Basrah Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Two field experiments conducted during winter growing season 2019-2020 at
Ninevah Governorate at two locations: Talkief and Al-Hamdaniya. The main objective was
to study the effect of two sowing dates (November 17 and December 17), and four levels of
N15P15K15 fertilizers (0, 100,150 and 200 kg. ha-1) on growth and yield of flax under rainfed
conditions. The experiment carried out in Randomized Complete Block Design (R.C.B.D.),
with three replications. The results showed that there were significant differences between
sowing dates in all the studied characters in the both locations, the date of sowing (November
17) gave the highest rate of plant height, number of fruiting branches.plant-1, number of
capsules.plant-1, number of seeds.capsule-1, 1000 seed weight , seed yield, seed oil percentage
and linolenic acid percentage. Adding to the soil NPK fertilizer with 200 Kg NPK.ha-1 was
superior in some characters i.e. plant height, number of fruiting branches.plant-1, number of
capsules.plant-1 and number of seeds.capsule-1 in Al-Hamdaniya location, whereas linolenic
acid percentage was superior in Talkief location, Also highest seeds oil percentage was
obtained in both locations. The interaction between date (November 17) with 200 kg.ha-1 of
N15P15K15 fertilizer was significantly superior in linolenic acid percentage in Talkief location
only.

A parasitological examination of two species of lethrinid fishes; Pink ear
emperor Lethrinus lentjan, Spangled emperor L. nebulosus and Areolate grouper Epinephelus
areolatus caught in Iraqi marine territorial waters from January to December 2020, revealed
that the gills of the fishes were infected with deiplectanid monogenoid, which is identified as
Calydiscoides difficilis (Yamaguti, 1953) Young, 1969. This study redescribed the parasite
and for the first time described the egg and confirmed that the species has a wide range of
dimension resulting from intraspecific variations. The measurements of hard and soft parts
of the parasite collected from L. lentjan are smaller than those from L. nebulosus. In addition,
the measurements from E. areolatus are close to that from L. lentjan or intermediate between
L. nebulosus and L. lentjan. The past record of C. difficilis from L. harak is discussed and
hence L. nebulosus and L. lentjan are considered as new records to the Arabian Gulf.
Dimensions of the eggs of the parasite in the current study is given here for the first time. The
occurrence of C. difficilis from Epinephelidae is considered as a new host family record.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of taurine, an amino acid
additive, on grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella fingerlings (3.16 ± 0.14 gm) growth and
feed utilization in glass aquaria for 70 days. Before beginning the feeding experiment, 120
fish were acclimatized for 10days in the laboratories of fisheries department and marine
resources, Agriculture College, University of Basrah. Fish fed dietary taurine at levels of 1%
(T2), 2% (T3), and 3% (T4) were compared to fish fed a control diet with no taurine (0%,
T1). The weight gain (WG) in the T1 was 16.95 g, which was significantly (P≤0.05) higher
than the other treatments. T1 had a higher (P≤0.05) mean relative growth rate (RGR) (54.89±
5.66 %) than the other treatments. The specific growth rate (SGR) and daily growth rate
(DGR) of T1 were 0.72 ± 0.06 % day -1, and 0.28 ±0.01 g, which was also higher (P≤0.05)
than other treatments supported with different levels of taurine. Significant differences
(P≤0.05) were found in the food conversion ratio (FCR) and food conversion efficiency
(FCE) between T1 and the other treatments (T2, T3, and T4). It is clear from the current study
that the T1 (0% taurine) better than the other treatments in growth and food utilization
indicators. It is concluded from the current study that the addition of taurine (1, 2 and 3%)
had inhibited the growth in grass carp fingerlings.

