Mesopotamia Journal of Agriculture

Results indicated that the chamomile as an L. fabarum attracting plant gave a height average mummy to Myzus persicae and Aphis fabae gave (45.06 ± 8.78, 262.00 ± 12.16) mummy. Followed by the coriander plant which showed (35.80 ± 9.15 and 215.00 ± 8.71) mummy for each Myzus persicae and Aphis fabae, respectively. The basil plant showed the least average number of mummies for the two insects (25.78 ± 2.77 and 192.33 ± 13.65) mummy reach of the Myzus persicae and Aphis fabae.
However, it was higher than the control upon the Myzus persicae and Aphis fabae (14.71 ± 2.70 and 124.33 ± 22.27) mummy, respectively.
The parasitism rate was affected by the increase in the number of mummies, where the chamomile plant showed the highest parasitization rate on Myzus persicae (70.47 ± 4.05) %, followed by the coriander plant (65.90 ± 5.63%), then basil plant (52.77 ±2.24) %, while the control treatment was the least in parasitism (30.38 ± 4.09) %. On the other hand, the percentage of parasitism on Aphis fabae was superior in all treatments of Aphis fabae above the control group (63.29 ± 2.22, 62.16 ± 1.82, 59.66 ± 5.79 and 30.29 ± 1.52).

This study aimed to investigate the existence of wheat seed gall nematode Anguina tritici in the silos and some wheat fileds in Duhok province / Kurdistan Region - Iraq.,and diagnose four new isolates of this nematode on wheat and one isolate on barley collected from different loactions in Iraq.The results indiacted that wheat impurities samples were infested with seed galls by 66 % as the highest percentager in silo of Faidia during 2020, while the lowest (6%) recoded in the silo of Zakho during the same year.The highest disease incidence was recorded in the wheat fields of Akre by 34.6%,while the lowest (2%) in the wheat fields of Semel. Molecular identification results revealed that the bands of amplified DNA products of all nematode isolates were visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis in the same position ("~" up to 750 bp).Sequencing of the partial gene 5.8S rRNA gene confirmed that all nematode isolates belong to seed gall nematode A.tritici, also a description of their accession number by blast program showed the same percentage identitiy (100 %), and their comparision by a DNA Dot Plot emphasized that they are genetically similar. Results of phylogenetic tree analysis showed grouping of nematode isolates with each other and with the other two isolates of the same species from Iraq,whilst nucleotide variations increased with other nematode species of the same genus,and increased more with other nematode species of the same family (Anguinidae).

This study aimed to investigate the potential of natural coumarin derivatives abstracted from Delicious golden apple seeds and anpro supplementation to neutralize aflatoxin B1 in the Coturnix japonica (quail) diet. Next to the isolation of natural coumarins, symbolized here as C1 and C2, fifty three-week-old quails were randomized and identically separated into five dietary-treatment (DT) groups. DT1 served as a negative control group, in which the quails received unpolluted feed. While in the DT2 positive control group, the animal was fed a diet polluted with aflatoxin B1 (0.5 mg/kg). For DT3, the diet was polluted with aflatoxin B1 and treated with Anpro at a concentration of 1 g/kg. The diets of DT4 and DT5 were polluted with aflatoxin B1 and treated with C1 and C2 at a concentration of 250 mg/kg, respectively. According to the research, aflatoxin B1 contamination results in a considerable reduction in packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell counts (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), blood glucose, total blood protein, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Also, this contamination causes the number of total white blood cells (WBC) and the level of uric acid in the blood to significantly increase. Moreover, the analyzed hematological and biochemical variables can be boosted by adding Anpro, C1 and C2 to the meals polluted with aflatoxin B1. These findings led the authors to the conclusion that Anpro, C1, and C2 can serve as beneficial dietary supplements to the quail in order to counteract aflatoxin B1's detrimental effects.

Symptoms similar to those produced by the phytoplasma disease "Big bud" were observed on tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) grown in the field in Mosul city, Iraq. Diseased plants were characterized by twisting, corrugated, yellowing or reddening of leaves. The sepals of the flowers acquired hypertrophied form, were fused together and created a bell-shaped sterile bud (phyllody) of green or anthocyanin color. The stems of the plants were lignified, and phloem necrosis was observed on the stem. In mid-September 2020, samples of 30 diseased and 2 healthy (control) tomato plants were collected from the fields. Phytoplasmas were detected by PCR and Nested-PCR in 10 diseased samples, use universal and specific primers. The results of a phylogenetic tree consisting of 27 genetic sequences of the 16 S ribosomal RNA gene of Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii, locally isolated from Iraq/Mosul, showed a sequence identity with a high percentage of genetic similarity of 99% with Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii 16Sr member VI-A. Clover proliferation group (16Sr VI), with various isolates from around the world.

