The Turkestan region is a cotton-growing zone in South Kazakhstan, but also the northernmost cotton-growing area in the world. Annually, medium-staple cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivation occurs on 115,000–125,000 ha, with 80,000–85,000 ha grown in the Districts of Maktaaral and Zhetysay, Kazakhstan. This region is highly susceptible to salinity, drought, invasion of dangerous pests (cotton budworm, beet borer, spider mites, and aphids), and diseases (fusarium blight [wilt] and gummosis). An extremely high salt content and aridity in the arable soil are the main limiting factors of that region, hence, genotype selection through genetic principles is the most effective and economical way to reduce their negative impacts on vegetation. Therefore, the research on developing resistant cotton cultivars suitable for such soil and climatic conditions is most relevant. Considering the above situation, assessment of newly developed high-yielding cotton cultivars with fiber quality of types III–IV for tolerance to heat and drought, salinization, and pests and diseases ensued during 2019, 2020, and 2021 at the Agricultural Experimental Station of Cotton and Melon Growing, Atakent, Kazakhstan. Their promising cotton genotypes resulted from strains developed through intraspecific and interspecific diallel hybridization. The newly developed eight cotton cultivars, grown on more than 92% of the hectarage in the Southern region of Kazakhstan, are PA-3031, PA-3044, M-4005, M-4007, M-4011, Bereke-07, Myrzashol-80, and M-4017.

Keywords: Medium-staple cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), salinity, drought, insect pests and diseases, seed cotton yield, fiber quality traits

Key findings: Long-time and extensive breeding work developed highly productive cotton cultivars of medium-staple size, grown only for 118–122 days, with a high rate of boll retention and opening, fiber yield (38.0%–39.4%), and fiber quality of type IV-IV that meets the requirements of the textile industry. In the cultivars’ testing program, promising cotton cultivars, i.e., Maktaaral-4003, Maktaaral- 4006, Maktaaral-4015, and Maktaaral-4017, excelled the standard cultivar in almost all the parameters. These cotton genotypes are sources of economically valuable traits widely used in longterm hybridization programs.

The study aimed to determine the role of workers’ comprehension level in agricultural extension centers through their knowledge of administrative processes when providing agricultural extension services in some central governorates of Iraq, as well as, some of the respondents’ characteristics and the relationship between the studied independent variables. The research area has 220 employees, with a sample of 50% selected in four governorates (Babylon, Anbar, Baghdad, and Salah al-Din) using simple random sampling. A number of agricultural extension workers selected from each of the studied governorates came from outside the research sample as a pretest to express the opinion of the sample members regarding the provision of agricultural extension services to these centers. Their number reached 25 agricultural extension workers. The reliability coefficient was 0.89 degrees, and the respondents provided data in October 2022. The arithmetic mean, standard deviation, percentage, simple and multiple correlation coefficients, and frequency distribution tables helped analyze and interpret the research results. The findings indicated that 44.55% of respondents had no knowledge about extension centers’ instructional, planning, and promotional roles in agricultural extension services. It also appears from the results that there is a weakness in the role of the respondents in the processes studied, namely, planning, coordination, communication, training, and education. The research suggests holding extension meetings to inform extension workers of their role in understanding the administrative processes of agricultural extension centers while providing extension services and the importance of that to them, as well as, training workers in their roles and using their knowledge to understand the administration.

Keywords: Role of workers, agricultural extension centers, administrative operations, extension service

Key findings: In light of the results, 44.79% of the workers surveyed had low knowledge of the role of extension centers. Outcomes revealed the sample members’ low educational role (50%), planning role (46.36%), and a direct and significant association between agricultural extension centers’ extension services and their staff’s unique traits. The results indicated that 49.09% of the sample members do not know the counseling extension center’s coordination role, while 44.80% do not know its training role.

Coniferous woods of uneven age have a natural distribution in Atrush, Iraq, and this study selected 10 random samples from diverse places and densities to understand their stand dynamics, using a 17.9 m radius circular sample. The tree and stand variables and global tree coordinates measurements occurred for each sample. Using different diameters to measure total height determined the phases of tree seedlings. When the diameter was over 10 cm, the trees were over 1.3 m tall. Through analysis, it revealed that the densities of these trees spread in the study site and reached 28181.89 trees that varied widely. The number of tree members at the lower diameter was the highest, fluctuating from sample to sample, indicating variances in natural renewal between study sites. The site is rich in natural regeneration. Samples 2, 8, and 10 showed balance for the quantity of seedlings, juveniles, and trees, indicating stability in tree movement. The obtained results relied on mechanisms of community aggregation using tree spatial distribution data.

