Al-Furat Journal of Innovations in Agricultural Sciences
Al-Furat Journal of Innovations in Agricultural Sciences (FJIAS) is an international, open-access, peer-reviewed journal issued quarterly by Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, under the supervision of Al-Mussaib Technical College, Iraq. The journal operates under a double-blind peer review policy to ensure the integrity and quality of the publication process. FJIAS is dedicated to publishing original, high-impact research articles, comprehensive review papers, and short communications that showcase the latest innovations, technologies, and methodologies in agricultural sciences and their allied fields. The journal aims to serve as a dynamic platform for academics, researchers, and practitioners to disseminate scientific knowledge and promote sustainable agricultural development. ISSN: 2789-6773 The journal follows a quarterly publishing schedule: Vol.1 Issue 1: January – March Vol.1 Issue 2: April – June Vol.1 Issue 3: July – September Vol.1 Issue 4: October – December Aims and Scope FJIAS welcomes contributions from all disciplines relevant to agricultural sciences, including but not limited to the following fields: Plant Production and Biotechnology (Crop improvement, plant breeding, genetic engineering, tissue culture) Animal Production and Biotechnology (Livestock breeding, animal nutrition, genomics, reproductive technologies) Soil and Water Sciences (Soil fertility, irrigation systems, water resource management, land reclamation) Food Quality and Technology (Post-harvest technology, food safety, processing techniques, food biotechnology) Agricultural Extension and Rural Development (Farmer education, adoption of innovation, community-based development) Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness (Farm management, agricultural policy, value chains, marketing strategies) Agricultural Mechanization and Precision Agriculture (Smart farming, automation, drones, remote sensing, IoT applications) Biological Sciences (Entomology, plant pathology, microbiology, ecology related to agriculture) Climate-Smart Agriculture and Sustainability (Climate change adaptation, carbon farming, regenerative agriculture) Digital Agriculture and Artificial Intelligence (Machine learning, big data in agriculture, decision support systems) Agroecology and Organic Farming (Ecosystem services, sustainable farming practices, organic certification) Environmental and Natural Resource Management (Agroforestry, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration) Agricultural Education and Innovation Policy (Curriculum innovation, policy analysis, capacity building) Renewable Energy in Agriculture (Solar irrigation, biogas systems, energy-efficient practices) Template of FJIAS
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Studying the effect of the effectiveness of antibiotics and the alcoholic extract of the plant Mentha spicata in eliminating tooth decay bacteria Streptococcus mutans and its effective role as an antioxidant
The study was conducted in Nasiriyah, Dhi Qar Governorate, Iraq, during 2025, from April to September. The study spanned approximately six months, encompassing the period from plant cultivation to drying prior to extraction. The study demonstrated that alcoholic extracts of Mentha spicata possess excellent inhibitory activity against pathogenic bacteria and are safe for pharmaceutical use. Therefore, medicinal plants are used as antimicrobial agents. An alcoholic extract of Mentha spicata was prepared. Twenty grams of the dried plant powder were weighed and 200 mL of ethanol was added to it at 45°C for 24 hours. The extract was then placed in a Soxhlet extractor and filtered using Whatman No. 1 filter paper (England). The sample was poured into glass Petri dishes, and the dry powder was stored in airtight glass containers and refrigerated at 4°C until use. The efficacy of the ethanolic plant extracts against pathogenic Streptococcus mutans was tested at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 mg/ml. The bacteria's susceptibility to the three commonly used antibiotics—amikacin (AK), gentamicin (CN), and ciprofloxacin (CIP)—was also tested. Because Streptococcus mutans is inherently less resistant to amikacin and gentamicin, other commonly used antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, were added to the treatment regimen for a broad spectrum of infections. Information on the reference system for interpreting antibiotic susceptibility should be provided, The DPPH assay is one of the most widely used techniques for evaluating the antioxidant properties of plant extracts. The alcoholic extract exhibited higher levels of inhibition than ascorbic acid, indicating the plant's high antioxidant activity. The ethanolic extract showed concentration-dependent inhibitory activity against Streptococcus mutans, reaching a maximum concentration of 100 mg/ml. In antibiotic studies, ciprofloxacin was found to be the most effective antibiotic. Specifically, the plant extract at a concentration of 100 mg/ml demonstrated an inhibitory effect similar to that of ciprofloxacin. The ethanolic extract also showed good DPPH activity (87.84%) at 100 mg/ml, while ascorbic acid showed 82.04% DPPH activity at the same concentration.
Copyright (c) 2026 Reman Muslim (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Influence of different levels of bio stimulant Bacillas coagulans with vitamin E in diets of common carp fingerlings on hematological and biochemical traits
Abstract A laboratory experiment was conducted for 60 days by adding three different levels of Bacillas coagulans with a constant level of vitamin E to the diets of common carp fingerlings for a goal of study their effects on some blood and biochemical traits. Average weight of Fingerlings were 11.2±0.13 g، and treatments included : T1(Control treatment) without addition, T2 vit.E only vit.E (100mg/kg) ,T3 same ratio of vit.E with the bio stimulant B.coagulans (150mg/kg), while T4 vit.E with (200mg/kg) bio- stimulant , and (250mg/kg) vit.E in T5. Experimental results indicated that: Significant differences (P≤0.01) in all blood indicators studied between different experimental treatments. Control treatment recorded a significant difference at red blood cells (RBC) amounting to 4.20± million / ml and hemoglobin (Hb) 6.30±0.05 g/deciliter, packed cell volume (PCV) 22.0±0.57% and white blood cells (WBC) recorded at 9.20×109/liter, which are values representing the normal basal levels. In contrast, cellular immune indicators improved, represented by the percentages of (lymphocytes, monocytes , eosinophils and neutrophils) in the supplemented treatments. Blood chemistry profile showed superiority by treatment T4 in protein percentage and recorded the lowest blood sugar level. Cholesterol also decreased in all supplemented treatments compared to the control, while T3 recorded highest level of triglycerides and lowest level for enzymes liver..
vitamin E ; probiotic ; Bacillus coagulans ; common carp.