This work includes, identification eight species of Aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) which collected from the leaves of different plants in many localities of Erbil governorate Kurdistan region-Iraq from the period May till July 2022, these are: Chaitophorus salijaponicus, Aphis fabae, Macrosiphum rosae, Capitophorus carduinus, Myzus persicae, Aphis ruborum, Aphis punca, and Aphis gossypii. The mitochondrial cytochrome C Oxidase subunit I (COI) gene used for identification these species. DNA was isolated, and a band of 550 bp of mt COI gene was amplified during the PCR amplification. The amplicons were digested with HinfI and DdeI restriction enzymes. The restricted fragments produced by RFLP technique were proved by agarose gel electrophoresis. The results illustrated that digested amplicons were given bands according to their cut sites. This study presented that studying aphids to detect their species through a RFLP-PCR technique by using these restriction enzymes can distinguish some species with reliable results. HinfI and DdeI REs could not distinguish all species, HinfI only discriminated species Macrosiphum rosae, Capitophorus carduinus, Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypii, but DdeI identified the remain species, Chaitophorus salijaponicus, Macrosiphum rosae, Myzus persicae and Aphis ruborum,within and among other species exactly. The study suggested using other restriction enzymes to provide full recognition profile for all species.

The study dealt with anatomical characters of 11 plant species Bellevalia chrisii, Bellevalia flexuosa, Bellevalia kurdistanica, Bellevalia longipes, Bellevalia macrobotrys, Bellevalia parva, Bellevalia pycnantha, Bellevalia saviczii, O. brachystachys, O. neurosteginm, O. pyrenaicum that belong two genera Bellevalia and Ornithogalum from Asparagaceae family growing in different area in Iraq. The pericarp consist from three layers, there outer exocarp, middle mesocarp and enter endocarp. The results show the number of lobes from each species and there were tailored of the most species, except the fruit of Bellevalia saviczii was bilobed while the specie O. pyrenaicum fruit was multilobed. Also the anatomical sections of fruits showed the shape of seeds which were different like elongated, ovoid, semi ovoid, spherical and semi spherical, the measurements shows the Bellevalia chrisii that had most thickness of seeds which was 170 m, While the species Bellevalia pycnantha recorded the lowest thickness of 50 m. and the shape of cells which all were globular, the results also cleared the vessels bands in the mesophyll of fruits.

The results of the study of the effect of spraying with some agricultural chemicals on the seasonal activity of T. urticae during the season 2019-2020 showed that the lowest general average of these numbers was when treated with the growth regulator Horm on 93.33 individuals/10 leaves, which differed significantly from all other spraying treatments as well as the comparison treatment (115.12 individuals/ 10 leaves) and that the lowest general average of these numbers was on 26/10 reaching 19.80 individuals/10 leaves, and the local variety was significantly distinguished in achieving the lowest average of these numbers 104.09 individuals/10 leaves compared to the GS variety (132.47 individuals/10 leaves). The spraying treatments varied between them with regard to reducing or increasing the numbers of mites on leaves tomato is the GS variety and treatment with Horm, Fylloton and Grofalex led to a decrease in the averages of these numbers compared to the treatment of the control experiment, while the role of the rest of the treatments (Appetyzer, Acadian, Grofalex + Horm) was negative in this area, as it led to an increase in the sensitivity of these plants to infection. The GS variety was significantly superior in giving the highest content of carbohydrates, phenols and flavonoids, which amounted to 0.67 g, 12.91 mg, 4.35 mg, respectively, compared with the local variety, while the local variety was significantly superior in the leaves content of proteins only (5.12 g) compared with the GS variety.

Vespula germanica ( German wasp) is considered a dangerous pest that attacks bees and orchards, and its sting harmful to humans , found in much of the Northern Hemisphere, Khalaf was recorded in Iraq in 1958,  it was limited to registration within the Iraqi insects fauna only, and no any biological or environmental studies in Iraq. Therefore, study aimed for understanding of some aspects of the insect. During three years, 2018-2019- and 2020, field survey in different fields in Duhok, Iraqi Kurdistan, collected 27 nests to investigate several colony characteristics. Our study showed the size of mature nests is correlated to number of individuals produced. observed that the German hornet builds its nests in different places as on trees and shrubs, on roofs of houses , buildings, animal pens, poultry fields, and near water sources. Queen begins to appear at beginning of May, workers at beginning of July, as for the males and virgins, they appeared in October. And all members cast die in winter except newly fertilized queens remain, who hibernate to next season. Showed the activity of workers increases with the progression of the hours of the day and that their highest activity is during the hour (9-11) in the morning, at rate 100 wasps/hour.  seasonal activity starts from May to November, and highest activity recording during July, August, and September. The highest average of sealed brood area 3.11inch during July , highest average number of hexagonal eyes 91 eyes/nest in October.

