The progressive study aimed to determine the effects of biofertilizers (Azotobacter and Pseudomonas) on active chemical compounds of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), carried out in 2023 at the Afghan City, Kerbala, Iraq. The experiment set out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a factorial arrangement and three replications. The study comprised two factors: the first was Azotobacter (control, 50, 100, 150 g/bacteria), and the second factor was Pseudomonas (control, 50, 100, 150 g/bacteria). Both biofertilizers attained mixing with seeds before planting. Results revealed significant differences among the various concentrations of Azotobacter and Pseudomonas and their interactions. Azotobacter and Pseudomonas treatment with same dilution (150 g bacteria^-1) provided the highest mean values for active chemical compounds in the essential oil, i.e., camphor (3.70 and 4.56 mg g^-1), linalool (24.83 and 24.90 mg g^-1), pinene (1.09 and 1.38 mg g^-1), myrcene (13.64 and 12.84 mg g^-1), and limonene (18.16 and 17.76 mg g^-1), respectively.

Keywords: Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), Pseudomonas, Azotobacter, active compounds

Key findings: Biofertilizers (Azotobacter and Pseudomonas) and their interactions enunciated considerable differences for active chemical compounds. Azotobacter and Pseudomonas with same concentration (150 g/bacteria) produced the highest mean values in the essential of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) for camphor (3.70 and 4.56 mg g^-1), linalool (24.83 and 24.90 mg g^-1), pinene (1.09 and 1.38 mg g^-1), myrcene (13.64 and 12.84 mg g^-1), and limonene (18.16 and 17.76 mg g^-1), respectively.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) has several known names, such as garden mint, common mint, lamb mint, and mackerel mint. Salinity is considerably one of the most vital causes negatively affecting plant life, reducing productivity. Kinetin, a cytokinin-like synthetic plant hormone, can promote plant growth against salinity. The potential research sought to study seeds soaking and foliar application of kinetin to mitigate harmful salinity effects, which cause chemo-physiological variations in spearmint due to increased salinity in the irrigation water. In the experiment, two salt concentrations (2.3 dS m^-1 and 6.2 dS m^-1) helped develop the salinity environment, with kinetin (5 mg/L) used for seeds’ soaking for four hours and as an exogenous treatment by foliar spraying of the spearmint seedlings. The results revealed an increased electron leakage percentage (ELP) related to a rise in salinity elements (Na⁺ and Cl^–) at 6.2 dS m^-1 in both groups with reducing K⁺ levels. Likewise, a reduction was prominent in salinity elements with an enhancement in K⁺ level with foliar application than the seeds soaked with kinetin. Increased proline content, H₂O₂, MDA, and an increase in antioxidant activity of CAT and SOD were evident in salinity treatment, which declined by treating with kinetin (5 mg L^-1) foliar application. The results proved that kinetin foliar spraying is the best in supporting Mentha spicata L. plant versus kinetin seeds soaking against the adverse effects of salinity.

Keywords: Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.), salinity levels, kinetin, antioxidant, chemical changes, seeds soaking, foliar spray

Key findings: Using kinetin with foliar spray was superior to soaking seeds with it to promote Mentha spicata L. plants for reducing salt elements Na⁺, Cl^–, MDA, ELP, and proline content with increased K⁺ content and antioxidant active.

The experiment happened at Al-Mussaib Technical College, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, to know the effect of ABA acid and potassium on the growth of broad bean (Vicia faba L) plants under water stress conditions (0 and 1000 mg k^-1) while the third factor was an ABA acid at the concentration of 0.2 mM. The results were as follows: All studied traits decreased under conditions of water stress (plant height, leaf number, leaf area, total soluble carbohydrates [TSC], activity of superoxide dismutase [SOD], and catalase of broad beans) with recorded values of 41 cm, 5.67 leaf plant^-1, 60.57 cm², 11.82 (mg g^-1 DW), 155.01 units mg^-1 protein min^-1, and 138.59 mg^-1 protein min^-1, respectively. The obtained triple interaction treatment was also at 25 ds m^-1 + 1000 mg l^-1 + 0 ABA, giving the highest values for all studied traits. ABA and potassium apart and together boosted proline, TSC, SOD, and CAT, raising plant height, leaf number, and area. The combined treatment improved plant growth and antioxidant systems, reducing the suppressive effect of water deprivation. ABA and potassium-treated plants showed greater TSC.

