The Role of Bacillus subtilis, Planting Dates, and their Influence on the Vegetative and Oil-Growing Qualities of the Soybean Crop

Soya bean is important staple food crops in Western Kenya. Legumes play a significant role in agriculture by fixing nitrogen. Currently Kenya is experiencing low yield of soya beans. Approximately 0.8 t/ha is under production and this is due to low soil fertility. This has posed a threat to agricultural productivity. Symbiotic rhizobia inoculation increases crop yields through biological nitrogen fixation. However, the potential of Bradyrhizobium liaoningense in improving yield and productivity of soya beans has not been documented. Rhizobia bacteria are known to improve growth and yield of several other crops but the effect of inoculating soya beans with B. liaoningense on growth, chlorophyll concentration, nodulation and yields has not been determined. This study was conducted at Maseno University under greenhouse conditions. Previously purified local isolates of B. liaoningense (S3) from wild soya beans plants were used to inoculate the soya bean seeds. 4.5 litre plastic pots were filled with 7kg of top soil. Ten seeds of Soya beans coated with Bradyrhizobium liaoningense inoculants were sown in each pot except the control. The seeds were treated with the isolates inoculants as: un-inoculated (control), 1.07x107 cfu/ml, 1.19x107 cfu/ml, 1.31x107 cfu/ml and 2.67x107 cfu/ml inoculation of B. liaoningense. The experiment was laid out as Completely Randomised Design (CRD). The treatments were replicated three times. After two weeks of germination, the seedlings were thinned to three plants per pot. Watering was done daily with 200 ml of water per pot up to the end of the experiment. Data on plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, shoot and root fresh weight and dry weight, chlorophyll concentration, number of nodules and number of pods were determined. Data was subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Treatments means were separated using Fisher’s Least Significant Difference at (P = 0.05). Soya bean growth, chlorophyll concentration, number of nodules and number of pods after inoculation treatments were significantly different among the treatments (P ≤ 0.05). Plant height, number of leaves and leaf area were highest in 2.67 x 107 cfu/ml of B. liaoningense inoculation followed by 1.31x 107 cfu/ml inoculation, 1.19x107 cfu/ml, 1.07x107 cfu/ml and lowest in un-inoculated. Inoculation at 2.67 x 107 cfu/ml significantly increased soya bean root and shoot fresh weight and dry weights. Chlorophyll concentration was found to be highest in 2.67 x 107 cfu/ml treatment and lowest in un-inoculated control treatment. Inoculation at 2.67 x 107 cfu/ml increased the number of nodules of soya beans. Number of pod per plant were highest at 2.67 x 107 cfu/ml treatment and lowest in un-inoculated (control treatment). These findings showed that B. liaoningense inoculation was effective in enhancing growth, chlorophyll synthesis, formation of root nodules and pods in soya beans. From the study it can be recommended that B. liaoningense from wild soya bean may be used as a biofertiliser to improve productivity of soya beans by smallholder farmers in Kenya.

Background: The study was conducted in the field of the College of Agriculture and Forestry at the University of Mosul during the summer agricultural season of 2024. Methods: Investigate the effects of three agricultural factors: Factor 1: Two local mung bean varieties, the green and black ones; Factor 2: Three planting dates: June 1, June 15 and June 30; and Factor 3: Spraying at a concentration of 2 ppm with different types of foliar fertilizers: (wood vinegar, balanced nano fertilizer, amino acids and spraying with water only). Plants were sprayed at three different stages (at branching, at the beginning of flowering and during pods formation). The study was implemented according to the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications according to the split-plot system. After recording the data. Result: The results were as follows: The local green variety was superior in all studied traits. The 1/6 planting date was significantly superior in plant height, leaf area and pod length, while the 15/6 planting date was significantly superior in harvest index only, while the 30/6 planting date was significantly superior in the number of branches per plant, number of pods, biological yield and seed yield. Foliar fertilizer spray treatments recorded a significant superiority compared to water spraying, especially when spraying with wood vinegar and some traits were significantly affected by the use of balanced nano-compound and amino acids, especially seed yield.

