Basrah Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Ninety samples of cow and buffalo’s milk besides their products (cheese and cream), which were collected from three different regions in Basrah city (Basrah centre, Abu Al-Khaseeb and Al-Zubair), were investigated. Levels of some heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Pb, Ni and Cd) were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Results showed a trend for three products in which the order in terms of quantities of the levels of Fe, Cu and Pb are: milk > cheese > cream of cows and buffaloes. However, the levels of Ni and Cd were not detected in all samples in this study. Statistical analysis showed that the differences between all different regions were statistically significant (P˂0.05). It was also found that the mean levels of Fe in cow and buffalo’s products for different regions higher than those recommended by WHO standard and codex. Likewise, the mean contents of Cu and Pb have exceeded the WHO permissible limits.

The purpose of the study was to present the factors conditioning the use of agritourism services by the respondents. The study was conducted in May 2019 using a diagnostic survey using a questionnaire on a sample of 120 randomly selected residents of Warsaw in Poland. The most frequently studied people using agritourism services for several days spending their stay connected with the family. The main motive for choosing the place of rest by the respondents was peace and quiet, as well as price attractiveness. Popular surveyed people spend their free time in agritourism services on walking and hiking and exploring the nearby area.

Two separated sets of laboratory experiments were studied for barley seeds treating using a microwave and ultraviolet irradiation. In the microwave set, seeds have been exposed to the microwave radiations (2450 MHz) for 0 sec (control, MW0), 5 sec (MW1), 10 sec (MW2), and 20 sec (MW3), while in the ultraviolet set, seeds have exposed to UV-C radiation (254 nm) for 0 min (control, UV0), 30 min (UV1), 60 min (UV2), and 120 min (UV3). The aim is to study the influences of different exposure time from MW and UV-C radiation on some barley seed germination parameters and to choose the fitting model Logistic (Log) or Gompertz (Gom) suited to cumulative germination curves under the influence of these factors. The results of this study showed higher seed germination percentage (93.33%) at the exposure time MW2 and UV3 (88.33%), whereas the lowest value (66.67%) recorded in MW3 treatment. The results also appeared the best values at MW2 in SG, 6.24 seed day-1; in GRI, 31.19% day-1, and in GI, 87.67, as well as at UV2 in MGT, 3.32 day. The higher value of asymptotic germination barley seeds was found with Gom function (97.24%, and 88.71%) at MW2 and UV3, respectively. Besides, Gom functions at MW1 and UV2 give the highest maximum germination rates at 2,08 and 2.51% h-1, respectively. The results of the Log equation illustrated the highest value of germination percentage of the inflection point has recorded in 43.85 and 47.37 % on UV3 and MW2 treatments, respectively. For the fitting growth curve, the results have proven that the Gom function was shown the lowest values in MSE in all MW and UV exposure times, as compared with the Log function. So, the results of the Gom function were more fit for the growth curve for MW and UV treatments, as compared with the Log function.