Keywords: Vicia faba L., growth regulators, nutrient elements, water stress, growth traits

Key findings: The results revealed applying ABA, potassium, and their interaction improved all growth traits by increasing proline content, total soluble carbohydrates, CAT, and SOD. The findings of this study indicated that ABA and potassium together assisted the plant in regaining the altered physiological features caused by water stress.

The present-day study investigated the effect of different nanofertilizer concentrations on growth and seed yield-related traits and the percentage of essential oil in the seeds of the black cumin (Nigella sativa L.), carried out during the crop season of 2019–2020 at the University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Diwaniyah, Iraq. The experiment was in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The nanofertilizer at a 20 mg/L concentration has a significant impact on the black cumin (N. sativa L.) plants and improved the growth, seed yield, and biochemical traits, i.e., plant height (40.38 cm), 1000-seed weight (3.48 g), seed yield per plant (5.55 g), seed essential oil (0.42%), percentage of mineral elements (Nitrogen-5.48%, potassium-1.02%, and zinc-4.00%), and biochemical compounds in the leaves (carbohydrates-4.34%, protein-6.00%, and peroxidase-0.95) compared with the least values for the said traits in the control treatments, i.e., 33.92 cm, 1.65 g, 3.77 g, 0.13%, 3.02%, 0.28%, 2.23%, 2.76%, 4.05%, and 0.23, respectively. However, nanofertilizer levels had nonsignificant effects on the number of branches, leaves, and capsules per plant and the percentage of phosphorus and abscisic acid. Therefore, nanotechnology has established itself as a multidisciplinary and pioneering problem-solving technology in agricultural and allied sciences.

Keywords: Black cumin (N. sativa L.), nanofertilizer, growth and seed-yield traits, essential oil, macro-elements, carbohydrates, abscisic acid (ABA), proteins

Key findings: The nanofertilizer (20 mg/L) has significantly impacted the black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) plants and improved the growth and yield-related traits, percentage of mineral elements, and biochemical traits in the leaves.

The study investigated the stimulation of callus tissue from explants (growing apex, true leaves, and hypocotyl segments) of medicinal Pimpinella anisum plant using an L2 medium supplemented with different levels of growth regulators 2,4-D, AgNO₃, and biotic elicitors (Aspergillus flavus, Mucor spp., and yeast extract) to the secondary metabolite induction. Callus formation induced from the single node explants had culture on the L2 medium. The addition of yeast extract 750 mg L^-1 to the medium was superior in the highest average fresh and dry weight of 435.79 and 0.616mg, respectively. The treatment at 300mg L^-1 of Mucor spp. recorded the highest rate of fresh and dry weight of the callus tissue. When cultured on 500 mg L^-1 of Aspergillus flavus, fresh and dry callus weights were 376.09 and 0.628mg, respectively. The different levels of biotic elicitors (Aspergillus flavus, Mucor spp., and yeast extract) stimulate the production of essential oil t-anethole from the callus tissue when added to the medium. The results also showed that the highest increase in the amount of vital oil t-anethole occurred when the medium included 500 mg L^-1 of the yeast extract. It recorded 2.969 mg L^-1 dry weight (DW). The MS medium supplied with 500 mg L^-1 Aspergillus flavus provided a maximum value in the t-anethole essential oil, reaching 3.756 mg L^-1 DW of the callus. Meanwhile, the 300 mg L^-1 of Mucor spp. recorded the utmost amount of crucial oil t-anethole at 3.945 mg L^-1 DW.

Keywords: Pimpinella anisum L., biotic elicitors, growth regulators, yeast extract, secondary metabolite, callus, in vitro

Key findings: The secondary metabolite compounds estimation ensued by quantitative and qualitative analysis using the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) device for extract samples separated from seedlings growing in vitro. For induction and multiplication of callus tissue, applying the seedling explants of the Pimpinella anisum plant occurred. The single-node explants had a high ability to induce callus, one of the best explants used to stimulate callus tissue, followed by hypocotyl segments, then dicotyledonous leaves. The addition of yeast extract led to a response affecting the average fresh and dry weight and the properties of the callus.

