The study investigated the stimulation of callus tissue from explants (growing apex, true leaves, and hypocotyl segments) of medicinal Pimpinella anisum plant using an L2 medium supplemented with different levels of growth regulators 2,4-D, AgNO₃, and biotic elicitors (Aspergillus flavus, Mucor spp., and yeast extract) to the secondary metabolite induction. Callus formation induced from the single node explants had culture on the L2 medium. The addition of yeast extract 750 mg L^-1 to the medium was superior in the highest average fresh and dry weight of 435.79 and 0.616mg, respectively. The treatment at 300mg L^-1 of Mucor spp. recorded the highest rate of fresh and dry weight of the callus tissue. When cultured on 500 mg L^-1 of Aspergillus flavus, fresh and dry callus weights were 376.09 and 0.628mg, respectively. The different levels of biotic elicitors (Aspergillus flavus, Mucor spp., and yeast extract) stimulate the production of essential oil t-anethole from the callus tissue when added to the medium. The results also showed that the highest increase in the amount of vital oil t-anethole occurred when the medium included 500 mg L^-1 of the yeast extract. It recorded 2.969 mg L^-1 dry weight (DW). The MS medium supplied with 500 mg L^-1 Aspergillus flavus provided a maximum value in the t-anethole essential oil, reaching 3.756 mg L^-1 DW of the callus. Meanwhile, the 300 mg L^-1 of Mucor spp. recorded the utmost amount of crucial oil t-anethole at 3.945 mg L^-1 DW.

Keywords: Pimpinella anisum L., biotic elicitors, growth regulators, yeast extract, secondary metabolite, callus, in vitro

Key findings: The secondary metabolite compounds estimation ensued by quantitative and qualitative analysis using the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) device for extract samples separated from seedlings growing in vitro. For induction and multiplication of callus tissue, applying the seedling explants of the Pimpinella anisum plant occurred. The single-node explants had a high ability to induce callus, one of the best explants used to stimulate callus tissue, followed by hypocotyl segments, then dicotyledonous leaves. The addition of yeast extract led to a response affecting the average fresh and dry weight and the properties of the callus.

Determining the effects of organic fertilizer and foliar application of mallow leaf extract on the growth and yield of eggplant was the aim of this latest study held in spring 2021 in the Al-Najaf Province, Iraq. The treatments comprising adding decomposed palm waste to the soil at three levels (0, 16, and 32 mg ha^-1), foliar application of mallow leaf extract at three concentrations (0, 0.2, and 0.4 gm.l^-1), and their interactions incurred probing in eggplants. The experiment began in a randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with factorial arrangement and three replications. The results obtained through the analysis of variance continued to further evaluation through the least significant difference test to compare and separate the various means. The results showed that organic fertilization with decomposing palm residues at 32 mg ha^-1 significantly outperformed the other treatments for plant height, total leaves, dry weight of vegetative growth, fruits per plant, yield per plant, total yield, nitrogen (%), and total chlorophyll content in the leaves.

Keywords: Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), organic fertilization, Malva parviflora L., growth and yield traits, nitrogen, chlorophyll content, carbohydrates

Key findings: Organic fertilization with decomposing palm residues (32 mg ha^-1) outperformed the other treatments for plant height, number of leaves, dry weight of vegetative growth, fruits per plant, yield per plant, total yield, nitrogen (%), and total chlorophyll content in the leaves.

The existing study aimed to assess four soil moisture sensors’ capacitive (WH51 and SKU: S EN0193) and resistive (Yl69 and IC Station) abilities, which are affordable and medium-priced for their accuracy in six common soil types in the central region of Iraq. The readings’ calibration for the soil moisture sensor devices continued through two gravimetric methods. The first depended on the protocols’ database, while the second was the traditional calibration method. The second method recorded the lowest analysis error compared with the first. The moderate-cost sensor WH51 showed the lowest standard error (SE), MAD , and RMSE and the highest R² in both methods. The performance accuracy of WH51 was close to readings shown by the manufacturing company (1%), as the MAD amounted to 1.62%. Through both methods, the average MAD for sensors ranged from 4.76% to 7.36%, with this result considered acceptable, especially for low-cost sensors with insufficient available information for accuracy. In general, the average mean absolute percentage (MAPE) for all sensors was 25.54%, which means that the validity of the measurement for the l ow-cost sensors reached 7 5%. It encourages their use by plant breeders in irrigation, as the error rate was less than the specified depletion of 50% for available water in irrigation, where all study textures showed that the sensor reading reached the limits of 72 (±2), adopting 3% MAD for all sensors. The study affirms that, except for the IC station sensor recommended for irrigation use only in sandy-sandy loam soils, low-cost sensors have suitable accuracy for irrigation management.

