Like many species within the Fabaceae family, Sesbania punicea L. seeds experience seed coat dormancy, affecting their germination from a hard shell coating the seed, preventing water absorption and gaseous exchange into the seeds. The presented research sought to overcome the outer dormancy phase in Sesbania punicea seeds by treating them with two concentrations of sulfuric acid (50% and 98% H₂SO₄) for periods of 0, 10, and 15 minutes and soaking in hot water (without, with) for 24 hours. The results revealed that seed pretreatment of immersion in sulfuric acid at a 98% concentration was significantly superior to the 50% and showed the highest mean values for the studied parameters, germination percentage, seedling height, stem diameter, leaves per seedling, and shoots dry weight at 78.33%, 61.61 cm, 5.79 mm, 31.27 leaves/seedling, and 7.32 g, respectively. In the same line, the immersion in sulfuric acid for 15 minutes was superior compared with 10 minutes, providing the highest values for the same traits at 87.04%, 64.08 cm, 6.16 mm, 32.08 leaves/seedling, and 8.12 g, respectively. The hot water treatment was notably dominant to the one without soaking and exhibited the maximum values for the above traits (78.55%, 59.83 cm, 5.94 mm, 31.05 leaves/seedlings, and 7.32 g, respectively). The interaction effects of three factors (immersion in 98% sulfuric acid for 15 minutes and soaking in hot water) excelled other treatments for the traits, i.e., germination rate (99.30%), seedling height (71.00 cm), main stem diameter (7.28 mm), leaves/seedling (36.66), and shoot’s dry weight (11.42 g). The most remarkable achievement was that chemical scarification using sulfuric acid and hot water, either individually or in combination, proved effective in breaking the seed dormancy of Sesbania punicea.

Keywords: Sesbania punicea L., seed dormancy, sulfuric acid, hot water, germination, growth traits

Key findings: For better germination and early growth of Sesbania punicea L. seedlings, the combination of seed immersion in 98% sulfuric acid for 15 minutes and soaking in hot water for 24 hours proved recommendable since it leads to an increase in the germination percentage from 36.9% to 99.3%, enhancing the growth parameters.

The recent study pursued determining the ideal quantity of micronutrients and planting time to enhance maize (Zea mays L.) pollen fertility and production under heat-stress conditions. The study set up a maize experiment in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split-plot arrangement and three replications, carried out in the crop season 2020 at the Babylon Muradia Research Center, Iraq. The trials comprised two factors: first, planting times placed in main plots, i.e., June 25 (A1), July 10 (A2), and July 25 (A3), and the second included foliar applications of a composition of six microelements (iron, manganese, zinc, boron, copper, and molybdenum) with four concentrations, i.e., 0 (C0), 20 (C1), 30 (C2), and 40 (C3) g L^-1. The results indicated that maize planting at later dates, specifically between July 10 and 25, resulted in the maximum levels of moisture, pollen vitality, and fertility percentage, which led to an increase in yield components and grain output. The findings also demonstrated that foliar application of micronutrients effectively creates a conducive environment for developing pollen grains. The micronutrient concentration of 40 g L^-1 gave the optimal moisture and vitality of the pollen grains, leading to the highest quantity of grains per row and, ultimately, maximizing the maize yield. The July 10 planting date proved the ideal time for seeding maize because it contributed to reducing temperatures’ effects and increasing productivity. In addition, foliar application of micronutrients (40 g L^-1) creates an optimal environment for pollen grains, improving grain composition and yield. With the pollen grain’s better vitality, the favorable situation improves pollination and fertilization, eventually increasing the maize yield.

Keywords: Corn (Zea mays L.), micronutrients, foliar nutrition, sowing dates, pollen moisture, fertility, pollination and fertilization, yield-related traits

Key findings: Maize (Zea mays L.) planting time between July 10 and 25, along with foliar application of micronutrients (40 g L^-1), optimized and promoted pollen grains’ moisture, growth, vitality, and fertility percentage, which eventually boosted the yield traits’ components and grain yield.

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.