This study conducted in 2020–2021 sought to determine the impact of NPK fertilizer with three levels (F₀: 0, F₁: 900 g, F₂: 1300 g) and three levels of pruning at the ratio of P₁: 5, P₂: 7, and P₃: 9 leaves/bunch, to improve the fruit and quality of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cv. “Khastawi,” held at the Al-Zahfaraniah Palm Station, Baghdad Governorate, Iraq. Executing the study as a factorial experiment (3 × 3) within a randomized complete block design (RCBD) had three replications. Every two date palms as an experimental unit setup came from 54 trees aged 16 years and, as much as possible, homogeneous in growth characteristics. The experimental results showed that NPK fertilization at the F₂ level was superior in all studied traits, including fruit set, weight, width, length, volume, seed and bunch weights, and total yield. The pruning treatment (P3) was significantly superior by giving the highest fruit set, width, and length values, whereas F₀ and P₂ treatments gave the lowest average for these traits. Furthermore, the interaction of F₂P₃ provided the highest rates in fruit weight, length, volume, seed, and bunch weights, and total yield, while the F₀P₁ treatment gave the lowest values.

Keywords: Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), NPK fertilization, pruning, fruit trait, fruit yield, fruit quality

Key findings: The studied traits increased significantly, especially the qualitative fruit traits and the yield of the date palm Khastawi cultivar, especially when adding the NPK fertilizer at a concentration of 1300 g and keeping nine leaves for each bunch.

The presented research carried out in the growing season of 2020 at the Department of Horticulture and Landscape, College of Agriculture, University of Anbar, Iraq, investigated the impact of mineral (chemical) and organic (birds) fertilization and foliar application of the humic acid on the active substances of the moringa (Moringa oleifera) plant leaves. The treatments included an organic fertilizer (300 g plant^-1), mineral fertilizer DAP (225 g plant^-1), and humic acid (3000 ppm). The experiment ran in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results revealed that adding organic and mineral fertilizers and foliar application of humic acid affected and increased flavonoids significantly in moringa plant leaves, such as, six flavonoid components, i.e., catechin, quercetin, luteolin, rutin, apigenin, and kaempferol, amounting to 73.83, 21.51, 3.344, 20.55, 7.53, and 2.09 μg L^-1, respectively, compared with the control treatment (2.56, 3.22, 1.304, 2.25, 1.88, and 0.29 ppm, respectively).

Keywords: Moringa Moringa oleifera L., organic and mineral fertilizers, humic acid, flavonoids, leaf chemical composition

Key findings: The addition of organic and mineral fertilizer and foliar application of humic acid significantly affected the leaf chemical composition by increasing the active elements in the leaves of the moringa plant, such as various flavonoids, i.e., catechin, quercetin, luteolin, rutin, apigenin, and kaempferol.

Pea (Pisum sativum L.), a highly nutritious vegetable, is extremely sensitive to salt stress conditions. A pot study evaluated four pea genotypes (Samrina Zard, Climax, Ambassador, and Green Arrow) by exposing them to control, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.0 dS m^-1 by applying NaCl, Na₂SO₄, MgSO₄, and CaCl₂ salts. The pots under a completely randomized design (CRD) layout had four replications. Immense genetic variations occurred among the pea genotypes under salt stress. Samrina Zard showed better physiological (transpiration and photosynthesis rates, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, and chlorophyll) and morphological traits (shoot/root length, shoot/root dry weight, number of leaves per plant, and leaf area). Genotype Samrina Zard significantly maintained the highest percentage of shoot length (14.54%), root length (28.28%), shoot dry weight (19.58%), root dry weight (36.36%), number of leaves (27.24%), and leaf area (21.59%) at a higher level of salinity 7 dS m-¹ compared with the control and all other treatments. In contrast, the Ambassador genotype was categorically salt-sensitive based on the least percentage increase in shoot length (22.42%), dry weight of shoot (67.57%), dry weight of root (59.59%), number of leaves (47.69%) and leaf area (23.72%). However, salinity reduced the physiological attributes in both genotypes. Regardless of salt treatments, Samrina Zard performed better than Ambassador regarding photosynthesis (48.07%), transpiration rate (18.76%), stomatal conductance (45.42%), water use efficiency (55.88%), and chlorophyll contents (29.44%). According to study findings, Samrina Zard performed best against salinity stress.

