Basrah Journal of Agricultural Sciences

A field experiment was conducted in two different locations at Agricultural Research Station of Garmat Ali in Basrah-Iraq. The aim of this investigation is to evaluate the effective field capacity, field efficiency, draft force, pulverization index (PI), soil bulk density and soil porosity for moldboard plow (primary tillage), mounted disk harrow and offset disk harrow (secondary tillage) under different operating speed (2.54 (S1), 3.84 (S2) and 5.77 (S3) km hr-1) in two different soil textures (silty loam soil and clay soil). The design of the experiment was complete randomized blocks design in factorial experiment. The results showed that the moldboard plow had high values of draft force, pulverization index (PI) and soil porosity and lower soil bulk density, effective field capacity and field efficiency than that of mounted disk harrow and offset disk harrow in both soils. The operating speed and the interaction between operating speed and implements tillage type had significantly affect (p < 0.05) on all the studied parameters. The silty loam soil achieved higher effective field capacity, field efficiency, soil porosity (low bulk density) and considerable pulverization of soil clods than that of clay soil. The results also showed that the optimal operation conditions of implements tillage were associated with high operating speed of 5.77 km hr-1 in silty loam soil especially with using the disks harrow.

Two species of the genus Anuretes: Anuretes anomalus Pillai, 1967 and A. branchialis Rangnekar, 1953 were recorded from gills of Diagramma pictum (Thunberg, 1792) and Platax teira (Forsskål, 1775), respectively. Fishes were caught off coast of Iraq during the period from January 2011 till April 2012. Illustrated descriptions of both parasites have been given. The prevalence and mean intensity of infection were 58.3% and 7.3, for A. anomalus and 24.6% and 4.2, for A. branchialis.

Soy protein with essential oil of lemon peel was used to produce a biodegradable film, which showed inhibition activity against some species of selected bacterial strains. The films were white cheese coating and studied for its biodegradation in the soil. The percentage of soy protein extract was 15% (W: W) while the percentage of lemon peel essential oil was 3% (V: W). The GC-MS result of lemon peel essential oil consisted of 38 compounds, of which the main compound is D-Limonene in 63.43%. The films produced showed inhibition activity against both Gram-positive and Gram- negative bacteria. Inhibition activity was highest against Staphylococcus aureus (22 mm zone), while E. coli O157: H7 had the lowest inhibition (18mm) when 0.1mL of essential oil with 10mL film mixed. The coating process of white cheese reduced the total microbial population (CFU/g) during 30 days of storage time. The TCB, TC, ST and MY of cheese coating were 4.28, 1.53, 1.62 and 1.33 log. CFU/g respectively after 30 days compared to the cheese non-coating samples, with 6.53, 2.51, 3.17 and 1.81 log. CFU/g, respectively. The biodegradation in soil was 97 and 72% for soy protein film and soy protein film with lemon peel essential oil after 35 days.

A field experiment was carried out in silty clay soil at Agricultural Research Station of Garmat Ali in order to study the effect of the plowing depths and manure application on soil moisture content at different soil depths (0-10 (d1), 10-20 (d2), 20-30
(d3), 30-40 (d4), 40-50 (d ) and 50-60 cm (d6)) and two periods (after plowing and after
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harvesting the sunflower crop). The experiment was conducted using an implement of plowing and manure mixing with soil, which consists of two main parts (two moldboard plows and two subsoilers).The implement was designed and manufactured in the Agriculture machines and Equipment Department in 2015. The treatments used in the study were included two levels of manure application (0 and 45.5 ton ha ) and two
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plowing depths of moldboard plow (M) with three plowing depths of subsoiler (S). They were 20 cm of moldboard plow with 20, 30 and 40 cm of subsoiler (M20S20,
20 30 and M20S40), and 30 cm of moldboard plow with 10, 20 and 30 cm of subsoiler MS
(M30S10, M30S20 and M30S30). The results showed that the soil moisture content (MC) was significantly decreased with increasing the plowing depths by the moldboard plows and subsoilers especially after soil plowing. While, the MC significantly increased with increasing the soil depth after the plowing and after harvesting the crop. In contrast, mixing the manure with soil at level 45.5 ton ha-1 by the manufactured implement increased the soil moisture content by 10.73% after the plowing and by 2.33% after the harvesting the sunflower crop compared with untreated soil with manure.

Five individuals of Smith's cardinalfish Jaydia smithi were collected from Ibn-Hani area, Lattakia, Syria on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Their morphometric and meristic characteristics are reported. There are several factors which assisted this specimen to reach this area of the Mediterranean; some of these factors might be the marine environment changes and the ballast water. This study reports that Smith's cardinalfish Jaydia smithi, a member of Lessepsian species was found in Syrian marine waters for the first time.

