The use of silicon is an option for reducing the adverse effects of water deficit conditions. The recent study took place at the Agricultural Research and Experiment Station of the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt (30°02′ N and 31°13′ E, with an altitude of 30 m) in two seasons of 2019 and 2020. The study’s chief objective aimed to investigate the effect of water deficit at flowering on maize and its relation to silicon spraying. The study included two water treatments: non-stress (NS) and water stress (WS); three silicon treatments: (0, 3, and 6 mM L^-1); and five single-cross hybrids. A split-split plot under the concentration of 6 mM L^-1. The most interesting observation in the study showed the noteworthy increase in oil yield/ha for all studied hybrids, ranging from 13.33% (SC-3444) to 29.41% (SC-3433). It resulted from the application of the concentration of 6 mM L^-1. The hybrids SC-30N11, SC-3433, and SC-3444 proved the best hybrids, displaying tolerance to water.

Keywords: Maize (Zea mays L.), water stress, silicon, yield, carbohydrate, protein, oil, stress-tolerance index

Key findings: The water deficit condition at the flowering stage caused a significant reduction in yield and its components in maize. The silicon treatment 6 mM L^-1 concentration notably enhanced the grain and oil yields and carbohydrates.

This research aimed to determine the effects of different levels of marine seaweed extract on growth and yield traits of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) cultivars (eggplant, red, white, and striped) and their six half diallel hybrids. The experiment layout was in a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement and three replications. The first factor included four cultivars and their semi-reciprocal hybrids, while the second factor comprised the foliar application of marine seaweed extract with three concentrations (0, 10, and 20 ml L^-1). The results showed the roselle cultivar eggplant surpassed all other cultivars and provided the highest values for the traits, i.e., plant height, leaf area, dry weight of nuts, nuts per plant, and seeds of nut (160.03 cm, 635.50 cm², 402.77 g plant^-1, 172.44 nuts plant^-1, and 28.69 seeds nut^-1, respectively). The marine seaweed extract with the strongest concentration (20 ml L^-1) also displayed better performance for the above traits (176.02 cm, 615.58 cm², 361.22 g plant^-1, 176.74 nuts plant^-1, and 25.80 seeds nut^-1, respectively).

Keywords: Roselle (H. sabdariffa L.), cultivars, seaweed extract, growth and yield traits

Key findings: The Roselle (H. sabdariffa L.) cultivar eggplant excelled all other cultivars for growth and yield traits. The marine seaweed with the strongest concentration (20 ml L^-1) also provided better performance for growth and yield traits in Roselle.

This study presents the use of plant tissue culture technology in inducing callus from different plant parts and varying concentrations of growth regulators in common grape vine (Vitis vinifera L.). The research, carried out in 2022–2023 at the Tissue Culture Laboratory-College of Agriculture, University of Kerbala, Kerbala, Iraq, comprised two stages, including sterilizing the explants using various concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2%) for 5, 10, and 15 minutes. The second stage included establishing callus types by growing the explants on MS medium prepared with different concentrations of 2,4-D (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 mg L^-1) and benzyl adenine (BA) (0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mg L^-1). The results showed the sterilizing agent (1.5%) with 10 minutes gave the lowest contamination without affecting the vitality of explants. The interaction of 2,4-D (3 mg L^-1) and BA (0.4 mg L^-1) emerged superior by showing the highest response rate (80%) to callus induction from shoots. The growing apex with 2,4-D (2 mg L^-1) achieved the maximum fresh and dry weights of callus (3.32 and 1.03 mg, respectively).

Keywords: Grape vine (V. vinifera L.), explants, growth regulators, 2,4-D, benzyl adenine, fresh and dry weights of callus

Key findings: In the common grape vine (V. vinifera L.), the sodium hypochlorite (1.5%) with a duration of 10 minutes showed the lowest percentage of contamination without affecting the vitality of explants. The interaction of 2,4-D (3 mg L^-1) and BA (0.4 mg L^-1) was superior in most of the studied traits.

The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of silver nanoparticles, synthesized from strawberry fruit extract, in inhibiting the growth of fungi responsible for spot and blight diseases in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The research identified 18 species of fungi linked to these symptoms on tomato foliage, notably Alternaria alternata, Alternaria solani, Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium cladosporioides, and Scytalidium lignospora, using molecular ITS1-ITS4 gene analysis. The characterization of silver nanoparticles, with a size of 61.87 nanometers, proceeded through ultraviolet-visible and zeta potential measurements. Findings indicated these biosynthesized silver nanoparticles hindered the growth of all tested fungi. Notably, they exhibited greater efficacy against Cladosporium, with its growth inhibited by 86.4%. Inhibition percentages for other pathogenic fungi ranged between 75.06% and 81.11%.

