Agricultural Season Research Articles

Isolation and Diagnosis of the Bacterium Pectobacterium Caratovorium, the Causative Agent of Soft Rot Disease on Potatoes, Macroscopically and Biochemically

This study aimed to isolate the bacterium Pectobacterium sp., the causal agent of soft rot disease on potato tubers, and to test its pathogenicity on potato tuber slices. It was also aimed to diagnose it macroscopically and biochemically to the species level. The isolation results showed that 40 bacterial isolates were obtained from potato stems, tubers, and soils collected from potato cultivation fields and storage facilities for the 2021 agricultural season from the areas of Yusufiyah, Radwaniyah, Abu Ghraib, Taji, Madaen, and Alwa Jamila. The results of the pathogenicity test for 40 isolates on potato slices showed that they had different pathogenicity in damaging potato slices, with three isolates (Pc1, Pc4, and Pc11) significantly outperforming the remaining isolates and the control treatment. The three isolates (Pc1, Pc4, and Pc11) were diagnosed to the species level based on morphological characteristics, ability to grow on some selective and differential media, and biochemical reactions as Pectobacterium carotovorum. The microscopic examination of samples from bacterial growth showed short rod-shaped cells, single or paired, negative for Gram staining, and motile. The biochemical reaction results showed that they had the ability to hydrolyze artificial pectin and reduce sucrose, were negative for oxidase test, methyl red test, Fox-Proskauer test, and phenylalanine deaminase test, and positive for free oxygen test, tolerance to salinity, production of ammonia from peptone, production of gas from glucose, hydrolysis of starch, ability to consume simple sugars, hydrolysis of gelatin, and ability to grow at 38°C.

Effect of Spraying with Moringa Leaf Extract and Potassium Silicate on some Chemical Properties of Banana Plant MUSA spp.

This study was conducted in one of the covered greenhouses in Saran affiliated to the College of Agriculture - University of Dhi Qar during the agricultural season 2022-2023 during the growth period on the Grand Nine banana seedlings, for the purpose of knowing the effect of Moringa extract and potassium silicate on its chemical properties, 48 plants were selected Homogeneous, 3-4 months old. The study included two factors, the first factor: spraying with Moringa leaf extract in four concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15) g L-1, the second factor: spraying with potassium silicate in four concentrations (0, 1, 2, 3) ml L-1, the date was The first is for spraying, with an interval of ten days between one spray and another, with a rate of 6 sprays. The experiment was applied according to C.R.D, with three repetitions. The results showed that the combination a3b3 (15 g L-1 X 3 ml L-1) was superior in most chemical properties (total chlorophyll concentration (2.40) mg in 100 g-1, total soluble carbohydrates (27.00)%, nitrogen (28.90) mg g-1, phosphorus (1.28) mg g-1, potassium (19.60) mg g-1, silicon (0.078) mg kg-1, ascorbic acid (150.00) mg g-1), while proline was superior in the comparison treatment (a0×b0) as it gave (0.85) micrograms g-1.

Study of some Physiological and Molecular Indicators of Bread Wheat Treated with Colchicine

