Basrah Journal of Agricultural Sciences

There is a growing need to systematically assessment of drifting sand risk using Geo-information and related technologies for speed and accuracy. The drifting sand map in the southern part of Iraq was established with objective of providing the risk areas of soil loss and the methodology for spatial modeling with Wind Erosion Equation (WEQ) and Geo-information techniques. This analysis was carried out using ‘3S’ technologies [Remote Sensing (RS), Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Position System (GPS)], with the layers extracted and manipulated from available topographic, climatic and soil maps, as well as satellite image (Thematic Mapping (TM) in 2003 and Enhanced Thematic Mapping (ETM) in 2016) and field survey data analyses. Each of the WEQ factors was digitally encoded in a GIS database to establish each factor’s layers. Simultaneously, the overlay operation with the WEQ model on the factor’s layers was digitally performed to produce the sandy degradation class. The study indicated that the severe erosion class covering an area of about 61.9% of the total area is very high with the degraded vegetation and is located in the southwest part of Iraq. Iraq faces serious environmental degradation problems that must be addressed immediately; failure to do so will greatly compound the cost and complexity of later remedial efforts, with environmental degradation beginning even now to pose a major threat to human well-being, especially among the poor.

The study was conducted in one of the private fields of Wasit Governorate for the period from 22/1/2019 to 11/5/2019. The study aimed to investigate the impact of feeding different levels of saponins on the productive performance of Awassi lambs. Sixteen Awassi lambs aged three-four months with an average weight of 23.68 kg were used. The lambs were randomly divided into four experimental treatments with four animals for each. The diet provided at 3% of the body weight. The feed was provided with two meals (8 am and 4 pm). The 1st treatment was control (without addition), while in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th treatments, saponins was added at level of 60, 120 and 180 mg.kg-1 DM feed respectively. Adding saponins at 180 mg.kg-1 DM increased the final body weight at the second and third months of the study with 34.35 and 40.36 kg, respectively. Total gain was increased in this treatment from 15.03 kg in control to 17.47 kg. Feed conversion ratio of the same treatment was 5.52 as compared with 6.24 kg.kg-1 feed for the control treatment. Glucose and protein concentrations in the serum also showed an improvement due to the addition of saponins. Values were, 57.24 mg.100 ml-1 and 4.83 g.100 ml-1 respectively. Those of control group were 51.86 mg.100 m-1 and 4.62 g.100 ml-1 respectively. Cholesterol concentration in the serum was not affected by addition of different levels of saponins. It can be concluded that addition of saponins at 180 mg. kg-1 feed improved body weight, gain, feed conversion ratio and some serum biochemical parameters.

Description and some ecological aspects of two species of Eudactylina (E. rhinabati and E. turgipes) were found parasitic on two specimens of Glaucostegus granulatus and seven of Gymnura poecilura during the period from January 2011 till June 2012 from the north west of the Arabian Gulf (Latitudes 48° 44′ to 48° 46′; longitude 29° 46′ to 29° 47′). The prevalence of infection and the mean intensity of infection of E. rhinabati and E. turgipes was 40 %, 4.5 and 28.5, 2 respectively. The present finding of E. rhinobati on the gills of G. granulatus represents its first record in fishes of the Arabian Gulf, and its second occurrence in the World, while the finding of E. turgipes on the gills of G. poecilura in the present study represents a new host record and a new geographical distribution .

Description and some ecological aspects of two species of Eudactylina (E. rhinabati and E. turgipes) were found parasitic on two specimens of Glaucostegus granulatus and seven of Gymnura poecilura during the period from January 2011 till June 2012 from the north west of the Arabian Gulf (Latitudes 48° 44′ to 48° 46′; longitude 29° 46′ to 29° 47′). The prevalence of infection and the mean intensity of infection of E. rhinabati and E. turgipes was 40 %, 4.5 and 28.5, 2 respectively. The present finding of E. rhinobati on the gills of G. granulatus represents its first record in fishes of the Arabian Gulf, and its second occurrence in the World, while the finding of E. turgipes on the gills of G. poecilura in the present study represents a new host record and a new geographical distribution .