Determining the effects of organic fertilizer and foliar application of mallow leaf extract on the growth and yield of eggplant was the aim of this latest study held in spring 2021 in the Al-Najaf Province, Iraq. The treatments comprising adding decomposed palm waste to the soil at three levels (0, 16, and 32 mg ha^-1), foliar application of mallow leaf extract at three concentrations (0, 0.2, and 0.4 gm.l^-1), and their interactions incurred probing in eggplants. The experiment began in a randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with factorial arrangement and three replications. The results obtained through the analysis of variance continued to further evaluation through the least significant difference test to compare and separate the various means. The results showed that organic fertilization with decomposing palm residues at 32 mg ha^-1 significantly outperformed the other treatments for plant height, total leaves, dry weight of vegetative growth, fruits per plant, yield per plant, total yield, nitrogen (%), and total chlorophyll content in the leaves.

Keywords: Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), organic fertilization, Malva parviflora L., growth and yield traits, nitrogen, chlorophyll content, carbohydrates

Key findings: Organic fertilization with decomposing palm residues (32 mg ha^-1) outperformed the other treatments for plant height, number of leaves, dry weight of vegetative growth, fruits per plant, yield per plant, total yield, nitrogen (%), and total chlorophyll content in the leaves.

The existing study aimed to assess four soil moisture sensors’ capacitive (WH51 and SKU: S EN0193) and resistive (Yl69 and IC Station) abilities, which are affordable and medium-priced for their accuracy in six common soil types in the central region of Iraq. The readings’ calibration for the soil moisture sensor devices continued through two gravimetric methods. The first depended on the protocols’ database, while the second was the traditional calibration method. The second method recorded the lowest analysis error compared with the first. The moderate-cost sensor WH51 showed the lowest standard error (SE), MAD , and RMSE and the highest R² in both methods. The performance accuracy of WH51 was close to readings shown by the manufacturing company (1%), as the MAD amounted to 1.62%. Through both methods, the average MAD for sensors ranged from 4.76% to 7.36%, with this result considered acceptable, especially for low-cost sensors with insufficient available information for accuracy. In general, the average mean absolute percentage (MAPE) for all sensors was 25.54%, which means that the validity of the measurement for the l ow-cost sensors reached 7 5%. It encourages their use by plant breeders in irrigation, as the error rate was less than the specified depletion of 50% for available water in irrigation, where all study textures showed that the sensor reading reached the limits of 72 (±2), adopting 3% MAD for all sensors. The study affirms that, except for the IC station sensor recommended for irrigation use only in sandy-sandy loam soils, low-cost sensors have suitable accuracy for irrigation management.

Keywords: Soil moisture sensors, gravimetric methods, calibration equations, accuracy, MAPE , WH51

Key findings: For all the sensors’ calibration through both methods, the average MAD ranged from 4.76% to 7.36%, and these results showed considerable acceptance, especially for low-cost sensors. In general, the average mean absolute percentage (MAPE) for all sensors was 25.54%, which authenticates the validity of the measurements for inexpensive sensors (75% or more), encouraging their use in the irrigation field by applying its calibration equation.

Experiments to evaluate the performance of 10 bread wheat genotypes with nitrogen deficiency and diagnose the optimal genotype for the appropriate environment commenced in the winter seasons, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, in three locations of Iraq, i.e., Baghdad, Wasit, and Diwaniyah. All the experiments had a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split-plot arrangement. Nitrogen levels (0, 50, and 100 kg N ha^-1) occupied the prime plots, with 10 wheat genotypes (T2, T3, S1, S2, S148, IPA99, Adana99, Rasheed, Buhooth-10, and Buhooth-22) allocated to the subplots with three replications in each location. The interaction of wheat genotypes, nitrogen levels, and locations revealed that genotype S2 with 50 kg N ha^-1 at Baghdad showed the highest mean nitrogen use efficiency at 105.00 and 96.00 for 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, respectively. However, these values showed nonsignificant differences from the obtained values of wheat genotypes S148 and the IPA-99 during the second season, in the same location and fertilizer level, i.e., 92.87 and 90.00, respectively. Also, the genotype S2 gave the highest grain yield (6.53 t ha^-1) with N2 fertilizer level in the Baghdad site, not differing significantly from two other wheat genotypes, S148 and IPA99 (6.13 and 5.85 t ha^-1, respectively) in the second season. The presented study authenticated that some wheat genotypes provided good yield under nitrogen stress (50 kg N ha^-1), as there were no significant increases in grain yield when doubling the nitrogen level (100 kg N ha^-1). Therefore, the study suggested these genotypes’ cultivation with nitrogen deficiency to preserve a healthy environment and promote sustainable agriculture.

