The effects of biofertilizer and biostimulant application on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were this study’s focus for evaluation. The experiment examined the irrigation of rhizobacteria in different combinations, including B0 (plants irrigated with water only); B1 (plants treated with inoculant containing A. chroococcum (8.8 × 10⁹) with 10 g plant^-1; B2 (plants treated with inoculant containing B. subtilis (7.5 × 10⁹) with 10 g plant^-1; and B3 (plants treated with A. chroococcum in 10 g plant^-1) plus B. subtilis (10 g plant^-1) in tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.). The use of biostimulant under the trade name “Deflan,” which contained organic matter (18.4%), amino acids (10%), total nitrogen (3%), and organic nitrogen (3%), had three levels (0, 0.250, and 500 mg l^-1). The combination of both A. chroococum and B. subtilis at 10 g plant^-1 had an influential effect, which reversed an increase in root and vegetative growth, specifically the content of macroelements. A biostimulant spray significantly affected all parameters, especially the 500 mg l^-1 dose. Furthermore, a solidarity effect markedly appeared, which raised all vegetative parameters, especially the biofertilizer treatment A. chroococcum (10 g plant^-1) plus B. subtilis (10 g plant^-1) with spraying biostimulant (500 mg l^-1). These results will contribute favorably to providing evidence for desirable effects from the interaction between biofertilizers and biostimulant spraying on tomato plant development.

Keywords: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), biofertilizers, rhizobacteria, azotobacter, Bacillus, foliar application, biostimulants

Key findings: The application of rhizobacteria and foliar treatment with biostimulant increased vegetative traits and mineral content of leaves, especially the mixture between A. chroococcum and B. subtilis (10 g plant^-1) in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Furthermore, foliar application of the biostimulant at a concentration of 500 mg l^-1 boosted all the parameters under study.

The following experiment on tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) transpired in the spring of 2023 at the Kerbala University, Kerbala, Iraq. A factorial experiment with a randomized complete block design and three replications comprised the investigations. The first factor was fish emulsion with four different concentrations (0%, 1%, 2%, and 3%), while the second was vermicompost application with four different levels (0, 25, 50, and 100 g pot^-1) before moving the seedlings to pots containing them. The results showed adding fish emulsion at 2% concentration significantly affected the percentage of nitrogen and protein in the leaves, with averages of 3.407% and 21.29%, respectively. The outcomes also revealed adding vermicompost fertilizer at a level of 100 g was superior in phosphorus and carbohydrate contents in the leaves with averages of 0.482% and 379 mg 100 g^-1. As for the interaction between the factors, it was remarkably significant for all the traits under study. The findings confirmed the effectiveness of fertilizers resulting from organic waste, individually or in combination, to raise the efficiency of the qualitative traits of horticultural crops, as well as reduce the chemical fertilizers’ use in maintaining a sustainable and nontoxic ecosystem.

Keywords: Tarragon (A. dracunculus L.), fish emulsion, vermicompost fertilizer, biochemical traits

Key findings: In tarragon (A. dracunculus L.), the addition of fish emulsion (2%) had a significant effect on most biochemical traits in the leaves. Likewise, adding vermicompost with the highest dose (100 g pot^-1) significantly increased the phosphorus content in leaves.

An examination of the effects of industrial wastewater and groundwater irrigation on the growth and heavy metal accumulation in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) was this study’s focus. Conducted during 2023–2024 in Baiji, Salah Al-Din Governorate, Iraq, the study additionally assessed the three types of bacteria’s role in reducing soil pollution and improving plant quality. Results indicated the average leaf height was 32.260 and 31.80 cm for industrial water and groundwater irrigation, respectively, enhancing to 34.7 and 38.0 cm with the addition of bacteria. Root length reached 11.70 and 8.70 cm with bacteria. The wet weight of leaves and roots was 32.600 and 49.00 g/plant, respectively, with industrial water, rising to 33.8 and 58.00 g/plant by adding bacteria. Nutrient concentrations (potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus) in leaves and roots increased with industrial watering to 3.639%, 4.933%, 3.113%, 3.673%, 0.219%, and 0.634%, respectively. With bacteria, the potassium and nitrogen values rose to 3.700%, 5.233%, and 3.967%); however, the phosphorus values slightly lowered (0.201% and 0.631%). Heavy metal concentrations significantly decreased with bacteria, and minimum values recorded in industrial wastewater and groundwater irrigation were for lead (0.087 and 0.384 ppm), nickel (0.017 and 0.207 ppm), cadmium (0.079 and 0.093 ppm), and zinc (0.594 and 1.997 ppm).

Keywords: Radish (R. sativus L.), industrial wastewater, groundwater, bacterial bioaugmentation, growth traits, heavy metal accumulation

Key findings: The addition of bacteria improved the growth traits and concentrations of primary nutrients in radish (R. sativus L.) irrigated with industrial wastewater and groundwater. The bacteria considerably helped in reducing the accumulation of heavy metals in leaves and roots. The results confirm the effectiveness of bacteria in improving plant quality and reducing soil pollution to enhance agricultural sustainability.

