The Influence Of Priming Two Cucumber Cultivar Seeds

J. Duhok Univ. Vol.13, No.1, (Agri. And Vet. Sciences) 2010 

CONTENTS 

- The Influence Of Priming Two Cucumber Cultivar Seeds By Wetting And 

Drying Cycles In Distilled Water, Caco3, Mgso4 And Caco3+ Mgso4 Solutions On 

Growth And Yield 

Caser G. Abdel and Waadalla A. Hassawy………………………..…………………………………..1 

- Sensory Evaluation Characteritics Of Different Walnut Cultivars (Juglans 

Regia L.) In Duhoh 

Azad A. T. Mayi…………………………………………………..………………………………..19 

- Response Of Pistachio (P. Vera) Transplants To Varying Levels Of Water, 

Media Cultures And Phosphorus: 1-Vegetative Growth Characteristics 

Azad A. T. Mayi And Khitam Adieb…………………….………..………………..………………..25 

- Effect Of Foliar Application Of Naa, Kno3 And Fe On Quantity And Quality Of 

Peach Fruit (Prunus Persica L.) Cv. Early Coronet 

Zulaykha R. Ibrahim Sarfaraz F. A. Al- Bamarny And Mohammed A. Salman………………….......36 

- Effect of diet supplemented with ascorbic acid on:1.Growth performance and 

carcass traits of Meriz goat. 

Jalal Eliya Alkass, Mwafq Suliaman Barwary And Araz Omer Bamerny……………………..….......49 

- Socio-Economic And Technical Factors Associated With Broiler Production In 

Duhok Governorate 

Rezgar M.Mohammed, Johnny S. Yokhana………………..………………………...………………..55 

- Effect Of Some Treatments On Vas Life Of Rosa Cv. Queen Elizabeth Flowers 

Hadar Saeed Faizy Al-Mizory………………..……………………………….……...………………..60 

- Estimation Of Some Genetic Paramrters, Correlation And Path Coefficient 

Analysis For Some Traits In Eggplant 

Abduljabbar I. Marie and Jiyan A. Teli………………………….……...…………………...………..70 

- Estimating Of Annual Sediments Of Duhok Dam By Using River Turbidity 

Water Samples 

..Abdulsatar Haji Sulaiman………………………….……...…………………...……………………..82 

- The Economies Of Goats And Meriz Kids Managed Under Different Feeding 

Systems 

Kamal Noman Dosky and Rezgar Mostafa Mohammed….……...…………………...……………....90 

- Responses Of Five Water Stressed Fababean (Vicia Faba L.) Cultivars To 

Exogenous Abscisic Acia Application 

Caser G. Abdel and Shamil Y. H. M. Al-Hamadany….……...………..………………...…………….94 

- Genetic Variability Correlation And Path Analysis In Some Maize Inbred Lines 

Mohammed Ali Hussain….……...………..………………...………………………………...……….94

J. Duhok Univ. Vol.13, No.1, (Agri. And Vet. Sciences) 2010 

- Micropropagation Of Crotone (Codiaeum Variegatum) 

Mosleh M.S. Duhoky and Layla S. M. Al-Mizory….……...………..………………....…………….112 

- Regeneration Of F1 Hybrids Of Eggplant (Solanum Melongena L.) And 

Tomato(Lycopersicon Esculentum L.) From Stem Explants. 

Mosleh M.S. Duhok,Y Payman A. A. Zibari, and Mohammad M. A. Salman……...…...………….122 

- Effect Of Humic Acid And Seaweed Extract On Growth, Yield And Fruits 

Quality Of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L). 

Ghurbat H. Mohammad….……...………..………………....……………………………………....131 

- Fect Of Packaging Materials And Storage On Local Orange Juice By Using 

Models Systems 

Rajab.I. Hameed.Duhok ….……...………..………………....……………………………………....139 

- Ovarian Response In Superovulated Karadi Yerling Ewes Treated With Insulin 

Araz G. Pedawy and Jalal E. Alkass….……...………..…..…………....…………………………....148 

- Hematological And Serological (Celisa) Studies Of Caprine Anaplasmosis In 

Duhok Governorate Of Kurdistan Region Of Iraq 

Ibrahim Abdulqader Naqid and Ihsan Kadir Zangana…………....………………….……………....153 

- Evaluation Of Test-Day Milk Yield Of Native Sheep Breeds In Some 

Commercial Flocks 

Jalal Eliya Alkass and Haval.A. Gardi…………....………………….………………………...…....162 

- Studies On The Attainment Of Puberty In Karadi Ewe Lambs 2. Relationship 

Of Age At Puberty To Some Biochemical Constituents Of Blood* 

Araz G.Pedawy and Jalal E. Alkass…………....………………….………………………........…....166 

- Effect Of Spraying With Molybdenum And Iron On The Growth And Seed 

Yield Of Nigella Damascene L. 

Yousif H. Hammo and Balkies G. Sahi…………....………………….………………………..…....171

J. Duhok Univ. Vol.13, No.1, (Agri. And Vet. Sciences) Pp 1-18, 2010 

THE INFLUENCE OF PRIMING TWO CUCUMBER CULTIVAR SEEDS BY 

WETTING AND DRYING CYCLES IN DISTILLED WATER, CaCO3, MgSO4 

AND CaCO3+ MgSO4 SOLUTIONS ON GROWTH AND YIELD 

CASER G. ABDEL * and WAADALLA A. HASSAWY ** 

* Dept. of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, University of Dohuk, Kurdistan Region-Iraq 

** Dept. of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, University of Mosul-Iraq 

Received: February 17, 2009; Accepted for publication: February 18, 2010) 

ABSTRACT 

Seeds of Babylon and Khalifa cultivars were unprimed or primed by soaking them to extent of 100% of initial seed 

weights with distilled water, -1.5 Mpa CaCO3, -1.5 Mpa MgSO4, and a mixture -1.5 Mpa of CaCO3+ MgSO4, for 24 hrs 

then seeds were oven-dried to their initial weights under 55 o C. Priming was recycled 3 times. Thereafter, seeds were sown 

directly in the field (direct cultivation) or sown in pots inside the plastic house then planted in the field (indirect cultivation). 

The objective of this study was to find out the priming influence on growth and yield. Results manifested that indirect 

cultivation yielded earlier and gave higher yield than direct one (23.3%, in 2004 and 1.2% in 2005). The highest yield 11.2 

kg.m -2 was confined to MgSO4 treatment in 2004, and 10.5 kg.m -2 in 2005 was accompanied by CaCO3+ MgSO4 treatment. 

Babylon yielded earlier and exceeded Khalifa in total yield by (38.3% in 2004 and 14.5% in 2005). Indirect Babylon 

cultivation showed the highest yields in 2004 (11.1 kg.m -2 ) and 2005 (9.8 kg.m -2 ). Babylon primed by MgSO4 and CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 gave the highest yield (14.4 kg.m -2 in 2004 and 11.2 kg.m -2 in 2005, respectively). The highest yield (11.8 kg.m -2 ) in 

2005 was concomitant to indirect cultivation of Babylon primed by MgSO4+ CaCO3. 

KEYWORDS: Cucumber, Ion antagonism, Seed priming, CaCO3, MgSO4. 

S 

INTRODUCTION 

eed osmotic priming has been less 

successful in improving the performance 

of large seeds, for instance osmotic priming of 

soybean seeds led to greater germination and 

emergence rates at suboptimal temperatures in 

laboratory and growth chamber studies but had 

little effect on seedling emergences or yields in 

several early spring field plantings under cold, 

wet conditions (Khan, 1981). TeKrony and Egli 

(1991) noted that seed vigour affected vegetative 

growth and frequently was related to the yield of 

crops that were harvested vegetatively or during 

an early reproductive growth. There was usually 

no such relationship in crops harvested at full 

reproductive maturity usually was not associated 

closely with vegetative growth. They concluded 

that planting high vigour seeds could be justified 

for all crops to insure adequate plant population 

densities across the wide range of field 

conditions that occur during emergence. 

Haigh and Barlow (1987) found that tomato 

seeds primed in solutions that contained KNO3 

germinated more rapidly and synchronously than 

those primed in solutions without KNO3. They 

inferred that the NO3 - salts may be absorbed 

preferentially to lower the internal osmotic 

potential and thereby encourage water flux, an 

effect that would explain the alleviation of 

"under priming" by inclusion of KNO3 in the 

priming solution. Smith and Cobb (1991) 

compared many salt solutions as priming agents 

for sweet pepper seed. They found that priming 

effect was dependent on solution ψs and the 

duration of soak and not on the specific salts. 

Use of moist, solid or semi-solid carriers, 

(exfoliated vermiculite, expanded calcined clay, 

Agro-Lig such leonardite shale, bituminous soft 

coal, sodium polyproponate gel or synthetic 

calcium silicate) to condition seeds for enhanced 

germination has been developed only recently 

(Khan et al., 1992). Basra (1995) reported 

number of osmotica, including KNO3, K3PO4, 

KH2PO4, MgSO4, NaCl, glycerol, and manitol. 

MATERIALS AND METHODS 

This experiment was carried out during 2004 

and repeated during 2005 growing seasons, at 

the experimental field, Horticulture Department, 

Agriculture and Forestry College, Mosul 

University, Mosul, IRAQ. Seeds of Babylon 

cucumber cultivar were produced by PetoSeed 

Company, US and Khalifa cucumber cultivar 

seeds were produced by Modesto Seed 

1


Company, US. Both cucumber cultivars were 

purchased from Agricultural Bureau, Mosul. 

A Split-Split Plot within Factorial 

Randomized Complete Block Design was 

adopted for this experiment. The main Plot (A) 

was the cultivation methods. They represented 

by (i) - Direct seeds in permanent field when 

environment temperature was suitable for 

optimal growth (a1) and (ii) - Seeds were sown 

in plastic tea pots and kept in plastic-house until 

the ambient outdoor environment being suitable 

for sustaining optimal growth. Thereafter they 

were planted in the permanent field (a2). The sub 

main plot was seed priming (B) was done as 

below: 

Seeds were unprimed (b1) and others were 

soaked for 24 hr. with 100% of their initial 

weights in distilled water (b2), -1.5 Mpa CaCO3 

(b3), -1.5 Mpa MgSO4 (b4), or -1.5 Mpa CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 mixture (b5). The sub sub-main plot (C) 

was the cucumber cultivars where Babylon 

cultivar was (c1) and Khalifa cultivar was (c2). 

Then these seeds were rinsed and oven-dried at 

55 o C. for 72 hrs. to retain their initial weights. 

This hydrating-drying cycle was repeated three 

times. Thus (2x2x5=20) treatments were 

included in this experiment. Each treatment was 

replicated three times and a replicate was 

represented by a furrow of 1m width and 3m 

length planted on one side with 35 cm plant intra 

space. The very similar design was repeated in 

the second growing season (2005). 

Soaking solutions were prepared by 

dissolving the above chemical compounds in 

distilled water. The electrical conductivities of 

these solutions were measured by HANA 

ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY DEVICE. The 

osmotic potential was calculated by the 

following equation: OP Mpa = EC (dSm -1 ) x - 

0.36 (Ayers and Wescot, 1976). Field soil was 

clay (56.4% clay, 12.3% sand and 31.3% silt), its 

field capacity, wilting point and bulk density 

were 21.8%, 12.9% and 1.6 g.cm‾³, respectively. 

Soil was plowed vertically and horizontally, 

then, dissected to match the proposed design. 

Seeds of indirect cultivation were sown in 

teapots (filled with 1:1:1 peat moss: sheep 

manure: sand) inside the plastic house on March 

10, 2004. While in second season, seeds were 

sown on March 23, 2005. In first year trail, 

plants were transplanted in the permanent field 

on April 3, 2004 and on April 16, 2005 in 

second year trail, where plants possessed 4-6 

leaves. Seeds of direct cultivation were sown 

directly in the permanent field, at the date of 

2 

transplanting. Replanting was made on April 17, 

2004, since some plants of indirect cultivation 

were chilled and completely damaged. Plants 

were fertilized by NPK 27:27:0 four times at 

rates of 10 g.m -2 during the growing season. The 

first application was done immediately after 

transplanting, while the others were during 

fruiting stage. Foliar spray of PhytoPhert 

micronutrients were also applied three times at a 

rate of 1.5 g.l -1 . The first was at flowering 

commencement and the other two were during 

fruiting stage. Weeds were eradicated manually 

whenever required around the growing season. A 

Mixture of 1 g.l -1 Benomyl fungicides and 2.5 

ml.l -1 Endosulfan insecticides was sprayed first 

on plants in the plastic house. This mixture was 

sprayed at the permanent field when plants 

possessed three actual leaves and three weeks 

latter to control powdery mildew and white fly. 

At any tabulated harvest fresh weight, 

numbers of fruits were taken. At the end of 

growing season on July 25, 2004 and July 29, 

2005 plants were pulled out, then brought to 

vegetable laboratory. Leaf number and branches 

number were counted. Leaf areas and plant 

lengths were measured. Leaves fresh weight, 

stem fresh weight, and plant fresh weight were 

weighed by sensitive metler balance. Samples of 

fruits, leaves, stems were weighed then ovendried 

at 65 o C for 72 hrs and finally reweighed. 

Fruit, stem, leaves, plant dry matter percentages 

besides leaf area index were calculated. Calcium 

content of fruits was determined according to 

procedure that recommended by Westerman 

(1990). 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

The obtained results exhibited that indirect 

cultivation was superior on direct cultivation in 

2004. It substantially exceeded the latter in terms 

of plant fresh weight 16.4%, leaf dry weight 

41.1%, leaf fresh weight 29.2%, leaf number per 

plant 18.2% and total yield 23.3% (tables, 2 and 

4); fresh fruit yield at 3 rd , 4 th , 6 th , 9 th ,and 13 th , 

respectively by 600.9, 220.8, 156.5, 62.5, and 

46.7% (table, 5); fruit number.m -2 at 4 th , 5 th , 6 th 

, and 9 th ,respectively by 236.4, 24.3, 168.9 and 

68.8% (table, 7). Like wise in 2005 indirect 

cultivation was significantly exceeded its 

corresponding direct cultivation in plant dry 

weight 11.3%, leaf dry weight 10.8%, and leaf 

fresh weight 29.7% (table, 3); fresh fruit yield 

g.m -2 at 6 th , 12 th , 14 th , 16 th , 17 th , 18 , 19 th and 

20 th by 96.4, 22.9, 81.4, 32.6, 77.2, 116.4, ∞ and


∞ %, respectively; fruit number.m -2 at 2 nd (∞%), 

3 rd (164.4%), 4 th (133.3%), 5 th (107.8%), 6 th 

(166.6%), 8 th (33.8%), 11 th (29.5%), and 17 th 

harvests (47.8%). The superiority of indirect 

cultivation was due to the performance of seed 

germinations under plastic house in which it 

provided the germinating seeds and thereby 

seedling performances with suitable temperature 

that if otherwise seeds will either not germinate 

or give sluggish seedlings, sine cucumber 

requires high light intensities and temperature 

(Swiader et al., 1996). Cucumber is a 

thermophilic and frost-susceptible crop, growing 

best at temperatures of 20 0 C (Tatlioglu, 1993). 

Seeds primed by MgSO4 in 2004 profoundly 

exceeded that of unprimed seeds in calcium 

content of fruit 26.5%, fruit fresh yield g.m -2 at 

2 nd 80% (tables, 4 and7); seeds primed by 

distilled water in total fruit yield 60%, fruit yield 

at 2 nd harvest 795.5%, 9 th harvest 40% (tables, 4 

and 5) and in fruit number.m -2 at second harvest 

800% (table,7); seed primed by CaCO3+MgSO 4 

mixture in calcium content of fruit 36.1% (table, 

4); besides its superiority over that of CaCO3 in 

fresh fruit yield at 9 th harvest 20.7% (table, 5). 

However in 2005 growing season, seed primed 

by an equal mixture of CaCO3+MgSO4 was the 

most effective treatment. It significantly 

exceeded that unprimed in plant dry weight 

16.3%, and fruit fresh yield at 5 th harvest112.8%, 

and fruit number at 11 th harvest 41.2% and 14 th 

harvest 35.5% (tables, 3). These improvements 

in growth and yield might be attributed to the 

nutritional values of these compounds, ion 

antagonism between these two compounds or to 

the osmosis effects of salt solution where seeds 

were primed. Frett et al., (1991) compared 

factorial combinations of Ca 2+ , Na +, or K + with 

NO3 - , Cl - , SO 4 or H2PO4 - at -0.8MPa and 20 0 C as 

priming agents for asparagus and tomato seeds. 

They found that salt solutions were more 

effective than PEG in speeding tomato seed 

germination; however, salt solutions provided no 

such benefit for asparagus seeds. 

Results of 2004 trail exhibited that Babylon 

cultivar responded more than that observed in 

Khalifa. It highly exceeded the latter in leaf area 

16.6%, plant dry matter percentage 15.9%, leaf 

dry matter accumulation in leaf 39.4%, leaf fresh 

weight 26%, fruit length 90%, fruit dry matter 

percentage 4.5%, and total yield 38.3% (table, 2 

and 4); fruit fresh weight at 3 rd , 4 th ,5 th 7 th and 8 th 

harvests by 3.7, 256, 112, 336.7, and 117%, 

respectively, (table, 5); fruit number at 3 rd , 4 th 

,5 th , and 7 th harvests by 257, 227.3, 105.3 and 

320%, respectively, (table, 6). Likewise in 2005 

trail, also Babylon cultivar exceeded its 

corresponding one in fruit dry matter percentage 

2.2%, fruit length 10.6%, accumulation of dry 

matter in a plant 10.4%, leaf area 17.2%, 

percentage of plant dry matter 13.7%, leaf dry 

weight 34.3%, leaf fresh weight 26.7% fruit dry 

matter percentage 2.2%, and fruit length 10.6%, 

(tables, 3 and 4); fresh fruit yield at 2 nd , 3 rd ,4 th , 

5 th , 6 th , 7 th , 8 th , and 18 th harvests by 1131.5, 

2031, 497.6, 235.1, 102.2, 151.5, and 31.6% 

,respectively. The higher response potency of 

Babylon cultivar over Khalifa might be due to 

seed priming which obviously reflected on 

growth and yield explains the well established 

genome expression abilities of Babylon cultivar. 

It also may be due to precise segregation and 

breeding techniques that were applied by the 

producing company in introducing this cultivar 

to growers. Moreover, this cultivar is very 

successful in Iraq and it is the most familiar. 

The results of 2004 growing season revealed 

that indirect cultivation of seed primed in CaCO3 

solution gave the highest individual fresh weight 

for leaf 9.5 g, and total yield of fresh fruit 12.6 

kg.m -2 , (tables, 2 and 4). In 2005 growing 

season, direct cultivation in an equal mixture of 

CaCO3+MgSO4 was apparently overwhelming 

other interaction treatments. It displayed the 

highest total yield 11.13 kg.m -2 , fresh fruit yield 

at 3 rd harvest 75 g.m -2 , fruit number.m -2 26.5 

(tables, 4 and 10). These improvements were due 

to the influence of priming on germination and 

seedlings performances during the very early 

stages of growth and their consequences. 

Changes in gene expressions are required in the 

early phases of imbibitions to switch seeds from 

developmental germinative mode; the 

completion of this "Switching" during priming; 

could hasten growth initiation when the seeds 

are re-imbibed (Kermode et al., 1986). 

The indirect cultivation of Babylon 

interaction in 2004 manifested the highest 

individual leaf dry weight 4.3g, leaf number per 

plant 106, fruit length 16.7 cm, percentage of 

fruit dry matter 4.5 g, and total yield 11.1 kg.m -2 

(tables, 2 and 4); yield of fresh fruit at 3 rd , 4 th , 

5 th , 6 th , 7 th , 8 th ,and 9 th harvests, and their values, 

respectively, were 328.3, 445, 940, 843.3, 703.3, 

and 1395 g.m -2 (table, 5); fruit number.m -2 at 4 th , 

5 th , 6 th , 7 th , and 8 th harvests, and their values 

were 5.3, 11.3, 10, 10.6 and 8.3, respectively, 

(table, 7). Similar results were observed in 2005 

experiment, where indirect cultivated Babylon 

interaction showed the highest leaf area 106.3 

3


cm 2 , plant dry matter percentage 22.9%, leaf dry 

matter percentage 48.7%, total yield 9.77 kg.m -2 , 

percentage of fruit dry matter 4.6%, fruit length 

16.4 cm, (tables, 3 and 4); fresh fruit yield at 2 nd 

, 3 rd , 4 th , 6 th , 7 th , 12 th , 14 th , 17 th ,18 th ,19 th , and 

20 th harvests and their values were 51.1, 92.4, 

793, 948.9, 1386.7, 777.4, 488.9, 393.3, 292.4, 

and 92.2 g.m -2 , respectively; fruit number.m -2 at 

1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th ,5 th , 6 th , 7 th , 8 th , 9 th , 11 th , and 

17 th harvests and their magnitudes were, 

respectively, 0.6, 1, 1.5, 1.7, 7.13, 5.4, 7.1, 5.6, 

6.7, 9.63, and 3.3, (tables, 9 and 10). These 

results could be referred to the combination of 

favourable growing condition at very early stage 

Resemble results were observed in 2005 trail. 

Babylon seeds primed in ion antagonism 

solution (CaCO3+MgSO4) were the most 

effective interaction treatment. Thus it gave the 

highest plant dry weight 83 g, leaf dry weight 

4.3 g and total yield 11.2 kg.m -2 (tables, 3 and 

4); fruit fresh yield at 2 nd , 5 th , 7 th , 8 th , 9 th , 10 th , 

11 th , 12 th , 17 th , and 18 th harvests with values of 

55.6, 780.6, 934.4, 775, 1088.9, 1166.7, 833.3, 

1461.1, 516.7, and 391.7, respectively (tables, 9 

and 10); fruit number.m -2 at 3 rd , 7 th , 8 th , 9 th , 11 th , 

14 th , 16 th , and 17 th harvests with values of 0.7, 

8.7, 6.4, 7.77, 11.23, 5.7, 4.5 and 3.8, 

respectively, (tables, 9 and 10). Recent studies 

manifested that seeds priming overcome 

incomplete embryo probles and altering the 

performance of metabolic activities in seed 

embryos. Basra (1995) summarized that priming 

operates to enhance seed quality by a 

combination of processes that may include 

cellular repair and improved membrane 

integrity; decreased seed exudation and 

concomitant decreased growth of pathogenic 

organisms; enhanced mobilization of seed 

protein, lipid, and starch as a result of activation 

or synthesis of advanced embryo development; 

weakened restraining tissues around the radical; 

4 

and vigorous of well adapted cultivar namely 

Babylon. 

Babylon seeds primed in MgSO4 solution in 

2004 growing season manifested the 

highest individual leaf dry weight 4.2 g, 

individual leaf fresh weight 9.7 g, calcium 

content of fruit 3035.5 mg.kg -1 , fruit 

length 15.8 cm, and total yield14.1 kg.m -2 

(tables, 2 and 4); fresh fruit yield at 

2 nd harvest 1768.3 g.m -2 and 7 th harvest 1316.7 

g.m -2 (table, 5); fruit number.m -2 at 2 nd and 

7 th harvests with values of 21.7 and 15.7, 

respectively, (table, 7). 

and increased potential for oxidative 

phosphorylation and ATP accumulation. 

Results of 2004 experiment revealed that 

direct cultivation of Babylon seeds primed by 

MgSO4 was the best triple interaction treatment. 

It manifested the highest magnitudes in term of 

plant dry matter percentage 26.2%, total yield of 

fresh fruit 14.1 kg.m -2 (tables, 2 and 4); fresh 

fruit yield at 2 nd harvest 242 g.m -2 and fruit 

number.m -2 at 2 nd harvest 29.7 (tables, 5 and 7). 

Whereas, the best triple interaction in 2005 

experiment was direct cultivation of Kalifa seeds 

primed in ion antagonism solution. This 

treatment gave the highest plant length 146.5 

cm, total yield 11.7 kg.m -2 , and fruit yield at 9 th 

harvest 533.3 g.m -2 ,(tables, 3,and 4). Seed 

priming affects directly and in directly on cell 

metabolism, as documented by previous 

investigations. Priming synchronized the 

development of seeds, bringing them all to the 

same metabolic state. In carrot or celery seeds 

with rudimentary embryos, considerable embryo 

growth may occur during priming, even though 

radical growth is prevented (Van der Toorn, 

1989).


Table(1): Meteorological data, irrigation frequencies and soil depleted water to a 40cm depth 

Meteorological data Months 

April May June July August 

Maximum temperature Cº 26.8 34.2 39.2 48.3 49.3 

Minimum temperature Cº 12.3 17 21.1 29.4 24.9 

Relative humidity (%) 48 34 25 21 20.8 

Rain fall incidences mm. 71.4 3.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 

Cultivation methods and cvs (A*B) 

(A*C) 

Treatments and Cvs (B*C) 

Table (2): The influences of cultivation methods and priming seeds of two cucumber cultivars by CaCO3,, 

MgSO4 and their ion antagonism on growth during 2004 growing season. 

Cultivation 

methods 

(A) 

Treatments of 

Seed 

Priming (B) 

Cultivars Cvs. 

( C) 

Direct 

sowing 

Indirect 

sowing 

Direct 

Indirect 

Cont 

Distil 

CaCO3 

MgSO4 

CaCO3+ 

direct 

Fw/p La i La B/p Dm%/p L dw lfw Pl L dm% Ln/p 

304.9b 3.6a 92.7a 4.9a 22.8a 3.4b 7.2b 168.8a 49a 91.7b 

indirect 355.2a 3.5a 78.2b 4.6a 21.8a 4a 9.3a 165.1a 41.2a 108.4a 

Cont 307.8a 3.5a 84.8a 4.5b 22.5a 3.4a 7.9a 169.1a 44.7a 90.7a 

Dist 355.4a 3.8a 85.7a 5.6a 21.7a 3.6a 7.6a 167.9a 47.8a 109a 

CaCO3 331a 4a 87.9a 5.4a 21.7a 3.7a 8.6a 170.9a 44.7a 114a 

MgSO4 326.2a 2.9a 80.5a 3.7c 22.1a 3.7a 8.7a 164.7a 42.7a 91.4a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

329.8a 3.6a 88.4a 4.6b 23.7a 3.8a 8.5a 162.2a 45.6a 99.7a 

Babyl 321.3a 3.8a 92a 5a 24a 4a 9.2a 158.4b 43.9a 94.1a 

Khali 338.8a 3.3a 78.9b 4.6a 20.7b 3.3b 7.3b 175.5a 46.3a 106a 

Cont 322.7ab 3.6a 93.2a 4.3bc 21.5a 3.38b 6.4c 179.3a 53.3a 78.2c 

Distil 318.2ab 4.1a 97.2a 5.6a 21.7a 3.4ab 6.6c 155.8a 52.5a 88.9bc 

CaCO3 299.4b 3.8a 96.2a 5.6a 22.5a 3.4ab 7.4bc 168.1a 47.8ab 106.6ac 

MgSO4 292.6b 3a 82.2a 3.8c 23.2a 3.5ab 8.3ab 170.9a 42.6bc 87.2bc 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

291.4b 3.5a 94.4a 5.2ab 25.3a 3.5ab 7.3bc 170a 48.8ab 97.8ac 

Cont 392.7a 3.4a 76.5a 4.7ac 23.4a 3.4ab 9.4a 159a 36.2c 106.6ac 

Dist 360.1ab 3.5a 74.2a 5.7a 21.8a 3.4ab 8.6ab 180a 43bc 129.1a 

CaCO3 359.9ab 4.2a 79.5a 5.1ab 20.9a 3.96ab 9.5a 173.7a 41.7bc 121.4ab 

MgSO4 339.2ab 2.8a 78.7a 3.7c 20.9a 3.9ab 9.2a 158.5a 42.8bc 95.7ac 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

324.2ab 3.7a 82.3a 4c 22.1a 4a 9.7a 154.5a 42.4bc 92.4bc 

Babyl 296.3b 3.8a 105.4a 4.7ab 24.5a 3.7b 7.9a 157a 47.3a 82.2b 

Khali 313.5ab 3.2a 80b 5.1a 21.2bc 3.2c 6.5c 180.7a 50.7a 101.3ab 

Babyl 346.4ab 3.8a 78.6b 4.4b 23.5ab 4.3a 10.5a 159.9a 40.6b 106a 

Khali 364a 3.4a 77.9b 4.9ab 20.1c 3.3bc 8a 170.37a 41.8b 110.7a 

Babyl 279a 4.3a 93.8a 4.1df 24.9ab 3.5bc 8.7ab 172.8a 42.4a 92.4ab 

Khali 336.7a 2.7a 75.8a 5ad 20bc 3.3c 7.1c 165.5a 47.7a 89.1ab 

Babyl 363.7a 4a 90.8a 5.3ab 22.5ac 4.1a 8.7ab 151.3a 46.9a 103.5ab 

Khali 347.1a 3.6a 80.7a 6a 20.1ac 3.1c 6.5c 184.5a 48.6a 114.6ab 

Babyl 338.9a 4.2a 78.8a 5.3ac 23ac 3.9ab 9.4a 158.5a 42.1a 106.3ab 

Khali 323a 3.7a 77a 5.5ab 20.4ac 3.5bc 7.5bc 183.3a 47.4a 121.7a 

Babyl 290.1a 2.8a 83.1a 3.8ef 24.1ac 4.2a 9.7a 147.4a 42.8a 83.8b 

Khali 362.4a 3a 77.8a 3.7f 19.8c 3.3c 7.7bc 182a 42.6a 99ab 

Babyl 335a 3.6a 93.3a 4.4cf 25.3a 4.2a 9.5a 162.2a 45.6a 84.5b 

5

(A* 

C) 


6 

Direct cultivation 

Indirect cultivation 

MgSO4 

Cont 

Distil 

CaCO3 

MgSO4 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Cont 

Distil 

CaCO3 

MgSO4 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Khali 324.5a 3.6a 83.5a 4.8be 22.1ac 3.3bc 7.4bc 162.3a 45.7a 105.6ab 

Babyl 264.4ab 4.4a 111.6ab 4cd 24.2ab 3.6bc 6.8dg 182.4a 53.3ab 76c 

Khali 318.4ab 2.3a 74.8cd 4.7ad 18.8b 3.1c 5.9fg 176.1a 53.3ab 80.3bc 

Babyl 336.8ab 3.7a 109ac 5.4ac 21.7ab 3.6bc 7.7cg 135.4a 47.4ad 81.9ac 

Khali 299.7ab 3.3a 85.5ad 5.8a 21.7ab 3.2c 5.6g 176.2a 57.7a 95.8ac 

Babyl 332.5ab 4.9a 116.1a 5.6ac 23.7ab 3.5bc 8.3be 153.2a 42.9bd 101ac 

Khali 312.9ab 4.6a 76.4cd 5.7ab 21.3ab 3.4c 6.4eg 183a 52.7ac 112.3ac 

Babyl 235.5b 2.9a 89.1ad 3.9cd 26.2a 3.8ac 8.9bd 155a 42.5bd 78.1c 

Khali 349.6ab 2.7a 75.2cd 3.7d 20.2ab 3.3c 7.6cg 186.8a 42.8bd 96.3ac 

Babyl 312ab 3a 100.9cd 4.7ad 26.5a 3.8ac 7.7cg 158.8a 50.5ad 73.7c 

Khali 286.8ab 4.4a 88ad 5.7ab 24.1ab 3.2c 6.8dg 181.2a 47.2ad 121.8ac 

Babyl 293.5ab 4.3a 76cd 4.1bd 25.5ab 3.3c 10.5ab 163.2a 31.5e 108.7ac 

Khali 355ab 3a 76.9bd 5.3ac 21.3ab 3.4c 8.2bf 154.8a 40.8ed 97.9ac 

Babyl 390.7a 4.3a 72.6d 5.2ad 23.2ab 4.5a 9.7ac 167.1a 46.4bd 125ac 

Khali 394.6a 3.9a 75.9cd 6.2a 20.7ab 3c 7.5cg 192.9a 39.6de 133.3a 

Babyl 345.3ab 3.6a 81.4bd 5ad 22.3ab 4.3ab 10.5ab 163.8a 41.3de 111.7ac 

Khali 333.2ab 4a 77.5bd 5.3ad 19.4ab 3.6bc 8.6be 183.6a 42.1cd 131.2ab 

Babyl 344.7ab 2.6a 77.2bd 3.7d 22.4ab 4.5a 10.5ab 139.8a 43.1bd 89.5ac 

Khali 375.1a 3.3a 80.3bd 3.7d 19.4ab 3.3c 7.8cg 177.2a 42.5bd 101.8ac 

Babyl 357.9ab 4.3a 85.6ad 4cd 24.1ab 4.5a 11.3a 165.6a 40.7de 95.3ac 

Khali 362.3ab 2.8a 79bd 3.9cd 20.2ab 3.5bc 8cf 143.4a 44.1bd 89.4ac 

* plant fresh weight g (fw/p), leaf area index (Lai), leaf area (La), branch number per plant (B/P), plant dry matter percentage (dm%/P), 

individual leaf dry weight g (L dw), leaf fresh weight g (L fw), plant length cm (Pl), leaf dry matter percentage (Ldm%), leaf number per 

plant (ln/p). 

Table (3): The influences of cultivation methods and priming seeds of two cucumber cultivars by CaCO3,, 

MgSO4 and their ion antagonism on growth during 2005 growing season. 


Cultivation 

methods 

(A) 

Treatments of 

Seed 



( C) 

direct 

sowing 

indirect 

sowing 

direct 

Dw/p La i La B/p Dm%/p L dw lfw Pl Ldm% Ln/p 

67.9b 3.6a 93.2a 5.2a 21.8a 3.7b 7.4b 168.4a 50.3a 96.8a 

indirect 75.9a 3.68a 78.8b 5.6a 21.8a 4.1a 9.6a 164.7a 43.4b 113.5b 

Cont 66.2b 3.4b 85.3a 5ab 22.5a 3.9a 8.3a 165.6a 49.6a 95.7b 

Dist 76.7a 4ab 86.2a 6.3a 21.2a 3.8a 8a 171a 48.4a 112.1ab 

CaCO3 70.7ab 4.5a 88.5a 5.9ab 21.3a 3.9a 8.7a 171.4 46.3a 122.5a 

MgSO4 69.2ab 3.2b 80.9a 4.7b 21a 3.9a 9.1a 161.6a 44.4a 96.5b 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

77a 3.3b 88.9a 5.1ab 23a 3.9a 8.5a 163.1a 45.6a 99.2ab 

Babyl 75.5a 3.8a 92.8a 5.2a 23.2a 4.3a 9.5a 158.6a 46.2a 100.1a 

Khali 68.4b 3.6a 79.2b 5.6a 20.4b 3.5b 7.5b 174.5a 47.5a 110.1a 

Cont 70.8bd 3.2a 93.7a 4.6b 21.3a 3.7ab 6.9c 174.3a 56.9a 81.7c 

Distil 70.5bd 3.75a 97.9a 5.8ab 21.2a 3.6b 6.9c 159.4a 53.5ab 93.6ac 

CaCO3 68.9bd 4.5a 97.1a 6ab 21.6a 3.7ab 7.6bc 169.3a 50ac 116.5ac 

MgSO4 64.6cd 2.85a 82.2a 6ab 21a 3.7ab 8.7ac 170.4a 44.5c 91.1bc 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

60.6d 3.7a 94.8a 5.2ab 24a 3.6b 7c 168.7a 46.4bc 101.3ab 

Cont 84.4a 3.4a 76.9a 5.4ab 23.7a 4.1ab 9.6ab 157a 42.2c 109.7ac 

Dist 79ab 4.2a 74.6a 6.8a 21.3a 4ab 9.1ab 182.6a 43.3c 130.6a 

CaCO3 74.9ac 4.4a 79.9a 5.7ab 21.1a 4.2ab 9.9a 173.5a 42.5c 128.6ab 

MgSO4 73.9ad 3.5a 79.5a 4.8ab 21.1a 4.1ab 9.5ab 152.7a 44.3c 101.9ac 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

71.8ad 3b 83a 5.1ab 22a 4.2ab 10a 157.6a 44.8c 97ac 

indirect Babyl 70.9b 3.7a 106.3a 4.8a 22.9a 3.9b 8.1b 156.4a 48.7a 85.9b

Cultiva 

tion 

metho 

ds and 

cvs 

(A*B) 



indirect cultivation 

direct cultivation 

direct 

Cont 

Khali 65b 3.5a 80b 5.7a 20.7b 3.4c 6.8c 180.4a 51.8a 107.8a 

Babyl 80a 3.9a 79.2b 5.6a 23.5a 4.7a 10.9a 160.8a 43.6b 114.2a 

Khali 71.7b 3.6a 78.3b 5.6a 20.1b 3.6c 8.3b 168.6a 43.2b 112.9a 

Babyl 67.7c 3.6b 94.6a 4.7b 25.2a 4.4a 9ab 169.1a 52.1a 96.6ab 

Khali 64.6c 3.1b 76.1a 5.3ab 19.8c 3.4c 7.5bc 162.1a 47.1ab 94.8ab 

Distil Babyl 82ab 4.2ab 91.8a 5.8ab 21.7ac 4.3a 9.3ab 153.7a 47.3ab 112.5ab 

CaCO3 

Khali 71.3bc 3.8ab 80.7a 6.8a 20.8bc 3.3c 6.7c 188.3a 49.5ab 111.7ab 

Babyl 75.8ac 4.9a 99.8a 5.8ab 22.8ac 4.1ab 9.7ab 160a 43b 114.4ab 

Khali 65.5c 4.1ab 77.3a 5.9ab 19.9c 3.7bc 7.8bc 182.7a 49.5ab 130.7a 

MgSO4 Babyl 69bc 3.1b 83.8a 5.1ab 22.6ac 4.3a 10.2a 146a 44.4ab 88.4b 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Cont 

Khali 69.5bc 3.2b 78a 4.4b 19.5c 3.5c 8ac 177.1a 44.4ab 104.6ab 

Babyl 83a 3b 94.1a 4.7b 23.9ab 4.3a 9.3ab 164a 44ab 88.5b 

Khali 70.9ac 3.6b 83.8a 5.6ab 22ac 3.5c 7.7bc 162.2a 47.1ab 109.8ab 

Babyl 64.2ce 3.5ac 112.4ab 4.3ab 24.6ab 4.1ad 7.8cd 174a 60.7a 77.7c 

Khali 56.9e 2.9c 75cd 4.9ab 18.1c 3.3de 6.5cd 174.5a 53.1ac 85.7ac 

Distil Babyl 72.8ae 3.9ac 110.1ac 5ab 20.6ac 3.7ce 8.1bd 138.8a 47.4bd 86.4ac 

CaCO3 

Khali 65be 3.6ac 85.7ad 6.6ab 21.9ac 3.4de 5.8bd 180a 59.5a 100.8ac 

Babyl 75.1ae 5.1a 117.8a 6ab 23ac 3.7de 8.5bd 156.5a 44.3cd 108.4ac 

Khali 66.6be 3.9ac 76.5cd 6ab 20.1bc 3.7de 6.6cd 182.1a 55.8ab 124.5ac 

MgSO4 Babyl 60.7de 2.9bc 89.5ad 4.8ab 22.7ac 4be 9.5ac 153.3a 45.1bd 81.8bc 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Cont 

Khali 68.5be 2.8c 75cd 4.4ab 19.2bc 3.5de 7.9bd 187.5a 43.8cd 100.4ac 

Babyl 81.6ac 3bc 101.7ad 4b 23.8ab 4be 6.9cd 159.4a 45.9bd 75.1c 

Khali 68.2be 4.4bc 88ad 6.3ab 24.1ab 3.3de 7.1cd 178a 46.9bd 127.6ac 

Babyl 71.3be 3.8ac 76.5cd 5ab 25.9a 4.7ab 10.8ab 164.3a 43.4cd 115.4ac 

Khali 72.3ae 3.3ac 77.3cd 5.8ab 21.5ac 3.5de 8.5bd 149.6a 41d 104ac 

Distil Babyl 91.2a 4.4ac 73.4d 6.6ab 22.8ac 4.8a 10.5ab 168.6a 47.2bd 138.6a 

CaCO3 

Khali 77.7ac 4ac 75.7cd 7a 19.7bc 3.3e 7.7bd 196.6a 39.4d 122.5ac 

Babyl 76.6ae 4.8ab 81.8bd 5.7ab 22.6ac 4.5ac 10.9ab 163.5a 41.6cd 120.3ac 

Khali 64.4ce 4ac 78bd 5.8ab 19.6bc 3.8ce 8.9ad 183.4a 43.3cd 136.9ab 

MgSO4 Babyl 77.3ad 3.4ac 78bd 5.3ab 22.5ac 4.7ab 10.8ab 138.8a 43.6cd 95ac 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Khali 70.5be 3.5ac 81.1bd 4.3ab 19.7bc 3.5de 8.2bd 166.7a 44.9cd 108.8ac 

Babyl 84.4ab 3bc 86.4ad 5.3ab 24ab 4.7ab 11.7a 168.7a 42.4cd 101.9ac 

Khali 73.7ae 2.9bc 79.5bd 4.9ab 19.9bc 3.7ce 8.3bd 146.5a 47.2bd 92.1ac 

* plant dry weight g (Dw/p), leaf area index (Lai), leaf area (La), branch number per plant (B/P), plant dry matter 

percentage (dm%/P), individual leaf dry weight g (L dw), leaf fresh weight g (L fw), plant length cm (Pl), leaf 

dry matter percentage (Ldm%), leaf number per plant (ln/p). 