During the winter agricultural season of 2022-2023, a field experiment was carried out in the Al-Basatin Al-Sharqiya, located 4 km away from the center of Al-Muthanna governorate. The objective of this study was to investigate various anatomical and genetic parameters of wheat varieties under the influence of the mutagenic alkaloid colchicine at concentrations of 0, 250, 500, and 750 mg L-1. The study employed a split plot design with three replications. The main plots consisted of different concentrations of the colchicine compound, while the secondary plots comprised four varieties (Ibaa99, Mawadah, Bohuth 22, Babel). The statistical analysis yielded significant variations in the anatomical and molecular traits among the cultivars. Notably, the cultivar Mawada demonstrated superior performance in terms of stoma density on the upper leaf surface, with an average of 118.15 stomata mm-2. Conversely, the Babel variety exhibited the highest average stoma density of 113.70 stomata mm-2 on the lower leaf surface. Regarding Bohuth 22, it demonstrated notable proficiency in terms of stoma length, exhibiting an average measurement of 3.82 μm for both the upper and lower leaf surfaces. Additionally, it displayed the highest average stoma width for the lower surface, measuring at 2.66 μm. The highest mean stomatal density for both the upper and lower leaf surfaces (114.1, 104.44 stomata mm-2) was observed at a colchicine concentration of 750 mg L-1. Regarding the intersection of the treatments, it was observed that treatment C1V3 exhibited superior performance in terms of the dimensions of the stoma, specifically the length and width on the lower surface of the leaf. The average difference between the measurements was found to be 4.40-2.96 μm, consecutively. The C2V2 treatment demonstrated superior performance in relation to the stomatal density observed on the upper surface of the leaf, exhibiting an average of 132.6 stomata mm-2. The treatment labelled as C2V4 exhibited the highest average stomata density (131.85 stomata mm-2) on the lower surface of the leaf. The molecular analysis conducted using RAPD-PCR technology revealed that the primer OPA 9 exhibited a total of 37 bands. Among these bands, 6 were found to be unique, while the remaining 31 bands displayed divergence. The OPA12 primer exhibits a minimum total of 29 bands, consisting of 24 distinct bands and 5 unique bands. Notably, all primers demonstrate a 100% occurrence of differentiated bands.

Response of Matthiola Incana L. to Spraying with Amino Acids and Nano-Chelated Iron in Growth and Flowering Indicators

The experiment was carried out in the nursery of University of Kufa during the agricultural season 2021-2022 to study the response of stock plant to spraying with amino acids and nano-iron in growth and flowering indicators. experiment was conducted based on RCBD with three replications The concentrations of amino acids were 0, 1.5 and 3 ml l−1 and 0, 20 and 40 mg l−1 of nano-iron. The obtained results confirmed that spraying amino acids at a concentration of 3 ml l−1 with nano iron at a concentration of 20 mg l−1 led to a significant increase in plant height, total number of leaves, leaves content of total chlorophyll, total soluble carbohydrates, number of inflorescences, number of florets, flower diameter and inflorescence length, compared to the control treatment.

State of Knowledge on UK Agricultural Peatlands for Food Production and the Net Zero Transition

Agricultural peatlands are the most productive soils in the UK for the cultivation of many food crops. Historical drainage of peat for agriculture (i.e., cropland and managed grassland), without consideration of other associated environmental and climatic impacts, has resulted in a significant emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). There is a need to reduce GHG emissions without compromising the rural economy and jeopardizing food security in the UK to a greater extent than is currently being experienced. In March 2023, in a bid to identify alternative land management systems for agricultural peatlands to support the UK’s commitment to achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2050, a group of forty investigators met at a workshop convened by the AgriFood4NetZero Network+. The workshop reviewed the state of knowledge surrounding the Fens of Eastern England and their importance for food provision, the economy, cultural identity, and climate change mitigation. A broad consensus emerged for research into how GHG emissions from agricultural peatlands could be reduced, whether alternative farming methods, such as seasonal farming or paludiculture, would offer a solution, and how a localized approach for the Fens could be defined. The development of a holistic, inclusive, and plausible land use scenario that considers all aspects of ecosystem services provided by the Fens is urgently needed.