Aiming to study the effect of planting dates and spraying with the compound DSPER Size on the growth of (Zea mays L.), a factorial experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split-plot design and three replications. The experiment was carried out in one of the agricultural fields designated for the Field Crops Department, College of Agriculture, University of Kerbala, at the Ibn Al-Bitar Vocational School in the Al-Husseiniya region during the summer season of 2024. The experiment included two factors Main plots planting dates (July 10, July 20, July 30, and August 9) and Subplots concentrations of the DSPER Size compound (0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0) g l-1. The results showed that the third planting date (July 30) outperformed in some of the studied traits, recording the highest mean plant height (223.71 cm) and stem diameter (29.781 mm). Meanwhile, the fourth planting date excelled in leaf area, with a mean of (6853.6 cm²), and chlorophyll content, of (60.581 SPAD). The treatment with the compound concentration of 3 g L⁻¹ significantly outperformed in giving the highest means for all traits plant height (213.25 cm), stem diameter (29.810 mm), number of leaves (13.240 leaf plant-1), leaf area (6697.4 cm²), and chlorophyll content (61.230 SPAD).The results of the study also showed the superiority of the interaction treatment between the third planting date (July 30) and the concentration of 3 g L⁻¹, which resulted in the highest plant height of (225.23 cm) and the number of leaves reaching (14.630 leaf plant-1).

The investigation was carried out at experimental cum demonstration fieldShri Vaishnav Institute of Agriculture, Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwavidyalaya, Indore during rabi 2023. The soil of experimental field was medium black clay in texture. It was low in available nitrogen (210.65 kg ha--1), medium in phosphorus (15.22 kg ha-1) and high in potassium (450.27 kg ha-1). The soil organic carbon content, pH, and EC was 0.50 %, 7.30 %, and 0.75 dSm-1, respectively. The field experiment was carried out in randomized block design with eight treatments consisted of T1: absolute control, T2: 100 % RDF, T3: 100 % RDN through FYM, T4: 100 % RDN through vermicompost, T5: 50 % RDF + 50 % RDN through FYM, T6: 50 % RDF + 50 % RDN through vermicompost, T7: 75 % RDF + 25 % RDN through FYM, and T8: 75 % RDF + 25 % RDN through vermicompost, and each experimental unit was replicated thrice having the gross plot size of 3.60 x 4.50 m2 and net plot 2.70 x 4.30 m2. Application of 75 % RDF + 25 % RDN through vermicompost recorded significantly maximum growth characters viz., plant height (42.33 cm), number of branches plant-1 (9.90), number of leaves (23.33) plant-1 at 60 DAS, number of root nodules plant-1 (47.27) at 60 DAS , dry matter accumulation plant-1 ( 22.78 g) at harvest, and leaf area plant-1 (13.17 dm2) as compare to all other treatments and was at par with treatment RDF. In a similar vein, noticeably higher yield contributing character such as number of pods (29.33) plant-1, pod yield plant-1 (21.33 g), and seed yield plant-1 (10.83 g), was recorded in treatment 75 % RDF + 25 % RDN through vermicompost than rest of the treatments and was on par with treatment RDF. Significantly higher grain yield (15.30 q ha-1), straw yield (23.69 q ha-1) and biological yield (38.99 q ha-1) of soybean was recorded in treatment 75 % RDF + 25 % RDN through vermicompost, over rest of the treatments and was on par with treatment RDF. The higher protein content (43.40 %), oil yield (314.03 kg ha-1) and protein yield (665.22 kg ha-1) was found in treatment 75 % RDF + 25 % RDN through vermicompost than any other treatment.

A field experiment using 16 lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars was carried out in 2001 and 2002 at the Field Crops Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey. The relationships between seed yield components (seed yield per unit area, number of seeds per pod, number of seeds per inflorescence, number of pods per inflorescence, plant height, 1000‐seed weight, number of inflorescences per unit area) were determined by path‐coefficient analysis. Amongst the characteristics examined, seed yield per unit area was significantly positively correlated with the number of seeds per inflorescence (R = 0.593*), number of pods per inflorescence (R = 0.602*), and seed weight per inflorescence (R = 0.685**). Number of seeds per inflorescence had a higher indirect effect on seed yield via number of pods per inflorescence and seed weight per inflorescence. Plant height had a higher positive indirect effect on seed yield via number of seeds per inflorescence and number of inflorescences per unit area. Highly significant negative relationships were determined between germination percentage and seed yield per unit area (R = ‐0.667**), and 1000‐seed weight (R = ‐0.582*). Conversely, positive relationships were observed between germination percentage and number of inflorescences per unit area (R = 0.803**) and plant height (R = 0.670**). Positive direct effect of seed yield inflorescences, seed yield unit area, and number of seeds per inflorescences suggested that these yield components may be a good selection criteria to improve seed yield of lucerne cultivars.