The principal goal of this study was to evaluate whether dietary vitamin E and pumpkin seed oil would affect the productive, physiological and reproductive performance of Japanese quail by using 120 birds at 22 weeks of age. The birds were randomly distribution into five dietary groups 42 birds each group contain three replicated pens, as follow: First group: kept on basal diet without any addition as control group, second and third groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 150 and 200 mg/ kg vitamin E / kg of diet, fourth and fifth groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 15 and 30 ml/kg pumpkin seed oil /kg of diet respectively. The results showed a significant improvement in egg production (H.D%), egg number, egg weight and egg mass produced for the vitamin E (200mg/ kg of diet) compared with the other groups. Additionally, the results showed that vitamin E (200mg/ kg of diet) significantly increased gonads relative weight , testes development, egg characterizes and serum testosterone, estrogen, FSH and LH hormones compared with other groups. Also , the birds were fed on 15 and 30 ml seed pumpkin oil/ kg of diet were significantly increased in the most parameter compared with control group. It can be concluded that the addition of vitamin E (200 mg/kg of diet) and pumpkin seed oil (30ml of diet), had positive effects on gonads, testicular histology, egg production and serum testosterone, estrogen, FSH and LH hormones concentration.

The current study was carried out in Basrah Prawn Hatchery during the period from 23 March 2016 till 15 April 2016. Water extracts of four species of aromatic plants: garlic Allium sativum L., eucalyptus Eucalyptus camaldulensis Deh., mint Mentha spicata L. and ginger Zingiber officinale Roscoe were used as alternative materials instead of malachite green to control the pathogenic fungus Saprolegnia parasitica on eggs of the common carp Cyprinus carpio. The reason of using these substituted materials used here is to avoid the carcinogenic effect of malachite green for producers, consumers and abnormalities malformations of fish fries, contamination of the aquatic environment and economic losses resulted from malformation of fish larvae. The results showed significant differences in the sterilization ratio with the studied plants according to species and concentration of the extract in comparison with that of malachite green. The results showed that with application of 100% of the stock solution (full strength of garlic extract), the activity of treatment reached 96%, while lowest activity of sterilization reached 90% with using 100% ginger extract as compared to malachite green (99%). The number of alive fish larvae differs according to the species of the plant; the highest number of alive fish larvae (18694 larvae) was achieved with ginger, while the lower number (12320) was with eucalyptus in comparison with malachite green (13878). No such malformation in the larvae was occurred when treated with garlic, ginger and mint, while just 1% (non-significant) of malformation occurred with eucalyptus in comparison with malachite green (7%).

The agricultural production processes currently targeted reducing chemical fungicides usage and increasing bio-agent application through controlling diseases alone or integrating it with other factors. The study aimed to investigate the induction of systemic resistance by multi bio-agents represented by mycorrhizal fungi Glomus mosseae, G. intradicas and Trichoderma harizanum against pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani which caused wilt disease and growth defoliation to Okra seedling. Three isolate of R. solani were recorded on root of Okra seedling, named (local - Batra). Isolate no. (3) was more virulence than other isolates in damping off disease in the pre and post emergence. Results also showed that G. mosseae and G. intradicas with T. harizanum had a positive influence in reducing detrimental effect of R. solani in all growth parameters (e.g. fresh and dry weight of root) on disease severity on Okra plant caused by R. solani. Bio-agents (G. mosseae,G. intradicas and T. harizanum) increased resistance in Okra plants by raising production of enzymescatalase and Peroxidase.this experiment was revealed that using a complex of bio-agent’s factors were greatly increase the efficiency of biological control than using each of them individually. We conclude that the broad diversity of rhizosphere micro-organisms as well as the confronting between the bio-chemical and physical changes could be reflected the variations in the metabolic secondary products that could inhibit pathogens.

This study was conducted in the animal field of College of Agriculture, University of Basrah from 17 May to 15 October 2015, to investigate the influence of treatment of vitamin E and PMSG during breeding season on some biochemical parameters and reproductive characteristics in sheep. A total of 48 ewes included 24 Arabi and 24 Najdi, ewes from each breed were divided randomly into two groups, 12 ewes as control group and 12 ewes as treatment group with vitamin E and PMSG. The results showed an improving the weights at pre-parturition and post-parturition, twice percentage and placenta characteristics in treated group for each breeds compared with control groups. The fertility was high in Arabi treated group in comparison with Najdi breed. However, Najdi was significant improved in placenta characteristics in comparison with Arabi breed. Glucose, vitamin C and zinc concentrations in serum were significant increase in serum during post-parturition in both two breeds. Serum prolactin hormone concentration significant decreased during breeding and pre- parturition periods compared with post-parturition in both two breeds. Arabi ewes showed a significant increase in glucose allantois fluid and a significant decrease in cholesterol allantois fluid compared with Najdi ewes.

