The presented study determined the effects of wheat seed rate and herbicide types on weed population and growth and the grain yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment had a randomized complete block design with a split plot arrangement and two factors. The first factor was three seed rates (100, 150, and 200 kg ha^-1), and the second was the use of two herbicides (chemical herbicide ‘Chevalier’ at 300 g ha^-1, and biological herbicide ‘Trichozon’ 2 g m^-2), with the control treatment (with no herbicide). The results showed the significant superiority of the highest seed rate (200 kg ha^-1) recording minimal weeds and the lowest weed dry weight per square meter. The said seed rate also gave the highest plant height, number of tillers and spikes, and grain and biological yields. In contrast, the seed rate of 100 kg ha^-1 emerged with the maximum weeds, weed dry weight per square meter and number of kernels per spike. The chemical herbicide Chevalier showed superiority in recording the least weeds and lowest weed dry weight per square meter, the highest plant height, number of tillers and spikes per meter square, and maximum grain and biological yields.

Keywords: Wheat, seed rate, herbicide types, weeds population, growth and yield traits

Key findings: The study revealed the seed rate of 200 kg ha^-1 and the use of chemical herbicide ‘Chevalier’ reduced the weeds population and its dry weight in the wheat crop, which eventually enhanced the crop’s growth and yield.

The current investigations on green onion (Allium cepa L.) commenced during the crop season of 2021–2022 at the University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq. The presented research examined the effect of foliar application of humic acid and seaweed extract on the growth and production of green onions. The first factor involved spraying of humic acid (H) at different concentrations (0, 1, and 2 ml L^-1). The second factor had the foliar application of seaweed extract (Super 50) (S) with different concentrations (0, 1, and 2 ml L^-1). The study used the local onion cultivar Crystal in the research, planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Furthermore, spraying with seaweed extract, and humic acid not only exceeded the control treatment in tubular leaf count, bulb width, and bulb length, but also surpassed the vegetative growth and growth rate in onions. The best measurements came from the foliar treatment, where the interaction of humic acid with seaweed with the same concentration (2 ml L^-1) resulted in no significant differences for growth traits and bulb yield. However, the bulb yield was 693.3 t ha^-1 in the experimental treatments, while 553.3 t ha^-1 for the control group.

Keywords: Green onion (Allium cepa L.), humic acid, seaweed, factors interaction, growth, bulb yield traits

Key findings: Modern fertilization methods, including using organic fertilizers and seaweed, resulted in enhanced vegetative growth attributes and increased yield of green onions (Allium cepa L.).

The study commenced in March-September, 2023, in the canopy of the University of Kerbala, Kerbala, Iraq. The experiment’s implementation relied on a completely randomized block design (RCBD) with three factors. The first was pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars (Wonderful and Slimi), the second was the marine algae extract at three concentrations (0, 1.5, and 3 ml L^-1), and the third was the Humax acid at three concentrations (0, 0.25, and 0.50 g L^-1). The most important results revealed the Wonderful cultivar significantly superior to the Slimi cultivar in all studied vegetative traits, recording the highest average of the following: increases in the seedling height, seedling stem diameter, the number of leaves per seedling, the total leaf area, relative moisture content in the leaves, and dry matter percentage. The marine algae treatment of 3 ml L^-1 showed significant superiority to other extract concentrations in the vegetative growth trait. It included increases in the seedling height, seedling stem diameter, number of leaves per seedling, total leaf area, relative moisture content in the leaves, and dry matter percentage. Humax acid treatment of 0.50 g L^-1 was notably better than the other Humax acid concentrations in all studied vegetative traits.

Keywords: Pomegranate (P. granatum L.), cultivars, marine algae extract, Humax acid, growth traits

Key findings: The treatment of the cultivar Wonderful with 3 ml L^-1 of marine algae extract and 0.50 g L^-1 of Humax acid recorded the highest average in all vegetative growth traits of the pomegranate (P. granatum L.).

An investigation of the effects of varying lime concentrations (0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%, 0.7%, and 0.9%) on the color and sensory properties of quispiño, a traditional product made from the grains of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), was the focus of this study. The primary objectives were to evaluate the influence of lime concentrations on color parameters (L*, a*, b*, chromaticity, and hue angle), assess the net color difference (ΔE) between raw and cooked dough, and conduct a sensory acceptability test. The results showed significant variations in the color properties of the dough, with the optimal lime concentration (0.7%) superior for color maintenance and sensory acceptability. The optimal concentration achieved the balance between the visual appearance and flavor. However, the higher lime concentration (0.9%) improved the taste and aroma but affecting the appearance. Sensory evaluation involving 40 untrained panelists confirmed that quispiño with lime concentration at 0.7% was the most acceptable for color, taste, and appearance. The latest research highlighted the cultural and biochemical importance of lime in traditional food preparation, providing a scientific basis for optimizing traditional products like quispiño, while maintaining their sensory and cultural significance.

Keywords: Quispiño, Quinoa (C. quinoa), lime concentrations, color properties, sensory evaluation, traditional food

Key findings: For quispiño preparation, the optimal lime concentration (0.7%) proved most appropriate for balancing its color, taste, and appearance. Higher lime level (0.9%) enhanced the flavor and aroma, but negatively affected the appearance.