Keywords: Turkish pine (Pinus brutia Ten.), stand dynamic, pattern analysis, stand characteristics, diameter and height

Key findings: The study samples also showed diverse clear distribution patterns, mostly declining regularly and randomly while appearing minimally clustered. It was evident that most trees, whether of varieties, diameters, or heights, are in the first or second class, except the eighth, second, and tenth samples, indicating the strength of natural regeneration in the study area.

The recent maize experiment commenced in the 2022 fall crop season at the District Al-Hussainiya, Kerbala, Iraq. The experiment comprised two factors, with the first factor a combination of different levels of nitrogen (0, 150, and 300 kg N ha^-1) with corresponding labels, N₀, N₁, and N₂, respectively, and three levels of potassium (0, 80, and 160 kg K ha^-1) symbolized as K₀, K₁, and K₂, respectively. The second factor was a foliar application of organic nutrients (potassium humate) with two concentrations (1 and 2 g L^-1). The organic nutrient application occupied the main plots, while the inorganic fertilizer combinations were in the subplots. The experiment used the maize cultivar ‘Sumer,’ planted in clay mixed soil in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a split-plot arrangement and three replications. The results showed a significant effect of adding fertilizer combinations of nitrogen and potassium and foliar application of the organic nutrient potassium humate (2 g L^-1) individually and in combinations in most growth, yield, and quality-related traits. The combination of inorganic and organic fertilizers also revealed a significant superiority in enhancing the plant height, number of leaves, ear length, grain rows per ear, grains per row, grain yield, and the percent oil and protein in the maize grains. The interaction between the two study factors contributed to reducing the used amount of mineral fertilizer to 50%, as there was no significant difference between the fertilizer combinations of nitrogen and potassium 150 N + 80 K and 300 N + 160 K kg ha^-1 in addition with organic nutrient application at the rate of 2 g L^-1.

Keywords: maize (Zea mays L.), fertilizer combination, nitrogen and potassium, organic nutrient, potassium humate, growth and yield traits

Key findings: A significant improvement in growth, yield, and quality traits of maize resulted from fertilizer combinations of nitrogen and potassium (N₁K₁ and N₂K₂) combined with foliar application of organic nutrients (potassium humate) at the rate of 2 g L^-1.

The experiment transpired during the crop season 2021 using a clay mixture soil. The aim was to study the effects of different concentrations of nitrogen fertilizer and the date of its application on some growth and yield characteristics of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in the College of Sciences, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Diwaniyah, Al-Qādisiyyah, Iraq. Using the randomized complete block design (RCBD) in the arrangement of split plots had three replications. The first factor was on three additional dates: addition at the beginning of the vegetative growth stage, the start of the flowering stage, and when flowering is complete. The second factor included three nitrogen fertilizer concentrations (50, 100, and 150 kg N ha^-0.1). The results showed the following: The concentration of nitrogen fertilizer (50 kg N ha^-0.1) was significantly superior in some vegetative growth characteristics, i.e., the highest plant height (35.51 cm), maximum number of branches (8.31 branches plant^-1), and heaviest dry weight (104.60 g plant^-1). For yield characteristics: The concentration of 50 kg N ha^-0.1 recorded a significant increase in the yield characteristics—the highest average number of pods was 39.21 pods plant^-1, and the 100-seed weight was 50.91 g plant^-1. The 100 and 150 kg N ha^-0.1 treatments gave higher plant height (39.8 and 41.02 cm) and dry weight (120.40 and 124.50 g plant^-1), respectively. On the effect of time of adding, the addition at the beginning of flowering was significantly superior for plant height (37.41 cm), dry weight (114.30 g plant^-1), number of pods per plant (36.40 pods plant^-1), and 100-seed weight (46.61 g), compared with adding during the vegetative growth stage, which showed the lowest values for the studied characteristics. The interactions between nitrogen concentrations and the adding time resulted in a significant effect from the concentration of 50 kg added as the flowering starts on the number of pods and seeds compared with the control treatment.

Keywords: Peanut (A. hypogaea L.), nitrogen fertilizer, fertilizer application timings, growth and yield-related traits

Key findings: Peanut (A. hypogaea L.) is an oil crop containing essential fatty acids, such as, linoleic and oleic acids. Nitrogen fertilizer and the time to add fertilizer are resources to improve plant production and increase the oil percentage. This review presents these resources and ways to apply them to increase growth and productivity of A. hypogaea.