Four laboratory experiments were conducted in Laboratory of Live Food- Aquaculture Unit- Agriculture College during 2015-2017. First experiment investigate the response of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) to pellet diet in comparison to aquatic plants. Second experiment conducted to investigate three protein levels (18, 20 and 22 %) of pelleted food. Third experiment conducted to investigate three protein levels (24, 27 and 30 %) of pelleted food, and fourth experiment to investigate three feeding ratio (2, 4 and 6 % of fish weight) of pelleted food. Results of first experiment appeared an obvious negative growth in fish fed on plant only and also positive growth in fish fed on pellets and also plant and pellets. Weight increments were (-10.78, 5.08 and 8.14) gm, SGR were (-0.39, 0.17 and 0.28) %/day, while DGR were (-0.22, 0.10 and 0.17) g/day for fish fed on plants, plants & pellets and pellets respectively. Weight increments for 95 days were (1.91, 2.82 and 2.86) g for fish fed on pelleted food of (18, 20 and 22)% protein levels respectively. SGR were (0.25, 0.27 and 0.31) %/day, while DGR were (0.028, 0.034 and 0.037) g/day, and FCR were 13.93, 13.03 and 9.09 for fish fed on pelleted food of (18, 20 and 22)% protein levels respectively. Weight increments for 141 days were (4.90, 4.80 and 4.81) g for fish fed on pelleted food of (24, 27 and 30)% protein levels respectively. SGR were (0.49, 0.46 and 0.50) %/day, while DGR were (0.035, 0.034 and 0.034) g/day, and FCR were 5.66, 5.45 and 5.63 for fish fed on pelleted food of (24, 27 and 30)% protein levels respectively. Weight increments for 142 days were (0.24, 2.30 and 3.24) g for fish fed on pelleted food with feeding ratios of (2, 4 and 6)% of fish weight respectively. SGR were (0.03, 0.26 and 0.35) %/day, while DGR were (0.002, 0.016 and 0.023) g/day, and FCR were 10.3, 5.7 and 7.9 for grass carp fed on pelleted food with feeding ratios of (2, 4 and 6)% of fish weight respectively.

The present study was designed to determine the best practical method of semen thawing which could be applied to frozen semen of bulls in straw produced by Artificial Insemination Center, Iraq. Frozen semen was thawed at 15°C for 30 sec, 40°C for 10 sec and 50°C for 5 sec. individual motility, live, and dead sperm cells was assessed using light microscope. Results revealed that number, motility, and live of sperm cells, were significantly higher at the 50°C for 5 sec than other thawing temperatures In conclusion, it is recommended to use a temperatures of 50°C for 5 sec and to dissolve the frozen semen because it gave the best quality semen after thawing and easy to utilize in field.

Field experiments were conducted in silty clay soil, to study the effect of using the modified subsoiler-moldboard plow (MSMP) on some soil properties (bulk density, penetration resistance and electrical conductivity) and on some of broad bean growth and yield parameters (emergency rate, plant height, frock number, pods number per plant, seeds number per pods, weight of 1000 seeds, and total yield). The experiment parameters were three depths of subsoiler as a part of MSMP (30,40 and 50cm) and two depths of moldboard as a part of MSMP (20 and 30cm). The results showed that increasing the subsoiler depth from 30 to 40 cm resulted in redusing the bulk density and electrical conductivity of the soil by 2.70 and 8.29%, respectively, while increased the growth and yield parameters by 10.17, 14.29, 33.43, 7.37, 21.46, 27.31 and 45%, respectively. Increasing the subsoiler depth from 40 to 50cm decreased the soil bulk density and electrical conductivity by 1.85 and 0.60% respectively, whereas the growth and yield parameters increased by 10.22, 37.50, 49.89, 93.13 35.34, 33.34 and 117.67% respectively. The increase of the moldboard depths from 20 to 30cm leaded to increase the growth and yield parameters by 23.16%, 24.70%, 67.46%, 57.51%, 34.38%, 20.33% and 68.16% respectively. The subsoiler and moldboard depths (50 and 30cm) gave the highest emergence rate, plant height, weight of 1000 seeds and yield by 71.61%, 109.42%, 111.01% and 407.46% compared with the shallow depths of subsoiler and moldboard plow depths (30 and 20cm respectively). The results revealed that the values of the soil properties decreased by 12.50%, 60.31% and 40.86%, respectively after tillage, whereas they increased by 17.35%, 250.68% and 169.09%, respectively before harvest.