Keywords: Pea (Pisum sativum L.), genotypes, salt stress conditions, genetic variation, morphological and physiological traits, plant growth, leaf area, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance

Key findings: This study focused on screening pea genotypes against salinity. The genotype Samrina Zard performed better in saline-sodic soil. Genotype Samrina Zard revealed best suited to arid and semi-arid regions with insufficient freshwater resources.

Brackish water used for irrigation in shortage of appropriate soil-water-crop practices often constitutes salinity in the soil profile. Canal irrigation water is scarce to aid agriculture; thus, a supplementary water supply requires accessibility from drainage water. In Pakistan, groundwater is brackish because of elevated levels of electrical conductivity (EC), residual sodium carbonates (RSC), and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR). But these waters can benefit well for irrigation during the primary phase of saline-sodic soil’s reclamation, if employing appropriate management practices, such as, chemical and organic amendments. A pot trial procedure ran under environmental conditions at the research area of the Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, to assess the effect of sodic water with various amendments on sorghum and berseem fodder crops. The pot experiment comprised seven treatments, including T₁ = Control having canal water with SAR 0.1 and EC 0.2 dS m^-1; T₂ = Sodic water with SAR 15; T₃ = Sodic water (SAR 15) + Gypsum; T₄ = Sodic water (SAR 15) + H₂SO₄; T₅ = Sodic water (SAR 15) + compost; T₆ = Sodic water (SAR 15) + FYM; T₇ = Sodic water (SAR 15) + poultry manure, with three replicates under complete randomized design (CRD) by sowing sorghum “JS-88” and berseem “Hisar Berseem 1” cultivars taken from the Fodder Research Institute (FRI), Sargodha. The agronomic and fodder quality attributes were maximum in T₃ treatment in sorghum compared with other concentrations and berseem. In both crops, mineral nutrients were variable, and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were maximum in T5, compared with others.

Keywords: Fodder crops, berseem, sorghum, chemical and organic amendments, brackish water, canal water, gypsum

Key findings: The application of sodic water alone as irrigation impaired the properties of soil, agronomic, and mineral nutrients, and quality parameters of fodder crops. The safe determination that sodic water usage with gypsum amendment proved superior to all other alterations being the most extensively used amendment due to its less cost, general obtainability, and more supply of calcium (Ca²⁺) for an extended period, tailed by leaching of salts by improving sodic soils.

A field experiment ensued during the winter crop season 2018–2019 at the District Baqubah, Diyala Governorate, Iraq, to study the effects of three plant spacing (20, 40, and 60 cm) and foliar application of humic acid with four concentrations (0, 10, 20, and 40 L ha^-1) on seed yield-related traits and active ingredients of goat pea (Securigera securidaca L.). The recorded data underwent statistical analysis using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with factorial arrangement. The results showed that the plant spacing of 60 cm was superior in the percentage of oil and the total content of glycosides in the seeds, amounting to 3.84% and 27.86 mg g^-1, respectively, and the plant distance of 40 cm was superior in the seeds’ total phenol content (1.23 mg g^-1). As for 20 cm, it was excellent in the oil yield (15.56 kg ha^-1). The spraying with humic acid at the rate of 20 L ha^-1 provided the highest percentage and harvest of oil and total phenol content, reaching 3.69%, 9.30 kg ha^-1, and 1.21 mg g^-1, respectively. The interaction between the plant distance (60 cm) and foliar application of humic acid (10 L ha^-1) showed a significant increase in the percentage of oil, amounting to 3.92%. The interaction between the plant distance (40 cm) and foliar application of humic acid (20 L ha^-1) provided a substantial increase in the total phenol content of seeds (1.25 mg g^-1).

Keywords: goat pea (Securigera securidaca L.), plants distances, humic acid, oil percentage, yield, phenols, glycosides

Key findings: Increased plants distance to 60 cm led to an increase in the percentage of oil content. Foliar application of humic acid (20 L ha^-1) gave a significant superiority in seed yield in the plant, oil content ratio and harvest, and total phenol content.

