Mesopotamia Journal of Agriculture

Wheat production under climate of northern Iraq depends mainly on annual
rain quantity and its distribution. Generally the annual rate is low and poorly
distributed ,as a result the yield is low and unstable. Accordingly it has been
suggested that small amounts of supplementary irrigation (SI) can alleviate the
adverse effects of such unfavorable rain pattern, moreover the optimum dose of
nitrogen fertilization is an important factor boosting wheat production and
improving quality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of
nitrogen fertilizer and abridged (SI) on yield and grain quality. Field experiments
were performed during the growing season 2003-2004 at two locations laying out
as split-split plot design in RCBD, involving four promising bread cultivars as
sub-sub plot, two levels of N fertilizer (zero and 80 kg N/ha) as sub-plot under
rainfall alone and with (SI) as a main plot added at booting and heading stages at
a rate of 25 mm for each stage. The results showed that N fertilizer had a
significant effect on grain yield, grain protein content at both locations. The (SI)
affected significantly number of grain/spike, grain yield, the interactions between
factors were significant for most characters.

The study tackles the effect of agricultural investment in developing the
agricultural sector in iraq for the period 1880-2000.analysis has been made by
the minimum square method in two stages (2.s.l.s). Linear function has been
chosen as the best means for the equation in accordance with economic aspects
representing the correlation between agricultural investment being a variance
and the limited factors being independent variances. They are agricultural loons
to form the fixed agricultural capital, G. D. P., trade balance, chemical
technology, mechanical technology, agricultural work force, agricultural
domestic product. It is clear from analysis the significance of all variances
(forming fixed capital, trade balance, mechanical technology, agricultural
domestic product).as for the second stage of estimation, values of agricultural
investment have been used being a variance and the agricultural growth being a
variance dependent upon the decided function. There is also a negative
correlation between the agricultural product growth and the agricultural
investment. This correlation shows the negative reflections of both war and
blockade as well as concentrating investment expenditure upon projects of
infrastructure and reconstruction neglecting protects of agricultural product, all
this has led to the weakness of agricultural investment and in consequence the
weakness of the agricultural product growth.

Rain agriculture of cereal crops is submitted on a high level of risk and
uncertainty especially in the relative importance of agricultural areas which
depend upon such a type of irrigation. Acreage productivity undo rain
production conditions is full of risks due to the difference of rain full and its
distribution. Therefore, the research tries to measure the type of the relation
between Barely and Wheat crops production from one side and the level of rain
fall through the stages of plant growth from another for the period 1980-2000
in Nineveh province. This quantity limit has its own importance directly upon
food product and Iraqi food security. Depending upon the hypothesis which
says that there is a strong relation between the ratios of rainfall and the
productivity of both Wheat and Barely. There is also another strong relation
between rain distribution upon the main stages of plant growth and the
productivity of acreage for both crops .Econometric and analytical results have
confirmed that there is a significant relation between rainfall and the
productivity of both Wheat and Barely crops as a dependent variance. Also,
there is a variation in relative importance for the relation between dependent
variance and the distributional nature of rains during the stages of plant growth
for the two crops of the study.

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.

This investigation was conducted in green house of Department of
Horticulture , College of Agriculture and Forestry , Mosul University . The aim
of this work is to study the effects of four planting date, August , November ,
February and May after treated the cutting with IBA+NAA mixture at 0+0
( control ) , 1000+1000 and 1500+1500 mg /l in quick – dip method ,in
addition to wounding or without . The results of this investigation were showed
that planting date had a great effect on rooting , planting the cuttings in
February and November gave 88.19 and 100 % . All rooting characters were
improved when the cuttings wounded before planting . On other hand , the
cuttings treated with a mixture of IBA+NAA at concentration 1000+1000 mg/l
gave best results 70.31% largest number of roots per cutting 7.19 longest roots
5.19 cm and largest number of shoot 0.54 shoot/ cutting . by wounding the
terminal cuttings of Cotoneaster prostrata and planted in November and
February treated with a mixture of IBA+NAA at concentration 1000+1000 mg
/ l gave best result for rooting and vegetative growth.

