Article Review: Cordia myxa L.: The Gift of the Nature, A Review

Cordia myxa L. is one of the medical plants that plays an important role in the treatment of many diseases. There are many studies explained that C. myxa can show anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antiparasitic, antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. This review was focused on the active compounds and medical effects of C. myxa. The fatty acids contents are particularly high (9.9%). Sodium and potassium constitute the largest mineral proportion (13 ppm and 29 ppm respectively) of the fruit. However, the toxic heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, chromium and copper have not been found in the fruit. This gives an additional significant benefit of the medical uses of the plant. The content of alkaloids, saponin, polyphenols, and comarine were recorded and was relatively high compared to steroids, resins, glycosides, tannins, and gum that found to be in less amounts. When the mucilage was extracted, the alkaloids constitute more than 35%. By using the Folin‐Ciocalteu, C. myxa extracts have a high Phenolic content. The antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria were included in the fruit mucilage extract while the alcoholic extracts have no effect on all bacterial isolates. In addition, the mucilage extract showed anti-parasitic activity when it was tested against Leishmania infantum promastigotes. However, the highest concentration of extract significantly reduced the amounts of lymphocytes. Moreover, ethanolic extracts of C. myxa fruits give rise to leucocyte and lymphocyte count. Future research needs to be done on this kind of herbs which could show high medicinal activity.

Pedogenical Distribution of some Micronutrients in Prevailing Sub Great Soil Group in Iraq

The study included the analysis of (341) samples from eight pedons cover most of the prevailing sub great soil groups in Iraq, which are (Typic Torrifluvents, Typic Torrients, Typic Gypsiorthids, Typic Calciorthids, Aquollic Salorthids, Typic Chromoxerects, Typic Xerrochrepts and Typic Calcixerects) to study the pedogenetic distribution of total and bioavailable content of the manganese, zinc, copper, and iron also its relationship with some soil properties. Results showed significant differences between the studied regions of total content of microelements, the bioavailability content also showed a significant deference between the studied regions. The physical and chemical soil properties clearly affected on their content of micronutrient and 77% of the studied samples were below the critical limit for zinc, but 65% of the studied samples were under the critical limit for iron. This refers to the response of the cultivated crops in such sub great soil groups to the addition of Zn and Fe fertilizers, also pedogenetic distribution of the content of these microelements showed a decrease with depth and compatible with the distribution of each of the separated clay and organic matter and decrease with the increase in the soil content of calcium carbonate.

Efficacy of Ozone Gas against All Stages of Red Flour Beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) at Different Temperatures and Exposure Periods

Ozone efficacy (approximately of 600 Mg.hr-1) was evaluated against Red Flour Beetle’s (RFB, Tribolium castium (Herbst)) eggs, larvae, pupae and adults at different temperatures (35, 40 and 45 ° C) and exposure times (1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 hours) under laboratory. The control treatments included above thermal levels without ozone at the mentioned exposure periods. The results indicated ozone effectively suppressed hatching with increasing temperature. The hatch egg rates was reduced to 0 % in the treated treatments after 10 h at 45° C. However, mortality rates of RFB were increased with maximizing of the exposure time to ozone. After 10-h exposure to ozone at the lowest temperature 35˚ C, complete mortality (100%) or few survivals of RFB were recorded in the susceptible stages (larvae and adults). Also, the complete mortality of adults and larvae resulted after an exposure to ozone at 40 ° C for 10 hours, compared than the high survival rates at the pest’s stages at 30 and 40° C, even after 10 hours of monitoring time. However the exposure time which is required to 100% mortality was decreased to 4 hours at 45 ° C, comparing to the thermal treatment only (control) which needed more time (6 h) for 100% of mortality. In conclusion, ozone application showed the efficacy on the mortality at all stages of RFB and the temperature was a potential factor enhancing the application of ozone for RFB control.