Copyright (c) 2026 Samir Al.Maarouf (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The synergistic role of multiple enzymes and curcumin in enhancing the physiological efficiency and productive performance of laying hens
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adding multiple enzymes and curcumin as an antioxidant and their interaction on some biochemical indicators and productive performance. Using an integrated mixture of enzymes and antioxidants in the diet of laying hens is an effective strategy to improve physiological performance, enhance productive efficiency and increase egg quality. However, studies that evaluate this integrated effect on performance under multiple production conditions are still limited and few, which necessitates further research in this area. The experiment involved using 132-day-old (four months and 12 days) Meso laying hens. A total of 144 birds (124 hens + 20 roosters) were housed in the coop. They were weighed and then randomly divided into four experimental groups, with three replicates of 12 birds per replicate (10 hens + 2 roosters). Treatment T1 (control): standard diet without any additives. Treatment T2: standard diet containing added enzymes at a rate of 2 g/kg of feed. Treatment T3: standard diet containing added curcumin at a rate of 2 g/kg of feed. Treatment T4: standard diet containing added enzymes and curcumin (2 g enzymes/kg of feed) and (2 g curcumin/kg of feed). Regular drinking water was freely available in all treatments.The experiment involved using 132-day-old (four months and 12 days) Meso laying hens. A total of 144 birds (124 hens + 20 roosters) were housed in the coop. They were weighed and then randomly divided into four experimental groups, with three replicates of 12 birds per replicate (10 hens + 2 roosters). Treatment T1 (control): standard diet without any additives. Treatment T2: standard diet containing added enzymes at a rate of 2 gm/kg of feed. Treatment T3: standard diet containing added curcumin at a rate of 2 gm/kg of feed. Treatment T4: standard diet containing added enzymes and curcumin (2 gm enzymes/kg of feed) and (2 gm curcumin/kg of feed). Regular drinking water was freely available in all treatments. An increase in red blood cell (RBC) count was observed in the second treatment group compared to the control group. Significant increases in hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and packed cell volume (PCV) were also observed in both the second and third treatments compared to the control group. Furthermore, glucose levels decreased in the third and fourth treatments compared to the second treatment group and the control group. All treatments showed significant increases in total protein, globulin, and globulin/albumin ratio compared to the control group. The enzymes and curcumin showed a positive effect on serum lipid parameters, with a significant decrease in triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and atherosclerosis index, along with decreased liver enzyme levels (AST and ALT) in all treatments compared to the control at 31 weeks of age. Conversely, at 29 weeks of age, a significant increase in both high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was observed in all treatments compared to the control. The statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement at the probability level (P ≤ 0.05) in most of the studied traits as a result of the nutritional additives, The chemical composition of the eggs also improved with an increase in protein and amino acid content and a decrease in cholesterol levels.
Copyright (c) 2026 liqaa yousef (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Sustainable nutritional strategy in laying Japanese quail using a mixture of enzymes and feed restriction
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of two feeding regimes—ad libitum feeding and feed restriction at 20% below the daily ad libitum intake—combined with two levels of a dietary enzyme mixture (0% and 0.075%) on the productive performance of laying Japanese quail. A total of 96 sexed quail, aged 15 to 27 weeks, were used in the experiment. The birds were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with four replicates per treatment (six birds per replicate) according to a 2 × 2 factorial design, The results showed that supplementation with the enzyme mixture significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved the total egg number compared with the non-supplemented treatment. In addition, enzyme supplementation did not result in significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in average feed intake, Regarding feed restriction, no significant adverse effects were observed on average egg production or egg weight. However, feed restriction improved feed conversion ratio during certain periods, indicating enhanced feed utilization efficiency and reduced feed wastage. A significant reduction in average feed intake was also observed compared with ad libitum feeding, without affecting egg quality traits or dressing percentage. This reflects the ability of quail to adapt to reduced feed availability while maintaining essential physiological requirements, Furthermore, the interaction between feed restriction and enzyme supplementation showed that their combination improved egg production while maintaining lower feed intake and enhancing feed conversion ratio, without any negative effects on dressing percentage or egg quality traits. These findings indicate that the integration of feed restriction and enzyme supplementation represents an effective strategy for improving the productive performance of laying Japanese quail.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mohammed Al-Nema (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
STUDY POLYMORPHISMS IN GH1 GENE AND RELATIONSHIP WITH GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND FEED CONVERSION EFFICIENCY IN LOCAL MEAT-TYPE SHEEP IN KARBALA GOVERNORATE
Growth rate and feed efficiency are major determinants of profitability in meat-type sheep. This study investigated polymorphisms in exon 2 of the ovine GH1 gene and their associations with growth performance and feed conversion efficiency in 100. GH1 genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP and confirmed by Sanger sequencing, The locus was polymorphic, with G and A allele frequencies of 0.64 and 0.36 and genotype frequencies of 0.42, 0.44, and 0.14 for GG, GA, and AA, respectively, The observed heterozygosity (0.44) was near to the expected heterozygosity (0.46), PIC was 0.35 and the population conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P=0.67). The study results showed that The initial body weight (BW 0) and final body weight (BW 90±0) reached has been (18.4±2.8) kg and (38.6±4.2) kg, respectively, On days 30 and 60 body weights (BW-30 and BW-60), the weights were (24.8±3.1) kg and (31.5±3.6) kg, respectively. The average daily weight gain (ADG) over the entire period was (224±38) g/day, indicating significant variation in growth performance between the animals. The total dry matter intake (DMI) after 90 days was (82.5±12.4) kg, while the mean feed ratio (FCR) was (4.08±0.64) kg feed/kg weight gain.GG lambs had the highest final body weight (40.2±0.6 kg) and average daily gain (235±5 g/day), followed by GA and AA lambs (P<0.05), but GG lambs had a more favourable feed conversion ratio (3.87±0.08 kg feed/kg gain) than GA and AA lambs (P<0.05),These results indicate that GH1 variation, particularly the G allele, may be useful as a marker for improving growth performance and feed conversion efficiency in local meat-type sheep.
: Local Meat-Type Sheep; Growth Hormone; GH1 Gene; Polymorphism; Residual Feed Intake; Marker-Assisted Selection
Copyright (c) 2026 TALIB A HMED HAMID AL-RUBAYE (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effect of phosphorus levels and planting dates in yield and quality of two faba bean varieties (Vicia faba L.)
Abstract A research experiment was selected during the 2025-2026 winter season in the Al-Mahawil area, north of Babil Governorate (32°N, 44°E), to investigate the effect of cultivation, variety, and phosphorus levels in the growth and yield of broad bean. Three factors were present: first, three cultivation variables (D1, D2, D3), second, a specific broad bean variety (V1, V2), and third, three phosphorus levels (P1, P2, P3). The experiment was conducted using a arrangement (split- split plots) with a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and three replicases. The experiment concluded in April 1, 2026, and the results were analyzed using Genstat software. The Least Significant Difference (LSD) was selected at a p-value of 0.05. The product length is characterized as follows: The results showed the superiority of the Egyptian variety over the Spanish variety in the characteristics of (pod length (cm), number of pods (pods/plant⁻¹), number of seeds per pod (seed/pod⁻¹), weight of 100 seeds (g), and percentage of protein%), while the Spanish variety was superior in the characteristic of (harvest index%). The second planting date was also superior to the other dates, as was the third level of phosphorus (240 kg phosphorus / hectare) in most of the studied characteristics.
Broad beans, Phosphate fertilization, Planting dates.