Keywords: Soil moisture sensors, gravimetric methods, calibration equations, accuracy, MAPE , WH51

Key findings: For all the sensors’ calibration through both methods, the average MAD ranged from 4.76% to 7.36%, and these results showed considerable acceptance, especially for low-cost sensors. In general, the average mean absolute percentage (MAPE) for all sensors was 25.54%, which authenticates the validity of the measurements for inexpensive sensors (75% or more), encouraging their use in the irrigation field by applying its calibration equation.

Experiments to evaluate the performance of 10 bread wheat genotypes with nitrogen deficiency and diagnose the optimal genotype for the appropriate environment commenced in the winter seasons, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, in three locations of Iraq, i.e., Baghdad, Wasit, and Diwaniyah. All the experiments had a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split-plot arrangement. Nitrogen levels (0, 50, and 100 kg N ha^-1) occupied the prime plots, with 10 wheat genotypes (T2, T3, S1, S2, S148, IPA99, Adana99, Rasheed, Buhooth-10, and Buhooth-22) allocated to the subplots with three replications in each location. The interaction of wheat genotypes, nitrogen levels, and locations revealed that genotype S2 with 50 kg N ha^-1 at Baghdad showed the highest mean nitrogen use efficiency at 105.00 and 96.00 for 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, respectively. However, these values showed nonsignificant differences from the obtained values of wheat genotypes S148 and the IPA-99 during the second season, in the same location and fertilizer level, i.e., 92.87 and 90.00, respectively. Also, the genotype S2 gave the highest grain yield (6.53 t ha^-1) with N2 fertilizer level in the Baghdad site, not differing significantly from two other wheat genotypes, S148 and IPA99 (6.13 and 5.85 t ha^-1, respectively) in the second season. The presented study authenticated that some wheat genotypes provided good yield under nitrogen stress (50 kg N ha^-1), as there were no significant increases in grain yield when doubling the nitrogen level (100 kg N ha^-1). Therefore, the study suggested these genotypes’ cultivation with nitrogen deficiency to preserve a healthy environment and promote sustainable agriculture.

Keywords: Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), cultivars, nitrogen levels, locations, genotype by environment interaction, combined analysis, biological and grain yield

Key findings: Wheat genotype S2 with 50 kg N ha^-1 in Baghdad for both seasons had the highest nitrogen utilization efficiency of 105.00 and 96.00. Likewise, the genotypes S-148 and IPA-99 yielded 92.87 and 90.00 in the second season at the exact location with the same nitrogen level. In Baghdad, genotype S2 with 100 kg N ha^-1 produced 6.53 t ha^-1 and was at par with S-148 and IPA-99, which yielded 6.13 and 5.85 t ha^-1 in the second season.

The pertinent study investigated during autumn 2022 the effects of different fertilizer combinations and plant spacing on broccoli at the University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq, to improve the broccoli plant’s growth and productivity. The first factor comprised two planting distances (35 and 45 cm), and the second factor consisted of six levels of five different mineral fertilizer combinations obtained from N₁₅P₁₅K₁₅S₁₅ (rate of 400 kg/ha) and N₁₀P₅K₇S₁₀Mgo_2.5Fe_0.5Zn_0.019 (rate of 400 kg/ha), with a control (no fertilizer) as the check. Thus, the experiment used 12 treatments in a randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement and three replications. Results revealed that the broccoli plants cultivated at a 45 cm distance showed a considerable rise in the number of leaves compared with those planted at a 35 cm distance. The significant effects of different plant spacing also have varied impacts on the yield characteristics of broccoli. The varying fertilizer applications also enhanced substantially some broccoli’s growth and yield characteristics. Considerably, the interaction of fertilizer combinations and plant spacing also significantly influenced positively the broccoli’s growth and yield traits.