This study was conducted to isolate and identify killer yeasts from soil samples that collected from different locations in Basrah and Dhi-Qar provinces. Seventy-five soil samples were collected from different areas, including sandy, arable, surface sediment and uncultivated soil, using dilution methods to cultivate a serial dilution of each soil sample. The results showed that a 112 isolates were identified biochemically using VITEK system and molecularly using internal transcribed spacer (ITS1- 5.8S-ITS2) marker. The molecular identification provided fast and precise identification results for the 112 isolates, whereas the VITEK test resulted low identification efficiency (8.2% were accurate and 91.8 % were not). The Diazonium blue B salts produced a good colour reaction in distinguishing between ascomycetes and basidiomycetes. The PCR was more accurate in identification of killer yeasts compared to the VITEK system.

Kindergarten buildings play an important role in society for their roles in the rehabilitation of children before joining the primary stage to fit the development of the educational process., They are considered the first real social establishment organizing and preparing the child for the outdoor world to show his personal creative and intellectual energy .The relationship between the kindergarten building and its open spaces and its impact on increasing the cultural and social awareness are reflected successfully on the educational communication of children. The researcher has presented the proposed designs using modern technical program (AutoCAD) and she hopes that this study will be a part of future plans in the planning and designing of open spaces of kindergarten buildings including comprehensive basics and international standards of childhood.

The present study was undertaken to characterize the genetic diversity of the aromatase cytochrome P450 (CYP19) gene in 34 cows (15 local, 14 Holstein, and 5 Crosses) in Iraq. The objectives of the present study are to detect SNPs (mutations) in promoter p1.1 of the CYP19 gene in cattle bred in Iraq using sequencing techniques. We identified five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) loci of the CYP19 gene that were detected, namely G933T, G994C, A1044G, A1062T, and C1468A. The results showed the presence of 3, 4, and 2 polymorphic sites leading to the construction of 4, 5, and 3 different haplotypes for Holstein, local, and crosses respectively. Haplotype diversity were 0.791, 0.752, and 0.700 respectively. While nucleotide diversity was 0.0017, 0.0022, and 0.0013 respectively. Besides, we carried out a phylogenetic analysis of these sequences to address the evolutionary relationship between the animal species. These fragments were assigned in the GenBank database under the accession numbers: LC490756, LC490757, LC491437, LC491438, LC491439, LC491588, and LC491589.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of hemp seeds on in vitro biogas production, and digestibility of one-humped camel. Two female fistulated dromedary camels (300 kg) were fed with a forage diet (60 wheat straw and 40 alfalfa) for 1 month. Then rumen fluid was supplied from camels prior to the morning meal. Experimental samples were control diet and diet containing 10 % hemp seeds. Glass vials 100 ml containing 30 ml buffered rumen fluid was used. Gas production parameters were measured by exponential models and digestibility of foregut bacteria of camels were determined. The results showed that addition hemp seeds decreased potential of gas production (P<0.05), but gas production rate was not influenced (P>0.05). Actually digested organic matter and microbial biomass of diet containing hemp seeds were more than a control diet (P<0.05).While, hemp seeds supplementation had the greatest digestibility by cellulolytic bacteria of camel, after 24, 48 and 72 h incubation. The results also showed hemp seeds decreased ammonia nitrogen concentration as compared to the control treatment (P<0.05). Therefore, adding hemp seeds in the camel diet caused to reduce gas emission and ammonia nitrogen production in foregut and increased cellulolytic bacteria digestibility; so hemp seeds may be used in camel diets and will influence camel growth performance and decrease gas emissions in the environment.