A filed experiment was carried out at one of the private farms at Al-Suwaira
District, Wasit Governorate during the spring season 2021, in order to evaluate the effect of
adding Fulyzme plus (biofertilizer) and the foliar application of green tea extract (organic
nutrient) on growth and yield of pepper plant cv. California wonder. A factorial experiment
(43) was carried out using RCBD Design with three replicates. The Fulyzme plus treatment
was applied with four concentrations (0, 10, 20. and 30 g. L-1). The foliar application of
green tea extract was applied with three concentrations which were 0, 2 and 4 ml. L-1.
Results revealed significant effects of Fulyzme plus at 30 g. L-1 and the foliar application
of green tea extract at the 4 ml. L-1 in plant height (89.62 cm), number of branches (9.44
branch. Plant-1), number of leaves (38.28 leaf. Plant-1), leaves area (40.79 dcm2. Plant-1),
number of flowers (35.77 flower. Plant-1) and fruits set (62.45%), number of fruits (17.96
fruit. Plant-1), plant yield (4.16 kg. plant-1), productivity (137.93 t. ha-1) and Vitamin. C in
fruits (34.74 ml.100g-1). Therefore adding bio-fertilizer and spraying with organic nutrient
improved vegetative growth and increase yield of pepper plants.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a locally
manufactured combined tillage machine on the draft force, fuel consumption, field efficiency,
power loss, and soil pulverization index. The combined tillage machine accomplished the
primary, secondary, and deep tillage in a single pass. The combined tillage machine types
were compared to individual tillage machines. The combined tillage machine accomplished
the primary, secondary, and deep tillage in a single pass. A randomized complete block
(RCBD) experiment was the statistical method used for the investigation with three
replicates. The field experiments were conducted in silty loam soil. The combined tillage
machines were used in three types. The first configuration (T1) consists of a subsoiler+ chisel
plow + disk harrow + roller, the second configuration (T2) consists of a subsoiler + chisel
plow, and the third configuration (T3) consists of chisel plow + disc harrow at two operating
speeds (1.5 and 3 km.h-1). Individual tillage machines were used in three conventional tillage
systems M1, M2, and M3. M1. Conventional tillage systems M1, M2, and M3 perform
similar tasks to combined tillage machine types T1, T2, and T3 respectively. The results
showed that T3 reduced draft force by 40 and 34.35%, saved fuel by 19.88 and 25.89%, and
reduced power loss by 54.25 and 37.22%, while increasing field efficiency by 13.64 and 5.63
and the soil pulverization index by 26.67 and 66.24% compared with T1 and T2 respectively.
The combined tillage machinesT1, T2, and T3 reduced the draft force and power loss while
increasing the field efficiency by 19.05, 22.41, and 53.49%, respectively, compared with
conventional tillage systems M1, M2, and M3. The combined tillage machinesT1, T2, and
T3 achieved the lowest values of the soil pulverization index, with values of 19.91, 41.93,
and 33.10 mm, and saved fuel by 58.68, 41.61, and 26.86% respectively, compared with
conventional tillage systems M1, M2, and M3. The results also revealed that operating speed
and its interaction with the combined tillage machine types had a significant effect on all of
the studied characteristics (p<0.05).

This study aims to evaluate the developmental trends and the allometric growth
values of carcass components and carcass waste in Awassi lambs. Twenty five entire Awassi
lambs were seriously slaughtered at 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 kg. Results revealed that the
allometric growth coefficients of dissectible lean (0.853) and bone (0.793) weights were
negative heterogonic (b<1) indicating that these tissues significantly (p<0.01) grew at slower
rate than carcass weight. Conversely, fat was positive heterogonic (1.859) and considered a
late maturing tissue. Also, it seems from the coefficients that leg is an early maturing
(b=0.938), whereas shoulder is a late maturing (b=1.293). Rack, neck, breast and flank are
isogonic (b=1) and grew at a similar rate in relation to carcass weight. Carcass fat, carcass
waste fat and fat tail relative to empty body weight are 1.920, 0.089 and 1.036, respectively,
indicating carcass fat and fat tail are positive heterogonic demonstrating that are high impetus
and grow at a higher rate than empty body weight, whereas carcass waste fat had allometric
coefficient <1, low impetus and early maturing tissue. Skin, testes, spleen and kidney
exhibited isogonic growth indicating that these components are grow similar rate to empty
body weight. On the other hand, head, feet, liver, lung, heart and empty digestive tract are
early maturing organs than did empty body weight.

Cladosporium ramotenellum Schub., Zalar, Crous & Braun, 2007 an
ascomycetes fungus, was isolated from cultured date palm tissues at callus induction stage
in Date Palm Research Centre, University of Basrah. Morphometric and molecular
diagnoses using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) primers were applied. Notably, C.
ramotenellum was not previously recorded as a contaminant of cultured date palm tissues in
Iraq .

