A comparison of Vertical and Conventional Cultivation, Planting Distances and Growing Medium in the Growth and Yield of Three Varieties of Strawberry

This study is conducted in the unheated greenhouse of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape-College of Agriculture – Tikrit University during the two seasons 2019-2020. It aims at comparing between vertical and terrestrial cultivation and cultivation distances in growth and yield of three cultivars of strawberry. The study includes three factors. The first factor is the method of cultivation which includes two methods of cultivation, terrestrial cultivation and vertical cultivation in pipes. The second factor is planting distances which include three distances, 15, 20 and 25 cm between one plant and another, The third factor related to varieties and includes three, namely Camarosa, Ventana and Sweet Charlie, The experiment is implemented by randomized complete block design according to the split-split Plot Design system, with three replications, each replicate containing 9 experimental units with a length of 2 meters, the cultivation method was set in the main plots and the planting distances in the sub-plots, while the cultivars took the sub-sub-plots. The results have shown the superiority of the terrestrial cultivation treatment over the vertical cultivation in each of the number of leaves, the content of the leaves from chlorophyll, the average number of fruits, the weight of the fruit and the yield of the greenhouse, which reached to 13.74 leaves of plant-1, 49.25 SPAD, 15.71 fruit plant-1, 15.28 gm, and 238.5 gm plant-1, respectively. The Sweet Charlie variety outperformed in the average number of leaves, leaf content of chlorophyll, fruit weight and greenhouse yield, with 15.97 leaves plant-1, 50.47 SPAD, 15.39 gm and 231.5 gm plant-1, respectively. The distance 25 cm between one plant and another outperformed in the above-mentioned characteristics, which reached to 13.97 leaves plant-1, 49.98 SPAD, 15.25 fruits plant-1 and 212.3 gm plant-1, respectively.

Role of Humic Acid and Chemical Fertilizer in NPK Concentration, Growth and Yield of Broccoli Under Salinity Conditions

A field experiment was conducted during the winter agricultural season 2020. To study the effect of humic acid and fertilizer recommendation, humic acid was supplied with irrigation water at two levels i.e., 0 and 0.25 gm L-1. Nine levels of the fertilizer recommendation were applied according to the fertilizer recommendation of 92kg N.h-1, 200 kg P. h-1 and 150 kg K. h-1 taking the symbols of F1to F9. The results showed the superiority of the treatments of humic acid application( 0.25 gm l-1) in the traits of plant height, Weight of broccoli head, total yield, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium concentrations, by giving 32.64 cm, 246.5 gm plant-1, 8.215 tons ha-1, 5.541%, 0.3816%, and 3. 641% respectively, the treatment of adding chemical fertilizer at a level of 125% N + 125% P + % K 125 of the fertilizer recommendation(F2) gave the highest plant height of 36.60 cm, Weight of broccoli head of 269.2 g plant-1, total yield of 8.972 tons H-1, nitrogen concentration 5.817% and concentration Phosphorous 0.3141% compared to treatment F9, while treatment F5 gave the highest potassium concentration 3.893% compared to treatment F9 (1.914%).

Influence of Bio-Fertilizers and Addition Methods on Growth, Yield and Quality of Sweet Pepper Under Green House

The effect of some biofertilizers and addition methods on growth, yield, and quality of sweet pepper were studied under greenhouse conditions. This research was conducted at ALLatifia Research Station(Located 35 km south of Baghdad), Agricultural Research Directorate, Baghdad- Iraq, during season 2016. The factors were methods of adding biofertilizers (A) included added to seeds (A1) and added to transplants (A2) and bio-fertilizers (T) included without adding any biofertilizers as control(T0), Pseudomonas fluorescence (T1), Azospirillim brasilense (T2), Bacillus subtillus (T3) and Azotobactor chroococcum (T4). Results showed a significant increase in plant height for treatment of Azotobacter chroococcum which recorded (79.00 cm) compared with (65.00 cm) in the control treatment. There is no significant influence of biofertilizers treatments in leaf area dcm2. Moreover, the treatment of Azotobacter chroococcum showed a significant increase for plant yield and total yield which recorded (1344.00 gm plant-1 and 1512.00 kg green house-1) respectively in comparison with the control treatment which recorded( 880.00 gm plant-1 and 989.00 kg green house-1) respectively

"Evaluating the performance of triple crosses and their parents of maize under two plant densities "