Biochemical Assessment of Peas Pisum sativum Varieties

Seven peas (Pisum sativum L.) varieties different originated, i.e, X07P54, X06PWY, NDPO80138-B-2, CA1P, L020140, Wt6803 and Mir were studied. Biochemical assessment of fresh aboveground biomass and seeds of peas varieties were done. At the beginning of flowering stage the NDPO80138-B-2 and X07P54 were reported high levels for crude protein (22.33% and 21.87%), crude fibre (25.94% and 25.76%) and crude ash (10.39% and 9.47%). In technical maturity with high crude protein and crude fibre contents NDPO80138-B-2 (21.59% and 21.38%), X06PWY (19.95% and 21.36%), X07P54 (19.78% and 20.57%) and CA1P (19.60% and 22.53%) were distinguished; by calcium CA1P (2.09%), and by phosphorus Wt6803 (0.54%). More significant variability in phosphorus content (21.27%) and Ca:P ratio (25.65%) in fresh biomass was observed. The lowest coefficient of variation was found for crude fibre (5.43%), crude ash (7.81%) and crude protein content (9.00%). The variability of parameters in technical maturity was found low and ranges from 2.34% for crude protein to 9.27 for phosphorus. The green mass yield is positively correlated with the calcium content (r = 0.581), phosphorus (r = 0.316) and crude ash (r = 0.077) and the seed yield positive correlated with calcium content (r = 0.79). The relationships found between qualitative indicators could be used in the breeding programs of peas.

Economic Study of the Comparative Advantage and Competitiveness of Small Holdings for Fattening Cows Calves in Nineveh Governorate for the Year 2018

The study aims to measure the comparative and competitive advantage of red meat production in the Kokjali region of Nineveh through some measures derived from the policy analysis matrix. The study relied on the primary data collected through the questionnaire form for a random sample of (100) fields included (5610) imported calves in the Kokjali district of Nineveh Governorate for the production year 2018. The sample was distributed into three categories according to the number of calves. The sample was divided into three categories, according to the number of calves, the first category of fields contains 25-49 calves and their number reached 35 fields, and the second category represents fields that contain 50-74 Calf has reached 48 fields, and the third category represents the fields that contain 75 calves or more and reached 17 fields. The results of the study indicated that the measures of protection and indicators of comparative advantage showed that there is no government support to protect red meat production in the domestic market for the year 2018 and this is clear from the nominal protection coefficient of the outputs 0.263. The same is the case with the nominal protection coefficient of inputs 1.212, as the results of the study showed that there is no government support. In addition, the measure of the special costs ratio indicated that the red meat product system has international competitiveness 0.004. Finally, the value of the local resource cost factor 0.131 indicated that the Kokceli area has a comparative and competitive advantage for the production of red meat, as the coefficient appeared to be less than the correct one.

A Suggested Model for Organizing the Relationships among Agricultural Extension, Research and Educational Institutions in The Sulaymani Governorate

This research aimed at a proposal to regulate the relationships among extension, research and educational agricultural institutions in Sulaymani Governorate, by diagnosing the personal variables of the respondents, and identifying the reality of organizing relationships between these institutions, leading to preparing a proposed model for organizing relations between them. The research population included the agricultural organizations represented by (Agricultural Extension Directorate, Agricultural Research Directorate, Agricultural Colleges and Institutes), and a proportional stratified random Sample of 15% was chosen from all organizations, the total of the instructor sample is 85 respondents. The proposed model was prepared according to the following procedures: literature and forms, expert observations, review of research and articles, conducting field visits, documents and records. 3 fields, 12 elements and 168 paragraphs were developed, all of which formed the initial formula of the model. The model was presented in its initial form to a group of experts in the field of agricultural extension and management, and after taking their observations into account; the model now includes 3 fields, 12 elements and 148 paragraphs. The research found that there is no process of organizing the relationships between the studied institutions, and showed that all respondents agreed on the paragraphs of the proposed model. And recommends its application in real agricultural work in Sulaymani province.