Table (4): The influences of cultivation methods and priming seeds of two cucumber cultivars by CaCO3, 

MgSO4 and their ion antagonism on yield components.* 

Cultivation 

methods 

(A) 

Treatments of Seed 



( C) 

Direct 

sowin 

g 

direct 

2004 growing season 2005 growing season 

F Ca Fl F dm% Ty.m -2 Fn/p Ty.3m -2 Fdm% F Ca Fl 

1.96a 15.8a 4.5a 8.6b 10.1a 25.8a 4.6a 1.1a 16a 

indirect 2.25b 14.8a 4.4a 10.6a 11a 26.1a 4.5a 1.08a 15.8a 

Cont 2.18b 15.7a 4.5a 9.9ab 10.5a 24.6ab 4.4b 1.04ab 16.1a 

Dist 2.89a 15.4ab 4.3a 7b 11.5a 26.9ab 4.5ab 1.11ab 16.2a 

CaCO3 2.52a 14.7b 4.4a 10.2ab 9.7a 22.7b 4.7a 1.22a 15.3b 

MgSO4 2.75a 15.3ab 4.4a 11.2a 10.6a 24.1ab 4.6ab 0.95b 15.9ab 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

2.02b 15.2ab 4.3a 9.8ab 10.6a 31.5a 4.5ab 1.13ab 15.8ab 

Babyl 2.44a 15.7a 4.5a 11.2a 11.4a 27.7a 4.6a 1.14a 16.7a 

Khali 2.5a 14.8b 4.3b 8.1b 9.8b 24.2a 4.5b 1.04a 15.1b 

Cont 2.35bc 15.5ac 4.4a 7.3bc 6.7b 20b 4.3b 1.12ab 16.3a 

Distil 2.38bc 14.8cd 4.2a 6.6c 11ab 25.8ab 4.6ab 1.14ab 16.4a 

7


8 

(A*C) 

treatments and Cvs (B*C) 



Indirect 

sowing 

CaCO3 2.18bc 14.1d 4.4a 7.9ac 10.7ab 25.8ab 4.8a 1.18ab 15.5ab 

MgSO4 2.08bc 14.8bd 4.4a 12.1ab 11.1ab 24.1ab 4.7ab 1.02ab 16.1ab 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

2.28bc 15bd 4.3a 9.3ac 9.2ab 33.4a 4.7ab 1.03ab 15.6ab 

Cont 2.01bc 16ab 4.6a 12.5a 12.3a 29.2ab 4.4ab 0.95ab 16ab 

Dist 3.4a 16.3a 4.5a 7.4bc 4.9a 28.1ab 4.4ab 1.09ab 15.9ab 

CaCO3 2.86ab 15.3ac 4.4a 12.6a 8.7b 19.7b 4.6ab 1.56a 15.1b 

MgSO4 3.43a 15.8ab 4.5a 10.3ac 10.1ab 24ab 4.6ab 0.88b 15.8ab 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

1.77c 15.5ac 4.3a 10.3ac 11.9a 29.6ab 4.4b 1.22a 16ab 

Direct Babyl 2.19a 14.8b 4.5a 11.2a 11ab 26a 4.7a 1.15a 16.9a 

Indirect 

Cont 

Khali 2.31a 14.8b 4.2b 10a 9.3b 25.9a 4.6a 1.04a 15.1b 

Babyl 2.69a 16.7a 4.5a 11.1a 11.8a 29.3a 4.6a 1.14a 16.4a 

Khali 2.69a 14.9b 4.4ab 6.2b 10.2ab 22.9a 4.3b 1.03a 15.1b 

Babyl 2.21ab 15.9a 4.7a 12.1ab 11.4ac 27.5ab 4.3b 1.19ac 16.6ab 

Khali 2.14ab 15.5a 4.3ab 7.7bc 9.6bd 21.8b 4.5ab 0.88cd 15.7bc 

Distil Babyl 2.79a 15.8a 4.5ab 8bc 12.6ab 30ab 4.7ab 0.97bd 17.2a 

CaCO3 

Khali 2.99ab 15ab 4.2b 5.9c 10.4ad 23.8ab 4.3b 1.26ab 15.2cd 

Babyl 2.28ab 15.4a 4.5ab 11.3ab 9.2cd 22.5ab 4.8a 1.38a 16.3ab 

Khali 2.75ab 14b 4.4ab 9.1bc 10.3ad 23ab 4.6ab 1.06bd 14.3d 

MgSO4 Babyl 3.03a 15.8a 4.6ab 14.1a 10.8ad 25ab 4.8a 1.03bd 16.7a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Cont 

Khali 2.48ab 14.9ab 4.3ab 3.3bc 10.4ad 23.1ab 4.5ab 0.87d 15.1cd 

Babyl 1.9b 15.7a 4.2b 10.2ac 13a 33.6a 4.6ab 1.12ad 16.5ab 

Khali 2.14ab 14.8ab 4.4ab 9.3bc 8.1d 29.3ab 4.5ab 1.14ad 15.1cd 

Babyl 2.38bd 15.5be 4.8a 11.7ad 9.5ad 21.9ab 4c 1.22ab 16.7ae 

Khali 2.31bd 15.5be 4.1b 13.3ab 7.8bd 18.1b 4.6ab 1.02bc 15.8bh 

Distil Babyl 2.04cd 14.3e 4.3ab 7.8ae 11.2ac 26.9ab 4.8ab 1.1ac 17.4a 

CaCO3 

Khali 2.75ad 14.6e 4.1ab 6.9ae 10.9ac 24.8ab 4.4ac 1.19ac 15.4di 

Babyl 2.11cd 14.1e 4.6ab 12.1ad 10.7ac 25.4ab 4.9a 1.27ab 16.8ad 

Khali 2.24cd 14e 4.3ab 13.1ab 10.8ac 26.1ab 4.8ab 1.09ac 14.3i 

MgSO4 Babyl 2.18cd 14.8de 4.6ab 14.1a 11.2ac 24.6ab 4.8a 1.15ac 17.1ab 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Cont 

Khali 1.97cd 14.8de 4.2ab 6.5be 11ac 23.6ab 4.6ac 0.88bc 15.1gi 

Babyl 2.24cd 15.1ce 4.1ab 10.3ad 12.4ab 31.7ab 4.8a 1.02bc 16.5af 

Khali 2.31bd 14.9de 4.5ab 10.3ad 6d 35.1a 4.6ac 1.04ac 15.1hi 

Babyl 2.04cd 16.3ad 4.6ab 12.5ac 13.4a 33ab 4.6ac 1.16ac 16.6ab 

Khali 1.97cd 15.6be 4.5ab 2e 11.3ac 25.4ab 4.3ac 0.75c 15.6bi 

Distil Babyl 3.54ab 17.2a 4.7ab 8.1ae 13.9a 33.2ab 4.7ab 0.85bc 16.9ac 

CaCO3 

Khali 3.26ac 15.3be 4.3ab 5ed 9.9ad 22.9ab 4.2bc 1.32ab 14.9gi 

Babyl 2.45bd 16.7ac 4.4ab 10.5ad 7.7cd 19.5ab 4.7ab 1.49a 15.9bh 

Khali 3.26ac 14e 4.4ab 5.2ce 9.8ad 19.9ab 4.4ac 1.03ac 14.3i 

MgSO4 Babyl 3.88a 16.8ab 4.6ab 14.1a 10.3ad 25.4ab 4.7ab 0.92bc 16.3ag 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Khali 2.99ac 14.9ed 4.3ab 10.1ad 9.7ad 22.6ab 4.4ac 0.85bc 15.2ei 

Babyl 1.57d 16.3ad 4.3ab 10.2ad 13.6a 35.6a 4.5ac 1.22ab 16.5af 

Khali 1.97cd 14.6e 4.3ab 8.4ae 10.3a 23.6ab 4.3ac 1.23ab 15.5ci 

* Calcium g.kg -1 on dry basis in fruit (F Ca), fruit length cm (Fl), fruit dry matter percentage (F dm%), mean of 

total yield kg.m -2 on 2004 or of 3m 2 furrow on 2005 (Ty),fruit number per plant (fn/p)

Indirect 

cultivation 


(A*C) 




Cultivation 

methods 

(A) 

Treatments of 

Seed 



( C) 

Table (5): The influences of cultivation methods and priming the seeds of Babylon and Khalifa cucumber 

cultivars by CaCO3, MgSO4 and their ion antagonism on fruit yield g.m -2 at each harvesting intervals (H1-H10) 

during 2004 growing season.* 

Direct 

sowing 

Indirect 

sowing 

direct 

H1 H2 H3 H4 H5 H6 H7 H8 H9 H10 

0.0a 561.7a 38.3b 77.5b 225b 365.8b 290a 363.3a 778.7b 827a 

indirect 20a 650.7a 303.5a 303.5a 721.7a 938.3a 613.3a 551.7a 1267.7a 853a 

Cont 12.5a 635.8ab 233.3a 310.8a 537.5a 1070.8a 545.8a 554.2ab 1487.5a 67.1a 

Dist 9.2a 130.8b 56.3ab 131.3a 491.7a 327.1b 366.7a 479.2ab 375b 692.5a 

CaCO3 0.0a 601.7ab 20.8b 89.6a 383.3a 841.7ab 425a 150b 745.8b 1057.5a 

MgSO4 28.3a 1171.7a 100ab 200a 462.5a 608.3ab 729.2a 429.2ab 900a 1010a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

0.0a 490.8ab 204.2 220.8a 491.7a 412.5b 191.7a 675a 1607.5a 769.2a 

Babyl 20a 739a 202.5a 297.5a 643.3a 739.2a 735a 593.3a 1233a 957a 

Khali 0.0a 473.3a 43.3b 83.5b 303.3b 565a 168.3b 321.7b 813.3a 723a 

Cont 0.0a 266.7a 166.7ab 308.3ab 375ab 533.3c 491.7a 183.3b 866.7c 158.3a 

Distil 0.0a 178.3a 0.0b 12.5b 33.3b 70.8c 208.3a 333.3ab 658.3c 455a 

CaCO3 0.0a 278.3a 0.0b 25b 375ab 258.3c 216.7a 208.3b 275c 925a 

MgSO4 0.0a 1443.3a 0.0b 25b 283.3ab 575bc 483.3a 425ab 1108.3bc 1283.3a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

0.0a 641.7a 25b 16.7b 58.3b 391.7c 50a 666.7ab 985c 1313.3a 

Cont 25a 1005a 300ab 313.3ab 700ab 1608.3a 600a 925a 2108.3ab 1183.3a 

Dist 18.3a 83.3a 112.5ab 250ab 950a 583.3bc 525a 625ab 91.7c 930a 

CaCO3 0.0a 925a 41.7b 154.2ab 391.7ab 1425ab 633.3a 91.7b 1216.7ac 1190a 

MgSO4 56.7a 900a 200ab 375ab 641ab 641.7bc 975a 433.3ab 691.7c 736.7a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

0.0a 340a 383.3a 425a 925a 433.3c 333.3a 683.3ab 2230a 225a 

Direct Babyl 0.0a 582a 76.7b 150b 346.7b 635a 516.7ab 483.3ab 1070.7ab 1026a 

Indirect 

Cont 

Khali 0.0a 541.3a 0.0b 5b 103.3b 96.7b 63.3b 243.3b 486.7b 627.3a 

Babyl 40a 896a 328.3a 445a 940a 843.3a 953.3a 703.3a 1395.3a 887.3a 

Khali 0.0a 405.3a 162b 162b 503.3b 1033.3a 273.3b 400ab 1140ab 818.7a 

Babyl 25a 616.7ab 450a 508.3a 891.7a 1525a 808.3ab 808.3a 1783.3a 408.3a 

Khali 0.0a 655ab 16.7b 113.3b 183.3a 616.7b 283.3ab 300ab 1191.7ab 933.3a 

Distil Babyl 18.3a 83.3b 112.5b 225ab 683.3a 429.2b 591.7ab 741.7a 225b 941.7a 

CaCO3 

Khali 0.0a 178.3b 0.0b 37.5b 300a 225b 141.7b 216.7ab 525b 443.3a 

Babyl 0.0a 886.7ab 8.3b 129.2b 408.3a 600b 658.3ab 275ab 925ab 1286.7a 

Khali 0.0a 316.7b 33.3b 50b 385.3a 1083.3ab 191.7b 25b 566.7b 828.3a 

MgSO4 Babyl 58.7a 1768.3a 200ab 383.3ab 775a 583.3b 1316.7a 558.3ab 1200ab 1406.7a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Cont 

Khali 0.0a 575ab 0.0b 16.7b 150a 633.3b 141.7b 300ab 600b 613.3a 

Babyl 0.0a 340b 241.7ab 241.7ab 458.3a 558.3b 300ab 583.3ab 2031.7a 741.7a 

Khali 0.0a 641.7ab 166.7ab 200ab 525a 266.7b 83.3b 766.7a 1183.3ab 796.7a 

Babyl 0.0b 0.0b 333.3ab 616.7ab 750ab 1066.7ab 983.3ab 366.7ab 1700ad 266.7ab 

Khali 0.0b 533.3ab 0.0b 0.0c 0.0b 0.0b 0.0b 0.0b 33.3e 50ab 

Distil Babyl 0.0b 0.0b 0.0b 0.0c 0.0b 91.7b 300ab 666.7ab 450be 766.7ab 

CaCO3 

Khali 0.0b 356.7b 0.0b 25c 66.7b 50b 116.7b 0.0b 866.7ae 143.3ab 

Babyl 0.0b 490ab 0.0b 50c 450ab 433.3b 433.3ab 366.7ab 250ce 1326.7ab 

Khali 0.0b 66.7b 0.0b 0.0c 300ab 83.3b 0.0b 50b 300ce 523.3ab 

MgSO4 Babyl 0.0b 242a 0.0b 50c 416.7ab 800ab 766.7ab 450ab 1333.3ae 1373.3ab 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Cont 

Khali 0.0b 466.7ab 0.0 0.0c 150b 350b 200b 400ab 883.3ae 1193.3ab 

Babyl 0.0b 0.0b 50b 33.3c 116.7b 783.3ab 100b 566.7ab 1620ae 1400ab 

Khali 0.0b 1283.3ab 0.0b 0.0c 0.0b 0.0b 0.0b 766.7ab 350ce 1226.7ab 

Babyl 50ab 1233.3ab 566.7a 400ac 1033.3ab 1983.3a 633.3ab 1250a 1866.7ac 550ab 

Khali 0.0b 776.7ab 33.3b 226.7ac 366.7ab 1233.3ab 566.7ab 600ab 2350a 1816.7a 

Distil Babyl 36.7ab 166.7b 225ab 450ac 1366.7a 766.7ab 883.3ab 816.7ab 0.0e 1116.7ab 

Khali 0.0b 0.0b 0.0b 50c 533.3ab 400b 166.7b 433.3ab 183.3de 743.3ab 

CaCO3 Babyl 0.0b 1283.3ab 16.7b 208.3ac 366.7ab 766.7ab 883.3ab 183.3b 1600ae 1246.7ab 

9


10 

Khali 0.0b 566.7ab 66.7b 100bc 416.7ab 2083.3a 383.3ab 0.0b 833.3ae 1133.3ab 

MgSO4 Babyl 113.3a 1116.7ab 400ab 716.7a 1133.3ab 366.7b 1866.7a 666.7ab 1066.7ae 1440ab 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Khali 0.0b 683.3ab 0.0b 33.3c 150b 916.7ab 83.3b 200b 316.7ce 33.3b 

Babyl 0.0b 680ab 433.3ab 450ac 800ab 333.3b 500ab 600ab 2443.3a 83.3ab 

Khali 0.0b 0.0b 333.3ab 400ac 1050ab 533.3b 166.7b 766.7ab 2016.7 366.7ab 

Table (6): The influences of cultivation methods and priming the seeds of Babylon and Khalifa cumber cultivars by CaCO3, 

MgSO4 and their ion antagonism on fruit yield g.m -2 at each harvesting intervals (H11-H17) during 2004 growing season.* 


(A*C) 



Cultivation 

methods 

(A) 

Treatments of 

Seed 



( C) 

Direct 

sowing 

Indirect 

sowing 

direct 

H11 H12 H13 H14 H15 H16 H17 

636.7a 811.7a 442.3b 1073.9a 769.7a 1121.3a 275.3a 

indirect 454.3b 368.3b 648.7a 1110.3a 773a 974b 265a 

Cont 337.5a 873.3a 310a 625a 704.2a 784.2a 190.8a 

Dist 243.3a 483.3a 508.3a 1237.5a 470.8a 1032.5a 225a 

CaCO3 777.5a 560a 686.7a 1300a 942.5a 1323.3a 395a 

MgSO4 754.2a 696.7a 635a 1187.3a 829.2a 1114.2a 360.8a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

615a 336.7a 587.5a 1110a 910a 984.2a 179.2a 

Babyl 632.7a 353.3a 636.7a 1086.3a 827a 1250.7a 355.3a 

Khali 458.3a 826.7a 454a 1098a 715.7a 844.7a 185a 

Cont 300a 1096.7a 0.0a 813.3a 775a 700a 233.3a 

Distil 275a 966.7a 308.3a 1083.3a 366.7a 1320a 275a 

CaCO3 941.7a 545a 531.7a 1213.3a 723.3a 1188.3a 381.7a 

MgSO4 958.3a 1083.3a 5050a 1031.3a 1025a 1453.3a 445a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

708.3a 366.7a 866.7a 1228.3a 958..3a 945a 41.7a 

Cont 375a 650a 620a 436.7a 633.3a 868.3a 148.3a 

Dist 211.7a 0.0a 708.3a 1391.7a 575a 745a 175a 

CaCO3 613.3a 575a 841.7a 1388.3a 1161.7a 1458..3a 408.3a 

MgSO4 550a 310a 765a 1343.3a 633..3a 775a 276.7a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

521.7a 306.7a 308.3a 991.7a 861.7a 1023.3a 316.7a 

Direct Babyl 816.7a 582.7a 744.7a 1230.5a 929.3a 1514.7a 456a 

Indirect 

Cont 

Khali 456.7a 1040.7a 140a 917.3a 610.2a 728a 94.7b 

Babyl 448.7a 124a 528.7a 942a 724.7a 986.7a 254.7ab 

Khali 460a 612.7a 768.7a 1278.7a 821.3a 961.3a 275.3ab 

Babyl 466.7ab 1020a 100a 563.3a 900a 930a 306.7a 

Khali 208.3b 726.7a 520a 686.7a 508.3a 638.3a 75a 

Distil Babyl 445ab 233.3a 541.7a 1125a 500a 1328.3a 358.3a 

CaCO3 

Khali 41.7b 733.3a 475a 1350a 441.7a 736.7a 91.7a 

Babyl 1130a 203.3a 806.7a 1295a 801.7a 1508.3a 545a 

Khali 425ab 916.7a 566.7a 1306.7a 8013.3a 1138.3a 245a 

MgSO4 Babyl 691.7ab 310a 910a 998a 1066.7a 1528a 375a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Cont 

Khali 816.7ab 1083.3a 360a 1376.7a 591.7a 703.3a 346.7a 

Babyl 430ab 0.0a 825a 1450a 866.7a 961.7a 191.7a 

Khali 800ab 673.3a 350a 770a 953.3a 1006.7a 166.7a 

Babyl 600ab 2040ab 0.0a 1126.7ab 1150a 1033.3a 466.7a 

Khali 0.0b 153.3c 0.0a 50ab 400a 366.7a 0.0a 

Distil Babyl 550ab 466.7bc 616.7a 1216.7ab 733.3a 1666.7a 550a 

CaCO3 

Khali 0.0b 1466.7ac 0.0a 950ab 0.0a 973.3a 0.0a 

Babyl 1566.7a 406.7bc 1063.3a 1476.7ab 430a 1650a 556.7a 

Khali 316.7b 683.3ac 0.0a 950ab 1016.7a 726.7a 206.7a 

MgSO4 Babyl 883.3ab 0.0c 1010a 706ab 1216.7a 2066.7a 623.3a 

Khali 1033.3ab 2166.7a 0.0a 1356.7ab 833.3a 840a 266.7a

Dir 

ect 

cul 

tiv 

ati 

on 



CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Cont 

Babyl 483.3ab 0.0c 1033.3a 1626.7ab 1116.7a 115.7a 83.3a 

Khali 933.3ab 733.3ac 700a 830ab 800a 733.3a 0.0a 

Babyl 333.3ab 0.0c 200a 0.0b 650a 826.7a 146.7a 

Khali 416.7ab 1300ac 1040a 873.3ab 616.7a 910a 150a 

Distil Babyl 340ab 0.0c 466.7a 1033.3ab 266.7a 990a 166.7a 

CaCO3 

Khali 83.3b 0.0c 950a 1750a 883.3a 500a 183.3a 

Babyl 693.3ab 0.0c 550a 1113.3ab 1173.3a 1366.7a 533.3a 

Khali 533.3ab 1150ac 1133.3a 1663.3ab 1150a 1550a 283.3a 

MgSO4 Babyl 500ab 620ac 810a 1290ab 916.7a 983.3a 126.7a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Khali 600ab 0.0c 720a 1396.7ab 350a 566.7a 426.7a 

Babyl 376.7ab 0.0c 616.7a 1273.3ab 616.7a 766.7a 300a 

Khali 666.7ab 613.3ac 0.0a 710ab 1106.7a 1280a 333.3a 


cultivars by CaCO3, MgSO4 and their ion antagonism on fruit number per m 2 at each harvesting intervals (H1- 

H10) during 2004 growing season.* 


(A*C) 


Cultivation 

methods 

(A) 

Treatments of 

Seed 



( C) 

Direct 

sowing 

Indirect 

sowing 

direct 

H1 H2 H3 H4 H5 H6 H7 H8 H9 H10 

0.0a 7a 0.5b 1.1b 2.8b 4.5b 3.3a 4.3a 9.3b 9.7a 

indirect 0.3a 8a 2.6a 3.7a 8.8a 12.1a 7a 6.7a 15.7a 10.3a 

Cont 0.2a 8ab 2.9a 3.7a 6.4a 12.8a 6.5a 6.6ab 17.8a 8.1a 

Dist 0.1a 1.6b 0.8ab 2a 5.9a 2.3a 4a 5.7ab 4.6b 8.1a 

CaCO3 0.0a 7.4ab 0.3b 1.2a 4.8a 10.2a 4.2a 1.8b 9.1b 12.8a 

MgSO4 0.4a 14.4a 1.3ab 2.4a 5.7a 9ab 8.8a 5.3ab 11.8ab 11.8a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

0.0a 6.1ab 2.6ab 2.7a 6.1a 5.3ab 2.3a 8.1a 19.1a 9.2a 

Babyl 0.3a 9.1a 2.5a 3.6a 7.8a 8.8a 8.4a 7a 15a 11.3a 

Khali 0.0a 5.9a 0.7b 1.1b 3.8b 7.8a 2b 4a 10a 8.7a 

Cont 0.0a 3.2a 2.2ab 3.7ab 4.5ab 6.3bc 5.8a 2.2b 10.2bc 1.8a 

Distil 0.0a 2.2a 0.2b 0.5b 0.5b 1.5c 1.8a 3.8ab 8bc 5.3a 

CaCO3 0.0a 3.7a 0.0b 0.3b 4.5ab 3.2c 2.5a 2.5b 3.5bc 10.7a 

MgSO4 0.0a 17.8a 0.0b 0.5b 3.5ab 6.7bc 5.8a 5.2ab 13bc 15a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

0.0a 8a 0.3b 0.3b 0.8b 5bc 0.7a 7.8ab 11.7bc 15.7a 

Cont 0.3a 12.8a 3.7ab 3.7ab 8.3ab 19.3a 7.2a 11a 25.5a 14.3a 

Dist 0.2a 1a 1.5ab 3.5ab 11.3a 7bc 6.2a 7.5ab 1.2c 10.8a 

CaCO3 0.0a 11.2a 0.7b 2ab 5.2ab 17.2ab 5.8a 1.2b 14.7ab 14.8a 

MgSO4 0.8a 11a 2.5ab 4.3ab 7.8ab 11.3ac 11.8a 5.3ab 10.7bc 8.7a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

0.0a 4.2a 4.8a 5a 11.3a 5.5bc 4a 8.3ab 26.5a 2.7a 

Direct Babyl 0.0a 7.2a 1a 1.9b 4.2bb 7.5ab 6.1ab 5.6ab 12.5ab 11.8a 

Indirect 

Cont 

Khali 0.0a 6.7a 0.1a 0.2b 1.3b 1.5b 0.5b 3b 6.1b 7.6a 

Babyl 0.5a 10.9a 4a 5.3a 11.3a 10a 10.6a 8.3a 17.5a 10.7a 

Khali 0.0a 5.1a 1.3a 2.1b 6.3ab 14.1a 3.4ab 5ab 13.9a 9.8a 

Babyl 0.3a 7.7ab 5.5a 6a 10.5a 18a 9.5ab 9.5a 20.3ab 4.7a 

Khali 0.0a 8.3ab 0.3b 1.3bc 2.3a 7.7ab 3.5ab 3.7ab 14.8ad 11.5a 

Distil Babyl 0.2a 1b 1.5b 3ac 8.2a 5.2b 7ab 8.7ab 2.7d 11.2a 

CaCO3 

Khali 0.0a 2.2b 0.2b 1bc 3.7a 3.3b 1b 2.7ab 6.5cd 5a 

Babyl 0.0a 10.8ab 0.2b 1.5bc 5.2a 7.2ab 6ab 3.3ab 11bd 15.5a 

Khali 0.0a 4b 0.5b 0.8bc 4.5a 13.2ab 2.3b 0.3b 7.2cd 10a 

MgSO4 Babyl 0.8a 21.7a 2.5ab 4.7ab 9.3a 6.5ab 15.7a 6.7ab 16.5ac 16.2a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Khali 0.0a 7.2ab 0.0b 0.2c 2a 11.5ab 2b 3.8ab 7.2cd 7.5a 

Babyl 0.0a 4.2b 2.8ab 3ac 5.7a 7ab 3.7ab 6.7ab 24a 8.8a 

Khali 0.0a 8ab 2.3ab 2.3ac 6.5a 3.5b 1b 9.5a 14.2ad 9.5a 

Cont Babyl 0.0b 0.0b 4.3ab 7.3ab 9ab 12.7ad 11.7ab 4.3ab 19.7ad 3ab 

11



12 

Khali 0.0b 6.3ab 0.0b 0.0c 0.0b 0.0d 0.0b 0.0b 0.7ed 0.7b 

Distil Babyl 0.0b 0.0b 0.0b 0.0c 0.0b 1.3cd 3.7b 7.7ab 5.3be 9ab 

CaCO3 

Khali 0.0b 4.3b 0.3b 1bc 1b 1.7cd 0.0b 0.0b 10.7a 1.7b 

Babyl 0.0b 6.3ab 0.0b 0.7c 5.3ab 5cd 5ab 4.3ab 3ce 15ab 

Khali 0.0b 1b 0.0b 0.0c 3.7ab 1.3cd 0.0b 0.7b 4ce 6.3ab 

MgSO4 Babyl 0.0b 29.7a 0.0b 1bc 5ab 8.7ad 9ab 5.3ab 15.3ae 15.3ab 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Cont 

Khali 0.0b 6ab 0.0b 0.0c 2b 4.7cd 2.7b 5ab 10.7ae 14.7ab 

Babyl 0.0b 0.0b 0.7b 0.7c 1.7b 10ad 1.3b 6.3ab 19ae 16.7ab 

Khali 0.0b 16ab 0.0b 0.0c 0.0b 0.0d 0.0b 9.3ab 4.3ce 14.7ab 

Babyl 0.7ab 15.3ab 6.7a 4.7ac 12ab 23.3ab 7.3ab 14.7a 22ac 6.3ab 

Khali 0.0b 10.3ab 0.7b 2.7ac 4.7ab 15.3ad 7ab 7.3a 29a 22.3a 

Distil Babyl 0.3b 2b 3ab 6ac 16.3a 9ad 10.3ab 9.7a 0.0e 13.3ab 

CaCO3 

Khali 0.0b 0.0b 0.0b 1bc 6.3ab 5cd 2b 5.3a 2.3de 8.3ab 

Babyl 0.0b 15.3ab 0.3b 2.3ab 5ab 9.3ad 7ab 2.3a 19ae 16ab 

Khali 0.0b 7ab 1b 1.7bc 5.3ab 25a 4.7b 0.0b 10.3ae 13.7ab 

MgSO4 Babyl 1.7a 13.7ab 5ab 8.3a 13.7ab 4.3cd 22.3a 8a 17.7ae 17ab 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Khali 0.0b 8.3ab 0.0b 0.3c 2b 18.3ac 1.3b 2.7a 3.7ce 0.3b 

Babyl 0.0b 8.3ab 5ab 5.3ac 9.7ab 4cd 6ab 7a 29a 1b 

Khali 0.0b 0.0b 4.7ab 4.7ac 13ab 7bd 2b 9.7a 24ab 4.3ab 


cultivars by CaCO3, MgSO4 and their ion antagonism on fruit number per m 2 at each harvesting intervals (H11- 

H17) during 2004 growing season.* 

Treatment 

s and Cvs 

(B*C) 


(A*C) 

Cultivation 

methods 

(A) 

Treatments of 

Seed 



( C) 

Direct 

sowing 

Indirect 

sowing 

direct 

H11 H12 H13 H14 H15 H16 H17 

7.6a 9.2a 5.3a 12.6a 9.1a 13.5a 3.3a 

indirect 5.4a 4.4a 7.7a 14.2a 9a 11.3a 3.2a 

Cont 4.1a 10.3 3.7a 5.8b 8.3a 9.1a 2.3a 

Dist 2.9a 5.6a 5.9a 14.8a 5.6a 12.3a 2.7a 

CaCO3 93a 6.7a 8.25a 15.3a 11a 15.7a 4.6a 

MgSO4 9a 7.3a 7.5a 13.8ab 9.4a 13.1a 4.3a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

7.2a 4.1a 7.1a 17.5a 10.8a 11.8a 2.3a 

Babyl 7.5a 4.2a 7.6a 12.8a 9.8a 14.8a 4.3a 

Khali 5.5a 9.4a 5.3a 14a 8.2a 9.9a 2.1a 

Cont 3.5a 13a 0.0a 9.7ab 9.2a 8.5a 2.8a 

Distil 3.2a 11.2a 3.7a 12.8ab 4.5a 16a 3.2a 

CaCO3 11.3a 6.5a 6.5a 14ab 8.3a 14.3a 4.3a 

MgSO4 11.5a 10.8a 5.8a 12.2ab 11.8a 16.7a 5.3a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

8.3a 4.5a 10.5a 14.5ab 11.7a 11.8a 0.7a 

Cont 4.7a 7.7a 7.3a 1.8b 7.5a 9.7a 1.8a 

Dist 2.7a 0.0a 8.2a 16.8a 6.7a 8.7a 2.2a 

CaCO3 7.2a 6.8a 10a 16.5a 13.7a 17a 4.8a 

MgSO4 6.5a 3.7a 9.2a 15.5a 7a 9.5a 3.3a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

6a 3.7a 3.7a 20.5a 10a 11.7a 3.8a 

Direct Babyl 9.7a 6.9a 9a 14.6a 11.1a 18.3a 5.5a 

Indirect 

Cont 

Khali 5.4a 11.5a 1.6b 10.7a 7.1a 8.7b 1.1b 

Babyl 5.3a 1.5a 6.3ab 11.1a 8.5a 11.4ab 3.2ab 

Khali 5.5a 7.3a 9.1a 17.4a 9.4a 11.2ab 3.2ab 

Babyl 5.5ab 12a 1.2a 6.7a 11a 10.8a 3.8a 

Khali 2.7b 8.7a 6.2a 4.8a 5.7a 7.3a 0.8a 

Distil Babyl 5.2ab 2.7a 6.3a 13.3a 6a 15.8a 4.3a

Cultivation 

methods and cvs 

(A*B) 




CaCO3 

Khali 0.7b 8.5a 5.5a 16.3a 5.2a 8.8a 1a 

Babyl 13.3a 2.5a 9.8a 15.3a 9.3a 18.2a 6.3a 

Khali 5.2ab 10.8a 6.7a 15.2a 12.7a 13.2a 2.8a 

MgSO4 Babyl 8.5ab 3.7a 10.7a 11.7a 12.2a 17.7a 4.7a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Cont 

Khali 9.5ab 10.8a 4.3a 16a 6.7a 8.5a 4a 

Babyl 5ab 0.0a 10.2a 17.2a 10.7a 11.7a 2.5a 

Khali 9.3ab 8.2a 4a 17.8a 11a 11.8a 2a 

Babyl 7ab 24a 0.0a 13.3ac 14a 12.7a 5.7a 

Khali 0.0b 2bc 0.0a 6bc 4.3a 4.3a 0.0a 

Distil Babyl 6.3ab 5.3ac 7.3a 14.3ac 9a 20a 6.3a 

CaCO3 

Khali 0.0b 17ac 0.0a 11.3ac 0.0a 12a 0.0a 

Babyl 18.7a 5ac 13a 17.3ac 4.7a 20.3a 6.3a 

Khali 4ab 8ac 0.0a 10.7ac 12a 8.3a 2.3a 

MgSO4 Babyl 11ab 0.0c 11.7a 8.3ac 14a 23.7a 7.7a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Cont 

Khali 12ab 21.7ab 0.0a 16ac 9.7a 9.7a 3a 

Babyl 5.7ab 0.0c 13a 19.7ac 14a 14.7a 1.3a 

Khali 11ab 9ac 8a 9.3ac 9.3a 9a 0.0a 

Babyl 4ab 0.0c 2.3a 0.0c 8a 9a 2a 

Khali 5.3ab 15.3ac 12.3a 3.7bc 7a 10.3a 1.7a 

Distil Babyl 4ab 0.0c 5.3a 12.3ac 3a 11.7a 2.3a 

CaCO3 

Khali 1.3b 0.0c 11a 21.3ab 10.3a 5.7a 2a 

Babyl 8ab 0.0c 6.7a 13.3ac 14a 16a 6.3a 

Khali 6.3ab 13.7ac 13.3a 19.7ac 13.3a 18a 3.3a 

MgSO4 Babyl 6ab 7.3ac 9.7a 15ac 10.3a 11.7a 1.7a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Khali 7ab 0.0c 8.7a 16ac 3.7a 7.3a 5a 

Babyl 4.3ab 0.0c 7.3a 14.7ac 7.3a 8.7a 3.7a 

Khali 7.7ab 7.3ac 0.0a 26.3a 12.7a 14.7a 4a 


cultivars by CaCO3, MgSO4 and their ion antagonism on fruit number per a furrow of 3m 2 at each harvesting 

intervals (H1-H10) during 2005 growing season.* 

Cultivation 

methods 

(A) 

Treatments of 

Seed 



( C) 

indirect 

sowing 

indirect 

H1 H2 H3 H4 H5 H6 H7 H8 H9 H10 

0.9a 1.7a 2.3a 4.2a 16a 14.9a 16.4a 17.8a 16.2b 18.9b 

direct 0.0a 0.0b 0.87b 1.8b 7.7b 6.5b 14.1a 13.3b 21.7a 28.1a 

Cont 0.2a 1.2a 1.4a 3.7a 13.2a 12.2a 15.3a 13.5a 20.5a 23.3a 

Dist 1a 0.9a 1.8a 3.6a 14.1a 11.3a 15.9a 18a 19a 26.6a 

CaCO3 0.6a 0.4a 1.8a 2.2a 9.3a 9.5a 14.4a 15.3a 17.3a 22.3a 

MgSO4 0.3a 0.8a 1.9a 3.1a 11.8a 9.8a 14.4a 14.8a 20a 23.3a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

0.2a 0.9a 1.1a 2.6a 11a 10.7a 16.2a 16.2a 17.9a 22a 

Babyl 0.9a 1.6a 3.1a 4.2a 16.7a 13.3a 21.7a 17.5a 21.8a 21.9b 

Khali 0.0a 0.1b 0.1b 1.8b 7b 8b 8.8b 13.6b 16b 25.1a 

Cont 0.3a 2.3a 0.8cd 5.2a 19.2a 18.7a 20.3a 14.7bc 22.2ac 21.7cd 

Distil 2a 1.8a 3.2ab 4.8ab 20.3a 14ac 17.7a 18.8ab 14.8bd 22cd 

CaCO3 1.2a 0.8ab 2ac 3.2ab 11.5ab 13.3ad 14a 15.3bc 12d 12e 

MgSO4 0.7a 1.5ab 3.8a 4ab 16.2ab 13.2ad 14.2a 16.5b 14cd 19d 

CaCO3+ 0.3a 1.8a 1.2bd 4ab 12.8ab 15.3ab 15.7a 23.5a 18.2ad 20d 

13


(A*C) 




14 

direct 

sowing 

MgSO4 

Cont 0.0a 0.0a 2ac 2.2ab 7.2b 5.7d 10.3a 12.3bc 18.8ad 24.8bd 

Dist 0.0a 0.0a 0.3cd 2.3ab 7.8b 8.7bd 14.2a 17.2b 23.2ab 31.2ab 

CaCO3 0.0a 0.0a 1.5bd 1.2b 7b 5.7d 14.8a 15.2bc 22.7ab 32.7a 

MgSO4 0.0a 0.0a 0.0d 2.2ab 7.3b 6.3cd 14.7a 13.2bc 26a 27.7ac 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

0.0a 0.0a 0.5cd 1.2b 9.2b 6d 16.7a 8.8c 17.7ad 24cd 

indirect Babyl 1.8a 3.1a 4.5a 5.1a 21.4a 15.8a 21.1a 16.9a 19.7a 17.8c 

direct 

Cont 

Khali 0.0b 0.2b 0.1c 3.3a 10.6b 14ab 11.7b 18.6a 12.8b 20.1c 

Babyl 0.0b 0.0b 1.7b 3.3a 11.9b 10.9b 22.4a 18.1a 23.9a 25.9b 

Khali 0.0b 0.0b 0.0c 0.3b 3.5c 2.1c 5.9c 8.6b 19.4a 30.2a 

Babyl 0.3a 1.8a 2.8a 5.2a 15.8ac 13.8ac 18.8ac 16.5ab 24.3a 20.2bd 

Khali 0.0a 0.5a 0.0b 2.2ab 10.5bd 10.5ac 11.8bd 10.5b 16.7ab 26.3ac 

Distil Babyl 2a 1.8a 3.5a 4.8ab 22.3a 16.5a 24.3a 19a 20.8ab 24.7ad 

CaCO3 

Khali 0.0a 0.0a 0.0b 2.3ab 5.8d 6.2c 7.5d 17ab 17.2ab 28.5a 

Babyl 1.2a 0.8a 3.3a 3.2ab 9.8bd 9.3ac 18.3ac 16.3ab 17.5ab 19cd 

Khali 0.0a 0.0a 0.2b 1.2b 8.7cd 9.7ac 10.5cd 14.2ab 17.2ab 25.7ac 

MgSO4 Babyl 0.7a 1.5a 3.7a 4ab 16.8ac 12ac 21.2ab 16.5ab 23a 19.3cd 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Cont 

Khali 0.0a 0.0a 0.2b 2.2ab 6.7d 7.5bc 7.7d 13.2ab 17ab 27.3ab 

Babyl 0.3a 1.8a 2.2a 4ab 18.5ab 15ab 26a 19.2a 23.3a 26.2ac 

Khali 0.0a 0.0a 00b 1.2b 3.5d 6.3c 6.3d 13.2ab 12.5b 17.8d 

Babyl 0.7ab 3.7a 1.7cg 6.3a 22.3ab 18a 23.7ac 16ad 25.7ab 22.7dh 

Khali 0.0b 1bc 0.0g 4ac 16be 19.3a 17ae 13.3be 18.7ae 20.7ei 

Distil Babyl 4a 3.7a 6.3ab 5.7ab 33a 18.3a 25.7ab 16.3ad 18.7ae 22.7eh 

CaCO3 

Khali 0.0b 0.0c 0.0g 4ac 7.7cf 9.7ab 9.7ce 21.3ab 11de 21.3eh 

Babyl 2.3ab 1.7ac 3.7cd 4.3ac 9.7bf 9.3ab 15ae 12.7be 14be 10.7i 

Khali 0.0b 0.0c 0.3fg 2ac 13.3bf 17.3a 13be 18ac 10e 13.3hi 

MgSO4 Babyl 1.3ab 3a 7.3a 3.7ac 22.3ab 13ab 18.7ae 14.3be 17ae 14gi 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Cont 