Keywords: Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.), plant spacing, fertilizer combinations, macro- and microelements, growth and yield traits

Key findings: Results revealed that broccoli plants cultivated at a 45 cm distance showed a considerable improvement in growth traits compared with a plant spacing of 35 cm. The fertilizer combinations also significantly enhanced the growth and yield traits. The fertilizer combinations substantially interacting with plant spacing were consistent with the influence obtained through the single factor.

The prevailing study aimed to assess the brassinolide, and moringa leaf extracts’ foliar application influence on the growth and mineral content of local lemon transplants, commencing in 2022 in a wooden lath house affiliated with the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Gardening, College of Agriculture, University of Anbar, Ramadi, Iraq. The experiment’s study factors comprised foliar application of growth regulator brassinolide (B0, B1.0, B1.5, and B2.0 mg L^-1) and moringa leaf extracts (M0%, M2%, and M4%) on local lemon. Study elements influenced all characteristics, especially foliar spraying of brassinolide (B1.5 mg L^-1), significantly enhancing the number of secondary shoots increment and leaves, leaf area, and leaves’ nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and total chlorophyll content. The growth regulator brassinolide (B1.0 mg L^-1) revealed considerable secondary shoot length increment superiority. On spraying of moringa leaf extracts, moringa extract (M4%) achieved a substantial superiority in all the studied traits.

Keywords: Lemon (Citrus limon Burmann), brassinosteroids, moringa leaf extracts, foliar application, growth traits, mineral content

Key findings: The lemon vegetative growth and biochemical content traits bore improvement and significant increases, especially by foliar application made with the brassinolide and moringa leaf extracts at the concentrations of 1.5 mg L^-1 and 4%, sequentially.

A pot experiment in a plastic house proceeded in 2022 at the Karma Ali site of the Agricultural Research Station, College of Agriculture, University of Basrah, Iraq. The experiment aimed to investigate the impact of mineral sulfur and organic matter addition, leaching requirements, and irrigation water salinity on the physical properties of soil cultivated with Zea mays L. (maize) plants. This study administered two organic residues (cow and alfalfa), three levels of mineral sulfur (0%, 0.8%, and 1.6%), three levels of leaching needs (15%, 25%, and 35%) more than the field capacity, and two levels of irrigation water salinity (4 dSm^-1 and 8 dSm^-1). The organic residues and mineral sulfur mixture with the soil incurred incubation for 60 days. Yellow maize (Zea mays L.) planting followed incubation, maintaining the soil moisture at field capacity fertilization, and carrying out irrigation operations according to the above treatments. Soil bulk density and mean weighted diameter measuring ensued at the end of the experiment. The results showed the ability of organic residues to reduce bulk density and increase soil stability (mean weighted diameter). The decrease in bulk density was more evident in the alfalfa residues, which amounted to 1.25 μg m^-3 soil and 0.62 mm, respectively. The leaching requirement level of 35% exceeded in reducing the bulk density of soil compared with the other two levels, which amounted to 1.25 μgm^-3 soil. The 1.6% sulfur and irrigation water salinity of 4 dSm^-1 reduced the soil’s bulk density and increased the mean weighted diameter of the soil (1.31 μgm^-3 soil and 0.79 mm, respectively).

Keywords: Organic residues, leaching requirements, mineral sulfur, soil bulk density, mean weighted diameter, salinity

Key findings: Using organic residues, leaching requirements of 35%, mineral sulfur addition of 1.6%, water salinity of 4 dSm^-1, and the interactions between these factors in improving the soil’s physical properties proved possible. Alfalfa residue and sulfur excelled in reducing soil bulk density and increasing soil stability compared with cow residue. Moreover, mineral sulfur enhanced the physical properties of the soil.

The fungal species isolated from infected seedlings showed the appearance of root rot fungi, including Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani, and Macrophomina phaseolina. The evaluation of two biological control agents, Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma harzianum, showed their ability to inhibit pathogenic fungi, and as per Bell’s scale, the inhibition percentage ranged from 1% to 2%. Both biological controls, T. harzianum and T. viride, significantly reduced the incidence of infection caused by the fungi. T. harzianum reduced the incidence of R. solani (20%), which was at par with T. viride (33.33%) reduction of R. solani, and a reduction in M. phaseolina and F. solani with T. viride amounted to 30.00% and 33.33%, respectively, compared with the control treatment inoculated with the fungus only (80.00%). Results also revealed that these two types lessened infection severity, where the highest decrease in infection severity with F. solani was 0.30 and 0.20 for T. viride and T. harzianum, respectively. In addition, both biological controls also positively affected the plant growth characteristics. T. harzianum with M. phaseolina increased shoot height (22.20 cm) compared with the pathogenic fungus treatment (16.46 cm), respectively. Moreover, the T. harzianum with M. phaseolina treatment significantly raised root length and dry weight compared with the control treatment.

