Basrah Journal of Agricultural Sciences

The primary objective of this paper was to develop an artificial neural
network (ANN) simulation environment and mathematical models for predicting with
high accuracy soil compression parameters. The experiments were conducted at the
College of Agriculture - University of Basra, located at Garmat Ali, the soil was silty
clay loam. The factors that were investigated are moisture content (14 and 24%), tillage
depths (0, 15, 30, 45, and 50 cm) forward speeds (0.57, 0.94, and 1.34 m.s-1) and tire
pressures (50, 100, and 150 kPa). ANN environment was developed with the back
propagation algorithm using MATLAB software with various structures and training
algorithms. Design Expert software utilized to evaluate the studied parameters and
produce mathematical models. The results showed that all studied parameters had a
significant effect on soil physical properties including bulk density and cone index. The
effects of the studied factors on bulk density were depth > moisture content > forward
speed, > tire pressure (6% 4%, 2.4%, 2%, respectively). Whereas, the order of the
investigated factors based on their effects on cone index were depth > moisture content
> tire pressure > forward speed (6%, 4%, 2.4% and 2%, respectively). The best model
for predicting the bulk density under different field conditions was the 4-8-1 architecture.
Levenberg-Marquardt (Trainlm) produced outstanding performance with an MSE of
0.00226 and R2 of 0.986. Moreover, this performance was occurring at an epoch of 100.
For predicting cone index, the best performance was achieved by Levenberg-Marquardt
(trainlm) in 85 epochs, giving minimum MSE equal to 0.005112 and greater (R2) equal
to 0.967 during the training process. Thus, the optimal structure for predicting cone index
was 4-7-1

This study aimed to demonstrate the activity of nanomaterials, the mechanisms
of their biosynthesis, methods of measurement, and the factors that roles their biosynthesis
by fungi. Moreover, focusing on their impact on host resistance against fungal pathogens.
Nanometerials have been considered as one of scientific research priorities due to their new
features (melting temperature, binding energy, electronic structure and catalytic activity,
magnetic properties, dissolving temperature, and hardness). The performance and efficiency
of nanomaterials compared to their normal state has been proven in many fields such as health
care, agriculture, transportation, energy, information and communication technology. Many
mechanical, chemical and physical methods were implemented to produce nanoparticles,
which are considered as unsafe, expensive and environmentally dangerous. Therefore,
researchers interested in biosynthesis of nanoparticles using fungi, bacteria or plants systems
to make the process environmentally and economically safe. Furthermore, microorganisms
such as yeasts, fungi and bacteria efficiency of converting inorganic ions into metallic
nanomaterials was well studied. In agriculture, studies have confirmed impact of
nanoparticles in improving plant productivity and pathogens resistance in different
approaches like direct spraying on plants, soil, and stored fruits in a curative and preventive
modes.

Biscuits are a popular ready-to-eat food due to their affordable cost and long
shelf life. Herein, we review the quality parameters of the biscuits, with a special focus
on the changes caused by thermal processing. Particularly, the presence of possible
contaminants, including the production of hydroxymethylfurfural is reviewed. In
addition, the various microbiological sources of concern during the biscuit-making
process, and their effect on the shelf-life and quality of the biscuits are presented. Based
on the current state of literature, modern challenges in biscuit-making and a future
outlook of the biscuit industry is provided. This review will be useful in understanding
the current state of the literature regarding the quality parameters of biscuits and the
important critical control points in order to maintain the safety and high quality of
biscuits produced .

The current COVID-19 pandemic is the main issue globally, and finding solutions either
for disease prevention or treatment is nowadays a key scientific concern. Good immunity can be shown
as the only proven method of overcoming or minimizing the adverse effects of virus infections. Since
Coronavirus spread, different conventional herbs were used as a traditional medication to enhance
people's immunity to combat the virus. Herbs are sources of several phytochemical compounds with
compelling bioactivities. A review of the studies concerning herbal plants with proven properties
against viral infections is highlighted in the present work. Besides, this work also contains some of the
recently published studies related to natural herbs that could be highly beneficial in preventing or
treating the infection by Coronavirus. Based on the reviewed literature presented in this update, it was
concluded that phytochemical constituents found in many herbs could have a potential role in
preventing or treating the symptoms associated with Coronavirus infection.