This study investigated the transport and accumulation of several heavy metals within the lower and upper parts of the wild plants Typha domingensis, Prosopis farcta, and Alhagi maurorum, belonging to the Al-Kasak and Al-Qayyarah sites in Iraq, which were collected in autumn. In the Al-Kasak refinery, results indicated the cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) showed significantly higher bioaccumulation in the root system (392.01 and 658.11 mg/kg, respectively) from dry weight compared with the dry weight of shoots (287.12 and 619.45 mg/kg, respectively). However, the lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) exhibited higher bioaccumulation in the shoot system (280.23 and 80.95 mg/kg dry weight, respectively). At the Al-Qayyarah refinery, Ni, Pb, and Mn appeared more accumulated in root parts (668.65, 270.61, and 156.24 mg/kg dry weight, respectively) than in the shoots for each plant (Prosopis farcta, Alhagi maurorum, and Typha domingensis). Meanwhile, Cd bioaccumulation was higher in the shoots (377.31 mg/kg dry weight). Additionally, the roots of Alhagi maurorum and Typha domingensis revealed higher accumulations of Ni and Mn (778.25 and 235.93 mg/kg dry weight, respectively) compared with the shoot system. At the Al-Kasak site, plants showed a higher bioaccumulation of Pb (13.38 mg/kg dry weight), following the order Pb<Ni<Mn11.14>3.93>1.44 dry weight, respectively). Then again, plants at the Al-Qayyarah site had the highest bioaccumulation of Ni (17.94 mg/kg), with the order of bioaccumulation as Ni>Mn>Pb>Cd (17.94>11.75>3.84>1.07 mg/kg dry weight, respectively). The maximum bioaccumulation of Mn was notable in the plants of Typha domingensis, Prosopis farcta, and Alhagi maurorum (28.86, 146.68, and 419.86 mg/kg dry weight, respectively).

Keywords: Wild plants, heavy metals, phytoremediation, bioaccumulation, biotranslocation

Key findings: At the Al-Kasak site in Iraq, the bioaccumulation of Ni, Cd, and Pb was higher in roots than in shoots, while the bioaccumulation of Pb and Mn was higher in shoots of wild plants. However, at the Al-Qayyarah site, the bioaccumulation of Ni, Pb, and Mn was greater in roots, while the bioaccumulation of Ni was superior in shoots of wild plants.

Green nanotechnology is an important and environmentally friendly technology that is applicable in various areas, such as health and food. The following study demonstrates the possibility of synthesizing silver nanoparticles obtained from Portulaca oleracea callus to determine their effectiveness against pathogenic bacteria. Silver nanoparticles’ synthesis from P. oleracea callus samples used four different pH values (3, 7, 10, and 12). Samples at a pH value of 12 with the smallest particle showed the best results after conducting SEM and UV-Vis analyses. The results revealed the reaction samples with higher pH values gave effects that are more positive. Effectiveness of the nanoparticles against the bacterial activity of Escherichia coli (E. coli) was successful, and the results were favorable, with an inhibition diameter of 9 mm. The nanoparticles, in combination with plant extracts of nodes and stem callus, had the mixed samples exhibiting the best activity and a more powerful effect than the silver nanoparticles alone. The sample of node extract and the nanoparticles had the most powerful effect on the bacteria, with an inhibition diameter of 22 mm. However, the sample with the stem extract and nanoparticles had an inhibition diameter of 11 mm.

Keywords: P. oleracea, antibacterial activity, SEM and UV-Vis, silver nanoparticles

Key findings: Silver nanoparticles produced from P. oleracea callus showed that the reaction samples with higher pH values emerged with results that are more positive. Integrating nanoparticles with plant extracts revealed effectiveness against E. coli bacteria.

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.

The following study aimed to investigate the effects of applying different concentrations of seaweed extract and balanced fertilizer on the medicinal active compounds in roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), as carried out during the growing season of 2023 at the Kerbala Governorate, Kerbala, Iraq. Employing a randomized complete block design with three blocks and two factors, the first factor was foliar spraying with balanced fertilizer at concentrations of 0, 2.5, and 5 ml L^-1. Meanwhile, the second factor was foliar application with seaweed extract at concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 ml L^-1. Results showed significant differences among the spraying treatments with balanced fertilizer. The 5 ml L^-1 spray treatment excelled in the concentration of quercetin, gossypetin, hibiscetin, protocatechuic acid, and sabdaretin in cup leaves, with averages of 0.282, 0.247, 0.190, 0.267, and 0.128 mg g^-1, respectively. The seaweed extract concentrations also had a significant effect on the content of active compounds. Its enhanced concentration (0.75 ml L^-1) showed increased values of active compounds, i.e., 0.349, 0.291, 0.235, 0.312, and 0.163 mg g^-1, respectively. Notably also, the interaction between the factors has a remarkable effect on all the traits under study.