Copyright (c) 2026 Asawir Abbas Imran (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Response of Genotypes of Sunflower to Yield and Its Genotypes under Water Stress Conditions
A field experiment was conducted at the experimental field of the Technical College / Al-Musayyib during the fall season of 2025 using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The study aimed to evaluate the performance of five genetic genotypes of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) under different levels of water stress and to investigate their effects on yield and its related traits.The genotypes included (Argensun , Euroflor,Selected 1, Selected 2, and the Syrian cultivar as control), while irrigation treatments consisted of three different levels of water stress. The studied traits included biological yield, 300-seed weight, number of seeds per head, seed yield per plant, and harvest index.The results showed significant differences among the genotypes, irrigation treatments, and their interaction for most of the studied traits. The Syrian cultivar outperformed the other genotypes in most yield traits, recording the highest mean values for biological yield (219.97), 300-seed weight (44.53 g), number of seeds (685.23), harvest index (46.86), and seed yield per plant (103.02 g). Irrigation treatments also had a significant effect, as the highest irrigation level (IR2) resulted in increased values for most traits compared with higher water stress levels.The results indicate the presence of genetic variation among the studied genotypes, which can be exploited in breeding programs to improve sunflower productivity and enhance its tolerance to water stress.
Sunflower, Water stress, Genetic compositions, Biological yield, Harvest index, Seed yield per plant
Copyright (c) 2026 Zahra haider kalil (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Extraction and GC-MS Characteriztion of Cardamom Essential Oil and Its Antimicrobial Activity Against Dairy Microflora
Green cardamom oil (Elettariacardamomum L.) is a good source of bioactive volatile compounds that have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and is therefore a prospective natural preservative in the food industry. The purpose of this study was to obtain a cardamom oil by means of hydrodistillation, identify its chemical properties according to the GC-MS technique, and test its antimicrobial properties against microorganisms related to dairy products (soft cheese). According to GC-MS, the predominant compounds in the oil were 1,8-cineole (28.2) and 33.51 0 -terpinyl acetate, with other minor compounds being linalool, terpinen-4-ol, and 0 -terpineol. Agar diffusion in vitro tests showed that the oil could inhibit the growth of Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli with an increasing activity at higher concentrations. When cardamom oil was added to soft white cheese at concentrations of 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75%, a significant decrease in the growth of total bacteria, E. coli, yeasts, and molds was observed during 21 days of storage at 4°C, without any adverse effect on sensory qualities at low and medium concentrations. These results suggest that cardamom oil can be an effective natural antimicrobial agent in dairy products, achieving a suitable balance between microbial safety and sensory acceptability.
Copyright (c) 2026 Shaymaa jawad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Evaluation of the chemical content of water-stressed goldenrod plant under the influence of tissue polyter and nano-chitosan
<a title="Evaluation of the chemical content of water-stressed goldenrod plant under the influence of tissue polyter and nano-chitosan " href="https://fjias.atu.edu.iq/index.php/dfg/Abstract An independent factorial experiment was conducted in one of the plastic greenhouses designated for this purpose in Karbala, Al-Husseiniya district, located 14 km from the city center, during the 2024–2025 agricultural season. The aim was to study the effect of natural compounds on the chemical content of goldenrod plants subjected to water stress under greenhouse conditions. The experiment involved three factors: the first factor was water stress, i.e., irrigation at three intervals (every 4, 6, and 8 days); the second factor was the use of tissue politer at three levels (0, 2.50, and 5 g pot⁻¹), applied once at seedling transplanting; and the third factor was foliar spraying with nano-chitosan at three levels (0, 100, and 200 mg L⁻¹), applied four times during the experiment. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications, and results were analyzed at a 5% probability level. The combined factors showed significant effects on the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The highest values were obtained under the treatment combination of irrigation every 4 days, soil application of tissue politer at 5 g, and foliar spraying with nano-chitosan at 200 mg L⁻¹, reaching (3.937, 1.197, and 2.263)% respectively. In contrast, the lowest values were recorded under irrigation every 8 days, with soil free of politer and spraying with distilled water only, reaching (3.003, 1.030, and 1.297)% respectively.">Abstract An independent factorial experiment was conducted in one of the plastic greenhouses designated for this purpose in Karbala, Al-Husseiniya district, located 14 km from the city center, during the 2024–2025 agricultural season. The aim was to study the effect of natural compounds on the chemical content of goldenrod plants subjected to water stress under greenhouse conditions. The experiment involved three factors: the first factor was water stress, i.e., irrigation at three intervals (every 4, 6, and 8 days); the second factor was the use of tissue politer at three levels (0, 2.50, and 5 g pot⁻¹), applied once at seedling transplanting; and the third factor was foliar spraying with nano-chitosan at three levels (0, 100, and 200 mg L⁻¹), applied four times during the experiment. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications, and results were analyzed at a 5% probability level. The combined factors showed significant effects on the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The highest values were obtained under the treatment combination of irrigation every 4 days, soil application of tissue politer at 5 g, and foliar spraying with nano-chitosan at 200 mg L⁻¹, reaching (3.937, 1.197, and 2.263)% respectively. In contrast, the lowest values were recorded under irrigation every 8 days, with soil free of politer and spraying with distilled water only, reaching (3.003, 1.030, and 1.297)% respectively.
Copyright (c) 2026 shaimaa sabbar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effect of Bentonite and Biochar Application on Selected Physical Properties of Coarse-Textured Soil and Growth of Broccoli Plants
Soils with rough texture have low fertility because they have low amounts of colloidal and organic matter resulting in low physical characteristics and the inability to retain water and nutrients. Thus, physically, organic amendments and soil conditioners are applied to enhance physical properties and their capacity to hold water and nutrients. The study was carried out in Babil Governorate, Iraq, at 32 o 47 W7.38 N, 44 o 25 W33.63 E, at 31 m above sea level, and during the 20252026 season, to examine the impact of the addition of bentonite and biochar on certain physical characteristics of coarse-textured soil and the development of broccoli plants. The experiment was carried out in the form of factorial experiment with the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicas where each replica consisted of nine experimental units. In the research two factors were used. The first one was the addition of bentonite in the level of 0, 10 and 20 Mg ha-1 represented as B0, B1, and B2 respectively. The second was the biochar addition at 0, 5, and 10 Mg ha-1, which was referred to as C0, C1, and C2 respectively. It was demonstrated that treatment of addition of bentonite at 20 Mg ha-1 reflected better in the mean bulk density, soil moisture content at field capacity, soil moisture content at wilting point and available water in the soil with percentage improvements of 4.19 , 26.86 ,12.11 and 41.71 respectively compared to the treatment without addition (control). The outcome of the addition of biochar also revealed that the treatment 10 Mg ha-1 showed the superiority of the treatment in terms of total porosity, soil moisture content at field capacity, soil moisture content at wilting point, and availability of water in the soil, which increased by percentage of 4.09, 10.54, 6.55, and 14.10, respectively, with respect to the control treatment (not added biochar). The binary interaction revealed that the treatment (20 Mg ha-1 bentonite + 10 Mg ha-1 biochar) performed better in the mean soil moisture content at the field capacity, soil moisture content at the wilting point and the available water in the soil, where the percentage changes were 41.50, 24.02, and 58.87, respectively
Bentonite, Biochar, Broccoli Growth, Coarse-textured Soil, Soil Physical Properties.