The shipwrecks generate different impacts mostly represented by
geomorphological changes of the waterways, source of potential pollutants, impeding
navigation and fishing activities. A total of 141 locations of shipwrecks were
identified in the inland and marine Iraqi territorial waters. The study area is
categorized into four sites including Shatt Al-Arab River, Shatt Al-Arab Estuary,
Khor Abdulla and Khor Al-Zubair. The shipwrecks data analysis was investigated on
spatial and temporal approach based on salvage state, type and size of sinking vessels
in these sites. The shipwrecks are of different types classified according to the size
into three categories. Only 43 of these shipwrecks were salvaged mostly in Khor Al
Zubair, however, no attempt has been carried out to salvage any of the shipwrecks in
the most important fishing ground located within Shatt Al-Arab Estuary. On temporal
basis, most of the shipwrecks are resulted due to the wars. The majority of the sunken
shipwrecks are of small size indicated by 94 (67%), however many are still not
identified by type and size particularly those located in the Shatt Al-Arab Estuary.
The impacts of the shipwrecks were investigated following to findings of previous
related studies and feedback of questionnaire circulated to specialists in relevant
authorities. Moreover, the findings of relevant published data in relation to
hydrological features, water quality, fishing and biodiversity aspects have considered
particularly in the shared zone among Iraq, Kuwait and Iran. The paper recommended
the great importance to initiate a regional survey to assess the levels and types of
pollutants in this area and to take a cooperation action on removing the sunken
vessels.

Chicken meat is a low-fat, high-protein food that is increasingly growing in
popularity around the world. Therefore, various food ingredients have been added to
improve the characteristics of the chicken sausage. Among them, Basil seed gum (BSG)
was extracted, and the effect of adding it in percentages of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 % was
studied as- a partial replacement- for animal fat in processed sausages and its effect on the
proximate composition, sensory and quality characteristics of chicken sausages. The yield
of gum extract was 17.5% on a dry-weight basis. Moreover, the results of analyzing the
proximate composition of prepared sausage showed an increase in the moisture, protein,
and ash percentage. However, the percentage of fat, carbohydrates, and caloric value in
them decreased. The results also showed increased water holding capacity, emulsion
stability, and cooking yield in the prepared sausages. In contrast, the percentage of cooking
loss and loss of thaw loss decreased. It was also noted that the peroxide value, free fatty
acids, and cholesterol decreased by increasing the concentration of gum added, up to 2%.
Besides that, the addition of gum concentrations resulted in a clear improvement in the
sensory characteristics and acceptability of the assessor, especially colour, tenderness,
juiciness, and overall acceptability. It can be concluded from this research that the
possibility of using BSG as a fat replacer to manufacture low-fat chicken sausages, which
contributes to reducing the cost of sausage mixtures and giving a healthy, low-calorie
product.

This study aimed to investigate the application of safety-first approach to
measure the risk behavior of wheat farmers in unreclaim land. A random sample of 105
farms in Wasit province for season 2019 were used. The analysis was divided into three
stages. The first stage was to estimate the production function (Cob-Douglas) of wheat
using the regression method of the Robust M-Weighted Estimator (R.M.W) to represent
the functional relationship between quantity of produced wheat and the independent
variables (seed, fertilizers, pesticides, number of mechanical and human).The second
stage included an analysis of farmers' behavior towards risk based on safety-first
standards. It was found that the number of farmers affording high, medium and natural
risks were 46, 24 and 33, respectively, representing 43.8%, 24.76%, 31.34% of the total
farmers, respectively. Third stage analyzed the factors affecting the farmers' behavior
towards risk, using a multiple logistic regression model. The results indicated that
farmers having normal or medium salinity soil, long experience (more than 25 years)
and those owning their agricultural lands bear the risks more than their counterparts
with high salinity soils, shorter experience and tenants of agricultural lands. Therefore,
the study recommends conducting maintenance operations on the main and secondary
drainage networks to ensure low salinity levels to obtain high productivity.