Effect of Farming System and Season on Proximate Composition, Fatty Acid Profile, Antioxidant Activity, and Physicochemical Properties of Retail Cow Milk

Consumers differentiate milk-quality characteristics in relation to the production system, but data on retail milk composition are limited. This study investigated how farming methods and seasons affect proximate composition, fatty acid profile, antioxidant activity, and physicochemical characteristics of commercial cow’s milk. Milk samples, both conventional (n = 84, 7 manufacturers) and organic (n = 24, 2 manufacturers), were collected monthly over a year. Farming system did not significantly affect milk composition other than fat content, whereas seasonal effects were notable, impacting the contents of ash, protein, and added water. Fatty acid composition exhibited variations influenced by both production system and season. Compared to conventionally produced milk, organically produced milk exhibited higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (4.54 vs. 3.88, p < 0.01) and a lower atherogenicity index (2.23 vs. 2.50, p < 0.05). The antioxidant activity showed that conventionally produced milk exhibited better radical-scavenging activity (DPPH) (14.54 vs. 12.30 μM TE/mL, p < 0.01). Seasonal variations were evident in both free radical-scavenging activity (DPPH), with values of 12.29 μM TE/mL in winter and 15.58 μM TE/mL in spring (p < 0.05), and ferric reducing-antioxidant power (FRAP), with levels of 21.81 μM TE/mL in autumn and 27.94 μM TE/mL in spring (p < 0.05). Season significantly affected (p < 0.001) milk pH, electrical conductivity, refractive index, and freezing-point depression. In conclusion, this study showed that the farming system has a limited impact on retail milk quality compared to the significant influence of season.

Integrated Crop-Livestock Farming System and Its Impact on Livelihood and Sustainability of Poor Farmers in Bulandshahr District, U.P.

Integrated crop-livestock farming System (ICLFS) has been traditionally practiced in India since antiquity. It plays a pivotal role in generation of employment and livelihood, improving health and nutrition intake. This system is beneficial for maintaining sustainable agriculture through mutual utilization of waste products from livestock to cultivation of crops and crop residues to livestock husbandry. ICLFS helps in reducing the greenhouse gases through plant growth along with livestock husbandry. The study aims to understand the mechanism of crop-livestock integration, degree of livelihood generation, economics of crop-livestock integrated farming system and its impact on socio-economic development in Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh, India. Data were collected from published records as well as through filed survey of sampled villages. Arbitrary choice method has been used to identify the principal crops grown in association with livestock, thus, total 5 ICLFS recognized that are practiced in study area. The result of the study shows that The income and employment generated through ICLFS have been found to be more beneficial to poor farmers like land less, marginal and small farmers, livestock husbandry in combination provides some partial jobs to the household members especially during off farm season, ICLFS is the important tools or means for improving farmers income, poverty alleviation, soil ecology equilibrium and economic empowerment of women in the study area particular and in the country general.

El Niño’s Effects on Southern African Agriculture in 2023/24 and Anticipatory Action Strategies to Reduce the Impacts in Zimbabwe

The frequency of El Niño occurrences in southern Africa surpasses the norm, resulting in erratic weather patterns that significantly impact food security, particularly in Zimbabwe. The effects of these weather patterns posit that El Niño occurrences have contributed to the diminished maize yields. The objective is to give guidelines to policymakers, researchers, and agricultural stakeholders for taking proactive actions to address the immediate and lasting impacts of El Niño and enhance the resilience of the agricultural industry. This brief paper provides prospective strategies for farmers to anticipate and counteract the El Niño-influenced dry season projected for 2023/24 and beyond. The coefficient of determination R2 between yield and ENSO was low; 11 of the 13 El Niño seasons had a negative detrended yield anomaly, indicating the strong association between El Nino’s effects and the reduced maize yields in Zimbabwe. The R2 between the Oceanic Nino Index (ONI) and rainfall (43%) and between rainfall and yield (39%) indirectly affects the association between ONI and yield. To safeguard farmers’ livelihoods and improve their preparedness for droughts in future agricultural seasons, this paper proposes a set of strategic, tactical, and operational decision-making guidelines that the agriculture industry should follow. The importance of equipping farmers with weather and climate information and guidance on drought and heat stress was underscored, encompassing strategies such as planting resilient crop varieties, choosing resilient livestock, and implementing adequate fire safety measures.

Influence of agricultural activities and seasonality on levels of selected physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals along River Yala in Lake Victoria Basin.

