Basrah Journal of Agricultural Sciences

This study was carried out to assess the genetic variation between two local Iraqi (white and grey) ducks by RAPD-PCR technique using five random primers. The total number of bands that shown by the primers (APO-08, APOF-O9, APO-10, APO-16, APO-18) was 63, 53, 79, 81, 68 for local white ducks, while it was 62, 61, 66, 69, 58 for the local gray ducks respectively. Additionally, all primers showed 59 common bands. OPA-08 primer showed the highest number of common bands (22) while APF-09 primer resulted the lowest number of common bands (4 bands). The overall number of specific bands in local white ducks were higher than those of local grey ducks (285 and 257 bands, respectively). The average of similarity ratio between local ducks was (35.76) while individually, APO-08 primer showed the highest similarity ratio (70.4%) comparing with the lowest similarity percentage (14.04%) that represented by OPF-09 primer.

A field experiment was conducted during autumn season 2018 in Al-Qurna Agriculture research station which is located in about 70 km away north of AL-Basrah Center at 47°.45’ east longitude and 31°00’ north latitude. The aim is to Study the effect of three tillage systems (No tillage; T1, chisel plow a depth of 30 cm plowing + 10 cm disc harrows a depth of 10 cm; T2, Moldboard plow a depth of plowing 30 cm + disc harrows a depth of 10 cm; T3) on some growth characters of some maize genotypes (Zea mays L.). The genotypes were Fajer-1 (V1), Baghdad-3 (V2), Al-Maha (V3), Sara (V4). The design of the experiment was randomized complete block design (RCBD) in a split plot arrangement with three replications. The results showed that the tillage system T3 was superior as compared to other tillage systems in stem diameter, while as the treatment T2 was superior in number of days up to 50% tasseling and leaf area. The cultivar Maha (V3) was superior as compared to other cultivars in number of days up to 50% tasseling and leaf area. The interaction between corn genotypes and tillage system was significant on leaf area, that is the genotype V3 under the tillage system T2 gave the highest leaf area reached to 4847.893 cm2.

Abstract: This study included preparation of ostrich meat burger with different levels of ostrich fat. The first treatment was free-fat and the second treatment 5% fat, the third treatment was 10% fat, the fourth and the fifth was 15% and 20% respectively and stored in 18 ± 2 co for 120 days. Changes in chemical indicators were studied including peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), free fatty acids (FFA) and total volatile nitrogen (TVN) during storage periods 1, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. The results showed that there is significantly increased (P <0.05) in PV, TBA and FFA by increasing the fat levels and the storage periods while TVN decreased by increasing fat levels and increased storage periods.

Abstract: A field experiment was conducted during the autumn season of 2018 at agricultural research station in Al- Qurna district (80 km north of Basra center). The aim was to study the effect of spraying different concentrations of humic acid (HA) and silicon on the some growth characteristics of maize (Zea mays L.). The experiment was conducted using Three Concentration of humic acid were used 0, 2 and 4 gm L-1, which took the following symbols H0, H1, and H2 respectively and four concentrations of silicon 0, 1, 2 and 3 mML-1 which took the symbols S0, S1, S2 and S3 respectively. A factorial experiment was used in randomized completely block design with four replicates. Maize seeds cv. Fajir1 were planted at 20/7/2018 in a silty loam soil. The results showed that the concentrations of HA differed significantly in all most of the studied characteristics, plant height, leaf area and ear length with an increase by 11.69, 24.89 and 3.49% respectively as compared to the control treatment (H0). The spraying with silicon showed a significant effect. Moreover, the concentration of S3 gave the highest values for plant height, stem diameter, leaf area and ear length. The interaction between HA and silicon showed a significant effect on some of the studied characteristics, the combination of S3×H2 produced the highest values of plant high (174.42 cm) and leaf area (7390.65 cm2).
Keywords: Maize, Humic acid, Silicon, Growth characteristics