This experiment was conducted out Nineveh research station during
2001-2002 season to study the effect of four levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 10,
20 and 30kg N/donum) and four concentrations of kinetin (0, 50, 100 and 150
ppm) and their interaction on the growth of one year old of plum (Prunus
myroblane Ehrh.) seedlings. A factorial experiment with three replications
was carried out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), each replicate
was consist of 30 seedlings. Data Obtained of this research was tested by using
Duncan Multiple range test at 5% level, the important results of this study
could be summarized as following: The Most of nitrogen fertilizer treatments
significant increase all characters of the vegetative and root growth of the plum
seedlings (stem length, stem diameters, dry weight of vegetative system) and
roots, leaves contents of nitrogen and Chlorophyll. The addition of kinetin
treatments as caused a significant increase in stem diameter, nitrogen
concentration in the leaves and total chlorophyll, but there is no significant
increases in stem length, dry weigh of vegetative growth and roots. The
interaction treatments between nitrogen and kinetin affected significantly in
most of the vegetative characters of the growth, dry weight of roots, nitrogen
content in leaves, total chlorophyll concentration of leaves. The best treatments
was 30kg N/donum + zero mg/L kinetin in stem length 30kg N/donum + 190
mg/L kinetin in stem diameter, nitrogen concentration in leaves total
chlorophyll content ,30Kg N/donum + 100 mg/L kinetin in dry weight
vegetative growth .

This experiment was carried out during the period from April, 20th 2004
to June, 25th 2005 in a plastic house at Al-Shallal nursery in Mosul, to
investigate the effects of four planting dates (April, July, October and January)
and four IBA concentrations (0, 500, 1000 and 2000) mg.L-1, using talc, on
rooting of Carissa geandiflora shoot tip cuttings. A Complete Randomized
Design (CRD) was applied including 16 treatments each was replicated three
times and each experimental unit consists of 10 cuttings. Data were tested by
Duncan multiple test at 5%. Results could be summerized as follows : Planting
cuttings in 20th April and 20th July gave best results 95.8% and 97.5% rooting
percentage respectively but then declined to 49.2% in October and without
rooting in January after 10 weeks from planting date. All IBA treatments
caused a significant increase in all rooting parameters, the most effective
treatment was 2000 mg.L-1. Using 2000 mg.L-1 in April gave rooting
percentage 100%, number of roots/cutting 16.6, average length of roots 12.2
cm, dry root weight 0.35 gm, average cutting length 17.4 cm and number of
pear leaves 10.46 pear, with 1.5 shoots/cutting.

EFFECT OF STRATIFICATION PERIOD AND GIBBERELLIC ACID
(GA3) ON SEEDLING GROWTH OF THREE CULTIVARS OF
HAZELNUT (Corylus avellana L.)

Laboratory experiment was conducted to isolate and select the most
efficient bacterial and fungal isolates in rock phosphate solubilization in culture
medium. Results showed that bacterial isolates exhibited a different efficiencies
in their ability to solubilize rock phosphate. Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas
fluorescence were the greatest efficient among other bacterial isolates tested
(14 isolates) in their acids production and decreasing medium pH value which
droped to 5.35 and 5.2 and increasing in available phosphorous to 50 and 56
mg P. L-1 after 24 days incubation respectively. The correlation coefficient (R2)
between incubation time and pH value were 0.65 and 0.59 while the correlation
between pH value and available phosphorous were high reached 0.98 in both
bacterias. Results also showed that fungal isolates which related to the genera
Alternaria and Aspergillus were the greatest efficient among other fungal
isolates tested (14 isolates) in their acid production and decreasing pH value ,
which droped to 4.7 and 3.35 with increasing in available phosphorous to 77.7
and 118.3 mg P. L-1 after 24 days incubation respectively. The correlation
coefficient between incubation time and pH value were 0.33 and 0.6 while the
correlation between pH value and available phosphorous were 0.65 and 0.45
respectively .

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of boiled extracts of
Olive leaves on some Physiological and Productive Parameters in Males and
Female Rabbits as glucose and lipid profile , as well as , their reflection on
food intake , feed efficiency .The study was carried on rabbits (8-10 weeks
old) divided .into 3 groups ( males) and 3 groups (females) . The1st group
was drenched with distilled water and served as control group , the 2nd group
was treated with Olive leaves boiled extract (2500 mg/kg B.w.t.) orally daily
for 10 weeks . To determine the hypoglycemic effect per se of Olive leaves
animals in the 3rd group were treated with Daonil (200 mg/kg B.w.t.) orally
daily for 10 weeks .Then blood obtained at the end of 10th weak of treatment .
Results showed a significant decrease in blood glucose level in the treated
groups .These effects were associated with a significant decrease in food
intake with a tendency to increase body weight and a significant improvement
in feed efficiency . The response was better in females than in males .Treatment
with Olive leaves boiled extract caused a significant decrease in cholesterol
level in male rabbits , and produced a significant increase in HDL-C in both
sex , while it caused a significant decrease in LDL-C in males, These
alterations in HDL-C and LDL-C were reflected in the significant
improvement of risk ratio . To determine the duration of the effective
hypoglycemic effect of the Olive leaves extract , a separate experiment was
carried out on both sex ,the hypoglycemic effects continued significantly for 12
hrs in the Olive leaves treated on males and females , In general , the olive
leaves effects was paralled to those of Daonil , this observation will sustain the
suggestion that the Olive leaves Posses an insulin – like compounds , and the
variations observed in the present study may due to the presence of several
compounds in Olive leaves which enhances its effects in this regard

