https://jouagr.qu.edu.iq/ Al-Qadisiyah Journal For Agriculture Sciences en daily 1 Sun, 01 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0330 Sun, 01 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0330 https://jouagr.qu.edu.iq/article_186680.html Examining the oil output and the physiochemical effects of various extraction methods on pumpkin seeds was the primary goal of the research. We used n-hexan as a solvent in two separate oil extraction processes, cold press extraction (CPE) and soxhlet extraction (SE), and we choose pumpkin seeds for the job. In terms of oil yield, the SE technique achieved 64.07%, while the CPE approach came in at 36.33%. The physicochemical characteristics of the seed oils were discovered to be substantially affected by the oil extraction process, species, and the interaction between the two. Acidity, iodine, peroxide, saponification, density, refractive index, and viscosity were some of the physiochemical parameters measured for pumpkin oil. In terms of chemical tests, the Soxhlet extraction method outperformed CPE by 125, 3.02, and 1.03 iodine values, peroxide values, and acid values, respectively. On the other hand, CPE had a higher saponification number at 187.13, and SE had a lower one at 187.13. In terms of physical tests, the SE method outperformed CPE by 1.47, 0.916, and 76.4 viscosity, respectively. Both the oil yield and its physiochemical qualities were improved by the soxhlet extraction process, according to the results.  https://jouagr.qu.edu.iq/article_188294.html Agricultural practices have been affected by climate variability which is a global issue that Smallholder Arable crop farmers must tackle for increased productivity. This study assessed factors influencing the use of indigenous technology for mitigating the effect of climate change and specifically identify indigenous technologies used for mitigating climate change among arable crop farmers and isolated and categorized variables that influenced the use of indigenous technology to mitigate climate variability. Simple random sampling technique was used to sample 340 respondents who are arable crop farmers. Data collected were factor analyzed, results showed that four factors were loaded and named as personal characteristics factor, interpersonal relationship factor, institutional factor and educational related factor. Factor 1 accounted for 25.62% of the variance in the benefit of indigenous technologies and was labeled “Personal Characteristics, factor 2 explained 20.96% and was labeled "Interpersonal Relationships, factor 3 an institutional factor, contributed approximately 12.81%, factor 4 related to education, contributed about 8.48%. It was concluded that the four critical factors that influence indigenous technology utilization among arable crop farmers were personal characteristics, interpersonal, institutional and educational factors. Therefore, it was recommended that any effort to mitigate climate change through indigenous technology must focus on the above factors in designing any programe for effectiveness. Government and researchers can take advantage of this recommendations to have a fruitful effort in the mitigation strategies for climate change.  https://jouagr.qu.edu.iq/article_187096.html The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mash particle size and die speeds on the performance of machine and pellet quality for broiler chickens. Machine productivity (kgh-1), power consumption (kW), specific energy consumption (kwh kg-1), pelleting efficiency (%), pellet durability (%) and operating cost ($/h), were studied. The experiment consisted of a factorial arrangement of three mash particle sizes (2, 4, and 6 mm), with three die speeds (280, 300, and 320 rpm). Results showed that varying the mash particle size from 2 to 6 mm resulted in a significant increase (P < 0.05) in machine productivity, while power consumption, specific energy consumption, pelleting efficiency, pellet durability and operating cost significantly (P < 0.05) decreased. By increasing the die speed from 280 to 320 rpm, the machine productivity significantly increased (P < 0.05), while power consumption, specific energy consumption, pelleting efficiency, pellet durability and operating cost significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The highest machine productivity of 86.01 kg.h-1 and the lowest power consumption, of 2.65 kW, specific energy consumption 0.029 kwh kg-1, operating cost 1.29 $/h was achieved with a mash particle size of 6 mm and a die speed of 320 rpm. Meanwhile, the highest pelleting efficiency of 92.92 % and pellet durability of 91.87% were recorded with a mash particle size of 2 mm and a die speed of 280 rpm. It was concluded that the mash particle size and die speeds significantly impact machine performance and pellet quality. https://jouagr.qu.edu.iq/article_188518.html The goal of the study was to investigate the impact of irrigation water pH on the growth, physiological performance, and yield of broad beans (Vicia faba) grown in pots in an open field during the 2024–2025 growing season at Bakrajo Technical Institute using a completely randomized design (CRD). Five irrigation water pH levels (4.5, 5.0, 6.0, 7.5, and 8.0) were used for assessing seven agronomic and physiological variables. ANOVA and Duncan's Multiple Comparison Test were used to evaluate for differences in treatment means. While there were no statistically significant variations in height or chlorophyll content between treatments, indicating tolerance to little pH deviations, chlorophyll values were lowest and accurate at 8.0. Conversely, pH had a considerable impact on yield, dry matter biomass, shoot and root weight, and leaf number. The optimal values for the traits were observed at slightly acidic to neutral conditions (pH 5.0–7.5), while