Moringa oleifera seed solution was used in this study to treat municipal
wastewater that were used as the treatment in this study. There were 3 treatments used;
treated wastewater, normal tape water and untreated wastewater. The wastewater were
collected at main drainage at Batu 7 (5o52’57.2’’N 118o02’39.7”E) and diagnosed based on
the pH and EC. Data on plant height (cm), number of leaves, leaves length (cm),
chlorophyll, and number of primary branches were taken every week until week 4. For root
length (cm), fresh weight (g), dry weight (g) and moisture were taken after the harvesting.
The data collected were analyzed by using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) version 9.4
computer program with experimental design was Randomized Complete Block Design
(RCBD). The means were separated and compared using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test
(DMRT) at 0.05 significant level. M. oleifera seeds solution treated irrigation exhibited
positive outcomes for most of the parameters recorded, but response of different vegetables
were also different on varied parameters. The increase of pH from untreated waste water
(6.40) to sanitized/treated waste water (6.73) and reduction of EC from untreated waste
water (367.9) to sanitized/treated waste water (359.1) is the proof of making nutrients more
available for plants uptake. From the overall study it is proved that M. oleifera seeds are
suitable as the replacement and an alternative besides chemical coagulant to treat wastewater
which is cheaper, eco-friendly and sustainable to be used in agricultural irrigation based on
all the parameters evaluated in this study.

The study area comprises Erbil province, Kurdistan region, Iraq.
Thirty-five soil samples have been taken from different districts. Several soil
analyses have been performed in order to find soil loss as a criterion for land
suitability assessment. The other criteria were elevation, slope, aspect ratio, and
land use and land cover (LULC). All used criteria have been weighted using
Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology to find their priorities in order to
use them on weighted overlay methodology (WOM) based on the Geographical
Information Systems (GIS) technique. Integration of AHP and GIS have been
utilized in purpose to find the land suitability based on five classes; high suitable
(S1), moderately suitable (S2), marginally suitable (S3), not suitable (N1), and not
suitable permanently (N2). The result of land suitability shows that the S1 class is
generally located at the northwest of the middle part in the study area extended to
the southwest, and it occupies an area of 1243.94 km2 (8.61%). The S2 class
occupies a minimum area of 85.52 km2 (0.59%), while the S3 class occupies a
massive area relatively about 4886.75 km2 (33.82%). The N1 class occupies the
highest area, around 6538.32 km2 (45.26%). At the same time, N2 class takes
1693.16 km2 (11.72%). Both N1 and N2 have an area of 8,231 km2 (56.98%) of the
total area while S1, S2, and S3, which takes only 6,216 km2 (43.02%).In this study
we found the possibility of using GIS and AHP in order to find the land suitability
assessment.

Praniza larvae of Gnathia sp. were reported on the gills of 18 Iraqi sea fish species.
Hosts were eight elasmobranchs and 10 teleosts. Cartilaginous hosts belong to four families, with
highest mean prevalence was 100% in Pastinachus sephen, while the lowest prevalence was 25%
in Gymnura poecilura. Teleost hosts belong to seven families, the highest prevalence was 50% in
Rabdosargus haffara and the lowest was 1.6% in Tenualosa ilisha. The higher mean intensity of
infection was 12.3 in Chiloscyllium arabicum, and only one in all teleost fish species. Praniza
parasite of C. arabicum has long body, concave cephalon, narrowing anteriorly with truncate
frontal margin, the compound eyes large, pleotelson triangular, uropods have endopods not
extending beyond the end of the pleotelson.