Keywords: Cowpea (Vigna sinensis L.), F. solani, M. phaseolina, R. solani, T. viride, T. harzianum

Key findings: In cowpea (Vigna sinensis L.), the root rot infection caused by fungi, including Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani, and Macrophomina phaseolina, gained significant reduction and control by bioagents fungi (Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma harzainum).

Various diseases harm the maize crop, but stalk rot has significantly reduced crop yield. The susceptible stalk requires identification by pathologists to apply the precise dose of fungicide to the crop. Farmers in developing nations faced challenges for their timely hiring. Furthermore, differences in pathologists’ professional competencies result in inaccurate diagnoses. In this paper, the convolutional neural network (CNN) utilization helped classify the severity levels of stalk rot as elaborated in Hooker’s scale. The field experiment commenced at the Maize and Millet Research Institute Yousafwala, Sahiwal, using a smartphone to get images of resistant and susceptible lines fed to the proposed model for evaluation into six severity scales. The model’s overall accuracy was 83.58%. Recording of the recall ratio of highly susceptible, susceptible, moderately susceptible, highly resistant, resistant, and moderately resistant had scores of 1.000, 0.766, 0.966, 0.800, 0.733, and 1.000, respectively, with an average of 0.877. Precision for highly resistant was 1.000, resistant was 0.785, moderately resistant was 0.789, moderately susceptible was 0.805, susceptible was 0.958, and highly susceptible was 1.000, with an average of 0.889. Highly significant (P < 0.01) results from the chi-square test exhibited significant differences between traditional and deep learning approaches. The results of the proposed model showed less confusion than the visual-based method. The proposed approach is a vital source of detection of resistant lines against stalk rot disease by developing country farmers. The suggested model eliminates the need for pathologists, making it a valuable tool for identifying stalk rot resistant lines. It aids farmers in finding resistant lines for breeding projects and estimating the fungicide dose against stalk rot. It also helps minimize the production cost and environmental pollution.

Keywords: CNN, deep learning, severity classes

Key findings: The proposed model identified the Hooker’s severity scales more accurately than farmers’ assessments. It can be an essential tool for resistant line identifications. The study results will help to minimize the cost of production and environmental pollution.

In the context of marketability, economic value, and agricultural effectiveness to meet the feed demand of animal husbandry, it is necessary to create a solid forage base in the Kyzylorda region, Kazakhstan. The thriving solution to increased livestock and animal husbandry productivity in ecological conditions of the Aral Sea region principally depends upon the timely procurement of feed and the establishment of industrial-based feed production. Producing enhanced high-quality feeds can be the outcome of introducing high-yielding varieties, using new resource-saving cultivation and harvesting technologies, organizing optimal cultivation and production processes, and increasing the efficiency of various technical means. Of all the harvested types of feeds, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) has the best effect on increasing the livestock’s milk and meat yield. All farm animals can also consume the green mass of alfalfa much faster. In feeding cattle with alfalfa, its utilization rate is 92.6%. On biochemical composition, alfalfa hay surpasses various other feeds, and 100 kg of alfalfa hay contains 11.6 kg of digestible protein, 1.77 kg of calcium, 0.22 kg of phosphorus, and 4.5 g of carotene. In conditions with rice crop rotation and according to its biological characteristics, alfalfa is indispensable in agrotechnical and reclamation relations, especially in saline soils. The economic value of alfalfa lies in its broad ecological plasticity, high productivity, and ability to grow back quickly after mowing.

Keywords: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), timing of haymaking, animal husbandry, growth dynamics, fodder yield, biochemical composition, quality

Key findings: Under the environmental conditions of the Kazakhstan Aral Sea region, for the preparation of a highly nutritious alfalfa haylage with a high digestibility, its mowing must be “from the beginning of budding to the beginning of flowering,” in which the duration of mowing should not exceed 10 days with an optimal cut height of 4–6 cm.