Keywords: Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), cultivars, nitrogen levels, locations, genotype by environment interaction, combined analysis, biological and grain yield

Key findings: Wheat genotype S2 with 50 kg N ha^-1 in Baghdad for both seasons had the highest nitrogen utilization efficiency of 105.00 and 96.00. Likewise, the genotypes S-148 and IPA-99 yielded 92.87 and 90.00 in the second season at the exact location with the same nitrogen level. In Baghdad, genotype S2 with 100 kg N ha^-1 produced 6.53 t ha^-1 and was at par with S-148 and IPA-99, which yielded 6.13 and 5.85 t ha^-1 in the second season.

The pertinent study investigated during autumn 2022 the effects of different fertilizer combinations and plant spacing on broccoli at the University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq, to improve the broccoli plant’s growth and productivity. The first factor comprised two planting distances (35 and 45 cm), and the second factor consisted of six levels of five different mineral fertilizer combinations obtained from N₁₅P₁₅K₁₅S₁₅ (rate of 400 kg/ha) and N₁₀P₅K₇S₁₀Mgo_2.5Fe_0.5Zn_0.019 (rate of 400 kg/ha), with a control (no fertilizer) as the check. Thus, the experiment used 12 treatments in a randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement and three replications. Results revealed that the broccoli plants cultivated at a 45 cm distance showed a considerable rise in the number of leaves compared with those planted at a 35 cm distance. The significant effects of different plant spacing also have varied impacts on the yield characteristics of broccoli. The varying fertilizer applications also enhanced substantially some broccoli’s growth and yield characteristics. Considerably, the interaction of fertilizer combinations and plant spacing also significantly influenced positively the broccoli’s growth and yield traits.

Keywords: Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.), plant spacing, fertilizer combinations, macro- and microelements, growth and yield traits

Key findings: Results revealed that broccoli plants cultivated at a 45 cm distance showed a considerable improvement in growth traits compared with a plant spacing of 35 cm. The fertilizer combinations also significantly enhanced the growth and yield traits. The fertilizer combinations substantially interacting with plant spacing were consistent with the influence obtained through the single factor.

The prevailing study aimed to assess the brassinolide, and moringa leaf extracts’ foliar application influence on the growth and mineral content of local lemon transplants, commencing in 2022 in a wooden lath house affiliated with the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Gardening, College of Agriculture, University of Anbar, Ramadi, Iraq. The experiment’s study factors comprised foliar application of growth regulator brassinolide (B0, B1.0, B1.5, and B2.0 mg L^-1) and moringa leaf extracts (M0%, M2%, and M4%) on local lemon. Study elements influenced all characteristics, especially foliar spraying of brassinolide (B1.5 mg L^-1), significantly enhancing the number of secondary shoots increment and leaves, leaf area, and leaves’ nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and total chlorophyll content. The growth regulator brassinolide (B1.0 mg L^-1) revealed considerable secondary shoot length increment superiority. On spraying of moringa leaf extracts, moringa extract (M4%) achieved a substantial superiority in all the studied traits.

Keywords: Lemon (Citrus limon Burmann), brassinosteroids, moringa leaf extracts, foliar application, growth traits, mineral content

Key findings: The lemon vegetative growth and biochemical content traits bore improvement and significant increases, especially by foliar application made with the brassinolide and moringa leaf extracts at the concentrations of 1.5 mg L^-1 and 4%, sequentially.