Copyright (c) 2026 Zahraa Sami Mohammed, Mohammed Malik Hamid (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE EFFECT OF ORGANIC MATTER TYPES ON THE BEHAVIOR OF ZINC IN SEDIMENTARY SOILS OF DIFFERENT TEXTURES
This research paper has discussed the zinc (Zn) adsorption-desorption processes in calcareous alluvial soils with different textures that were amended with various organic materials. Two soils (sandy loam, T1; clay loam, T2) gathered in Al-Musayyib District, Babil Governorate, Iraq, were described in the terms of chosen physical and chemical characteristics. In a laboratory equilibrium experiment, 2 g of soil were mixed with 20 mL of ZnSO 4 solution (5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 150 mg L -1 ) with the amendment of cattle, sheep or poultry manure. The Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models were used to determine adsorption and subsequent desorption by the use of 0.01 N CaCl 2. Langmuir gave the most consistent fit to the adsorption data, which had an R 2 value of 0.88 to 0.98, versus 0.86 to 0.96 with both Freundlich and D-R. Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity (Xmax) was between 29.22 to 256.41 mg kg -1, meanwhile the value of D-R adsorption energy was between 8.74 to 11.81 kJ mol -1 and this shows that ion exchange was predominant. Overall, heavy-textured soil exhibited higher retention and low desorption of Zn compared to the light-textured soil. Sheep manure enhanced adsorption capacity in several cases, whereas poultry manure tended to reduce Zn retention, particularly in the light-textured soil. The results demonstrate that soil texture and organic amendment type jointly control Zn behavior and that the Langmuir model is the most suitable for describing Zn adsorption under the conditions of this study
Adsorption; Calcareous alluvial soils; Desorption; Organic amendments; Zinc
Copyright (c) 2026 Sajjad Sattar Jabbar, Muhammad Malik Hamed (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effect of foliar spraying with nano-iron and the addition of biofertilizer on soybean growth
A field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of foliar spraying with chelated nano-iron and the addition of the biofertilizer EM1 on the growth of soybean plants. The experiment was carried out in the Al-Azawiya area of ​​Al-Musayyib district, north of Babylon Governorate, at a longitude of 32°47'53.9"N, and a latitude of 44°24'32.1"E. During the autumn growing season of 2025, a randomized block design (RCBD) with three replications was used. The experiment included three concentrations of nano-iron fertilizer (0, 1.5 g/L, and 3 g/L) and three levels of the biofertilizer EM1 (0, 2 ml L⁻¹, and 4 ml L⁻¹). The results showed that the third concentration of nano-iron fertilizer (3 g L⁻¹) was superior to the control treatment in terms of plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, leaf chlorophyll content, and leaf area.The results also showed that the third level of EM1 biofertilizer outperformed the control treatment in plant height, branch number, leaf number, leaf chlorophyll content, and leaf area. The interaction between nano-fertilization and EM1 biofertilizer was significant in growth characteristics. The interaction between the third concentration of nano-iron fertilizer (3 g L⁻¹) and the third level of biofertilizer (4 ml L⁻¹) resulted in the highest average vegetative growth indicators for plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, leaf chlorophyll content, and leaf area, surpassing the control treatment. We conclude that the use of nano-iron at a concentration of (3 g L-1) alone or with the dual interaction treatment (between spraying nano-iron fertilizer and the EM1 biofertilizer) has a significant effect on all vegetative growth indicators for the studied traits and outperformed the growth indicators of the control treatment
Soybeans, nano-iron, EM1 biofertilizer, chlorophyll
Copyright (c) 2026 Hassanein Salah Nasr, Hassan Hadi Alkarawi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effect of Organic Fertilization and Seaweed Extract on Growth, Yield, and Bioactive Compounds of Roselle Plant (Hibiscus sabdariffa L)
A field experiment was conducted during the spring season of 2025 at a private farm in Al-Jilawiya village, Al-Musayyib district, located about 40 km north of Babil province, Iraq, to evaluate the effect of seaweed extract and animal organic fertilizer on growth, yield, and anthocyanin content of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.). The experiment was arranged as a factorial experiment in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The study included three factors: two roselle cultivars (red and purple), three concentrations of seaweed extract (0, 3, and 6 ml L⁻¹), and three levels of animal organic fertilizer (cow manure) (0, 3, and 6 ton ha⁻¹). The results showed that the purple cultivar significantly outperformed the local red cultivar in plant height, number of main branches, number of capsules per plant, calyx yield per plant, and anthocyanin content, recording mean values of 64.18 cm, 5.16 branches plant⁻¹, 141.54 capsules plant⁻¹, 46.31 g plant⁻¹, and 0.284%, respectively. The application of seaweed extract at 6 ml L⁻¹ resulted in the highest averages for the studied traits, reaching 169.64 cm for plant height, 5.40 branches plant⁻¹, 163.31 capsules plant⁻¹, 48.13 g plant⁻¹ for calyx yield, and 0.317% anthocyanin content. Similarly, the highest level of organic fertilizer (6 ton ha⁻¹) significantly improved plant growth and productivity, producing the highest mean values of 164.68 cm plant height, 5.47 branches plant⁻¹, 164.44 capsules plant⁻¹, 50.51 g plant⁻¹ calyx yield, and 0.347% anthocyanin content. These findings indicate that the combined use of seaweed extract and organic fertilizer can effectively enhance growth, yield, and bioactive compound content of roselle plants under the environmental conditions of central Iraq
Hibiscus sabdariffa L.; Seaweed extract; Organic fertilizer; Anthocyanin content; Calyx yield; Growth traits; RCBD; Iraq
Copyright (c) 2026 Ghada Khalid Mohsen Al-Shafai (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effects of Agricultural Sulfur and Salicylic Acid on Soil Nutrient Availability and Leaf Nutrient Concentration of Bitter Orange Seedlings under Water Stress
Agriculture in Iraq is increasingly challenged by water scarcity, which negatively affects plant growth, particularly evergreen species like sour orange (Citrus aurantium). Agricultural sulfur and salicylic acid are known to improve soil fertility and enhance plant tolerance to environmental stresses; however, their combined effect on sour orange seedlings under water stress has not been sufficiently studied. This experiment, conducted at the Department of Soil and Water Technologies, Al-Mussaib Technical College, during the 2025 season, aimed to evaluate the effects of sulfur application (0, 1000, 2000 kg ha⁻¹), salicylic acid spraying (0, 200, 400 mg L⁻¹), and water stress (50, 75, 100% field capacity) on soil nutrient availability and leaf nutrient concentration. One-year-old uniform seedlings were planted in pots containing a soil–peat moss mixture (1:2). Results showed that the highest sulfur level (S2) significantly improved all measured traits. Water stress at 75% field capacity (W2) enhanced soil nutrient availability, while full irrigation (W3) increased leaf nutrient concentration. Spraying with salicylic acid at 200 mg L⁻¹ (L1) significantly increased leaf nutrient concentrations. Two-factor interactions revealed that S2W2, S2L0, and W2L0 treatments maximized soil nutrient availability, whereas S2W3, S2L1, and W3L1 enhanced leaf nutrient concentrations. The three-factor interaction indicated that S2W2L0 was superior for soil nutrient availability, and S2W3L1 was most effective in increasing nutrient concentration in leaves. These findings highlight the potential of combining sulfur application and salicylic acid spraying under controlled water conditions to improve nutrient dynamics in sour orange cultivation under water-limited environments