In two different locations — the Badush Dam area and the College of Agriculture and Forestry-University of Mosul, Iraq — a field experiment commenced in the winter of 2021–2022 to investigate how planting distances between lines at 30, 45, and 60 cm affect the growth and productivity characteristics of safflower cultivars (Gilla, Almais, and Urdine). The experiment with a randomized complete block design used two parameters. The outcomes showed significant differences between planting distances in most read-up attributes for both regions. A planting distance of 30 cm gave the most essential impetus for the height of a plant in the Badush Dam region. Moreover, both regions recorded the highest rate for seeds/capitula from a planting distance of 45 cm and the maximum rate for branches/plant, leaf area, 1000-seed weight, seed yield, oil content (%), and oil yield, and capitula/plant only in the college region. In both experimental sites, the varieties substantially impacted every trait under study. The highest values emerged for the Gilla variety for the 1000-seed weight at both sites. The utmost rates showed for the plant height, branches/plant, leaf area, capitula/plant, seeds/capitula, seed yield, and percentage of oil for the Almais variety. Moreover, the oil yield regarding branches/plants in the kidney site, leaf area in the dam site, and seed yield in both sites revealed a significant interaction between the Almais variety and the planting distance of 60 cm.

Keywords: Safflower, planting distances, cultivars

Key findings: Broad distances fared better for the qualities under study due to the influence of planting distances. The study determined that safflower should have a planting distance of 60 cm due to its increased yield productivity, and the Almais variety also showed superiority over the other two kinds.

The existing study held in the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory, University of Tikrit, Iraq, sought to increase the production of some secondary metabolite compounds in tissue cultures of Chrysanthemum hortorum Hort. cv. ‘Dwarf White.’ Inducing callus by culturing the bases of young leaf explants on the MS medium received supplementation of different concentrations of Benzyl adenine (BA) (0, 1.5, and 2 mg L^-1) and Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (0.0, 0.5, and 1.5 mg L^-1). Tyrosine addition at different concentrations (0, 30, 60, and 80 mg L^-1) and sucrose at 30, 60, 80, and 100 g L^-1 concentrations ensued. In addition, fructose and glucose applications at 90.0, 60.0, 30.0, and 120.0 g L^-1 transpired for the callus growth. The combination of 2.0 mg L^-1 BA + 1.5 mg L^-1 IAA gave the highest average fresh and dry weights of callus, reaching 1.8 and 5.72 mg, respectively. The best treatment was 60 g L^-1, which recorded the maximum pyrethrin concentration, amounting to 2.134 μg/ml DW. The treatment of 90 g L^-1 fructose + 60 mg L^-1 tyrosine was more effective in increasing pyrethrin production in the callus, reaching 3.175 μg/ml DW. The treatment of 90 g L^-1 glucose + 60 mg L^-1 tyrosine was recorded with the utmost pyrethrin concentration, reaching 3.346 μg/ml DW. The treatment of 90 g L^-1 glucose + 80 mg L^-1 tyrosine provided 2.826 μg/ml DW of pyrethrin.

Keywords: Chrysanthemum hortorum, secondary metabolites, explants, carbon sources, pyrethrins, tyrosine, callus, in vitro

Key findings: Callus induction by culturing the base of young leaf explants on the MS medium had BA at 0, 1.5, and 2 mg L^-1 and IAA at 0.0, 0.5, and 1.5 mg L^-1 supplementations. The results showed that the combination of BA at a concentration of 2.0 and 1.5 mg L^-1 of IAA gave the highest average fresh and dry weights and the maximum percentage of callus. The above combination served to maintain induced callus. Secondary metabolite compounds gained estimation by the HPLC device.