The field trial was conducted during the growing season 2017-2019 in the experimental fields of the Maritsa Vegetable Crop Institute, Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The study used 10 samples of garden peas (Pisum sativum L). for measurement. Plant tall (сm), height to first fertile node (сm), length of internode (cm), number of tillers, number of branches, number of ineffective nodes, total number of nodes, total number of pods per plant, one pod per fruiting handle, two pods per fruiting handle, pod length (сm), pod width (сm), pod weight per plant, weight of green grains per plant (g), % filled grains, % unfilled grains, average number of grains per pod were assessed. Analysis variance showed significant differences between the genotypes of garden peas in all the traits studied. A lower level of the genetic variance was found compared to the phenotypic one by the number of branches, total number of nodes and one pod per fruiting handle. The coefficient of genetic variation is higher than the phenotypic one for most of the traits and ranged from 5.51-5.82% for pod width and total number of nodes to 56.98-59.09% for number of branches and % unfilled grains. For signs of plant tall (98.32% and 129.31%), height to first fertile node (91.22% and 29.32%), weight of pods per plant (86.83%, 29.32), weight of green grains per plant (83.7%, 11.89%) and % filled grains (77.81% and 24.96%). It was found high inheritance combined with high genetic progress. This is a prerequisite for increasing the biological potential on these traits and a real opportunity to create new forms of garden peas possessing such qualities. The best genotypes were found GEN 1 (22/16-n.), GEN 6 (Marsy-n.), GEN 4 (Plovdiv-n.) and GEN 9 (1/17-n.). They may be used in new breeding programs and hybrid lines may be entered in competitive variety lists.

The current study aims to prepare whey from bovine and buffalo fresh milk to make three types of cheese, namely: thermal, acidic and enzymatic. Afterward, whey proteins have been separated, then the concentration process of whey proteins has been conducted by using ultrafiltration membrane technology. Through the previous step, two products have been obtained; first, concentrated whey proteins which is called (Retentate), while the other is called (Permeate). Applying rotary evaporator, whey proteins are concentrated and then drying in two methods: spray-drying and freeze-drying in a form of white and soft powder. The chemical composition has been studied at each phase. The results show the separation, purification, and concentration of bovine and buffalo whey proteins by using ultrafiltration membrane technology. The results show that buffalo whey proteins produced by the method of enzymatic and dried with spray-drying are better than bovine whey protein. Finally, the results show a low ratio of lactose, salts and moisture content at the stages of filtration and concentration. The results present a high proportion of protein to 80 .and low ratio lactose and salt

The aim of this review was to summarize the histological, physical, chemical and microbial aspects and ways to stop the fluctuation in meat quality in addition to enhance its sensory quality using electrical stimulation. The low-voltage electrical stimulation and high-voltage electrical stimulation were employed. Electrical stimulation improves quality of poultry meat by reducing shear, increasing Sarcomere length, and reducing the diameter of muscle fibers. Low-voltage electrical stimulation affects voltages (120 volts directly in the nervous system, while high voltages were more than enough) to remove the polarization of the cover and produce a dense physio-chemical response in the muscles that had a direct effect. Electrical stimulation and injection with salts of sodium chloride and calcium chloride in the carcasses of female goats improved the tenderness of the meat. It was found that electrical stimulation accelerated the development of rigor mortis. Although electrical stimulation reduces breast meat shear, there was limited information about the effects of electrical stimulation on the other quality attributes of poultry meat and the results vary with quality attribute and differ from experimental conditions High voltage (higher than 120 volts) electrical stimulation improved meat quality and decreased the pH. Low voltages (below 120 volts) are used to ensure the safety of workers and give the desired results when used in commercial applications.

This study was conducted to evaluate the dietary using of cumin as feed supplement on meat quality traits of the broiler chicken. Eight-day old broiler divided into 4 groups, 3 replicates (8 chicks/replicate) each for 45 days. Treatments included; (T1), basal diet without cumin or control, (T2), basal diet with 3 g. cumin. kg-1 of diet, (T3), basal diet with 6 g. cumin. kg-1 of diet, (T4), basal diet with 9 g. cumin. kg-1 of diet. At the end of this experiment after slaughtering all the chicks, samples were taken from breast and thigh meat. Results revealed that cumin supplementation did not significantly (p<0.01) affect moisture percentages of breast meat and protein percentages of thigh meat. Results also showed that use basal diet with 3 and 6 g.cumin. kg-1 of diet significantly (p<0.01) impact on meat water holding capacity and cooking loss percentages, while different cumin level impact on fat, ash percentages, pH value, TBA, TVB.N values, metmyoglobin, myoglobin value, copper, nickel, zinc, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and calcium concentrations of thigh meat, as well as iron, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium and calcium concentrations of breast meat. Results conclude that using cumin as feed supplement in 3, 6 and 9 g.kg-1 level, improve most chemical and physical traits of meat.