The aim of the work was to establish the effect of anthropogenic activities and seasonality on physico-chemical parameters and heavy metal levels of River Yala (RY) within RY Basin of Lake Victoria (LV), as well as the associated ecological risks. Analyses were done on the collected samples in order to establish the levels of EC, pH, DO, temperature, conductivity, turbidity, acidity, alkalinity, BOD, COD, DOC, TOC and heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Zn, Cr and Cd) in RY water and sediments adjacent to Agricultural Farms during dry and wet seasons. The levels in terms of μg/mL, μS/cm (EC), NTU (turbidity) of analyzed parameters in the Agricultural Farms in water ranged from 0.01±0.00 to 121.75±15.23 (Upstream pristine sources of RY - S), 0.02±0.01 to 184.83±23.43 (Nandi Tea Estate and Kaimosi Agricultural Farms - N), 0.02±0.01 to 149.67±22.77 (Subsistence Farms - Sub), 0.02±0.01 to 209.33±18.09 (Lake Agro Limited Agricutural Farms and Yala Swamp - D) and 0.01±0.00 to 164.25±30.33 (Terminal of RY - T). The levels in μg/g of analyzed parameters in sediments ranged from 7.2±1.46 to 3342.8±538.7 (S), 9.12±0.2 to 4063.2±90.4 (N), 3.15±1.14 to 5998.5±588.4 (Sub), 2.03±0.76 to 4519.8±194.9 (D) and 2.13±0.75 to 5514.4±201.4 (T). The significant differences in the levels of analyzed parameters in water between dry and wet seasons were computed as; EC (+20.54 μS/cm), alkalinity (-2.85 μg/mL), DOC (+0.24 μg/mL), Fe (+0.58 μg/mL), Pb (+0.11 μg/mL), Zn (+0.07 μg/mL) and Cd (+0.01 μg/mL) while that for Mn in sediment samples was +163.8937 μg/g. The significantly (p ≤ 0.05) positive values indicated that wet season had more impact on the levels than dry season. There was positive correlation of zinc in water and sediments during dry and wet season. Chromium correlated positively in water and sediments during wet season. Copper and cadmium correlated negatively during dry and wet season while Mn only wet season. Results of geostatistical indices (CF, Cd, mCd, PLI, Er and RI) indicated that sediments located at regions N, D and T were highly contaminated with the heavy metals. However, a wetland at the mouth of Lake Victoria cleaned the water before it drained into the lake. Therefore, despite contamination of RY through anthropogenic activities, wetland mitigation protects LV from pollution by the river, indicating the important ecological and restorative functions played by wetlands.

Recruitment of Row Crop Farmers into a Research Study to Assess Farm Hazards

ABSTRACT Farmers are at an elevated risk for injuries and are, therefore, highly sought after for research studies. However, their participation in research studies is low. We examine how characteristics of the farmer, farm location, and timing of recruitment contact impact the probability that farmers will engage and participate in a study of injuries and related farm hazards. Study data were obtained from the Farm Safety Study conducted at the University of Iowa between June 2019 and March 2020. We used recruitment data from participants enrolled using Farm Journal magazine subscription lists. Multinomial logistic regression was used for predictive modeling. Predictor variables included the time of day and the farm season in which phone contact for study recruitment was attempted, as well as the rurality of the farm. Two models were created to characterize screening and participation of farmers in the study. Farm season and time of day of the last recruitment call increased the likelihood of farmers being screened for study participation and completing the study. Specifically, contacting farmers during the growing season and during the daytime, regardless of farm rurality, resulted in higher probabilities of participation. Studies of agricultural injury may be more efficiently conducted, with higher participation responses, when circumstances of the recruitment call are considered. This work serves as a starting place for much-needed methodological research to identify factors that increase participation of farmers and farm workers in research studies.