The present investigation aimed at discussing the present status of cage culture
in Iraq and its future potential. Iraqi water resources can provide the basic requirements for
successful fish culture in cages. Environmental conditions may maintain sustainable growth
rate for 10 months at least. This has encouraged the investors and fish culturists to adopt
such technique and make use of its advantages. Development of cage culture in Iraq has
been reviewed from the early seventies till now. Fish production from cage culture was
analyzed focusing upon recent developments in terms of fish consumption criteria and the
per capita in Iraq. The floating cages culture system is considered now as the main culture
system, because environmental conditions are suitable for cage culture more than the
earthen ponds and recirculating systems. Cage culture industry relies on row materials that
are locally available. They includes, frames, bridges, passage ways, nets, floating materials,
feeders and wave breakers. Most of the cage units are locally manufactured from steel or
wooden frame in square or rectangular shapes. Some circular and octahedral units are used
in Kurdistan and Mosul. Researches on cage culture continued to optimize parameters such
as stocking density, feeding and stocking sizes, stocking density of fish in the cages was
fixed at 60-70 fish per m3 or 1500-2000 fish per cage of 1.5 x 4 x 4m using fish of 100 g in
weight. Problems facing cage culture in Iraq are summarized by high prices of feeds, viral
infection and other fish diseases, deterioration of water quality, the policy of importing fish
from neighboring countries and lack of skills among farmers. Solutions for the above
problems and recommendations for future development are discussed at the end of the
article.

A field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the mole drains in the corn
crop (zea mayes L.) field during the season of 2019; this study was carried out at the
Agricultural research station, University of Basrah, where the soil was silty clay loam. The
results showed that the treatments of mole drains filled with gravel and sand mixture (S+G)
and filled with gravel and sand layers (S/G) affected the decrease of the electrical conductivity
(EC), and the exchanged sodium percentage (ESP) compared to W.M. treatment. The S/G
drain gave lower values compared to the S+G drain. As well as, the values of EC decreased
by the increase of the depth of the mole drain. Also, the treatments of mole drains distances
of 2 m decreased the values of EC and ESP compared to the distance of 4 m. The S/G with
depth of 60 cm and distance of 2m gave the lower values of EC and ESP, while the W.M.
treatment gave higher values. Soil depths of 0-10 and 10-20 cm reached the lower values of
EC and ESP; however depths of 50-60 cm gave the higher values. The treatment of S/G, with
mole drain depth of 50 cm, and soil depth of 20-30 cm gave a lower value of EC; while, S+G,
with mole drain depth of 50 cm, and soil depth of 50-60 cm gave a higher value. Finally, the
ESP was decreased in the end of the growing season compared to the middle of the season.

This study investigated the effect of salinity on the anatomical features of date palm
(Phoenix dactylifera L.) and the potential roles of nano selenium (Se NPs) in alleviating the
adverse effects of salinity. Two concentrations (80 and 160 mg.L-1) of SeNPs were applied as a
foliar spray on date palms irrigated with different concentrations of saline water (2.5 [control],
5, 10 and 20 ds.m-1). Results showed that 5 ds.m-1 salinity had no significant effect on the
anatomical structure of date palm, whether applied alone or in combination with foliar spray of
Se NPs. However, the vascular bundle dimensions and thickness of the xylem, phloem and
mesophyll were significantly higher in plants exposed to 10 ds.m-1 salinity compared with the
control plants. In particular, foliar spray of SeNPs at 80 mg.L-1 concentration enhanced the
effect on these plants. By contrast, 20 ds.m-1 salinity significantly reduced all studied parameters
except for the thickness of the upper and lower cuticle, which increased. Se NPs at 80 mg.L-1
concentration had a significant effect in alleviating the adverse effects of salinity at high levels.
The results of this study proved that SeNPs at 80 mg.L-1 concentration were more effective in
alleviating the adverse effects of salinity on the anatomical structure of date palm leaves than
160 mg.L-1 concentration.