Keywords: Tomato (S. lycopersicum L.), nanotechnology, plant diseases, silver nanoparticles

Key findings: The study found biosynthesized silver nanoparticles effectively inhibited the growth of various fungal pathogens responsible for spot and blight diseases in tomato (S. lycopersicum L.). Their notable efficacy against Cladosporium reached an inhibition rate of 86.4% and demonstrated a correlation between nanoparticle concentration and effectiveness.

Four species of Salvia L., S. palaestina, S. spinosa, S. compressa, and S. multicaulis, sustained scrutiny by the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) fragments (ITS1, 5.8S rRNA gene, and ITS4) analysis with Ocimum basilicum to identify and explore their phylogenetic relationship based on many morphologically investigated properties. The analysis of the phylogenetic tree revealed that Salvia L. is a polyphyletic genera, indicating varying degrees of genetic relatedness among Salvia spp. and clearly distinct from Ocimum basilicum. This genetic differentiation is highly consistent with the obtained morphological data, which provide valuable insights into the evolutionary relationships between both genera and among Salvia spp. The observed genetic diversity highlights the reasons beyond morphological modification, including the number of biotic and abiotic environmental factors. Several characters, such as the calyx shape, corolla shape, and stamen features, revealed valuable taxonomic importance of the infrageneric and interspecific differentiating. The newly recorded ITS sequences attained the NCBI GenBank deposit to enrich the species database for more future investigations. The ITS markers represent the most preservative and useful taxonomic tools. Breeding approaches can employ genetic divergence and broad taxonomic phylogeny for Lamiaceae genera.

Keywords: Salvia, Ocimum, species, morphological traits, ITS, phylogenetic tree

Key findings: Morphological analysis of four Salvia spp. and Ocimum basilicum revealed many features of significant taxonomic importance. Molecular analysis based on nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions (nrITS) results in the identification of studied taxa, with the new accessions deposited in the NCBI GenBank and construction of a phylogenetic tree.

Determining the effect of foliar spraying of moringa silver nanoparticles synthesized from aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera on the growth, yield, and carotene content of four genotypes of maize (Zea mays L.) was this study’s aim. The research, carried out during the spring of 2022–2023, occurred at the Governorate of Kerbala, Kerbala, Iraq. The experiment, conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), had a split-plot arrangement and three replicates. The main plots included the foliar application of moringa silver nanoparticles with four concentrations (0, 200, 400, and 600 mg L^-¹), while the subplots comprised four maize genotypes, i.e., NadH-9055, NadH-362, NadH-386, and NadH-315. The results showed the nano-moringa extracts (400 and 600 mg L^-1) caused a significant increase in leaf area and 500-grain weight, while an increased concentration (600 mg L^-1) exceeded for grain yield and total carotene content. The outcomes also revealed the maize genotype Nadh-315 was superior in leaf area compared with the rest of the genotypes. The genotype Nadh-362 was excellent in the 500-grain weight and grain yield. The results enunciated that moringa silver nanoparticles positively affected the growth traits of maize genotypes that differed in their color intensity, which positively reflects on yield traits and carotene content.

Keywords: Maize (Z. mays L.), genotypes, moringa silver nanoparticles, growth and yield traits, leaf area, carotene content

Key findings: The concentration of moringa silver nanoparticles (600 mg L^-1) emerged superior in maize grain yield and carotene content. The maize cultivar NadH-9055 also excelled over other genotypes for most traits.

The presented study aimed to determine the effects of nano-selenium foliar application and types of irrigation water on growth traits of three citrus (C. aurantium, C. volkameriana, and C. aurantifolia) rootstocks. The research started in 2023 at the canopy of the Kerbala-certified citrus nursery, Holy Kerbala Governorate, Iraq. The experiment, laid out in a randomized complete block design, had a split-plot arrangement of three factors and three replications. The first factor was two types of water, i.e., river water and well water, placed in main plots. The second factor (subplot) was the seedlings grown from seeds of three types of Citrus rootstocks, i.e., sour orange, volkameriana, and lime. The third factor (sub-subplot) was the foliar application of nano-selenium with three concentrations (0, 1, and 2 mg L^-1). The results showed the river water was superior in the percentage of nitrogen (1.786%) and phosphorus (0.193%), while the well water was better in the content of CAT and POD enzymes (10.76 and 176.7 abs unit min g^-1, respectively). Notably also, the cultivar Volkameriana rootstock was superior in the percentage of nitrogen (2.083%) and phosphorus (0.213%). Moreover, the nano-selenium (2 mg L^-1) foliar application has a positive effect and exceeded all the doses for various traits.