The experiment was conducted in one of the agricultural fields in the Diyala governorate to examine the impact of amino acid spraying at two concentrations (0,1 and 2 m L-1) on plant development and leaf N, P, K content. Soil was mulched with colorless and black plastic, and no mulching was used. White Snow F1 variety was used. SAS was used to run a statistical analysis, and a 0.05 significance level Duncan’s polynomial test was used to compare the means. Black mulching was found to be superior to other types of mulch in terms of the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium found in the leaves, as well as plant height, total leaves, leaf area, and relative chlorophyll content. Also the results showed a significant superiority of spraying with amino acids at a concentration of 2 m L-1 four sprays of plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, plant dry weight, relative chlorophyll content, as it gave. Interactions between the study’s two components also varied, as evidenced by the findings. The highest values for N, P, and K content in the leaves, plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, dry weight, and relative chlorophyll content were all obtained when black mulching was combined with spraying with amino acids at a concentration of 2 m L-1 four times. This resulted in values of 73.00 cm, 24.00 leaf-1, 271.94 cm2 plant-1, 3.33 cm, and 69.00 SPAD.

During summer seasons of 2015 and 2017, a field experiment was conducted at the Research and Experimental Station (30°19′ N, 31°16′ E), Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University at Shalakan, Kalubia Governorate, Egypt, to investi-gate the effects of combinations between hydroxyl apatite nanoparticles (0, 3, and 6 kg/fad) and cal-cium carbonate nanoparticles (0, 500g/fad) as nano-fertilizers under irrigaton intervals, (irrigation every 2 or 3 weeks whereas irrigation every 2 weeks as a recommended practice) on growth of soybean plants. Irrigation intervals had statistically significant effect on plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, leaf area index, number of pods per plant, number of root nodules per plant, root dry weight per plant, stem dry weight per plant, leaves dry weight per plant and pods dry weight per plant. These results were fairly true in the two studied seasons 2015, 2017 and combined result. plant height, numbers of branches per plant, numbers of leaves per plant, leaf area index, number of nodules per plant and number of pods per plant of soybean plants which treated with 500 g/fed surpassed untreated plants in the two studied seasons 2015, 2017 and com-bined. Soybean plants treated with 6 kg hydroxyl apatite nanoparticles per feddan out-numbered other plants in its numbers of leaves per plant, leaf area index, number of root nodules per plant and number of pods per plant in the two growing sea-sons 2015, 2017 and combined data. Results showed that normal irrigation x 500g/fed calcium carbonate nanoparticles x 6kg/fed hydroxyl apatite nanoparticles was the effective combination for producing the highest values of plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, leaf area index, number of pods per plant, number of root nodules per plant, root dry weight per plant (g), stem dry weight per plant (g), leaves dry weight per plant (g) and pods dry weight per plant (g). There weren’t significant results be-tween plants treated with nano-mineral fertilizers under irrigation every 3 week and plants untreated but irrigated every 2 week in all growth traits, which reflect appositive result of this chemical substance in mitigation harmful effect of water shortage in season 2015, 2017 and combined data.

A field experiment was applied throughout the summer of 2024 at the Field Crops Research Station, Agriculture College, Tikrit University, to investigate the effect of spraying Indoleacetic acid (IAA), 0, 150, 300, and 450 ppm, and the distance between rows, 30-30, 30-60, 60-60, and 75-75 cm, in the growth and yield of soybean traits. The Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used to arrange the experiment. Soybean plants sprayed with IAA impacted significantly. The concentration 300 ppm of IAA showed mostly higher chlorophyll (SPAD) (33.49), leaf area (1973.30 cm2), plant height (81.08 cm), pod number (156.80 pods plant−1), plant yield (gm plant−1), and oil persentage (22.04 %). Similarly, plant distances affect growth and yield traits. Seventy-five centimeters between rows showed mostly higher impact to soybean chlorophyll (SPAD) (33.05), leaf area (2055.30 cm2), plant height (83.33 cm), pod number (171.32 pods plant−1), plant yield (50.09 gm plant−1), and oil persentage (22.37 %) compared with the other rows distances. The interactions between the two factors (IAA and row spacing) impacted all the study traits. Mostly 300 ppm of IAA and 75 cm between rows was the heighest of all the traits. Although the distance between rows of 75-75 cm recorded the highest values for most of the studied traits, the differences between them and the distance of 60-60 cm were not statistically significant. The results of this study indicate that it can be used to improve soybean cultivation practices in the Tikrit region.