Agricultural sulfur, Salicylic acid, Soil nutrients, Water stress
Copyright (c) 2026 Mohammed Laith Al-Azzawi, Mohammed T arkhan Abu Al-Mikh (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Aerobic and Anaerobic Biological Processes for Wastewater Treatment: Technologies, Performance Evaluation and Future Perspectives
Wastewater has proven to be one of the key environmental issues facing the world today as a result of the increasing amounts of untreated domestic, agricultural, and industrial wastewaters being discharged into the environment. Inefficient management of wastewater has been identified as posing serious risks to environmental sustainability. Among the various wastewater treatment processes, the biological processes have been widely used as they are cost-effective, easy to operate, environmentally friendly, and involve less energy and chemical usage. This study is aimed at providing a comprehensive review of aerobic and anaerobic biological processes used in the treatment of wastewater with special emphasis on advanced aerobic and anaerobic reactor processes, including the Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB), Expanded Granular Sludge Bed (EGSB), and the combination of anaerobic and aerobic processes. This study will examine the operational mechanisms, efficiencies, advantages, and limitations of the processes based on the existing scientific literature. Additionally, the study will examine the shortcomings of the existing biological processes and how the combination of aerobic and anaerobic processes can improve the efficiency of the processes while minimizing sludge production and increasing the resource recovery potential through the production of biogas. This study has established that the combination of anaerobic and aerobic processes can be used as a sustainable approach to the management of wastewater, especially in the developing world
Wastewater Treatment; Biological Degradation; Aerobic Treatment; Anaerobic Digestion; UASB Reactor; EGSB Reactor; Hybrid Treatment Systems
Copyright (c) 2026 Ammar Adil Hussein (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
An Inductive Study of the Iraqi Agricultural Reality and the Availability of Fodder with Climate Changes
This study investigated the implications of climate change on Iraqi agricultural sector and the feed availability, aiming to extrapolate these effects on essential livestock resources and crop production to suggest an adaptation strategies or interventions being considered to mitigate the effects of climate changes. All data were collected up to 31/ December/ 2023 from ministry of agriculture in Iraq. The results indicated political and economic stability, proper water management, support for agricultural development and farmer education create a strong agricultural environment capable of facing climate change. In addition, most tips to reduce climate change aren’t effective especially in the developing countries, so, we have to begin with the simplest way, by urban greening and increasing trees in and around cities, that leads to absorbing and decreasing carbon dioxide. Using drought-resistant varieties. Using efficient irrigation techniques.
desertification, forage crops, global warming, grain crops, rainfall
Copyright (c) 2026 Jamal Abdul Rahman Tawfeeq Al-Ani, Anwer Swad Abdul Azeez, Rasha Mohamed Shaker, Sahar Hashim Al-Hindawi, Salam Shaaban Ibrahim (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effect of Planting Dates on Growth Traits of Sunflower Genotypes and Their Selected Lines
A field experiment was conducted during the spring and autumn seasons of 2025 to cultivate sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) at the fields of Al-Mussaib Technical College, Babil Governorate / Al-Mussaib Project area, located about 40 km north of the governorate (longitude 44.50, latitude 32.50). The study aimed to investigate the effect of planting dates on growth traits of sunflower genotypes and their selected lines.The experiment included two factors: the first factor was six sunflower genotypes, and the second factor was three planting dates. The experiment was laid out according to a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a factorial arrangement.The results of statistical analysis showed significant differences among genotypes. The genotype Selected Zahra Al-Iraq recorded the highest mean plant height (176.00 cm), whereas the genotype Shamos recorded the lowest mean (156.33 cm). Planting dates had a significant effect, as the first planting date (20 June) gave the highest mean plant height (170.89 cm) compared with the third planting date (10 July), which gave the lowest mean (159.33 cm). The interaction treatment Selected Zahra Al-Iraq × first planting date recorded the highest value (181.00 cm), while Shamos × third planting date gave the lowest value (148.00 cm).For leaf area, significant differences were observed among genotypes. The genotype Selected Shamos achieved the highest mean leaf area (0.845 m²), whereas Zahra Al-Iraq recorded the lowest mean (0.535 m²). The first planting date (20 June) produced the highest mean leaf area (0.707 m²), while the third planting date (10 July) resulted in the lowest mean (0.671 m²). The interaction Selected Shamos × third planting date recorded the highest value (0.856 m²), whereas Zahra Al-Iraq × second planting date recorded the lowest value (0.474 m²).Significant differences among genotypes were also found for the leaf area index (LAI). The genotype Selected Zahra Al-Iraq recorded the highest mean (6.4842), while Shamos recorded the lowest mean (3.8596). The first planting date (20 June) resulted in the highest mean LAI (4.9384), compared with the third planting date (10 July), which gave the lowest mean (4.7768). The interaction Selected Zahra Al-Iraq × second planting date recorded the highest LAI (7.4600), whereas Shamos × second planting date recorded the lowest value (3.6010).Regarding head area, significant differences among genotypes were observed. The genotype Selected Argensun recorded the highest mean head area (383.57 cm²), while Zahra Al-Iraq recorded the lowest mean (323.33 cm²). The first planting date (20 June) gave the highest mean head area (389.05 cm²), whereas the third planting date (10 July) gave the lowest mean (328.07 cm²). The interaction treatments Argensun × first planting date and Selected Argensun × first planting date recorded the highest head area (430.00 cm²), while Zahra Al-Iraq × third planting date recorded the lowest value (280.00 cm²).
Helianthus annuus L.; Sowing date; Genetic variation; Morphological traits; Leaf area; Leaf area index; Capitulum diameter; Yield components; Agro-environmental conditions
Copyright (c) 2026 Mushtaq K. Sraih, Abdullah F. Sarheed (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effect of adding vermicompost extract and spraying with nano iron and boron on the vegetative traits of papaya trees (Carica papaya L.)