Abstract: The aim of this study is describe the case of ulcer and hemorrhaging (red-sore disease) in a common carp (C. carpio) that is cultivated in floating cages at Al-Hilla river and to finding efficient antibiotic treatments. A total of 144 specimens of the common carp were examined for ulcer with hemorrhaging during the period from December 2017 till the end of November 2018. In this study, red-sore disease was found in 45 specimens. This disease is caused by the infection of Motile Aeromonas Septicemia (MAS). Aeromonas hydrophila, A. sobria and A. veronii were isolated from the skin, gills and intestine of common carp. Aeromonas species were identified with a different percentage in common carp as the follows: A. hydrophila (58.76%), A. sobria (31.83%) and A. veronii (43.3%). Antibiotic susceptibility test of 12 antibiotics (Piperacillin/ Tazobactan, Amikacin, Cefazolin, Gentamicin, Cefoxitin, Ciprofloxacin, Ceftazidime, Levofloxacin, Cefepime, Tigecycline, Imipenem and Trimethoprim/ Sulfamethoxazoleby) showed variable resistances for Aeromonas species. Aeromonas species were identified and examined for antibiotic susceptibility using the VITEK 2 system.

Abstract:. The experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 at directorates of agriculture in Al-Zubair district, Basrah, Iraq to study the effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) at four concentration (0, 50, 100 and 150) μM with number of sprays (once and twice) and three cultivars (Pruktor F1, Luna and Rain ball F1) on mineral content of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), Potassium (K), Sodium (Na), Potassium/Sodium (K+/Na+) ratio, Chloride (Cl-), Sulfur (S) and Iron (Fe) of leaves. Split-Split Plot design was used with three replicates per treatment. The means of treatments were compared by L.S.D. at 0.05 probability. Results indicated that Pruktor F1 had the highest percentage of N, P, K, K+/Na+ ratio for both growing seasons while the highest accumulation of Na and Cl- in Rain ball F1 cultivar. Plants sprayed twice with SNP had a significant increase in P, K, K+/Na+ ratio, S, and Fe comparing with once spray for both growing seasons. PruktorF1 sprayed with SNP at 100 μM twice time was superior in P, K, K+/Na+ ratio, S and Fe, whereas, the same cultivar at 150 μM concentration was superior in N for both growing seasons, same cultivar at 100 and 150 μM sprayed twice time gave the lowest percentage of Na+ and Cl–, respectively. Also Rain ball F1 at control treatment had the highest accumulation of Na and of Cl-.

Abstract:. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of modified atmosphere packaging and frozen storage period in the colour characteristics of chick thigh meat. The treatments were 70%CO2+15%N2+15%O2, 70%CO2 +30%N2, 70%CO2+ 30% O2 ,50%N2+50%O2, vacuumand clove oil at different frozen storage periods (1, 30, 60,and 90 days at -18 C). An 84 chick thigh meat pieces were utilized in this study. Polyethylene bags were used in packaging meat under vacuum, then filled with different gases. Colour parameters such as lightness (L*), redness/greenness (a*), yellowness/blueness (b*), Chroma (ΔC), the total colour difference (ΔE), and hue angle (h) were studied. The results demonstration that the modified atmosphere packaging treatments have a significant (P<0.05) effect on L*, a*, h values, but b*, ΔC, and ΔE parameter were not significantly affected by the treatments. Furthermore, the frozen storage periods have a significant (P<0.05) effect on L*, a*, b*, h, ΔC, and ΔE values. The result clarified that the effect of the interference between the modified atmosphere packaging treatments and frozen storage periods on a*, ΔE, ΔC, and h values was not significant, but its effect on L* and b* was significant (P<0.05). The results also showed that the highest L* value was 54.12 by using vacuumed packaging treatment on 30 days of frozen storage period. a* value was increased by using modified atmosphere packaging treatments but decreased with the increase of frozen storage period. b* value was ranged between 0.70 by control to 16.65 by using 70%CO2+15%N2+15%O2. The lowest ΔE, ΔC, and h values were 4.96, 2.70 and 0.53 by using70%CO2+30%N2, 70%CO2+30%N2 and clove oil on 30, 1 and 1 days of frozen storage period respectively.

Abstract: The results of the current study showed that the caper plant contains active compounds such as phenols and flavonoids. Caper gel exhibited the highest antioxidant activity about 92.31 % when used at concentration 100 %, when was comparable to that shown by the industrial antioxidant Butylated Hydroxy Toluene (BHT), which reached to 93.41%. The results also indicated that the alcohol extract of the caper gel was able to sweep the hydrogen peroxide amounted to 81.05 % compared to that shown by the industrial antioxidant and without significant differences. It also showed a reduction of 2.25 % which was not significantly different from standard ascorbic antioxidant which had the highest average of 2.84 %. This ability increased with an increase in gel concentration with no significant differences.