The aim of this study is to extract the important antioxidants components of flaxseed in different ways. The Determination of total phenol content, antioxidant activity and percentage of linoleic acid inhibition by DPPH for the components (Lignan, oil, 80 and 100% ethanolic extract and the deionized water extract). The components of flaxseed oil were identified using GC/MS. The efficiency of the mixture (80% ethanolic extract and oil) was determined by inhibiting the process of oxidation of linoleic acid during storage periods (0, 7, 14 and 21 days) at laboratory temperature, and the following results were obtained: The yield of lignan, oil, ethanol extract (80 and 100)% and deionized water were (0.12,40.52,10.9,9.6 and 13 )g.100g-1 seed respectively, while the total phenolic content of the above components was (700,1165,3315,2098 and 483)mgGAE.100g-1,respectively. Flaxseed oil gave the highest antioxidant activity 79.3% with an inhibition percentage 73.19%, compared with ethanolic extract, lignan and water extract. The diagnosis of GC/MS flaxseed oil showed that the oil was contained in compounds with antioxidant activity, including mono, di and tri-terpens such as Copaene, Monoterpene, β- Sesquiphellandrene, Squalene, diethyl phthalate ,β-Sitosterol and Hexadecanoic acid, as well as, the presence of ascorbic acid and gamma tocopherol with good concentrations (8.68 and 2.62)% respectively. The mixture of 80% ethanol and oil extract showed an effect in decreasing of peroxide values with an increase of concentration of the added mixture (0.1, 0.4 and 0.10 mg.mg-1). The maximum reduction of the peroxide value at the concentration was 0.6 mg. mg-1, compared with the standard sample during the different durations of storage.

Laboratory experiments were conducted to compare the growth performance and feed efficiency of two groups, old (H1) and new (H2) of common carp Cyprinus carpio L. (97.37+0.33 g). Fishes of the H1 introduced to Iraq in 1982 and then their reproduction and farming began on a large scale, while fishes of the H2 was introduced to Iraq in 2009 by Inmaa Agricultural Enterprises Organization. H2 group indicated significantly (p<0.05) better performance in several studied parameters which included specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), protein productive value (PPV), total apparent digestibility and apparent digestibility of protein and carbohydrates. This group also recorded significant (p<0.05) lower feed satiation level and fat deposited in the body compared to the old group (H1). Results of the current experiment concluded that there is a clear higher efficiency of the group H2 in most studied growth and feed efficiency parameters, which indicates the possibility of obtaining higher productivity and better economic profits when used in farming activities.

This study was conducted in earthen ponds of shrimp hatchery belonging to the Basrah Agricultural Directorate, to find out the effect using of food additives omega-3 and Vitamin E on the performance of the growth and the quality of the produced larvae of the common carp Cyprinus carpio L.. Three treatments were used, the first treatment (T1) represented control without any food additives, the second treatment (T2) contained 5gm.Kg-1 diet of omega-3 fatty acids and the third treatment (T3) contained Vit. E was added at 200 mg.Kg-1 diet. The experiment lasted for 82 days. For each treatment three replicate were used and six common carp brood stock in each replicate. The productive parameters (body weight, weight gain, feed conversion rate, feed efficiency ratio% and specific and relative growth rate%) were measured. Results indicated an improvement in all production parameters and in the feed conversion efficiency of for T2 and T3, compared with the T1. The weight gain (526.39 gm.fish-1), feed conversion rate was 3.61 and feed efficiency ratio was 28.13% for the T2 which showed a significant differences (P<0.05) compared to the control, while T3 did not show significant differences (P>0.05 ) in comparison with both treatments T1 and T2; the specific and relative growth rate for T2 were 0.32%.day-1 and 30.81 %.day-1 respectively showed also a significant differences (P<0.05) compared with the control. These results showed that addition Vit. E to the diet improved the production parameters of common carp larvae better than in omega-3 and control treatments. The study concluded that addition omega-3 fatty acids at a concentration of 5gm Kg -1, and Vit. E at a concentration of 200 mg kg-1 to the diet enhanced the growth rates of common carp and improved larvae production.