Air pollution and agricultural labor supply: Evidence from China

Research on avoidance behaviors related to air pollution, particularly among low-income groups in developing countries, is relatively limited. This study aims to analyze the connection between air pollution and farmer labor supply in China, while also examining the labor relocation effect. The identification strategy relies on a widely used instrument variable, namely that thermal inversion exerts a plausibly exogenous shock on air quality. Two-stage least squares regression results indicate that at the intensive margin, farmer working hours in agricultural work during their busy farming seasons are reduced by 0.4 h/day for a 10 μg/m3 increment in PM2.5, whereas at the extensive margin, their working days in agricultural work throughout the year are reduced by 2.7 days for a 1 μg/m3 increase in the yearly average PM2.5 concentration. We also consider the labor relocation effect, as farmers are likely to shift their labor supply from agriculture to indoor off-farm work to avoid pollution damage. These findings add to the negative social externality of air pollution and expand the determinants of the agricultural labor supply.

Effect of Calcium Chloride and Gibberellic Acid on Flowering Growth of Two Cultivars of Gladiolus X hortulanus L.

This study was conducted inside the wooden canopy of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering / College of Agriculture and Forestry / University of Mosul during the agricultural season (2022-2023). to study the effect of spraying with different concentrations of calcium chloride (0, 500, 1000) mg. L-1 and spraying with gibberellic acid at concentrations of (0, 100, 200) mg. L-1 and the interaction between flowering growth of two varieties of Gladiolus hortulanus. They are Nova lux with yellow flowers and Trader Lux with red flowers. The corms were planted on 17/3/2022, then sprayed 30 days after planting the corms with three sprays and three concentrations of calcium chloride (0,500, 1000) mg.L-1 The plants were also sprayed with gibberellic acid, with three sprays and three concentrations (0, 100, 200), The period between one spray and another was two weeks. The spraying was done with gibberellic acid after 35 days of planting the corms. The study was carried out using a factorial experiment in the design of completed randomized sectors R.C.B.D within split plots with three replications, each experimental unit included (7) corms for each replicate. The yellow cultivar recorded the shortest period for color to appear in the first inflorescence, which amounted to 79.092 days, and the largest values in the fresh weight of the flower and the inflorescence, which amounted to 50.663 g. The diameter of the first flower reached 78.794 mm, the largest length of the inflorescence reached 41.285 cm, and the largest diameter of the flower stalk reached 9.294 mm. Also, there were no significant differences between the two cultivars in the characteristic of the number of florets per plant. The treatment with calcium chloride at both concentrations of 500 and 1000 mg.L-1 resulted in a significant increase in all studied traits. The treatment resulted in gibberellic acid at a concentration of 200 mg. L-1 resulted in a significant increase in all studied traits.

Effect of Different Ferrous Concentrations on the Growth Characteristics of Genotypes of Sorghum bicolor L.

A field experiment was carried out during the fall season of the agricultural season 2022 AD at a research station of the Department of Field Crops, College of Agriculture - University of Tikrit in Salah al-Din Governorate, located at longitude 43.679 degrees east and latitude 34.616 degrees north of the equator in gypsum soil in order to know the effect of foliar feeding with two levels of Iron In addition to the comparison treatment, which is (0, 75, and 150) mg L on fivegenotypes of white corn, namely (J, Giza, Inqaz, Rabeh, and Li). Ferrous sulfate was used as a source of iron. Using the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications, and each replicate contains (15) experimental units, each experimental unit contains four lines, the distance between one line and another is 60 cm, and between one line and another is 20 cm, to study growth characteristics. The Li variety was superior in leaf area and the percentage of iron in the leaves, reaching (4086.61 cm2 and 60.92 mg Fe/kg). As for the following characteristics, the number of days from sowing to 50% flowering and plant height, the J variety was superior to (99.11 days and 177.48 cm). and the characteristics, number of leaves per plant, estimation of chlorophyll A and estimation of chlorophyll B were lost The variety was superior to Giza, which reached (23.40 μg.cm2, 19.83 μg.cm2, and 16.43 leaves). As for the fertilizer additions, it was superior to (Fe2) and gave the highest averages in the characteristics of plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, chlorophyll A, chlorophyll B, and iron content inthe leaves, as it reached 157.94 cm, 15.80 leaves, 3783.76 cm 2, and 23.34 μg. cm2 and 21.03 μg.cm2 and 64.38mg Fe / kg, respectively, and the addition of Fe (1)) in the characteristic of the number of days from sowing to 50% flowering exceeded 95.46%. The combination (Li + fertilizer additives (Fe2) was characterized by giving the highest averages in the characteristics of leaf area and the percentage of iron in the leaves. As for the characteristics, the number of days from cultivation until 50% flowering and plant height, it was outperformed by variety J + fertilizer additives (Fe2) and the characteristics of the number of leaves per plant Estimation of chlorophyll A and estimation of chlorophyll B were lostIt is superior to Giza + fertilizer additives (Fe2).