       Myiasis is one of the most complex and interesting relationships that we see in nature, as it represents the relationship between small larvae of the order of Diptera and other creatures such as humans and animals. It is also considered an economic problem that causes heavy losses in livestock. And in both animals, where these larvae belong to three families 1. Oestridae 2. Sarcophagidae 3. Calliphoridae, feed on live and dead tissues, it has also been shown that wounds contaminated with bacteria, Streptococcus spp. Staphylococcus aureus  ، Klebsiella peneumonia,، Pseudomonas spp. ، Enterobacter spp. و  Proteus mirabilis are more likely to suffer from myiasis due to their ability to produce volatile organic compounds that are considered as stimuli for flies. Therefore, Artiana, in this scientific article, dealt with a brief and comprehensive review of myiasis, including the classification of its types, the classification of the larvae that cause it, and the bacterial infections associated with myiasis.

The results of the study showed the effect of Leucaena leucocephala, Platanus orientalis and Populus alba woods, Concentrations were 0.0025, 0.005, and 0.01% in the Microcerotermes diversus Silv. workers response for Antibiotic Amoxicillin and Nidazole, by spraying and dipping methods, in medium-contrast ratios of insect mortality on the three kind of wood, as it reached: 63.10%, 48.75% and 50.10% respectively by spray, which gave an average rate of mortality after six days 99.38%. While the results showed an increase in the average mortality rates of Termites with an increase in concentration (0.0025, 0.005 and 0.01%), reaching 42.73, 54.60 and 64.70%, respectively, while Nidazole had a clear superiority in the average percentage of deaths of Microcerotermes diversus Silv. , as it reached 61.17%, while it reached 46.86% for amoxicillin. As for the results of the dipping method, there was no significant difference in wood type in the average mortality rates, as it reached 53.62, 56.86 and 51.49%, respectively, while the highest average mortality rate after four days of exposure was 88.23%. Concentrations reached 41.50, 54.73 and 65.75%, respectively, Amoxicillin and Nidazole did not have a significant difference in the mean Termites mortality as it reached 53.92 and 54.06%.

The results of food kind exposed to radiation exhibited a different mean mortality on adults reached 52.41 ,58.70 ,50.37 and 52.41% and for percent egg hatch reached 12.96 ,17.78 ,18.33 and 18.33% while the mean mortality in larvae reached 45.56 ,46.48 ,41.30 and 38.15%, and the percentage of pupae transformation to adults reached 47.96 , 46.80 , 45 ,43.52%.Results were positively proportion with increasing the energy levels reached 22.08 , 64.86 , 65.14% for larvae , while the mean percentage of eggs hatchling and the means percentages of pupae transformation to adults decrease with increasing energy levels reached 23.61 , 17.66 and 10.28% for egg hatching , and 58.61 , 40.31 and 29.17% for pupae transformation .The means of adults and larvae mortality increase with increasing the exposure period to radiation reached 31.39 , 58.06 , 72.78 , 75.83 and 76.94% , and 21.67 ,41.39 ,54.72 ,64.44 and 74.17% respectively. Means of eggs hatching percentage and pupae transferred to adults were proportionally decrease with increasing the exposure period. Also the storage of bags affected on mortality of adults Khapra beetle , which reached in bags 5.83%. Compared without bags reached zero, and the mean percentage of eggs hatching in bags treatment decrease reached 31.67% compared without bags reached 100%. While it was no differences in the larvae mortalities of both treatments . Also the pupae transferred to adults were proportionally decrease in bags treatment reached 89.17% compared in controlling without bags reached 100%.

Present study aimed to determine the effects of three insecticides which were Actara, Match and Nimex on Myzuspersicae (Sulzer)  and on it’s both parasite Aphidiusmatricariae Halidayand predators Coccinellaseptempunctata L. and CoccinellanovemnotataHerbst. Results showed that all three insecticides effected parasitic efficiency, of Aphidiusmatricariaeand Nimex recorded highest mortality rate on Myzuspersicae (Sulzer) which was 98-73. All three used pesticides (Actara, Match and Nimex) affected predatory and parasitic efficiency after direct exposure, while less effects the same pesticides on predator efficiency of both C.septempunctata  and C. novemnotata have been recorded after indirect treatment.

For the first time wilt symptoms have been detected on the Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus L) plants cultivated in the parks of Mosul University. The isolation of fungi from wilted plants on PDA medium revealed the presence of seven genera including; Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Macrophomina, Penicillium and Stemphyllium. Fusarium oxysporum was the most frequent fungi approached 36.0 x 10² Colony Forming Unit/gm soil. F.oxysporum reduced significantly the chlorophyll content of infected plants, and the percentage of its inhibition increased up to 81.88 in severe infections. The infection caused significance stunting of plants when plant height inhibited by 58.09% in dead plants. Antagonism ability of Trichoderma species as T.harzianum, T. viride, and T. reesei  against F. oxysporum showed control efficiency of.1.666, 2.333, and 2.666 respectively.