Khali 0.0b 0.0c 0.3fg 4.3ac 10bf 13.3ab 9.7ce 18.7ac 11de 24ch 

Babyl 0.7ab 3.7a 3.3ce 5.7ab 19.7bc 20.3a 22.3ad 25.3a 23ad 19fi 

Khali 0.0b 0.0c 0.0g 2.3ac 6df 10.3ab 9ce 21.7b 13.3be 21ei 

Babyl 0.0b 0.0c 4bc 4ac 9.3bf 9.7ab 14be 17ad 23ad 17.7fi 

Khali 0.0b 0.0c 0.0g 0.3bc 5df 1.7b 6.7e 7.7de 14.7be 32ad 

Distil Babyl 0.0b 0.0c 0.7eg 4ac 11.7bf 14.7a 23ac 21.7ab 23ad 26.7bf 

CaCO3 

Khali 0.0b 0.0c 0.0g 0.7bc ddf 2.7b 5.3e 12.7be 23.3ad 35.7ab 

Babyl 0.0b 0.0c 3cf 2ac 10bf 9.3ab 21.7ad 20ac 21ae 27.3bf 

Khali 0.0b 0.0c 0.0g 0.3bc 4df 2b 8ed 10.3ce 24.3ac 38a 

MgSO4 Babyl 0.0b 0.0c 0.0g 4.3ac 11.3bf 11ab 23.7ac 18.7ac 29a 24.7dg 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Khali 0.0b 0.0c 0.0g 0.0c 3.3ef 1.7b 5.7e 7.7de 23ad 30.7ae 

Babyl 0.0b 0.0c 1dg 2.3ac 17.3bd 9.7ab 29.7a 13be 23.7ad 33.3ac 

Khali 0.0b 0.0c 0.0g 0.0c 1f 2.3b 3.7e 4.7e 11.7ce 14.7gi 


cultivars by CaCO3, MgSO4 and their ion antagonism on fruit number per a furrow of 3m 2 at each harvesting 

intervals(H11-H19) during 2005 growing season.* 

Treatments of 

Seed 


indirect 

H11 H12 H13 H14 H15 H16 H17 H18 H19 

26.8a 15.8b 17.8a 13.6a 12.8a 9.8a 9.9a 6.2a 2.1a 

direct 20.7b 23.2a 18.9a 14.3a 13.6a 11.2a 6.7b 4.9a 0.0a 

Cont 20.4b 17a 17.8a 12.4b 14.3a 10.2a 8.8a 5.6a 1.9a 

Dist 24.2ab 19a 21.5a 14.9ab 14.8a 10.5a 7a 6.4a 1.2a 

CaCO3 23.9ab 17.7a 16.8a 12.2b 10.42a 10.5a 8.2a 4.6a 0.5a 

MgSO4 21.6b 20.7a 18a 13.7ab 14.8a 10.5a 7.8a 5.7a 1.2a 

CaCO3+ 28.8a 22.5a 17.6a 16.8a 11.6a 10.8a 9.9a 5.3a 0.4a



(A*C) 





( C) 

indirect 

sowing 

direct 

sowing 

MgSO4 

Babyl 24.1a 17.6b 17.4a 13.9a 11.3b 11.4a 8.7a 6a 1.3a 

Khali 23.5a 21.4a 19.2a 14.1a 15a 9.6a 8a 5.1a 0.7a 

Cont 25.3ac 14.3c 20.3ab 13.5ab 17.2ab 11.7ab 12.5ab 7.5a 3.8a 

Distil 27.8ab 14.8bc 20.3ab 16.3a 15.7ab 9.8ac 7.5bc 7.7a 2.3ab 

CaCO3 22.2bc 13.3c 12.8b 9.5b 7.8c 6c 7.8ac 4.8a 1b 

MgSO4 24.2bc 18ac 15.8ab 13ab 10.7bc 9bc 8.5ac 5.2a 2.3ab 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

34.7a 18.5ac 19.7ab 15.8ab 12.5ac 12.5ab 13.3a 5.7a 0.8b 

Cont 15.5c 19.7ac 15.3ab 11.3ab 11.5bc 8.7bc 5c 3.7a 0.0b 

Dist 20.5bc 24.2a 22.7a 13.5ab 13.8ac 11.2ac 6.5c 5.2a 0.0b 

CaCO3 25.7ac 22ac 20.7a 14.8ab 13ac 15a 8.5ac 4.3a 0.0b 

MgSO4 19bc 23.5ab 20.2ab 14.3ab 18.8a 12ab 7.2bc 6.2a 0.0b 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

22.8bc 26.5a 15.5ab 17.7a 10.7bc 9.2bc 6.5c 5a 0.0b 

indirect Babyl 28.9a 14.1c 19.2ab 11.7b 12.5b 10.5a 9.9a 6.7a 2.7a 

direct 

Cont 

Khali 24.8ab 17.5bc 16.4b 15.6a 13ab 9.1a 9.9a 5.6a 1.5ab 

Babyl 19.3b 21.1ab 15.7b 16.1a 10.1b 12.2a 7.5ab 5.2a 0.0b 

Khali 22.1b 25.3a 22.1a 12.6ab 17a 10.2a 6b 4.5a 0.0b 

Babyl 22.5b 16.5b 19ab 12.3ab 14ac 9.8a 9.5ab 6.3a 2a 

Khali 18.3b 17.5b 16.7ab 12.5ab 14.7ac 10.5a 8ab 4.8a 1.8a 

Distil Babyl 24.2ab 16.7b 19.5ab 16.5ab 12.2ac 10.3a 9.3ab 7.5a 1.2a 

CaCO3 

Khali 24.2ab 22.3ab 23.5a 13.3ab 17.3ab 10.7a 4.7b 5.3a 1.2a 

Babyl 22.2b 17b 13.2b 10.7b 8.5c 11a 6.5ab 4.2a 1a 

Khali 25.7ab 18.3ab 20.3ab 13.7ab 12.3ac 10a 9.8ab 5a 0.0a 

MgSO4 Babyl 17.8b 14.7b 17.5ab 12.7ab 10.5bc 12.2a 6.7ab 4.8a 1.2a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Cont 

Khali 25.3ab 26.8a 18.5ab 14.7ab 19a 8.8a 9ab 6.5a 0.7a 

Babyl 33.7a 23ab 18ab 17.2a 11.5bc 13.5a 11.5a 7a 0.8a 

Khali 23.8ab 22ab 17.2ab 16.3ab 11.7bc 8.2a 8.3ab 3.7a 0.0a 

Babyl 29.7ab 13.7c 23.7ac 11.3ac 17.7ab 12ad 12.7ab 10a 4a 

Khali 21bc 15c 17ad 15.7ab 16.7bc 11.3ad 12.3ac 5ab 37a 

Distil Babyl 30.7ab 13.7c 20.7ad 18ab 15.3bc 10ad 10.3ac 9a 2.3a 

CaCO3 

Khali 25bc 16bc 20ad 14.7ab 16bc 9.7ad 4.7bc 6.3ab 2.3a 

Babyl 20bc 12c 10.7d 5.3c 6.3c 4.7d 5.7bc 2.7b 2a 

Khali 24.3bc 14.7c 15bd 13.7ac 9.3bc 7.3bd 10ac 7ab 0.0a 

MgSO4 Babyl 23.3bc 13.7c 20.3ad 9bc 10bc 11ad 6.3ac 5ab 3.3a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Cont 

Khali 25bc 22.3ac 11.3d 17ab 11.3bc 7cd 10.7ac 5.3ab 1.3a 

Babyl 40.7a 17.3bc 20.7ad 14.7ab 13.3bc 15ab 14.7a 7ab 1.7a 

Khali 28.7ab 19.7ac 18.7ad 17ab 11.7bc 10ad 12ac 4.3ab 0.0a 

Babyl 15.3bc 19.3ac 14.3cd 13.3ac 10.3bc 7.7bd 6.3ac 2.7b 0.0a 

Khali 15.7bc 20ac 16.3ad 9.3bc 12.7bc 9.7ad 3.7c 4.7ab 0.0a 

Distil Babyl 17.7bc 19.7ac 18.3ad 15ab 9bc 10.7ad 8.3ac 6ab 0.0a 

CaCO3 

Khali 23.3bc 28.7ab 27a 12ac 18.7ab 11.7ad 4.7bc 4.3ab 0.0a 

Babyl 24.3bc 22ac 15.7bd 16ab 10.7bc 17.3a 7.3ac 5.7ab 0.0a 

Khali 27ac 22ac 25.7ab 13.7ac 15.3bc 12.7ac 9.7ac 3b 0.0a 

MgSO4 Babyl 12.3c 15.7bc 14.7bd 16.3ab 11bc 13.3ac 7ac 4.7ab 0.0a 

CaCO3+ 

MgSO4 

Khali 25.7bc 31.3a 25.7ab 12.3ac 26.7a 10.7ac 7.3ac 7.7ab 0.0a 

Babyl 26.7ac 28.7ab 15.3bd 19.7a 9.7bc 12ad 8.3ac 7ab 0.0a 

Khali 19bc 24.3ac 15.7bd 15.7ab 11.7bc 6.3cd 4.7bc 3b 0.0a 

15


REFERENCES 

- Ayers R. S. and D.W. Wescot (1976). Water quality of 

16 

agriculture. Irrig. & Drainage . Paper, 29: Food and 

Agric. Org. UN, Rome ppxiii. 

- Basra, A. S. (1995). Seed Quality: Basic Mechanisms and 

Agricultural Implications. Pp 321-359. Food 

Products Press. 

- Frett J. J., W.G. Pill, and D. C. Morneau (1991). A 

comparison of priming agents for tomato and 

asparagus seeds. HortScience 26: 1158-1159. 

- Haigh A.M. and E. W. R. Barlow (1987). Germination 

and priming tomato, carrot, onion and sorghum 

seeds in a range of osmotica. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. 

Sci. 112: 202-208. 

- Kermode A. R., J. D. Bewley, J. Dasgupta, and S. Misra 

(1986). The transition for seed development to 

germination: A key role for desiccation. 

HortScience 21: 1113-1118. 

- Khan A. A. (1981). Hormonal regulation of primary and 

secondary seed dormancy. Israel J. Bot. 29: 207- 

224. 

- Khan A. A., G. S. Abawi and J. D. Maguire (1992). 

Integrating matriconditioning and fungcidal 

treatment of table beet seed to improve stand 

establishment and yield. Crop Sci. 32: 231-237. 

- Smith P.T. and B. G. Cobb (1991). Accelerated 

germination of pepper seed by priming with salt 

solutions and water. HortScience 26: 417-419. 

- Swiader, J. M., G. W. Ware and P. J. MacCollum (1996). 

Producing Vegetable Crops. Danville, Illinois: 

Interstate Publisher Inc. Chapter 17, Cucumbers. 

- Tatlioglu, T. (1993). Cucumbers. In G. Kalloo and B.O. 

Bergh (ed.) Genetic improvement of vegetable 

crops. Pergamon Press, New South Wales, 

Australia. 

- TeKrony D. M. and D. B. Egli (1991). Relationship of 

seed vigor to crop yield: A review. Crop Sci. 31: 

816-822. 

- Van der Toorn P. (1989). Embryo growth in mature 

celery seeds. PhD. Dissertation, Agriultural 

University, Waginengen, The Netherlands, 95pp. 

- Westerman R. L. (1990). Soil testing and plant analyze. 

3 rd . Ed. Sci. Soc. Amer. Midison W. I., USA


0.1- 

ىظَووت اشَيكذ % 011 

كشي ةهتاي ظَوت َىطهيي ىتشث . اسَيمرمةد 

ظاند ىسكثولد اظائ ظاند ىسكظائسَيذ ةهتاي ةفيلةخو لباب ازايخ وَيزَوج وودزةي َىظَوت 

َىوام وب 

CaCO3 + MgSO4 

ةوهتاي ازايخ َىظَوت . ىازاج َىض ىسكةزابوود ةتاي ةي ىزةدةزةض ظةئ . م◦ 

اد كيوضب وَيكفاق ظاند ىدناض ةهتاي َىوود ايو ) وخوةتضاز اندناض( 

42 

11 

ذ Mpa 0.1- 

َلىةًكَيت و 

MgSO4 

ةتخوث 

Mpa 

ايتامزةط لاث زةض ل اد َىهظَوئ ظاند ىسك 

اد ىيظةشد زةطكَيئ َىكَيئ اي اكَيز وود ب ىدناض 

.) وخوةتضاز ةن اندناض( 

اد ىكيتضلاث 

َىيناخ ظاند ىاو اهتفانخ اكَيز ب مصن اي ىتامزةطذ تنضازاث ةهتاي مامةن َىطهيي ىتشثو 

اوهتايو ىوووهيوي زةوض ل َىنسكظائسَيذ وَيزَوج وودزةي ىاظةئ انسكَيتزاك انسكزايد َوب ووبوةئ َىهيلوكةظ َىظةئذ مةزةم 

َىمةيزةب . وخوةتضاز اندناضذ ووب ترياب اي وخوةتضازةن اندناض وك سكزايد ىامانجةئ 

. ازايخ وَيزَوج وودزةي َىمةيزةب 

ل % 0.4 و َى4112 

لااض ل % 42.2 ارَيز ب ووب ترنشةم ىيةشيمةي َىمةيزةبو ووبست تخةوزةب َىي وخوةتضازةن 

اندناض 

ىيةوشيمةي َىمةويزةب َىزاووبد َىنسكظائسَيذ وَييزةدةزةض ازةوظاند ىسكزاموت ةهتاي ظاضزةب وَيييادوج 

4 

4 

لااض ل م / مغك 01.1 و َى 4112 لااض ل MgSO4 اناهيئزاك ب َىمةدد م / مغك 

. ةفيلةخ َىزَوجذ ووب ست تخةوزةب َىي ىو َىمةيزةب لباب َىزَوج 

00.4 

CaCO3 + MgSO4 

مةويزةب ويترنشةوم لباب َىزَوج . َى4111 

لااض ل % 02.1 و َى4112 

لااض ل % 2..2 

CaCO3 + 

. 

. َى4111 

لااض 

ةتشيةط مةيزةب ويترنشةمو 

اناهيئزاكب َىمةدد ىَ 

4111 

ارَيز ب ووب ترث ىو َىمةيزةبو 

اناهيئزاكبو وخوةتضاز اندناض َىمةدد ىاطيدو CaCO3 اناهيئزاكبو وخوةتضازةن اندناض ىمةدد 

سكزاموت 

17


تانوبراك ليلاحمو رطقملا ءاملاب ففجتلا و بيطرتلا نم تارود ةطساوب رايخلا نم نيفنص روذب ةملقا ريثات 

لصاحلاو ومنلا 

ىلع امهيطيلخ وا مويسينملا تاتيربك وا مويسلاكلا 

وصلاخلا 

روذتتبلل التتصلا ياتتجلا نزوتتلا نتتم % 011 را تتقمب رتتطقملا ءاتتملا اتتط ةتتفيلخ و نولباتتب راتتيخلا افنتتص روذتتب بتتعقن 

لاكتساب اتكيم0.1 

-و 

مويتسينملا تاتتيربك نتم لاكتساب اتكيم0.1 

-و 

مويتسلاكلا تاتنوبراك نتم لاكتساب اكيم0.1- 

لولحمبو 

رود ت تتيعا , التتصلا اتتهنزو ىتتلا لتتصتل وتتيم وتت رد 11 ىتتلع نرفلاتتب روذتتبلا 

بتتفف فتتث وعاتتس 42 تتملو 

اتتمهيطيلخ نتتم 

ويكيتتسلاب ها تقا اتط وا لتقحلا اتط رتفابم وتملققملا رتيرو وتملققملا روذتبلا بعرز و . تارم ةثلاث هذى فيفجتلا و بيطرتلا 

اتتنلا ترهتضا . لتصاحلاو وتمنلا اتط روذتبلا ةتملقا ريثاتت ةطرعم وسار لا هذى نم ي هلا ناكو اكيتسلابلا بيبلا لخاد اط 

اتط % 42.2 را تقمب هرتفابملا رتير وتعارزلا ىتلع بقوفت ذا رايخلا لصاحل وميق ىلعا بطعا لقحلا اط هرفابملا وعارزلا نا 

وتتتملققملا روذتتتبلل اتتقطارم لتتتبرملا رتتتملل فتتتغك00.4 

لتتتصا ىتتلعا ناتتتك . وتتينا لا ونتتتسلا اتتتط % 0.4 را تتقمبو ىتتتلولا ونتتسلا 

وتتملققملا روذتتبلل اتتقطارم لتبرملا رتتتملل فتتغك01.1 

وتينا لا ونتتسلل لتتصا ىتلعا ناتتكو ىتتلولا ونتسلا اتتط مويتتسينغملا تاتتيربكب 

اتتلكلا لتتصاحلاو 

رتكبملا لتتصاحلا اتتط اوتفتم نولباتتب فنتتص ناتك . مويتتسينملا تاتتتيربك و مويتسلاكلا تاتتنوبراك نتتم ميتلخب 

رتتير( 

ها تتقلاب وتتعارزلا بتتطعا .% 02.1 را تتقمب وتتينا لا ونتتسلا اتتطو % 2..2 را تتقمب ىتتلولا ونتتسلا اتتط وتتفيلخ فنتتص 

ىتتلع 

و ىتلولا ونتسلا اتط وتعارزلا وتقيرطو يانتصلا نيتب لخا تتلل لتبرملا رتتملل فتغك 00.0 لصا ىلعا نولباب فنصل ) هرفابملا 

ناتتك لتتيلاحملاو يانتتصلا نيتتب لخا تتتلل لتتبرملا رتتتملل فتغك 02.2 لتتصا ىتتلعا . وتتينا لا ونتتسلا اتتط لتتبرملا رتتتملل فتغك 8.. 

رتتملل فتغك 00.4 لتصا ىتلعا ناتك وتينا لا ونتسلا اتطو اتلولا ونتسلا اتط مويسينغملا تاتيربكب فلقاملا نولباب فنصل اقطارم 

رتتملل فتغك 00.. لتصا ىتلعا . مويتسلاكلا تاتنوبراك لتم مويتسينغملا تاتتيربك ميتلخب فلقاتملا نولباتب فنتصل اتقطارم لتبرملا 

تاتنوبراك لتم مويتسينغملا تاتيربك ميلخب هروذب وملقاملا نولباب فنصل اقطارم ناك وينا لا ونسلا اط اثلا لا لخا تلل لبرملا 

هرفابملا رير ها قلا ةقيرطب عورزملاو مويسلاكلا 

18


SENSORY EVALUATION CHARACTERITICS OF DIFFERENT 

WALNUT CULTIVARS (Juglans regia L.) IN DUHOH 

AZAD A. T. MAYI 

Dept. of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region-Iraq 

(Received: January 21, 2010; Accepted for publication: June 26, 2010) 

ABSTRACT 

This study was conducted in Duhok, Kurdistan region at five locations (Bagera, Mayi, Amedy, Zakho and Duhok 

center) during the period 08-09 in order to collect information for improving the present assortment of scion cultivars. 

A total of 17 walnut individual cultivars were investigated to determine the main chemo-physical and qualitative 

characteristics of the nuts. The walnut population we studied can be considered as a genetically valuable one. In the 

present high quality fruit was obtained. Among the 17 individuals, provided the best proportion of kernel mass 

compared with endocarp. Sensory characteristics of the nuts (fruit thickness, length, width, size, Length/width ratio, 

fresh weight and dry weight, kernel weight, kernel color, Oil,) were studded. as compared with others (_Azad2 cv. 

Were dominated in shell thickness, Kavlesin2, in fruit length, and width, A. Mirza in fruit L/W ratio and nut fruit size 

(2.12cm,38.61cm,34.30cm,1.250cm and 200cm3 respectively). while in this study, we can observe that E.Taha resulted 

in the highest nut flesh weight and kernel dry weight (15.09g and 7.18g, respectively, at Mayi location) However, the 

obtained results indicated that trees fruit nut of cv.Ramzi1 at Mayi location was superior over all cultivars in fruit 

kernel color (10.50) and cv. Azad3 in Oil percentage (73.41%) at Duhok center location. 

KEY WORDS: sensory evaluation, walnut fruits, fruit in shell, internal characteristics of a kernel. 

T 

INTRODUCTION 

he Common walnut (Juglans regia), 

Persian walnut, or English walnut), is 

the original walnut tree of the Old World. It is 

native in a region stretching from the Balkans 

eastward to the Himalayas and southwest China. 

The largest forests are in Kyrgyzstan, where 

trees occur in extensive, nearly pure walnut 

forests at 1,000–2,000 m altitude (Hemery 

1998., Ingels, et al.1990, Prasad, 2003, Colaric, 

et al. 2006 and Rezso, et al 2008). 

Persian walnut is commercially cultivated in 

many regions around the world for its timber, as 

well as for its nuts. European production of 

Persian walnut still largely depends on trees 

originated from seedlings. During the last 20 

years, important work on seedling selection has 

been carried out in local populations of walnut 

throughout Europe. Also, the characteristics of 

wild walnut trees have been described in 

Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, 

Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and 

the Ukraine( Solar et al., 2002) . A valuable 

edible nuts produced by walnut trees are well 

appreciated because they are enriched with 

unsaturated fat (linoleic, oleic acid). They also 

contain other beneficial components like plant 

amino acid (e.g. arginine and leucine), 

carbohydrates (e.g. dietary fiber), vitamins (e.g. 

vitamin A and E), pectic substances, minerals 

(magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, sulphur, 

copper and iron), plant sterols, phytochemicals 

(phenolic acids, flavonoids, etc.) (Kris-Etherton 

et al., 1999; Carpenter,2000, Sinesio, et al. 2001, 

Prasad, 2003). Especially pellicle -a thin cover 

that surrounds kernel, was found as the most 

important source of walnut phenolics, although it 

only represents 5% of the fruit weight (Solar et 

al., 2002,Colaric et al., 2005, Rezso, et al. 2008). 

A wide range of walnut cultivars grown in 

Duhok governorate is mainly a consequence of 

a long-term project called ‘Introduction and 

selection of fruit plants. The main purpose of the 

study is to ensure the Duhok fruit-growers 

quality plant material of tested varieties of local 

and foreign origin. Generally, in evaluating new 

cultivars or genotypes more commercially 

important tree and nut characteristics are 

emphasized. Nevertheless, among sensory 

properties of nuts only pellicle color, shell 

strength, shell seam, easiness of kernel halves 

removal and taste used to be evaluated for 

selection purposes (Prasad, 2003, Draganescu, 

et al. 2006 and Muharrem, et al. 2008). 

However, from the consumer’s point of view 

(his satisfaction and further consumption) the 

sensory properties of fruit are among the most 

important, especially visual and taste properties, 

therefore sensory characterization is rather 

welcome. The main purposes of this study are to 

describe and evaluate some sensory 

characteristics of nuts in different walnut 

cultivars. 

MATERIAL AND METHODS 

The study was carried out in Duhok 

governorate (Fig.1) Kurdistan region in five 

different locations, Bagera, Mayi, Amedy, 

Zakho and Duhok center (Table 1). The survey 

continued from 2009 and the seedling cultivars 

origin are named by grower orchards. Then the 

91


ripe and healthy nuts of seventeen different 

walnut cultivars, which were harvested in 

October 2009. Then shelled nuts were 

immediately dried in shed and room temperate 

(Rataj and Brindza, 1999 and Prasad, 2003). The 

shell was cracked and kernel divided into fourth 

replicates, then for each ones derived from 25 

different fruit nuts (to represent one sample) 

were allotted. Sensory evaluation comprised 

estimation of external and internal properties of 

walnut fruit. 

02 

Table (1): Locations and Walnut cultivars used in 

sensory evaluation: 

Location Cultivars 

Bagera kavlasin 1 

kavlasin 2 

Mayi Azad 1 

Azad 2 

Remzi 1 

Remzi 2 

Remzi 3 

Ehmed Taha 

Ehmed Selman 1 

Ehmed Selman 2 

Selim Said 

Heji Khefur 

Amedy Sediq Qesab 

Heji Reshed 

Mistefa Taha 

Zakho Ali Mirza/ Bije 

Duhok Azad3,seed from Austrian 

The main physical characteristics of fruits 

were observed by collecting 100 fruits from each 

individual , and the following characteristics 

were measured: 

1- The dimensions of 25 fruit nuts: (length, 

width, thickness, Length/width) of the 

endocarp measured with a digital vernire 

calipers to the precision of 0.01mm. 

2- Weight (g), (flesh, dry weight) measured with 

the weighing instrument, Sartorius BA310S to 

the precision of 0.001g. 

3- Volume cm 3 , measured by immersing in water 

in a measuring cylinder to the precision of 0.01l. 

4- Weight of kernel(g), measured with the 

weighing instrument, Sartorius BA310S to the 

precision of 0.001g. 

5- Shell thickness(mm), measured with a digital 

venire calipers to the precision of 0.01mm. 

6- Kernel color, measured by exotica 

horticultural color guide (1-12). 

7- Oil%, measured by sacsolate instrument. 

Statistical analyzed: 

Each panel was analyzed as a randomized 

complete block design with the assessors as 

block and cultivars/types as treatments. Data for 

all cultivars were analyzed using ANOVA in 

SAS. Means were compared using the Duncan 

test (P ≤ 0.05).


Fig. (1) Territorial distribution of the selected sample in Duhok maps. 


Table (2) should that the difference between 

cultivars, were significant Azad2 dominated in 

shell thickness, Kavlesin2, in fruit length, and 

width, A. Mirza in L/W ratio and nut fruit size 

Cultivars 

kavlesin 1 

kavlesin 2 

Azad1 

Azad2 

Remzi1 

Remzi 2 

Remzi 3 

E.Taha1 

E.Selman1 

E.Selman2 

S. Seid 

H. Khefur 

S. Qesab 

(2.12cm,38.61cm,34.30cm,1.250cm and 200cm 3 

respectively). However, the lowest fruit shell 

thickness, fruit length, fruit width and fruit 

volume were observed with M. Taha 

(12.5mm,25.91mm,25.92mm,78.33mm 3 )and 

fruit L/w (0.970mm) with H. Reshid. 

Table (2): The evolution of physical parameters of different cultivars 

Fruit shell. 

Thickness mm 

15.5b-d 

15.7b-d 

12.7e 

21.2a 

14.0b-e 

13.3de 

14.6b-e 

15.9bc 

15.0b-e 

15.4b-d 

16.4b 

14.0b-e 

14.4b-e 

Fruit Length 

mm 

31.26d-f 

38.61a 

35.31bc 

32.29de 

32.05de 

35.45bc 

38.24a 

37.38ab 

36.93ab 

33.30cd 

33.27cd 

36.43ab 

31.54d-f 

Fruit Width 

Mm 

27.12fg 

34.30a 

30.48b-e 

30.36b-e 

26.07g 

29.30d-f 

30.72b-d 

31.01b-d 

32.14a-c 

27.96e-g 

32.30ab 

33.64a 

29.49c-f 

Fruit Size 

Mm 3 

176.67b 

146.67d 

17833b 

160c 

156.66c 

145d 

100g 

180b 

120f 

130e 

121.6f 

100g 

146.67d 

Fruit L/W 

Mm 

69.40d-g 

65.78hi 

67.57g-i 

65.69i 

69.72c-f 

70.03cde 

69.52d-g 

69.33d-g 

68.55e-g 

67.73f-h 

71.52bc 

68.53e-g 

65.79hi 

09


00 

H. Reshid 

M. Taha 

A. M. Bije 

Azad3 

15.5b-d 

12.5e 

14.8b-e 

13.4c-e 

29.41f 

25.91f 

37.36ab 

29.95ef 

30.34b-e 

25.92g 

29.91b-e 

26.99fg 

123.33ef 

78.33h 

200a 

149.33d 

Different letters within each column show significant differences in sensory descriptor 

among cultivars (Duncan, P < 0.05). 

Results in (Table3) revealed that cultivars 

E.Taha resulted in the highest flesh weight and 

kernel dry weight (15.09g and 7.18g, for at 

locations Mayi respectively,).However, 

A.M.Bije gave the highest nut dry weight 

12.25g. While, the lowest fresh weight, nut dry 

weight and kernel dry weight(8.02g, 7.00g, 

4.91g) at H.Khefur, Remzi3 and E.Selman2 was 

observed respectively 

The obtained results in table(4) indicated that 

Ramzi1 cv. was superior over all cultivars in 

fruit kernel color (10.50) and Azad3cv. in oil 

percentage (73.41%). While, A. Mirza cv. gave 

the lowest values in color (6.27) and oil 

percentage with Azad2 (65,69%) The 

walnut population presented in this study can be 

considered as a genetically valuable 

72.61ab 

65.91hi 

70.79bcd 

73.41a 

population(Solar, et al 2002 and Colaric, 2005) . 

Seventeen prospective elites were selected with 

above average quality fruits and high mass 

proportion of kernel. These could play one 

important role in a possible breeding programme 

of walnut aimed at improving the present 

assortment of scion cultivars from Duhok. Due 

to the high variability (kernel/endocarp 

proportion, color, strength, flavor, dry weight 

and oil) of the nuts and the diversity of the local 

prospective elites, seedling methods for mass 

production may not be commercially useful. 

While the reasons of acceded one parameter to 

the other ones of different cultivars may be 

return to genetics or to the environmental 

condition (Draganescu, 2006 and Muharrem, et 

al. 2008). 

Table (3):The evolution of physic-mechanical characteristics of different cultivars. 


kavlesin 1 

kavlesin 2 

Azad1 

Azad2 

Remzi1 

Remzi 2 

Remzi 3 

E.Taha1 

E.Selman1 

E.Selman 2 

S. Seid 

H. Khefur 

S. Qesab 

H. Reshid 

A. M. Bije 

Azad3 

fresh 

weight 

(g) 

9.78f 

12.54c 

13.49b 

11.74d 

10.57e 

9.70f 

8.99h 

15.09a 

9.54fg 

9.13gh 

8.96h 

8.02i 

11.61d 

11.57d 

14.84a 

12.92c 

Nut dr. 

weight 

(g) 

8.85g 

11.26c 

11.46b 

9.55f 

8.52i 

8.59hi 

7.00k 

9.73e 

9.71e 

8.70gh 

8.55hi 

7.88j 

11.19c 

9.51f 

12.25a 

10.14d 

kernel. dr. 

weight 

(g) 

5.24k 

6.79b 

6.75bc 

5.51ij 

6.56cd 

5.97f 

5.63hi 

7.18a 

5.75gh 

4.91L 

5.87fg 

5.58h-i 

6.24e 

6.62b-d 

6.43de 

6.32e 

Different letters within each column show significant differences in sensory descriptor 

among cultivars (Duncan, P < 0.05).


Table 4: Sensory evaluation of color and oil(%) of different walnut cultivars. 


kavlesin 1 

kavlesin 2 

Azad1 

Azad2 

Remzi1 

Remzi 2 

Remzi 3 

E.Taha1 

E.Selman1 

E.Selman 2 

S. Seid 

H. Khefur 

S. Qesab 

H. Reshid 

M. Taha 

A. Mirza 

Azad3 

Color 

1-12 

6.33f 

6.37f 

7.27d 

6.52ef 

10.50a 

7.57d 

9.59b 

8.42c 

5.27g 

8.10c 

7.47d 

7.00de 

7.52d 

8.30c 

6.40f 

6.27f 

7.52d 

Oil 

% 

69.40d-g 

65.78hi 

67.57g-i 

65.69i 

69.72c-f 

70.03cde 

69.52d-g 

69.33d-g 

68.55e-g 

67.73f-h 

71.52bc 

68.53e-g 

65.79hi 

72.61ab 

65.91hi 

70.79bcd 

73.41a 

Different letters within each column show significant differences from each 

others among cultivars (Duncans at 5% level). 

REFERENCES 

- Carpenter R.P, D.H Lyon, and T.A. Hasdel (2000). 

Guidelines for sensory analysis in product 

development and quality control. Aspen Publishers, 

Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA. 

- Colaric M, F. Stampar, M. Hudina, and A. Solar (2006). 

Sensory evaluation of different walnut cultivars 

(Junglas regia L). Acta Agri. Slovenia 87(2): 403- 

413. 

- Colaric M., R. Veberic, A. Solar, M. Hudina and F. 

Stampar (2005). Phenolic acids, syringaldehyde, 

and juglone in fruits of different cultivars of 

Juglans regia L. J. Agr. and Food Chemistry, 53: 

6390-6396. 

- Draganescu, E., G. Nedelea , E. Mihut, and A.Blidariu 

(2006). Research concentrating the germplasm 

variability of walnut (Juglans regia) in Banat, 

Romania. Acta Horti. 420:544-547. 

- Hemery, G. E. (1998). Walnut seed-collecting expedition 

to Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia. Quarterly J. Forestry 

92 (2): 153-157. 

- Ingels C.A., G.H. Mc Granahan and A.C.Noble (1990). 

Sensory evaluation of selected Persian walnut 

cultivars. HortScience, 25: 1446-1447. 

- Kris-Etherton P.M., S.Yu-Poth, J.Sabate, H.E.Ratcliffe, 

G.Zhao and T.D. Etherton(1999). Nuts and their 

bioactive constituents: effects on serum lipids and 

other factors that affect disease risk. The American 

J. Clinical Nutr. 70: 504S-511S. 

- Muharrem E., M. Sütyemez and N. Ergun (2008. Sensory 

and Descriptor Attributes of Some Walnut Cultivars 

and Types .J. Biol. Environ. Sci. 2(6):89-94. 

- Prasad, R.B.N. 2003. Walnuts and pecans. In: 

Encyclopedia of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 

Caballero B., Trugo L.C. and Finglas P.M. (eds.). 

London, Academic Press: 60716079. 

02


- Rataj V. and J. Brindza (1999). Variability of the 

physico-mechanical properties of the ecotypes of 

nut fruits (Juglans regia L.) in Slovakia, 

International Agrophysics 13 : 3, p. 369-373. 

- Rezso T. , A. Bandi, M. Toth and A. Balog 

(2008). Evaluation of an isolated Persian walnut 

(Juglans regia L.) population from Eastern 

Transylvania, Romania.J.Agri.and Envir.6 (3,4). 

02 

- Sinesio F, G.L, A. Romero, E .Moneta, and J.C. Lombard 

(2001). Sensory evaluation of walnut: An 

interlaboratory study. Food Sci Technol Int 7: 37-47. 

- Solar A., A. Ivancic, F.Stampar and M.Hudina (2002). 

Genetic resources for walnut (Juglans regia L.) 

improvement in Slovenia. Evaluation of the largest 

collection of local genotypes. Genetic Resources 

and Crop Evolution, 45: 491-501. 

َىكوهد ل (Juglans regia L.) اشيط تَييادوج تَيصظن ايتادنةضاي ىتصةه ايهادوج 

قايرئ. 

َىناتصدروك انَيرةه/ 

نوهد ايولناس/ 

َىندناض اذيهوك / ىرالناتضيب الصث 

ارةةظ د اةظه َىناتةصدروك انَيرةةه. 

ىكوةهد اهةةطشَيراثه 800? -800> 

واشيط َىصفن ايتانةص ر و تنضخَيئ ضَيث رةضه ايناشَيث انزلموك وب 

اةضه زةك ةةيتاه ةة يهوكةظ ظةةئ 

: ةتخوث 

) َىكوهد َىرةتنةص وئ وخاس, 

ىدَيمائ, 

َييام, 

ازَيطاب( 

َىشيط تَيي ىك رةص تَيي ىروج و ىوايشيف تَيتةوخاص نيترشاب انزك اصين س د وب ا يئرالب ة تاه اشيط تَيصفن 7= 

اي مصه ورةت اصَيك و يناث / يشيرد ىثهةق ايتايرتص و يناث و يشيرد, 

تي س, 

ىلوكاك اصَيك, 

َىلوكاك َىطن ر, 

رابةق( 

َلىةب َىيناث و َىيشيرد رةضه8نصةوظةكو 

ىثهةق ايتايرتص رةضه8داسائ( 

ادناو ارةب ظاند ىهادوج دناخةظ ةيتاه ) َىشيط 

يدةه 9هةص 

800و 

هةص 718;0 ،هص 9:190 ،هص 9>1 و هغ 7;10? ( ( َىو 

ل 9 داسائ َىصفن وئ 701;0َىلوكاك 

َىطن ر بارةظ د ىمةله ىد تَيصظن ىمةه رةضه ىر وصثب تظةكرةص 

.)% =91:7َ( 

كوىد يف زوجلا نم ةفلتخملا فانصلال ةيسحلا ةنراقملا 

7 ىشم ر 

َىتي س اشَيزب ىك وهد َىرةتنةص 

ةصلاخلا 

كوىد ةظفاحم يف ِ ) كوىد زكرم ،وخاز ،ةيدامع ،ييام ،ىريكاب( 

ِعق اوملا يف ناتسدرك ميلقإ -- 

ةساردلا هذى ْتيرجأ 

ِ ددع . لابقتسم اهتافص نيسحَتل و ةسوردملا فانصلاا لصا لوح َتامولعم عم َ جَت ْ يكل 800? -800> 

ةرتفلا ءانثأ 

مىأ ةسارد مت و فنص 7= ةساردلا يف ةسوردملا فانصلأا 

ِ ةيسيئرلا ِ فانصأ راشتنا . ةزوجلل 

ةيعونلاو ةيوايزيفلا تافصلا 

صئاصخلا . يلخادلا ءزجلا نع 

ربعت ىف تسرد يتلا تافصلاف 

. ةمهملا ةيثارولا تافصلا نع ربع َ ُي ْت َسرَد يذلا روجلا 

نزو ،مجح،ةزوجلل 

ضرع / لوطلا 

ةبسن،ةزوجلا ضرع ،ةزوجلا 

لوط ،ةزوجلا 

كمس ُ ،( 

ةزوحلل ةيواميكلا و ةيوايزيفلاا 

نسلفك ، 8دازا 

( فنصلا ناب جئاتنلا ىف ةرهظ . ) تيزلا ، بل نول ،فاجلا 

و يرطلا نزوو ،بل 

ِ يف ،8 

ةَفَد صلا ِكم َ س ُ يف 

/ لوطلأ يف ازريم ،ضرعلاو ، ِلوطلا 

ِ 800و 

مس 718;0 ،مس 9:190 ،مس 9>1 و مغ 7;10? ( 

جِئاتَنلا ُ راشأ َ ،امنيب ،يلاوتلا ىلع ييام ِعقوم يف ،مغ 

ةزوجلا بللا ِنول يف عقاوملا لُكل ّ زوجل اراجشأ ىلع اَقوفتم ّ َناَك 7 

. 

9 

دازأ فنصلل كوىد زكرم 

يزمر فنص 

ِعقوم يف ) %


RESPONSE OF PISTACHIO (P. VERA) TRANSPLANTS TO VARYING 

LEVELS OF WATER, MEDIA CULTURES AND PHOSPHORUS: 

1-VEGETATIVE GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 

AZAD A. T. MAYI and KHITAM ADIEB 

Dept. of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region- Iraq 

(Received: February 25, 2010; Accepted for publication: November 3, 2010) 

ABSTRACT 

The study was carried out during 2009 at the nursery of Horticulture/ Agriculture-University of Duhok-Kurdistan 

Region to investigate response of two years and pistachio transplants grown in two levels of irrigation (25 or 50 %) of 

soil available water capacities were depleted, three varying culture media (1:1, 2:1 river loamy soil : peatmoss besides 

check loamy river soil only and five P2O5 concentration (0,100, 200, 300, 400mg.P.L -1 . Pots -1 ). The parameters were 

studied (stem height, stem diameter, leaf number, leaf area ,leaf fresh and dry weights). The results showed that the 

irrigation of transplant at 25% significantly increased ,stem diameter, leaf area ,leaf fresh and dry weights (6.13mm, 

31.77cm 2 , 3.77g, 1.49g) respectively. While, media cultures( 2:1) affected significantly all parameter (80.27cm, 

6.16mm, 35.17, 32.1cm 2 , 4.21g, 1.71g) respectively. P concentration 200mg increase all studied parameters (78.28cm, 

6.49mm, 35.39, 34.58cm 2 ,4.30g, 1.66g) respectively. However, all interactions led to significant increase of all 

parameters. The best treatment was 25%water + 2:1 river loamy soil to peatmoss +200mg.L -1 .Pots -1 which gave the 

highest means of most studied parameters (8.01mm,43.33, 3.73 cm 2 , 4.77g and 2.10g)respectively. 

While,50%+2:1+300mg.L -1 increased stem length (97.33cm). 