The increase in aluminum ion concentration resulting from chemical coagulants
in water treatment causes human health problems, including damage to brain cells and
Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, numerous countries sought to find alternative coagulants
extracted from natural, environmentally friendly organic sources for use in water treatment.
The research included preparing an aqueous extract from orange peel, extracting luffa
mucilage, as well as, calculating the yield, estimating the size of mucilage particles, and using
them as plant coagulants to purify turbid water. Moreover, the optimum conditions were set
for it, represented by the concentration of coagulants and the pH to give the highest efficiency
in purifying turbid water. As well as using them as coagulation aids with alum to reduce the
concentration of alum used in water purification. The results indicated that the optimum
concentrations of natural coagulants ranged 40-50 ppm, where the orange peel coagulant
exceeded the luffa coagulant with a significant difference in the turbidity removal, as it was
87 and 71% respectively, at pH values of 5 and 10. Likewise, there were significant
differences in the reduction of heavy elements by using coagulants in water treatment. The
results showed that there was a significant difference in the percentages of turbidity removal
between the mixing ratio 1:0.5 and 1:0.25 (coagulant aid: Alum). Conversely, the use of the
optimum concentration of orange peel coagulant with half the alum concentration gave
turbidity removal percentages close to the use of alum alone in purifying water. It can be
concluded from the study the possibility of using the extracted plant coagulants to reduce the
concentration of alum used in purifying turbid water. The results reveled the highest
significant decrease in the concentration of all heavy elements using luffa fruit coagulant and
orange peel coagulant, compared to their concentration in turbid water before purification,
which was 0.4 ppm

The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of varying water quality with
and without vitamin C on the growth performance and some haematological parameters of
broiler chickens. A total of 252 one day old, unsexed chicks of broiler chickens (ROSS 308),
average body weight 42 g were used in this study. For 35 days, the chicks were divided into
7 treatments (each treatment thirty six chicks), with 3 replicate per each (twelve chicks per
replicate). The first group drank reverse osmosis (R.O) without any addition containing 28.16
total dissolved solids mg.l-1 (TDS), whereas the second, third and fourth groups (Safwan,
Qurna and Fao tap water) drank water containing 1849.6, 1452.8 and 1356.8 TDS mg.l-1
respectively. The fifth, sixth and seventh group drank water containing 1849.6, 1452.8 and
1356.8 TDS mg.l-1 with 100 mg.l-1 vitamin C respectively. The highest body weight, weight
gain, feed intake and the better feed conversion ratio were observed at the seventh group. The
highest cumulative water intake was observed at the second, third and fourth groups. Higher
red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cells volume (PCV) and
lymphocytes ratio were recorded at the seventh group. Higher heterophils and
heterophils/lymphocytes ratio were observed at the second group. Mean corpuscular volume
(MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin
concentration (MCHC) were not affected by different water quality. It can be concluded that
the increase of TDS in the drinking water to 1849.6 mg.l-1 led to a decline in the growth
performance and haematological parameters, while the addition of vitamin C (100 mg.l-1)
improved the growth parameters and physiological status of broilers.

Papaya is a heterozygous plant commonly cultivated by seed but,
unfortunately, they are not true to type. Moreover, the hybrid seed varieties like the Red
Lady are very highly expensive. Hence, tissue culture techniques offer an alternative
method to produce a million clones within a short period and a reasonable price. Thus, the
current study aimed to optimize the shoot multiplication rate of papaya (Carica papaya L.
cv. Red Lady) in vitro. Five concentrations of sucrose (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 g.L-1) were
applied for the papaya shoot proliferation. Results demonstrated that the 30 g.L-1 sucrose
was significantly superior in the rate of shoot numbers (4.1 shoots. explant-1), shoot length
(0.90 cm), (2.7 leaves. shoot-1), leaf area (1.40 cm2) and fresh weight (0.192 g) in compared
with other sucrose treatments. Whereas, the 40 g.L-1 sucrose treatment was significantly
superior in dry weight of shoot compared to the other treatments, which recorded 0.058 g.
While the treatment of 10 g.L-1 sucrose recorded the lowest values in shoot numbers,
length, and dry weight. Current study conclude that the 30 g.L-1 sucrose is the best
concentration treatment that must be used in papaya micropropagation, where it gives the
maximum rate of shoot numbers and other morphological traits.

The study was carried out in the milking parlor of a dairy cattle farm consisting
500 animals from Holstein-Friesian breed in Bulgaria. The animals were housed in a
freestall dairy barn and milked in double-8 milking parlor “herringbone” type. The level of
noise was measured three times in every milking (at the beginning, in the middle and at the
finishing of the milking) in the morning, midday and evening milking every month for one
year. The noise level in the working environment was recorded by noise meter„ Lutron SL
4023SD. The highest noise levels were reported in summer and winter, with maximum
values up to 78.3 dB. It was found that regardless of the season during the morning milking
the lowest noise levels in the milking parlor were reported (from 70.37 to 70.46 dB). The
average values for noise level for an 8-hour working day by seasons varied from 69.87 dB
to 74.36 dB, with the highest reported value for the winter season.