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of adding broccoli leaves extract to drinking water on eggs production and intestinal microflora (total bacteria, lactobacilli and Escherichia coli) of breeder Japanese quails. One hundred and thirty-two 45 days-old of Japanese quails (males and females) were randomly distributed into four groups. Each group has three replicates. The groups were included: The first group was kept without any addition as the control. The extraction of broccoli leaves as 100, 200 and 300 mg. l-.1 were added to bird's drinking water of the second, third and fourth groups respectively. The results showed a significant improvement in eggs production (HD %), accumulative eggs per 30 days and eggs mass in the third and fourth groups compared to the other groups. While, no significant differences were shown in the feed consumption, feed conversion ratio and eggs weight among groups. Caecal and duodenum E. coli showed a significant decrease in third and fourth groups compared to the others. However, duodenum lactobacilli increased significantly in the fourth group compared to other groups. It was also showed no significant differences in the total duodenum bacteria among studied groups. While, the total caecal bacteria decrease significantly in the third group compared to other groups. Based on the presented results can be concluded that alcoholic extract of broccoli leaves at levels 200 and 300 mg. l-1 could enhance productive characteristics (eggs production HD %, accumulative eggs per 30 days and eggs mass). On the other hand, it increased duodenum lactobacilli and decreased caecal and duodenal E. coli population of breeder Japanese quails.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of natural and synthetic sources of lycopene on performance, carcass quality and organ morphology of Japanese quail. A total of 420 one-day-old quail chicks were randomly distributed among seven treatments. First treatments were fed a basal diet as a control. Second and third treatments were fed diet supplemented with tomato fruit (Lycopersicon esculentum) powder (TOM) (17 and 34 g.kg-1 equal to 50 and 100 mg.kg-1 lycopene), fourth and fifth treatments were fed diet supplemented with red bell pepper (Capsicum annum L.) fruit powder (RBP) (16.23, 32.46 g.kg-1 equal to 50 and 100 mg.kg-1 lycopene), sixth and seventh treatments were fed diet supplemented with 50 and 100 mg.kg-1 pure lycopene powder (LY), respectively. Results indicated that final body weight and weight gain were improved significantly in comparison to control and T3. Feed efficiency was improved compared to control, T3 and T7. Production and economic efficiency index significantly better than control. A significant elevation (P≤0.05) in relative weight of thigh, small intestine, duodenum, cecum weight and length for T3 treatment, T7 in jejunum and ileum weight, T4 in carcass weight and gizzard, T5 in the liver compared to control. The relative weight of abdominal fat, spleen, bursa and bursa index were decreased (P≤0.05) in supplemented treatments in comparison to control. In conclusion, natural sources of LY (50 mg.kg-1) either TOM (17 g.kg-1) or RBP (16.23 g.kg-1), could be used to improve performance, production and economical efficiency index, carcass traits and some gut measurements of quails.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the antioxidant activity of edible films prepared from starch extracted from potatoes and corporate with essential oil extracted from rosemary leaves at 2,4 and 6% concentration and used in the packaging of beef patties stored at 4-6°C for 10 days. The results showed that antioxidant activity, reducing power and chelating of ferric ion increased with increasing oil concentration 70.1, 66.5, 73.7% respectively at 6% oil concentration. Thermogravimetric analysis and diagnosis of active groups of simple and oil corporate films were also performed. Changes in peroxide values of beef patties covered with simple starch films and films corporate with oil were followed. The results showed that the peroxide values were lower in the covered treatments compared to the
control treatment that did not contain oil. The effect of adding rosemary oil increased prolonging the duration of storage of beef patties as long as storage