KEY WORD: Pistachio, Media Culture, Water Stress, Nutrition. 

T 

INTRODUCTION 

here are about 11 pistachio species (Pistacia 

spp. L). only P. vera is commercially grown, 

since it produces most pistachio production 

comes from arid zone in countries nearly 

uniform marketable fruit size. Which constitute 

the main pistachio exporting countries through 

worldwide Yoursa (2007)and Ala (2004). 

Pistachio plants grow best in deep, river 

loamy soils (Ala 2004 and Yoursa, 2007). 

Pistachio trees are long-lived, tap-rooted and can 

grow up to 20-30 feet tall. Like any other fruit or 

nut tree, well-drained soils are needed for 

optimum growth. Pistachios are drought tolerant, 

but for commercial crop production there must 

be adequate soil moisture. 

Growers believe that pistachio are drought 

resistance trees. However, pistachio requires 

ample amounts of water for satisfactory growth. 

(Hegazi, et al., 2002) Studies with different plant 

species have shown consistently that growth was 

directly related to water availabilities. The effect 

of soil moisture tensions on the growth of some 

pistachio cultivar was previously studied by 

Soliman, (1992). Abo-Taleb et al., (1998) and 

Hegazi, et al., (2002) . I n other deciduous fruits, 

many studies were done to show the effect of 

water stress on growth characteristics of many 

trees among them walnut ( Goldhamer et al., 

1992), Peach (Girona et al., 1993), Fig 

(Maximos et al., 1991) and Al-khateeb, (1996) 

and Apple (Yang, et al. 1996). 

Their result indicated that increasing the 

available soil water increased stem length, 

number of leaves, average leaf area , fresh and 

dry weight. The reduction in the plant growth 

parameters values under water stress condition 

was found also in pomegranate fruits by 

(Hegazi, et al., 2002 ). Drought resistance in 

olive possesses the capacity to withstand the 

effects of water shortage for relatively long 

period without serious injury, (Adel, 1998, and 

Laz, et al.,(1999). Several evidences indicate 

that there are changes in the photosynthetic 

pigments and their mechanisms in the 

chloroplasts and changes in the ultra structure 

may occur under water stress. 

Phosphorus is a macronutrient which 

constitute the energy reservoir molecules and is 

also necessary in the production of wood and 

fruits Hegazi, et al., (2002). The effect of 5 

levels of phosphorus 15.5, 31,62 and 124mg/kg) 

on peach seedling, indicated that top dry matter 

increased in response to the lowest rate of added 

phosphorus Neilsen et al.,(1993). Phosphorus 

52


foliar spray at 400 and 600mg increased stem 

length, number of new leaves/plant and stem 

diameter, leaf area and plant dry weight (Alkhateeb,1996 

and Hegazi, et al., 2002). 

The aim of the present work is to find out the 

effect of water stress, Phosphorus, and culture 

media on some morphological, physiological 

characteristics of transplanting pistachio, under 

water stress conditions 

52 


The study was carried out in the nursery of 

Horti./ Agri. Duhok Univ. Kurdistan Region- 

Iraq. Uniform and healthy pistachio transplant of 

y 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

two years old during 2009 were selected. The 

experiments were started in 10 th April 2009, as 

transplants were grown in pots each of ( 7.5kg) 

weight, filled with three media cultures (river 

loamy soil, 1/1 river loamy soil to peatmoss and 

2:1 river loamy soil to peatmoss), plants were 

irrigated while 25% or 50%, of soil available 

water depleted (figer.1, 2, 3) as adapted by Abo- 

Taleb, et al., (1998) and Caser (2008). Five p2o5 

concentrations (0,100, 200, 300, 400mg.P.L - 

1 .Pots -1 ) were applied to the pots. The following 

measurements were recorded on 10 th October 

2009. 

y = 10.8089 - 1.07452 x + 0.0600537 x**2 

S = 32.3335 R-Sq = 97.5 % R-Sq(adj) = 97.2 % 

0 

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 

x 

Figure (1). Soil moisture depletion curve of AWC (y) versus current resistance in 

(OHM) (x) for pots of river loam soil 

Fig (1): Soil moisture depletion curve of AWC (y) versus current resistance in (OHM) (x) 

for pots of river loam soil. 

y 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

y = 12.8682 - 1.95731 x + 0.0713832 x**2 

S = 70.0147 R-Sq = 91.1 % R-Sq(adj) = 90.1 % 

0 

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 

Figure (2). Soil moisture depletion 

x 

curve x 

of AWC (y) versus current resistance in 

(OHM) (x) for pots of 1/1 river loamy to peatmoss mixture soil 

Fig (2): Soil moisture depletion curve of AWC (y) versus current resistance in (OHM) (x) 

for pots of 1/1 river loamy to peatmoss mixture soil


0 10 20 30 40 

x 

50 60 70 80 90 100 

Figure (3): Depletion percentage (X) of available water 

capacity AWC of 2/1 peatmoss/river loamy versus curent 

resistance OHM (y). 

Fig (3): Depletion on percentage (X) of available water capacity AWC of 2/1 

peatmoss/river loamy versus current. 

The parameters were measured: 

1- Stem length (cm). 

2- Stem diameter 5(mm) above the soil. 

3- Number of new leaves/ plant. 

4- Leaf area (cm 2 ): (Saieed,1990 and Azad 

2007). 

Leaf area (cm 2 )= area of (A4)paper cut×part weight (g) 

Weight of (A4) paper (g) 

5- Fresh leaf weight(g). 

6- Leaf dry weight (g). 

y 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

Statistical analysis: 

The obtained data were tabulated and 

statistically analyzed by computer using SAS 

system (1996). Experiments conducted in this 

study followed a Complete Randomized Block 

Design in factorial experiment, the experiment 

comprised of 30 treatments with three replicates 

each replicate was presented by three pots and 

each pot contains four transplants. The 

differences between various treatment means 

were tested with Duncun multiple range test at 

5% level. (SAS Institute.Inc,1996). 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: 

1-Stem length (cm): 

The obtained results of water regime (Table 

1) revealed that pistachio transplant with two 

levels of water, non significant affected in stem 

length. While, pistachio transplants treated with 

media culture substantially increased stem length 

(80.27cm) at 2:1 river loamy soil to peatmoss 

significantly. However, results showed that P 

0 

y = -31.1519 + 5.14194 x 

S = 72.1468 R-Sq = 86.4 % R-Sq(adj) = 85.9 % 

concentration 300mg.p.L -1 .Pots -1 was the 

paramount, as it gave the highest stem length 

(80.72cm) whereas; untreated treatment was the 

worst treatment (63.61cm). The interaction 

between water regime and media culture 

displayed that 25% water plus 2:1river loamy 

soil to peatmoss appeared to be the most potent 

treatment gave the highest stem length (81.2cm). 

Results of water level and P concentration 

interaction manifested that 50% water with 

300mg.p.pot -1 resulted in the highest increase in 

stem length (88.11cm). However, the lowest 

stem length was observed with 50% water in 

control. Results of media culture and P 

concentration interaction revealed that 2:1 river 

loamy soil to peatmoss with P at concentration 

200mg.p.L -1 .Pot -1 resulted in the highest stem 

length (87.17cm). Results of water levels, media 

culture and P concentration interactions 

indicated that 50%water plus media culture and 

300mg.p.L -1 .Pot -1 concentration was the most 

effective treatment as it displayed the highest 

stem length (97.33cm). while, the lowest 

coincide with 25%water plus 1:1river loamy 

soil to peatmoss at untreated treatment (39cm). 

2-Stem diameter (mm): 

Table (2) revealed that pistachio transplants 

treated with two levels of water resulted in a 

significant increase in stem diameter(6.13) at 

25% water as compared to the 50%. However, 

pistachio transplants treated with media culture 

substantially increased in stem 

diameter(6.16mm) at 2:1river loamy soil to 

peatmoss. While, P concentration significant 

increase in stem diameter(6.49mm), particularly 

52

25% water 

50% water 

media ×p 


at 200mg.p.L -1 .Pots- 1 as compared to 

control(4.87mm). 

The obtained results of both water regime and 

media culture revealed that treating pistachio 

transplants resulted in a significant increase in 

stem diameter(5.84mm), particularly at 50% plus 

2:1sand to peatmoss as compared to control. 

However, water levels with P concentrations 

substantially increased steam diameter(6.50mm) 

specially at 25%water plus100mg.p.L -1 .Pots -1 as 

compared to control. While, results indicated 

that the combination between media culture and 

P concentration displayed that 2:1river loamy 

soil/peatmoss and 200mg.p.L -1 .Pot -1 appeared to 

water 

level 

52 

be the most potent treatment, as it gave the 

highest stem diameters (7.80mm). However, the 

lowest values were accompanied with 1: 1river 

loamy soil/peatmoss plus untreated check 

(4.20mm). Results of water regime, media 

culture, P concentrations and their interactions 

manifested that treating pistachio transplants 

with (50% water, 2:1river loamy soil/peatmoss 

plus 200mg.L -1 .pots -1 gave the highest stem 

diameter (7.59mm). However, the lowest stem 

diameters was observed with(25% water, 

1:1river loamy soil/peatmoss plus untreated 

check (4.22mm). 

Table (1): Effect of water level, media culture, phosphorus concentrations and their interactions on stem length( 

cm) of pistachio transplant. 

media 

cul. 

river loamy 

soil 

1:1river loamy 

soil to peat 


soil to peat 

river loamy 

soil 


soil to peat 


soil to peat 

phosphorus Concentrations (mg.L -1 .pots -1 water × 

Control 100mg 200mg 300mg 400mg 

media 

76.00c-h 81.00b-f 73.33d-h 68.33f-j 72.33d-i 74.20c 

39.00k 75.00c-h 76.67c-h 72.33d-i 80.00b-g 68.60d 

77.33c-h 83.33b-d 82.00b-e 79.33c-g 84.00b-d 81.20a 

70.00e-j 71.33d-i 80.67b-f 87.00a-c 65.00h-j 74.80bc 

60.67ij 74.67c-h 64.67h-j 80.00b-g 74.33c-h 70.87cd 

58.67j 80.67b-f 92.33ab 97.33a 67.67g-j 79.33ab 

water × p water level 

25% 64.11d 79.78b 77.33b 73.33bc 78.78b 74.67a 

50% 63.11d 75.56b 79.22b 88.11a 69.00cd 75.00a 

river loamy 

soil 


soil to peat 


soil to peat 

media cul. 

73.00c-e 76.17b-e 77.00b-d 77.67bc 68.67de 74.50b 

49.83e 74.83b-e 70.67c-e 76.17b-e 77.17b-d 69.73c 

68.00de 82.00ab 87.17a 88.33a 75.83b-e 80.27a 

phosphor conc. 63.61c 77.67ab 78.28ab 80.72a 73.89b 

Means within a column, row and their interactions followed with the same letters are not significantly different 

from each others according to Duncans multiple ranges test at 5% level.

25% water 

50% water 

media ×p 


water 

level 

Table (2): Effect of water level, media culture, phosphorus concentrations and their interactions on stem 

diameter( mm) of pistachio transplant. 

media 

cul. 

river loamy 

soil 


soil to peat 


soil to peat 

river loamy 

soil 


soil to peat 


soil to peat 

phosphorus Concentrations((mg.L -1 .pots -1 ) water × 


media 

7.19a-c 7.67ab 6.71a-e 5.13e-j 5.45d-i 6.43a 

4.22g-j 5.20e-j 6.13-fb 5.81c-g 6.12b-f 5.49bc 

5.97c-f 6.63a-e 8.01a 6.58a-e 5.14e-j 6.47a 

3.91ij 4.97f-j 6.21b-f 5.59c-h 4.85f-j 5.11c 

4.18h-j 5.98c-f 4.31g-j 5.93c-f 4.93f-j 5.07c 

3.77j 5.71c-h 7.59ab 6.90a-d 5.25e-j 5.84ab 


25% 5.79b-d 6.50ab 6.95a 5.84b-d 5.57cd 6.13a 

50% 3.95e 5.55cd 6.04bc 6.14bc 5.01d 5.34b 

river loamy 

soil 


soil to peat 


soil to peat 

media cul. 

5.55c-f 6.32b-d 6.46bc 5.36d-f 5.15e-g 5.77a 

4.20g 5.59c-f 5.22e-g 5.87b-f 5.53c-f 5.28b 

4.87fg 6.17b-e 7.80a 6.74b 5.20e-g 6.16a 

phosphor conc. 4.87b 6.03a 6.49a 5.99a 5.29b 


from each others according to Duncans multiple ranges test at 5% level. 

3- Number of new leaves/plant: 

The obtained results (Table 3) revealed that 

treated pistachio transplant water levels 

significantly increased in leaf number (33.49 

Leaf.plant -1 ). Pistachio transplant treated with 

media culture substantially increased in leaves 

number(33.22Leaf.plant -1 ). However, 

phosphorus concentrations profoundly, exceeded 

leaves number in 200mg.p.L -1 .pots -1 . The 

obtained results indicated that 50%water plus 

200 mg.L -1 .pots -1 were superior over 25%water 

plus 0mg.P.Pots -1 in leaves number. The 

combination between water levels and 

Phosphorus concentrations displayed that 25% 

water mixed with 200 mg.p.L -1 .pots -1 appeared 

to be the most effective treatment, as it gave the 

highest leaves number 34.11Leaf.plant -1 ). 

52


water 

level 

03 

25% 

50% 

media ×p 

Table (3): Effect of water level, media culture, phosphorus concentrations and their interactions on leaves 

number(Leaf.plant -1 )of pistachio transplant. 

media 

cul. 

river loamy 

soil 


soil to peat 


soil to peat 

river loamy 

soil 


soil to peat 


soil to peat 

phosphorus Concentrations(mg.L -1 .pots -1 ) water × 


media 

27.67f-j 33.67c-h 27.33f-j 25.00h-k 30.33e-i 28.80b 

17.00k 21.67i-k 32.00d-h 28.67e-j 35.33a-f 26.93b 

27.67f-j 33.33c-h 43.00ab 27.67f-j 37.00a-e 33.73a 

27.67f-j 

34.00c-h 

43.33ab 32.67d-h 34.67b-g 34.47a 

26.00g-j 36.00a-f 22.67i-k 42.00a-c 20.33jk 29.40b 

33.33c-h 40.67a-d 44.00a 35.67a-f 29.33e-i 36.60a 


25% 24.11c 29.56b 34.11a 27.11bc 34.22a 29.82b 

50% 29.00b 36.89a 36.67a 36.78a 28.11bc 33.49a 

river loamy 

soil 


soil to peat 


soil to peat 

media cul. 

27.67e 33.83b-d 35.33bc 28.83de 32.50b-e 31.63b 

21.50f 28.83de 27.33e 35.33bc 27.83de 28.17c 

30.50c-d 37.00b 43.50a 3167b-d 33.17b-e 35.17a 

phosphor conc. 26.56c 33.22ab 35.39a 31.94b 31.17b 

Means within a column, row and their interactions followed with the same letters are not 

significantly different from each others according to Duncans multiple ranges test at 5% level. 

Results of water levels, media cultures and P 

concentrations interaction revealed that pistachio 

transplant treated with 50%water+ 2:1river 

loamy soil to peatmoss plus 200 mg.p.L-1.pots-1 

was the most potent treatment as it gave highest 

leaves number (44.00Leaf.plant-1). While the 

lowest leaves number was coincide with 

25%water+ 1:1river loamy soil to peatmoss and 

untreated check treatment (17.00Leaf.plant-1). 

However, in media cultures combined with P 

concentrations at 2:1river loamy soil to peatmoss 

plus 200 mg.p.L-1.pots-1 was the most effective 

treatment as it showed that the maximum leaves 

number (43.50Leaf.plant-1). 

4-Leaf Area (cm 2 ): 

The obtained results of both levels of water 

(Table4) revealed that irrigated pistachio 

transplants with 25%water resulted in significant 

increase in leaf area(31.77cm 2 ). Pistachio 

transplants treated with media cultures 

significantly increased leaf area (32.09 cm 2 ) 

specially in 2:1river loamy soil to peatmoss in 

relation to other treatment. While, at P 

concentrations leaf area increased significantly 

(35.55cm 2 ) at 300mg.p.L -1 .pots -1 compared to 

untreated check (25.40cm 2 ). Results indicated 

that the combination between water levels and 

media cultures displayed that 25% water and 

2:1river loamy soil to peat appeared to the most 

potent treatment, as it gave the highest leaf area 

(34.73cm 2 ). However, the worst results were 

accompanied with (50%water and river loamy 

soil)(28.95cm 2 ). Results of water levels and P 

concentrations interaction manifested that 

pistachio transplants 

treated with 25% water and 200mg.L -1 .pots -1 

gave the highest leaf area (37.69cm 2 ). However, 

the lowest leaf area was observed with 

50%water plus 400 mg.p.L -1 .pots -1 (25.02cm 2 ). 

Results of P and media cultures interaction 

revealed that pistachio transplants treated with P 

at concentration 300mg and 2:1river loamy 

soil/peatmoss resulted in the highest leaf area 

(42.31cm 2 ). Results of P, media cultures, and 

water levels interaction indicated that 25%water 

+300mg and 300 mg.L -1 .pots -1 was the most 

potent treatment of leaf area (43.73cm 2 ). While 

the lowest leaf area was coincide with 50% 

water and 2:1river loamy soil to peatmoss and 

untreated(21.41cm 2 ).

25% water 

50% water 

media ×p 


water 

level 

Table (4): Effect of water level, media culture, phosphorus concentrations and their interactions on leaf area 

(cm 2 ) of pistachio transplant. 

media 

cul. 

river loamy 

soil 

1:1river 

loamy soil to 

peat 

2:1river 

loamy soil to 

peat 

River loamy 

soil 

1:1river 

loamy soil to 

peat 

2:1river 

loamy soil to 

peat 



media 

25.65k-o 30.37f-l 35.25c-f 32.42e-i 26.44j-o 30.03b 

26.03j-o 26.76j-n 39.88a-c 30.49f-k 29.62g-m 30.55b 

25.64k-o 33.71d-h 37.94b-d 43.73a 32.67e-i 34.74a 

26.09j-o 27.09j-n 34.65d-h 29.48h-m 27.47i-n 28.96b 

27.57 31.16f-j 25.03l-o 36.31b-e 24.99m-o 29.01b 

21.41o 27.66i-n 34.73d-g 40.89ab 22.60no 29.46b 


25% 25.77d 30.28bc 37.69a 35.55a 29.58bc 31.77a 

50% 25.02d 28.64c 31.47b 35.56a 25.02d 29.14b 

River loamy 

soil 

1:1river 

loamy soil to 

peat 

2:1river 

loamy soil to 

peat 

media cul. 

25.87gh 28.73e-g 34.95bc 30.95de 26.96g 29.49b 

26.80gh 28.96e-g 32.46cd 33.40b-d 27.31fg 29.78b 

23.53h 30.69d-f 36.34b 42.31a 27.63e-g 32.10a 

phosphor conc. 25.40d 29.46b 34.58a 35.55a 27.30c 



5-Leaf fresh Weight (g) 

Results in (Table 5) revealed that water levels 

significantly increased leaf fresh weight(3.77g). 

The obtained results of media culture displayed 

that treated pistachio transplants significantly 

increased leaf fresh weight(4.21g) at2:1river 

loamy soil/peatmoss. However, P concentrations 

substantially increased leaves fresh weight 

(4.30g) specially at 200 mg.p.L -1 .pots -1 

as compared to control(3.11gm). Results 

indicated that interaction between water 

regime, media cultures and leaves fresh weight 

increased at 25%water plus 2:1river loamy 

soil/peatmoss (4.22g). 

Results indicated that the combination 

between water levels and P concentration 

displayed that 25% water and 200 mg.p.L -1 .pots -1 

appeared to be the most potent treatment, as it 

gave the highest leaf fresh weight (4.73g). 

Results of P and media cultures interaction 

revealed that pistachio transplants treated with P 

at concentration 200mg and 2:1river loamy 

soil/peatmoss resulted in the highest leaf fresh 

weight (4.60g). Results of P, media cultures, and 

water levels interaction indicated that 50% 

water plus 2:1river loamy soil/peatmoss and 100 

mg.p.L -1 .pots -1 was the most potent treatment of 

leaf fresh weight (4.81g). While the lowest leaf 

fresh weight was coincide with that50% 

water +1:1river loamy soil/peatmoss and 

untreated (0.91g). 

03

25% water 

50% water 

media ×p 

25% water 

50% water 

water 

level 

water 

level 

media ×p 


05 

Table (5): Effect of water level, media culture, phosphorus concentrations and their interactions on fresh leaf 

weight (g) of pistachio transplant. 

media 

cul. 

river loamy 

soil 


soil to peat 


soil to peat 

river loamy 

soil 


soil to peat 


soil to peat 


media 


4.09a-f 3.73ef 4.64a-c 3.82d-f 3.68e-g 3.99a 

0.91j 2.81i 4.78ab 3.40f-i 3.60e-g 3.10c 

4.61a-c 4.06c-f 4.78ab 4.15a-e 3.51e-h 4.22a 

3.98c-f 3.02g-i 3.64e-g 3.64e-g 2.90hi 3.44b 

0.91j 3.71e-g 3.52e-h 3.76d-f 2.88hi 2.95c 

4.16a-e 4.81a 4.44a-d 4.80a 2.79i 4.20a 


25% 3.20de 3.53cd 4.73a 3.79bc 3.60c 3.77a 

50% 3.01e 3.84bc 3.87bc 4.07b 2.86e 3.53b 

media cul. 

River loamy 

soil 

4.04bc 3.37de 4.14a-c 3.73cd 3.29de 3.71b 


soil to peat 

0.90f 3.26de 4.15a-c 3.58de 3.24e 3.03c 


soil to peat 

4.38ab 4.44ab 4.60a 4.47ab 3.15e 4.21a 

phosphor conc. 3.11c 3.69b 4.30a 3.93b 3.23c 



6-Leaf dry weight (g): 

Table (6): Effect of water level, media culture, phosphorus concentrations and their interactions on leaves dry 

weight (g) of pistachio transplant. 

media 

cul. 


media 


River loamy soil 1.02j 1.31f-i 1.78b-d 1.48e-g 1.25g-j 1.37c 

1:1river loamy soil to 

peat 

0.50k 1.26g-j 1.74b-d 1.40e-h 1.24g-j 1.23d 


peat 

1.98ab 1.85a-c 2.10a 2.10a 1.42e-h 1.89a 

river loamy soil 1.85a-c 1.11ij 1.38f-i 1.34f-i 1.22g-j 1.38c 


peat 


peat 

0.51k 1.45e-h 1.32f-i 1.57d-f 1.20h-j 1.21d 

1.89a-c 1.32f-i 1.65c-e 1.78b-d 1.03j 1.54b 


25% 1.16fg 1.47cd 1.87a 1.66b 1.30ef 1.49a 

50% 1.41de 1.30ef 1.45cd 1.56bc 1.15g 1.38b 

media cul. 

river loamy soil 1.43bc 1.21d 1.58b 1.41bc 1.23d 1.37b 


peat 

0.50e 1.36cd 1.53bc 1.48bc 1.22d 1.22c 


peat 

1.93a 1.59b 1.88a 1.94a 1.22d 1.71a 

phosphor conc. 1.29c 1.39b 1.66a 1.61a 1.22c 


from each others according to Duncans multiple ranges test at 5% level.


Results in (Table 6) revealed that water levels 

significantly affected the leaf dry weight (1.49g). 

The obtained results of media cultures displayed 

that treated pistachio transplant with 2:1river 

loamy soil/peatmoss resulted in significant 

increase in leaf dry weight(1.71g). Pistachio 

transplant treated with P concentrations 

significantly increased leaf dry weight (1.66g), 

especially when 200 mg.p.L -1 .pots -1 was applied 

as compared to 400mg.L -1 .pots -1 . 

The obtained results revealed that 25%water 

+2:1river loamy soil/peatmoss was superior over 

that of 50% water+1:1river loamy soil/peatmoss 

in leaf dry weight(1.89g). 

The combination between water levels and 

phosphorus concentration displayed that 

25%water and 200mg.p.L -1 .pots -1 appeared to be 

the most potent treatment (1.87g). While the 

lowest leaf dry weight(1.15g) was coincide with 

50%water +400 mg.L -1 .pots -1 . Results of media 

cultures and P concentrations interaction 

manifested that treated with 2:1river loamy 

soil/peatmoss and 200 mg.p.L -1 .pots -1 resulted in 

the highest leaf dry weight(1.88g). The lowest 

leaf dry weight was observed with1:1river loamy 

soil/peatmoss and untreated check (0.50g). 

Results of water levels, media cultures, P 

concentrations and their interaction manifested 

that pistachio transplant treated with that 25% 

water +2:1river loamy soil/peatmoss and 

200mg.p.L -1 .pots -1 was the most potent treatment 

as it gave the highest leaf dry weight (2.10g). 

While, the lowest leaf dry weight was coincide 

with that 25%water +1:1river loamy 

soil/peatmoss and control (0.50g). 

Increase in height, stem diameter, leaf 

number, leaf area, vegetative fresh weight and 

dry weight were attributed to medium mixture of 

2:1river loamy soil to peatmoss which provided 

optimal root growth ambient conditions of 

aeration, water availabilities, pH, organic 

content and adequate phosphorus and other 

nutrients. Water stress was found to affect every 

aspect of plant growth. Some of these effects 

were related to decrease in turgid. Water 

potential and osmotic potential, water 

availability. Several of evidences indicate that 

there are changes in the photosynthetic pigments 

and mechanisms in the chloroplasts and that 

change in ultra structure may occur under water 

stress. Phosphorus is a macronutrient that is used 

in the sugar phosphates that store energy and is 

also necessary in the production of wood. 

(Soliman, 1992), (Abotaleb et al. 1998), 

(Goldhamer et al. 1992), (Girona et al. 1993), 

(Maximos etal. 1991), (Yang 1996 ), 

(Adel,1998) and (Laz et al. 1999). 

REFERENCES 

- Abo-Taleb S.A, Noman, V.F. and Sari El Deen, S. 

(1998).Growth of Pomegranate transplants as 

affected by different water regimes. Annals of 

Agric. Sc., Moshtohor, 36(2):1073-1091. 

- Adel,M.G.(1998). Studies on sensitivity of some olive 

varieties to drought . M.Sc. Thesis Fac. Of Agric. 

Fayoum, Cairo Univ. Egypt. 

- Ala Abed alrezaq El-Khatab (2004).Effect of some 

growth regulators , Nitrogen fertilizer and foliar 

fertilizers and media culture on vegetative and root 

growth of Olive transplants (Olea europeae) cv. 

Nipal and K18 after transplanting directly. Mse. 

Thesis, Agre. Baghdad Univ. Iraq . 

- Al-Khateeb,A.F.M. (1996). The influence of some growth 

regulators and mineral nutrients on growth and 

drought resistance of some fig varieties. Ph.D. 

Thesis, Fac. Of Agri. Zagazig Univ. Egypt. 

- Azad A.T.Mayi (2007). Effect of foliar spray with iron 

and GA3 on the Vegetative growth, Nutrient 

contents, Yield and some storage characteristics of 

Apple fruits cvs. 'Barwari' and 'Starking'. 

Ph.D. Thesis,Agri.Duhok Unvi. Kurdistan. Iraq. 

- Caser G. Abdel (2008). Improving the Production of well 

Irrigated Carrots (Daucus Carota L. var. Sativus, 

Cv. Nates) Grown under Plot and Furrow 

Cultivations by 

-Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) Application. J. Duhok 

Univ. 10(2):49-64. 

- Girona, J.,Mata.,D.A. and Goldhamer, R.S. (1993). 

Patterns of soil and trees water Statues 

and leaf functioning during regulators deficit 

irrigation scheduling in peach. J.Amer. Hort. 

Sci..118(5):580-586. 

- Goldhamer D.A., Robert Beede, Stve Sibbett and Dave 

Ramos (1992). Decline and recovery of hedgerow 

walnut from sustained deficit irrigation .Hort. 

Sci.27(6). 

- Hegazi, E.S; T. A. Yahia; S.A. Abou Taleb and M. Abou 

El-Wafa (2002). Effect of phosphorus 

on pomegranate transplants under water stress. 

J. Horticulture and Desert Agriculture. Vol. 

11:421-432. 

- Hegazi, E.S; T. A. Yahia; S.A. Abou Taleb and M. Abou 

El-Wafa (2002). Effect of different available water 

levels on some transplants of pomegranate 

cultivars. J. Horticulture and Desert Agriculture. 

Vol. 11:447-462. 

00


- Laz, S.I. El-Sherif, A.H. and Sari El-Deen,S.A. (1999). 

03 

Studies on the susceptibility of some olive cultivars 

to drought. Zagazig. J.Agri. 26(6). 

- Maximos,S., Abo-Rawash, M.,Behairy, Z. and Basea, R. 

(1991). Studies on the effect of irrigation and some 

growth retardants on fig transplant. Ann. Agri. Sc., 

Fac.Agri. Ain Shams Univ.36(1)171-181. 

- Neilsen, D., Parchomchuk, p. and Hogue E.J.(1993).Soil 

and peach seedling responses to soluble phosphorus 

applied in single or multiple doses. 

Communications, in Soil. Sci. and plant Ann.,24 (9- 

10):881-898. 

- Saieed, N. T. (1990). Studies of variation in primary 

productivity growth and morphology in relation 

to the selective improvements of broad leaved trees 

species. Ph.D. Thesis National Uni-Irland. 

- SAS Institute, Inc (1996). The SAS system. Relase 6.12. 

Cary, NC. 

- Soliman, S.S.(1992). Effect of creation soil moisture 

levels on some physiological responses Manfalouty 

Pomegranate tree. M.Sc. Thesis, Fac. Agric. Dept. 

Assuit Univ. Egypt. 

- Yang S., Lee,S.W.,R.O.,Y.T. M., and K.J. (1996).Effect 

of growing period on growth of apple trees. J.of 

Agri.Sci. Soil and Fertilizer 38 (1):435-439. 

- Yousra Mohammed Saleh Al-Jubury.(2007). Response of 

Aleppo pistachio transplant cv. Asoury to different 

growing media and spray with Gibberellic acid and 

Zinc. M.Sc. Thesis. Hort. Sc. And Landscape 

Design Agric. and Forestry Univ. Mosul. 

زةسه ىزوفسف وئ َىىدىاض تَيدىةظاى , َىىادظائ تَيتسائ وب اقةتسف تَيك وامةى اىوبيشاز 

َىىوبييش تَيتةوخةس-1 

قايرئ َىىاتسدزوك انَيزةٍ نوٍد ايولىاش َىىدىاض اريهوك ىزالىاتسيب الشث اٍةط وامةى ل ٌسك ةيتاٍ ايةييهوكةظ ظةئ 

ظةئ و اداىاجييئ د ٌدىاض ةييتاٍ و لىاس وود َىيرب اقةتسف تَيلمامةى زةسه 

ٌادمانجةئ ةيتاٍ ينهوكةظ 

. 

2009 

ةتخوث 

لااس ل 

1:1, 

ىزابيز تَيظَيه زةب اخائ َىىدىاض تَيدىةظاى َىس وئ ) % 50,25( 

َىىادظائ تَيتسائ وود : ٌاييئزالب ةييتاٍ ةزةلَيت زاك 

, 200و100,0 

ىزوفسف تَيتسةخ ضيَيث وئ ىسونتيث 

وب ىزابيز تَيظَيه زةب اخائ 2:1, 

2 

, هس31.77 

, هس80.27 

( 

, 33.49 

, هوم6.13 

( 

اتةوخاس ىمةٍ اىسكةدَيش ازةطةئ ةيوب ظائ 

ىزةوشث اتةوخاس ىمةٍ اىسكةدَيش ازةطئ ةيوب 

2:1 

ادىةظاى َلىةب 

ىسونتيث وب ىزابيز تَيظَيه زةب اخائ 

) 25% 

( . ٌاجييئ 

. َىيرَيزد ىوبذ 

/ ل. 

) 

هطوم) 

هغ1.49 

400,300 

, هغ3.77 

2 

ىمةٍ اىسكةدَيش ازةطئ ةيوب هطوم200 

ىزوفسف ايتسةخ اسةو زةٍ .) هغ1.71 

, هغ4.21 

, هس32.10 

, 35.17 , هوم6.16 

زةٍ وك سكزايد َىييهوكةظ َىمانجةئ 

ةىوب 

2 

.) هغ1.66 

, هغ4.30 

, هس34.58 

, 35.39 , هوم6.49 

, هس78.28( 

ىزةوشث اتةوخاس 

) ٌاجييئ / ل. 

هطوم200+ 

ىسوم 

تيث وب ىزابيز تَيظَيه زةب اخائ 2:1+ 

ظائ % 25( 

2 

, هس4.78هط 

, 2.10 هط( 

. . 

ىسك لةلَيت تَي زةلَيتزاك َىس 

ىزةوشث َىكةطىةسب مَيئ ظيده ًتسطزةو ةييتاٍ تَيتةوخاس ىمةٍ اىسكةدَيش ازةطةئ 

. 

8.01 هوم, 

043.73,43.


. 2009 

ماع 

يف 

ءاملا نم نييوتسم 

قارعلا 

يف روفسفلا و ةيعارزلا طاسوأ , ءاملا تايوتسمل قتسفلا تلاتش ةباجتسا 

يرضخلا ومنلا تافص -1 

– ناتسدرك م يلقا كوهد ةعماج-ةعارزلا 

ةيلك – ةنتسبلا مسق لتشم ىف ةساردلا هذه 

: يه ةسوردملا لماوعلا 

. 

نيدناسلا 

يف ةعورزملا ناتنس رمعب قتسفلا تلاتش ىلع 

زيكارت ةسمخو 

سوم 

تيب عم ةيرهنلا ةبرت2:1 

, سوم 

تيب عم ةيرهنلا ةبرت 1:1, 

ةيرهنلا ةبرت 

ددع 

, قاسلا 

رطق, 

قاسلا 

لوط( 

ةسوردملا تافصلا. 

نادنس/ 

ل. 

مغلم 

, 400,000 


تيرجا 

ةبرجتلا 

( ةيعارز طاسوأ ةثلاث 

, 200 

ادعام ايونعم ةسوردملا تافصلا لك ةدايز ىلا ءام 25% 

تدا .) قارولال فاجلاو ىرطلا نزو 

عيمج 

يف 

ةدايز تببس 

200روفسفلا 

زيكرت كلذك 

2:1 

طسو اما 

. ) 1.71مغ 

. ) مغ 

1.49 

2 

كلذك. 

) مغ1.66 

, مغ 4.3 , مس 34.58 , 35.39 

, مغ 

3.77 

2 

, مس 

31... 

, ملم 

6.13( 

, 100 

2 

, مغ 4.21 , مس 32.10 , 35.17 , ملم 6.16 , مس 80.27( 

, ملم 

6.49 , مس 

78.28 

, 0 

روفسفلا 

تذفن 

50,25 

نم 

, ةيقرولا ةحاسملا, 

قارولاا 

قارولاا ددع و ةلتشلا لوط 

ةسوردملا تافصلا 

( ةسوردملا تافصلا لك ةدايز ىلا ىدا مغلم 

نزو , ةيقرولا ةحاسملا , قارولأا ددع, 

ةلتشلا رطق , ةلتشلا لوط ةسوردملا تافصلا لك ةدايز ىلإ تدأ 

ىطعأ نادنس/ 

روفسف مغلم200+ 

سوم 

تيب عم ةيرهنلا ةبرت 2:1+ 

ءام25 

تناك ةلماعملا 

لضفأ . قارولأل 

تداز 

قاسلا 

لوط ادعام . مغ2.10 

2 

, مغ4.78 , مس43.73, 

43.0. 

ملم, 

8.01 ( . يلاوتلا 

تلاخادتلا عيمج 

فاجلا و يرطلا 

ىلع تافصلا لكل ةميق 

. 

مس97.33 

نادنس. 

ل. 

غلم300 

+ 2:1+ 

% 

لضفأ 

50 

ىف 

02


63 

EFFECT OF FOLIAR APPLICATION OF NAA, KNO3 AND 

FE ON QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF PEACH FRUIT 

(Prunus persica L.) CV. EARLY CORONET * 

ZULAYKHA R. IBRAHIM, SARFARAZ F. A. AL- BAMARNY * and MOHAMMED A. SALMAN ** 

* 

Dept .Of Horticulture, College Of Agriculture, University Of Duhok , Kurdistan Region-Iraq 

** 

Dept .Of Horticulture, College Of Agriculture, University Of Baghdad-Iraq 

(Received: March 10, 2010; Accepted for publication: June 24, 2010) 

ABSTRACT 

The experiment was carried out at Seiujh - Duhok Governorate, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, during 2008. 4-years old 

peach trees were sprayed till run off with two concentrations of NAA (0 and 5ppm), three concentrations of KNO3 (0, 

0.1 and 0.2 %), and three concentrations of Fe (0, 30 and 60ppm) one month after fruit set, at two times i.e, 

24/April/2008 and 25/May/2008. The aim was to study the influence of these treatments on quantity and fruit quality. 

Raising the levels of NAA to 5ppm, KNO3 to 0.2 % and Fe to 60 ppm led to a significant increase in yield per tree, 

fresh weight, pulp weight, size, carbohydrate contains,TSS and juice percentage of fruit while decrease fruit acidity. 

The interaction between higher levels of NAA, KNO3 and Fe led to a significant increase in all quantity and fruit 

quality characteristics mentioned above. 

KEY WORDS: Foliar Application, NAA, KNO3, Fe, Fruit, and Peach 

T 

INTRODUCTION 

he peach Prunus persica is known as a 

species of prunus called a “peach”. It is a 

deciduous tree belonging to the family 

“Rosaceae”. (Grisez et al., 2000). Peach crop is 

one of the most important stone fruit, due to 

heavy loading and dietetic value, beside the 

different uses of the fruit, it is often used as table 

fruits (fresh fruit), juice and jams (Bal, 2005). 

All commercial cultivars belong to (P. 

persica L.) are primarily grown in temperate 

zones and in the tropics and subtropics at higher 

elevation (Hammerschlag, 1986). The total 

number of peach trees planted in Kurdistan was 

estimated to be (66509) trees and the average 

yield of a tree was (18.1kg) (Annual Abstract 

STAT, 2007). 

Studies recorded that synthetic auxins such as 

NAA have been used since long time to improve 

fruit quantity and quality in many deciduous 

fruit also known by their ability to increase the 

cell size which enhances fruit growth aids in 

developing fruit, Agusti at al., (2002) indicated 

that treatment with synthetic auxins in peach and 

apricot increased fruit size and also increased the 

carbohydrate level in the fruit and as a result 

enlarge the fruit, due to the enhance strength of 

the sink for carbohydrate. Antonio and Bettio 

(2003) showed that treating peaches cv. 

diamante by the application of (NAA) at the rate 

of (30mg.L-¹) led to increase fruit size and to 

* Part of thesis submitted by the first Author 

delay the harvesting period of peaches. The 

same phenomena with peach cv. Oded was 

recently reported by Flaishman (2006) in which 

auxine treatment increased sink strength and 

stimulated the rate of fruit growth and 

accelerated maturation so that the fruit size and 

the yield was increased, by increasing cell 

division and elongation and the control of preharvest 

drop. Flaishman (2006) recently 

reported that auxin treatment increased sink 

strength and stimulated the rate of fruit growth 

and accelerated maturation on peach cv. “Oded”. 

So, increase in fruit size was achieved without 

concomitant fruit drop. Gupta and Kaur (2007) 

noted that spraying Plum cv. Satluj purple with 

NAA(10 and 20ppm) at different stages of fruit 

development, That the maximum fruit yield was due 

to more fruit retention and increase in the size of the 

fruit, with significant increase in fruit weight and total 

soluble solid(TSS) was observed in growth regulator 

treatment. Stern et al. (2007) studied the effect 

of application of (30mg.Lˉ¹ NAA) on Japanese 

plum (Prunus salicina)at the beginning of pithardening 

when fruit let diameter was ca. 13 mm 

caused appreciable and significant increases in 

fruit size and total yield. 

In terms of nutrient absorption, foliar 

fertilization can be formed 8 to 20 times as 

efficient as ground application; however, this 

efficiency is not always achieved in actual practice 

(Anonymous, 1985).Recently, nutrition studies 

have been considered to be the most effective


factor in improving fruit yield and their quality, 

owing to the role of various minerals in 

physiological metabolisms of plant (Ashley et al., 

2006). 

Chatzitheodorou et al. (2004) studied the 

response of the peach cultivars “Spring Time” 

and “Red Haven” grown in clay loam soil, to 

nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, 

manure, as well as some combinations of these. 

They noted a significant increase of fruit yield as 

well as of fruit quality and fruit size of both cv. 