The study was conducted at Research Station A, Department of Field Crops, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences - University of Baghdad, in Al-Jadriya for the fall season of 2023. The study aimed to investigate the impact of seed priming with alpha-amylase enzyme and induced temperature on some growth traits of Sorghum. A completely randomized block design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement with three replications and two factors was employed. The first factor included planting dates (June 25, July 15, and August 5) denoted as D1, D2, and D3, respectively, in sequence. The second factor included enzyme priming treatments (0.5, 1, and 1.5 mg L-1) denoted as T1, T2, and T3, respectively, in sequence, along with a control treatment (distilled water) denoted as T0. Results revealed that plants sown on date D3 exhibited the highest plant height reaching 165.73 cm, while date D1 had the highest leaf area (484.2 cm2). Chlorophyll and crop growth rate were not affected by different planting dates. Moreover, treatment T3 showed highest rate of plant height (161.31 cm), while treatment T2 exhibited the highest mean of leaf area 459.9 cm2. Treatment T1 resulted the highest leaf chlorophyll content (57.80 SPAD units), whereas enzyme priming treatments did not effect on crop growth rate significantly. Interaction of study factors showed significance in plant height, leaf area, and crop growth rate, whereas it did not affect chlorophyll content.

This experiment was conducted at the Horticulture and Landscape Engineering Department’s Research Station/Open Field, College of Agriculture, Tikrit University, during the spring agricultural season of 2024. The experiment aimed to study the effect of spraying gibberellic acid (GA3) at different planting dates on the growth traits and yield of sweet corn hybrids. The objective was to ascertain the ideal concentration of gibberellic acid, the most advantageous planting date, and the superior hybrid. The experiment included three factors: the first factor, gibberellic acid (GA3) sprayed with water only, 50 and 100 mg L−1; the second factor, two planting dates, 15/3 and 1/4; and the third factor, hybrids: Sweet Spirit, 007R, SS3006, and 6800R. The experiment was executed utilizing a split plot approach within a randomized complete block design (RCBD) featuring three replicates. Gibberellic acid was placed on the main plots, while planting dates occupied subplots, and the hybrid was taken as the most important in the sub-secondary plots. Statistical analysis of the experimental data was conducted using the SAS software package, and mean comparisons were performed using Duncan’s multiple range test at a significance level of 0.05. The results showed that spraying with a concentration of 100 mg L−1 of gibberellic acid was superior in most of the growth characteristics and yield and its components studied (plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, chlorophyll concentration in leaves, cob length, cob diameter, fresh cob yield with sheaths, and percentage of total sugars in grains), amounting to 125.1 cm plant−1, 9.700 leaves plant−1, 3434.9 cm2 plant−1, 1.126 mg g−1 fresh weight, 19.46 cm cob−1, 45.67 mm cob−1, 13.04 tons ha−1, and 8.269%, respectively. As for planting dates, the results showed that the planting date of 1/4 excelled in most growth characteristics, and the yield reached 123.1 cm plant−1, 9.278 leaves plant−1, 3283.9 cm2 plant−1, 0.9155 mg g−1 fresh weight, 19.00 cm cob−1, 44.45 mm cob−1, 12.96 tons ha−1, and 7.752%, respectively. Regarding the effect of hybrid treatments, the results of the experiment showed that the hybrid SS3006 outperformed the other hybrids in most growth and yield traits, as the number of leaves reached 9,322 leaves per plant, the leaf area reached 3,378.9 cm2 per plant, the chlorophyll concentration in the leaves reached 1.136 mg g−1 fresh weight, the cob length reached 19.36 cm per cob, the cob diameter reached 46.50 mm per cob, the yield of fresh cob with sheaths reached 13.46 tons per hectare, and the percentage of total sugars in grains reached 8.226%, while the hybrid 6800R outperformed in the plant height trait, recording 128.2 cm per plant. Regarding bi-interactions between gibberellic acid and hybrid, these interactions resulted in substantial differences. The interaction treatment was superior when spraying at a level of 100 mg L−1 of gibberellic acid and planting on 4/1. As for bi-interaction between gibberellic acid and hybrid, the interaction treatment when spraying at a level of 100 mg L−1, and the hybrid SS3006 was superior in most of the studied traits. As for the interaction between planting dates and sweet corn hybrids, the interaction treatment between the sowing date of 1/4 and the hybrid SS3006 was superior in most growth traits, yield, and its components. Regarding the interaction of the three study factors—gibberellin acid, planting dates, and hybrid—the triple interaction treatment of spraying 100 mg L−1 of gibberellin acid, planting on 1/4 of the spring season, and hybrid SS3006 achieved significant excellence in most growth traits, yield, and its components compared to the other interactions.