A laboratory experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of Thepax and
Endo Vit. C as feed additives in the formulated diet on the growth performance of grass carp
Ctenopharyngodon idella. The feed (30.11% crude protein) manufactured in the laboratory using
raw local materials diet. Young grass carp (Average weight 3.36± 0.95 g) obtained from
Aquaculture Unit ponds in Al-Hartha Station for Agricultural Researches, North Basrah. The fish
were stocked in nine glass aquarium, three replicates for each treatment, of dimensions
60×40×30 cm provided with pumping aeration. The experimental diets included a control T1
(0% additives), T2 (1g Thepax/kg diet) and T3 (1g Endo Vit. C /kg diet) were used in feeding
trail of current experiment. The experiment lasted for 57 days (from 29 Nov. to 24 Jan.) and
fishes were fed six days a week using 5% of fish weight as feeding ratio. Results of current study
reveals that grass carp fed on formulated feed supplemented with Endo vit. C having high growth
performance (WG, DGR, RGR and SGR). The lowest Feed conversion ratio (2.511) was
recorded in T3 this value was statistically significant (P≤0.05) with T2 while the highest value
(2.767) was observed on the control. Protein efficiency ratio, feed intake and gross conversion
efficiency were also recorded high values in T3, but control displayed superior values compared
with Thepax treatment, which showed higher value of Relative feed intake compared to other
two treatments.

Rice is one of the most important crops in Pakistan, grown all over the
world. Rice production has decreased due to susceptibility to a number of biological
and abiotic factors. One of the oldest diseases is bacterial leaf blight of rice. The
causative agent of the disease is Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. In this study,
seedlings of four commercially grown rice varieties were sown by following the
randomized complete block design (RCBD). Four treatments were used to manage the
disease and to promote the plant growth. Correlation and regression analysis was used
to study the relation of BLB disease and environmental factors. It was observed that
plant height increased by the application of NPK followed by Farm yard manure,
boron and leaf manure. Panicle length and weight was maximum in boron treated
plants while minimum in FYM. Minimum disease severity was recorded in NPK
treatment followed by boron FYM and leaf manure. All the environmental variables
showed significantly negative relationship with the development BLB disease. These
results would be beneficial for the farming community to devise management options
against BLB disease.

Fish skin, bones and scales are a good source of collagen, for the sake of
exploitation these fish wastes of high commercial worth and convert them into food,
therapeutic and pharmaceutical products. Therefore, the study included extracting
collagen with acetic acid at a concentration 0.5 M and pepsin enzyme 0.1% from fish
Cyprinus carpio scales and then producing hydrolyzed collagen protein. Chemical
content of the scales was estimated from the percentage of moisture, protein, fat and ash,
as it was found (55.36, 35.85, 2.47 and 5.99) %, respectively. The metallic elements
represented by (Ca, P, Fe and Zn), they reached (153430, 1887.5, 71.455 and 48.045)
µg.g-1. The collagen yield by the two methods mentioned above was 16.40% and 5.30%,
respectively. Diagnosis of collagen extracted with acid using FT-IR technique and
determination of the active groups in it, the presence of amides A, B, I, II and III was
observed at frequencies 3413.39, 2924.52, 1653.66, 1548.56 and 1240 cm-1,
respectively. Hydrolysed collagen was prepared using Collagenase enzyme followed by
Pepsin enzyme, the highest degree of hydrolysis reached 43.56% after four hours. The
electrophoresis of collagen extracted with acid and enzyme was carried out, as three
bundles of collagen α1, α2 and β were obtained with weights (126, 100 and 180) KD,
respectively