The presented experiment on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) began in the winter of 2022–2023 at the College of Agriculture, University of Anbar, Anbar, Iraq. The study aimed to determine the effects of foliar application of zinc on the growth and physiological traits of the faba bean genotypes. The experiment had a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a split-plot arrangement and three replications. The prime plots included three concentrations of zinc, i.e., 0, 30, and 60 mg Zn L^-1, while the subplots comprised three different genotypes (American, Dutch, and Spanish) of faba beans. The results revealed that the faba genotypes significantly displayed their latent potential in growth and physiological parameters. The American faba bean genotype proved superior in plant height (37.52 cm), leaf area (1413 cm² plant^-1), and zinc concentration in leaves (113.30 mg kg^-1 dry matter). However, the Spanish faba bean genotype led to an average leaf chlorophyll content (56.59 SPAD). The zinc foliar application with the highest concentration (60 mg L^-1) provided the least number of days to flowering (60.89 days) and also excelled in obtaining the tallest plants (41.13 cm), branches per plant (3.85), leaf area (1337.6 cm² plant^-1), the chlorophyll content (52.23 SPAD), and the zinc concentration in leaves (116.58 mg kg^-1 dry matter). The interaction of the American faba bean genotype and the highest zinc foliar application (60 mg L^-1) significantly affected the plant height, leaf area, and zinc concentration in leaves. The interaction between the Spanish genotype and zinc concentration (60 mg L^-1) gave the highest average for leaf chlorophyll content, and the interaction of the Dutch genotype with the highest zinc concentration exhibited a shorter period from planting to flowering.

Keywords: Vicia faba L., exotic genotypes, vegetative growth traits, micro-nutrients

Key findings: Zinc foliar application significantly impacted faba bean genotypes for growth and physiological traits. The superiority of the high concentration of zinc (60 mg L^-1) in maturation and physiological features might be due to its positive role in stimulating various physiological processes and improving plant performance. In addition to delaying the leaf senescence by preserving the chlorophyll content, it positively affected the increase in photosynthesis process efficiency.

Agricultural areas worldwide suffer immensely due to the rapid depletion of irrigation water. Applying the proper nutrients can alleviate the harmful effects of water stress. This field study transpired to evaluate the influence of both titanium-dioxide (TiO₂) and zinc-oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles on two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars (Gimeza-12 and Sids-13) under water irrigation requirements (WIR) of 100% and 75% WIR. Water stress reduced yield attributes and mineral contents but increased protein, gluten, Zeleny sedimentation index, flavonoids, antioxidant activities, and WP. All used concentrations of TiO₂-NPs and ZnO-NPs induced positive responses for all tested parameters compared with non-treated corresponding controls under well-watered and drought-stress conditions. Treatment with 10 mg L^-1 of ZnO-NPs followed by 10 mg L^-1 TiO₂-NPs gave the highest values of all studied yield parameters in plants subjected to 75% WIR for both cultivars compared to other controls. The results showed that the Gimeza-12 cultivar, which had the highest grain yield, was more tolerant to drought than the Sids-13 cultivar.

Keywords: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), water stress condition, nanoparticles, grain yield, biochemical composition, nutritional values

Key findings: All used concentrations of TiO₂ and ZnO-NPs induced positive responses for all tested parameters compared with non-treated corresponding controls under well-watered or drought-stress conditions in wheat (T. aestivum L.). Treatment with 10 mg L^-1 of ZnO-NPs followed by 10 mg L^-1 TiO2-NPs resulted in higher yield parameters in plants under 75% WIR for both cultivars than the control. The Gimeza-12 cultivar was more tolerant to water stress than the Sids-13 cultivar, which produced excellent grain yield.

The contemporary study examined several wild species of dicotyledons developing in the Samawa Desert in Southern Iraq. The various characteristics of these species’ assessment used a light microscope to isolate the species from each other and better utilize their qualities. Based on the collected field samples, four species belonging to the family Asteraceae reached identification, i.e., Aaronsohnia factorovskyi, Anvillea gracinii, Anthemis maritima, and Calendula arvensis. The botanical characteristics, such as shape, size, apertures, pole type, apocolpium, mesocolpium, wall thickness, and exine sculpturing, also gained evaluation in the study. The examined profiles of different species varied greatly, according to the results. The nature of the polarity of the pollen grains determines the pollen grains’ polarity, which, in turn, determines the shape of apertures and isopolar to take apertures zono-colporate. The overall shape of the pollen grains, determined by the ratio between the polar axis to the equatorial axis P/E, included prolate spheroidal and oblate spheroidal. By measuring the axis length, the study showed that the species’ pollen grains were within a medium range. As for exine sculpturing, the study revealed one type of sculpturing, i.e., echinate in the genera Aaronsohnia factorovskyi, Anvillea gracinii, and Anthemis maritima, while the genus Calendula arvensis was devoid of decorations.

Keywords: Compositae (Asteraceae), botanical traits, pollen grains, A. factorovskyi, A. gracinii, A. maritime, C. arvensis

Key findings: The study showed some botanical traits, such as spines, are closely related to species and taxa belonging to the family Compositae. Most studied species contained the outer wall layer of the pollen on spines of different lengths and shapes.