The present study was conducted during the 2024/2025 growing season in the agricultural fields of Kalar Horticultural Station in Sulaymaniyah province to evaluate three hybrids grown at different planting dates and their effects on some growth and yield of broccoli )Brassica oleracea var. Italica (on some growth and yield of broccoli plant. This study identifies optimal planting dates and hybrids to boost broccoli yield and quality. It promotes sustainable practices, supports food security, and enhances farmer incomes. Despite challenges in broccoli cultivation due to suboptimal planting practices and limited research, farmers lack guidance on optimal planting times and hybrids. This study examines planting dates and hybrid effects to offer practical solutions for improved yield and quality in Sulaymaniyah Governorate/Iraq. Thereby, this research seeks to establish the ideal planting period and select the most appropriate broccoli hybrid for effective cultivation under the agroclimatic conditions. In this experiment, a complete randomized design (CRD) with three replicates was used. The first factor included Three broccoli hybrids, V1: Wisdom, V2: Hana, V3: Hapa were grown at three planting dates, D1: 1st September, D2: 15th September and D3: 30th September, The findings demonstrated notable disparities, with first date (1st September) exhibiting superior performance, giving a plant height of (40.48 cm), leaves per plant (17.06 leaves plant-1), Leaf area (409.71 cm2), Chlorophyll content in leaves (72.26 SPAD), Flower disc diameter (17.22 mm), flower disc weight per plant (512.93 g plant-1), and the total yield of tubers (61.46 tons. ha-1). The combined effect of two factors, namely planting dates and hybrids, and it is worth noting that the interaction between the first date and hybrid wisdom, had a significant effect on all vegetative growth and yield parameters, resulting in the highest plant height (cm), number of leaves (leaves per plant-1), leaf area, chlorophyll percentage, flower disc weight and total yield (t ha-1). Interaction. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the planting date (1st September) and broccoli hybrid Wisdom (V1) can be successfully grown in the agro-climatic conditions of Iraq. The results show that planting date significantly impacts broccoli yield, while hybrid choice does not. The interaction between hybrids and planting dates is also insignificant. Thus, selecting the optimal planting date is more crucial for maximizing yield than choosing a specific hybrid variety. Future research may investigate additional hybrids, environmental factors, and multi-season data to optimize planting schedules and broccoli yield, with climate modeling enhancing strategies.

The experiment was conducted in the canopy of Al-Musaib Technical College during the period from September 2023 until June 2024 to study effect of Rootstock type, organic fertilization, and biofertilization on the growth of grafted Citrus aurantifoia seedlings. According to a completely randomized block design (R.C.B.D.), the results showed that there were significant differences between the Rootstocks. Rootstock sour orange gave the highest averages in all traits, including (seedling height, main stem diameter, number of branches, percentage of phosphorus in leaves, percentage of potassium in leaves, leaf content of Chlorophyll) (77.36 cm, 7.54 mm, 6.95 plant branches, 0.46%, 2.41%, 78.46) respectively. Volkameriana rootstock gave the lowest averages for all traits. The results showed significant differences in vermicomposting fertilization. The concentration (10%) gave the highest averages in (plant height, stem diameter, number of branches, percentage of phosphorus in the stem, percentage of potassium, content The leaves contain chlorophyll (74.95 cm, 7.33 mm, 7.30 plant branches, 0.74%, 2.41%, 80.66) respectively. The results showed significant differences in bio fertilization, as inoculation with the Mycorrhizae fungus (B2) gave the highest averages in (Plant height, stem diameter, number of branches, chlorophyll content of leaves (78.09 cm, 8.98 mm, 8.00 plant branches) respectively, and gave the highest average concentration of (B3) in (percentage of phosphorus, percentage of potassium) (0.50%, 2.56). In comparison with control treatment B0, it gave the lowest averages in (plant height, stem diameter, number of branches, chlorophyll content of leaves). (68.22 cm, 5.13 mm, 4.82, 68.79) respectively. The lowest averages were given at (0.38% and 1.85), respectively. As for the two- and three-way interactions between Rootstocks, vermicompost, and bio fertilization, there are significant differences in some of the studied traits.