Present study was investigate the effect of different UV-doses on morphological defending system features of two palm species Phoenix dactylifera L. and Washingtonia filifera (Lindl.) H. Wendl. The results showed that the morphological and biomass traits of both palm species grown for 30 days under UV-B with a rate of 2 hrs.day-1 were almost improved. Where, the highest leaf width was recorded (1.1 and 0.7 cm) respectively. Conversely, UV-treatment (4-10 hrs.day-1) has adversely affected on almost morphological and biomass features of both species. Where, the less leaf widths were recorded 0.95, 0.8, 0.73, 0.45, 0.43 and 0.40 cm in both palm species. Besides, results also spotted changes in leaf’s surface appearances. However, present investigation concluded that morphological features and biomass of both species were unaffected with low dose of UV-radiation (2 hrs.day-1). But, date palm (P. dactylifera L.) was capable to survive at high dose of radiation conditions reaches 8 hrs.day-1 for 30 days.

This study was conducted at the nursery of Agricultural Research Station, Agriculture College, University of Basrah, Qarmat Ali campus, at the agricultural season 2018-2019. The Experiment was conducted using Randomized Complete Block Design (R.C.B.D), with two factors, the First factor was organic fertilizer (ALGAZON) with three concentrations (0, 1.5 and 3) ml. L-1, the Second factor was dry yeast extract in three concentrations (0, 3 and 6) g. L-1, by five sprinkles one month between them and a five-day difference between the factors. The results showed that spraying with organic fertilizer (Algazon) at a concentration of 3 ml.L-1, led to a significant increase on the plant height, the main stem diameter, leaf area, main branches number, the fresh and dry weight of the leaves, the dry matter percentage of the leaves, the percentage of oil, the oil yield in the plant, the productivity of volatile per hectare, specific weight and the density of the oil. Sprinkle with dry yeast extract at 6 g. L-1, resulted a significant increase in all vegetative parameters studied and oil yield. The interaction between the organic fertilizers (ALGAZON) spraying treatments was 3 ml. L-1 and dry yeast extract 6 g. L-1, were a significant effect, led to an increase in plant height, the main stem diameter, leaf area, the branches number , Fresh and dry weight of the leaves and the percentage of dry matter, the percentage of oil, Yield oil in plant, productivity of volatile per hectare, refractive index, specific weight and the density of the oil.

Conventional agriculture created ecological and sociological problems worldwide. Practicing organic agriculture need profitable crop such as lucerne, no tillage to destroy the soil structure, usage of natural symbiotic N2 fixation to support nutrition and reduce damages from climatic changes such as droughts and also to supply animals for food. The efficiency of manure fertilization for the production of forage, seeds and root mass after four years of lucerne cultivation was examined in the field experiment,in addition their effect on the following crop such as oat. The trial was performed in the Institute of Forage Crops, Pleven, Bulgaria on leached chernozem soil subtype without irrigation. The well matured cattle manure in the following doses was used: dose 1 - 20.7 t.ha-1 corresponding to 70 kg N. ha-1 (active substance); dose 2 - 41.5 t. ha-1 corresponding to 140 kg N. ha-1 and dose 3 - 62.1 t.ha-1 corresponding to 210 kg N ha-1. It was found that, the highest organic fertilizer use efficiency (153.16) was found in lucerne for forage at a dose of 20.7 t. ha-1. The largest differences in fertilization efficiency depending on the dose were reported in lucerne for forage (1.9 and 2.8 times). The highest efficiency of manure fertilization for root mass accumulation was reported at a dose of 20.7 t. ha-1. The results showed that lower doses of manure can contribute to obtain a high yield of forage, straw, roots and seeds from lucerne. This has a positive effect on grain and straw and also to the following crop such as oat. Organic farming clearly indicated the advantages for both yields and environmentally friendly agriculture and reduction of environmental stresses.

Investigation was carried out at the laboratory of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, during the season 2017-2018. Seven varieties were planted to determine the degree of genetic similarity using SSR-technique (Simple Sequence Repeats), and 14 double primers were used for this purpose. The analysis results revealed that all primers showed polymorphism among the evaluated varieties, except Bmag0385. primers produced a total of 42 alleles with a polymorphic percentage of 88.27%. The number of alleles for each primer varied from 1 allele for the primer (Bmac0067) to 7 alleles for the primer (Bmag0006) in average of 3 alleles per primer. Cluster analysis and Dendrogram showed the highest degree of genetic similarity between variety Arabi asuad and variety Arabi abiad (0.7619). While it was low between variety Fourat4 and variety Arabi abiad (0.3571), and varieties Fourat4 and Fourat3 (0.3571) which indicated wide genetic diversity among them.

Camel milk has unique benefits for human health. Protein is the main component which gives special properties to camel milk and effectively influences its nutritional value. Due to lack of β-lactoglobulin in the camel milk, it may be as a proper alternative for human milk. Camel milk is rich in vitamins C, manganese and iron. There are high amount of unsaturated fatty acids, immunoglobulin’s, insulin like protein and protective enzymes like lactoferrin and lysozyme in the camel milk. The lactoferrin has the effects or properties of antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatorry. Also, it has been proven that camel milk has beneficial application in disorders of stomach and intestinal, food allergy, diabetes mellitus, cancer, autism, and viral hepatitis. Camel milk containing insulin like protein and may help to heal diabetes of Type 1 and 2 and gestational diabetes. It contains small size immunoglobulins which strengthens the immune system. In addition, camel milk reduces blood cholesterol amount, avoiding of psoriasis disease, healing of inflammation and improving of tuberculosis patients. Camel milk may be effective as unique miracle in many healthy issues of human and especially cardiovascular system. Therefore, it is not only food, but also it is as amazing remedy for treatment and healthy issues.