Carotenoids are tetraterpenoid organic pigments found in plants, bacteria, fungi, and
algae, and come in a variety of colours including yellow, orange, red, and pink, fund all of these
organisms, carotenoids can be complex lipids and other metabolic components. Carotenoids are
used in a variety of ways, including as antioxidants, antibacterial agents, and food additives.The
present study included the isolation of bacteria producing carotenoids pigments that isolated from
different sources (soil, food and air) in Basrah, Iraq. Results showed, that out of 24 isolates isolated
from above sources which can be produce carotenoids. Ten of those isolates were gave the highest
productivity of pigments. Morphological, biochemical, and gene investigations were performed on
all 10 isolates. The 16SrRNA sequence analysis of all isolates was recorded as new strains and put
in the BDDJ Gene Bank, and the phylogenetic tree of the isolates was constructed using MEGA 6
software. Those strains that are the primary screening for carotenoids production.Bacterial isolates
were characterized and identified based on phenotypic properties and molecular techniques. five
strains, belonging to genera of Plantibacter flavus BKA3, Sphingobacteruim faccium BKA4,
Stenotrophomonas pavanii BKA5, Microbacteruim keltanolyticum BKA6, Brachybacteruim muris
BKA12, were isolated from soil and four strains, belonging to genera of Kocuria turfanesis BKA8,
Kocuria rosea BKA10, Massilia timonae BKA11, were isolated from air, the strain Pseudomonase
cani BkA13 and P. fluorescens BKA2, isolated from food. The carotenoid was extracted by
methanol solvent and it’s analyzed by spectrophotometric within 400-600nm and wave length
maximum was found at 460nm. The results showed the isolate of K. turfanesis BKA8, reached a
height of carotenoid content of 753.11g.gm-1 after 72 hours of shaking culture at 150 rpm in
nutrient broth at 27˚C, pH 7.

Hilsa species are broadly described as largely anadromous fish with a large
valuable population size. It is well-known as one of the most critical commercial and
occurs in marine, estuarine and riverine environments Hilsa shad, Tenualosa ilisha
locally known as Sbour, migrates to the freshwater environment of the Shatt Al-Arab
River systems for breeding. It was determined the genetic variation in 70 specimens of T.
ilisha from four sites at the Shatt Al-Arab River, the mtDNA cytochrome-b gene was
selected as a molecular marker for detecting genetic diversity, origin, and divergence of
the population through comparing them with 6 samples from different locations at Indo
Pacific. The AMOVA analysis showed that the variation between groups is 60.97% and
39.02% within population indicating statistically significant P value (P<0.05).
Furthermore, the maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree showed two main clusters of all
T. ilisha groups representing two stocks of separated breeding grounds have a common
ancestor.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of in ovo injection of
alcoholic garlic extract on hatching traits, liver enzymes, and antioxidant status of broiler
chickens post-hatch. In total, 625 broiler breeder eggs (ROSS 308 strain with an average
weight of 58.5 g) were divided into 5 treatments (each treatment had three replicates). At 0
embryonic day, the eggs were injected as follows: the first treatment without in ovo
injection (negative control), eggs of second treatment were injected with 100 μL.egg-1
distilled water (sham control). The third, fourth, and fifth treatments were injected with 50,
100, and 150 μL.egg-1 of an alcoholic garlic extract respectively. The chicks were reared for
4 weeks after hatching according to in ovo treatments. Hatchability, embryonic mortality,
chicks' weight, serum AST, ALT, GPx, SOD activities, and MDA concentration were all
measured. The results showed that the hatchability of the fifth treatment was higher
(P≤0.05) than those of the other treatments. On the other hand, the embryonic mortality of
the fifth treatment was recorded less (P≤0.05) than those of the other treatments. The results
of serum AST, ALT, GPx, SOD activities, and MDA concentration were non different
significance (P>0.05) among treatments. It is concluded that a garlic extract injection with
150 μL.egg-1 improved hatchability and reduced embryonic mortality. Moreover, it did not
affect the chick's weight, serum liver enzymes, and antioxidant status post-hatch.