Seventeen soybean varieties were evaluated for yield components at National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad during July to October 2002. Data were recorded for traits viz. leaf area, chlorophyll content, 1st pod height, days to 50% flowering, days to flowering completion, days to pod initiation, days to 50% maturity, plant height, number of pods per plant, number of branches per plant, number of unfilled pods, number of shattered pods, 100 seed weight, grain yield, oil content, protein content. Data were analyzed for analysis of variance, heritability, correlation coefficient and path analysis. Results of analysis of variance revealed that there were highly significant differences among genotypes for all the characters. High heritability was recorded in 100 grain weight, days to maturity, days to flowering completion, days to pod initiation, leaf area, days to 50% flowering, oil contents, no. of shattered pods/plants and grain yield/plant, plant height and protein contents respectively indicating the additive type of gene action. On the basis of heritability selection for these traits will provide greatest improvement in soybean. Correlation coefficient of yield was significant and positive with leaf area, pods per plant and oil contents. Therefore, increase in these traits will ultimately increase the grain yield. Path coefficient analysis revealed that days to pod initiation had maximum direct contribution to yield followed. Therefore, it is suggested that this characters can be considered as selection criteria in improving the bean yield of soybean genotypes

Two field experiments were conducted in April (early cropping) and August, (late cropping) 2007 at the Department of Crop Science Research Farm, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to evaluate the agronomic and yield attributes of 13 cultivars of bambara groundnut. The results obtained showed that planting dates had significant effects (P < 0.05) on all traits measured. Significant cultivar and cultivar x planting date interaction effects were observed for days to 50% flowering. The principal component analysis showed that the first three components accounted for 85.18 and 86.81% of the total variation in the early and late planting, respectively. The traits representing the cultivars along the first principal axis were number of pods per plant and seed weight per plant for the early planting and number of leaves per plant and seed weight per plant in the late planting. Cultivars were differentiated on the basis of number of flowers per plant and plant height for the early planting and days to emergence for the late planting along the second principal axis. The cluster plot revealed that the 13 bambara groundnut cultivars were grouped into three clusters at both the early and late planting dates. In the early planting, the cultivars in cluster I are associated with high number of flowers, number of pods, and plant height, while cluster II cultivars flowered earlier and had good pod and seed yield. However, cluster III cultivars performed poorly in all the traits evaluated. During the late planting, the cluster I comprised early flowering cultivars while cluster II comprised cultivars with good vegetative growth, high number of pods per plant and seed weight per plant. Cluster III cultivars are early emerging and early flowering but have poor seed yield. The correlation coefficient for seed weight per plant was highly significant and positive with number of leaves per plant, plant height, number of flowers per plant and number of pods per plant indicating that increase in these traits will ultimately increase seed weight per plant. Thus, these traits could be considered as major seed yield contributing traits that could be given significant recognition during selection.

A field experiment was carried out in the holy city of Karbala - Al-Hussainiya district for the year (2022-2021) for the winter-season of the College of Agriculture - University of Karbala to study planting dates and spraying with traditional and nano-NPK fertilizer in the vegetative growth characteristics of the fenugreek plant for cultivation (20/10/2021) (10/11/2021) (30/11/2021) and the second, five fertilizer combinations (water only, 1 g.L -1 traditional neutral fertilizer, 2 g.L-1, 100 ml.L -1 of nano fertilizer, 200 ml.L-1 of nano fertilizer, The results showed that the second planting date was superior to the other dates in plant height, leaf area and number of pods per plant, which amounted to (70.37 cm, 285.10 cm 2, 10.93 pods. Plant-1), respectively, While the third date recorded the highest number of branches, which amounted to 7.12 branches. plant-1, while the first date recorded the highest number of seeds per pod, which reached 9.98 seeds.pod-1, and the combinations of fertilizers used together had a significant effect, as the third combination excelled by giving it the highest average number of branches which reached 7.09 plant-1, and the highest average number of pods per plant was 10.74 pods. Plant-1, and the highest number of seeds in one pod was 10.50 seeds. pod-1, While the second combination recorded the highest average leaf area of 298.50 cm2, and the fifth combination recorded the highest fenugreek plant height of 69.16 cm. As for the bilateral interaction between the study factors, the treatment of the second planting date and the third fertilizer combination recorded the highest plant height of 75.67 cm and the highest number of pods 12.20 pods. plant-1, While the third planting date and the third fertilizer combination recorded the highest number of branches of the plant, which amounted to 7.73 branches. Plant-1, as for the third planting date and the second fertilizer combination, it gave the highest leaf area amounting to 331.50 cm2, and the first planting date and the third fertilizer combination recorded the highest number of seeds per pod of 11.30 seeds. horn-1.