition for the first 3 weeks. The experimental treatments were starded from 22
days of age to the age of marketing (56 days). The adapted experimental
treatments were, treatment (1) was the control (No KCl added) treatment (2) was
0.1% KCl, treatment (3) was 0.3 KCl and treatment (4) was 0.5 % KCl added to
drinking water. Feed and water were Ad Lib. Statistical analysis of the data
showed significal differences (P≤ 0.05) for live body wt., average weekly weight
gain, water consumption, and feed conference conversion ratio, their traits were
improved as KCl% increased, while feed consumption body temperature, blood
pH, glucose concentration in blood plasma and glycogen concentration in liver and
heart were significantly decreased. Data showed no significant differences in other
traits (relative growth rate, dress percent, mortality, hemoglobin concentration,
packed cell volume and red blood cells). It was observed that water consumption
was increased whenever house temperature and KCl concentration were increased,
while feed consumption was decreased.

Important sources for red meats in Iraq through the economical embargo
was necessary to reach national security without import meat .The important
objective to this study is the evaluation of animal production project especially
sheep project which was the most from using the economical norm especially
on going project evaluation. It was indicated that operating cost 77% , that
mean that project was covered all total cost beside there were more financial
return. The indicator of return of sales were 23% from the total return, while
the benefit cost was 130% which mean the project gave 30% more economical
return from total cost. The return on equity was one of the most benefit
measures and indicated that the project was benefit and every 1000 I.D paid
make benefit money 100 I .D. The pay back period for the project was almost 5
years, which means That the project can pay back all the money through this
period. Finally break even point was indicated that benefits of project was more
902846 I.D than critical revenue , this mean the project was benefiting
economically and its necessary to encourage to establishment more projects
,also according to production cirtal labor production was 13.83 I.D, which
means that investment 1I.D. as labor in the project can achieved profit about
12.83, and capital productivity was 3.38 I.D., also the investment 1I.D can
achieved profit 2.38 I.D. According to that net value cirtal was 7549006 I.D,
which reach the net and gross values, that indicated decrease investment costs
for these projects.

The aim of this study was to determine the ability of substitution of
animal protein concentrate (APC) by safflowerseed meal (SSM) Safflower
meal was prepared after extracting oil safflower seeds. Main chemical
composition for seeds and seed meal as well as fatty acids was determined by
gas gromotography Common carp cyprinus carpio L. (32 ± 2 gm/fish) were
reared at glass aquria for 56 days after acclimatization period for 21 days. Fish
were fed on diets containing SSM at the percentage of 0, 4, 8 and 12%
substituting 0,25, 50 and 75% of APC in the diets respectively.Statistical
analysis showed that there were no significant differences between control and
experimental diets in weight gain, relative growth rate (RGR), specific growth
rate (SGR), food conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio (PER), sediment
protein and protein productive value (PPV). These results revealed the
possibility of replacing APC by SSM up to 75% without a significant decrease
in the above criteria. This may refer to available unsaturated fatty acids (Oliec,
linolenic, linoleic) of 94% and essential fatty acids (linolenic & linoleic) about
80% which supported nutritional value of SSM. In addition, proximate body
chemical compositions (crude protein, ether extract, and ash) were studied.

F2 generation for diallel crosses between five barley varieties ( Local
Aswad, Tuwwtha, Arta, Zanbaka and Gezira ) were used to estimate combining
ability and gene action. Genotypes (parents and F2 hybrids) were sowing in IPA
research station in Rabea using Randomized Complete Block Design with three
replications. The studied characters were no. of days to heading ,plant height (cm),
no. of heads per plant , no. of grains per head , 1000 grains weight (g) and grain
yield (g/ plant). Genotypes were significantly different for all studied characters.
Analysis of variance for combining ability indicated significant mean squares of
general and specific combining ability at 1% level for all studied characters.
Tuwwtha variety was good combiner for no. of heading day, no. of grains per
head , 1000 grains weight and grain yield. specific combining ability effects was
significant for grain yield in the cross Local Aswad X Zanbaka. Additive genetic
variance( Dˆ) was significant for all studied characters, dominance genetic
variance(H1,H2) were significant for all characters except H2 for plant height , no.
of heads per plant and grain yield which was not significant, these results showed
the importance of both additive and dominance genetic components.The average
degree of dominance ( a ) value was more than unity indicating the acion of
overdominance for all characters.Broad sense(h2 ns) and narrow sense(h2
bs)heritability estimates were high for all characters