Two types of whey protein concentrates were prepared,one from acid
whey and the other from sweet whey .These preparations were acetylated and
succinylated to various degrees and their functional properties were assessed.
Acetylation or succinylation of different whey protein concentrates decreased
protein ,lactose and fat,but their total solid and gel strength were increased.
Functional properties of sweet and acid whey protein concentrates were more
effected by acetylation compared to succinylation. Nine treatments of yoghurt
were made to study the effect of fortification of cow milk with acetylated and
succinylated whey protein concentrates on the quality of yoghurt at 2 and 4%
ratios. Total protein,ash and curd tension ,while whey syneresis decreased by
fortification of cow milk with acetylated and succinylated whey protein
concentrates through zero,1,3 and 4 days of the storage period. This effect was
greater with 4 fortification .Results showed that ash% were higher in the
yoghurt fortified with acid whey protein concentrate compared to that of sweet
whey protein concentrate. Organoleptic scores of yoghurt fortified with
acetylated and succinylated whey protein concentrates to 2.0% were not
significantly different from those of the control yoghurt. The yoghurt fortified
with 2.0% gained the highest organoleptic scores and was the most acceptable
product.

This study was conducted in Kroosk Forest in Algeria to estimate the bark
factor and its volume for Quercus suber L. Fifty nine circular sample with a diameter
of 15.22 m were taken though a managed survey which was done in the forest . Form
the samples, data about the diameter at breast height above and below the bark and the
height of all trees were recorded , and for the determination of bark , the following
relationship was followed:
å å
= =
=
n
i
o
n
i
Kb du d
Form the above equation , the bark was obtained which is (0.862) . As the study
concerned the bark factor and its volume , the multiple regression models for
estimating the volume of bark at different classes above the bark were used, and the
following equation with coefficient of determination equation (0.88) and standard
deviation of the mean (5.188) obtain as follows:
20
Vb1 = -16.84 + 0.792D0 + 0.0036D
In addition , the percent of bark for the total forest was also determined.

This study was put to investigate the possibility of utilizing E.
camaldulensis bark extract as an adhesive for particleboards manufacturing
after the determination of their tannins content. Bark extracts were extracted by
using either hot water or 1% Na2CO3 (both gave an acceptable percent of
extracted tannin). Prior to panels manufacturing, the concentrated extracts were
hydroxymethylated with para-formaldehyde which normally releases
formaldehyde during hot pressing. Panels were manufactured using either
hydroxymethylated hot water extract or hydroxymethylated Na2CO3 extract, all
at three levels of pressing temperature (160, 175, 190 c◦.) and two levels of
pressing time (10 and 15 minute). A 10% resin content was used to get a panels
target density of 0.55 gm/cm3. The physical and mechanical properties of the
produced panels were tested. The results indicated, that by using hot water
hydroxymethylated extract, a better values of the different studied properties
were obtained, especially with those panels which manufactured at 175c◦.press
temperature and 15 minute pressing time, but in general the average values of
such panels did not exceed the values of the same properties given in the
American standard for particleboards properties.

T
The experiment was carried out at fields of college of agriculture and
forestry, university of Mosul to study the effect of two forward speeds (2.22
and 4.95) km/hr and three states of rear shield of rotary cultivator (narrow,
medium and wide) on number of soil agregates 5cm/m2, bulk density, porosity,
cutting depth, cutting width, practical forward speed, volume of disturbing soil,
slippage percentage, coefficient of cutting width and weed control percentage.
Results showed that the effect of interaction between forward speeds and rear
shield states was significant in all studied characteristics except the bulk
density, porosity and slippage percentage. The speed 2.22 km/hr showed higher
significance in the number of soil agregates 5cm/m2, cutting depth, cutting
width, coefficient of cutting width and weed control percentage. The narrow
state of rear shield showed higher significance in the number of soil agregates
5cm/m2. The weed control percentage was increased whereas the distance of
rear shield from rotor shaft was increased