there was a sharp and statistically significant decline noted at pH 8.0, indicating severe suppression of growth under alkaline stress. Correlation analysis also indicated significant, positive correlation between vegetative characters and yield and selected shoot weight, plant height, and leaf number as reliable predictors of productivity. There was minimal to no relationship between SPAD chlorophyll measurements and yield and biomass. According to the results, broad beans grow on irrigation water with a pH of 5.0 to 7.5 and are quite sensitive to alkalinity. These findings highlight how essential it is to monitor and regulate irrigation water pH to optimize broad bean yields, especially when alkaline water sources are utilized. https://jouagr.qu.edu.iq/article_187141.html Allelopathic effects of Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) have been investigated on 3 weeds: Vicia sativa, Vicia ervila, Hordeum spontaneum and one important cereal crop Triticum aestivum L. (bread wheat). A Laboratory experiment was laid out and 0.00, 1.00, 1.50 and 2.00 mg/ ml solutions of the ethanolic leaf extract were applied each with 5 replications. After 2 weeks, several germination indices and seedling growth characters were recorded. The chemical constituent of the extract was identified with GC–MS analysis. Eucalyptol, camphor, terpinene, linalool, ferruginol were identified as a dominant allelochemicals. A significant decrease was recorded in the germination % (G %) and germination velocity (GV) of Vicia ervilia, Vicia sativa and Hordeum spontaneum. While, seedling vigor index (SVI) was decreased significantly in Hordeum spontaneum and Triticum aestivum L. Although, a significant increase observed only in the root and shoot length of Triticum aestivum L., but it decreased significantly in the other parameters. A significant reduction in the seedling biomass of Vicia ervilia and Hordeum spontaneum was recorded. A remarkable increase was recorded in the seedling moisture content of Hordeum spontaneum and Triticum aestivum L. Generally, it can be concluded that rosemary exhibited a negative allelopathic effects on the weeds that can be used as a herbicide, but a positive promoter effect on Triticum aestivum L. https://jouagr.qu.edu.iq/article_187568.html Soil contamination with heavy metals, particularly copper (Cu), poses a significant challenge to environmental health and agricultural. This study evaluates the potential of organic amendments, including walnut shell biochar (produced at 700°C), sunflower husk biochar (produced at 500°C) and nutshell flour, to reduce Cu availability in contaminated soils. The amendments were applied at two concentrations (2.5% and 5%) to soils spiked with 2,000 mg/kg Cu. The untreated control soil exhibited the highest mean Cu availability (342.7 mg/kg), highlighting the severity of contamination. Upon treatment with 2.5% walnut shell biochar, Cu availability decreased significantly to 231.6 mg/kg, while 2.5% sunflower husk biochar, further reduced Cu availability significantly to 222.2 mg/kg. A more substantial reduction was achieved with 2.5% nutshell flour, which lowered Cu availability significantly to 181.4 mg/kg. At the higher application rate (5%), the amendments showed enhanced efficacy. Walnut shell biochar and sunflower husk biochar reduced Cu availability to 223.2 mg/kg and 190.7 mg/kg, respectively. Notably, 5% nutshell flour exhibited the highest immobilization potential, decreasing Cu availability significantly to 142.9 mg/kg. While in other hand study also investigates the effects of walnut shell biochar, sunflower husk biochar, and nutshell flour on the pH of Cu-contaminated soil (2,000 mg/kg Cu), The untreated control soil had a neutral pH of 7.52, while Cu contamination significantly reduced pH to 6.47, reflecting increased acidity. Application of 2.5% and 5% walnut shell biochar and 2.5% sunflower husk biochar significantly elevated the pH to 8.0, 8.21 and 7.96, respectively, achieving near-neutral or slightly alkaline conditions. Conversely, 2.5% nutshell flour resulted in a marginal pH increase to 6.59, indicating limited neutralizing potential. https://jouagr.qu.edu.iq/article_187714.html Date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.) hold significant ecological, socio-economic, and nutritional value for populations in the Saharan region. To optimize the use of common date varieties, particularly those produced in large quantities in southern Algeria, technological valorization is essential. Date syrup, known as Robb, derived from the Hmira variety and produced locally through traditional methods, can be used to enhance industrial-scale yogurt production. Microbiological analysis of Robb was conducted following Algerian standards before the production of Robb-flavored yogurt. A trial production of a yogurt-Robb mixture was carried out at laboratory scale (POSL). The resulting products underwent sensory analysis, evaluated through a preference test by a panel of 70 participants, who provided tasting notes. The microbiological results showed that the date syrup was free from pathogenic and bacterial contaminants and met national requirements. The sensory evaluation determined the level of acceptability of the products with increasing date syrup concentrations among the tasters. The yogurt-Robb mixture containing a 7% date syrup concentration was the most preferred. The main descriptors influencing the tasters' choice were acidity, sweetness, and texture, while aroma and color had less influence. This study emphasizes the potential to add value to low-market-quality date by-products, specifically Robb, by utilizing them as a sweetener in the dairy industry. This approach can lead to the production of naturally flavored dairy products with significant nutritional and health benefits.