The aim of the study was to detect polymorphism in the POU1F1 gene in Iraqi Awassi sheep breed, as well as to establish if haplotype of POU1F1 gene could be associated with productive traits. This study was carried out at Al-Kafeel station, Karbala city during the period of 01/10/2017 until 01/08/2018. The study included 46 Awassi ewes with their 52 lambs. The laboratory analyses were conducted at the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, College of Agriculture, University of Basrah. Results showed the successfulness of the PCR amplification process for all six examined fragments of the POU1F1 gene. Gel electrophoresis was conducted using agarose 2%, the product sizes were 637bp, 789bp, 999bp, 868bp, 1190 bp, and 469bp for the fragments P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, and P6 respectively. The analysis of the nitrogen bases sequences of the POU1F1 gene for the studied fragments showed a change in 12 different sites of the gene. These changes resulted in 7 haplotypes of H1-H7. The results showed significant influence (P<0.05) in haplotypes of the POU1F1 gene on birth weight . However, haplotypes showed no significant effect on lambs’ weights at weaning, six months and daily weight gains during all periods. Statistical analysis showed that different haplotypes of the POU1F1 gene did not influence on milk productive traits. The examined fragments of the POU1F1 Awassi gene have been submitted to Gene Bank under the accession numbers (LC469323 to LC469349).

A field experiment was conducted during winter season of 2018-2019, at Al-Qurna district (75 km north of Basrah city centre). The aim of experiment was studding the effect of five levels of micronutrients (MN), Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, B, and Mo: 0, 2 and 4 kg. ha-1 (soil application), 500 and 1000 ppm (foliar application), and three levels of activated yeast extract (AYE): 0, 3 and 6 g. L-1, in the yield and qualitative characteristics of wheat. The experiment was carried out using randomized completely block design in a split arrangement with three replicates. The main plots contained fertilizer levels. While the sub-plot occupied by Yeast levels. The results showed that spraying 1000 ppm from the solution of MN significantly increase the number of spikes per m2 , the number of grains in the spike, grain yield and biological yield with an increase by 15.4%, 18%, 27.5 % and 35% respectively compared to the control treatment, while the concentration of 500 ppm significantly increase protein yield with an increase of 35% compared to the control treatment. The results also showed that spraying 6 g. L- 1 of AYE differ significantly and gave the highest values of spikes number per m2 , number of grains per spike , grain yield , biological yield and protein yield, with an increase by 5.84%, 7.1%, 11.4% , 11.1% and 10.9% respectively compared to the control treatment. The interaction between application of 4 kg. MN ha-1 and the level of 6 g. L-1 AYE gave a significant superiority in the number of spikes (333.9 spike m-2), while the spraying of 1000 ppm + 6 g. L-1 AYE gave the highest grain yield (8.891 ton. ha-1) and biological yield (31.827 ton. ha-1).

The digestive tract in Eriocheir sinensis consists of the alimentary canal which includes a foregut consisting of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. The mouth is surrounded by several pairs of appendages which are specialized for chemoreception and prey capture while esophagus is short and straight moves food from mouth to the stomach, which look like an oval sac divided in to two parts called the cardiac chamber and the pyloric chamber. The composition of digestive tract were investigated and the diet analysis was assessed using two methods: points and frequency of occurrence. The main food items included eight types, the highest percentage of 43.6% shrimp, 42.8 % detritus and 14.5% sand, while the lowest were (0. 39 %, 0.69% and 0.97% for eggs, plants and filament algae respectively. Feeding intensity and activity values arranged between 12 -15.9 and 76 - 86%, respectively, while the Vacuity index were 14 - 31.6%, and Feeding index values were 59.9 - 79.7%.