Response of Yield Traits and its Components to Sesame Genotypes for Different Plant Distributions

A field experiment was carried out at the research station of the Department of Field Crops at the College of Agriculture at the University of Tikrit in Salah al-Din Govemorate under gypsum soil conditions during the summer agricultural season (2022 AD), to evaluate the performance of six sesame genotypes, namely (Al-Mahalli, Wada’, Had, Sumer, Rafidain and Baytim) and three distributions. Plants, which are (60 x 10, 40 x 15, and 30 x 20) cm2, and Interaction between two factors of the study in traits, yield, its components, and the percentage of oil. The cultivar Wadaa gave the highest arithmetic mean for traits of the number of capsules per plant (86,111) capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule (67,811) seeds per capsule, and the total seed yield (3,402) tons. hectares and percentage of oil (46.500)%. The cultivar was superior in seeds thousand weight average of (3.496) g. Third plant distribution recorded highest arithmetic averages for traits of number of capsules per plant (86.655) capsules. Plant-1 and number of seeds per capsule (67.561). seed. Capsule-1, seeds thousand weight (3.426) gm and the total seed yield is (2.678) tons. hectares and the first plant distribution gave highest arithmetic average for trait of percentage of oil amounted to (46.600)%, and the intreaction treatment (Wadaa variety and third plant distribution) achieved highest arithmetic averages for the number of capsules in plant (81.111) capsules. Plant-1, seeds thousand weight was (3.381) gm and the total seed yield was (3.761) tons. hectares and the combinatorial treatment (variety Wadaa and first plant distribution) recorded highest arithmetic mean for trait of oil percentage amounted to (50.00)%.

The Effect of Adding Whey and Spraying with Silicone on the Chemical of Chinese Cabbage Plant Brassica campestris var. Pekinensis

The experiment was conducted in the fields of horticulture and Garden Engineering at the College of Agriculture - University of Kerbala for the agricultural season 2022-2023 with the aim of knowing the effect of spraying with silicon in the form of potassium silicate (K2Sio3) and adding the by-product (whey) in improving the growth indicators of the Chinese Cabbage plant. The experiment included 16 treatments that included four concentrations of silicon (0.1.2.3) ml L-1 and four concentrations of whey by-product (0.8.16.24) L ha-1 and were in three batches between one batch and another 10 days. It was carried out as a factorial experiment with two factors according to the randomized block design and with three replications, and the least significant difference test (l.s.d) was used to compare the means at the probability level of 0.05. Silicon spraying treatment led to a significant increase in all yield traits, as the concentration of 3 ml L-1 was significantly superior in each of Nitrogen percentage, phosphorus percentage, potassium percentage and ascorbic acid. As for the treatment of whey addition, the concentration of 24 liters ha-1 was significantly higher in Nitrogen percentage, phosphorus percentage, potassium percentage and ascorbic acid. 2.547 ‘0.316‘ 1.403‘ 64.61 respectively. The bilateral interaction between the two experimental factors showed significant superiority in all the traits under experiment.