A tow–stage study was conducted in the laboratories of mosul Technical
Institute in 2005, It aimed, specifying the mineral, chimerical and mechanical
aspects of a sub soil plow. After that its basic dimensions were stated in order
to show its design and structure by applying (ANSYS) programme as to
analyse its which are stresses and show its degree of tolerance to this stresses
resulting a simulated conditions as possible. A number of situations were tested
such as stress toward axis (X, Y, Z), also, the principle-stress σ1 and σ2
(N/mm2) and Deflection (mm). Secondly, the filed estimation of the plow
performance was tested which forward speed factor appliedcn tow together
2.52, 3.60 Km/h was adopted and studying their effect on some characterstics
such as depth and width of the drill and percentage the percentage of lateral
adge and the number of prominent soil blocks which have diameters exceeding
(10) cm/m2. The results show the plow surface hardness was 350 HB while
yield stress reached (864N/mm2) and tensile strength was (1125N/mm2), In the
middle of the chisel the hardness was less than 184 HB, yield stress
(417N/mm2) and tensile strength 625 N/mm2, analysis of the chisel stress
shows that. The principle stress were 119.98 N/mm2, followed by Von-Mises
111.12 N/mm2 compared with other stress. As the speed was concerned there
was no significant difference in drill depth, width of lateral edges and the
number of prominent soil blocks while 2.52 Km/h speed had the widest drill
22.90 cm as compared with 3.60 Km/h.

Purified caffeine showed the best efficiency in the inhibiting the infection
caused by CMV in vitro, when mixed its solution with crude sap of infected
plant, followed by the extraction of dried flower of carnation, then by tea
extraction, by using Chenopodium amaranticolor as indicator plant, while the
antibiotic, chloramphenicol showed the best inhibiting effect on this virus in
vitro, then followed by penicillin, but mercurochrome did not showed any
effect on CMV. The extractions of carnation flower, caffeine and tea showed
inhibiting effect on CMV in vivo, chloramphenicol also inhibited CMV in vivo,
whereas penicillin and mercurochrome did not showed any inhibition effect on
this virus.

The study showed the incidence of mosaic in squush fields in Ninevah
province at high percentage veached to 100% at autumn season/2002,and this was
associated with high population of two species of aphids, Myzus persicae and
Aphis craccivora which regarded as a more important vectors of squash viruses .
Zucchim yellw mosaic virus and Cucumber mosaic Cucumovirus were identified
as a causal agents of squash mosaic These viruse were diagnosed by indicator
plants and serologically by agglutination test by using antisera of ZYMV and
CMV. The results of permanent samples of thin sections examined by electron
microscope revealed deformations in infected squash cells and organelles, and
presence of crystal bodies in cytoplasm.

Survey of eggplant fields showed that 93.33% of the fields were infected
with root– knot nematodes , the mean of the infection was 33.33% in these
fields reaching it’s maximum value (51.66% ) in the fields of Salamia area
while it’s minimum value was 16.66% in the fields of Mosul area . The highest
population density of nematode was found in the soil of one of the fields of
Rabee’a area and the lowest in another field in the same area . Distribution of
root–knot nematode species in eggplant fieids showed the presence of
M.javanica and M. incognita .The former one was more widespread .
Susceptibility of eggplant cultivars against M. javanica revealed that the
cultivars differed among themselves.The cultivar Alton Kopri was the most
susceptibile one, while Black beauty was with medium resistance. M.javanica
completed its lifecycle in the roots of cultivars Al-Ton Kobri, Asil Zakholi
(local) and Syrian in 27,30 and 32 days respectively, while nematode could not
complete its life cycle in the roots of Tarhi and Black beauty cultivers.

Survey of eggplant fields showed that 93.33% of the fields were infected
with root– knot nematodes , the mean of the infection was 33.33% in these
fields reaching it’s maximum value (51.66% ) in the fields of Salamia area
while it’s minimum value was 16.66% in the fields of Mosul area . The highest
population density of nematode was found in the soil of one of the fields of
Rabee’a area and the lowest in another field in the same area . Distribution of
root–knot nematode species in eggplant fieids showed the presence of
M.javanica and M. incognita .The former one was more widespread .
Susceptibility of eggplant cultivars against M. javanica revealed that the
cultivars differed among themselves.The cultivar Alton Kopri was the most
susceptibile one, while Black beauty was with medium resistance. M.javanica
completed its lifecycle in the roots of cultivars Al-Ton Kobri, Asil Zakholi
(local) and Syrian in 27,30 and 32 days respectively, while nematode could not
complete its life cycle in the roots of Tarhi and Black beauty cultivers.