A field experiment done in the spring of 2022 on Sorghum bicolor L. cultivars with different nitrogen and biofertilizer fertilizer regimes proceeded at the Ibn-Al-Bitar Vocational Preparatory School, District Al-Hussainiya, Holy Governorate of Kerbala. Sowing in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a factorial experiment and three replications took place in the third week of March 2022, and harvesting in the third week of July 2022. The trial included two factors; the first had three sorghum cultivars (V1 = Al-Khair, V2 = Rabeh, and V3 = Bohuth 70). The second factor was combinations of nitrogen and biofertilizers, i.e., F0 = the complete dose of nitrogen fertilizer (320 kg N ha^-1); F1 = 3/4 nitrogen fertilizer + Azotobacter; F2 = 1/2 nitrogen fertilizer + Azotobacter; F3 = 1/4 nitrogen fertilizer + Azotobacter, and F4 = Azotobacter with no nitrogen fertilizer. The results showed the superiority of cultivar Bohuth 70 for the traits yield per plant (116.2 g plant^-1) and nitrogen, phosphorus, and protein percentages in grains (2.212%, 0.3212%, and 13.82%, respectively). Cultivar Al-Khair excelled in total chlorophyll, ash, and potassium percentages in grains (1.057 mg g^-1, 2.165%, and 2.085%, respectively). As for the interaction, the combined treatments V3F0 excelled in the traits of yield per plant (134.4 g plant^-1), nitrogen (2.610%), and protein percentages (16.31%), while the interaction of V1F3 performed better for the variables ash and potassium percentages (2.600% and 2.160%, respectively). However, the reaction of V3F1 surpassed phosphorus and potassium percentages (0.3615% and 2.160%). The research happened to know the extent to reducing the quantities of recommended chemical nitrogen fertilizers and their effect on the qualitative.

Keywords: Nitrogen + Azotobacter biofertilizers, sorghum cultivars, genotype by fertilizer interaction, NPK content, protein

Key findings: Biofertilizer Azotobacter positively affected almost all the traits except the carbohydrates. The sorghum cultivars varied significantly for the study traits. It is also possible to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers by replacing them with biological fertilizers.

The concentration of phenolic compounds is researchable using chemotaxonomy as a valuable approach to studying the pharmacological potential of different crop plants. In line with this, the objective of the constructive study was to investigate the phenolic compounds concentration in 10 taxa belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae, earlier cultivated in mid-February 2021 at the College of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq. The taxa included Cucurbita pepo Linnaeus, Cucurbita maxima Duchesne, Lagenaria siceraria L.C.V. Local Molina, Lagenaria siceraria L.C.V. Syria Molina, Cucumis sativus Linnaeus, Cucumis melo Linnaeus, Cucumis melo flexuosus Linnaeus, Citrullus lanatus (Thumberg) Matsum and Nakai, Citrullus colocynthis Schrader, and Luffa cylindrica Mill. Analyzing these compounds helped to gain a deeper understanding of the chemical composition of these plants, which may contribute to identifying their medicinal properties and potential applications in the field of pharmacology. The analysis of leaves of these taxa ran through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for 14 phenolic compounds, i.e., Apigenin, Catechin, Epicatechin, Kaempferol, Luteolin, Quercetin, Rutin, and Caffeic, Chlorogenic, Ferulic, Gallic, Hydroxy benzoic, P-coumaric, and Vanillic acids. A comprehensive study analyzed 10 taxa belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae using HPLC, revealing their heterogeneity and significant variations in the content and concentration of various phenolic compounds. The results of this analysis unveiled the identification of 14 compounds, primarily relying on the presence of standard material. Notably, the main component observed in this study was caffeic acid, showcasing its potential utility for taxonomists and pharmacologists and addressing diverse taxonomic challenges. These findings hold promising implications for the field, offering valuable insights into the intricate world of Cucurbitaceae and opening avenues for further research and application. Results further confirmed that the leaves of Cucurbitaceae plants are rich sources of nutrients and can significantly contribute to nutrient requirements and human health care.

Keywords: Cucurbitaceae, chemotaxonomy, phenolic compounds, pharmacological properties

Key findings: Cucurbitaceae species resulted heterogeneous, showing significant differences in various phenolic compounds for content and concentration through HPLC analysis.