However, total soluble solids content (%) of the 

cvs. “Spring Time” and “Red Haven” did not 

alter significantly in comparison to the control 

for all the fertilizer combinations used. Ruiz 

(2006) applied a field trial with three sources of 

K (KNO3, K2SO4 and KCl) at 300 kg K2O haˉ¹ 

of early nectarines cv. Fairlane resulted in a 

significant increase in yield, fruit weight and 

diameter of the fruit by all the K sources up to 

leaf K levels of 1.5-1.6 kgˉ¹, while no effects 

were measured in all evaluated seasons in terms 

of soluble solids levels in the fruit. Mimoun et 

al. (2008) studied the effects of Potassium Foliar 

Spray on Peach cultivar “Royal Glory” and 

Theplum cultivar grown was “Black Star”. At 

the beginning of the season, the results showed 

that the use of potassium foliar fertilization 

increased fruit weight, total soluble solid and 

improved fruit quality of Black Star plum and 

Royal Glory peach at harvest indicated that the 

fruit maturity was earlier with the foliar 

application. 

Iron plays an important role in the activation 

of chlorophyll and in the synthesis of many 

heme proteins such as different cytochromes, 

which participate in different functions in the 

plant metabolism (Bhandari and Randhawa 

1985). 

Abadía et al. (2002) studied the effect 

spraying of different Fe-compounds at Fe 

concentration of 2mM (FeSO4.7H2O, Fe (III)citrate, 

Fe (III)-EDTA, Fe (III)-DTPA and Fe 

(III)-IDHA on twenty year-old peach trees 

(Prunus persica L. cv. Babygold 10, grafted on 

seedling) grown on a flood-irrigated calcareous 

soil, they stated that the best Fe compound used 

was Fe(II)-sulfate, with other compounds being 

less effective, led to improving fruit yield and 

quality. Zarraek et al. (2005) revealed that 

micronutrients foliar sprays enhanced nutritional 

status and improved the yield and quality of 

peach trees. Sprayed "Florida Prince and Desert 

Red" peach trees once, twice and thrice a year 

with combinations of chelate at the rate of 

0.7g/L Fe, 0.3 g/L Zn and 0.3 g/L Mn or 

combinations of Zn, Mn, Fe sulphate at 0.5 g/L. 

The results indicated that spraying the trees 

twice or thrice yearly was more effective than 

spraying once a year or control in improving and 

increasing yield, fruit weight, fruit size and fruit 

firmness of both peach fruits (El-Sheikh et al., 

2007). 

Since most of Iraqi soils (Duhok soils) are 

calcareous and their pH is high this tends to 

decrease nutrients availability in the soil (Al- 

Zubaidi, 1989). This study investigates foliar 

application of nutrients and the interactive effect 

of NAA, KNO3 and Fe on nutrient status, yield 

and yield components of peach tree. 


This study was conducted at Seiujh, 15km 

north of Duhok city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq in 

2008. Trees used for this investigation were four 

years old peach (Prunus persica L) cv. Early 

coronet, budded on seedling peach rootstocks, 

the trees were similar in size, bloom density. 

Full bloom occurred at 15 th march. On 23/ April 

/2008, when the mean fruit diameter was (9 ± 

1.5mm), 54 peach trees, cv. Early Coronet was 

grouped into three randomized complete blocks 

of 18 trees according to the tree size, crop 

density and location. 

Each tree was foliar sprayed to drip point 

(run off) with a solution containing ( 0 , 5 NAA 

, 0, 0.1, 0.2 % KNO3 and 0, 30, 60 Fe ) alone or 

in combination at two times on April 24-2008 

and May 25-2008, using 16 Liter sprayer. The 

surfactant agent Tween-80 was added to all 

solutions at rate 0.01% to reduce surface tension 

of solution. N P K. Fertilizer 27:27:0 were 

addressed to each tree at a rate of 780g/ tree. 

Regular agricultural practices were applied to all 

trees throughout this experiment. 

Naphthalene acetic acid NAA (Riedel- de 

Haen) purity 98% were used, potassium nitrate 

KNO3 (Merck) containing (13.8% N, 36.5% K) 

and NaFeEDDH (Technical Sodium Ferric 

ethylenediamine dio-hydroxyphenyle acetate (Fe 

approx. 6%)]. 

The experimental was laid out in 

Randomized Complete Blocks Design (R.C.B.D) 

with three replicates, one tree per replicate. 

Observation on different growth parameter was 

recorded at the end of the experiment. Duncan 

Multiple Range Test was used for the 

comparison of treatment means at 5% level (Al- 

Rawi and Khalafallah, 1980). All the data were 

tabulated and statistically analyzed with 

computer using SAS system 2000. 

Measurements 

At the final harvest (1 st June), the yield per 

tree was recorded in kilogram for determination 

of fruit characteristics. Twenty fruits were 

picked up randomly from each replicate as a 

63


composite sample (Wislmer and Proctor, 

1995). 

1-Tree Yield (kg): Fruits from individual tree 

were picked and then weighed. 

2- Fresh Fruit Weight (g): Fruits were 

randomly picked up, and weight was taken by 

electrical balance 0.00g. 

3- Fruit Pulp Weight (g): Fruits were randomly 

picked up, and weight was taken by electrical 

balance 0.00g. 

4- Fruit size (cm³): was determined by using 

graduated cylinder. 

5- Total carbohydrate of the fruit (%):By using 

a pipette 1ml of the sample in test tube; 1ml 

phenol (5%) is added, shaked them well and then 

5ml H2SO4 (97%conc.) is added. And 

determined as described in (Lane and Eynon 

method) (Joslyn, 1970). 

6- Fruit Juice: It was measured after washing 

the fruits, grounding them and juice extracting, 

with the use of lab-scale fruit juice extractor 

Juicer/ blender, Panasonic, Mj, Japan ((Branas, 

1974). 

63 

7- Total Acidity (%): It was determined by 

titration of sodium hydroxide solution 0.1N with 

10ml of fruit juice using phenol-phthalein as 

indicator (Sourour, 1992). 

8-Total Soluble Solids TSS%: They were 

estimated in the juice by a hand refractometer. 


1- Tree Yield (Kg): Table (1) showed that 

increasing levels of NAA, KNO3 and Fe 

significantly increased tree yield as compared 

with control. The highest yield was obtained 

from trees foliar sprayed with 5ppm NAA, 0.2% 

KNO3 and 60ppm Fe. A significant increased of 

tree yield was noted in interactions between 

5ppm NAA 0.2% KNO3, 5ppm NAA 

60ppm Fe and 0.2% KNO3 60ppm Fe. The 

highest significant tree yield (24.44 kg) was 

obtained when trees were treated with 5ppm 

NAA 0.2% KNO3 60ppm Fe, where the 

lowest tree yield (14.99 kg) was recorded in the 

untreated trees. 

Table (1): Tree yield (Kg) of peach cv. Early Coronet as influenced by foliar spray of NAA, KNO3 and Fe. 

NAA 

(ppm) 

KNO3 

(%) 

0 0 14.99 

i 

0.1 17.31 

gh 

0.2 18.18 

f-h 

5 0 18.79 

e-h 

NAA 

× 

Fe 

KNO3 

× 

Fe 

Fe 

Mean 

0.1 19.90 

c-e 

0.2 20.90 

cd 

0 16.83 

e 

5 19.86 

c 

0 16.89 

f 

0.1 18.60 

e 

0.2 19.54 

de 

Fe(ppm) 

0 30 60 

18.34 

c 

17.21 

h 

18.96 

e-g 

20.04 

c-e 

20.71 

cd 

21.60 

bc 

22.67 

b 

18.74 

d 

21.66 

b 

18.96 

e 

20.28 

cd 

21.35 

b 

20.20 

b 

19.74 

d-f 

20.35 

c-e 

21.08 

b-d 

21.58 

bc 

22.78 

b 

24.44 

a 

20.39 

c 

22.93 

a 

20.66 

b-d 

21.56 

bc 

NAA 

 

KNO3 

17.31 

e 

18.87 

d 

19.77 

c 

20.36 

c 

21.42 

b 

22.67 

a 

KNO3 

Mean 

18.84 

c 

20.15 

b 

NAA 

Mean 


from each other according to Duncan’s multiple range test at 5% level. 

22.76 

a 

21.66 

a 

21.22 

a 

18.65 

b 

21.48 

a


2- Fruit Fresh Weight (g): Table (2) shows That 

the largest increase in fruit fresh weight was 

induced by 5ppm NAA, 0.2% KNO3 and 60ppm 

Fe which was significantly higher than the 

untreated tree. The highest average of fruit fresh 

weight was obtained when trees were sprayed 

with 5ppm NAA0.2% KNO3, 5ppm 

NAA60ppm Fe and 0.2% KNO3 60ppm Fe 

which was significantly differ from control. 

Regarding the effect of interactions of 

NAA KNO3 Fe, shows that the maximum 

fresh weight of fruit (104.75g) was obtained 

when peach trees were foliar sprayed with 5ppm 

NAA 0.2% KNO3 60ppm Fe which was 

significantly higher as compared with the other 

interactions and control. Whereas the minimum 

fresh weight of fruit (85.96 g) was noticed in the 

untreated trees. 

Table (2): Fruit fresh weight (g) of peach cv. Early Coronet as influenced by foliar spray of NAA, KNO3 and Fe. 

NAA 

(ppm) 

KNO3 

(%) 

0 0 85.96 

j 

0.1 88.01 

ij 

0.2 90.89 

gh 

5 0 91.67 

fh 

NAA 

× 

Fe 

KNO3 

× 

Fe 

Fe 

Mean 

0.1 94.73 

de 

0.2 97.17 

cd 

0 88.29 

e 

5 94.52 

c 

0 88.82 

g 

0.1 91.37 

f 

0.2 94.03 

de 

Fe(ppm) NAA 

0 30 60 

91.41 

c 

90.58 

hi 

90.98 

gh 

93.23 

e-h 

94.00 

ef 

96.02 

de 

99.99 

b 

91.60 

d 

96.67 

b 

92.29 

ef 

93.50 

de 

96.61 

bc 

94.13 

b 

93.74 

e-g 

94.66 

de 

95.81 

de 

95.93 

de 

99.00 

bc 

104.75 

a 

94.74 

c 

99.89 

a 

94.84 

cd 

96.83 

b 

100.28 

a 

× 

KNO3 

91.22 

d 

93.31 

c 

93.87 

c 

96.58 

b 

100.63 

a 

KNO3 

Mean 



3 - Fruit Pulp Weight (g): Values in table (3) 

cleared that the highest concentration of 5ppm 

NAA or 0.2% KNO3 or 60ppm Fe increased fruit 

pulp weight significantly (91.63, 90.51 and 

91.54g) respectively. The interactions between 

NAAKNO3, NAAFe and KNO3 Fe resulted 

the highest fruit pulp weight was obtained when 

trees were foliar sprayed with 5ppm 

NAA0.2% KNO3 (93.48g), 

5ppmNAA60ppm Fe (95.14g) and 0.2% 

KNO360ppm Fe (93.44g). The highest 

significant of fruit pulp weight (96.49g) was 

97.32 

a 

91.98 

c 

93.90 

b 

96.97 

a 

NAA 

Mean 

91.54 

b 

97.03 

a 

obtained from trees received 5ppm NAA 0.2% 

KNO3 60ppm Fe. Whereas the lowest fruit pulp 

weight (81.70g) was recorded in the untreated 

trees. 

4- Fruit Size (cm³): The size of fruit increased 

significantly and gradually by increasing the 

levels of NAA to 5ppm, KNO3 to 0.2% and Fe to 

60ppm. The interactions of NAAKNO3, 

NAA Fe and KNO3 Fe resulted in a 

significant increase in fruit size. The maximum 

fruit size was attained to trees sprayed with 

5ppm NAA 0.2% KNO3 (98.11cm³), 5ppm 

63


NAA60ppm Fe (98.23cm³) and 0.2% KNO3 

60ppm Fe (98.38cm³). Concerning the 

interactions between NAA KNO3 Fe, shows 

that the interaction between 5ppm NAA0.2% 

KNO360ppm Fe gave the highest value 

(102.35cm³) of fruit size, whereas the lowest 

value of fruit size (85.37cm³) was observed from 

the untreated trees (table 4). 

5- Fruit Carbohydrate (%): Table (5) showed 

that the fruit Carbohydrate concentration was 

increased significantly by increasing the levels 

to5ppm NAA, 0.2% KNO3 and 60 ppm Fe. The 

04 

interactions of 5ppmNAA 0.2% KNO3, 5ppm 

NAA 60ppm Fe or 0.2% KNO3 60ppm Fe had 

a significant increase of fruit Carbohydrate 

concentration as compared to other interactions. 

The highest percentage of Carbohydrate 

concentration (18.25%) was attained when the 

trees received 5ppm NAA 0.2% KNO3 60ppm 

Fe, whereas the lowest percentages of 

Carbohydrate (11.13%) in fruits was obtained 

from trees receiving no NAA, KNO3 or Fe 

(control). 

Table (3): Fruit pulp weight (g) of peach cv. Early Coronet as influenced by foliar spray of NAA, KNO3 and Fe. 

NAA 

(ppm) 

KNO3 

(%) 

0 0 81.70 

0.1 83.88 

Fe(ppm) NAA 

 

0 30 60 

i 

g-i 

0.2 85.19 

5 0 87.00 

NAA 

× 

Fe 

KNO3 

× 

Fe 

Fe 

Mean 

f-i 

d-h 

0.1 88.49 

c-g 

0.2 90.61 

b-e 

0 83.59 

d 

5 88.70 

bc 

0 84.35 

0.1 86.18 

f 

d-f 

0.2 87.90 

c-e 

86.15 

c 

83.07 

hi 

85.36 

e-i 

87.01 

d-h 

88.00 

d-h 

91.78 

a-d 

93.34 

a-c 

85.15 

d 

91.04 

b 

85.54 

ef 

88.57 

b-e 

90.18 

a-c 

88.09 

85.40 

e-i 

88.00 

d-h 

90.39 

b-f 

93.84 

ab 

95.09 

ab 

96.49 

a 

87.93 

c 

95.14 

a 

89.62 

b-d 

91.55 

ab 

KNO3 

83.39 

e 

85.75 

de 

87.53 

cd 

89.62 

bc 

91.79 

ab 

93.48 

a 

KNO3 

Mean 



b 

93.44 

a 

91.54 

a 

86.50 

b 

88.77 

a 

90.51 

a 

NAA 

Mean 

85.56 

b 

91.63 

a


Table (4): Fruit size (cm³) of peach cv. Early Coronet as influenced by foliar spray of NAA, KNO3 and Fe. 

NAA 

(ppm) 

KNO3 

(%) 

0 0 85.37 

0.1 87.52 

Fe(ppm) NAA 

 

0 30 60 

f 

ef 

0.2 88.87 

5 0 89.14 

NAA 

× 

Fe 

KNO3 

× 

Fe 

Fe 

Mean 

ef 

d-f 

0.1 92.20 

b-e 

0.2 95.03 

bc 

0 87.25 

d 

5 92.12 

bc 

0 87.25 

d 

0.1 89.86 

cd 

0.2 91.95 

c 

89.69 

c 

87.98 

ef 

90.17 

d-f 

90.97 

c-e 

92.03 

b-e 

94.58 

b-d 

96.94 

b 

89.70 

cd 

94.52 

b 

90.00 

cd 

90.43 

c-f 

93.01 

b-e 

94.40 

b-d 

95.23 

bc 

97.11 

b 

102.35 

a 

92.61 

b 

98.23 

a 

92.83 

bc 

KNO3 

87.93 

d 

90.23 

cd 

91.41 

c 

92.14 

bc 

94.63 

b 

98.11 

a 

KNO3 

Mean 



92.38 

bc 

93.95 

b 

92.11 

b 

95.06 

ab 

98.38 

a 

95.42 

a 

90.03 

c 

92.43 

b 

94.76 

a 

NAA 

Mean 

89.86 

b 

94.96 

a 

04


04 

Table (5): Fruit carbohydrate concentration (%) of peach cv. Early Coronet as influenced by foliar spray of 

NAA, KNO3 and Fe. 

NAA 

(ppm) 

KNO3 (%) Fe(ppm) NAA 

 

0 0 11.13 

0 30 60 

g 

0.1 11.67 

fg 

0.2 13.31 

d-f 

5 0 12.15 

NAA 

× 

Fe 

KNO3 

× 

Fe 

Fe 

Mean 

d-g 

0.1 13.82 

cd 

0.2 15.95 

b 

0 12.04 

c 

5 13.97 

b 

0 11.64 

c 

0.1 12.74 

c 

0.2 14.63 

b 

13.01 

b 

11.92 

e-g 

13.03 

d-f 

13.17 

d-f 

12.94 

d-g 

15.19 

bc 

16.31 

b 

12.71 

c 

14.81 

ab 

12.43 

c 

14.11 

b 

14.74 

b 

13.76 

12.32 

d-g 

12.11 

d-g 

13.67 

c-e 

12.65 

d-g 

16.28 

b 

18.25 

a 

12.70 

c 

15.73 

a 

12.48 

c 

14.20 

b 

KNO3 

11.79 

d 

12.27 

d 

13.39 

c 

12.58 

cd 

15.10 

b 

16.84 

a 

KNO3 

Mean 



6- Fruit Juice (%): A significant increase was 

observed in fruit juice percentage by foliar 

application of 5ppm NAA, 0.2% KNO3 or 

60ppm as compared with control. Fruits from 

trees receiving 5ppm NAA0.2% KNO3, 5ppm 

NAA60ppm Fe and 0.2% KNO3 60ppm Fe 

a 

15.96 

a 

14.21 

a 

12.18 

c 

13.68 

b 

15.11 

a 

NAA 

Mean 

12.48 

b 

14.84 

showed significantly higher values for 

percentage of fruit juice. The fruit juice 

percentage in fruit, from trees receiving 5ppm 

NAA 0.2% KNO3 60ppm Fe was 40.06% 

which was significantly higher as compared to 

other interactions and the control (table 6). 

a


Table (6): Fruit juice (%) of peach cv. Early Coronet as influenced by foliar spray of NAA, KNO3 and Fe. 

NAA 

(ppm) 

KNO3 

(%) 

0 0 28.10 

0.1 29.19 

Fe (ppm) NAA 

 

0 30 60 

l 

kl 

0.2 30.26 

5 0 31.03 

NAA 

× 

Fe 

KNO3 

× 

Fe 

Fe 

Mean 

jk 

0.1 32.94 

ij 

f-h 

0.2 34.02 

ef 

0 29.18 

e 

5 32.66 

d 

0 29.56 

e 

0.1 31.07 

d 

0.2 32.14 

d 

30.92 

c 

30.05 

jk 

31.90 

h-i 

33.92 

e-g 

34.18 

ef 

35.02 

de 

37.00 

bc 

31.96 

d 

35.40 

b 

32.12 

d 

32.34 

g-i 

33.28 

f-h 

35.44 

de 

36.03 

cd 

38.35 

b 

40.06 

a 

33.69 

c 

38.15 

a 

34.18 

c 

KNO3 

30.16 

e 

31.46 

d 

33.20 

c 

33.75 

c 

35.44 

b 

37.03 

a 

KNO3 

Mean 



7- Fruit Acidity (%): Data in table (7) shows 

that fruit acidity was not affected by NAA 

application, whereas fruit acidity was reduced 

significantly by foliar application of 0.2% KNO3 

and 60ppm Fe as compared to the control. The 

control treatments showed a significant higher 

fruit acidity.The interactions of NAAKNO3, 

NAAFe and KNO3Fe pointed that the 

33.46 

c 

35.46 

b 

33.68 

b 

35.82 

b 

37.75 

a 

35.92 

a 

31.95 

c 

33.45 

b 

35.12 

a 

NAA 

Mean 

31.61 

b 

35.40 

application of three treatments caused a 

significant decrease in fruit acidity as compared 

to control. Concerning the interactions of 

NAA KNO3 Fe, shows that the lowest value 

for fruit acidity (0.29%) was recorded in fruits 

from the trees received 5ppm NAA 0.2% 

KNO3 60ppm Fe, whereas the acidity of fruit 

from the untreated trees was (0.40%). 

a 

06


00 

Table (7): Fruit acidity (%) of peach cv. Early Coronet as influenced by foliar spray of NAA, KNO3 and Fe. 

NAA 

(ppm) 

KNO3 

(%) 

0 0 0.40 

Fe(ppm) NAA 

 

0 30 60 

a 

0.1 0.39 

ab 

0.2 0.33 

5 0 0.35 

NAA 

× 

Fe 

KNO3 

× 

Fe 

Fe 

Mean 

b 

ab 

0.1 0.30 

b 

0.2 0.36 

ab 

0 0.37 

a 

5 0.34 

ab 

0 0.38 

a 

0.1 0.34 

ab 

0.2 0.34 

ab 

0.35 

a 

0.36 

ab 

0.35 

ab 

0.30 

b 

0.38 

ab 

0.32 

b 

0.32 

b 

0.33 

ab 

0.34 

a 

0.37 

a 

0.29 

b 

0.31 

b 

0.32 

b 

0.31 

b 

0.36 

ab 

0.29 

b 

0.31 

b 

0.32 

ab 

0.30 

b 

KNO3 

0.35 

a 

0.35 

a 

0.31 

b 

0.35 

a 

0.33 

ab 

0.32 

ab 

KNO3 

Mean 



8- Total Soluble Solid (%): Data in table (8) 

shows that total soluble solids (TSS) solids in 

fruits from the trees receiving 5ppm NAA, 0.2% 

KNO3 or 60ppm Fe was increased as compared 

with fruits from trees receiving no NAA, KNO3 

or Fe. That TSS in fruits from the trees foliar 

sprayed with 5ppm NAA0.2% KNO3, 5ppm 

0.33 

ab 

0.31 

b 

0.34 

ab 

0.33 

ab 

0.30 

b 

0.31 

b 

0.35 

a 

0.34 

ab 

0.32 

b 

NAA 

Mean 

0.34 

a 

0.33 

NAA 60ppm Fe and 0.2% KNO3 60ppm Fe 

were significantly higher than those resulted 

from the other interactions. The highest TSS in 

fruits was 16.05% resulting from fruits on the 

trees received 5ppm NAA 0.2% KNO3 60ppm 

Fe. Whereas, the lowest value was recorded in 

fruits from the untreated trees (12.00%). 

a


Table (8): Fruit total soluble solids (%) of peach cv. Early Coronet as influenced by foliar spray of NAA, KNO3 

and Fe. 

NAA 

(ppm) 

KNO3 

(%) 

0 0 12.00 

0.1 12.53 

0.2 13.76 

Fe(ppm) NAA 

 

0 30 60 

j 

i 

e-h 

5 0 12.08 

NAA 

× 

Fe 

KNO3 

× 

Fe 

Fe 

Mean 

0.1 13.79 

ij 

e-g 

0.2 14.27 

de 

0 12.77 

d 

5 13.38 

c 

0 12.04 

0.1 13.16 

f 

e 

0.2 14.01 

cd 

13.07 

c 

13.14 

h 

13.63 

f-h 

14.16 

d-f 

13.14 

h 

14.58 

cd 

15.38 

b 

13.64 

c 

14.37 

b 

13.14 

e 

13.38 

gh 

14.03 

d-f 

14.84 

bc 

13.97 

e-g 

14.93 

bc 

16.05 

a 

14.09 

b 

14.98 

a 

13.68 

e 

KNO3 

12.84 

d 

13.40 

c 

14.25 

b 

13.06 

d 

14.44 

b 

15.23 

a 

KNO3 

Mean 



Discussion: It is observed from the above 

mentioned results in tables (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 

and 8) that a significant increase occurred in tree 

yield, fruit fresh weight, pulp weight, fruit size, 

Fruit Carbohydrate, Fruit Juice and decreased 

fruit acidity by foliar sprays with NAA, KNO3 

and Fe. Increasing yield components by foliar 

application of NAA may be attributed to the role 

of NAA in increasing cell division and 

elongation and its role in enhancement of 

metabolite accumulation in fruit. Also it had a 

positive effect on the number of fruit per tree, 

14.10 

c 

14.77 

b 

14.00 

b 

14.48 

b 

15.45 

a 

14.53 

a 

12.95 

c 

13.92 

b 

14.74 

a 

NAA 

Mean 

13.50 

b 

14.24 

fruit weight, and fruit size which reflected 

eventually in increasing the total yield. Auxin is 

known by its ability to increase cell size which 

enhances fruit growth in some species and in all 

species synthetic auxins had the potential for 

increasing fruit size without thinning. Therefore, 

auxins such as NAA have been used since long 

time to improve fruit quantity and quality in 

many deciduous fruit trees. (Stern et al., 2003; 

Acquaah, 2005 and Edgerton and Willims 

2009) respectively. Gupta and Kaur (2007) 

displayed that foliar sprayed of plum trees with 

a 

04


(10-20ppm NAA) increased fruit yield due to the 

more fruit retention and increased the size of 

fruit, and also the increase in fruit weight which 

might be due to hormone mediation, direct 

transport and accumulation of photosynthesis in 

the fruit, which resulted in better development of 

the fruit. The results are in agreement with those 

of (Antonio and Bettio, 2003; Ruth et al., 2006 

and Stern et al., 2007). 

For the effect of potassium on yield 

properties, it was noticed from the obtained 

results that potassium level increased 

significantly tree yield, fruit fresh weight, pulp 

weight, fruit size. The reason of this might be 

interpreted that plants during flowering and fruit 

setting stages were in critical demand of their 

physiological activation which required a high 

amount of potassium to perform the biological 

processes, which helps increasing fruit weight, 

size, flesh weight, pulps weight, number of fruits 

per tree and total yield. (Awsthi et al., 1998) 

showed that fruit yield and fruit weight of peach 

fruits increased with increasing rate of 

application up to 700 g K/tree, due to the role of 

potassium influencing meristematic growth, 

photosynthesis and activates a number of 

enzymes, including those involved in the 

synthesis of carbohydrates, and is also involved 

in the neutralization of organic acids and the 

promotion of normal cell division and growth. 

These results are in parallel with 

(Chatzitheodorou et al., 2004; Taylor, 

2005; Ruiz, 2006 and Mimoun et al., 

2008). Also, Khan et al., (2000) concluded 

that the highest fruit set was recorded in 

Red haven peach trees fertilized with 1 kg 

N and 1.2 kg each of P and K. as a result of 

increasing chlorophyll content in leaf as 

increasing potassium level in leaf which 

leads to increase carbohydrate synthesis in 

the leaf. Therefore potassium enhances fruit 

quantity and quality and increases yields. 

Also the table clearly shows that potassium 

significantly increased fruit carbohydrate, juice, 

TSS and carbohydrate content, the explanation 

of this might be due to the role of potassium in 

stimulation of enzyme responsible for 

carbohydrate synthesis and energy production. 

The reason behind high juice percentage in fruit 

might be due to the role of potassium in 

increasing total sugar and TSS in fruit juice and 

activation of cell division, growth and its 

expansion also help mobilization of 

carbohydrate between parts of the plant 

(Tucker, 1999). Whereas the total acidity was at 

03 

higher ratio in the control treatment which might 

be due to the role of potassium in increasing 

carbohydrate concentration which leads to 

decrease acidity percentage (table 6). They are 

also in confirm with the results of (Tagliavini 

and Marangoni , 2002 and Mimoun et al., 

2008). 

The obtained results revealed that iron 

application also significantly improved yield 

component. (Gobara, 1998) Demonstrated 

that the beneficial effect of iron on 

improving the nutritional status of the 

trees in synthesis of various organic 

compounds and activating both cell 

division and enlargement which surly 

reflected in improving the yield. Iron 

performs a number of important functions in the 

overall plant metabolism like other elements, it 

functions both as a structural component and as a 

cofactor for enzymatic reactions. Iron is a 

transition metal, as it exists in more than one 

oxidation state. Large portion of iron is found 

to be associated with porphyries in the form of 

cytochromes, which are necessary for the electron 

transport system in mitochondria as well as 

chloroplasts. Iron is the main component of 

ferredoxin which is indispensable for the light 

reaction of photosynthesis and nitrogen 

fixation (Awad and Atawia, 1995A and Awad 

et al., 2000B). Iron is involved as an active 

factor in the structure of catalase, peroxidase, 

oxidase and cytochrome enzymes which 

facilitate the activation performance of many 

physiological processes in plant cell. Similar 

results were recorded in improved yield 

component by ( Mukherji and Ghosh, 2005). 

Also similar results are found in spraying 

trees with Fe gave significantly increase 

carbohydrate concentration, TSS, fruit 

sugar, juice (Álvarez-Fernández et al.,2003 

and Al-Aareji,2004). 

REFERENCES 

- Abadía, J. A.; Álvarez-Fernández ; F. Morales ; M. Sanz 

and A. Abadía (2002). Correction of iron chlorosis 

by foliar sprays. Acta Hortic. 594, 115- 

121. 

- Acquaah. G. (2005). Horticulture Principles and Practices. 

3 rd edition. Prentice Hall Inc. New Jercy. 

- AI-Aareji, J. M. A. (2004). Effect of foliar spray with 

iron and manganese on quality and quantity of 

pear fruit cvs. Le-Conte. Iraqi. J. Agric. 

Sci.5(2):14-20. 

- Al-Rawi, K. M. and A. Khalafalla. (1980). Analysis of 

Experimental Agriculture Disgen. Dar Al-Kutub for 

Printing and Publishing. Mosul Univ. (In Arabic)


- Álvarez-Fernández, A.; P. Paniagua; J. Abadía and A. 

Abadía. (2003 ). Effects of Fe deficiency chlorosis 

on yield and fruit quality in peach (Prunus persica 

L. Batsch). J. Agric. Food Chem. 51: 5738-5744. 

- Al-Zubaidi, A. H. (1989). Soil salinity, thetirocal and 

practical principles. Beat Al-Hekma. Baghdad 

Univ. (In Arabic) 

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Millo and M. Talon. (2002).The synthetic auxin 

3,5,6-TPA stimulates carbohydrate accumulation 

and growth in citrus fruit. Plant Growth Regul. 36: 

141–147. 

- Annual Abstract of Statistics. (2007). Central Statistical 

organization. Ministry of Planning . Republic of 

Iraq. 

- Anonymous, (1985). TNA principles of foliar feeding. 

Trans National Agronomy, Grand Rapids. MI. 2p. 

- Antonio, S. I andM. G. A.Bettio. (2003). Application of 

auxins and ringing branches on peachs cv. 

Diamante. Rev. Bras. Frutic. 25(1): 1-4. 

- Ashley M. K.; M. Grant and A. Grabov. (2006). Plant 

response to potassium deficiencies: areole for 

potassium transport proteins. J. Exp. Botany, 57, 

(12) : 425-436. 

- Awad, S. M. and A. R. Atawia. (1995). Effect of foliar 

sprays with some micronutrients on "LeConte" pear 

trees. 1- Tree growth, flowering and leaf mineral 

contents. Annals Agric. Sci. AinShams Univ. Cairo, 

40: 359-367. 

- Awad, S. M.; A. A. El-Gazzan and H. F. El-Wakeel. 

(2000). Effect of Foliar application with some 

micronutrients on Anna apple trees. Arab Univ. J. 

Agric. Sci. Ain Shoims Univ., Cairo, 8: 270-303. 

- Awasthi, R. P.; V. P. Bhutani; M. S. Mankotia; N. S. Kith 

and G. Dev. (1998). Potash improves the yield and 

quality of June Elberta peach. Better Crops Intern., 

12: 30–33. 

- Bal, J. S. (2005). Fruit Growing. Kalyani Publishers. Lu 

Dhiana-New Delhi-Noida(up).Hayderabad-Chennai- 

Cacutta Cuttack. 

- Bhandari, A. R. and N. S. Randhawa. (1985). Distribution 

of available micronulrients in soil of apple 

orchards in Mimachal Paradesh. J. Indian Soc. Soil 

Sci.33:171-174. 

- Branas, J. (1974). Viticulture, Imprimerie Dehan, 

Montpellier, France. 

- Chatzitheodorou, I. T.; T. E. Sortiropoulosi; G. I. 

Mouhtaridou1 and D. A. Greece (2004). Effects of 

nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on fruit drop, 

fruit size and total yield of peach. 1N.A.G.R.E.F., 

Pomology Institute, Naoussa, Greece 

2N.A.G.R.E.F., Soil Science Institute, Thermi- 

Thessaloniki. 

- Flaishman, M. (2006). Development of stone fruit for 

export. Annual Report for the Chief Scientist. Acta 

Hort. 671: 151-157. 

- Gobara, A. A. (1998). Response of Le-Cont Pear trees of 

foliar application of some nutrients, Egypt. J. Hort. 

25: 55-70. 

- Grisez, T. g.; R. B. Jill and P. K. Robert. (2000). 

Rosaceae, Rose family, Prunus L. cherry, Peach,and 

plum. (http://www.nsl.Fs.Fed.us/wpsm/prunus.pdf). 

- Gupta, M. and H. Kaur (2007). Effect of synthetic auxins on 

plum cv. (Saltuj purple) Indian J. hort. 64 (3): 378-281. 

- Hammerschlag, F. A. (1986). Peach growing and 

germplasm in china. Acta Hort. 173:5155. 

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Acad. Press, N. Y. London. 

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nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on fruit drop, 

fruit size and total yield of peach. Sarhad J. Agric. 

16: 25–32. 

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(2008). Effects of Potassium Foliar Spray on Olive, 

Peach and Plum. Part 2: Peach and Plum. 

Experiments p. 14-17. 

- Mukherji, S. and A. K. Ghosh(2005). Plant Physiology. 

New Central Book Agency (P) Ltd.8/1 Chintamoni 

Das land, Kolkata/India. 

- Ruiz, R. (2006). Effects of different potassium fertilizers 

on yield, fruit quality and nutritional status of 

“Fairlane” nectarine trees and on soil fertility. Acta 

Hort. 721:185-190. 

- Ruth B. A.; R. A. Stern; M. Flaishman; M. Galilee. 

(2006). Synthetic auxin promotes fruit development 

and climacteric in Prunus salicina Technology 

Center, P.O. Box 831, Kiryat-Shmona 11016, 

Institute of Horticulture, ARO, The Volcani Center, 

P.O. Box 6, Bet-Dagan 50250. 

- SAS Institute, Inc (2000). Statistical analysis system. SAS 

institute Inc., Cary, NC. USA. 

- Sourour, M. M. (1992). Response of 'Anna' apple trees to 

different methods and forms of iron applications. 

Alex. J. Agric .Res. 37 (2): 191-204. 

- Stern, K. R; S. Jansky and E. J. Bidlack. (2003). 

Introductory Plant Biology, 9 th edition. McGrowhill 

Company. New York. 

- Stern, R. A.; M. Flaishman; S. Applebaum and B. A. 

Ruth. (2007). Synthetic auxin promotes fruit 

development and climacteric in (Prunus salicina) 

HortSci. 114(4): 275-280. 

- Taylor, K. C. (2005). Cultural Management of the Bearing 

Peach Orchard. Stone Fruit Horticulturist, 21 

Dunbar Road, Byron, Georgia, The University of 

Georgia and Ft. Valley State University, the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture and counties of the state 

cooperating. 

- Tucker, A. R. (1999). Essential plant nutrients: Their 

presence in North Carolina soils and role in plant 

nutrition. N.C.D.A. and C.S. Agronomic division. 

P: 1-10. 

- Wislmer P. T. and proctor J. T. A. (1995). Benzyl adenine 

Affects cell division and cell size during apple fruit 

thinning. J.Amer . Soc. Hort. Sci. 120(5). 802-807. 

- Zarraek, O.; Y-Gogorcena; J. A. Gomez; J. A. Betran and 

M. A. Moreno. (2005). Influence of almond X 

peach hybrids rootstocks on flower and leaf mineral 

concentration, yield and vigour of two peach 

cultivars. HortSci. 106: 502-514. 

03


ندناض ةنيتاه نَيوةئ 

ةتاه زاد 

03 

. ادَى 

8002 

Early Cororet 

َىزوجذ اد لىاض زاوض َىيذد اخَوخ نَيزاد زةض ل نانيئوبج ةتاه ةنيلوكةظ ظةئ 

َىشزةو د َىقايرع اناتضدزوك انَيزةه 

00 و 00 و سفص ايتايرتب ىنضائ و % 0,8 و % 0,0 

َى 

5 

8002 

( 

NAA 

ضىزايةئ ى 

85 

ل َىوود ايو َى 

8002 

- 

و سفص ينَيتايرتب 

اناطين ى 

82 

َىكوهد اهةطصَيزاث 

KNO3 

و 

ppm 5 

- 

ةتخوث 

َىجَيض ازةظةد ل َىكةناتطيبد 

و سفص ينَيتايرتب 

NAA 

ل َىندناسبةج ذ َىكةظيةه ىتشث َىكَيئ اي نازاجوود 

ـب ندناشةز 

ppm 

ذ دنلب ينَيتايرتب ازاد 

اندناشةز . ىقَيف َىمةهزةب اي ىدنةضو ىزَوج زةض ل ايزةدةزةض انسكَيتزاك انسكيقات وبذ 

زةه َوب اد ىمةهزةب د ظاضزةب انوبةدَيش َىزةطةئ ةنيووب 

ppm 00 

ايتايرتب ىنضائ و 

% 0,8 

ايتايرتب 

KNO3 

نَيتضةزةك ايةرَيزد و ىقَيف اكفان ايةشَيك و ىقَيف ازابةق و زةت ايةشَيك و َىكةزاد زةه َوب ىقَيف ازامذد و َىكةزاد 

KNO3 و NAA ذ دنلب ينَيتايرت ازةبظان د نادكَيل ناطيد . ىقَيف اظائ ايةرَيز و 

TSS 

و 

) 

ppm 

نَيتضةزةك ايةرَيز و ىتازديهوبزاك 

. نسكزايد ةنيتاه ةظزةض ل نَيوةئ َىي ىقَيف ينَي ىدنةض و ىزَوج نَيتةلخاضد سكزايد ظاضزةب اكةنوبةدَيش ىنضائ و 

– ةجيس ةقطنم يف ناتسب يف ةعورزم لا Early Coronet فنص تاونس 2 رمعب خوخلا راجشا 

و ) نويلملاب ءزج 5 و رفص( 

زيكرتب 

ىلولاا نيترمل 

NAA 

ـب راجشلاا تشر . 

) نويلملاب ءزج 00و 

00 ،رفص( 

زيكرتب ديدحلاو 

ةيعونو ةيمك يف تلاماعملا ريثات ةساردل 

8002 

رايا 

25 

8002 


ىلع ةبرجتلا تذفن 

ماع للاخ قارعلا – ناتسدرك ميلقا – كوهد ةظفاحم 

)% 0.8 و % 0.0 ،رفص( 

زيكرتب 

يف ةيناثلا و 

8002 

ناسين 

24 

KNO3 

مويساتوبلا تارتن 

يف دقعلا نم دحاو رهش دعب 

زيكرتب مويساتوبلا تارتنو نويلملاب ءزج 5 ( NAA) كيلخلا ضماح نيلاثفن نم ةيلاعلا زيكارتلاب راجشلاا شر ىدا . رامثلا 

نزولا و ةرجش / رامثلا ددع و ةرجش / لصاحلا ةيمك يف ةيونعم ةدايز ىلا 

ريصعلا ةبسنو ) TSS( 

) نويلملاب 

ءزج 

00 

زيكرتب ديدحلا و 

% 0.8 

ةبئاذلا ةبلصلا داوملا ةبسنو ةيتارديهوبراكلا داوملا ةبسنو ةرمثلا محل نزو و ةرمثلا مجح و يرطلا 

عيمج يف ةيونعم ةدايز ىلا ديدحلا و مويساتوبلا 

تارتنو 

NAA 

نم ةيلاعلا زيكارتلا نيب لخادتلا ىدا امك 

. 

هلاعا ةروكذملا 

. رامثلا يف 

رامثلل ةيعونلا و ةيمكلا تافصلا


EFFECT OF DIET SUPPLEMENTED WITH ASCORBIC ACID ON: 

1.GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS 

TRAITS OF MERIZ GOAT * 

JALAL ELIYA ALKASS, MWAFQ SULIAMAN BARWARY and ARAZ OMER BAMERNY 

Dept. of Animal Production, College of Agriculture, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region-Iraq 

(Received: April 1, 2010; Accepted for publication: August 29, 2010) 

ABSTRACT 

The study was conducted at the Animal Farm, Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture, 

University of Duhok during the period from 14 th June to 14 th September 2009, where a total of twenty weaned (3-4 

month old) male Meriz kids with an average live body weight of 13.48 ± 0.62 kg were divided randomly into 4 equal 

treatment groups and received 0,750, 1000 and 1250 mg/kg diet of vitamin C for duration of 90 days. 

Results revealed that the overall mean of daily weight gain was 0.071 ± 0.007 kg. Meriz kids received 750 mg/kg of 

vitamin C in diet had numerically higher daily gain and feed efficiency and lower water consumption compared to 

other groups. Although results indicated that all carcass characteristics were not affected significantly by treatment, 

however a slight improvement was observed in final weight, hot carcass weight and fat thickness for kids fed 750 

mg/kg diet vitamin C. 

