Fungi play a vital role in how well soils perform and are responsible for maintaining homeostatic states in ecosystems, but researchers still don't have a solid way to quantify fungal diversity (e.g., number of species) with how well the soil performs as an ecosystem (e.g., its ability to produce food). Therefore, this study's purpose was to build the Fungal Health Index (FHI), which serves as a bio-indicator of soil degradation or restoration assessment. Methods included collecting soil samples from three different sites in Al-Anbar Province, Iraq (i.e., degraded, restored areas that have been planted with shrubs and grasses, and reference). Each site had five biological replicates sampled from 0-20 cm deep in the soil, and each sample underwent study-specific NGS sequencing targeting the fungal ITS region so that the FHI could be calculated using the ratio of beneficial fungi to pathogenic fungi. Statistical analysis was done on soil physical and chemical characteristics like pH, salinity, and organic matter. Results show that fungal communities and FHI values (Fungal Habitat Index) vary statistically significantly between the sites. With a maximum FHI score of 0.89 found at the reference site, this indicates a stable ecosystem compared to a degraded soil site with an FHI of 0.35 due to high levels of pathogenic fungi. A restored ecosystem with an intermediate FHI score of 0.68 is indicative of partial recovery of soil functions associated with degenerative processes. There are positive correlations found between fungal habitat index and organic matter and negative correlations with salinity. This study provides further evidence that the Fungal Habitat Index (FHI) is a good and reliable measure of soil health with a particular focus on functional diversity. Recommendations for action include using the FHI as a monitoring tool and creating financial incentives to encourage sustainable agricultural practices to achieve improved soil health and greater ecosystem stability.

In this study, an evaluation was undertaken to assess the amounts of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in certain animal-origin food items, both locally and imported in Iraq. Samples of beef, chicken, and fish were acquired and determined employing Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (FAAS). It was observed that the Pb contents were always found to be higher than those of Cd in all tested food materials. The maximum level of Pb was observed in the local fish belly (0.0955 mg/kg) and then in the local chicken skin (0.0860 mg/kg). The minimum Pb level was observed in the case of sardines (0.0022 mg/kg). Conversely, Cd content was detected to be lower, where the highest value was recorded in the local chicken breast (0.0053 mg/kg); several items contained non-detectable values. All the contents were found below the upper limit set by FAO/WHO. In terms of health risks, the estimated daily intake (EDI) was determined to be 6.82×10⁻⁵ mg/kg/day for Pb and 3.78 × 10⁻⁶ mg/kg/day for Cd. The THQ values were 0.0195 for Pb and 0.00378 for Cd; HI was calculated to be 0.0233. As HI was below one, there is no considerable health risk posed through non-cancer effects. The presence of relatively higher amounts in local samples than in imported samples indicates that there may be some effect of environmental pollution.

Strongylus vulgaris ranks among the most dangerous parasitic nematodes affecting horses worldwide. This large strongyle invades both gastrointestinal and vascular tissues, leading to verminous arteritis, severe colic episodes, and considerable mortality in affected animals. Its continued presence in domestic horse populations poses substantial challenges for veterinary practitioners, especially in geographic areas where equine agriculture remains economically important. The present investigation was designed to determine the prevalence of Strongylus vulgaris among equine populations in Al-Najaf Province, Iraq. We employed both conventional microscopy and molecular techniques for parasite detection. Furthermore, phylogenetic relationships were examined, and potential associations with host gender, age category, and collection season were evaluated. Between October 2025 and February 2026, we obtained 200 fresh fecal specimens from horses of varying ages and both sexes across multiple locations in Al-Najaf Province. Initial screening involved direct smear examination and flotation procedures under light microscopy. Subsequently, 100 samples underwent molecular analysis through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the ITS1 gene, which yielded an amplification product of 290 base pairs. Phylogenetic reconstruction was accomplished using MEGA11 software package. Microscopic analysis revealed an overall infection rate of 34.5% (69 out of 200 samples). Male horses exhibited a slightly elevated infection frequency (38.75%) relative to females (31.67%), though this difference lacked statistical significance (P > 0.05). Adult horses demonstrated significantly higher infection rates (42.0%) compared with younger foals (27.0%) (P ≤ 0.05). Seasonal variation showed peak prevalence during December (45.0%) and lowest rates in November (20.0%). Molecular confirmation through PCR identified S. vulgaris in 30% of tested samples (30/100) with high significance (P < 0.001). Five local sequences were successfully deposited in NCBI GenBank under accession numbers (PZ012358, PZ012359, PZ012360, PZ012361, and PZ012362.