Estimation of Genetic Parameters and Path Analysis of Sesame Genotypes under Three Plant Distributions

A field experiment was carried out at research station of Department of Field Crops at the College of Agriculture at the University of Tikrit under gypsum soil conditions during the summer agricultural season (2022 AD). plants, which are (60 x 10, 40 x 15, and 30 x 20) cm2. genetic parameters were estimated in the three environments for studied traits under study. path was analyzed to determine most traits in single plant yield. The most important results were as follows: genetic variation was higher than the environmental in the three studied environments and for all traits, and values of the coefficient of genetic and phenotypic variation were average for most of the traits studied in the three environments and broad sense heritability was high in most of the studied traits and in three environments, and expected genetic advance was high as mean for traits of single plant yield in (the second and third environment) and it is possible to adopt the two traits of number of capsules per plant and seeds 1000weight with direct selective evidence to improve single plant yield because the direct effect of these two inpath analysis was positive and high.

Increased extreme humid heat hazard faced by agricultural workers

Increases in population exposure to humid heat extremes in agriculturally-dependent areas of the world highlights the importance of understanding how the location and timing of humid heat extremes intersects with labor-intensive agricultural activities. Agricultural workers are acutely vulnerable to heat-related health and productivity impacts as a result of the outdoor and physical nature of their work and by compounding socio-economic factors. Here, we identify the regions, crops, and seasons when agricultural workers experience the highest hazard from extreme humid heat. Using daily maximum wet-bulb temperature data, and region-specific agricultural calendars and cropland area for 12 crops, we quantify the number of extreme humid heat days during the planting and harvesting seasons for each crop between 1979–2019. We find that rice, an extremely labor-intensive crop, and maize croplands experienced the greatest exposure to dangerous humid heat (integrating cropland area exposed to >27 °C wet-bulb temperatures), with 2001–2019 mean rice and maize cropland exposure increasing 1.8 and 1.9 times the 1979–2000 mean exposure, respectively. Crops in socio-economically vulnerable regions, including Southeast Asia, equatorial South America, the Indo-Gangetic Basin, coastal Mexico, and the northern coast of the Gulf of Guinea, experience the most frequent exposure to these extremes, in certain areas exceeding 60 extreme humid heat days per year when crops are being cultivated. They also experience higher trends relative to other world regions, with certain areas exceeding a 15 day per decade increase in extreme humid heat days. Our crop and location-specific analysis of extreme humid heat hazards during labor-intensive agricultural seasons can inform the design of policies and efforts to reduce the adverse health and productivity impacts on this vulnerable population that is crucial to the global food system.

The Effect of Planting Dates and Spraying with Boron and Sulfur on Raising the Yield Efficiency of Maize (Zea mays L.)

A field experiment was carried out during the spring period of the agricultural season 2022 AD at a research station of the Department of Field Crops, College of Agriculture - University of Tikrit in Salah al-Din Governorate, located at longitude 43.679 degrees east and latitude 34.616 degrees north of the equator in gypsum soil, in order to know the effect of different planting dates. With three datesThe first date (15/3), the second date (5/4), and the third date (25/4). And add boron and sulfur before flowering by spraying on the plant (boron 50 mg L in the form of boric acid, sulfur 25 mg L in the form of liquid sulfate, boron + sulfur). Its effect on the number of ears, the number of ear beans, the number of its rows, the weight of 300 seeds, the biological yield, the total grain yield, the protein percentage and the ash percentage of the yellow corn cultivar (Sara), using the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications, as each experimental unit included four lines and the length of the line was 3 m and the distance between lineAnd the last 0.75 cm, and between one plant and another 20 cm, and to study the characteristics of growth, yield, its components, and quality characteristics. The first date was superior in all the studied traits except for the following traits: the number of earwigs and the percentage of ash, and there were no significant differences. We conclude from the fertilizer additions the superiority of the addition (sulfur and boron), and it gave the highest averages in the characteristics of the number of ears, the number of ear seeds, the number of rows, the weight of 300 seeds, the biological yield, and the total grain yield, as it reached 1.68 ears, 441.33 ears, 15.00 ear rows, 69.94 g, and 7.94 ton e and 12.69 ton e respectively, outperformingThe addition of boron as a percentage of protein is 11.93% and the percentage of ash is 1.27%. The combination (planting dates + fertilizer additions (first date × sulfur and boron) gave the highest averages in the characteristics of ear number, number of ear pods, number of rows, weight of 300 seeds, total grain yield, and biological yield. for ashes.