KEY WORDS: Ascorbic acid, Growth, Carcass, Meriz. 

I 

INTRODUCTION 

n tropical and sub-tropical countries, 

climatic heat is the major constraint affect 

animal productivity. It was indicated that heat 

stress causes a decrease in live body weight and 

gain (Kamal et al., 1989; Maria et al., 2006), a 

decrease in food intake, an increase in water 

consumption (Walker and Dziemian 1950). 

Vitamin C supplementation is not commonly 

practiced in adult livestock nutrition (McDowell, 

2000). Nevertheless, it has been reported that the 

concentration of ascorbic acid in plasma is 

decreased by heat stress in calves (Cummins and 

Brunner, 1991). Also, a study on Merino sheep, 

Haliloğlu and Serpek (2000) found that ascorbic 

acid affects positively the fertility and body 

weight of pregnant sheep and new – born lambs. 

More recently, working with weaned male lambs 

Abd El-Monem et al (2008) found that final live 

body weight, daily body gain, feed intake and 

feed conversion were significantly (p


head, feet and the viscera. Kidney and pelvic fat, 

testes and scrotal fat were also removed 

(Colomer-Rocher et al., 1987). Hot carcass 

weight was recorded. The digestive tract was 

removed and weighed, then empted of its 

content and washed, drained and weighed. 

Empty body weight was computed as the 

difference between slaughter weight and the 

weight of digestive content. 

After chilling the carcasses at 4°C for 24 hrs, 

cold carcasses were weighed. The carcass was 

spilt along the vertebral column into left and 

right halves using an electrical saw. The area of 

longissimus dorsi muscle at the 12th rib was 

determined by tracing the muscle on semitransparent 

waxed, and the area was measured 

by a compensating polar planimeter. Fat 

thickness over the L, dorsi muscle was recorded 

by averaging three separate measurement using 

Vernia. 

The data obtained was analyzed using the GLM 

(General Linear Model) within SAS (2005) 

program as in the following models: 

Yij = μ + Ti + eij 

Where: 

Yij = Observational value of the j th animal. 

μ = Overall mean. 

Ti = Effect of i th treatment (T = 1, 2, 3, 4). 

eij = experimental error assumed to be NID with 

(O, σ 2 ). 

05 


Growth and feed efficiency: 

The findings related to fattening performance 

(initial and final body weight, average daily 

weight gain, daily feed intake and feed 

efficiency) are presented in Table (1). The 

statistical analyses indicated a non significant 

difference in the initial live body weight among 

experimental groups. The overall mean of daily 

gain in weight was 0.071 ± 0.007 kg (Table 1). 

This value is within the range of 0.060 to 0.11 

kg reported by Dosky (2010) and Mayi (2009), 

respectively for the same studied breed. 

Table (1):- Daily feed intake, feed efficiency and water consumption for different treatment 

groups of Meriz kids (Mean ± s.e). 

Traits Overall mean Treatments 

Control 750 mg 1000 mg 1250 mg 

No. animals 5 5 5 5 

Initial wt (kg) 13.48 ± 0.62 13.34 ± 1.11a 13.40 ± 0.66 a 13.88 ± 1.54 a 13.32 ± 1.49 a 

Final wt (kg) 19.92 ± 1.10 19.48 ± 2.04 a 20.54 ± 1.39 a 19.88 ± 2.46 a 19.78 ± 2.67 a 

Daily gain in weight (kg) 

1 st month 0.034 0.045 0.033 0.034 

2 nd month 0.134 0.100 0.085 0.086 

3 rd month 0.054 0.096 0.110 0.124 

Average 0.071 ± 0.007 0.068 ± 0.017 0.082 ± 0.012 0.066 ± 0.014 0.070 ± 0.017 a 

a 

a 

a 

Daily feed intake (kg) 0.555 0.538 0.545 0.566 

Feed/gain (kg/kg) 8.16 6.81 8.13 7.86 

Daily water consumed 

(L) 

2.118 1.889 2.344 2.017 

Means with different letters within each row differ significantly; otherwise they do not differ significantly.

J. Duhok Univ. Vol.13, No.1, (Agri. And Vet. Sciences) Pp 49-, 2010 

Although Meriz kids received 750mg/kg diet 

vitamin C had higher daily weight gain 

(0.082kg) compared to other treatment groups 

(Table 1), yet the differences between them were 

not significant. Moreover, it seems form Figure 

(1) that average daily gain was lowest at the first 

month of the experiment, appreciable increase 

was found in the second month particularly for 

the control group. By the third month of the 

experiment, daily gain in weight increased by 

increasing of vitamin C doses from 750 to 1000 

to 1250mg/kg diet. Thus, if the experiment was 

extended for another period one could expect 

that the response of kids to supplementation of 

vitamin C will increase and consequently the 

differences among treatment groups will be 

more detectable or may be the absence of 

variation in growth parameters among treatment 

groups in the weaned and growing Meriz kids 

reinforces the basic axis that this domestic breed 

has acquired long term adaptation to harsh 

environmental conditions in predominantly 

semi-arid location within the region. 

However, Abd El-Monem et al., (2008) 

indicated that daily body gain of lambs was 

significantly (P


05 

CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS 

Carcass characteristic of different treatment 

groups of Meriz are presented in Table (2). Hot 

and chilled carcass weights averaged 8.50 ± 0.55 

and 8.19 ± 0.54 kg, respectively. Yet, the 

difference among treatment groups was not 

significant. However Abd El-Monem et al 

(2008) observed an improvement of hot carcass 

weight when growing lambs treated with the 

ascorbic acid at all rates of 500,750 and 1000 mg 

per kg diet. 

The average dressing percentage based on 

full and empty body weight was 42.26 ± 0.63 

and 48.75 ± 0.76 %, respectively. Also, 

statistical analyses revealed that supplementation 

of vitamin C had no significant effect on this 

trait. The dressing percentages obtained in this 

study were lower than those reported by Mayi 

(2009) for Meriz goat slaughtered at a heavier 

weight (25.8 kg), but it is higher than those 

observed by Dosky (2010) for the same breed 

raised either intensively or semi intensively or in 

pasture. 

Percent shrinkage averaged 3.71 ± 0.30 % 

(Table 2). However, the differences among 

treatment groups were not significant. Similarly, 

Mayi (2009) and Dosky (2010) indicated that 

shrinkage percentage averaged 3.47 and 4.05 % 

for Meriz carcasses. The greater loss in weight 

due to chilling of Meriz can be possibly 

attributed to their thinner subcutaneous fat cover 

( Table 2). 

THE RIB EYE AREA AND THE FAT 

THICKNESS 

In the present work, result showed that rib 

eye area averaged 6.60 ± 0.46cm 2 (Table 2). No 

significant differences were observed between 

control and other treatments in this trait. While, 

Abd El-Monem et al (2008) indicated that eye 

muscle weight was improved when growing 

lambs treated with ascorbic acid at all the rates 

of 500, 750, and 1000 mg per kg diets. Also, 

goat carcasses had a very thin layer of 

subcutaneous fat (0.78 ± 0.05 mm) (Table 2). A 

typical feature of goat carcasses in their thin fat 

cover (Colomer-Rocher et al. 1992; Dhanda et 

al. 2003), Control treatment had thinner fat over 

eye muscle numerically (0.68 ± 0.079mm) 

compared to other treatments (0.90 ± 0.11, 0.70 

± 0.05 and 0.84 ± 0.14mm), respectively (Table 

2), yet, the differences were not significant. 

Similarly, working with pigs, it was reported that 

dietary vitamin E and C supplementation to pigs 

resulted in a non-significant effect on carcass 

characteristics (% Lean cut, % fat tissue and fat 

thickness) (Eichenberger et al., 2004). In 

general, the value of both fat thickness and rib 

eye area obtained in the current investigation is 

lower than those reported by Mayi(2009) for 

Meriz goat slaughtered at a heaver weight but it 

is higher than those noted by Dosky (2010) for 

the same breed. 

Table (2):- Effect of supplementation of vitamin C on fattening performance and carcass traits (Mean ± s.e). 

Trait Overall mean Treatment 

Control 750 mg 1000 mg 1250 mg 

No. animals 5 5 5 5 

Final wt (kg) 19.92 ± 1.10 19.48 ± 2.04 a 20.54 ± 1.39 a 19.88 ± 2.46 a 19.78 ± 2.67 a 

Empty body wt. 

(kg) 

17.30 ± 0.98 16.98± 1.87 a 17.70± 1.35 a 17.38± 2.08 a 17.16± 2.39 a 

Hot carcass wt. 

(kg) 

8.50 ± 0.55 8.32± 1.14 a 8.62± 0.56 a 8.50± 1.20 a 8.58± 1.35 a 

Chilled carcass 

wt(kg) 

Dressing % 

8.19 ± 0.54 8.02± 1.10 a 8.32± 0.60 a 8.20± 1.15 a 8.24± 1.32 a 

1 42.26 ± 0.63 41.94± 1.89 a 41.98± 0.39 a 42.34± 1.16 a 42.78± 1.20 a 

2 48.75 ± 0.76 48.30± 2.03 a 48.86± 0.91 a 48.35± 1.18 a 49.49± 1.71 a 

Shrinkage % 3.71 ± 0.30 3.63± 0.71 a 3.59± 0.72 a 3.52± 0.31 a 4.10± 0.56 a 

Fat thickness 

(mm) 

Rib-eye area 

(cm 2 ) 

0.78 ± 0.05 0.68± 0.079 a 0.90± 0.11 a 0.70± 0.05 a 0.84± 0.14 a 

6.60 ± 0.46 6.40± 0.92 a 6.60± 0.40 a 7.20± 1.39 a 6.20± 0.66 a 

Means with different letters within each row differ significantly. 

(1): Based on slaughter weight. 

(2): Based on empty body weight.


REFERENCES 

*Arab Veterinary Industrial Co. (Avico) P.O.Box:150906 

Amman (11115) Jordan 

-Abd EL –Monem, U. M., Abel-Ghany, B. and abd El- 

Hamid, A. A. 2008. Effect of ascorbic acid 

supplementation on growth performance, carcass 

traits, some physiological parameter and some 

blood constitute of growing lambs under the 

summer Egyptian condition. Egyptian J. sheep and 

goat Sci. 3:41-52. 

-Alkass, J. E. and Juma, K. H. 2005. Small Ruminant Breed 

of Iraq. In: Characterization of Small Ruminant 

Breed in West Asia and North Africa. (ed. Iniguez 

L.) Vol. 1. West Asia. International Center for 

Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)., 

Aleppo, Syria, pp.63-101. 

-Colomer-Rocher, F., Morand-Fehr, P. and Kirton, A. H. 

1987. Standard methods and procedures for goat 

carcass evaluation, jointing and tissue separation. 

Livestock Production Science, 17:149–159. 

-Colomer-Rocher, R., Kirton, A. H., Mercer, G. J. K. and 

Duganzich, D. M. 1992. Carcass composition of 

New Zealand Saanen goats slaughtered at different 

weights. Small Rumin. Res. 7: 161-173. 

-Cummins, K. A. and Brunner, C. J. 1991. Effect of calf 

housing on plasma ascorbate and endocrine and 

immune function. J. Dairy. Sci. 74:1582- 1588. 

-De Rodas, B. Z., Maxwell, C. V., Davis, M. E., Mandali, 

S., Broekman, E. and Stoecker, B. J. 1998. Lascorbyl-2- 

polyphosphate as a vitamin C source for 

segregated and conventionally weaned pigs. J. 

Anim. Sci., 76:1636- 1643. 

-Dhanda, J. S., Taylor, D. G. and Murray, P. J. 2003. 

Growth, carcass and meat quality parameters of 

male goats: effects of genotype on live weight at 

slaughter. Small Rumin. Res. 50: 57-66. 

-Dosky, K. N. S. (2010). Fattening and some carcass 

characterirics of Meriz and native goat male kids 

raised in either concentrate or pasture conditions. 

Mesopotamia J. of Agric.38 (2). (In press). 

-Eichenberger Barbara, H. P., Wenk, P. C. and Gebert. S. 

2004. Influence of dietary vitamin E and C 

supplementation on vitamin E and C content and 

thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) IN 

different tissues of growing pigs. Arch. Anim. Nutr. 

58:195-208. 

-FAO(Food and Agriculture organization). 2000. Quarterly: 

Bulletin of Statistics. Vol. 1. - FAO, Rome, Italy. 

-Haliloğlu, S. and Serpek, B. 2000. The effects of plasma 

vitamin C and Ceruloplasmin levels and exogen 

vitamin C supplementation on reproduction in 

sheep. Turkish J. Vet. Anim. Sci. 24:403-412. 

(Cited by Ghanem et al., 2008). 

-Kamal, T. H., Habeeb, A. A., Abdel-Samee, A. M. and 

Abdel-Razik, M. A. 1989. Supplementation of heatstress 

Friesian cows with urea and mineral mixture 

and its effect on the milk production in subtropics. 

Proceeding of International Symposium on the 

Constraints and Possibilities on Ruminant 

Production in the Dry Subtropics. Cairo, Egypt, 

1:183. 

-Maria I. F. M., Askar, A. A. and Bahgat, L. B. 2006. 

Tolerance of New Zealand and Californian doe 

rabbits at first parity to the sub-tropical 

environment of Egypt. Livestock Prod. Sci. 104: 

165. 

-Mayi, V. J. T. 2009. Effect of fattening period on growth 

rate and carcass characteristics of Meriz and native 

black goats. MSc. Thesis. College of Agriculture. 

University of Duhok. 

-McDowell, L. R., 2000. Vitamins in Animal and Human 

Nutrition, second ed. State University, Ames IA, 

Iowa, pp. 597–634. 

-SAS. 2005. SAS/STAT User's Guide for personal 

Computers, Release 8.00. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, 

NC, USA. 

-Selim, N. A., Abdel-Khalek, A. M., Nada, S. A. and El- 

Medany, Sh. A. 2008. Response of growing rabbits 

to dietary antioxidant vitamins E and C. 1. Effect on 

performance. 9th World Rabbit Congress– Verona 

– Italy 

-Walker, J. and Dziemian, A. J. 1950. Biochemical and 

Physiological Data on the Normal Goat. Medical 

Divis. Res. Rep.No. 31, Chemical Corps Medical 

Directorate. Army Chemical Center, Md. 

05


09 

: زةطل ادَيكيلائد ديضةئ كيبزوكضةئ َىيشست انسكةدَيش انسكَيتزاك 

. ىشةزةو َىشةث وَيخةلةك وَيتةخولاض اطنةض انوبةدَيش -1 

َىندناض اريلوك ه ىزةوةنايط َىوةيزةب اكشب ه ازةوةنايط انسكنادوخ ىذوسث ه ىاد مانجةئ ةييتاي ةهيلوكةظ 

ىاو اطنةض اريسب و) 

ىايةو 4-3( 

ىسكةظيرش ينَي ايرض تيكطيط 20 وك 2009 َىنوميئ 

وب ىسكلةكَيت َىي ىاو َىفةلائ وك ىاثوسط زاض زةض ه ىسكشةباد ةهتاي و ىوب ماسطوميك 

. اذوز 90 َىواو وبو فلائ ماسط وميك/ 

ذ مغك/ 

مكمو 750 وَييو . ىوب مغك 

0.007 ± 0.071 

ماسط نو 

1250 

و 

14 

1000 ، 750 ، 0 

ات َىناسيصخ 

14 

0.62 ± 13.48 

ىارَيز ىاظ ـب 

ﭫةئ 

ةتخوث 

ذ كويد ايوكناش 

C 

ىكَيثتضةداي 

ينواتيف هةطد 

اكطيط اي ةناذوز اطنةض ارَيز وك ىسكزايد َىهيلوكةظ وَيوانجةئ 

زايد اوانجةئ ىازةزةض ىد وَيثوسط هةطد دزوازةب ب َىيطنةض ارَيز ويترهمب ةتشيةط ادَينزاوخد وتسطزةو 

اكةيترَيـض َلىةب ،ىخةلةك وَيتةخولاض زةض ةهيسكةن فاجزةب ةَينسكيتزاك ض 

750 

14 

C 

ينواتيظ 

C ينواتيظو ىفلائ ايزاكتضةد وك ةهيسك 

وـك وَيكـطيط ىاو ه ىشةـب ايتاسيوتـضو مزةط َىخةلةك ايطنةضو اكطيط ايطنةض ايياوود زةض ةيسك ىيةزاوش 

: يف ةقيلعلل 

c نيماتيف ةفاضا ريثات 

زعرملا زعامل ةحيبذلا 

تافصو ومنلا ءادا -1 

. C ينواتيظ ارَيز ذ مغك/ 

مغكمو 

ةتتملا لاتت وتتهد ةتتعماج ةتتعا زلا ةتتيله يياوتتيحلا زاتتتيلا يتتوي ااوتتيحلا ةتتيبرت حورتتيم يتتف ةتتيا ةلا دذتته هتتيرجأ 

± 13.48 ي اةتتبا اعو ةتعمبو ) ررتشأ 4-3 

و تلع يتغه يتغلم 1250 و 1000 , 750 , رفتص 

( 

ةتموةفملا زتعرملا ءاةتج نتم 

د ةتي 

750 هتلوانت يتتلا ءاةتيلا هتققح اتمه . يتغله 0.007 

, 

C 

نيماتتيف 

± 0.071 

20 

تيعوت يتت تيح 

2009 

وتليا 

14 


ةياغل ااريزح 

نتم ةفاتضا أتلع ذتغتتل يماتيم ةتعب أ أتلا يتغه 0.62 

. آموي اوعوت ةمل 

تلب ةتي ةتيمويلا ةتييعولا داتيزلا ةتعم ااتب ا اتتنلا ريتيت 

رت لا تلاماتعملاب 

ةتي اقم ءاتملا نتم ةتيمه ليا هلوانتو 

ي اذغ ليوحت ءافهو ةييعو دايع ألعأ C نيماتيف يغله ∕ يغلم 

لا ةتفلتخملا تلاماتعملا نيتب ةتيونعملا قورتفلا اةتعيا نتم يغرتلا أتلع ااتب ا اتتنلا ريتيت اتمه . ةيونعم امرنيب 

. 

ةينهةلا ةقبةلا كميو ةحيبذلا اعوو ي ارنلا اعولا يف انوحت هققح ةي لع يغه/ 

يغلم 

750 

قورفلا نكت يلو 

هلوانت يتلا ءاةيلا اا


SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH 

BROILER PRODUCTION IN DUHOK GOVERNORATE 

REZGAR M.MOHAMMED and JOHNNY S. YOKHANA 

Dept. of Animal Production, College of Agriculture, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region-Iraq. 

(Received: April 8, 2010; Accepted for publication: July 20, 2010) 

ABSTRACT 

The study investigated factors associated with the production efficiency in a sample of (20) broiler farms 

distributed between five productive zones in Duhok governorate. Structured questionnaire were prepared to collect 

data on social qualifications of labour force concerning their level of education and the status of farm ownership and 

rent, quality of day old chicks, mortality, feed conversion and age of broiler marketing were also studied. The 

technical specifications of broiler houses were also monitored. Feeders, waterers, light source and availability of 

feedmills were also studied. Frequency distribution, Pearson correlation and regression technique were used to 

analyse the data. The results revealed many deviations from the technical specifications in the sample that was 

studied, which led to the detoriation of the most productive qualities. 

KEYWORDS: Broiler, Socio-economic, Technical factors. 

T 

INTRODUCTION 

he poultry industry has developed 

rapidly in Duhok governorate since the 

beginning of the seventies, when the private 

sector appeared to invest in this activity, taking 

advantage of government support of loans, 

technical and veterinary services, and the 

development of regulations and directives 

governing the sector. Broiler production has 

been developed, as the number of fields 

increased to about (67) fields with the capacity 

of about (800) thousand birds in 2008 1 . 

Poultry production has an important role in 

supporting a white meat for human consumption 

which peculiar high nutrition value whereas it 

contains (23.5%) protein, (8.5%) fat, (0.3%) 

organic salts, (67.2%) water and its calorie 

numbers per each kilogram reaches (1783) 

calories 2 . 

In spite of the development in the amount of 

broiler production sector, it suffers from many 

problems; the most notable problems were 

decreasing productive efficiency in most 

fields which leads to high production costs to 

them. As a result of the failure to regulate this 

industry and the lack of massacres model that 

can accommodate all the quantity of production, 

there were periods which supplied more than 

what is demanded; this led to lowering the prices 

and it often leads to big losses in the owners 

part. 

A number of economic studies have been 

taken in this field, either in the analysis of 

production costs by the various items and to 

derive the marginal and average cost functions 

of broiler farms to identify the optimal size of 

the field, or in the economic efficiency in order 

to identify the reasons behind the high 

production costs of broiler fields by using a 

number of economic criteria and economic 

feasibility criteria of projects and economic 

return to the scale of broiler fields. 

Although the broiler farms are economic 

activities, there are many technical factors and 

specifications that should be provided to reach 

the economic efficiency and hence profitability. 

We have noticed that there have not been any 

scientific studies on the availability of these 

technical factors in broiler fields. The aim of this 

study is to identify the availability of various 

technical factors that affect the productive 

efficiency of a sample of broiler fields in Duhok 

governorate, and then submit some 

recommendations to improve the production 

efficiency, and therefore economic efficiency of 

these fields. 


Structured questionnaire has been designed 

for data collection; it includes several questions, 

some of which relate to the social characteristics 

of broiler breeders, efficiency of food conversion 

ratio, mortality percentage, marketing age, 

various technical specifications of the houses, 

and equipment for the study sample. Random 

sampling technique was followed to arrive at a 

55


total of (20) broiler farmer, which makes about 

(30%) of the total fields in Duhok governorate; 

they are distributed into five areas in the 

governorate (Duhok, Amedy, Shekhan, Aqra and 

Sumail) (table 1). Interview schedule was used 

to gather information from respondents. 

Frequency distribution, Pearson correlation and 

regression technique were used to analyse the 

data using WINKS SDA-Statistical Data 

Analysis program. 

55 

Results & Discussion 

1. Social characteristics of farmers 

It is clear from the study that the number of 

farms owned and leased is (15) and (5) farms 

respectively, which represents (75%) and (25%) 

of the total, the highest percentage of the owned 

farms is in Sumail, which is about (46%). 

Approximately (60%) of respondents had no 

formal education, (15%) intermediate, (15%) 

agriculture institute, (5%) non-agriculture 

institute and only (5%) of them have been 

graduated from the college of agriculture. As for 

the staff expertise, nearly (5%) between one to 

three years, (65%) were between four to seven 

years, (20%) between eight to ten years, and 

about (10%) more than ten years. 

2. The quality of chicks 

The quality of one day-chick is one of the 

factors affecting production efficiency in broiler 

fields. It is known that all broiler chicks are 

produced locally from layers raised locally 

where their sources are international companies. 

The survey shows that the percentage of fields, 

which considers that the quality of chicks is 

good, is around (65%) and the medium quality is 

about (35%). 

3. Mortality percentage 

Mortality percentage is considered as one of 

the most important factors affecting the cost of 

production. Although the accepted ratio in 

commercial broiler production is about (3-5%) 

(Naji, Kaissy, Hjo and Khalidi, 2007) and the 

majority of the respondents had access to 

veterinary services, the average mortality rate in 

the sample is about (8%), with a range of (5- 

30%). The reason for this high mortality 

percentage might be the mismanagement of the 

flock, nutritional deficiency, metabolic and other 

diseases. The mortality factor is one of the most 

important factors that lead to the high cost of 

production, which in turn could lead to the 

disability of many farm owners to endure in the 

production process. An analysis using Pearson's 

correlation coefficient indicates no statistically 

significant linear relationship between mortality 

rate and average total production (table 2). 

4. The average of feed conversion efficiency 

It is known that the cost of nutrition 

constitutes about (60 - 70%) of the total costs of 

production (Naji, Kaissy, Hjo and Khalidi, 

2007). So, the feed conversion efficiency is one 

of the most important measurements that give an 

idea of the cost of production. As a result to the 

continued improvement in respect to the 

genetics, in addition to the improvement in the 

management and nutrition, this rate has become 

about (1.67 - 1.75) in most countries of the 

world 3 . The study has shown that about (70%) of 

farms are within the accepted rate concerning 

feed conversion efficiency, while (30%) exceed 

the mentioned rate. Feed conversion efficiency 

had a positive and significant correlation with 

average total production (table 2). 

5. Marketing age 

It is agreed that the economic age of 

marketing starts from (42) days up to (52) days, 

and in some cases marketing is done before or 

after that rate. This depends on the weight of the 

birds and the size preferred by the consumer. It 

is noted that the percentage of farms that have 

been marketing at the age of (42) days is (30%), 

the farms that have been marketing at the age 

(45) days is (20%), at (49) days was (30%), 

while at (52) days was (20%). As far as, the live 

body weight at (49) days could be reached, 

(2.250) kg is considered as an acceptable weight 

by the local consumer. However (20%) of the 

total sample fields marketed at (52) days of age 

and this is because of low body gain, decrease of 

feed conversion efficiency and mismanagement.


Table (1): Distribution of broiler farms in Duhok governorate. 

Area No. of broiler 

farms* 

% of the total No. of farms 

studied 

% of the total 

Amedy 2 3 1 1.5 

Sumail 18 27 9 13.5 

Duhok 9 13 2 3 

Shekhan 5 7.5 3 4.5 

Aqra 28 42 5 7.5 

Zakho 4 6 - - 

Mangesh 1 1.5 - - 

Total 67 100 20 30 

* Data from the general directorate of agriculture in Duhok governorate. 

Table (2) : Matrix of correlation coefficients. 

Traits Mortality rate Feed conversion 

efficiency 

Average total production 

Mortality rate 0.082 - 0.266 

Feed conversion efficiency 0.456 * 


* Significant at 5% level of probability. 

Table (3): Regression coefficients between dependent and independent variables. 

Regression on: Mortality rate Feed conversion 

efficiency 


Certificate - 1.135 0.017 1759.502* 

Staff expertise - 1.258 0.054 2711.322* 

Chicks quality - 0.590 - 0.042 - 366.697 

* Significant at 5% level of probability. 

Mortality rate was found to have a negative 

non-significant regression on educational level 

of farmers, staff expertise and chicks quality. 

Feed conversion efficiency had a positive and 

non-significant regression with education level 

of farmers and staff expertise but it was negative 

and non-significant with chicks quality. Average 

total production was found to have a positive 

significant regression on educational level of 

farmers and staff expertise but it was negative 

and non-significant with chicks quality (table 3). 

6. Technical specifications of broiler houses 

One of the objectives of this study is 

searching for the ideal specifications for the 

houses according to North & Bell 4 , to provide 

warmth for broilers during cold weather and to 

provide proper cooling in hot weather. It has 

been observed that most of fields were similar to 

the closed type, whose ventilation depends on 

the movement of the free open air only. 

The most important specifications for broiler 

houses have been researched in the studied 

sample like house orientation, width & height of 

the house and thermal insulation in the field. 

It is always advised that the house orientation 

should be east-west 5 , which reduces the effect of 

high summer temperature 6 . The results showed 

that (60 %) of the total number of the houses has 

been brought to the longitudinal axis east-west. 

It is known that the temperature may rise during 

the summer in some areas of study, thus it could 

be higher than (40ºc) during the day time, which 

is higher than the temperature required for 

optimal production in poultry, which is ranged 

between (18-22ºc), (Austic & Nesheim, 2005). 

The width of the house in semi-closed system 

should not be more than (12 m) (Ernst, 1995), 

and it is preferred that the width would be 

between (10-11 m). The study has shown that 

(70 %) of the total houses are built with the 

width of (10-12 m). 

55


The height of the house is recommended to 

be between (2.1-2.4 m) (North & Bell, 1990). 

The study has shown that (70 %) of the total 

houses are built with the height of (2-2.4 m). 

It would be better to isolate the poultry 

houses with one of the available thermal 

insulation materials, where it saves the cost of 

heating in cold weather and prevents humidity 

condensation on the ceiling, as it reduces the 

effectiveness of the heat of the sun in summer 

(North & Bell, 1990). The study shows that 

about (40%) of the houses are thermally 

insulated and (55%) of house ceilings are from 

steel plates and (45%) are from cement. Perhaps 

the main reason which makes the producers not 

embark upon providing their houses with 

thermal insulation is the high cost. 

7. Technical specifications of broiler house 

equipments 

It is necessary to provide the appropriate 

equipments and tools to ensure the good 

performance of the birds. It is necessary to keep 

pace with modern developments and techniques 

in these equipments, which would facilitate the 

work and maximize the productive efficiency of 

the breeding birds, which lead to the reduction of 

cost. Some equipment are studied in the fields 

like feeders, waterers, lights and feed mills. 

The study shows that about (90%) of the 

fields used automatic feeders and waterers. All 

the houses were supplied with electricity and 

light bulbs are distributed on three lines which is 

the accepted distribution. About (80%) of the 

total fields own feed mills to grind and mix the 

ration themselves, which will lead to lowering 

the cost of food. 

Recommendations: 

Based on the findings of this study the following 

recommendations were advanced towards 

55 

alleviating the problems being encountered by 

poultry farmers and increasing their 

productivity. 

1- Implementation of the recommendations on 

good technical specifications and requirements 

for housing poultry in general and broiler in 

particular. 

2- Tighten control over the quality of chicks at 

the age of one day and at the level of the fields 

of maternal and the hatching chicks and make 

sure that there were no diseases when they are 

distributed to the breeders. 

3- Extension activities should focus on training 

the farmers on the improved production 

management to enable them to use the available 

resources efficiency and increase productivity. 

REFERENCES 

- General Directorate of Agriculture - Duhok (2009), 

personal communication. 

- Naji,S.A.H, G.A.Al-Kaissy, N.N.A.Al-Hjo and 

R.A.Al-Khalidi (2007) Poultry Meat Production 

and Technology. Ministry of Higher Education and 

Scientific Research. University of Baghdad 

(Arabic). 

- Austic R.E., and M.C., Nesheim (0991), Poultry 

Production, Thirteenth Edition, Williams & 

Wilkens, Baltimore, Maryland. 

- North M.O., and D.D. Bell (1990), Commercial 

Chicken Production Manual, Van Nostrand, New 

York, 154-161. 

- Ernst, R.A. (1995), Housing for Improved Performance 

in Hot Climates. In: Daghir, N.J. (ed.) Poultry 

Production in Hot Climates. CAB International, 

Wallingford, 81-82. 

- Parkhurst, C.R., and G.J.Mountney (1988), Poultry 

Meat and Egg Production, 1 st ed., AVI, New York, 

100.


اناهيئ مةيزةب لةطد ىادَيسط وَيي ىزةنويو ىزووبائ – ىكاظج وَيزةتكاف 

َىكويد ايةطصَيزاث ل ىتشوط وَيكشيسم 

وَيكشيسم وَييةطمَيك اكةنونم اي َىناهيئ مةيزةب ايتاًَيذ لةطد ىازةتكاف انادَيسط اهيناش وب ىادمانجةئ ةيتاي ةهيلوكةظ ظةئ 

ل َىناهيئ 

مةيزةب وَييةضوان جهَيث زةطل ىسك شةباد ةهيتاي ىايةطمَيك ) 02( 

ةتييةطد ىاو ازامري وك وَيي ىتشوط 

ىاظ ل ىازةكزاك وَيي ىكاظج وَيتةمخاض ب تةبيات وَيمزوف اكَيز ب وتسطزةو ةهيتاي اتاد . َىكويد ايةطصَيزاث 

اسكَيت , َىنسم اي ىدةض ارَيز , ىاكولةضيض َىزوج , ازةكزاك َىي َىندناوخ َىتضائ , َىيةطمَيك اينةواخ ذ ةسطب , ىايةطمَيك 

وَيتةمخاض اضةوزةي . ىتشوط وَيكشيسم وَييةطزاو وَيي ىزةنوي وَيتةمخاض 

اضةوزةي و َىهتوسف َىيذ , ىداش اهيزوًط 

. ىايةطمَيك ل ىشائ انووبةي و ىيانوز , َىنزاخةظ و َىنزاوخ وب تةبيات وَييرمائ ذ ةسطب ينلوكةظ ةيتاي ىايرمائ كةدهي 

َىزةطةئ ةهبد وك وَيي ىزةنوي وَيجزةم ذ ويةي وَيي ىووب َىزلا كةلةط وك تيهييةطداز ىتفةكتضةد وَيمانجةئ 

. ادَيناهيئ مةيزةب وَيتةمخاض ايترث د َىنووضكَيت 

كوىد ةظفاحم يف محللا جورف جاتنا عم اهتقلاع و ةينفلا و ةيداصتقلاا – ةيعامتجلاا لماوعلا 

را لم زلم ةلنيعل ةليجاتنلاا 

ةالفكلا 

ةتخوث 


علم الهتقلاع و ةلفلتخملا للماوعلا رفوت ىدم ىلع فرعتلا فدهب ةساردلا هذى تيرجا 

علم ل ةلصاخ وناهتلسا ميملصت ملت . كولىد ةلظفاحم يف ةيجاتنا قطانم ةسمخ ىلع زوم لقح ) 02( 

اىددع غلب ،محللا جاجد 

يلللميلعتلا ىوتللسملاو لللقحلا ةلليكلم لليح زللم ،توللقحلا هذلللى يللف زيلماللعلل ةلليعامتجلاا ل اللصخلاب قلللعتي اللميف ياللنايهلا 

يافللصاوملا لذللتو قيوللستلا رللمعو ي اذلل لا للليوحتلا ةاللفت تدللعمو ياللتلاهلل ةلليوئملا ةهللسنلاو 

سارللفلاا ةلليعونو زيلماللعلل 

يلف ةالةلااو ةمدختلسملا للىانملاو للعملا اونا لثم هجلاا ضعب يافصاوم ةسارد مت امت . محللا جورف زتاسمل ةينفلا 

اللهترا 

و رادلحنلاا للماعم , يرارلكتلا عليزوتلا 

ةلقيرط يالنايهلا لليلحت يللف فدختلست . ةلعر ملا يلف زيراول لا رفولت مل للقحلا 

مللظعم يللف روىدللتلا ىلللا يدا يللتلا ةللسوردملا ةللينفلا ورللولا زللع ياللفارحنلاا زللم رلليثكلا ر اللتنلا يرللهةا دللقو . 

وللسريب 

. 

ةيجاتنلاا يافصلا 

59


06 

EFFECT OF SOME TREATMENTS ON VAS LIFE 

OF Rosa cv. Queen elizabeth FLOWERS 

HADAR SAEED FAIZY AL-MIZORY 

Dept. of Hortiscinse, College of Agricultural, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region-Iraq 

(Received: April 8, 2010; Accepted for publication: October 11, 2010) 

ABSTRACT 

Five years old Rosa cv. Queen Elizabeth flowers were taken from shrubs grown in Agricultural College gardens at 

the University of Dohuk. The length of cut flowers petule was estimated at 50-70 cm. The effect of flowers cutting 

stage was studied on vase flowers age stage of non opening sepals, stage of semi opened sepals, stage of non opening 

petals, stage of semi opened petals and the stage of full petals opening interacted with three different methods of cut 

flowers, cutting the flowers and putting them in water after 10 minutes, cutting the flowers and putting them directly 

in water and cutting the flowers under water directly. 

The experiment was arranged according to factorial randomized complete design in four replicates and 15 flowers 

for each replicate. The highest percentages mean of petals falling down at petals full opening and at semi opened 

petals were recorded (97.35%). Flowers’ cutting at the stage of non opening petals was better and the mean 

percentage of petals fulling down was 55.55%. Whereas, the flowers were declined and the mean of petals falling 

down percentage was 90.83%, when they were cut and put in water after 10 minutes. While the percentage of petals 

falling down was better when the flowers were cut under water directly (72.57%). Cutting flowers at full opening 

stage for cutting the flowers and putting them in water after 10 minutes and cutting the flowers and putting them 

directly in water gave 100.00% petals falling down as compared with those cut under water (92.06%) for the same 

treatment. The lowest petals falling down percent was 43.74% which was recorded while cutting flowers at the stage 

of non opening sepals and those cut under water directly . 

A 

INTRODUCTION 

rose is a perennial flower shrub or vine 

of the genus Rosa, within the family 

Rosaceae, which contains over 100 species and 

comes in a variety of colors. The species form a 

group of erect shrubs, and climbing or trailing 

plants, with stems that are often armed with 

sharp prickles. Most are native to Asia, with 

smaller numbers of species native to Europe, 

North America, and northwest Africa. Natives, 

cultivars and hybrids are all widely grown for 

their beauty and fragrance (Britannica Online 

Encyclopedia, 2007). 

Roses are one of the oldest known flowers 

and are grown in many countries of the world, 

and are one of the most favorite ornamental 

plants because of the beauty of its flowers, 

aromatic with different colors and shapes that 

live long after the cutting in addition to the 

volatile oils. The production and trade of cut 

flowers from the important issues of our time, 

and it is no doubt that it occupies a prominent 

place in the economies of many countries of the 

world, especially the developed countries 

concerned with the education and the production 

of cut flowers. 

Flowers are extremely perishable maintaining 

their physiological functions vary actively even 

after harvest, and the beginning of their 

senescence very often depends on ethylene. A 

rise in ethylene production that accelerates 

senescence has been found in cut carnations and 

roses (Quesada and Valpuesta, 2000). 

Ichimura et al,. (2005) found that saponin(s) 

was extracted from tea seeds, and its effect on 

the vase life, transpiration from leaves and 

hydraulic conductance of stem segments in cut 

roses (Rosa hybrida L. cv. Sonia) were 

investigated. The continuous treatment with teaseed 

saponins (TSS) at 20 mg/ L significantly 

extended the vase 

life of cut rose flowers, flowers at normal 

harvest maturity (sepals starting to reflex) 

Moreover (Liao et al., 2000) also reported 

that the postharvest quality of cut flowers Rosa 

hybrida L. cv. Diana was affected by a treatment 

of sucrose when Flower longevity was 7.4 ± 0.8 

(days) at 120 (g/L) concentration , While 

Flower diameter was 4.5 ± 0.3 (cm) at STS (0.2 

mM) + sucrose (120 g/ L) +HQS( 200 mg/L) 

concentrations when the flowers taken at Halfopen 

stage 

The aim of this study is to know the best age and 

way to harvest, thereby prolonging the vaslife of 

flowers after post harvesting. 


This experiment carried out in the ornamental 

plants laboratory of Department of Horticulture/ 

College of Agriculture/ University of Dohuk,


Sumeil in the period from May 8 th , 2007 to May 

22 th , 2007. The Rosa cv. Queen Elizabeth 

flowers of the Queen Elizabeth were taken from 

shrubs of five years old plants in the gardens of 

the College in the early morning using a sharp 

and sterilized blade the length of cut flower was 

ranged from 50 to 55 cm, and leaving two leaves 

on the cut flower and other leaves removed, 

taking account that the lower parts of the stem of 

flowers. 

Flowers were cut and placed in vas was 

washed well with hot water and soap using a 

brush to get rid of the remaining sediment at the 

bottom contained sterile water and clean and 

cool somewhat by sucrose (5 g L-1), 

(Treetaruyanondha and Ketsa, 1988) for a depth 

of 5 cm, taking into account changing it every 

two days and cut 1 cm of the lower flower stem. 

A factorial experiment was carried out of two 

factors using a Factorial Experiment within 

Randomized Complete Design. The first factor 

was five stages of harvest: stage of non opening 

sepals, stage of semi opened sepals, stage of non 

opening petals, stage of semi opened petal, the 

stage of full petals opening. The second factor 

included three different methods of flowers 

cutting, cutting the flowers and putting them in 

water after 10 minutes, cutting the flowers and 

putting them directly in water and Re-cutting the 

flowers under water directly. By 15 treatments 

replicated 4 times, and every experimental unit 

included 3 flowers. Data were taken after 14 

days from experiment beginning and the 

following characteristics were examined. 

1. Average percentage of flowers in the 

emergence of Anther. 

2. The average percentage of opening sepals. 

3. Average percentage of petals opening. 

4. Average percentage of petals falling 

down Petals. 

5. The average percentage of wilting flowers: the 

duration of survival of the flowers valid 

point Vaslife (days) number of days until flower 

wilting was calculated (Abdel-Rahman, 2006). 

6. Average percentage of dry material: fresh 

weight was recorded for the flower after picked, 

and then by dry weight after drying flowers in an 

electric oven at the temperature of 70 C ْ for a 

period of 24 hours (Al-Sahaf, 1989). 

Then the percentage of dry matter of the 

flowers was calculated through the following 

mathematical relationship: 

% of dry matter = Dry weight × 100 

Fresh weight 

(Abdel-Rahman ,2006). 