In current COVID-19 pandemic, when there is no specific antiviral treatment and vaccine is available yet, many nutritional supplements have caught the attention to manage the disease. Lactoferrin is one of a natural nutritional supplement found in the milk of livestock mammals and has immunomodulation property due to its iron withholding ability and capacity to bind to multiple cellular receptors. The antiviral ability of lactoferrin has been evaluated against many viruses including SARS-CoV which is closely related to SARS-CoV-2 (causative agent of COVID-19). Furthermore, lactoferrin also possesses anti-inflammatory efficacy and can inhibit the circulating inflammatory cytokines (e.g. Interferon γ, interleukin (IL-) 1B, IL-6, IL-12) and chemokines (CCL2 and CXCL10) which are reported to be present in higher levels in COVID-19 patients. A particular research about exploring the potential of lactoferrin against SARS-CoV-2 is highly demandable because lactoferrin might prevent the SARS-CoV-2 from infecting the host cells due to its biological activities regarding antiviral immunity. We are hopeful that further research on evaluating the pharmacological effect of lactoferrin against SARS-CoV-2 will signify its role to combat COVID-19.

Date palm borers become a serious threat to date palm plantations in Iraq, which required management program to suppress their population by using different methods; one of them is the light traps which disseminated in Basrah province. The objective of this trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of light traps as a part of pest management tool. In three years monitoring of coleopteran adults, rhinoceros beetles Oryctes spp. and longhorn date palm borer Jebusaea hammerschmidtii infesting the date palm Phoenix dactylifera were reported by using light traps in different regions of Basrah, Iraq. Due to the result of the abundance of the borers, Oryctes spp. were the most dominant and most important causing severe damage for the date palm. Four species of Oryctes (O. agamemnon, O. elegans, O. sahariensis and O. sinaicus) were recorded in Basrah date palm orchards; the seasonal activity of the species was between April and May, reaching the peaks during summer, and the populations decreased gradually till December. The overall sex ratios of all species of Oryctes spp. were male-biased except O. elegans, which had the sex ratio of 1.13 female: 1 male. Results revealed that the light traps exhibit an effective control method to suppress the adult borer’s population and as a physical control and monitoring tool of date palm stem borers.

Nutrient application and light intensity are two important abiotic factors that affect the plant growth and development. This study was carried out to determine the effect of different NPK fertilizer amount, viz. 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 g.pot-1, light regimes, viz. 50% full sunlight (inside the lath house) and 100% full sunlight (the open area) and their interactions on the growth, chlorophyll contents and biomass of potted Brachychiton populneus seedlings. At the end of the experiment, (after six months) growth parameter including plant height (cm), stem diameter (mm) and leaf numbers, chlorophyll contents and biomass allocation were measured. The results indicate that the greatest stem height increment, stem diameter increment, leaf number increment, stem dry weight and leaf dry weight were obtained from the seedlings grown in the open area. However, the highest chlorophyll content and root dry weight were observed from the seedlings grown inside the lath house. In addition, the seedlings fertilized with 3 and/or 4 g NPK every two months recorded higher growth traits, chlorophyll content and biomass allocation than other amounts of the fertilizer. Thus, the present study suggests that in order to obtain optimum growth of B. populneus potted seedlings, it should be grown in the open area and fertilized with 3 or 4 g NPK every two months.

Carlson’s Trophic State Index (CTSI) was applied to assess the trophic status of two kind of southern Mesopotima marshes. Six stations were selected, three in non-tidal Chebiyesh marshes and other three in tidal East Hammer marsh. The results indicated that the values of CTSI of the six stations fluctuated between 47.59 - 61.96 ranged from mesotrophic to Eutrophic. The increase of salinity during 2018 drastically affect CTSI values in East Hammer marsh. In general, both tidal and non-tidal marshes were eutrophic mainly due to direct release of untreated domestic swage and agricultural drainage waters. Trophic status of southern Iraqi marshes potentially impacted by transparency of the marsh, chlorophyll a and phospharus concentrations.