The Effect of a Number of Irrigations on the Growth and Yield Traits of Three Varieties of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivium L.)

A field experiment was carried out in Baghdad governorate / Tarmiya district during the Agricultural Season 2018-2019 to study the effect of a number of Irrigations on some growth and yield Traits of three varieties of bread wheat (Triticum aestivium L.), Where Three levels of Irrigation were used (Three, Five, and Eight Irrigations). And three varieties of wheat are (Iraq, Adana 99 and Ibaa 99). The experiment was designed according to the (R.C.B.D) Randomized Complete Block Design with a Split-Plot system and with Three Replications, and the results showed that the interaction between variety Ibaa 99 and eight irrigations was superior in each of the characteristics of the number of days for the appearance of 75% of the spikes, the flag leaf area, the total number of tillers, the number of grains per spike, the weight of 1000 grains, and biological yield which amounted to Their arithmetic averages were (113.36 days, 47.26 cm2, 395.11 tiller.m2, 29.19 grains.spike-1, 44.01gm and 16700.00kg.ha-1), Respectively. The interaction between the variety Adana 99 excelled with eight Irrigations in the two characteristics of spike length and plant height, whose values were (13.41 cm and 96.12 cm), respectively.

The Effect of Nano-Fertilization and Tube Size on the Vegetative Growth and Yield Characteristics of Two Strawberry Cultivars

The experiment was conducted in the unheated plastic house of the Department of Horticulture and Landscaping / College of Agriculture / University of Tikrit in the agricultural season 2021-2022. To study the effect of nano-fertilization at a concentration of 0, 1.5, 3 g, and planting with different sizes of plastic tubes with a diameter of 4, 6, and 8 inches on the vegetative growth and yield characteristics of two strawberry varieties, Fragaria ananassa Duch, Rubygem and Albion. The results showed that there were significant differences between the studied factors, as the tube was superior. 8 inch in the characteristic of the average number of leaves, as it reached 18.00 leaf plant-1, total chlorophyll reached 47.35 SPAD, the yield per plant reached 567.31 gm plant-1, and the yield of the plastic house reached 2297.6 kilograms of plastic house-1. While the two tubes exceeded 6 inch and 8 inch in A number of traits studied, including plant length, which reached 14.56 cm and 14.75 cm, respectively, and the area of one leaf, which reached 46.72 cm2 and 47.06 cm2, respectively, while the total area amounted to 285.63 cm2 and 275.16 cm2, respectively. The cultivar Albion was significantly superior to the cultivar Rubygem in the average plant length of 13.67 cm, in the average number of leaves amounting to 12.78 leaf plant-1, in the proportion of dry matter in the leaves amounted to 49.88%, in the yield of one plant amounted to 414.08 gm plant-1, and the yield of the greenhouse It reached 1677.03 kilograms of plastic house-1, while the foliar spraying with nano-fertilizer was significantly superior to spraying with a concentration of 3 g L-1 in the total chlorophyll content of the leaves and reached 45.61 SPAD, the yield of one plant was 546.62 gm plant-1, and the yield of the greenhouse reached 2213.82 kilograms of house. Plastic-1, while the concentration exceeded 1.5 gm L-1 in the average number of leaves, which reached 13.83 plant leaves-1.