Abstract: The study was established to evaluate the effect of adding selenium with or without vitamin E on some of productive and physiological characteristics of Awassi male lambs. Sixteen lambs were selected after weaning with average weight of 24.30 kg and 3-4 months. All lambs fed 2% of body weight with basal diet and 1 kg green alfalfa /Lamb/day. The lambs were randomly divided into 4 groups. Control group (no additives), Selenium group (0.4 mg selenium), Vitamin group (100 mg vitamin E) and selenium + vitamin E group (0.4 mg selenium + 100 mg vitamin E) per kg dietary dry matter for 90 days. At the end of experiment, lamb performance and concentrations of Thyroxin T4, insulin and growth hormone were measured. The result showed that selenium and the combination of selenium + vitamin E treatments significantly increased (p <0.05) growth rates, final live body weight 42.20, 41.75 kg, respectively, and average daily gain 195, 191 g/day, respectively compared to other treatments. A significantly increase (P <0.05) in the concentrations of thyroxin hormone (T4) recorded in selenium + vitamin E treatment 18.20 ng/ml compared to selenium treatment and vitamin treatment. A significantly increase (P <0.05) in the concentrations of growth hormone of selenium treatment which recorded 9.279 ng/ml compared to vitamin treatment and control group. There is no difference in insulin hormone concentration between the groups. So we conclude that the addition of selenium with or without vitamin E to lamb diets achieved significant improvement in final body weight, daily weight gain, thyroxin and growth hormone.

This study has been conducted to determine and identify the metal elements of dates syrup extracted from Khstawy, Zehdy and Shukary using Scanning electron microscope-Energy dispersive Spectrometer (SEM-EDS) technique. The results showed that dates syrup was rich in both metal and non- metals elements. The obtained results showed some different trends in the date syrup content of mineral elements. The results showed the availability of Carbon (C) element in dates syrup extracted via hydraulic pressure from Khstawy (80.73%), Zehdy (65.28 %) and Shukary (68.49%) varieties while in dates syrup produced thermally (80.59%) and dates syrup produced without thermal (72.16%). Oxygen (O) ratio in Khstawy, Zehdy, Shukary, dates syrup produced thermally, and dates syrup produced without thermal were 18.92, 35.27, 15.26, 19.09 and 27.46 respectively. Moreover, the results showed the availability of sodium (Na) (0.17 %), sulphur (S) (0.11 %), potassium (K) (0.05%), silicon (Si) (0.03%) in the dates syrup extracted from Khstawy, while in Zehdy variety there was Aluminum (Al) (0.33%), potassium (K) (0.08%), chloride (Cl) (0.03%), magnesium (Mg) (0.01%). In Shukary variety, Al (5.24%), K (0.05%), nitrogen (N) (10.73%), (S) (0.06%), copper (Cu) (0.18%). Additionally, the results showed that the quantity of metal elements available in dates syrup produced thermally were found as follow as follows: Na (0.22%), S (0.1%) as well as O and C. Yet, the number of the metal elements in the dates syrup produced by hydraulic pressure was more that the dates syrup produced thermally are as follows: Na (0.1%), Al (0.1%), K (0.1%), S (0.02%), Si (0.03%) and phosphor (P) (0.02%).

This study was carried out in the laboratories and fields of Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture and aimed at isolating and identifying Trichoderma spp. from different agricultural soils in Basrah and evaluating of the efficacy of some polymeric materials in the formulation of T. longibrachiatum as biofungicides. The results showed that there was no direct effect of Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) on the growth of Rhizoctonia solani and T. longibrachiatum as inhibition percentage was 0%. While Polyurethane (PU) had low effect on growth of T. longibrachiatum as inhibition percent was 4.47%. The results of pot experiment showed that PVA reduced tomato seeds germination to50% compared to 66.6 and 70% in PU and control treatment respectively. The results of bio effect in the control of tomato seedlings disease caused by R. solani showed that T. longibrachiatum +PU (PUT) improve tomato seeds germination and enhanced plant growth as plant height reached 15.7cm compared with 13.5 and 12.9 in PVAT and control treatment. The results also showed that the polymeric material improved longevity of T. longibrachiatum spores for six months, but the spore viability began to decreased gradually during the storage period, reaching 6.03⨯10⁶ and 2.54⨯10⁶ cfu.g-1 with PVAT and PUT respectively after six months compared to the number of spores before storage of 5.09 × 10⁶ and 1.77 × 10⁶ cfu.g -1 respectively.