7. Average loss percentage in dry weight: The 

calculation of the percentage of lost weight in 

accordance with the following relationship: 

The percentage of lost weight = 

Fresh weight in the beginning of vas life - 

fresh weight of the end of the vas life 

Fresh weight in the beginning of vas life 

DATA STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: 

After the conversion of the angular values of 

percentages, analysis of variance was conducted 

using the SAS(2001) system, Duncan test was 

conducted to compare the means of the various 

transactions at the level of 5%, 

RESULTS 

Table (1) declares the effect of cutting stage 

on the average percentage of flower opening 

access to the lowest rate for the emergence of 

Anther when the flowers were picked in the non- 

non opening sepal (63.21%), while this value 

reached a maximum at the stage of full petals 

opening (79.19%). As for the effect of how to 

pick the flowers on the emergence of anther, the 

highest average percentage of the emergence of 

anther was recorded when the flowers were 

picked and then placed in water after 10 minutes 

(68.31%) as compared with the lowest average 

percentage of the emergence of anther when the 

flowers were picked under water directly 

(27.49%). 

While there was a considerable variation in 

the effect of the overlap interaction appearance 

Anther per cent was the lowest average 

percentage of the emergence of anther when the 

flowers were picked and then placed in water 

after 10 minutes, followed by harvest treatment 

of flowers under water when taken in the 

opening of sepals stage these values were 0.00% 

and 6.25%, respectively. Treatments were 

significantly best on the both stages of picking 

the flowers stage of in non opening petals and 

stage of full petals opening. When picking 

flowers and then placing them in water after 10 

minutes, where the ratio was 100.00%. 

06


Table (1):- The effect of the stage of harvesting flowers and method of harvest and their interaction effect on the 

average percentage of the emergence of Anther of Rosa cv. Queen Elizabeth after 14 days pots harvesting. 

03 

Stage of flowers 

harvesting 

cutting the flowers and 

putting them in water 

after 10 minutes 

The method of flowers harvesting 

cutting the flowers 

and putting them 

directly in water 

cutting the 

flowers under 

water directly 

Effect of flowers 

harvesting stage 

Non opening petals 8.34 f 9.57 ef 0.00 f 12.35 c 

Semi opened sepals 6.25 f 24.90 d-f 29.15 d-f 20.10 b 

Non opening petals 33.33 c-f 70.80 a-b 100.00 a 70.80 a 

Semi opened petals 52.08 c-e 62.18 b-d 95.83 a b 70.00 a 

Full petals opening 37.49 c-f 91.68 a b 100.00 a 79.19 a 

Effect of method of 

flowers harvesting 

27.49 b 52.82 a 68.31 a 

Means followed by the same letters within each factor orinteraction don't differ significantly (p≥ 0.05) 

according to Duncan's multiple . 

Table (2) shows that the effect of the picking 

flowers stage on the average percentage of 

opening sepals. This percentage arrived 

maximum (42.00%) when the flowers picked at 

full opening petals stage, whereas the lowest 

percentage was recorded for flowers picked in 

the non opening sepals stage (14.20%). 

The effect of how to pick the flowers was 

significantly affective by giving the least 

percentage of the of sepals opening when the 

flowers picked under the water (17.55%), on the 

other hand, the highest percentage of opening 

sepals was obtain (38.15%), when flowers 

picked and placed in water after 10 minutes. 

While the overlap of the interaction also had an 

effect in the average percentage of opening 

sepals with access to lower value when flowers 

picking under the water directly in the opening 

sepals stage (8.00%), followed by harvest 

treatment of flowers under the water when taken 

in non opening sepals stage (10.40%). The 

highest proportion of opening sepals was 

recorded when flowers picked and placed in 

water after 10 minutes in the full opening petals 

(56.15%). 

Table (2):- The effect of the stage of harvesting flowers and method of harvest and their interaction affect on the 

average percentage of opening sepals Rosa cv. Queen Elizabeth after 14 days pos harvesting. 


harvesting 

cutting the 

flowers and 

putting them 

in water after 

10 minutes 






under water directly 



Non opening sepals 16.50 fg 16.50 fg 10.40 g 14.46 d 

Semi opened sepals 27.00 e f 27.00 e f 8.00 g 20.66 c 

Non opening petals 34.50 bc 34.50 bc 16.25 gf 30.90 b 

Semi opened petals 47.75 ab 47.75 ab 24.75 ef 37.20 a 

Full petals opening 56.00 a 56.00 a 28.70 de 42.00 a 

Effect of method of flowers 

harvesting 

38.15 a 38.15 a 17.55 c 



Table (3) shows that the average proportion 

of opening petals was highly affected as far as 

petals opened when flowers picking in the non 

opening sepals stage, opening sepals stage and 

the stage of non opening petals these values 

amounted to 95.83%, 93.00%, 0.43 %, 

respectively. On the other hand, the treatments 

of how to pick the flowers affect the average of 

the percentage of opening petals, where the 

lowest value was obtained when the flowers


were picked under water directly (33.30%), and 

this value was better to the other two cuttings 

which amounted to a maximum when flowers 

were picked in the water directly (46.21%). In 

the impact of the interaction effect of overlap in 

the average percentage of opening petals, the 

highest value was recorded when the flowers 

were taken at non opening sepals stage and 

opening sepals stage when flowers were picked 

and placed in the water after 10 minutes and 

when flowers picked and placed in water directly 

(100.00%), in return for taking the flowers in the 

last three stages when the flowers picked in the 

three methods, and the lowest percentage was 

0.00% . 

Table (3):- The effect of the stage of harvesting flowers and method of harvest and their interaction affect on the 

average percentage of opening petals Rosa cv. Queen Elizabeth after 14 days pos harvesting. 


harvesting 


and putting them in 

water after 10 

minutes 





cutting the 

flowers under 


Effect of 

flowers 

harvesting 

stage 

Non opening sepals 100.00 a 100.00 a 87.50 bc 95.83 a 

Semi opened sepals 100.00 a 100.00 a 79.00 c 93.00 a 

Non opening petals 0.00 d 0.00 d 0.00 d 0.43 b 

Semi opened petals 0.00 d 0.00 d 0.00 d 0.00 c 

Full petals opening 0.00 d 0.00 d 0.00 d 0.00 c 


harvesting 

40.00 a 46.21 a 33.30 b 



Table (4) shows that the age of direct cutting 

affected the fall of petals were obtained at the 

highest average of petals per cent when the 

flowers are taken at the stage of full opening 

petals reached 97.35%, followed by a semi 

opened petals, with an average ratio of the 

percentage fall petals (94,495%) and surpassed 

the stage of the other cut methods, reaching a 

minimum per cent at picking the flowers in the 

non opening sepals stage 55.55%. The highest 

average percentage of fall petals was recorded 

(90.83%) when the flowers were taken then 

placed in water after 10 minutes, on the other 

hand, the lowest average percentage fall petals 

(72.57%) was recorded when the flowers were 

picked under water directly. The lowest average 

percentage fall petals was obtained when the 

flowers picked under water directly in non 

opening stage (43.74) as compared with the 

highest average percentage of fall petals (100%) 

when the flowers picked and then placed in the 

water after 10 minutes and when the flowers 

taken and then placed in the water in the last 

three stages. 

Table (4):- The effect of harvesting stage flowers and method of harvest and their interaction affect on the 

average percentage of falling dawn petals Rosa cv. Queen Elizabeth after 14 days pos harvesting. 


harvesting 


putting them in water 

after 10 minutes 





cutting the 

flowers under 


Effect of 

flowers 

harvesting 

stage 

Non opening sepals 56.25 e 66.68 de 43.74 e 55.55 c 

Semi opened sepals 97.90 bc 85.40 cd 81.23 cd 88.17 b 

Non opening petals 100.00 a 100.00 a 62.53 de 87.51 b 

Semi opened petals 100.00 a 100.00 a 83.32 cd 94.44 a 

Full petals opening 100.00 a 100.00 a 72.06 c 97.35 a 


harvesting 

90.83 a 90.41 a 72.57 b 

Means followed by the same letters within each factor or interaction don't differ significantly 

(p≥ 0.05) according to Duncan's multiple . 

02


Table(5) shows significant effects of cutting 

stage on the percentage of wilting flowers as the 

highest value of the wilting flowers (76.63%) 

was obtained when the flowers were taken at the 

non opening sepals stage, followed by treatment 

of picking flowers at the stage of full opening 

petals (71.53 %), and then gradually decreased 

to reach the lowest per cent (33.33%) when the 

flowers picked in the semi opening sepals stage. 

No significant differences were recorded for 

the effect of how to pick the flowers. The 

highest average percentage of wilting flowers 

was recorded when flowers picked and then 

06 

placed in water after 10 minutes (51.66%), on 

the other hand, the lowest average percentage of 

wilting flowers was recorded when the flowers 

picked under water directly (39.16%). The 

results of interaction affect showed that the 

highest average percentage of wilting flowers 

(100%) was obtained when the flowers picked 

and then placed in water after 10 minutes in full 

opening petals stage, whereas the lowest average 

percentage of wilting flowers was obtained when 

the flowers picked and then placed in water 

directly (6.25%) in non opening sepals stage. 

Table (5):- The effect of flowers harvesting stage and method of harvesting and their interaction on the average 

percentage of wilting flowers Rosa cv. Queen Elizabeth after 14 days pos harvesting. 


harvesting 



water 

minutes 

after 10 





cutting the 

flowers under 




Non opening sepals 8.33 cd 6.25 d 8.33 cd 76.30 a 

Semi opened sepals 33.33 b-d 29.15 b-d 37.50 b-d 33.33b 

Non opening petals 62.50 b 47.90 bc 47.90 bc 52.77 ab 

Semi opened petals 54.15 b 60.43 b 45.85 b-d 53.48 ab 

Full petals opening 100.00 a 58.35 b 56.25 b 71.53 a 



51.66 a 40.41 a 39.16 a 



Table (6) shows no significant differences in 

the average percentage of dry material. The 

highest percentage of dry material was recorded 

when flowers were picked at the stage of full 

opening petals, as compared with picking semi 

opening petals stage (21.91%). The largest 

percentage of dry material (31.25%) was 

recorded when the flowers were picked under 

water directly then decreased to reach the lowest 

values (21.87%, 22.07%) when the flowers 

picked and then placed in water directly and in 

water after 10 minutes respectively. 

Flowers picking under water led to increase 

the proportion of dry material in flowers, which 

reached the highest percentages (35.40%, 

31.57%) when they were picked under water 

directly at the stages of full opening petals and 

semi opening. This value was decreased to reach 

the lowest (16.64%) when flowers were picked 

and then placed in water after 10 minutes in semi 

opening petals stage.


Table (6):- The effect of the flowers harvesting stage and method of harvesting and their interaction on the 

average percentage of dry matter of Rosa cv. Queen Elizabeth after 14 days pos harvesting. 


harvesting 




minutes 



putting them directly 

in water 



Effect of 

flowers 

harvesting 

stage 

Non opening sepals 21.16 ab 23.75 ab 29.61 ab 24.84 a 

Semi opened sepals 21.33 ab 22.44 ab 29.84 ab 24.53 a 

Non opening petals 22.04 ab 21.82 ab 29.86 ab 24.57 a 

Semi opened petals 16.64 b 17.55 b 31.55 ab 21.91 a 

Full petals opening 29.22 ab 23.81 ab 35.40 a 29.47 a 



22.07 b 21.87 b 31.25 a 



Table (7) shows that the flowers in the five 

stages did not record any significant differences 

in the amount of loss in terms of total dry 

weight. 

The results of the interaction between the 

stages of flowers cutting and how to pick them 

showed that the lowest values for the weight loss 

amounted to 13.89, 14.07 and 14.23 grams 

opening sepals stage, on opening petals stage 

and semi opening petals stage when flowers cut 

under water directly, these values were increased 

and reached (31.58, 24.44, 21. 52) grams for the 

three stages, respectively when flowers picked 

and placed in water after 10 minutes. In general, 

picking flowers under the water reduced the loss 

in dry weight of flowers during the old as the 

coordinating lower values recorded for the loss 

of weight. 

Table (7):- the effect of the flowers harvesting stage and method of harvesting and their interaction on the 

average percentage of the loss in dry weight Rosa cv. Queen Elizabeth after 14 days pos harvesting. 


harvesting 




minutes 


cutting the 

flowers and 

putting them 






Non opening sepals 26.30 ab 24.04 a-c 20.00 a-c 23.44 a 

Semi opened sepals 31.58 a 24.16 a-c 13.89 c 23.21 a 

Non opening petals 24.44 a-c 17.60 bc 14.07 c 18.70 a 

Semi opened petals 21.52 a-c 21.64 a-c 14.23 c 19.13 a 

Full petals opening 20.55 a-c 24.02 a-c 16.22 bc 20.26 a 



24.87 a 22.29 a 15.68 b 

Means followed by the same letters within each factor orinteraction don't differ significantly 


DISCUSSION 

The results in table (1) indicate that picking 

flowers at non opening sepals’ stage was the best 

period for cutting as compared with other 

periods. The average percentage emergence of 

anther explained on the basis that after picking 

the flowers, processing the outputs of 

photosynthesis is stopped or limited by the 

limited quantity manufactured total vegetation 

harvested with flowers, and this may result in the 

failure of flower buds to open (Van der Meulen- 

Muisers et al., 2001). As to the effect of the 

method of cutting which has the same scale as 

the results indicated that the cutting under water 

directly was better than other transactions, it is 

known that after flowers picking, it excluded 

from the main source of water uptake of roots, 

01


which depend on the vessel to the container, 

therefore to prolong the vas life of cut flowers 

post harvested, it must be placed immediately 

after cutting ater before the composition of the 

bubble and air movement within the tissue-borne 

water and closed it, and this is what makes 

picking the flowers under water best because a 

lack of air bubble formation (Meyer, 2007). 

While it can be noted in table (2) that the 

impact of the cut and how the cut was similar to 

result the status of the emergence of anther 

results have been interpreted on the basis of 

interpretation of the past. The results of the table 

(3) that the status of opening Petals affected 

stages picking flowers have opened Petals of the 

cut flowers at the stage of non opening sepals 

and semi opening sepals rate (95.83%, 93.00%), 

respectively, compared with other stages of the 

proportion of the open (5.55%). These results 

can be explained on the basis of the results in the 

interpretation of the effect of the cut in the 

average proportion of opening petals, in 

addition to how to interpret the results of the 

effect of cut in the average percentage of 

opening Petals As previously stated in the 

interpretation of the results of effect in the 

average proportion of opening sepals .The 

interpretation of the results of the impact of the 

cut on the average proportion of opening sepals 

may be interpreted as the basis of that part plant 

life and increase the process of transpiration rate 

of increase compared with the demolition of the 

building below, especially as cut flowers 

depends only on the vegetation part picketing 

with it, which increase the speed of flowers 

senesces and increased abssisic acid, which leads 

to made a separation zone and accordingly. 

Petals fall (Street and Opik ,1976). 

Conversely, we find that also influence how 

the cut in the fall Petals where Petals falling 

proportion when the flowers picking under water 

directly compared with other transactions may 

be the interpretation of this result on the grounds 

that it is the substance of water is the foundation 

for keeping cut flowers live, to their dependence 

on water balance between the amount of water 

absorbed from the lower parts of the stem and 

falls within the amount of water lost through 

transpiration control of the process to harvest a 

florist under water, it regulates the withdrawal of 

water and minerals to timber vessels, as it is 

processed whenever the energy of the core 

processes of the cell such as the maintenance 

and installation of the Almitukondria and other 

organism cell (Coker et al., 1985). 

00 

The results of the table (5) showed that the effect 

of cut flowers stage in the flower falling down, 

where we find that the more advanced stages of 

picking flowers increased flower falling down 

with the exception of the treatment of non 

opening sepals where the percentage of wilting 

flowers decreased and this results can be 

explained on the basis that the amount of water 

lost in the flowers advanced in age is greater 

than the amount of water absorbed, in addition to 

the increase in breathing that are increased food 

analysis and carbohydrates in addition to 

Athleen play an active role in the aging of 

flowers, and that this leads to the speed of 

wilting flowers (Redman et al 2002). 

Since the appearance and quality of flowers and 

the longevity vas life after the cut depends on 

many factors, including the conditions of 

production and cut the appropriate date, as well 

as the depletion of the source of energy and 

natural maturation and aging of the flowers and 

the accumulation of tissue Athleen in cut flower 

as well as other factors which affect the 

longevity of the coordination flowers. (Gast 

coordination, 1997 and Teixeira da Silva 2003). 

The interpretation of wilting flowers in the 

semi opening sepals stage was due to the 

possibility of a result of declining water 

absorption of less amount of the water than lost, 

as it hindered the absorption of water by the 

accumulation of micro-organisms in timber 

vessels, tanker vessels, or analyzed by micro- 

organisms as well as clogging carrier or some 

parts of the region Mucilage membranes leading 

to the wilting flowers before maturity (Mayak 

and Halevy 1974, Van Leperen et al., 2002). 

While explain wilting flowers for a semi opening 

Petals stage on the basis of the important role 

carbohydrates play in maintaining the quality of 

the flowers during the period of post-harvest if 

the sugars are the main source of carbon used to 

produce the necessary energy metabolism( 

Monterio et al., 2002) contrast to the process, we 

find that the effect of cut in the rate of wilting 

flowers, where the results indicate the table (5) 

that picking the flowers under the water directly, 

the percentage of wilting flowers less with the 

treatment of picking flowers and then placed in 

water after 10 minutes and the treatment of 

picking flowers and putting them directly in the 

water can be directly interpreted on the basis of 

these results that when picking the flowers under 

the water, it would prolong the life of the 

flowers vas life due to lack of formation of the 

bubble leads to the continuity of water


withdrawals within the timber vessels, which 

leads to control of the process of transpiration, 

where the flowers to extend the life of cut 

flowers in coordinating while wilting flowers 

can be explained by a higher when flowers 

picked out of the water on the grounds that the 

composition of the bubble and air movement 

within the tissues of the carrier led to the 

breakdown of water column of the water carrier 

thereby reducing the amount of water absorbed 

at the expense of the amount of water lost, as it 

hindered the absorption of water leading to 

declining access to water tension, which leads to 

increased production of Athleen before the 

maturity of the flowers and thus accelerate their 

senescence (Paulin et al., Coker) (1985 and 

others 1985). It was noted synchronization an 

increase in the level of Abscisic acid when 

exposed to water (Eze et al., 1986) so that to 

explain on the basis that picking the flowers 

under the water directly has increased the vas 

life as well as increased dry weight of the 

flowers as the delivery of water to cut down in 

the stem in a horrific post-harvest when the 

flowers picked out of the water, but the flowers 

that picked under water directly, maintained at 

the delivery of water until the end of the 

experiment, and claimktiric respiration and the 

production of Athleen was early in the picking 

flowers out of the water followed in the late cut 

under water. The results of the table (6) showed 

that there is no effect cut stage on the 

percentage of dry material which were not there 

a significal difference between the five stages of 

either how to cut the effect of this capacity, it is 

clear where the increased dry weight when 

flowers picked under water directly compared to 

harvest flowers and put them in the water After 

10 minutes, may explain the reason to encourage 

the removal of water by the flowers and petals 

growth and slow down operations and a decrease 

of strap down and senescence (increasing the 

activity of Rnase dry weight), where cell petals 

swelling sustain longer. or could be interpreted 

on the basis of improving the water balance in 

the flower, leading to increased solvents and 

therefore the withdrawal of the largest quantities 

of water. 

While recalling the results of table (7) he did not 

cut the impact of moral stages in the average 

percentage of the loss of weight dry, while we 

note the results of the same table as that of the 

impact of cut in the rate of loss of weight dry 

.The loss weight dry, when flowers compared to 

transactions under the water the other has been 

interpreted this result on the basis of preserving 

the in tumescent and thus reduce the loss in dry 

weight, as well as to reduce the loss of 

Carbohydrate as much as possible, or might be 

interpreted on the basis of improving the water 

balance in the flower, leading to increased 

solvents and thus the largest amount of the 

withdrawal of water by the relationship increase 

in water less water & dry article. 

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Kohata. (2005). Effects of Tea- Seed Saponins on 

the Vase Life, Hydraulic Conductance and 

Transpiration of Cut Rose Flowers . JARQ 39 (2), 

115 – 119 . http://www.jircas.affrc.go.jp 

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hydroxyquinolinen sulfate and sucrose on vaselife 

and post harvest change of "Christian Dior" Cut 

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SCIENCES. 22 (3) :165-70. 

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Postharvest life of cut rose flowers as affected 

by silver thiosulfate and sucrose. Bot. Bull Acad. 

Sin 41:299-303 

06


-Mayak, S.; A. H. Halevy ; S. Sagie ; A. Bar-Yoseph and 

06 

B. Baravado (1974). The water balance of cut rose 

flowers. Plant physiol. 31:15-22. 

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plants .University of Minnesota. Copperative 

Extension Service FS- 1128:1-5. 

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of oxegenous sucrose on carbohydrate levels, 

flower repiration and longevity of hed miniature 

rose Rosa hybrid a flower during post production. 

Postharvest Biology and Technology 26:221-229. 

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drought and prolonged refrigeration of senescence 

in cut Carnation Dianthus caryophyllus. Physiol. 

plant. 64: 535- 540. 

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Anderson (2002). Postharvest handling of nine 

specially cut flower species. Sci.hort.,92:293-303. 

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senescencia y abscission p.451-464. In: J. Azcón- 

Bieto y M. Talón (eds.) Fundamentos de Fisiología 

Vegetal. McGraw Hill. Madrid, España 

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Computer , Release6 , SAS .Institute Inc .Cary. 

Nc .USA. 

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Flowering Plants. Second edition:259-260. 

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Consideration .Online Journal of Biological 

Sciences.3(4):406-442. 

-Van der Meulen – Muisers, J. J. k .; J. C. Van Oeverent ; 

L. H. W. Vander Plas and J. M. Van Tuyl (2001). 

Postharvest flower development in Asiatic hybrid 

Lilies as related to tepal carbohydrate status. 

postharvest Biology and technology 21:201-211. 

-Van Leperen, W.; U. Van Mecteren and J. Nijsse (2002). 

Embolism repair in cut flower stems: aphasic all 

approaoh. Postharvest Biology and 

Technology.25:1-14. 

ادانادلوط فاند اشوز نَيلوط َىيذ زةض ل ايزةدةزةض كةدنه انسكَيتزاك 

Rosa cv. Queen Elizabeth 

اريلوك نَيغابد ندناض ةنيتاه نَيوةئ اكياد نَيكةووزذ هض 05 - 05 اهارَيزدب يننض ةنتاه ) Rosa spp. 

ةةتاه ادانادلوط فاند لاوط َىيذ زةض ل َىنينض نَيغانوق جنَيث انسكَيتزاك 

. ادلااض 

0 

( 

اشوز نَيلوط 

ةتخوث 

َىيذد َىكوهد ايوكناش ل َىندناض 

ىيجةوت نَيطلةب انووبةظةن اغانوقو ىطئةك نَيطلةب انووبةظ ظين اغانوقو ىطئةك نَيطلةب انووبةظ ىزةب اغانوق ( 

نسكيقات 

لاوط انينض( 

َىنينض نَيكَيز َىض لةطد ناو انادطَيل 

لةطد ) واوةت انووبةظ اغانوقو ىيجةوت نَيطلةب انووبةظ ظين اغانوقو 

سَيرل زةكطَيئ لاوط انينضو اد َىظائ فاند زةطكَيئ ناو انانادو لاوط انينضو اداكيقةد 

00 ذ ووب 

ىتاوكَيث َىي كةيةزابوود زةهو انسكةزابوود زاوض ب 

05 

ىتشث اد َىظائ فاند ناو انانادو 

CRD َىنياصيد فيود ل نانيئوبج ةتاه ينلوكةظ . َىظائ 

اغانوقو ىيجةوت نَيطلةب اي واوةت انووبةظ اغانوقد نسكزاموت ةنتاه ىيجةوت نَيطلةب انايزةو اي ىيةدةض ايةرَيز نيستدنمب 

ارةَيزو ووب ترشاب اي ىطئةك نَيطلةب انووبةظةن اغانوقد لاوط انينضو ،% 

50.70 

ناوانينض َىمةدد % 55.07 ةتشهةط ىيجةوت نَيطلةب انايزةو ايةرَيزو نووب ضيوث لوط َلى ،% 

00.00 

زةطكَيئ لاوط انينض َىمةدد ووبترنَيك َىي ىيجةوت نَيطلةب انايزةو ايةريز . اداكيقةد 

. لاوط 

ةتشهةطو ىيجةوت نَيطلةب انووبةظ ظين 

05 

ةتشهةط اطلةب انايزةو 

ىتشث اد َىظائ فاند ناو انانادو 

ناو انانادو اداكيقةد 05 ىتشث اد َىظائ فاند ناو انانادو واوةت 

انووبةظ اغانوقد لاوط انينض . )% 07.00( 

َىنسكدزةوازةب َىمةدد % 055 

اد َىظائ سَيرل 

ةتشهةطو ىيجةوت نَيطلةب انايزةو ايةرَيز انووبةدَيش َىزةطةئ ةنووب زةطكَيئ اد َىظائ فاند 

انينض َىمةدد نانيئةظتضةدب ةتاه َىنايزةو 

ايةرَيز نيترنَيكو َىيزةدةزةض نامةه وب )% 57.59( 

.% 

47.04 

اد َىظائ سَيذ ل ناو انينض لةطد 

ةيتشهةط اوةئ اد َىظائ سَيرل زةطكَيئ ىيجةوت نَيطلةب انووبةظةن اغانوقد لاوط


تارييذش 

ذم . 

ذس ) 05-05( 

درولا راهزلا يرهزملا رمعلا يف تلاماعملا ضعب ريثأت 

Rosa cv. Queen Elizabeth 

وذلب يرذهزلا اذهلماا 

ذم 

وذ وم راذهزلاا ذللال فذاارم ةذممخ ريثأذت ةذسارد ذت و . تاوفذس 

Queen Elizabeth 

0 

فذص 

Rosa spp 


دروذلا راذهزأ تتذخأ 

اذهرمع وذهد ةعماج / ةعارزلا ةيلك قئادا يف ةعورزم 

ذذذ ةيذذسأ لا ارولاا ةذذذلارم , ةيذذسأ لا ارولاا ذذذ ت دذذع ةذذذلارم يذذه ةذذذفوللاملا راذذهزلال يرذذذهزملا رذذمعلا يذذذف يذذحبلا 

ارولاذذذل فذذذما لا ذذذ لا ةذذذلارمو ةذذح م ذذذ ةذذذيي و لا ارولاا ةذذذلارم , ةذذيي و لا ارولاا ذذذ ت دذذذع ةذذذلارم , ةذذح م 

, قئاذذعد 

05 

ةذذذيلماعلا ةذذذبري لا تتذذذ 

دذعب اذملا يذف اهعذ و ذث راذذهزلاا ذلع ةذيلمع يذه راذهزلاا ذلع رذذا ذم اوذ أ ةذثلاث ذم ةذلخاد م ةذيي و لا 

. يرذذذشابم اذذذملا ءذذذحت راذذذهزلاا 

ذذذلع ةذذذيلمعو اذذذملا يذذذف يرذذذشابم اهعذذذ وو راذذذهزلاا ذذذلع ةذذذيلمع 

تاررذذ م ةذذعبرأب Factorial Experiment Within Randomized Complete Design 

. يرهز 

فذذما لا يئاوذذاعلا يمذذ لاب 

00 

ىلع رر م فك ىو ااو 

ارولاا ةذذذلارمو ةذذيي و لا ارولاذذذل 

فذذما لا ذذذ لا ةذذلارم يذذذف ةذذيي و لا ارولاا بعاذذذم ل ةذذ وقملا ةبذذذمفلا بذذسو م تاذذك 

فذذ فأ تاذك ةيذسأ لا ارولاا ذ ت دذع ةذلارم يذف راذهزلاا ذلع تأو , ) ٪ 50.70 ( 

بعاذم ل ةذ وقملا ةبذمفلا بذسو م تذلبو راذهزلاا تروهدذت يذا يذف , ) ٪ 00.00 ( 

ارولاا بعاذذمت ةبذذم ءذذ اك اذذمفيب قئاذذعد 

راذهزلاا ذلع ىدأ يذا يذف ) ٪ 07.00 ( 

05 

ىذلا اذملا يذف يرذشابم ءعذ وو ءذ لع امدذفعو قئاذعد 

دذذعب اذذملا يذذف ءعذذ وو راذذهزلاا ءذذ لع امدذذفع 

ةبذمفلا بذسو م تذلب دذلاف اذملا ءذحت راهزلاا لع م ة رالاملاب ) ٪ 055.55( 

تو اذم ىذلعأ ةذح م ذ ةذيي و لا 

ةذيي و لا ارولاا بعاذمت بذسو م تذلب يذيا 

) ٪ 55.07 

( ةذذيي و لا ارولاا 

ةبذمفلا تذه بذسو م تذلبو يرذشابم اذملا ءذحت راذهزلاا ءذ لع امدذفع فعأ ةيي و لا 

ذت يذ لا ةذيي 

و لا ارولاا بعاذم ل ةذ وقم ةبذم فعأ م ة رالاملاب ةلماعملا س فل ) ٪ 57.59 ( 

. 

) ٪ 47.04( 

05 

دذعب اذملا يذف ءعذ وو ءذ لع امدذفع فذما لا ذ لا ةذلارم يذف 

تلب ييا ةيي و لا ارولاا بعامت ةبم يدا ز 

ةيي و لا ارولاا بعام ل ة وقملا 

ء اك ي لاو يرشابم املا ءحت ةيسأ لا ارولاا ت دع ةلارم يف راهزلاا ء لع امدفع اهيلع و حلا 

06


ESTIMATION OF SOME GENETIC PARAMRTERS , CORRELATION AND 

PATH COEFFICIENT ANALYSIS FOR SOME TRAITS IN EGGPLANT 

ABSTRACT 

07 

ABDULJABBAR I. MARIE* and JIYAN A. TELI ** 

*College of Agriculture, University of Mosul -Iraq 

** College of Agriculture, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region-Iraq 

(Received: April 11, 2010; Accepted for publication: December 26, 2010) 

Full diallel crosses was conducted at the Vegetable Field, College of Agriculture, University of Dohuk to study 

some genetic parameters for eggplant varieties and their hybrids, correlation and path analysis for some trait in 

eggplant. 

The results showed that additive variance (σ 2 A) was significant for all traits (plant height, no. of branches, date of 

flowering, no. of flowers/ inflorescence, average wt. of fruit no. of fruit/plant total yield/plant , fruit weight and 

diameter), whereas the dominant variance (σ 2 D) and environmental variance (σ 2 E) were not significant for all traits. 

Heritability in broad sense was high for all studied traits except no. of branches and early yield. Narrow sense 

heritability was high for plant height, date of flowering , no. of flowers inflorescence -1 , fruit weight , no. of fruits 

plant -1 , fruit length and diameter, which reflect the importance of additive gene action for these traits and the 

average degree of dominance was less than one for all traits, indicating the presence of partial dominance. 

Appositive phenotypic correlation was found between the total yiel/plant with no. of branches, fruit length and no. 

of fruits plant -1 . Path coefficient analysis revealed that no. of fruits plant -1 and fruit weight had high direct effects on 

the total yield while date of flowering had a positive indirect effect on the plant yield through fruit weight. And no. of 

branches plant -1 had high indirect effect through no. of fruits. It concluded that fruits number and fruit weight traits 

had highly direct and indirect effect from other traits for this we can depended on it for selection for highly yield in 

eggplant. 

KEYWORDS: Eggplant, heritability, path analysis. 

E 

INTRODUCTION 

ggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is one 

of the most important vegetables grown 

throughout the world including tropical, subtropical 

and temperate regions .The crop was 

brought from South East Asia and distributed to 

Western and Northern Africa , the 

Mediterranean Basin ,and eventually Europe 

during the Arab incursion into those region 

starting in the seventh century (Daunay et al 

2001) . It is one of the most widely used 

vegetable crops after tomato and potato, but it 

tops the list of canned vegetables after tomato. In 

popular medicine, eggplant is indicated for the 

treatment of several diseases including diabetes, 

anthritis, asthma and bronchitis. In addition to 

several groups have provided evidence that 

eggplant extracts have a significant effect in 

reducing blood and cholestrol rates in human 

(Khan 1979; Jorge et al 1998). Nowadays, 

eggplant continues to be an economically and 

nutritionally important species in Asian and 

Mediterranean countries (FAO 2000) . Eggplant 

ranks second among the processed vegetables in 

the world. 

Genotypic variations and correlations in 

quantitative traits which are of economic 

importance are valuable in selecting the desired 

types. In a planned hybridization programme for 

evolving a new variety with increased yield and 

improved quality of fruits, a complete 

knowledge of genetic variability and interrelation 

in quantitative traits of the particular 

crops is necessary. Diallel crosses have been 

employed in genetic research to investigate the 

inheritance of the important attributes among a 

set of genotypes to identify superior parent traits 

among hybrid or cultivar 

Development. Conventional diallel analysis is 

limited to partitioning the total variation of data 

into general combining ability (GCA) for each 

parent and specific combining ability (SCA) for 

each cross (Yan and Hunt 2002). Diallel cross 

analysis is considered to be one of the important 

programmes attained by breeding scientists for 

generation testing of possible crosses between 

genotypes that produce the best crosses


assigning from combined parents , then to 

introduce them in a breeding program to obtain 

new varieties and hybrids. Since then the 

principles of diallel cross was developed by 

many researchers (Jink and Hayman 1953; 

Hayman 1958; Griffing 1956a 1956b; Gardner 

and Eberhart, 1966). 

Correlation can be expressed by the nature of 

association between yield and their components 

and between each pair of components 

themselves. In a plant breeding program 

correlation offers an important role to the 

breeder by providing information to predict and 

select the trait with low heritability through their 

type of association and the degree with other 

trait having high heritability (Ahmed 2003). 

To obtain high production in many 

varieties through a breeding program depend 

upon actually on the highly effective traits which 

have direct and indirect correlation with the 

yield that consider a good method to know the 

traits effort , time and costs (Relad et al. 1987) . 

Chezhain et al. (2000) found that estimates of 

variance effects were high for general and 

specific combining ability in plant height, 

number of fruits plant -1 , fruit weight and fruit 

yield plant -1 . Jahhav et al. (2001) ascertained 

that the variance due to the general and specific 

combining ability were high for plant height , 

fruit number , fruit weight and fruit yield . 

Sharma et al. (2002) proved that mean square 

due to general and specific combining ability 

were highly significant for fruit yield plant -1 , 

mean fruit weight and number of fruit plant -1 , 

the mean square values for gca were higher than 

sca for all traits . Biswajit et al. (2004) showed 

in eggplant, that the analysis of variance for 

combining ability revealed significant means 

square for both effects of general and specific 

combining ability in most traits except for 

general combining ability effects in plant height 

and weight of marketable fruits plant -1 . The 

objectives of this study were to determine the 

nature of gene action through separating the 

genetic variance by using a diallel crosses 

suggested by Griffing (1956). 


Four varieties of eggplant (Solanum 

melongena L.) from different origins were 

selected in this investigation, three of them were 

importanted and the fourth one was an ecotype, 

as shown in table (1). 

Table (1): Name of varieties used in this study, their sources and some general of their traits. 

No. Variety Origin Fruit form Source 

1 Early long purple Imported U.S.A 

Prolonged lightly purple 

General Agency of Agricultural 

Researches 


2 Long purple Imported U.S.A 

Prolonged Black 

Researches 


3 Black Beauty Imported U.S.A Spherical Deep black 

Researches 

4 

Alton Kubry Native , Karkuk, Iraq Little elongated Deep black 


Rearches 

Those varieties are widespread in Iraq and 

convergence the demand by farmers (Al-Rekabi 

and Abduljabbar 1981), and given numbers (1 to 

4) respectively in the presentation of results and 

discussion. Full diallel cross among these 

varieties with all possible probabilities which 

cultivated in the vegetable field of Horticulture 

Department , Dohuk University , during growing 

season of 2006 was carried out according to 

method I of Griffing, 1956 to complete gathering 

all hybrids seed required . Seeds of F1 hybrids 

and parents were sown in plastic containers 

filled with sterile soil prepared for this purpose 

in the plastic house in the last week of February 

2007 . After 45 days , seedlings were planted in 

the vegetable field , using R.C.B.D design with 

three replication , each replicate includes 4 

parents and 12 individual hybrids , cultivated in 

rows 3 m. long spaced 1 m. apart ,while 

seedlings were planted 0.4 m. apart within each 

row (AL-Assaf and Hassan 1983) .The lateral 

seedlings are regarded as guard plants . Other 

agricultural practices were performed as 

followed by farmers in the area. Measurements 

and data were taken from 4 plants in each 

experimental unit located at the mid row. The 

data were recorded on ; plant length (cm.) , no. 

of branches , flowering date (day) by counting 

the number of days from planting to opening the 

first flower , number of flowers inflorescence -1 , 

number of fruit plant -1 , average weight of 

fruit(g) , fruit length and diameter (cm.) , early 

yield (kg/plant) which included the first three 

07


harvestings start from 10/8 to 29/8 and the total 

yield plant -1 (kg). 

Analysis of variance for each trait was done 

according to RCBD (Steel and Torrie 1981). The 

additive, dominant and environmental variances 

were estimated by using EMS from Griffing 

analysis (Griffing analysis 1956b, 1 st method, 

model 1). 

σ 2 A = 2 Ø 2 G.C.A 

σ 2 D = Ø 2 S.C.A 

MSe 

σ 2 E = ----------- 

r 

Their significance from zero tested according 

to (Kempthorn 1957) method. Heritability in 

broad sense H 2 (b.s) , narrow sense h 2 (n.s) concept 

and average degree of dominance for each trait 

were calculated as follow: 

σ 2 G 

H 2 (b.s) = -------------- X 100 

σ 2 P 

σ 2 A 

h 2 (n.s) = ---------------X 100 

σ 2 P 

ā = 

07 

2 

2 

D 

2 

A 

Correlation coefficients were estimated between 

each two pairs of the studies traits by using 

computer software depending on the LSMGP 

system certified by Harvey (1987). 

Correlation coefficients between the studied 

traits were divided into direct and indirect effects 

by using path coefficient analysis according to 

the method mentioned by (AL-Rawi 1987). 


Table (2) revealed the mean values of parents 

and their hybrids for eight traits. Duncan's 

multiple range test showed significant 

differences between genotypes (parents and their 

hybrids) in all studied traits plant height (cm), 

number of branches/plant, flowering date (day) 

by counting the number of day from planting to 

opening the first flower, number of flowers 

inflorescence-1 number of fruits plant-1, average 

weight of fruit (g), fruit length and diameter 

(cm), early yield (kg/plant) . The results proved 

that parent (1) was shorter than other genotypes 

in height (61.00 cm) and parent (4) was the 

longest one (113.33 cm). 

Otherwise, hybrids 2x4 and 4x2 were longest 

(92.00 cm), whereas the hybrid 1x3 was the 

shortest in height (66.17 cm). The results 

indicated that the largest number of branches 

reached (9.33) in parent (1), and the lowest value 

(6.50) in parent (3). The biggest number of 

branches (9.17) was found in the hybrids (1x4, 

2x1) and lowest number (6.50) for the hybrids 

(3x1, 4x3). 

These results concurred with Peter and Singh 

(1974) , Ghoudhuri (1977) who found significant 

differences for plant height and concurred with 

Borikar et al. (1981) , Saha et al. (1991) in the 

same table it can be noticed that parent (1) was 

the earliest in date of flowering as compared to 

other parents (89.66 days) , while parent (3) 

could be considered the later one in this trait 

(111.33 days). The lowest value in date of 

flowering (98.33 days) was found in the hybrid 

1x2, while the hybrid 3x4 was the most delaying 

genotype in flowering (117.33 days). Similar 

results were reported by Hassan et al. (1982) 

who found existence of significant differences 

among genotypes (parent and hybrids) of 

eggplant in this trait. Number of flowers 

inflorescence -1 was restricted between (1.86) for 

parent (4) and (5.40) for parent (2). The hybrid 

(4 x 2) gave the highest number of flowers 

(4.06) whereas, the lowest number of flowers 

inflorescence -1 (1.10) was found in the hybrid (3 

x 2). The comparison between genotypes in the 

number of fruits plant -1 ranged between (79.00) 

in parent (1) and (22.55) in parent (4) , and 

between (60.22) in hybrid( 1x 2) and ( 20.89) in 

hybrid (3 x 4) . This might be interpreted that 

parent (4) appeared to be contributing in 

decreasing number of fruits plant -1 in their 

hybrids to the contrary with the parent (1) which 

shared in increasing this trait in their hybrids 

.Similar results were reported by Dharmegowda 

et al. (1979b) , (AL-hamdani , and Hassan 

1999). 