The current study aims to compare the growth of young grass carp
Ctenopharyngodon idella fed on either artificial diet or alfalfa. The experiment was carried out
in the earthen ponds of the Aquaculture Unit in the Agricultural Researches and Experiments
Station (College of Agriculture, University of Basrah), which is located in the Al-Hartha district,
approximately 16 km north of Basra (300 65' 64.6''N, 470 74' 79.5''E). The experiment begun
from 26 July 2019 to 10 December 2019. Six ponds with an area of 600 square meters each were
used for treatments. Fish were distributed equally to the culture ponds (600 fish per pond) at
average individual weight of 6.3±0.28 g. Fish in artificial diet treatment were fed 5 % of the
body weight and in alfalfa treatment 50 % of the body weight. Samples of fish were weighed
every twenty days for the purpose of controlling growth parameters subsequently adjusting the
daily feed provided based on the new weight. The growth criteria (final weight, weight gain,
daily growth rate, specific growth rate, relative growth rate, feed conversion ratio and protein
efficiency ratio) were calculated. Results of the current study showed that the water temperature
is the most variable factor, for example, the highest temperature was 27.2oC in July, while the
lowest temperature was 18.7oC in December. Results of growth criteria of the current study
showed that grass carp in earthen ponds preferred alfalfa rather than the artificial diet, as the
final average weight were 97.35, 47.18 g, the weight gain rate were 91.73, 40.75 g fish-1, the
daily growth rate were 1.27, 0.42 g day-1, relative growth rate 1707.77, 629.99 %, specific
growth rate were 3.92, 2.04 % day-1, feed conversion ratio were 11.75, 2.51and protein
efficiency ratio were 1.75, 0.45 for fish fed on alfalfa plant and the artificial diet respectively.

The response of black poplar (Populus nigra L.) seedlings to the combination of
both drought and sewage water irrigation have been investigated from 18-5-2019 to 18-8
2019. Two drought stress levels; D0; 90% or full water holding capacity (WHC) and D1;
30% WHC interacted with three sewage irrigation treatments; S0; 100 % of tap water as a
control, S1; 50% of tap water and sewage water and S2; 100% of sewage water. The
irrigation water quality index (IWQI) of S1 was 59.31 located under moderate restrictions
class for irrigation purposes. Despite to its low pollution load index (PLI); 0.47. Fully
irrigation to soil holding capacity with S1 (S1D0) led to a significant increase in seedling
height, stem base diameter, fresh and dry biomass and moisture content in shoot system. In
addition, the highest tolerance index (TI %) about 92.07 % of the seedlings recorded despite
to the soil toxicity with Ni and Pb ions. Lowest accumulation and metal toxicity of Cu, Zn,
Cd, Pb and Mn in the soil and leaves have been determined. Thus, diluting sewage water;
1:1 can be used to irrigate black poplar trees with high water demand and moderate to high
tolerance to salts for reforestation and urban vegetation.

Xanthan gum is a microbial polysaccharide produced by the bacteria
Xanthomonas spp. Seven local isolates of Xanthomonas campestris were used after
microscopic and biochemical tests identified them. The isolates were subjected to a
screening for xanthan production in medium broth consisting of 20 g.L-1 sucrose, 0.1 g.L-1
urea, and 1 g.L-1 K2HPO4. Isolate X1 showed the highest yield, which reached 6.26 g.l-1.
The isolate was confirmed by a 16S rRNA test, and it was recorded in the gene bank with
the code MZ262533. Xanthan gum was produced from date juice at a concentration of 3.5
ml (1.5 g glucose.100 ml-1 from the production medium, with the highest yield being 18.9
g.l-1. The resulting xanthan gum was identified by using FTIR, TLC and HPLC techniques,
and it was the same chemical as xanthan gum. In the manufacture of xanthan gum and its
usage in food, alternative media made from agricultural waste can be employed.

This study was conducted in one of the private orchards in Al-Haritha
region, Northern Basra city to study the effect of spraying antioxidants with three
concentrations of (0, 3 and 6) ml.L-1 on two cultivars of jujube trees, Alarmouti
and Altfahic. The physical traits of the stages of fruit growth were studied, starting
from 50 days after flowering to the final maturity 120 days after of flowering. The
results of the study recorded It is too complicated. The progress of the growth and
development fruits for all the traits. The study revealed that the Alarmouti cultivar
significantly excelled in most of the studied traits at all different growth stages,
where the highest values were recorded in the traits of size, length, diameter, and
fruit weight (11.07 cm3, 35.99 mm, 27.40 mm, and 21.97 g) respectively. It also
excelled in chemical traits during growth stages. The study also showed that the
antioxidant concentration of 6 ml.L-1 significantly excelled in most of the studied
physical and chemical traits. The bi-interaction also had a significant effect on the
studied traits, while the fresh weight of the seed was not significant different
between cultivars, concentrations, and their -interaction.