. The field study was conducted at Al-Musauib Papaya Orchard in October 2024 and June 2025. This study was carried out to assess the effect of vermicompost extract and the application of nano iron/boron foliar sprays on the fruit's mineral content. The experiment was arranged in complete randomized blocks with three factors and three replications each. The factors are vermicompost extract at 0.50 ml/L with two levels, nano boron at 0, 5, 15, and 10 mg/L, and nano iron at 0, 2, 4, and 6 mg/L. The significant findings of this experiment are as follows: the treatment with vermicompost at 50 ml/L gave the largest leaf area at 153.67 cm², the tallest stem at 403.77 cm, the largest stem diameter at 567.27 mm, and the highest chlorophyll content at 36.858 SPAD units compared to the control treatment. Boron nanoparticles at 15 mg/L resulted in the maximum leaf area (158.88 cm²), stem height (419.29 cm), stem diameter (579.64 mm), and chlorophyll content (38.656 SPAD) compared with the control. Nano iron at 6 mg/L resulted in the maximum leaf area (173.92 cm²), stem height (466.83 cm), stem diameter (678.70 mm), and chlorophyll content (45.465 SPAD) compared with the control. Combined effect of two factors resulted in the most favorable results. Combined effect of three factors resulted in optimal results with leaf area 175.00 cm², stem height 474.00 cm, stem diameter 694.00 mm, and chlorophyll content 43.753 SPAD. In contrast, the control resulted in the lowest values with leaf area 121.33 cm², stem height 277.33 cm, stem diameter 341.50 mm, and chlorophyll content 26.243 SPAD
nano boron , nano iron , papaya , vegetative, vermicompost
Copyright (c) 2026 Zahraa Aqeel Hasan Al-Khatib, Sabaa Jawad Abdulkadhim, Raad Taha Muhammad Ali Blacket (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effect of Growth Regulators and Exogenous Arginine on the In Vitro Micropropagation of ‘Sweet Sapphire’ Grape
This study aimed to optimize an in vitro micropropagation protocol for the grapevine cultivar Sweet Sapphire (Witch Fingers) by determining the optimal concentrations of plant growth regulators during the establishment, multiplication, rooting, and acclimatization stages. The experiments were conducted at the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory, Al-Musayyib Technical College, from March to October 2025, using nodal explants approximately 1 cm in length.The results of the establishment stage showed that the interaction between 2-isopentenyl adenine (2iP) at 2 mg·L⁻¹ and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) at 0.5 mg·L⁻¹ produced the highest number of leaves and the longest shoots. During the multiplication stage, the combination of 2iP at 2 mg·L⁻¹ with NAA at 0.25 mg·L⁻¹ resulted in the highest number of shoots. In the rooting stage, the interaction between benzyl adenine (BA) at 2 mg·L⁻¹, arginine at 200 mg·L⁻¹, and activated charcoal at 400 mg·L⁻¹ achieved the greatest root length. For acclimatization, the substrate composed of peat moss and perlite at a ratio of 1:2 recorded the highest plant survival rate (90%). These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the identified concentrations in producing uniform, disease-free grapevine plantlets with high efficiency, supporting their application in grapevine micropropagation programs.
Exogenous arginine; Growt regulators; In vitro culture; Micropropagation; Sweet Sapphire grape
Copyright (c) 2026 Saif A. Raja, Omar H. Obaid (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Integrated Management of Okra Root Rot Disease Caused by the Fungus Rhizoctonia solani
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the biological pesticide NOVO TREAT, the biological control agent Trichoderma harzianum, and the chemical fungicide Metalaxyl, in addition to the two control treatments, infected and non-infected, in controlling the okra root rot disease caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. The study showed that the biological pesticide NOVO TREAT was the best in inhibiting the growth of the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. This is due to the active ingredients in the biological pesticide, which are responsible for the induction of plant resistance against the pathogenic fungus. This led to the improvement of plant growth in all the studied plant vegetative and root parts by stimulating plant growth, improving the quality of plant yield, and productivity. In addition, the treatment led to the improvement of the quality of the plant’s environment and the development of plant immunity against pathogenic agents by activating plant defense mechanisms. The biological pesticide NOVO TREAT was highly efficient in improving plant growth in terms of plant height, leaf length, and leaf width. Plant height increased to 34.344 cm, leaf length increased to 12.855 cm, and leaf width increased to 11.222 cm. There was a significant increase in the amount of chlorophyll in the plant in comparison to the non-infected control treatment, in which the plant’s height was 6.833 cm, the plant’s leaf length was 5.966 cm, and the amount of chlorophyll in the plant was 2.524 SPAD. The biological pesticide NOVO TREAT played an effective role in the induction of plant resistance against the fungus Rhizoctonia solani, resulting in the improvement of plant growth in several ways. The biological control agent Trichoderma harzianum was the second treatment in inhibiting the growth of the fungus Rhizoctonia solani in the plant, resulting in the improvement of plant growth in terms of plant height, which reached 28.633 cm, and plant leaf length, which reached 11.266 cm. The chemical fungicide Metalaxyl was the third treatment in improving plant growth in terms of plant vegetative and root parts, while the infected control treatment showed the least significant values among the treatments.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mazin Badri Al-Ethawi, Ibrahim Abdullah Khalil, Firas Hamad Awad, Huda Hazim Al-Taae (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Biological management of root rot disease of sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) caused by Phytophthora nicotianae