Background: Bemisia tabaci is whitefly with the highest level of economic significance worldwide, has a moderate to disastrous economic. Aim: Evaluate safe alternatives to chemical pesticides for controlling the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, infesting cucumber crops. Methodology: Several pairs of adult insects (males and females) were collected from cucumber crops grown in greenhouses. Natural chitosan extracts and essential oil extracts from cloves and seeds were used. Results: Chitosan demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing susceptibility to infestation compared to the control treatment. The most effective result was observed at a 15% concentration, where the infestation rate decreased to 20.0% for the nymphal stage (compared to 61.0% in the control) and 19.6% for the adult stage (compared to 66.4% in the control). Clove oil treatments recorded high mortality rates, which increased with both concentration and exposure time. The highest mortality rate for nymphs was 86.9% at a concentration of 40 µl/mL, while the highest mortality for adults was 78.8% at the same concentration. Rapeseed essential oil also exhibited significant efficacy, correlating with increased concentrations; the maximum mortality rates recorded were 80.2% for nymphs and 73.1% for adults at a concentration of 40 µl/mL. Treatment with the Penicillium commune fungal filtrate induced high mortality rates that increased over the exposure period (1, 3, and 5 days). Conclusion: Biocontrol agents and botanical extracts (chitosan, essential oils, fungal filtrate) demonstrated high efficiency in controlling the whitefly, B. tabaci. This makes them safe and effective alternatives to chemical pesticides that negatively impact the environment and public health

The experiment was conducted during the 2022–2023 growing season at the Research Station of the Horticulture and Landscape Engineering Department, College of Agriculture, University of Tikrit, to evaluate the effect of planting dates on growth and yield traits of three kale cultivars. The study included two factors: sowing date (15 September and 1 October 2022) and cultivar (Nero di Toscana, Blue Curled Scotch, and Dwarf Siberian). The experiment was arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) as a factorial with split-plot arrangement, where planting dates were assigned to main plots and cultivars to sub-plots. Mean comparisons were performed using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at P≤0.05. Results indicated significant differences due to planting dates. The 15 September sowing date was superior in most vegetative and yield traits, recording plant height (45.62 cm), stem diameter (27.94 mm), leaf area (2198.3 cm²), total yield per plant (518.40 g), and total yield (16.98 t ha⁻¹). In contrast, 1 October showed higher germination percentage (60.87%) and germination speed (4.72 seeds day⁻¹). Among cultivars, Nero di Toscana achieved the highest germination percentage (64.83%) and plant height (45.38 cm). Dwarf Siberian surpassed other cultivars in stem diameter (29.88 mm), leaf area (1668.4 cm²), and total yield (14.21 t ha⁻¹). The interaction of 15 September × Nero di Toscana gave the highest germination (87.56%) and plant height (56.63 cm). Meanwhile, 15 September × Blue Curled Scotch produced the greatest leaf area (4016.2 cm²). No significant differences were observed among interactions for stem diameter, total yield per plant, and total yield. The 1 October × Dwarf Siberian interaction showed the highest germination rate (6.20 seeds day⁻¹).

Background: Musca domestica is a cosmopolitan public health and agricultural pest that is known to be a carrier of multiple pathogens and cause economic losses in production of animals. Objective: The current research paper examined Bacillus sphaericus isolates as Larvicidal agents in larvae of M. domestica as a third instar organism under controlled laboratory environments. Methodology: There were five concentrations of B. sphaericus spores (1×10⁴ - 1×108 spores/ml), positive (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) and negative (sterile water) controls, and 600 larvae in total. Results: Larval death mortality was observed to take place at 24, 48, and 72 hr within the treatment period and was corrected by Abbott and probability analysis, ANOVA. Findings showed definite dose-dependent effect. At 72 hr, mortality was 20% at 1×10⁴ spores/ml to 95% spores/ml 1×108 to the negative control of 4% mortality. Positive control group mortality after 72 hr was 92%. The LC50 and LC90 were estimated to be 3.2×106 and 1.1×107 spores/ml respectively by Probit. Significant changes among treatments were established with statistical tests (F= 46.3, p<0.001). Conclusion: B. sphaericus has high larvicidal activity against M. domestica and this is similar to commercial reference strains. The study presumes that B. sphaericus can serve as a safe biocontrol agent that is environmentally friendly and could help eliminate the usage of chemical pesticide and may be included in an integrated pest management program.

The experiment was conducted on the land of Al-Mussaib Technical Institute - Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University in the winter season 2024-2025 to study the effect of spraying humic at three concentrations (2, 1, 0) L. dunum-1 and the effect of seaweed at three concentrations (150, 100, 0) mg. L-1. The experiment was conducted using a factorial experiment method that followed the RCBD design. The averages were compared using the LSD test at a 5% level of significance. A number of physical and chemical parameters, including bulk density, soil moisture, soil salinity, soil interaction, growth indicators, plant height, flag leaf area, number of ears, and total yield, were found to rise significantly when humic spraying was used. The treatment was given (humic spraying 2 liters. dunam-1) The highest averages in the aforementioned soil characteristics and crop growth indicators were obtained sequentially, while the treatment (spraying seaweed extracts (150 mg.L-1) The highest averages were in the aforementioned soil characteristics and yield growth indicators, respectively. The combination of the intervention (humic spraying 2 litres. dunam-1 and spraying seaweed extracts 150 mg. litre-1) also gave the highest averages above.