Aimed at determining the effects of topping and various concentrations of ethephon on production traits of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), the latest research proceeded during the winter of 2022–2023 at the University of Basrah, Iraq (30° 57ʹ N latitude, 47° 80ʹ longitude). The experiment layout was in a randomized complete block design, with two factors and three replications according to split plot arrangement. The topping and ethephon occupied the main plots, with symbols as T = topping, E0 = zero ethephon concentration, E1 = 1 ml L^-1 ethephon, and E2 = 2 ml L^-1 ethephon. The subplots comprised crop development and growth stages (elongation, flowering, and branching) represented by the symbols S1, S2, and S3. The evaluated traits consisted of plant height (cm), number of branches (branches m^-2), leaf area (cm²), pods per plant (pods plant^-1), seeds per pod (seeds pod^-1), 1000-seed weight (g), seed yield per plant (g plant^-1), and harvest index (%). The findings indicated ethephon concentrations and topping significantly differed for most traits. The ethephon with concentration of 2 ml L^-1 showed the highest seed yield (21.38 g plant^-1); however, it has a nonsignificant difference from the topping treatment (20.75 g plant^-1). The study showed that spraying at various growth stages had relevant effects on most studied features, and the S1 stage gave remarkable results, with the maximum seed yield (19.26 g plant^-1). The combination of spraying ethephon (E2, 2 ml L^-1) at the S1 stage had the best results, exhibiting the premier grain yield (24.03 g plant^-1). However, the said treatment was at par with the topping treatment at the same growth stage (23.44 g plant-1).

Keywords: Rapeseed (B. napus L.), ethephon, topping, growth stages, production, morphological and yield traits

Key findings: The rapeseed (B. napus L.) best performed with topping and foliar application of ethephon at 2 mL/L, giving the highest yield of 21.38 and 20.75 g/plant. The topping and spraying had better results for most traits assessed, including plant yield during the elongation stage (S1).

Nitrogen is a macronutrient considered as one of the important components to combat the nutritional deficiency in growth and yield-related traits, and help physiological processes in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop. The presented study sought to evaluate two Iraqi wheat cultivars (Babel-113 and Bahouth-10) in integration with three nitrogen fertilizer (NF) levels (50, 75, and 100 kg N ha^-1), carried out in 2022–2023 at the Al-Hashimiya Agriculture Directorate, Hilla City, Iraq. The study proceeded in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) using a split-plot arrangement, with two factors and three replications. The results showed wheat cultivar Babel-113 was significantly better than the other cultivar Bahouth-10 in all studied traits. Cultivar Babel-113 performed better in traits, germination ratio, germination speed, plant height, leaf area, spikes number, grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, and grain yield (88.39%, 84.49%, 91.40 cm, 31.45 cm², 469, 92.07, 51.34 g, and 5.226 t ha^-1, respectively). The NF with the highest dose (100 kg N ha^-1) proved significantly superior to two other lower doses (50 and 75 kg N ha^-1) in all studied traits. Wheat cultivars (Babel-113 and Bahouth- 10) combined with the nitrogen fertilizer 100 kg N ha^-1 showed the best performance than all other interactions.

Keywords: Wheat (T. aestivum L.), cultivars, nitrogen fertilizer, sprinkler irrigation, germination ratio, growth and yield traits

Key findings: The results showed wheat (T. aestivum L.) cultivars Babel-113 and Bahouth-10 combined with NF 100 kg N ha^-1 performed better for all the traits. However, cultivar Babel-113 was leading compared with Bahouth-10 for growth and yield traits.

A field experiment commenced during the winter of 2020–2021 at the Al-Hamdhyia Research Station, College of Agriculture, University of Anbar, Anbar, Iraq. The research evaluated the growth, yield, and quality traits of four flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) cultivars (Sakha-1, Sakha-4, Sakha-6, and Local) under the influence of three levels of potassium fertilizer (0, 25, and 50 kg ha^-1). The experiment, in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), had a factorial arrangement and three replications. The results showed the flax cultivar Sakha-1 was significantly superior in the fruiting branches per plant, capsules per plant, seeds per capsule, seed yield (1.297 t ha^-1), and seed oil percentage. However, cultivar Sakha-4 excelled in plant height, straw yield, fiber length, and fiber yield (1.869 t ha^-1). Moreover, the increased level of potassium fertilizer (50 kg ha^-1) led to a significant increase in its plant height, fruiting branches per plant, seeds per capsule (8.01 seed capsule^-1), and oil percentage. Meanwhile, the potassium fertilizer increase at 25 kg ha^-1 was substantially superior in the capsules per plant and seed yield (1.261 t ha^-1) for the Sakha-4 cultivar.

Keywords: Flax (L. usitatissimum L.), potassium levels, growth and morphological traits, seed yield, seed oil percentage, fiber yield

Key findings: The flax (L. usitatissimum L.) cultivars significantly differed for morphological traits. Flax genotypes showed varied values for various agronomic and quality traits with different levels of potassium. For improving the flax seed oil and lint, cultivars Sakha-1 and Sakha-4 could benefit as a breeding source for further improvement.