Keywords: Roselle (H. sabdariffa L.), balanced fertilizer, seaweed extract, biologically active compounds, growth and yield traits

Key findings: The balanced fertilizer foliar application (5 ml L^-1) enhanced the ratios of medicinal active components as compared with other fertilizer treatments in roselle (H. sabdariffa L.). The active compounds also significantly gained improvement with the foliar spraying of seaweed extract at an increased concentration (0.75 ml L^-1). The balanced fertilizer (5 ml L^-1) and seaweed extract (0.75 ml L^-1) produced the highest averages for all the medicinal components.

The following study aimed to isolate some pathogenic fungi from cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) plants infected with root rot disease and determine their tenacity to pathogens using some plant resistance induction factors and the biological fungus Trichoderma spp. The results showed the presence of cowpea root rot disease in all areas included in the survey in the Babylon Governorate. The 13 types of fungi accompanied the roots of the cowpea plant. Fusarium solani was the most abundant pathogenic fungus, with a frequency rate of 55.9%, followed by the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina, with an appearance rate of 45.55%. Isolates of the fungus Trichoderma spp. (T. viride, T. harzianum, T. koningiopsis, and T. reesei) achieved a high antagonistic ability against pathogenic fungi under laboratory conditions. The highest antagonistic ability was one for the T. viride isolate against the pathogenic fungi F. solani and M. phaseolina. The results revealed that adding chitosan to the culture medium at all concentrations led to growth inhibition of the fungi F. solani and M. phaseolina compared to the inhibition percentage of 0.00% in the control treatment.

Keywords: Cowpea (V. unguiculata L.), Trichoderma spp., chitosan, fungi, root rot diseases

Key findings: The emergence of cowpea (V. unguiculata L.) root rot disease caused by pathogenic fungi prevailed in contaminated soils of the Babylon Governorate, Iraq. The results revealed the effectiveness of the biological agent Trichoderma spp. against pathogens. The chemical inducer chitosan proved to inhibit and eliminate the two pathogenic fungi, F. solani and M. phaseolina.

The following study aimed to explore the dependence of crops’ yield on soil temperature and humidity. The study focused on the soil saturation with water and solar radiation as key factors affecting crop yields under current climate change conditions. The research employed agroclimatic measurement methods, temperature and phenological calculations, and correlational analysis methods. Based on over 20 years of data obtained from the Uralskaya Agricultural Experimental Station, Kazakhstan, agroclimatic conditions regarding temperature, precipitation, and hydrothermal coefficients reached successful analysis. Crop yield dependency evaluation through temperature and phenological assessments transpired. As a result, an identification of a clear correlation succeeded, with the most stable crop determined as sorghum. The barley crop showed higher yields in the favorable season of 2023, and sorghum, a drought-resistant crop, maintained consistent yields even in adverse seasons in 2021, emphasizing the importance of selecting suitable crops and their optimal sowing time to mitigate climatic challenges. The impact of temperature and productive moisture on crop yields was proven, revealing rising air temperatures (+1.9 °C) during the crop season and varied weather patterns as key drivers of increased drought frequency. Strategies to mitigate drought effects include cultivation of drought-resistant crops, improving agricultural practices, and enhancing meteorological services. Studying such relationships is crucial for ensuring food security in Kazakhstan.

Keywords: Climate change, environmental factors, cultivated plants, crop productivity, crop growth and development, sustainability

Key findings: The region’s harsh humidification and rising temperatures (+1.9 °C) have negatively affected crop yields. In contrast to barley, the sorghum, being a drought-resistant crop, consistently performed well, even in dry crop seasons, such as in 2021. Optimizing sowing times, cultivating drought-resistant crops, and the ascendancy of agroclimatic data can mitigate the negative impacts of climate variability on agriculture.

The detection of the soil, environmental conditions, and agrotechnical practices’ effects on the yield and quality of melon (Cucumis melo L.) in Southeast Kazakhstan was the chief focus of this research. The results recognized that sandy loam sierozem soils of the foothill-steppe zone of Southeastern Kazakhstan have proven to be the most favorable soil for better growth and development of melons. In the soils with heavy mechanical composition, the quantitative and qualitative indicators of Central Asian cultivars incurred sharp effects and declined compared with melon genotypes grown on soils with light mechanical composition. Melon cultivars of the European subspecies exhibited the highest plasticity in relation to soil and environmental conditions. During the first 10 and 20 days of May, it emerged as the most optimal sowing period. For early- and mid-season melon cultivars, the most optimal plant density was 10,200 plants/ha, while mid-late and late-ripening cultivars were the best, with a plant density of 8,100 plants/ha. For the early- and mid-season melon cultivars, the best sowing pattern was 280 cm × 70 cm × 70 cm, while the mid-late and late cultivars grew best with the pattern of 350 cm × 70 cm × 70 cm.

Keywords: Melon (C. melo L.), cultivars, soil and environmental conditions, agrotechniques, productivity, biochemical composition

Key findings: Melon (C. melo L.) cultivars of the European subspecies exhibited the highest plasticity in relation to soil and environmental conditions. The first 10 and 20 days of May were notably the most optimal sowing periods for melon. Specific conclusions resulted about the influence of a particular ecological zone on the growth and development of melon.