Eight varieties of durum wheat were used in a complet diallel cross
involving dialer cross involving, Leeds, Waha, Um-Rabie5, Azagar1, Um-
Rabie 3,Brashua, Cyprus1 and Korfila to estimate the nature and magnitude of
gene effect through variance components and graphical analysis for heading
time, flag leaf area, maturity time, plant height, biological yield, number of
tillers plant, number of spikes plant, grain yield, harvest index, 100 - grain
weight, number of grains spike and grains protein contents. The additive
variance was found to be significant for all characters, and dominance for the
most characters, estimation of the additive variances were relatively higher than
the additive one for heading time, flag leaf area, plant height and biological
yield, while the reverse for others. Narrow sense heritability values ranged
from 7.5% for harvest index to 86.2% for flag leaf area, and the ghraphic
analysis revealed to the over dominance for plant height and biological yield
whereas, partial dominance for the remnant. The genetic variability among
varaieties for the most characters suggesting the recurrent selection for
exploiting prevalent types of gene action in order to evolve a superior varieties
of durum wheat

Pure lines of maize: W13R, R153, W17.131, OH40, IK58, IK8, ZP and
SH were crossed with three testers, Agr183, DK and (Agr183 x DK).
Genotypes: (lines, testers and hybrids) were planted by using randomized
complete block design with two replications for the deduction of epistasis,
estimation of variance components and some genetical parameters for: plant
height, upper ear height, ear diameter, ear length, No. rows per ear, 100-grain
weight and grain yield per plant. Mean squares for genotypes, hybrids and
parents (lines & testers) were highly significant for all traits. Analysis of
variance for epistatic gene action test indicated non significant lines mean
square for all traits which indicated the absence of epistasis. Additive and
dominance variances were important for the inheritance of most traits. Broad
sense heritability estimates was more than (90%) for all traits while narrow
sense heritability ranged from (8.12%) for ear length to (80.85%) for ear
diameter, and the genetic advance (as percent of the mean) was found to be
high for No. rows per ear, low for ear length and moderate for the remaining
characters. The negative simple correlation coefficients showed that there is
increasing of dominant genes for upper ear height, ear diameter and ear length,
while the positive correlation coefficients for other characters indicated the
reverse

A survey study for the distribution of B. dentipes was conducted through a
six big regions and all their villages in Sulymania governorate. Percentage of
infestation was different through the different regions, independent on the variety
of seed cultivated, ranged between 10 to 16 % for villages cultivated france variety
seeds to 40 till 90 % for the others cultivated local variety seeds, except those
treated their seeds with some methods of protection like hot water or deep in salt
solutions, though Kalar region showed no infestation because the farmers keep the
kerenels with their seeds under hot sun light during July & August. Chemical
control was also carried out using three insecticides Sumicidin, Sevin and Actellic
, each with two concentrations through two seasons, for the first one chemicals one
time sprayed gave high infestations ranged from 26.16 for sumicidin to 33.25 %
for actellic, while that of untreated plants gave 80.08 %. For the second season
three times sprayed percentages of infestation were decreased significantly giving
2.70 for sumucidin to 10.70 % for actellic, while that of control was 34.30 %. The
test of some other physical and chemical properties showed significant difference
for weight , size , protein percent and percentage of germination between infesting
and non-infesting seeds.

This experiment conducted to study the effect of three factoes, seeds
coat removal, four periods of stratification ( 0, 60, 90 and 120 days ) and three
concentration of Gibberllic acid ( 0,250 and 500 mg. lit. -1 ) on seed germination
of three cultivars (Emadia ( local cultivar ) Barcelona and Kenttish Cob) of
Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.). The results asserted that the Emadia seeds
cultivar with endocarp coat days which had been soaked in 500 mg / lit-1 GA3
solution for 24 hours and stratified for 120 days at ( 5C°± 1 ) increased
significantly the seed germination and brought out the highest percentage of
germination among all treatments reached to 80%. Barcelona seeds with
endocarp coat were stratified for 90 days which had been soaked in 250 mg /
lit-1 GA3 solution gave 50% percentage of germination .While Kinttish Cob
seeds with or without endocarp coat were stratified for 120 days which had
been soaked in 500 mg / lit-1 GA3 solution gave lowest% percentage of
germination 33.66 and 36.66 respectively.