The field experiment was performed during the autumn growing season 2019 in Al Khyoot village of the Qurna town which is located at 75 km northern Basrah city centre. For improving the maize growth and yield, the effect of foliar spraying with iron and zinc and the most important technological characteristics of the knapsack sprayer such as nozzle types was studied. Three nozzle types were investigated as standard Flat fan nozzle, Hollow cone nozzle, and Tip nozzle (as reference nozzle in this study). Three foliar concentrations (0, Zn30 + Fe100 and Fe100+ Zn30) as well as a 16- litre capacity of the knapsack sprayer were used for fertilizer spraying experiments. All field experiments were carried out using the complete randomized block design (RCBD) with three replications. The results of the statistical analysis showed that there was a significant effect of the nozzle type and foliar spraying on the plant growth and yield characteristics as plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, number of grains, and yields (152.39 cm, 1.88 cm, 13.98, 4559 cm2, 376.51 and 5.51 Mg ha-1 respectively). Also, these characteristics showed an increase percentage as following (2.79%, 2.25%, 0.60%, 3.11%, 3.70%, and 1.73% respectively) when the hollow cone nozzle was used compared to the reference nozzle. In addition, an interaction between the studied factors also appeared a significant difference in the grain number and yield characteristics.

The experiment was performed using locally manufactured subsoiler plow provided with wings on the outside of shallow tines feet to study the impact of adding the wings and depth of tillage on the disturbance area of soil, soil pulverization index (mean weight diameter, MWD) and the equivalent energy of soil pulverization (Eq EP) in clay soil. This experiment was done in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), with three replications having a factorial experiment. Three tillage depths (40, 50, and 60cm) with and without wings on the feet of shallow tines were used. The results showed that the impact of adding wings and tillage depths had a significant effect on the disturbance area, soil pulverization index and the equivalent energy of soil pulverization (p < 0.05). The treatment of adding wings on shallow tines (S+shw) has pre-eminence in studied factors. The disturbed area increased by 11.11, 14.29 and 9.80%, the MWD decreased by 27.33, 32.31 and 19.38% and the Eq EP increased by 43.19, 53.03 and 25.13% when the depth of tillage increased from 40, 50 and 60cm respectively.

Water heavy metals contamination is an international issue due to its detrimental impact on the environment, aquatic organisms and impairment of the ecological balance systems. Cadmium is a heavy metal that is extremely toxic, even in low doses, thus it is a big concern to the ecosystem. Cd can cause several Patho-morphological changes in various organs in fish. This study was evaluated the effect of sublethal concentrations of Cd toxicity and effects on Histopathological of muscle tissues of Planiliza abu Juvenile. Series of Cd concentrations (0.5- 2) ppm were used and the 15d LC50 was 0.4 ppm. Several histopathological alterations were observed which increase gradually with increased concentration, included, marked thickening and hypertrophy of muscle bundle were will
observed in lowest concentration (0.5 ppm). While in the highest concentration (2 ppm), atrophy, splitting, and separa tion with intracellular edema were marked in fish muscle bundle.

Between January and December 2019, a total of 368 fish specimens were collected from Lake Hamrin in Diyala province, Iraq. Eight species of these fishes belonged to the family Cyprinidae, five to the family Leuciscidae as well as one species each to Bagridae, Heteropneustidae, Siluridae, Mugilidae and Mastacembelidae. After the laboratory examination these fishes were found to be infected with 30 monogeneans and two trematode species. The monogeneans included one species each of Mastacembelocleidus, Paradiplozoon, Solostamenides, and Thaparocleidus, two species of Dogielius, four species of Gyrodactylus and 20 species of Dactylogyrus, while the trematodes included one species each of Ascocotyle which infects eight fish species and Clinostomum which infect nine fish species. Clinostomum complanatum infected nine host species, also, the results of the present study revealed that 15 parasite species infect only one host species each. Carassius auratus was infected with 18 parasite species and Cyprinus carpio with nine species. Eight fish species are reported here as new host records in Iraq for 13 parasite species.