The study was conducted in the Microbiology Laboratory of the Department
of Food Science at Basrah University's, Faculty of Agriculture from 15/11/2020 to
26/12/2020, to study the flora of lactic acid bacteria in digestive parts (Jejunum, Ileum,
and Ceca ) for healthy adult chickens and identifying the target part that contains the largest
number of lactic acid bacteria for different types of poultry. As a result, as well as isolating
bacterial colonies after three times, and being genetically Identified with PCR, seven new
species of lactic acid bacteria were acquired and registered at the National Center for
Biotechnology Information (NCBI) as new local strains, both in Iraq and around the world,
as follows: Lactobacillus gasseri strain Al-Salhi-1, Lactobacillus helveticus strain Al
Salhi-2, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain Al-Salhi-3, Limosilactobacillus reuteri strain
AhQuSa-1, Limosilactobacillus sp. strain AhQuSa-2, Ligilactobacillus salivarius strain
AhQuSa-3, Lactobacillus Johnsonii strain AhQuSa-4. The results also showed a
significant superiority (P≤0.05) in the logarithmic numbers of lactic acid bacteria in the
jejunum for each of : the group of birds bred in local environments, as well as in the group
of birds bred in commercial fields in comparison with the Ileum and Ceca, as the bacterial
content was in the group of local birds : 6.52, 5.21, 4.15 (Cfu/g) for each of the jejunum,
ileum and Ceca, respectively, while in the group of commercial birds it reached: 6.35,
5.02, 3.92 (Cfu/g) for each of the jejunum, ileum and Ceca, respectively .

Four chicken mortadella were prepared: C (control), M1, M2 and M3 by
addition of 10%, 15%, and 20% of minced cowpea, respectively). The effect of adding
minced cowpea on the physical, chemical, microbial, and sensory evaluation of mortadella
had been studied. Results revealed that there were significant differences in fat,
carbohydrates, and ash percentages in the mortadella. The fat percentage was gradually
decreased from 15.13 % in the control group to 11.03 % in M3. Carbohydrate and ash were
increased from 3.94, 2.53 % in the control group to 7.14, and 2.76 % in M3 respectively
according to the increase of cowpea in the mortadella. Protein and moisture were increased
with no significant difference in all mortadella examined. Water holding capacity was
increased significantly by adding minced cowpea. Microbial load test revealed that there
was an obvious decrease in total bacterial count and Escherichia coli with an increase of
cowpea in the mortadella. For sensory evaluation there were significant differences in some
characteristics between control and other groups, colour, flavour, and taste decreased
according to the increase of cowpea in the mortadella formulations, the decrease was high
in the M3 group and low in M1 and M2 groups with some similarity to the control group.
The texture was improved by adding more minced cowpea to the mortadella particularly
in the M3 group. Accordingly, the effect of these quality properties was reflected in the
degree of general acceptance of the mortadella formulations .

The study was conducted to determine the distinguishing characteristics of the
fourth-instar larvae that used to identify the six species of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in
Basrah Province. Some morphological characteristics, pectin teeth, comb scales, lateral
palatine brush filaments, and microspine patterns on the siphon were studied by using the
scanning electron microscopy technique. The results showed that there are morphological
differences in these micro-structures between the species, Aedes caspius (Pallas, 1771), Culex
pipines (Linnaeus, 1758), Culex pusillus Macquart, 1850, Culex tritaeniorhynchus
Giles,1901, Culiseta longiareolata (Mecquart, 1838) and Uranotaenia unguiculata Edwards,
1913.

The concentrations of PAHs compounds in this study were estimated in soil of
different land uses at Basrah governorate including thirty stations distributed in eight
locations (five residential areas, four oil areas, four agricultural areas, five public streets,
four petrol stations, two power plants, two public parks and four near private electrical
generators). The levels of PAHs compounds mean in all locations ranged from (34.2 -
382.5) ng g-1 dry weight. The means of carcinogenic PAHs compounds in study area varied
from (66.4 - 688.8) ng g-1 dry weight and mean of non-carcinogenic PAHs compounds
varied from (12.8 - 292.5) ng g-1 dry weight. The carcinogenic PAHs compounds are more
dominant than non-carcinogenic PAHs compounds. The human health risk was assessed
depending on toxic equivalent quotients (TEQs). The results showed that TEQs ranged
from (77.98 - 951.10) ng g-1 dry weight. The TEQs of PAHs in soil samples of oil areas
showed the highest level. In general all locations in Basrah governorate were much polluted
with PAHs compounds due to urban and industrial development. The present study
represents the first study to assess a human health risk due to exposure to PAHs compounds
in soil along Basrah governorate.

