The field study was commenced during the winter of 2020–2021 to study the effects of planting times and licorice extract foliar application on the growth, yield, and quality traits of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), conducted at the city of Karma, Anbar Governorate, Iraq. The experiment layout had randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a split-plot arrangement, with two factors. The planting dates November 1 and 20 and December 10, 2020 were the first consideration; the second was the licorice extract with three concentrations 0, 20, and 40 g L^-1. The results revealed early planting (first of November) of cumin led to a significant increase in all the studied traits compared with the medium- and late-planting dates. Licorice extract concentration (40 g L^-1) effectively improved growth and production characters and enhanced the oil and protein content in cumin fruits (2.62% and 18.52%, respectively). In the interaction of early planting date (November 1) and licorice extract (40 g L^-1), the highest yield (1.95 g plant^-1) appeared compared with the late planting with the control treatment, which revealed the lowest yield (0.98 g plant^-1). The results concluded increasing cumin fruit yield with improved proportions of oil and protein can result from the early planting and foliar application of licorice extract (40 g L^-1).

Keywords: Cumin (C. cyminum L.), planting times, licorice extract concentrations, photoperiods, fruits’ oil and protein content

Key findings: Results revealed by adopting early planting with licorice concentration (40 g L^-1), the cumin (C. cyminum L.) growth and yield traits and fruits’ oil and protein content can be considerably improved.

Developing new high-yielding rice varieties resistant to bacterial leaf blight (BLB) is an effective strategy for controlling BLB. Several advanced doubled haploid rice lines derived from anther culture previously selected need assessment for BLB resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the resistance of these lines to BLB pathotypes III, IV, and VIII in the vegetative and generative phases. The experiment took place in a greenhouse using 16 rice genotypes comprising 12 doubled haploid rice lines, two commercial check varieties (Inpari 18 and Inpari 34), and a BLB-resistant and susceptible check variety (Code and TN-1, respectively). Inoculation began with the leaf clipping method using a suspension of the pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) at a concentration of 10⁹ cfu/ml. The results indicated significant influences on disease severity and intensity of BLB of pathotype, genotype, and the interactions between pathotype and genotype, finding their values higher in the vegetative phase. Six doubled haploid lines ranged from resistant to moderately resistant (disease severity 2.0%–10.7%, disease intensity 6.7%–36.8%) to pathotypes III and IV in two growth phases, i.e., HS1-35-1-4, HS4-15-1-9, HS4-15-1-16, HS4-15-1-24, HS4-15-1-26, and HS4-15-1-28. All those doubled haploid lines were susceptible to BLB pathotype VIII in the vegetative phase and moderately susceptible in the generative phase.

Keywords: Bacterial leaf blight, disease intensity, disease severity, doubled haploid rice lines

Key findings: The pathotype, genotype, and interactions between pathotype and genotype significantly affected the severity and intensity of BLB. The genotype resistance varied. Six doubled haploid lines exhibited moderate resistant to resistant to BLB pathotypes III and IV. The result of this study is crucial for use in consideration of variety release.