In this study, Brachychiton populneus seedlings were subjected to drought stress for 90 Days and physiological and morphological characters analyzed to determine their response to water deficit. The growth characters including, height and diameter of shoots, the dry weight of shoots and roots as well as photosynthetic pigment and the leaves content of relative water content were measured to evaluate the effects of drought in the physiological growth of plant. The lowest means; 59 cm and 8 mm of shoot height and diameter respectively were recorded at 30% of water holding capacity of soil (WHC). Drought treated seedlings at both 60% and 30% WHC had lower dry weight of shoots; 9.54 and 8.24 g plant-1 respectively compared to the control. Consequently, the increase of drought conditions led to enhancement the growth of roots and roots to shoots ratio. The highest increase in the dry weight of roots and roots to shoots ratio were25.96 g plant-1 and 3.19 recorded under severe drought stress condition. Lowest amount of chlorophyll a; 2.94 mg g-1 F W recorded under 30% SWHC. It is found also the total content of chlorophyll in the leaves decreased significantly; 5.86 and 7.88 mg g-1 F W under both levels. While the highest ratio of chlorophyll a: b was 1.59 recorded at 60% SWHC. However, the lowest leave relative water content LRWC%; 86% was recorded under 30% SWHC. These findings may explain the characters of the early growth and physiological responses of, Brachychiton populneus to dehydration and facilitate the selection of drought-resistant tree families.

This study aimed to investigate the impacts of Eruca sativa seed extract on some reproductive indicators and carcasses quality for aged local duck males. Forty-five aged local ducks males with the average live-weight of (2000±5g) and two years old were randomly distributed into three treatments (15 for each). After dissolution in corn oil, T2 and T3 were supplemented with 400 and 800 mg alcoholic extract of Eruca sativa seed respectively.T1 has only given corn oil (control). Weekly, a dosage of 2 ml was twice given to the treatments by syringe. The current results showed significant (P<0.05) increases in the relative weight, length, width and volume of testes in males of second and third treatments compared to the first treatment (control). Besides, the second and third treatments recorded significant (P<0.05) improvements in the diameter of seminiferous tubules, seminiferous epithelium thickness (μm) of testes, the Luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and the level of testosterone hormone compared to the control. Chemical and physical tests of the breast meat showed no significant among all treatments in the ratio of free fatty acids, pH and water tolerability. Regarding the peroxide number, second treatment recorded the lowest significant (P<0.05) compared to other treatments. It concluded that alcoholic extract of Eruca sativa seed could enhance reproductive characteristics and significantly improve sex hormones in aged local duck males and effect on the number of peroxide in its breast meat.

Salted and unsalted Klunzinger's mullet Planiliza klunzingeri were dried using infrared halogen dryer with different temperatures (60, 65, 70, 75 and 80)°C and different storage periods (0, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35) days and studying their qualitative characteristics. The results showed that the moisture content decreased as drying time increased. The drying efficiency of the halogen dryer was 70.36 % at 60 °C and decreased as the drying temperature increased. Chemical composition of dried fish (salted and unsalted) showed that the moisture percentage was decreased, but the percentage of protein, fat and ash was increased after drying process. The percentage of moisture increased during the storage periods (0, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35) days, unlike the other chemical composition percentages were decreased with increasing storage periods. The results showed that the rehydration was decreased with the increase of drying temperatures for salted and unsalted dried fish. Moreover, the results showed that there was an increase in TBA after the drying process and during the storage periods. In addition, the results revealed that the microbial content of dried salted and unsalted fish was decreased. The results illustrated that the first order model can be used to predict pH value during storage periods. Artificial neural network (ANN) model had a good result of predicted moisture content.

170 specimen of Orangefin ponyfishfish Photopectoralis bindus were collected during the period from January 2011 till June 2012 from the northwest of Arabian Gulf (29˚ 44′ to 29˚ 49′ N and 48˚ 35′ to 48˚ 51′ E). Fish samples were examined for parasitic infections. The isopod Catoessa gruneri Bowman and Tareen, 1983 was recorded from the gill pouch. Descriptions and some ecological aspects of females, males and manca larvae of the isopod were reported. The highest percentage of infection of manca was 98.8%, while the highest levels of prevalence of infection was 1.8 in male. The present descriptions of the male and manca represent the first reports around the world.