The present study aims to investigate the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles
using the aqueous extract of the Eragrostis tef (teff or annual bunch grass) and Vitellaria
paradoxa (Shea Butter Tree) seeds extract and investigate their antimicrobial and anticancer
activities. In order to synthesise the silver nanoparticles, aqueous extract of the plant was
prepared and introduced into a 1mM silver nitrate solution. The synthesised AgNPs were
characterised using various instrumental techniques including ultraviolet-visible
spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron
microscope (SEM). Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) for AgNPs using E. tef and V.
paradoxa seeds extract was observed at 40 nm. The synthesised AgNPs of E. tef and V.
paradoxa was found with diameter of 12.59- 34.60 nm, 29.05- 83.94 nm respectively. The
antibacterial result against the experimental pathogens was found to range from 12-22 mm
and from 13-19 mm using AgNPs of E. tef, V. paradoxa seed extracts respectively. In addition
the result show that there was clear effect on Acinetobacter baumannii from hospital sewage
isolates. Toxic effect of AgNPs against cancer cell were 77.12 (concentration of AgNPs was
75%) of E. tef and 77.23 (concentration of AgNPs was 50%) of V. paradoxa.

This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory leverage of the aqueous and
alcoholic extracts from Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) root as in inhibiting inhibit the
growth of the pathogenic bacterium, and fungus in vitro study. Concentrations of 50, 100,
and 150 mg.ml-1 were used as aqueous extract and alcohol extract of Asparagus root
against selected organisms, which tested using a drilling method, adding a 0.2 ml aqueous
extract and alcohol extract of Asparagus root in every per well. Also 0.2 ml of distilled
water and methanol alcoholic add as control and tetracycline as an antibiotic. GC/MS test
results showed that the Asparagus root extract (ARE) contains various major
phytochemical compounds such as flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, glycosides, steroid, resin,
saponins, and tannins. Also, it was observed that the alcoholic ARE had a higher inhibitory
effect than aqueous ARE of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The highest
diameter of inhibition at alcoholic extract concentrations of 50, 100 and 150 (mg.ml-1) were
28, 32, 35, and 26, 31, 35 mm respectively for aqueous ARE, compared to other
concentrations. Whereas the effect of the aqueous extract was higher for the Pseudomonas
17, 25 and 34 mm compared to other concentrations, except for the antibiotic, which
obtained the highest value (41mm). Aqueous extract concentrations 50, 100 and 150 mg.ml
1 showed higher efficiency than alcohol extract, antibiotic and control; when used against
the fungus Aspergillus niger, and pathogenic yeast Candida albicans, the retarding
diameters were 14, 17 and 23, and 11, 13 and 15 mm, respectively

The movement of pesticides in the soil has a significant effect, causing the
failure of pest control, and environmental contamination. The results of this study were to
investigate the environmental behaviour of glyphosate in the soil column. The data’s kinetic
reaction was confirmed that glyphosate is subjected to Pseudo-first order rather than
Pseudo-second order with the rate constant 0.042 h-1. This indicated that decreasing
glyphosate concentrations can occur and gradually decline with time. The data also pointed
out that glyphosate was more fitted to Freundlich compared to the Langmuir model. It
scored 3.083 to 1.814, indicating the behaviour of glyphosate occurred in the various
surfaces. The contribution coefficient of glyphosate between the soil and its solution Kd
valued 0.33 mL. g-1, explaining that the herbicide is less mobile and tends to adsorb on soil
particles. Overall data demonstrated that the kinetics of glyphosate under this current
condition tends to be immobile.