"Aiming at evaluating the performance of Three-way and single hybrids and their inbreds of Maize and comparing them with the ""Iba'a5018"" variety under two plants densities, a field. The study included a comparison of 5 inbreds and 10 single inbreds and 11 Three-way hybrids as well as the control variety ""Aba'a 5018"" under two plants densities, Were (60000 and 80000 plants ha-1). Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with four replications under splitplots arrangement were used, the main plots were included two plants densities and the subplots were included the Genotypes (27). Results revealed that low plants density gave ear length (19.64 cm), ears number (1.158 ear plant-1), weight of 100 grains (32.11 gm) plant yield (161.32 gm). Results showed the Inbred 5 gave the high values of plant yield (126.53 gm) because it gave ear height (116.10 cm), leaves number (16.33), ears length (16.50 cm), ears number per plant (1.219 ear plant-1 ), Also the Inbred 4 gave the highest values in yield per plant (132.67 gm), highest weight of 100 grains (30.62 gm). The single hybrids (2×3), (1×3) and (4×5) gave the most significant values in plant yield (164.21, 161.84, and 157.21 gm). As they increased the plant and ears height, leaves number, and ears length it also gave the highestvalues in ears numbers. Most of the Three way hybrids superior over the single hybrids and their inbred and the control synthetic variety, the Three way hybrid (1×2)×5 has a significant differences among his parents and the control variety in yield of plant (184.23 g) ears height average (219.33 cm), ears number (1.24). The hybrids (1×4)×2, (1×3)×5 and (3×4)×2 gave a significant values compared with their parents and control variety in yield per plan. It concluded that the genetics hybrids are appropriate for the Full season, and the single hybrids superior their parents (inbreeds), The best hybrid (3×2) gave the highest yield of planted area reached (11.43 tons ha-1) The Three way hybrid (1×2)×5 gave the highest value in yield of reached (12.75 tons ha-1"

Evaluating the performance of introduced varieties of maize under different planting dates and environments (some genetic parameters (LAI, TDM, DTM, CGR )

"To evaluate the performance of introduced varieties of maize under different sowing dates and locations, in addition to local variety, a field experiment was carried out in two locations; the first fields was at the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences Baghdad University Al-Jadriya and the second location was at Diyala Governorate Muqdadiya District, fields of the Diyala Governorate Agriculture Directorate, for the fall season 2019. The study compared five varieties of maize introduced from America with a local synthetic variety (Ibba 5018) and tested it in two locations at three sowing dates (1, 15 July and 1 August). The Randomized Complete Block Design RCBD was used with four replications, with spilt plot arrangements, the main plots included three sowing dates, the secondary plots included, the varieties. The traits of leaf area index, total dry matter weight, the number of days to Physiological maturity, crop growth rate, and individual plant yield were studied.The results showed that the date of August 1 exceeded at the Baghdad location with the most studied traits, such as the number of days to physiological maturity (87.50 days) and plant yield (213.7 g), while the second date for the same location exceeded some traits such as leaf area index (4.81) and dry matter weight (421.7 g) and the crop growth rate is 4.715 gm plant-1,day-1.As for Diyala, the second date exceeded as the plant yield (182 g).Results showed the superiority of cultivar 3 for most of the traits in the Baghdad location, such as the weight of dry matter (459 g) and crop growth rate (5.2 gm plant-1 day-1 ),and plant yield (204 g). It also cultivar 3 in Diyala with the highest yield of plant (188.5 g) as a result of its superiority in terms of dry weight and crop growth rate. In the Cumulated analysis, the difference between the two locations was insignificant, whereas in the dates, the two dates were superiored in (July 15 and August 1) the highest yield for plant (182.2 and 187.3 g). Interaction was significant between sowing dates and locations(L×D), sowing dates and varieties (D×V), between varieties and locations(L×V), and the triple interaction of most of the studied traits(L×D×V)"

Effect of Different Organic Manures on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Radish (Raphanus Sativus)

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of different organic manures on growth, yield, and quality of radish (Raphanus sativus) at Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Rupandehi, Nepal. The experiment was laid in Randomized Complete Block Design single factorial with seven treatments and three replications. The treatments were consisted as farmyard manure (FYM) (30 tha-1), poultry manure (PM) (30 tha-1), FYM(15 tha-1) + PM (15 tha-1), FYM (15 tha-1) + vermin compost (2.5 tha-1) + phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) (10kgha-1), FYM (15 tha-1) + bone meal (5 tha-1) + PSB ( 10 kgha-1), PM (15 tha-1) + vermi compost (2.5 tha-1) + PSB (10 kgha-1), PM (15 tha-1) + bone meal (5 tha-1) + PSB (10 kgha-1). A significant variation was observed among the treatments. The poultry manures combined with bone meal and PSB significantly increased the growth and yield attributes viz., plant height (43.43 cm), number of leaves (20.9), shoot length (44.49 cm), root length (21.68 cm), root diameter (3.77 cm), root weight (211.3 gm plant-1 ), shoot weight (170.9 gm plant-1), biological yield (82.28 gm plant-1), dry root weight (46.89 gm plant-1), dry shoot weight (50.33 gm plant-1), total dry weight (97.22 gm plant-1), root yield (49.31 tha-1), shoot yield (939.87 tha-1) and biological yield (89.19 tha-1) at 70 days after sowing. The vitamin-C in radish root was recorded highest (2.87 mgml-1) with PM. However, the total soluble solid remains unchanged among the treatments. In total, the results suggested that poultry manures combined with bone meal and PSB is suitable to cultivate radish. SAARC J. Agri., 18(2): 101-114 (2020)