The presented study sought to use the plant growth-promoting microorganism (PGPM) as a biofertilizer in maize (Zea mays L.) seeds and determine its effects on the growth and productivity of maize, with two levels of mineral fertilizer (25% and 50% of chemical fertilizer) under Iraqi conditions. Laboratory studies confirmed no antagonism between Azotobacter chroococcum and other microorganisms used in this study. Field experiments carried out during crop season 2021 were in two different regions, Mosul (36°20′6″N, 43°7′8″E) and Kirkuk (35°28′5.02″N, 44°23′31.99″E) in the north of Iraq. The result showed biofertilizer superiority when combined with 25% and 50% doses of the recommended mineral fertilizer for maize growth and yield traits in the experiments in both locations. In Kirkuk city, the biofertilizer combined with 25% chemical fertilizer recorded superiority without significant difference from the biofertilizer combined with 50% mineral fertilizer. However, in Mosul city, the biofertilizer combined with 50% chemical fertilizer expressed a more superior and significant difference than other treatments for growth and yield traits in maize. The difference between the two regions might be due to chemical fertilizer residues in the soil.

Keywords: Maize (Zea mays L.), biofertilizer, plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPM), Azotobacter chroococcum, bio-agents, mineral fertilizer, growth and yield traits

Key findings: Biofertilizer treatment with 25% and 50% doses of the recommended mineral fertilizer lead to significantly enhance the growth and yield parameters of maize. However, the use of mineral fertilizer depends upon the available fertilizer residues in the soil.

Hidden hunger is one of the most important challenges of the current era, and genetic biofortification is the most feasible, cheapest, and sustainable way to provide a balanced diet to the community. Given the value of biofortification in food grains, the relevant study sought to screen maize inbred lines for kernel Fe and Zn contents and estimate their bioavailability using molar ratios. One hundred maize inbred lines planted during spring 2018 in soil contained optimal levels of Fe and Zn. Maize genotypes evaluation comprised plant height, days to tasseling, silking, maturity, cob length, number of rows per cob, grains per row, grains per cob, 100-grain weight, grain yield per plant, grain Fe, Zn, and phytic acid contents. Significant differences emerged for all the studied traits. The results of the correlation study indicated that grain Fe and Zn contents had a positive genetic link with each other while a non-significant negative association with phytic acid and grain yield. A substantial positive correlation of grain yield occurred with rows per cob, grains per row, and grains per cob. Cluster and principal component analyses ran through, with PA/Fe and PA/Zn molar ratios calculated to estimate the mineral bioavailability. Based on the genetic variability for grain yield, Fe, Zn, and PA contents, four clusters resulted, and the first two PCs had an eigenvalue of more than one and depicted 76.91% of the total variance. Genotypes M-11, M-41, M-45, M-56, M-60, M-61, M-66, M-80, M-96, and M-98 showed high Fe and Zn contents with low molar ratios and are potential to benefit further breeding programs to develop biofortified maize hybrids.

Keywords: Biofortification, principal component analysis, iron, zinc, phytic acid

Key findings: An occurrence of high genetic variability in maize inbred lines for Fe-Zn contents indicated that genotypes having high concentrations of these minerals with good bioavailability could serve in developing biofortified maize hybrids. A positive correlation between Fe and Zn contents recommends the possibility of increasing both the micronutrients simultaneously.

The promising study transpired in the laboratory of the Department of Field Crops, College of Agriculture, University of Karbala, Karbala, Iraq. The six aromatic local rice cultivars, i.e., V1: Ebaa1, V2: Baraka, V3: Furat, V4: Diggla, V5: Yasmine, and V6: Amber-33, served as materials in the presented study. Ten genes of the CIPK family were indicators for drought-tolerant genes. Detecting these genes from the leaves after exposure to drought stress used the Real Time device PCR after RNA extraction and converted to cDNA. The results revealed that the aromatic rice cultivar Amber-33 contained almost all the genes except the gene, OsCIPK04. Cultivars Furat and Diggla were also superior for gene detection. The genes OsCIPK06 and OsCIPK07 appeared in three rice cultivars (Diggla, Yasmine, and Amber-33). The three genes, i.e., OsCIPK08, OsCIPK09, and OsCIPK10, were absent in all the aromatic rice cultivars, while the OsCIPK05 gene appeared in all the studied rice cultivars under drought stress conditions. The technique used for detecting OsCIPK genes in the rice crop, matched with the results in the field experiments, resulted in the potential use of this method to screen the rice cultivars and determine their degree of drought tolerance.

Keywords: Aromatic rice, CIPK gene, gene expression, RNA, drought stress conditions

Key findings: In the presented molecular study, CIPK genes can assess the genetic variation generated by different rice cultivars under drought-stress conditions.