This study was conducted in one of the private fields in Maysan province to study the effect of adding a different level of bentonite to the lamb diets on the performance of lambs. The study included (18) male Arabi lambs weighted 24.5±1.22 kg and lasted 120 days. Lambs were taken after weaning at the age of 3 to 4 months. They were randomly divided into six groups. The diet was provided on the basis of 3% of live body weight. The diets of the trial included (A) a basic diet of 50% concentrated fodder + 50 alfalfa without any addition. (B) A plus 2% bentonite/ dry matter. (C) A plus 4% bentonite/ dry matter. Treatment (D) a diet of 100% concentrated feed + hay ad libitum (basic diet 2) and without any addition. (E) D plus 2% bentonite. (F) D plus 4% bentonite. The diet significantly affected the average final weight and total weight gain in favor of lambs fed treatment D (100% concentrated feed) with average final weight and total weight gain 46.57 and 22.11 kg, respectively. The addition of bentonite improved the rates of the rate of total weight gain is 17.71, 20.85 and 19.50 kg without adding and adding bentonite (2%) and bentonite (4%), respectively. The diet significantly affected the digestion rate of DM, OM, CP, EE, and NDF. Their digestion coefficients of 100% concentrate group were (75.98, 80.70, 80.09, 65.31 and 31.67%, respectively). 50% concentrated fodder (70.26, 71.53, 76.22, 45.47 and 27.36%, respectively).

Abstract: This study was carried out to evaluate some pesticides with two methods of control (preventative and curative) in a private field in the region of Abu Al-Khaseeb in Basrah province during the growing season of 2018 / 2019; treatments were applied in three dates (eight weeks, ten weeks and twelve weeks) after the pollination of the date palm trees (28/2/2019). The results recorded that the 1st spray was the most effective in reducing the population density of the dust mites compared to the second and third spraying rate (49.25, 45.40 and 42.69)% respectively. The dormant spray carried out in December 2018 that reduced the population density of the pest below the economic threshold by using Sulphur (200, 300 and 400) G/palm and Matrixine (1, 1.5 and 2) Ml.L-1; the population density was decreased to 7.88, 4.15 and 4.05 mites and to 7.53, 4.31 and 3.96 mites by controlling with Sulphur and Matrixine, respectively, compared to the untreated palms (8.63, 24.53 and 42.40 mites) at the sampling events 15 March, 15 April and 15 May.

Abstract: The current study were carried out to identify of five species belong to the flower fly family Syrphidae, depending on male genitilia. They included Episyrphus balteatus De Geer, 1776; Eupeodes corollae Fabricius, 1794; Sphaerophoria scripta Linnaeus, 1758; Eristalinus aeneus Scopoli, 1763; Eristalis tenax Linnaeus, 1758, from some Basrah province.

Abstract: This study was conducted in the laboratories of the College of Agriculture, University of Basrah for 75 days, in order to study the effect of using prebiotic (Safmannan) and bio-antibiotic (Fluconazole) on some growth and haemato-immunological parameters of the common carp Cyprinus carpio L. The fishes were divided into four categories of treatments; the first treatment was the control (basal diet), the second and third treatments (T2 and T3) contained 500 and 1000 mg.kg-1 diet of Safmannan, respectively while the fourth treatment consisted of adding 150 mg.100 g-1 diet of bio-antibiotic Fluconazole. The second and third treatments were significantly higher (P<0.05) than control and antibiotic treatments in the growth parameters such as the average of daily weight gain, the average of specific growth and the feed conversion of the second and third treatments. Blood proteins (albumin, globulin and total protein) showed significantly higher (p <0.05) values in the second and third treatments than control and antibiotic treatments. No significant differences were noted in both packed cells volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (Hb) among different treatments. The value of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) showed no significant differences among all treatments, while alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was significantly higher and aspartate transaminase (AST) was significantly lower in the fourth treatment. Hepatosomatic index (HSI) was significantly higher in all treatments compared with the control, while no significant differences in spleen somatic index (SSI) were noted among all treatments. Differential white blood count exhibited no significant differences among the treatments for eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes and monocytes, while neutrophil count was significantly decreased in all treatments in comparison with the control.