Lifelong Consumption of Plant-Based GM Foods

Genetically modified (GM) crops are cultivated in over 30 countries with their products and by-products imported by over 60 countries. This chapter seeks to highlight general concerns and potential lifelong effects of consuming GM plant-based food. The consumption of GM plant-based food is as risky as consuming conventional plant-based food. However, the alien genes in these products may be unstable leading to antinutritional and unintended short-term consequences. Due to the paucity of research, no long-term effects have been attributed to the lifelong consumption of these products. Nonetheless, possible lifelong health and socioeconomic effects may result from outcrossing of genes, increasing antibiotic resistance, development of new diseases, as well as potential effects on the environment and biodiversity. Biotechnology companies need to invest more in interdisciplinary research addressing the potential lifelong effects of these products. Although GM foods are safe for consumption, clarification of current risks and lifelong effects are required.

Diagnosis and control of the cucumber root rot causes using some chemical and biological agents: تشخيص ومكافحة مسببات مرض تعفن جذور نبات الخيار باستعمال بعض العوامل الكيميائية والأحيائية

This research was aimed to identify the causal agent of the root rot disease of cucumber in some provinces of Iraq, and evaluate its pathogenicity and control it using beneficial bacteria of Serratia odorifera (So) and Enterobacter cloacae (Ec) which isolated from the rhizosphere of healthy cucumber plants, and using silicon (Si) and copper (Cu). The fungus Fusarium solani was predominant, while its percentage of appearance was 80.0% with frequency of 46.2%, Isolate Bfs- 1 was most virulent which prevent germination of the cucumber's seed overall in vitro compared to the control. The bacterial isolates D6 and Q10 exhibited 100% percentage of inhibition against the pathogen in vitro. Results of bacterial isolates identification using Vitiq2 Compact System showed that they belong to S. odorifera and E. cloacae respectively. Under greenhouse conditions the quadrant treatment (So+Ec+Si+Cu) was superior in controlling the disease, while it exhibited 100% percentage of seed germination compared to the negative control (Fungus alone) which achieved 58.0% and the percentage of disease incidence and severity were 9.0%, 3.5% respectively compared to the negative control which were 90.0%, 66.5% respectively. And the quadrant treatment exhibited significant increase of plant growth criteria represented by the dry width of plant, while it achieved 2.69 gm/plant compared to negative and positive control which were 0.85, 2.16 gm/plant respectively.

Effects of Zinc and Vermicompost on the Growth of Soybean (Glycine Max L.)

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of zinc and vermicompost on the growth, yield and nutrient content of soybean (Glycine max L.) plant. The treatment variables were control (‒Zn and ‒VC), VC 5 ton/ha, Zn 1 kg/ha, Zn 2 kg/ha, Zn 3 kg/ha, Zn 1 kg/ha + VC 5 ton/ha, Zn 2 kg/ha + VC 5 ton/ha and Zn 3 kg/ha + VC 5 ton/ha. Application of zinc and vermicompost showed a significant effect on the growth parameters and macro- and micronutrients uptake by the plant. The highest average plant height (164 cm), leaf number (80 nos./plant), leaf area (3360 cm2/plant), fresh weight (49.03 gm/plant), dry weight (24.54 gm/plant), fruit length (9.4 cm), fruit number per plant (5 nos. /plant) were recorded for Zn 1 kg/ha + VC 5 ton/ha treatment while the lowest values were observed in control at harvest. Results of the growth parameters varied significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with time. It was observed that, the overall best growth performance was achieved in Zn 1 kg/ha + VC 5 ton/ha. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 29(2): 201-208, 2020 (July)

Management of Root Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita in Banana (Cv. Robusta) through Biocontrol Agents and Neem Cake

A pot culture experiment was performed to study the effect of native promising biocontrol agents and neem cake separately and in combination against root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita infecting banana cv. Robusta during 2016-2017. Treatments treated with bioagents and neem cake enhanced plant growth and root characters and suppressed root gall development in banana plant as compared to nematode alone and untreated control treatments. Among the various treatments, the combined application of Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 10 g/plant + Trichoderma viride @ 10 gm/plant + neem cake @ 100 gm/plant resulted in maximum increase of plant height (38.8 cm), number of leaves (7), pseudostem girth (15 cm), root length (25.6 cm), highest number of healthy roots (17.0), poor number of infected roots (3.3), lowest root gall index (1 scale) and significantly reduced root-knot nematode population both soil (55.0 nos) and roots (90.0 nos). The application of single bioagent either P.fluorescens @ 10 gm/plant or T.viride @ 10 gm/plant along with neem cake were also recorded highest plant growth parameters and poor nematode infestation when compared to nematode alone treated control plant.