http://148.72.244.84/xmlui/handle/123456789/17 2026-05-27T19:15:31Z http://148.72.244.84/xmlui/handle/xmlui/17156 Evaluation of the Efficiency and the Performance of a Variable-Rate Chemical Fertilizer Spreader Using a GPS-Based Control System Hayder Abdulkadhim, Mahdi; Hussein Abbas, Jebur Finned centrifugal disc fertilizer spreaders are widely used worldwide for distributing granular mineral fertilizers due to their simple construction and high operational efficiency. The investigation studied the effect of three parameters forward speed 9,12, and 15 km h-1, disc rotational speed 500, 550, and 600 rpm, and fin angle 0,+25, and -25 degree on the performance of a GPS-controlled variable-rate fertilizer spreader at two application rates 25% and 75%, representing low and high fertilizer levels, respectively. The image processing was used to quantify fertilizer amounts instead of conventional methods. The results showed that both theoretical and effective field capacities increased with forward speed. The best uniformity (CV = 15.6%) was achieved at the forward speed of 12 km h¹, disc speed of 550 rpm, and fin angle of –25° at 25% the gate opening, while values exceeding 170% were observed at 75% of the gate opening. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive relationships between forward speed and both theoretical and effective field capacities (r = 0.99), and between disc speed and most performance traits (r > 0.99). Operating costs ranged between 1395 and 1498 IQD ha-¹. Overall, operating at a moderate forward speed, high disc speed, and medium fin angle provided an optimal balance between uniformity, efficiency, and economy. It was concluded that adjusting the forward speed, disc speed, and blade angle plays a crucial role in improving spread uniformity and work efficiency, it also that variable rate technologies can increase fertilizer distribution accuracy and reduce costs. 2025-12-30T00:00:00Z http://148.72.244.84/xmlui/handle/xmlui/17155 Weather Variables and Soil Moisture Regime Influences on Stomatal Conductance and Leaf Water Potential of Oil Palm Idris, Sani; Teh Christopher, Boon Sung; Zaibon, Syaharudin; Sim Choon, Cheak Although oil palm (OP) is an important crop that occupies 10.7 million hectares in the South East-Asia, equivalent to 42.8% of the global OP coverage, information regarding weather relationship with OP gaseous exchange and photosynthetic characteristics remains scanty. This study investigated the empirical relationship between meteorological elements and stomatal conductance (STC) and leaf water potential (LWP) water stress indices in mature OP trees. The STC, LWP, meteorological elements and soil moisture content (SMC) were measured on-field and concurrently for 120 days. The best STC performance was when the relative humidity (RH) was between 98.3% to 82.6%. The STC became highest between 24.5°C to 27.6°C and lowest at 30.1°C – 32.7°C. For vapor pressure deficit (VPD), 0.06 to 1.09 kPa caused a positive response of STC, while 1.5 to 2.73 kPa limited it by 50.1%. Increased LWP was observed at 35.2°C - 37.0°C, VPD of 2.6 kPa, and RH below 58.3%. The OP on clay at 91.1% SMC was lower in STC than that under sandy clay at 86.2% SMC by 16.4%. Under the highest soil wetness (91.1% - clay and 86.2% - sandy clay), the LWP of the OP was still higher in palms under clay. The SMR curve showed the clay soil to have a higher SMC across all the potentials than the sandy clay. Correlation output indicated that STC positively correlated with RH (r=0.66) and negatively with VPD. The finding disentangled key actors involved in OP gaseous exchange and inferred that OP under clay has a higher proneness to water stress. 2025-12-30T00:00:00Z http://148.72.244.84/xmlui/handle/xmlui/17154 Combining Ability and Heterosis Analysis for Grain Yield and Yield Components in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Nazar S., A. Al-Zuhairy Bread wheat is the primary strategic crop relied upon for human food sustainability. Therefore, this study was conducted to produce superior hybrids with yield characteristics and adaptability to environmental conditions. A semi-reciprocal cross was performed between six bread wheat varieties (IPA 99, IPA 95, Abu Ghraib 3, Fatih, Tahaddi, and Takka 1). These varieties and their hybrids were grown in four environments to study their compatibility, hybrid vigor, and the nature of gene influence in the parents and their hybrids regarding yield characteristics and components. The results showed the presence of additive and non-additive gene influences controlling the traits. The effects of additive genes were more pronounced for plant height, spike length, and number of grains per spike, and less so for the number of stalks per plant. Additive and dominance effects were equal for 1000-grain weight and grain yield per plant. The parents IPA 99 and Taka 1 showed the best overall combination for all traits except the number of stalks per plant. The hybrid (IPA 99 × Abu Ghraib 3) also demonstrated the best results. The IPA 95 × Fatih cross exhibited moderately high performance and specific combination ability and hybrid vigor effects in desirable directions for a wide range of traits. This can be leveraged to develop high-yielding hybrid varieties and to capitalize on hybrid vigor. Heritability in the narrow sense was high for all traits except for the number of branches per plant, which was low. Therefore, superior hybrids in yield traits can be utilized in most environments to increase bread wheat production. 2025-12-30T00:00:00Z http://148.72.244.84/xmlui/handle/xmlui/17153 Using Artemia Parthenogenetica Powder in Broiler Diets on Some Physiological and Oxidation Indicators Ahmed Aboudi, Joodi; Luma K., Bandr; Asaad K., M. AI-Baidhani; Hisham A., AI-Mashhadani; Ahmed A., Salman; Huda Q., Al-Himdany This study aimed to partial replacement of artemia powder with different protein concentrate levels in broiler diets on selected physiological and oxidation indicators. Two hundred and forty, one-day-old Ross 308 chicks were distributed to four levels of Artemia powder replacement: T1 (0%), T2 (0.5%), T3 (1%), and T4 (1.5%). Results of Statistical analysis showed no significant changes in most blood physiological indicators at 21 days of age across all treatments. However, albumin levels decreased in T3, while globulin decreased in T4 -compared to T1. Blood urea levels significantly increased with higher replacement, with T3 and T4 showing the highest values at 21 days. At 35 days of age, T2, T3, and T4 demonstrated clear positive changes in several biochemical indicators. Replacement resulted in a significant decrease in some lipid profile and protein levels at 35 days compared to T1, while no changes were observed in cholesterol, glucose, albumin, globulin ratio, uric acid, urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, or alanine aminotransferase. Additionally, a significant increase was observed in high-density lipoprotein levels and alkaline phosphatase activity. There was a substantial rise in certain oxidative stress markers, specifically glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, with no differences in catalase and malondialdehyde at 35 days. Furthermore, intestinal villus length was unaffected by replacement, while crypt depth significantly increased with supplementation at the end of the experiment. The results indicate that partial replacement of Artemia powder up to a level of 1.5% can be used as a safe food substitute, with potential biochemical and physiological benefits. 2025-12-30T00:00:00Z