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary supplements on ruminal
digestion and intestinal microbiocenosis of lactating cows. The study was carried out
under production conditions on three groups of new black-and-white heifers (10 heads
each). Mean live weight of cows was 500±20 kg. The cows of the control group received
a basic diet, which included haylage of perennial grasses, corn silage, legume hay,
concentrate feed, and molasses. Cows of the experimental groups, in addition to the basal
diet (BD), received the Farmatan TM supplement (consists of a balanced combination of
tannins, essential oils of clove and cinnamon, sodium acetate, and organic zinc) at a dose
of 40 g. head-1 per day (experimental group 1) and a pine tree energy supplement at a
dose of 150 g. head-1 per day (experimental group 2). The supplement was mixed with
concentrate feed and given once in the morning feeding. In the course of the study, the
parameters of ruminal fermentation in experimental animals and the microorganisms of
the rumen and the large intestine were studied. At the same time, it was found that the
inclusion of the Farmatan TM feed additive (40 g per day) and pine tree energy
supplement (150 g per day) in the diet of cows at the beginning of lactation contributed
to the strengthening of enzymatic processes in the rumen, which was expressed in an
increase in the formation of volatile fatty acids by 7.6 and 20.3%, an increase in the
proportion of propionic acid and a slight decrease in the proportion of acetic and butyric
acids. When using feed additives (Farmatan TM and pine tree energy supplement), a
decrease in the content of Clostridium in the rumen of cows was noted by 26.3 and
30.3% in the 1st and 2nd experimental groups, respectively, compared with the control
group. In cows of the experimental groups, a decrease in the content of molds and yeast
like fungi in the rumen was also noted. The results obtained allow recommending the
studied additives (Farmatan TM and pine tree energy supplement) to enhance enzymatic
processes in the rumen.

Biosurfactants are amphipathic molecules generated by a variety of
microorganisms with different biological functions. In this study, lactic acid bacteria were
screened for their emulsification properties. However, the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum
strain LBpWAM was molecularly identified using 16S rRNA, and its ability to produce
surface-active peptides was investigated. The biosurfactant derived from L. plantarum
LBp_WAM was shown to have the potential to reduce water surface tension from 72
mN.m-1 to 32 mN/m within a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 2.4 mg.ml-1. The
emulsification index (E24) values were evaluated for sunflower oil (60 ± 3.0%), glycerol
(53.9 ± 0.11 %), olive oil (49.0 ± 2.0 %), mineral oil (50.7 ± 0.60 %), hexane (36.03±0.05
%), and kerosene (31 ±0.05 %). The biosurfactant was purified using gel filtration
chromatography (GFC), and the molecular weight was determined using the SDS-PAGE
method, indicating an approximate molecular weight of 19 kDa. Thin-layer
chromatography (TLC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used to
determine the molecular structure of the obtained molecule, which was found to be
composed of protein, lipid, and polysaccharides. The biosurfactant's antibacterial activity
was also examined, as it showed inhibitory effects against different species of Gram
positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

This study was carried out in the greenhouse of the Horticulture Department
Nursery, College of Agriculture Engineering Sciences, Duhok University, Kurdistan region,
Iraq, for the period from 1st Aug 2020 to 1st Mar 2021, to study the effect of five supplemental
light (control, natural light, Incandescent 14, Incandescent 18, mixed 14, mixed 18) hours
daily and three growing medium (river soil, river soil + 30% local compost, river soil + 60%
local compost) on some vegetative growth and flowering of two cultivars of carnation plant.
The best results (fewest days) for the number of days from planting to bud emergence, visible
flower colour, and anthesis were obtained when the plants were exposed to mixed light colours
or incandescent lamps for a 14-hour treatment, Also this treatments were significantly superior
in the other characteristics like plant height, flower length and flower diameter compared to
the control. Medium with 60% local compost significantly increased all the studied
characteristics compared with other mediums. The Ormea (Red) cultivar was significantly
superior to the Moonlight cultivar in all studies of characteristics and was early in day numbers
for bud emergence, visible flower colour, and anthesis. All second interactions between the
investigated factors had a significant influence in all studied characteristics. In addition, the
triple interaction between the three factors had a significant impact on all characteristics,
including the least days or fewest days to flower anthesis of the Ormea cultivar when planted
on medium containing 60% local compost under incandescent 14h, which took 101.80 days
compared 176.27 days, with an early reach of 74.47 days for the control. The Moonlight
(white) cultivar required the fewest days, 128.93 days, for a medium containing 60% compost
under mixed 14h, which needed 123.93 days, compared to the control, which required 195.87
days with an early flowering rate of 71.94 days.