The current study was conducted for 90 days in order to study the efficacy of dietary chitosan and antibiotic ciprofloxacin supplement as a resistance and presentation of fishes against the bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) by effect on liver and spleen of fishes. The fishes were divided into four categories of groups at two periods; the former at infection (at 90th day of feeding period) and the latter at post infection (14 days after the challenge period). The first and second groups (T1 and T2) were considered as negative and positive controls (both fed on standard diet), respectively, while the third and fourth groups (T3 and T4) represent dietary chitosan and dietary antibiotic supplement, respectively. All groups, except T1, were challenged by bacteria at 90th day of feeding period. Liver of positive control revealed severe degeneration, especially around hepatic vein with congestion and fibrosis, while the spleen exhibited haemorrhage, lymphocytosis and lymphatic accumulation of white pulp with hemosiderin. The histopathological changes in liver of chitosan group at the infection period were characterized by vacuolation, inflammatory cells and hemorrhage, while necrosis and swelling of hepatocytes and infiltration with inflammatory cells at post infection period. The spleen at the infection period was suffered from leukocytosis, accumulation of inflammatory cells and macrophages, presence of focus from phagocytic macrophages. The liver in antibiotic group of infection period displayed narrowing of the sinusoid, swelling of hepatocytes and infiltration with inflammatory cells, hyperplasia in the bile duct, while the abnormal accumulation of lymphatic follicles. At postinfection period, the spleen showed thickness at the wall capsule, presence of homogeneous pinkish matter around arteriole in the red pulp and lymphocytosis in the white pulp. The supplemented chitosan groups showed a significant decrease in the mortality percentage (????≤0.01). The supplemented chitosan groups showed a significant decrease in the mortality percentage.????≤0.01.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of adding Lycium barbarum extract to drinking water on some productive traits of Japanese quail. A total of 270 one-week-old Japanese quails were used in this study. The birds were divided into six treatments (45 for each). Each litre of drinking water (RO) was treated with 400 mg of L. barbarum extract add from (leaves, fruits, stems, and roots) for T2, T3, T4, and T5 respectively. 400 mg of mixed extract from leaves, stems, fruits and roots of L. barbarum were added to drinking water (T6). The control treatment (T1) was free of L. barbarum drinking water. The results showed no significant differences in the body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio. A significant decrease in the age of sexual puberty and sexual maturity for males and females were recorded in the second and third treatments compared to the other treatments. On the other hand, the results showed no significant differences between the experimental treatments for the weight at sexual puberty and maturity for males and females. It can be concluded that the leaves and fruits of L. barbarum extract decreased the sexual puberty age for males and females of Japanese quail. On the other hand, it has no effect on body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratios.

The present study was aimed to test optimum conditions for the levan production from local isolation Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis w36, which was isolated from Basrah city soil by using production medium containing (40 g of sucrose as carbon source 10g pepton, 1g (NH4) 2SO4, 1g KH2PO4, 1g MgSO4.7H2O). The amount of levan produced was 4.9 g.ml-1. Molasses and date juice were used as substitutes for sucrose in growth media and substitute percentages were (25%, 50%, 75% and100%). The results showed the highest production of levan was recorded when sucrose was substituted with 25% molasses, which was 5.2 g.ml-1.Therefore, this medium was used to study optimum conditions included incubation period, inoculation volume, temperature ,initial pH. The highest production of levan was 6.8 g .100 ml-1 within 40 hours' incubation, 1 ml inoculum volume, pH 6.5 and 32 ºC.

An experiment was conducted during winter growing season of 2018 /2019 at Al-Qurnah sub-district, Basrah Governorate to study the effect of foliar spraying of folic acid and amino acid cysteine at different concentrations on growth, Minerals, chlorophyll contents and green yield faba bean (Vicia faba cv. Luz de otono). The study included sixteen treatments Consist of four concentration of folic acid (o,10,20 and 30) mg.L-1 in combination with four concentrations of Cysteine (0,10,20 and 30) mg.L-1. The results indicated that spraying with folic acid or cysteine significantly increased all vegetative growth characteristics (shoot height, branch number, leaflet number and fresh and dry weight of shoot system per plant), N, P, K, chlorophyll content of leaves and green pod yield/plant and fresh seed yields /plant. Spraying with folic acid at 30 mg.L.-1 and cysteine at 30 mg.L.-1 gave the greatest values of growth parameters, chlorophyll and yield, whereas 20 mg.L-1 folic acid with 30 mg.L-1 Cysteine was produced the highest values of N, P and K in faba bean leaves as compared with other combination treatments. Control treatment gave the lowest values for growth parameters, chlorophyll, N, P, K and yield.