Root rot disease of sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) caused by Phytophthora nicotianae was investigated using morphological, molecular, and biological control approaches. Seven Phytophthora spp. isolates were obtained from infected citrus roots collected from different locations in Babil Governorate, Iraq. Morphological characterization on PDA medium revealed fast-growing, white to cream-colored, cottony colonies with irregular margins. Pathogenicity tests indicated that P. nicotianae isolates Phy1 and Phy5 exhibited the highest disease severity, reaching 74.87% and 71.53%, respectively, after 30 days of inoculation. Molecular identification based on ITS1 and ITS4 regions confirmed the morphological diagnosis. The pathogenic fungus P. nicotianae was registered under accession number PV99958.1 and showed 85% sequence similarity with the Moscow isolate (AY773099.1). The biocontrol fungus Trichoderma harzianum was registered under accession number MT358869.1 and exhibited 98.44% similarity with the reference isolate (PQ409493.1). In vitro antagonistic assays demonstrated that Lysinibacillus sphaericus completely inhibited the growth of P. nicotianae (100% inhibition) at a concentration of 160 × 10⁵ CFU ml⁻¹. Brevibacillus paramycoides also showed strong antifungal activity, achieving 94.44% inhibition at 8 × 10⁸ CFU ml⁻¹, while T. harzianum reduced fungal growth by 91.11%. Greenhouse experiments revealed that biological control agents (L. sphaericus, B. paramycoides, and T. harzianum), in addition to animal organic wastes (cow, sheep, and poultry manure), significantly reduced disease severity and seedling mortality compared with the untreated control. These results indicate that integrated biological control strategies represent a promising and eco-friendly approach for managing root rot disease caused by P. nicotianae in sour orange
P. nicotianae . T. harzianum. B. paramycoides. Citrus
Copyright (c) 2025 Al-Furat Journal of Innovations in Agricultural Sciences https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Effect of Planting Dates and Plant Density on Some Yielding and Qualitative Traits of Soybeans Glycine max L.) under the conditions of Deir Ezzor Governorate
A field experiment was conducted at Saalo Research Station, Deir Ezzor Agricultural Research Center, Syria, during the 2024 growing season to investigate the effects of planting date and plant density on yield and quality traits of soybean line SB-335. The experiment was arranged as a split-plot design within a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Three planting dates (1, 15, and 30 May) were assigned to main plots, while three plant densities (55,000, 83,000, and 166,000 plants ha⁻¹, corresponding to 30, 20, and 10 cm within-row spacing with fixed 60 cm between rows) were assigned to subplots. Measured traits included height to the first pod, number of pods plant⁻¹, 100-seed weight, seed yield, and oil percentage. Results showed that early planting (1 May) significantly increased pods plant⁻¹ (28.43), 100-seed weight (13.52 g), seed yield (3.16 t ha⁻¹), and oil content (16.44%), while decreasing height to the first pod (6.5 cm) compared to late planting dates. Increasing plant density from 55,000 to 166,000 plants ha⁻¹ significantly increased seed yield (2.82 t ha⁻¹) and height to the first pod (8.28 cm), but decreased pods plant⁻¹ (21.69) and oil percentage (14.53%). A significant interaction between planting date and density was observed for seed yield and oil content. Maximum seed yield (3.61 t ha⁻¹) was achieved with early planting (1 May) at 166,000 plants ha⁻¹, while maximum oil content (18.53%) occurred at early planting with 55,000 plants ha⁻¹. Under Deir Ezzor conditions, planting SB-335 on 1 May at 166,000 plants ha⁻¹ is recommended to maximize seed yield
Planting dates, Plant densities, Soybeans, Glycine max and seed yields
The Effect of Irrigation Intervals and Spraying with Nano-Silicon Concentrations on Some quality Characteristics of Three Soybean Cultivars
A field experiment was conducted on three soybeans cultivars (Shaimaa, Warka and Rami) during the 2024-2025 growing seasons in one of the farmers’ fields located in northern Babylon, 50 km south of Baghdad, to study the effect of irrigation intervals, cultivars, and silicon concentrations on some quality traits. The results showed that the cultivar Shaimaa, with a silicon concentration of 4 ml L⁻¹ and an irrigation interval of 6 days, was superior to the other treatments in leaf nitrogen concentration, recording the highest mean values of 3.97 and 4.22 mg kg⁻¹ for the two seasons, respectively. In contrast, the cultivar Rami, under the control treatment with a 10 day irrigation interval, gave the lowest mean values of leaf nitrogen concentration, 2.46 and 2.45 mg kg⁻¹ for the two seasons, respectively. The triple interaction among cultivars, silicon concentrations, and irrigation intervals had a significant effect on leaf protein percentage. The cultivar Shaimaa with a 6day irrigation interval and 4 ml L⁻¹ silicon concentration showed the highest mean values of 24.81% and 26.38% for the two seasons,compared to the control treatment of cultivar Rami with a 10 day irrigation interval, which recorded the lowest mean value of 15.31% for both seasons. The results also indicated that Shaimaa, under a 6day irrigation interval and 4 ml L⁻¹ silicon concentration, significantly outperformed the other treatments in seed nitrogen concentration, giving the highest mean values of 6.01 and 6.17 mg kg⁻¹ for the two seasons, respectively, compared to Rami under the control treatment with a 10 day irrigation interval, which showed the lowest mean values of 4.20 and 4.21 mg kg⁻¹ for the two seasons, respectively. the data were statistically analyzed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) method based on a split-panel design applied using a randomized complete block design with Genstat software. statistical differences between the arithmetic means were tested using the least significant difference (LSD) value at a probability level of 0.05 for each source of variance .The study recommends adopting nano-silicone spraying with appropriate irrigation intervals, as it plays an effective role in improving the growth of soybean plants and increasing seed yield, taking into account the different responses of the studied varieties
soybeans , Glycine max , Nano-Silicon ,irrigation intervelas
THE EFFECT OF BIOFERTILIZER AND COMPOST ON THE GROWTH OF ROSEMARY PLANTS
The research was conducted in the Hussainiya Holy Shrine nursery to find out the effect of organic and biological mixtures on the growth of rosemary plants, as two factors were used in the experiment (Compost and Biohelth) and each factor had four levels. The second Biohelth (5, 10 and 15) g.l-1 in addition to the control treatment. The experiment was designed according to a completely randomized C.R.D design and for three replicates, each replicate contained three plastic pots and one plant per pot. The L.S.D test was adopted to determine the level of significance among the experimental treatments. The results showed that the interaction between compost + Biohealth treatment was superior to all treatments if the treatment gave 30% compost + Biohealth 10 g.l-1 the highest significant increase for plant height, number of leaves, number of vegetative branches, dry weight of vegetative total, root length and number of roots (64.67cm, 31.33 leaf, 25.88 branch, 6.67 gm, 19.3 cm, 53.00root respectively).