The presence of Antibacterial in the aquatic environment is a major concern
because of the effect of Antibacterial on water quality, aquatic organisms and human health.
The current study aims to detect Antibacterial (Amoxicillin, Ciprofloxacin, and
Levofloxacin) seasonally in water, sediments, muscles and liver of Nile tilapia fish during
the period from November 2020 to August 2021 in two selected stations in Shatt Al-Arab,
Basrah, Iraq. The samples were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography
(HPLC), High concentrations of the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin (CIP) were recorded in each of
the water, sediment and fish muscle samples during the spring season at the second station,
reaching the 24.9 mg l-1, 24.5 mg. kg-1, 7.4 mg. kg-1, respectively, while the high
concentration of Amoxicillin (AMO) Antibacterial was 4.1 mg.kg-1 in liver of fish in spring
season in the second station. The presence of Antibacterial in the aquatic environment in
such high concentrations is a source of great concern. The study recommends conducting
more studies to measure Antibacterial contamination in other areas of the Shatt al-Arab and
the Iraqi marshes.

Khor Al-Zubair lagoon is a vital water body in southern Iraq. Despite the
existence of a number of environmental studies in this region, it lacks searches related to the
diversity of diatoms especially benthic forms, in light of global climatic changes and their
impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, this research was designed to document diatom
species that began to colonize this lagoon. The present study was carried out during the
period from January to November 2020 in two selected stations at Khor Al-Zubair lagoon,
where five species of diatoms were documented and described, including Amphora acuta,
Biremis ambigua, Cyclotella litoralis, Lyrella lyra var. subcarinata, and Progonoia musca.
The species, C. litoralis is a new record for Iraqi diatom flora.

Ergosterol is an important provitamin in the present-day of industrial
biotechnology. Seven yeast strains were obtained from the market of Basrah city and subjected
to screening for their ergosterol production ability using liquid-state fermentation, the cultural
conditions, and nutritional requirements for optimal production of ergosterol by
Saccharomyces cerevisiae under laboratory conditions were determined. Y.6 is the best isolate
of the yeast that produced ergosterol. It was identified as S. cerevisiae, with a similarity rate
of 97% by using the Vitek2 device, this S. cerevisiae (Y.6) was further subjected to
optimization conditions. The results showed that the best medium for production was yeast
extract peptone dextrose broth. The effect of two cheaper carbon sources, molasses and date
juice were investigated. Maximum ergosterol (0.55% ) was produced using a medium
containing date juice, with a replacement ratio of 75%, an incubation time of 72 hours, pH 5,
at a temperature of 30 °C, and an inoculation volume of 4 ml. The percentage of ergosterol
was (0.47, 0.55, 0.74, 0.66, 0.68 and 0.78 %), respectively.

High seed quality and growth performance is farmer’s and agricultural
enterprise’s demand. However, increasing population increases food demand and due to global
warming and limited natural resources, more attention has been paid to implementing different
effective strategies. Halopriming and hormopriming have shown improvement in different
growth and developmental stages in plants and under adverse environmental conditions.
Therefore, this study was aimed to study the interaction impact of halopriming and
hormopriming on growth and seed production of faba bean (Vicia faba L.). The interaction
effect of seed priming was examined during germination and field growth performance of faba
bean. Different salt substances NaCl (0, 25 and 50 mM) and CaSO4 (0, 2.5 and 5 mM) were
used as a halopriming. Salicylic acid (SA) (0, 0.5 and 1mM) was used as a hormopriming
agent. Split-plot randomize complete block design was followed with three replicates. The
results show a significant increase in seed germination when the seeds were haloprimed with
CaSO4 (2.5 and 5 mM) and compared with the control. NaCl (25 and 50 mM) increased the
number of fruit set, brunches, pods and yield per plant significantly in comparison to the
control. SA at 0.5 mM increased plant height significantly when compared with the control.
These results may indicate that different varieties and species respond differently to seed
priming. In addition, the interaction between the halopriming and hormopriming compounds
may function as a buffer to modify the osmotic presser during imbibition, and may the seed
coat of fabe bean, Aquadlge, variety prevent the transport of the compounds to the embryo.
Therefore, it has been suggested and recommended to implement a combination between
halopriming and hormopriming using different species and faba bean variety and study its
effect at the molecular level during seed germination.