Keywords: Citrus rootstock (C. aurantium, volkameriana, and aurantifolia), nano-selenium, water quality, growth and biochemical traits

Key findings: Citrus cultivar Volkameriana rootstock proved better with nano-selenium concentration (2 mg L^-1) than the other rootstocks and nano-selenium concentrations, providing superior results for various traits.

This study used 20 chickpea genotypes (Cicer arietinum L.) introduced by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and one French variety. The genotypes’ sowing had a randomized complete block design with three replicates at the University of Dohuk, Iraq, during the harvest season of 2018–2019. Stability analysis revealed significant averages for all traits, except days to 50% flowering, secondary branches per plant, and grain pods. According to the analysis of variance, the chickpea genotypes showed significant (p ≤ 0.01) differences for all morphological and yield-related traits, except plant height, secondary branches per plant, the height of the first pod above the ground, and the grains per pod. The chickpea genotype FLIP09-114C, followed by four other local genotypes, including FLIP09-222C, FLIP09-230C, and FLIP09-220C, displayed the best performance and exceeded the rest of the genotypes for yield-related traits. The results provided positive phenotypic and genetic correlations between traits like secondary branches, grains per pod, and grain yield, and positive environmental correlations with 100-grain weight, primary branches, and pod number per plant. Meanwhile, negative correlations were evident with pod number per plant, and it was significantly negative among the number of grains per pod, grain yield, and the number of secondary branches per each plant.

Keywords: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), phenotypic and genetic correlations, selection indices, yield-related traits

Key findings: The results demonstrated the traits secondary branches per plant, grains per pod, and grain yield had significant positive phenotypic and genetic correlations; selection index I4, which included features related to pods per plant, appeared to be superior. This further confirmed genetic diversity observed in most chickpea genotypes and their variables, which may be effective to select promising genotypes with desirable traits to maximize crop productivity.

The greenhouse is a steel-framed building coated with UV-protective plastic sheets, having complete control over the climate factors to ensure optimal growing conditions for the plants within. In Iraq, the main issue is high temperatures in summer days, which directly affect plant growth and lead to considerable crop losses even if using a normal greenhouse. Furthermore, the lack of technological knowledge among the farmers influences the decisions regarding a suitable plant environment. In high temperatures, the life span of greenhouses is unknown, it being unmeasurable. The following study focuses on solving these issues by proposing a practical greenhouse design prototype to identify the optimal climate factors for plant growth inside the greenhouse. The proposed system used an Arduino microcontroller for controlling and monitoring the greenhouse. The collected data helped predict the expected life span of the proposed greenhouse design, which will be the foundation for developing the prototype by managing expenses for different factors, including energy sources, temperature control equipment, building material, and water resources. Compared with related research, this work is the first of its kind that predicts the lifespan of a greenhouse. The farming community with a little technological knowledge can easily utilize the said system, offering different options based on the identified climate.

Keywords: Greenhouse design, controlling system, Arduino system, building material, water resources

Key findings: The study aimed to evaluate the performance of the proposed greenhouse by predicting its life span using a methodology based on daily data comparisons. The system could be beneficial to the farming community for improving plant growth in the greenhouse. The system successfully implemented and achieved its aim to predict the lifespan and control the climate inside the greenhouse.

The following study comprised an evaluation of 21 genotypes, which includes six parental genotypes and 15 half-diallel F₁ hybrids, applying the path coefficient analysis. The experiment, carried out in 2022 on upland cotton, used a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the Musayyib Technical College of Babylon Governorate, Iraq. Path coefficient analysis enabled researchers to divide the correlation coefficient into direct and indirect effects, determining the relative contribution of each trait to seed cotton yield. The correlation analysis showed the seed cotton yield had a significant positive correlation with traits, such as the boll number, weight, ginning outturn, and seed index. The path coefficient analysis disclosed the seed cotton yield had considerable and direct effects from the ginning outturn and boll number. Correlation coefficient estimates indicated the ginning outturn contribution reached 21.12%, with the said trait becoming useful as a selection criterion to improve seed cotton yield. The coefficient contributions of the seed index and boll number were 11.49% and 8.83%, respectively, and the rest of the effects were 39.92%. The results revealed that the coefficient of determination of traits holds the highest relative importance as a major component of seed cotton yield. Breeders can use these estimates as selection criteria to enhance seed cotton yield in future breeding programs.

Keywords: Upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.), half-diallel cross, path analysis, yield-related traits, seed cotton yield

Key findings: Path coefficient analysis revealed the correlation coefficient of various traits holds the highest relative importance in managing seed cotton yield in upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.).