EVALUATION OF THE PERFORMANCE OF THREE POTATO GENOTYPES UNDER THE BIOLOGICAL AND ORGANIC FERTILIZATION
This study was carried out during the winter season of 2020 to evaluate the performance of three genotypesof potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) with the effect of biological ferttilizer(Mycorrhizae(MY) and Azotobacter(AZ))and organic ferttilizer(chickens Residual (I)) the included of eight levels of ferttilizer(0,MY,AZ,I,(MY+AZ),MY*I,AZ*I,(MY+AZ)*I) and the genotypeswere (HERMOSA, SIFRA and ALVERSTONE). the Potato tubers were planted in Babylon Governorate / Al-Musayyab project area using a factorial experiment according to the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications to study the characteristics of genotypes growth and yield. the study showed significant differences for all the studied traits among genotypes , fertilizer treatments and the interaction among genotypes and fertilizer treatments.the treatment (organic (I) with HERMOSA variety ) gave the highest average in plant height (69.85) cm , as compared to ( control with ALVERSTONE variety ) treatment which gave the lowest average (41.87) cm . while the treatment (organic (I) with HERMOSA variety ) and (organic (I) with (MY+AZ) with HERMOSA variety) gave the highest average in leaf area of the plant (8160 and 7918) cm2.plant-1respectively , as compared to ( control with ALVERSTONE variety ) treatment which gave the lowest average (3514) cm2.plant-1. while the treatment (control with SIFRA variety ) gave the highest average in The relative content of chlorophyll in leaves (26.74) , as compared to ( azotobacter with ALVERSTONE variety ) treatment which gave the lowest average (11.66). while The treatment ((MY+AZ) with ALVERSTONE variety ) gave the highest average in Marketable tuber weight (161.39) gm , as compared to ( (MY+AZ)*I with HERMOSA variety ) treatment which gave the lowest average (75.20) gm . while The treatment ( organic (I) with HERMOSA variety ) gave the highest average in Percentage of dry matter in tubers (67.70) (%), as compared to ( (MY+AZ)*I with ALVERSTONE variety ) treatment which gave the lowest average (22.92) (%).while The treatment ( organic (I) and Azotobacter with ALVERSTONE variety ) gave the highest average in Total yield per plant (802.20) g. plant-1 , as compared to ( control with SIFRA variety ) treatment which gave the lowest average (221.90) g. plant-1. the aim of study is to find the best varety was ALVERSTONE and the AZ*I best treatment
Mycorrhizae, Azotobacter , Organic fertilizer, potato
Effect of ground addition and spraying with ALGA seaweed extract on the chemical traits of Citrus aurantium seedlings
This study aimed to isolate some pathogenic fungi from tomato plants infected with root rot disease, diagnose them, test their pathogenicity, and try to control the causes of tomato root rot disease using EM-1 microorganism preparations under laboratory conditions. The results of the field survey that was conducted in some fields of Karbala, Baghdad and Babylon governorates showed the spread of root rot disease in the areas covered by the field survey, with an infection rate ranging between 62-100% and an infection severity of 35-57%. Several types of fungi were isolated and identified from the roots of tomato plants infected with root rot disease. The most frequent pathogenic fungi were Fusarium solani, followed by Rhizoctonia solani and Macrophomina phaseolina. The results showed that all tested fungi isolates were pathogenic and led to any significant reduction in the percentage of germination, compared to the comparison treatment. The results showed the ability of the EM1 microorganism preparation to inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi F.solani Fs1, R.solani Rs5 and M. phaseolina Mp8 on PDA culture medium. The EM1 showed the highest effect at 5, 10 and 15% concentrations on pathogenic fungi growth, as the percentage reached The percentage of inhibition is 100%.
Tomato, fungi, root rot, Effective microorganism, disease
A factorial experiment was conducted in lathhouse covered with saran affiliated to Al- Musayyib Technical College at the age of 2 years planted in plastic anvils during the growing season 2021 to study the effect of ground application and spraying with seaweed extract with concentration (0,15,20,25) cm 3 / L for both addition methods and the interaction between them in the vegetative growth and chemical traits under study of citrus seedlings, and using the randomized complete sector design with three replications. The results showed significant differences when ground application and spray addition of algae extract in vegetative and chemical traits under study. The ground addition achieved 25 cm3 / L had the highest average values ​​for the studied traits, while the comparison treatment gave the lowest values ​​for traits under study
ALGA, Citrus, seedlings, ground addition, spraying
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS OF GROUND FERTILIZATION AND OPTIMUS PLUS NANO-FOLIAR ON SOME YIELD TRAITS AND OIL PERCENTAGE OF YELLOW CORN
A study was conducted in the experimental fields of Ibn Al-Bitar preparatory School in the north of Karbala for the spring season, with the aim of knowing the influence of spraying various concentrations of Optimus Plus nano-foliar and combinations of ground fertilization on the yield of the corn plant. The Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used with three replications, a factorial experiment, and two factors, the first (100% full mineral fertilizer recommendation). A mineral fertilizer recommendation of 50% with an organic recommendation of 50%, a recommendation of a mineral fertilizer of 50% with a recommendation of a micronutrients fertilizer 50%, a recommendation of a mineral fertilizer of 50%, an organic fertilizer of 25% and micronutrients 25%).The second factor included different concentrations of Optimus Plus, which are (0, 3, and 6 ml.L-1). The results showed that Optimus Plus nano-foliar treatment the concentration (3 ml L-1) and the fertilizer combination (recommended mineral fertilizer 50%, organic 25% and microelements 25%)was significantly excelled by recording it the highest averages for the traits of the rows number per cob, the biological yield, the yield of one plant, the percentage of oil and The grains number per row
yellow corn ground fertilization, biological yield, Optimus Plus nano-foliar
EFFECT OF AGE ON SOMEN QUALITY AND SOME MINIRALS, AND TESTOSTERONE HORMONE IN AWASSI RAMS
The study was conducted in the laboratories of the Musayyib Technical College in cooperation with a private field for sheep breeding in Al-Mahaweel District / Babylon Governorate from September to November 2020, to study the effect of age on semen quality and some minerals, and testosterone hormone, thanks. of Awassi rams, 12 Awassi rams were used and divided into three categories. Age, the first: 1-3 years, the second: 3-5 years, and the third: over 5 years old. Blood was drawn, serum was separated, and its biochemical and hormonal components were analyzed. The results of the study showed a highly significant (p≤0.01)) for the age group greater than 5 years in zinc ion (Zn) concentration compared to other age groups. There was a significant superiority (p≤0.01) for the age group 3-5 years in calcium (Ca) concentration and testosterone level over the other age groups. A highly significant (P≤0.01) was observed for the age group 1-3 years in the concentration of iron ions (Fe) compared with other age groups. The results of the study also showed a positive, direct and highly significant correlation of (Ca) with the testosterone hormone, and a negative, inverse and highly significant correlation coefficient between (Zn) and iron. with testosterone
Semen, Awassi rams, Minerals, Testosterone hormone
Evaluation the efficiency of different concentrations of Chitosan, regular and Nano urea fertilizer in inhibiting the growth of the fungi Penicillium digitatum and P. italicum that cause Green and Blue mold on oranges
The results showed isolating the pathogen from the infected orange fruits, which were collected randomly from the local markets of Babylon Governorate / Al-Musayyab district. Four isolates of Pencillium digitatum and three isolates of Pencillium italicum were obtained. One isolate of Aspergillus fumigatus was discovered. The study showed the superiority of Nano urea fertilizer over regular urea fertilizer, but with a small percentage in inhibiting both P. digitatum and P. italicum. The percentage of inhibition achieved 88.88, 100 and 100% for each of the concentrations 5, 10 and 15%, respectively, for P. digitatum, and the percentage of inhibition of 89.25, 100 and 100% for each of the concentrations 5, 10 and 15% for P. italicum, respectively, compared to With regular urea fertilizer. The results showed that there were significant differences between the regular and Nano chitosan treatments and the comparison treatment with its effect on the growth rate of P. digitatum and P. italicum for both normal and Nano chitosan, each of which achieved a high rate of inhibition of the two pathogenic fungi.
Pathogenic fungi, green mold, Blue mold, Orange, chitosan