Study of the Antioxidant Activity of Cactus (Opuntia dellienii) Fruits (Pulp and Peels) and Characterisation of their Bioactive Compounds by GC-MS

The present study aims to identify and characterize the chemical compounds present in the extracts of cactus pear Opuntia dillenii (OD) fruit which grow in southern Iraq and offer different health benefits. The physicochemical properties of the fruit juices (pulp and peels) were investigated. Fruit pulp and peel extracts carried the symbols: hexane pulp extract (HPuE), hexane peel extract (HPeE), ethanolic pulp extract (EPuE), and ethanolic peels extract (EPeE). The activel compound screened by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). HPuE and HPeE contained 40 bioactive compounds and 60 bioactive compounds were detected in EPuE and EPeE. The scavenging activity of DPPH free radicals records a high level of inhibition ranging from 34.8 to 90.3% for EPeE and from 32.9 to 89.9% for EPuE, while hexane extracts scavenging activities (HPeE and HPuE) were 24.9-78.9% and 20.7-73.3% respectively at concentrations of 20 – 80 µg.ml-1 this activity has received considerable attention because of their physiological functions

The effect of a Forest Biomass Supplement on Morphophysiological Parameters of Calves

Breeding, preserving, and successfully rearing young animals resistant to various environmental influences is one of the main parameters of effective livestock management. The study aimed to study the indicators of natural resistance and the growth rate of calves under the influence of dietary supplements. The studies were carried out on four groups of black-and-white calves, 10 heads each, at the age of 2-5 months. The dairy calves of the control group were fed according to the ration adopted on the farm (basic ration, including cereal-legume hay, whole milk, milk replacer, concentrates, chalk, salt). In addition to the main diet, the animals of the experimental groups were given a dietary supplement. At 2-3, 3-4, and 4-5, months of age, calves were given 12-23, 19-38, and 23-47 g.head-1 of dietary supplement per day, respectively. The article deals with the effect of a forest biomass supplement on the morphophysiological parameters of calves. Biochemical blood analysis and the features of metabolic processes in the bodies of animals are studied. The results indicated that the use of a dietary supplement at a dosage of 30 g/head of cattle per day contributes to the highest increase (9.9%) in live weight gain of experimental animals and an improvement in natural resistance parameters (bactericidal activity of blood serum, phagocytic activity of neutrophils). Based on the data of biochemical and haematological blood tests, the authors conclude that the inclusion of a dietary supplement in the diet of calves has a positive effect on the indices of natural resistance and the course of nitrogen metabolism.

Genetic Variation Among Certain Fish Species in Terms of Evolution and Lineages

Three tests of phylogenetic including likelihood-joining tree, neighbour-joining tree, and minimum evolution tree have been used based on sox3 gene. Phylogenetic analysis was used to detect the genetic affinity and common ancestors for selected species that belong to the same or different families. This study showed the most appropriate methods for testing the genetic affinity among species and the methodology of each test according to the requirement of molecular applications. Secondary RNA predicted structure and minimum free energy were also included in this study because of their contribution to the detection of the orthologous gene and variance in RNA folding among species related to the different families. The genetic distance in the studied populations was calculated to know the most appropriate way to find out the genetic similarity among the studied species. The low distance-variance value of each group indicated significant genetic affinity among the species of the same family, this result is more consistent with the test of maximum-likelihood tree indicating the validity of this test to measure the genetic affinity among species that have common ancestors.

First Record of Two Parasitic Helminths from Cobia Rachycentron canadum (L.) (Carangiformes, Rachycentridae) from Iraqi Marine Waters

A total of 14 specimens of Cobia Rachycentron canadum (L.) were caught from Iraqi marine waters during the period from October 2019 till May 2020. Two parasitic helminths (One species each of nematode and acanthocephalan) were isolated from alimentary canal of the cobia. These are the adults of Iheringascaris inquies (Linton, 1901) Deardorff & Overstreet, 1980 and Serrasentis sagittifer Linton, 1889. The record of these worms, from this fish, is considered as the first record in Iraq. Adequate description of both I. inquies and adult S. sagittifer from cobia for the first time in the Arabian Gulf is given.