Average fruit weight ranged between (55.73 g) 

for the parent (1) and (133.09 g) for the parent


(3) .The hybrid (3x4) produce the highest fruit 

weight approaching (141.37 g ) , while the 

lowest fruit weight (60.68 g) resulted from 

hybrid 1x2 . These results concurred with Dixit 

et al. (1982) who found out significant 

differences between parents and hybrids in fruit 

weight trait. 

\The highest early yield plant -1 resulted in 

production (0.84 kg) in the parent (3) while the 

lowest yield (0.42 kg) found in parent (4). 

Hybrid (4x2) produced the highest early yield 

(0.93 kg) while the lowest early yield was (0, 28 

kg) produced by the hybrid (1x2). Similar results 

were reported by Monterio and Costa (1977) 

who found that the parent and hybrids had 

significant differences in the early yield plant -1 . 

\The parents differ in the total yield plant -1 

accounted as (2.38 kg) for the parent (4) and 

(4.40 kg) for the parent (1) . 1x3 and 4x1 

hybrids were distinguished for the highest yield 

(3.92 kg) whereas, the hybrid (4x3) gave the 

lowest yield (2.53 kg). 

\ Concerning with fruit length , it restricted 

between (9.79 – 15.34 cm) for parent (3) and 

patent (4) respectively , these differences might 

be due to genetic factors of the different 

varieties. The hybrid 1x2 appeared to have 

highest value in this trait measuring (15.63 cm), 

whereas, the hybrid 3x4 gave the lowest value 

(8.91cm). 

\The results proved that parent (3) gave the 

highest diameter (11.32 cm) , while the lowest 

value (3.24 cm) was recorded in the parent (1). 

In hybrids fruit diameter ranged from (3.54 cm) 

for hybrid 1x2 and (8.18 cm) for hybrid 3x4 

.These results are in harmony with the finding of 

Singh et al. (1977) and Hassan et al. (1982) who 

found that genotypes are significantly varied in 

fruit length and diameter. 

07

74 

Genotypes 

1 

2 

3 

4 

1 × 2 

1 × 3 

1 × 4 

2 × 1 

2 × 3 

2 × 4 

3 × 1 

3 × 2 

3 × 4 

4 × 1 

4 × 2 

4 × 3 

Plant height 

(cm) 

61.00 

g 

71.83 

dg 

74.50 

cf 

113.33 

a 

70.67 

efg 

66.17 

fg 

91.16 

b 

72.67 

dg 

83.83 

bcd 

92.00 

b 

81.16 

be 

83.17 

bcd 

75.33 

cf 

85.83 

bc 

92.00 

b 

81.83 

be 

No. of branches/ 

plant 

9.33 

a 

7.83 

ab 

6.50 

b 

7.00 

b 

8.33 

ab 

7.83 

ab 

9.17 

a 

9.17 

a 

8.16 

ab 

8.33 

ab 

6.50 

b 

7.33 

ab 

8.00 

ab 

6.83 

b 

9.17 

a 

6.50 

b 

Table (2): Mean values of parents and hybrids for the studied traits.* 

Date of 

flowering 

(day) 

98.66 

h 

104.33 

fg 

111.33 

bc 

108.67 

cde 

98.33 

h 

103.33 

fg 

100.67 

gh 

101.33 

gh 

106.33 

ef 

106.66 

def 

106.67 

def 

112.67 

b 

117.33 

a 

99.33 

h 

110.33 

bcd 

110.67 

bc 

No. of flowers/ 

inflorescence 

3.63 

bcd 

5.40 

a 

2.30 

eh 

1.86 

fgh 

3.73 

bcd 

3.60 

bf 

3.60 

bf 

3.96 

bc 

3.40 

be 

2.73 

cf 

1.30 

gh 

1.10 

gh 

1.40 

gh 

3.73 

bcd 

4.06 

b 

2.50 

dg 

Average wt. 

of fruit (g) 

55.73 

f 

59.45 

ef 

133.09 

a 

106.47 

b 

60.68 

ef 

96.39 

bc 

74.83 

de 

71.40 

def 

84.65 

cd 

81.78 

cd 

136.15 

a 

133.85 

a 

141.37 

a 

76.67 

de 

82.57 

cd 

105.31 

b 

No. of fruits/ 

plant 

79.00 

a 

58.33 

bc 

23.11 

e 

22.55 

e 

60.22 

b 

41.33 

d 

53.67 

bcd 

47.67 

bcd 

41.78 

d 

43.66 

cd 

23.67 

e 

22.33 

e 

Total yield/ 

plant (kg) 

4.40 

a 

3.47 

abc 

3.07 

bcd 

2.38 

d 

3.63 

ab 

3.92 

ab 

3.85 

ab 

3.32 

bcd 

3.48 

abc 

3.47 

abc 

3.20 

bcd 

2.97 

bcd 

Early yield/ 

plant (kg) 

0.43 

bc 

0.50 

bc 

0.84 

ab 

0.42 

bc 

0.28 

c 

0.51 

abc 

0.53 

abc 

0.52 

abc 

0.57 

abc 

0.45 

abc 

0.67 

abc 

0.61 

abc 

Fruit length 

(cm) 

* Means followed by the same letter within a column do not differ significantly from each other using Duncans Multipe Range Test at 5% level. 

20.89 

e 

50.99 

bcd 

39.99 

d 

24.22 

e 

2.95 

bcd 

3.92 

ab 

3.26 

bcd 

2.53 

cd 

0.60 

abc 

0.32 

c 

0.93 

a 

0.26 

ab 

15.34 

ab 

13.60 

bcd 

9.79 

hij 

11.45 

fgh 

15.63 

a 

11.57 

eh 

12.64 

dg 

14.63 

abc 

11.58 

eh 

13.33 

c-f 

10.13 

hij 

9.14 

ij 

8.91 

j 

13.45 

cde 

13.29 

cf 

10.84 

ghi 

Fruit 

diameter (cm) 

3.24 

g 

3.53 

g 

11.32 

a 

5.01 

de 

3.54 

g 

4.58 

ef 

4.09 

fg 

4.02 

fg 

5.11 

de 

4.99 

de 

7.04 

c 

6.99 

c 

8.18 

b 

5.09 

de 

4.44 

ef 

5.77 

d 

J. Duhok Univ. Vol.13, No.1, (Agri. And Vet. Sciences) Pp 70-81, 2010


Gene action and Genetic Parameters: 

Table (3) revealed that additive variance 

varied from zero for all traits with the exception 

of early yield palnt -1 (these traits are under the 

effect of over dominant). This result agreed with 

the findings of AL-hamdani (1999) who stated 

that additive variance was significant for number 

of branches plant -1 , date of flowering, number of 

flowers inflorescence -1 , number of leaves till 

first inflorescence and total yield plant -1 . 

The dominant genetic variance and 

environmental variance were not varied from 

zero for all traits. The additive genetic variance 

values were higher than those of dominant 

genetic variance in all traits. 

It is noticed that estimation of heritability in 

broad sense was high in all traits excluding 

number of branches and early yield which 

exhibited moderate values. These results are 

similar to the finding obtained by Singh et al. 

(1974b), where heritability was high for plant 

height and fruit diameter, and with those of Peter 

and Singh (1974) for number of flowers 

inflorescence -1 , fruit weight and also with those 

of Boriker et al. (1981) for both plant height and 

number of branches plant -1 . Heritability in 

narrow sense h 2 (n.s) were moderate for early yield 

33.68% and high for other traits . This illustrates 

that heritability is high enough to perform the 

selection of these traits in early generations. 

Regarding traits revealing low heritability in 

narrow sense , this reflects the low additive 

genetic variance value . Similar results were 

reported by AL-hamdani (1999) who mentioned 

that heritability in narrow sense was high for 

number of flowers inflorescence -1 and fruit 

diameter . 

Average degree of dominance was low for 

some traits and high for other traits. Nandpur 

and Tyagi (1976) also reported that fruit size 

submits to partial dominant, Dharmegowda et al. 

(1979b) stated that date of flowering is 

submitted under partial dominance. 

Phenotypic correlation: 

Table (4) display the phenotypic correlation 

between each two pair of studied traits by using 

the data of parents and F1 hybrids of full diallel 

cross. The total yield exhibited a positive and 

significant correlation with number of branches 

plant -1 , fruit length and number of fruits plant -1 , 

whereas, it was negatively and significant 

correlated with date of flowering , fruit diameter 

and fruit weight .These result are in conformity 

with the finding of AL-Sahaf et al. (2003) who 

found that the yield was significantly correlated 

with no. of branches and number of fruit plant -1 

.The early yield plant -1 had appositive and 

significant correlation with date of flowering , 

fruit diameter and fruit weight , whereas, 

negatively and significant correlated with fruit 

length and number of fruits plant -1 . Fruit weight 

trait revealed a positive and significant 

correlation with date of flowering and fruit 

diameter and negatively correlated with no. of 

branches, fruit length and no. of fruits plant -1 

These results are in agreement with Khanna and 

Chaudhury (1974) AL-hayani et al. (2000) , AL- 

Kumer et al. (1993) , Mirsha and Mirsha (1990) 

who reported existence of significant correlation 

between fruit weight and no. of fruits plant -1 . On 

the other hand, number of fruits plant -1 was 

significantly and positively correlated with no. 

of branches and fruit length, while it had 

negative and significant correlation with date of 

flowering and fruit diameter. There was also a 

significant and positive correlation between fruit 

diameter and date of flowering and negatively 

correlated with no. of branches and fruit length. 

Fruit length had a positive and significant 

correlation with number of branches, and had a 

negative and significant correlation with date of 

flowering. Date of flowering does not revealed 

any correlation with no. of branches . The same 

result was obtained between no. of branches and 

plant height. 

Path Coefficient Analysis: 

Data reported in table (5) illustrate the direct 

and indirect effects of correlation coefficient 

between the total yield and some affecting traits. 

Date of flowering appeared to have negative 

direct effect on the yield, while the indirect 

effect was low through plant height and high 

through fruit weight, in spite of it had negative 

correlation with the yield but it can indirectly 

affect the yield through fruit weight. Similar 

results were reported by Rao et al. (1974) who 

found in chilli plant that date of flowering had 

positive effects on fruit yield . Plant height 

exhibited a positive direct effect on the yield 

plant -1 , and a positive indirect effect through 

07


fruit weight only , whereas , the negative indirect 

effect through date of flowering, no. of branches 

, and no. of fruit plant -1 . These results concurred 

with Allam and Malik (1987) who found a 

positive indirect effect on the plant yield. It is 

obviously appear a positive low direct effect of 

number of branches on the total yield measured 

(0.064), and it had low positive indirect effects 

through date of flowering, and high through 

fruits number plant -1 whereas, it had a negative 

indirect effect through plant height fruit weight. 

These result are inconformity with Nadar (1980), 

AL-hubaity (1996) who found that no. of 

branches plant -1 had higher indirect effect on the 

yield of tomato plant. On other hand , number of 

fruits appeared to have a very high positive 

direct effect (1.478) , and it had low positive 

indirect effect through date of flowering and no. 

of branches , while an indirect effect was highly 

07 

negative through fruit weight ( - 0.815) and low 

through plant height ( - 0.027) . Similar results 

were reported by Srivastava and Udaipur (1973) 

in tomato, Singh, Nandpur et al. (1977b) and 

AL-hubaity (1996) in tomato, who emphasized 

that number of fruits plant -1 was the main 

component of yield. 

As for the average fruit weight, it had a high 

positive direct effect (0.931) on the yield, 

whereas, it showed a low positive indirect effect 

through the remnant traits recorded (- 0.139, - 

0.033, - 1.293) for date of flowering , no. of 

branches and no. of fruits respectively . 

The breeder can be used highest direct 

effects were resulted from no. of fruits and fruit 

weight, indirect effects of fruit weight through 

date of flowering and no. of fruits through 

branches number in breeding program.

44 

Hybrids 

 

2 

A 

 

2 

D 

 

2 

E 

2 

H 

2 

h 

a 

Plant height 

(cm) 

138.638 

89.899 

37.182 

46.147 

13.590 

13.984 

92.824 

73.194 

0.732 

Table ( 3): Estimation of additiv, dominant and environmental variances, heritability in board sense, narrow sense 

and average digree of dominance for the studied traits 

No. of 

branches/ 

plant 

0.476 

0.379 

0.029 

0.474 

0.403 

0.414 

55.680 

52.425 

0.352 

No. of leaves 

till 1 st 

inflorescence 

1.087 

0.762 

0.336 

0.697 

0.420 

0.432 

77.217 

58.972 

0.786 

Date of 

flowering 

(day) 

29.848 

19.124 

2.929 

4.019 

1.535 

1.579 

95.527 

86.989 

0.443 

No. of flowers/ 

inflorescence 

0.8930 

0.589 

0.216 

0.328 

0.149 

0.153 

88.158 

70.981 

0.696 

Average wt. 

of fruit 

(g) 

771.879 

493.400 

39.436 

65.024 

32.570 

33.515 

96.140 

91.467 

0.319 

No. of fruits/ 

plant 

281.045 

181.536 

33.338 

51.005 

23.329 

24.005 

93.091 

83.220 

0.487 

Total yield/ 

plant 

(kg) 

0.204 

0.144 

0.034 

0.113 

0.082 

0.084 

74.417 

63.832 

0.576 

Early yield/ 

plant 

(kg) 

0.009 

0.009 

0.002 

0.018 

0.016 

0.016 

41.517 

33.681 

0.671 

Fruit 

length (cm) 

4.418 

2.849 

0.369 

0.645 

0.342 

0.362 

93.329 

86.127 

0.409 

Fruit 

diameter 

(cm) 

4.273 

2.714 

0.417 

0.459 

0.072 

0.074 

98.482 

89.724 

0.442 


47 

Traits Plant Height 

(cm) 

No. of 

Branches 

Table (4) : Correlation coefficient between studied traits . 

Date of Flowering(day) Fruit length 

(cm.) 

Fruit diameter 

(cm.) 

No. of Fruit /plant Fruit Weight (g) Early Yield 

(kg/plant) 

Total Yield(kg/plant) - 0.340 0.505 ** - 0.626 ** 0.511 ** - 0.452 * 0.814 ** - 0.523 ** - 0.279 

Early yield(kg/plant) 0.079 - 0.075 0.569** - 0.440 * 0.455 * - 0.425 * 0.420 * 

Fruit weight (g) 0.140 - 0.521 ** 0.773 ** - 0.899 ** 0.841 ** - 0.875 ** 

No. of Fruit /plant - 0.344 0.587 ** - 0.785 ** 0.827 ** - 0.725 ** 

Fruit diameter (cm) 0.017 - 0.547 ** 0.455* -0.765 ** 

Fruit length (cm) - 0.203 0.536 ** - 0.400 * 

Date of Flowering 

(day) 

No. of Branches - 0.055 

0.214 - 0.354 

* ,** significant at P (0.05 , 0.01 ) respectively . 



Date of 

flowering 

Plant height 

Branches 

number 

Fruits number 

Fruit weight 

Table (5): Estimation of direct and indirect effect for some traits on the total yield. 

Date of 

flowering 

Plant height 

Branches 

number 

Fruits number Fruit weight 

-0.181 0.017 -0.023 -1.160 0.720 

-0.038 0.080 -0.003 -0.509 0.130 

0.064 -0.004 0.064 0.868 -0.485 

0.142 -0.027 0.037 1.478 -0.815 

- 0.139 0.011 -0.033 -1.293 0.931 

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sobreos lipids da plasmaticos , aperoxidacao lipidca 

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forms . pp.629- 636. J.Hawkes ; R. Lester and A. 

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the solanaceae. 

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77 

نًَتةمخاس كةدنه ىب 

correlation, path analysis 

َىكشةز ناجاب َىمةهزةبد ىتازىجو ىنادنةض 

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Correlation and path coefficient analysis between 

grain yield and some traits at specific ages of 

growth . Agric. Sci. Fac. Agri. Ainshames Univ., 

32(1):165- 178. 

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Bhowmik (1991). Genetic analysis of plant height 

and number of branches in brinjal (Solanum 

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:91- 97. 

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Combining ability effects and components of 

genetic variation in tomato (Lycopersicon 

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496- 497. 

- Singh , H. N. ; S. N. Singh and R. K. Mital (1977). 

Heterosis in brinjal .Pradesh Inst. Agric. Sci. 

Kanpur India 1245- 1247. (Pl. Breed Abst. 8145. 

1977). 

- Singh , O. and J. Kumar (2005). Variability , heritability 

and genetic advance in brinjal .Ind. J. of Hort. 

62(3):265- 267. 

- Singh , S. ; S. Dharma ; Y. S. Chauhan and R. P. Katiyar 

(1974 b). Genetic variability , heritability and 

genetic advance in brinjal ( Solanum melongena 

L.) Progressive Hort. 6(1) :15- 18. (Pl. Breed. Abst. 

10645) 

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parameters , correlation coefficient analysis in 

tomato . Ind. Agric .Sci. 43(6):604-907. 

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procedure of statistics . 2 nd Edition . McGraw- Hill 

Int. Book Comp. 

- Yan , W. and L. A. Hunt (2002). Bioplot analysis of 

diallel data .Crop Sci. 42:21-30 . 

, ىكًتنذ َىشاىًَش انسكزاي 

ىةكًتنذ َىشاىًَةش اةنسكزاي امةزةةم ب َىكىهد ايىكناش َىندناض ارًلىك ني ىتاوةشزةش ينًظةشد ةنًلىكةظ ظةئ 

ننًتةمخاةس كةدنه ىب 

correlation, path analysis 

د 

ىتزىك 

, , َىكشةز ناجاب َىمةهزةبد 

ىتازىجو ىنادنةض نًَتةمخاسىب 

. ىمةهزةبو نسك ةنًتاهزةسل ينلىكةظ 

ىتشط انسكلةكًَت ينناًش ينهادىج ينتاوكًث انسكاسكًت زةبد َىنسكمىكاي ىكًتًَنذ ازاكيسك انىبةه ب نسك ىنًبشًَث 

فاضشًَث َىنسكمىك اًكًتنذ ينًهادىجو 

. ةظ ناتةمخاس ىم ةه ب 

تةبيات انسكلةكًَت نًَناًش اًهادىج نًًَتاوكًَثزةسل


نًًَهادىةجو زادتاةوتةسةد اةًكًتنذ اةًهادىج َلىةب 

نًَتةمخاةس ىمةةهىب نىةب فاةضشًَث زوشد هةسفزةب ني ىكتنًنذ ارنَيز 

. تخةوزةب َىمةهزةب َىتةمخاس ىمبذ اد ناتةمخاس ىمةهد نىب 

. نىب فاضشًَثد ناتةمخاس ىمةه ىب َىهةطنيذ 

ن ة ة ت ز ة ب ن ة ي ى ك ً ت ن ذ ا ر ة نَي ز ت خ ة و ز ة ة ب َى م ة ة ه ز ة ب و ا ك ة ض ا ز ا م ر ة ه ن ًَ ت ة م خ ا ة س ن ا ظ ى م ب ذ ن س ك ة ن ً ت ا ه ز ة س ل ين ل ى ك ة ظ 

و ىكًَف اطنةس اًياسكًَتو َىنادلىط اكشثد اىط ازامرهو َىنادلىط َىناظذو ىكةوز اًهادنمب نًَتةمخاسىب فاضشًَثزوشد 

ىمةةهىب نسةط انسكلةةكًَتدي ازايسك انىبةهد َىنسكًَتزاكىك 

ىكًف اًتانهةثو ىرَيزدو ادىكةكةووزد ىكًفازامره 

انىبةهزةسل تةلاةد اتةمخاس ىمةهىب َىكًئذ ىب ترنًَك زادتاةوتسة اسنم اسكًَت ةظ ىد َىكةياذو 

. سكزايد اتةمخاس 

زةةه ىةب ىتةشط َىمةةهزةب ىك سكزايد َىنًلىكةظ . ىبةه ناتةمخاس ىمةهزةسل تاةوتسةد َىنسكةظزاث اتاةوتسةد 

نيستدنمبو . ادىكةووزد ىكًفازامره و ىهارَيزدو اقةض ازامره لةطد ىنيزةئ ينيزادي دنةىيةث نًَيدنةىيةث ىكةكةووز 

ىك سك زايد ) path analysis( 

انسكةظوسش . تنيد ةتاه ىكًفاًتانهةثو ىكًف اطنةس ازةبظاند (0.841) اسكشائ ايدنةىيةث 

زةسل زةسكًَئ نًَنسكًَتزاك ىك نًَتةمخاس نيترطنسطذو اد ىكةووز د ىكًف ازامرهو اقةض 

ازامره , ىكةووز اًتادنمب 

ىكةووز اًتادنمب د ىمةهزةبد زةسكًَئ ةن اي ىنَيز ةئ اكةنسكًَتزاك َىنادلىط َىناظذ َلى ةب ىسك ىكةووز ىتشط َىمةهزةب 

. ىبةه اد ىكًَف اطنةسو 

ناجنذابلا يف تافصلا ضعبل راسملا لماعمو 

طابترلااو ةيثارولا ملاعملا ضعب ريدقت 

اتت ججك تتم ناتتجنذابلا ناجتصلا ةتتيثارولا ملاتتعملا ضتعب ةتت اردل 

وايتسلا يثاروتلا نياتبتلا اتما . رت بملا لتصاحلا ةفتص اد تافصلا يمجل 

ايوجعم 

تيمجل ةتيلا 

ماتتفترا تافتتصل ةتتيلا 

ت اولا وجعملاتب اتيروتلا ةبتسن اتنار . تافتصلا تيمجل ةتيوجعم نت 

يتت لا وجعملاتتب اتتيروتلا ةبتتسن 


وتتكو ةتعماج – ةتت ار لا ةتتيار لتقي يتتف ةتت اردلا اتيرجأ 

. ناجنذابلا يف تافصلا ضعبل راسملا لياحتو طابترلاا لماعم كلذرو 

σ 

ي متل 

2 A 

σ 

يعيمجتلا يثارولا نيابتلا نار 

2 E 

2 يت يبلا يثاروتلا نياتبتلاو σ D 

و رتت بملا لتتصاحلاو مرتتفلاا ودتت يتفتتص ادتت ةتت وردملا تافتتصلا 

اتتمم ةرتتمللا رتت و اوتت و تاتتبجال راتتمللا ودتت ةرتتمللا نزو ادتتعم ةتتيرك لا ةروتتجلا يتتف راتتكزلاا ودتت رتتيك تلا دتت وم تاتتبجلا 

تيمجل ليحتصلا دتياولا نم ل ا ) ā ( ةوايسلا ةجرو ادعم انار رخا بناج نم . تافصلا هذ ل يعيمجت لعف ووجو س عي 

ناتر تاتبجال يتا لا لتصاحلا نا ةت اردلا ترت ظا . تافتصلا هذتك وتا ر يتست ةتيئ 

نزو نيتب ناتر ) 0 . 148( 

ج ةوايت ووتجو وتا ادتي اتمم تافتصلا 

رت رم طاتبترا وتا ا ناو . تاتبجال راتمللا ودت و ةرمللا او مرفلاا ود م ابجوم 

ا ابترا ا بترم 

نزوو تاتبجال رامللاودت و ت او رتشابم ريثيتت ات ل مرفلاا ود تابجلا مافترا نا راسملا لماعم لياحت ر ظا . اكر و ةرمللا 

لتصاحلا وتا ارتشابم رتي اتبجوم اريثيتت بتل نات ف رتيك تلا دت وم اتما تاتبجال يتا لا لتصاحلا وتا يلا رتشابم ريثيتت ات ل ةرمللا 

نا ااتجتت لاا نت ميو. 

مرتفلاا ودت الاتخ نتم 

اتكوامت ا نت مي اذتل , 

رتشابم رتي يلات ريثيت ات ل راتمللا ودت و ةرتمللا نزوو تاتبجلا مافترا الاخ نم 

رتخلاا تافتصلا ضتعب الاتخ نتم رتشابم رتي و رتشابم ريثيتت اتم ل ناتر ةرتمللا نزوو رامللا ود يتفص 

. 

ناجنذابلا يف يلاعلا لصاحال باختنلال ةلوار 

77


28 

ESTIMATING OF ANNUAL SEDIMENTS OF DUHOK DAM BY 

USING RIVER TURBIDITY WATER SAMPLES 

.. 

ABDULSATAR HAJI SULAIMAN 

Dept. of Soil & Water Science, College of Agriculture, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. 

(Received: April 27, 2010; Accepted for publication: February 14, 2011) 

ABSTRACT 

An estimation technique was developed in this study based on runoff water turbidity and soil concentration sampling 

data in the Duhok Dam catchments, were used to develop relation between turbidity value and suspended sediment. The 

main purpose of this study is to estimate the annual sedimentation for the Duhok Dam watershed through taking continually 

sampling from the seasonal runoff which outlet to the Duhok seasonal river. To achieve this work, standard curve of the soil 

concentration (Kg/m 3 ) and turbidity meter (NTU) was prepared, daily rainfall data and total runoff for the rainfall season 

2008-2009 was taken for the study. The study found relationship between suspended sediment and turbidity at a study 

catchments, which implemented to estimate erosion . For the purpose of increase accuracy in collection of rainfall data, the 

samples must be include all rainfall events. The total sedimentation was estimated as (4082.055 Ton) and the approximate 

annual soil erosion can be easily determined depending on the watershed area. 

KEY WORDS: Turbidity (NTU), Rainfall, Concentration, Duhok Dam. 

A 

INTRODUCTION 

sediment estimation technique was 

developed in this study based on 

turbidity and suspension sampling data for the 

outlet of Duhok river catchments. To estimate 

the annual sediment from which the data were 

collected, were used to develop relationships 

between turbidity and suspended sediment. 

These relationships were used to estimate the 

total Duhok Dam sediment and then estimation 

erosion from the catchments. A relatively low 

annual sediment rate from the catchments was 

found at low storms. Many study found that, to 

establish a sound relationship between 

suspended sediment and turbidity for catchments 

requires extensive data collection of different 

categories of storms during any study season. 

Turbidity is the amount of particulate materials 

that is suspended in water. Turbidity 

measurement depend on the scattering effect that 

suspended solids have on light. The higher 

intensity of scattered light, the higher turbidity. 

Turbidity is measured by shining a light through 

the water and is reported in nephelometric 

turbidity units (NTU). During periods of low 

flow (base flow), many rivers are a clear green 

color, and turbidities are low, usually less than 

10 NTU. During a rainstorm, particles from the 

surrounding land are washed into the river 

making the water a muddy brown color, 

indicating water that has higher turbidity values. 

Also, during high flows, water velocities are 

faster and water volumes are higher, which can 

more easily stir up and suspend material from 

the stream bed, causing higher turbidities. 

Materials that cause water to be turbid include, 

clay, silt finely divided organic and inorganic 

matter, soluble colored organic compounds, 

microscopic organisms. (Howard, 2008).Total 

suspended solids (TSS) are one of the primary 

factors affecting turbidity in addition, organic 

matter also contributes to turbidity.(Wijenayake 

and Alahakoon, 2005). High flow rates will 

affect turbidity by stirring silts and other 

particles at river and canal bottoms. High 

velocity water can carry more particles and 

larger-sized sediments. Heavy rains and 

subsequent runoff water detach soil particles 

such as sand, silt, clay and organic matter and 

transport them to surface water increasing the 

turbidity. Researches have also been carried out 

to establish a relationship between turbidity, 

particle size and concentration to provide the 

basis for evaluating the effectiveness of particle 

removal process and in-situ measurement of 

turbidity is expected to be useful in estimating 

sedimentation rates in water (Dutrai, 1999). 

When water velocity is decreased or becomes 

with zero velocity , particles start to settle 

reducing the turbidity of water. However, 

changes in flow rate such as from laminar to 

turbulent may cause particulate materials from 

bottom sediments to re-suspend, and thereby 

increase the cloudiness of water. Soil erosion,


which is caused by rainfall, snowfall and 

runoff flow, will also increase the turbidity of 

water. Suspended materials include soil particles 

(clay, silt, and sand), algae, plankton, microbes, 

and other substances. These materials are 

typically in the size range of 0.004 mm (silt) to 

1.0 mm (sand). Turbidity can affect the color of 

the water. A variety of methods to estimate 

seasonal suspended sediment yield in a mixed 

land-use catchments they have examined. 

Despite the inherent uncertainty, all estimates of 

catchments sediment yield are found to be high 

with respect to erosion plot studies from the 

local area, and this suggests the importance 

channel erosion as major sediment sources, a 

finding consistent with other regional studies 

.Usually, we measure turbidity to provide a 

cheap estimate of the total suspended solids or 

sediments (TSS) concentration (Kg dry soil 

weight /m 3 water).Turbidity is measured using 

the techniques of turbid meter or nephelometry 

and is expressed in arbitrary units 

(Nephelometric Turbidity Unit, NTU). The 

direct relationship between turbidity data and 

suspended solids concentration depends on many 

factors, including particle size distribution, 

particle shape and surface condition, refractive 

index of scattering particles and of the 

suspension medium and wavelength of the light. 

Another even cheaper method is to use an 

inexpensive devise called "Turbidity Tube" is a 

simple adaptation for streams of the "Secchi 

disk" technique for lakes. It involves looking 

down a tube at a black and white disk and 

recording how much stream water is needed to 

make the disk disappear. 

MATERIAL AND METHOD 

Study locations 

Duhok river catchments consist of following 

secondary laterals , Bagloor, Sendor, Garmava 

and Khazava catchments , the total catchments 

area is 133.8 Km 2 the site between latitudes (36 o 

52 - - 37 o 01 - N) and Longitude (42 o 51 - - 43 o 06 - 

E) .The highest mountain peak at Bakhar (1381 

m) above sea and the lowest outlet point is 560m 

above sea, the attached morphometric map (Fig 

.1) showing the site with scale (1:110000)( 

Aomer , 1999) Garmava river length is 

(14.1Km) the catchments shape as triangle, it is 

far Duhok city about (5Km) . Duhok Dam 

watershed climate region varies continually 

between dry in summer and wet in winter ,the 

rain fed area in the watershed is highly to 

moderate slopes and cultivated with venues and 

grain ( Hammed,2004) . Physical soil analysis of 

Duhok watershed show that the most soil, 

contained highly clay material, which about 

more than 36% and it's classified as silt clay soil 

with normal to moderate acidity. Only 25% of 

Duhok watershed was covered with forest 

(Gulcur and Kettaneh, 1972) but now day is less 

than the mention percentage even though the 

governorate cultivated 2.6% of forested trees as 

well as 6.5km of wattle fences and constriction 

about (3250m 3 ) prevent check dam in gullies to 

reduce surface runoff then reduce water erosion 

in the region. The erosion is their active due to 

the sever slope and the rate of deposit 

sedimentation is high .The main purpose of this 

study is to estimated the seasonal sedimentation 

for the Duhok dam watershed through 

continually samples during the seasonal runoff 

which outlet to the Duhok river due to estimate 

their turbidity and to find the unique relationship 

between turbidity and suspension concentrations 

using turbidity meter (HACH-2100A).Turbidity 

can be measured in the laboratory and also onsite 

in the river by a handheld turbidity meter. 

The meter is calibrated using standard samples 

from the meter manufacturer. Six glass of vials 

shows turbidity standards of (0.6, 1, 10,100, 

500) and (1000 NTUs). Once the meter is 

calibrated to correctly read these standards, then 

turbidity of runoff suspended water samples can 

be taken. 

The methods and equipment used for 

sampling suspended sediment are different from 

those used for deposited sediments. Also 

sampling methods for measurements of the 

quantity of sediment in transport are different 

than for measurement of sediment quality. The 

reason for these differences reflects the fact that 

sediment quantity must include the sand size 

fractions which are unequally distributed in 

depth, whereas sediment quality focuses on the 

silt and clay fraction which is not depthdependent. 

For bottom sediments it may be 

necessary to collect deposited sediments with 

minimum disturbance in order not to lose the 

fine material on the sediment surface, or because 

the vertical distribution of the sediment 

components is important. 

Turbidity measure with nephelometeric 

turbid meters is considered a good method for 

estimating suspension concentration in rivers 

(Lewis 1996).Measuring turbidity can be done 

by measured using either an electronic turbidity 

meter or handheld turbidity tube. Both methods 

28


have advantages and disadvantages, as shown 

below. Turbidity is usually measured in 

nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) or Jackson 

turbidity units (JTLJ), depending on the method 

used for measurement. The two units roughly 

equal (Jamie and Richard, 1996). Although 

measuring turbidity is easer than measuring 

suspended solid, more information is needed on 

their relation. While a relationship can be 

established between turbidity and suspended 

sediment, this relationship can and will change 

spatially and temporally due to variations in 

sediment composition and stream energy 

(Rasmussen, 1995). 

The study was started depended on the 

collected data of turbid runoff suspended water 

samples from Duhok Dam watershed river 

before it arrives into the reservoir, after each 

heavy rainfall which, cause runoff to ward the 

Rainfall data during study period was taken from 

Duhok Dam meteorology stations (Table 1). To 

prepare the standard curve three mixed samples 

of soil were taken from seven different sites 

along the Duhok Dam watershed, and the soil 

samples approximately represented the condition 

of watershed soil. 

The standard curve of the runoff 

concentration and water turbidity is the first step 

to measure total suspended sedimentation of 

Duhok Dam reservoir. Oven- dried mixed soil 

samples were taken for each sites as( 1.25, 

2.50, 3.75, 5.00 and 7.50 g ),then add (1 liter ) 

water to prepar the standard concentration . The 

weight convert to (Kg soil / m 3 ) (Hollidy, at el 

2003)Turbidity values taken from all samples 

.(Table 2),(Fig.2) show the relation between 

turbidity water suspention (NTU) by using the 

(HACH-2100A) Turbidity meter and prepared 

suspention consentration (Kg / m 3 ), Correlation 

equation was obtained and depended upon to 

measure the concentration of suspention real 

runoff water during the study periods . 

Total rainfall was 385.9mm during study 

season .In this study we chose only (11) 

rainstorms which really caused runoff ,which 

renged between (12mm) and (44mm) as shown 

in (Table 3) (Clumian 2). Turbidity measurment 

was done for the above (11) water sampls which 

were taken from the season flow runoff to 

Duhok river. 

Table (4)show the total monthly runoff 

collected in Duhok Dam during the study 

seasonal period. The data has been taken from 

Duhok/Iraq dam directory . 

28 

Table (1 ): The chosen rainfall days and their date in 

Duhok Dam meteorology station. 

# Date Rainfall (mm) 

1 24/10/2008 12.5 

2 28/11/208 19.0 

3 29/11/2008 35.0 

4 24/12/2008 24.5 

5 31/12/2008 44.0 

6 27/2/2009 25.5 

7 28/2/2009 15.5 

8 4/3/2009 10.5 

9 23/3/2009 30.5 

10 24/3/2009 24.0 

11 17/4/2009 32.0 

Table (2): Relation between soil suspension 

concentration and turbidity meter reading 

of standard curve. 

Kg/m 3 Concentration 

of Suspended 

8 

NTU(nephelometric 

turbidity Unit) 

1.25 97 

2.50 125 

3.75 135 

5.00 180 

7.50 200 

6 

4 

Soil suspension Km/m 3 

2 

50 

0 

0 

250 

200 

150 

100 

y = 86.15x 0.414 

R 2 = 0.9544 

Fig.(2):Standard curve, shows relation between soil 

suspension concentration and turbidity value 

Turbidity NUT


Table ( 3 ): Turbidity reading (NTU) of river samples during the study season and the correlation of the 

suspension concentration according the standard curve formula Y=86.15X 0.414 

# 

Date 

(1) 

Rainfall (mm) 

(2) 

NTU 

(3) 

Kg/m 3 

From the 

formula (4) 

1 24/10/2008 12.5 1.3 0.0004 

2 28/11/208 19.0 22 0.037 

3 29/11/2008 35.0 31 0.084 

4 24/12/2008 24.5 95 1.266 

5 31/12/2008 44.0 230 10.718 

6 27/2/2009 25.5 18 0.0227 

7 28/2/2009 15.5 74 0.6926 

8 4/3/2009 10.5 0.5 3.9E-06 

9 23/3/2009 30.5 12 8.55E-03 

10 24/3/2009 24.0 102 1.5037 

11 17/4/2009 32.0 0.32 1.3E-06 

Table ( 4 ): Total runoff storage in Duhok Dam during rainfall seasonal 2008-2009 

Turbidity (NTU) 

# Date Runoff (m 3 ) 

1 September 2008 0 

2 November 2008 188319 

3 December 2008 226636 

4 January 2009 490502 

5 February 2009 163865 

6 March 2009 2320739 

7 April 2009 1482095 

8 May 2009 150000 

250 

200 

150 

100 

50 

Total 5022156 

(Source Duhok Dam directory/Iraq) 

0 

0 5 10 15 

Suspension concentration 

(Kg/m 3 ) 

y = 83.295x 0.4262 

R 2 = 0.9842 

Fig. (3): Relation between the turbidity(NTU) and natural suspension concentration(Kg/m 3 ) 

28


28 

Table (5): Ton sedimentation collected in Duhok Dam during the study season (2008- 2009). 

# Month 

1 

Monthly runoff to 

Duhok Dam(m 3 ) 

1/10/2008 0 

1/11/2008 188319 

1/12/2008 226636 

1/1/2009 490502 

1/2/2009 163865 

1/3/2009 2320739 

1/4/2009 1482095 

1/5/2009 150000 

2 

Suspension 

Concentration Kg/ m 3 

3 

Sediment 

Kg 

0 0 

0.0605 11393.3 

5.992 1358002.9 

3.0263 1484406.2 

0.3576 58598.124 

0.504 1169652.5 

1.3E-06 1.9267235 

0 0 

4 

4082054.951 Kg 

Total Tons 4082.055 Ton 

RESULT AND DISCUSSION 

The main purpose of this study is to estimate 

the annual sedimentation collected in the Duhok 

dam reservoir through taking continually 

samples from the seasonal runoff which outlet to 

the Duhok River. Total suspended solids (TSS) 

is one of the primary factors affecting turbidity 

of runoff water flow from the catchments outlet 

to Duhok river ,which was measured by using 

turbidity meter (NTU) nephelometeric turbidity 

meters unite. Prolonged period of continuous 

runoff occurred in the initial monitoring period 

"Between" (2008-2009). Seasonal rainfall was 

less than average the distribution of rainfall on 

rainy day and monthly runoff was recorded in 

table (Table 1) and (Table 3) respectively. (Table 

3 columnar 3) show that as the peak water runoff 

flow the runoff color seem turbid, while in the 

gentle flow, the water color seem very clear 

,which flow to the Duhok Dam reservoir. 

The standard curve of suspended 

concentration and turbidity (NTU) was prepared 

from (Table 2) and explained in (Fig. 8), to 

obtain correlation equation for the eroded solid 

material as sedimentation to Duhok Dam 

reservoir. 

We obtained strong relationship between 

turbidity and sediment concentration, 

(Y=86.15X 0.414 with R 2 =0.95 

), but the 

relationships differed between natural runoff and 

suspended samples. Overall, peak sediment 

concentration frequently occurred with or very 

soon after the first flow and prior to peak 

discharge. Hubert at al, 2007 show that simple 

linear regression only occur where the particle 

size shape and composition of suspended soils 

does not vary with concentration. These 

condition are in the case of predominantly fine 

silt and clay which are being transported 

specially from pasture region and un-gullied 

region. The relation for high concentrations 

which contain high percentage of sand partial is 

best represent by a power curve predominantly 

in gullied area where highly eroded puts occur 

and show statistically significant relationship 

(Armstrong et al, 2002) Turbidity explained 

more than 95% of the variability in sediment 

concentration. Similar result was observed by 

(Dabney et al, 2006) in natural runoff samples 

when they applied the correlation equation, 

several time , the result is very close to that we 

obtained in this study (Fig.8). 

Applied the turbidity value (NTU) of the 

suspended natural rainfall runoff samples which 

was taken from the estuary river of the Duhok 

watershed river on the standard curve or solve 

the above equation on the light of turbidity 

value, we obtained the concentration of the 

suspended soil in Kg/m 3 as shown in (Table 

5). 

(Fig.8) shown the relationship between 

chosen rainfall in Duhok Dam watershed, and 

suspension sediment concentration during the 

study period the relation is polynomial with 

(R 2 =0.75). Although the total seasonal rainfall 

was (386 mm) , while the rainfall storms which 

really cause the runoff and turbid water was 

(273mm), the monthly distribution of rain was as 

follows (66.5mm) in November and (68.5mm) in 

December 2008 while (41.0 ,65.0 mm) and (32.0 

mm) in February, March and April 2009 

respectively .The above rainfall data have 

indirect effect on the turbidity of the Duhok river 

and suspended sediments due to the impact of 

the raindrop on the Duhok Dam watershed ,


other factors affected the turbidity of Duhok 

river as the watershed condition (Rainfall 

intensity, soil humidity ,vegetation cover , and 

soil texture), as will as the type of soil 

conservation practices . 

In this study for the first time we estimate the 

monthly sedimentation in the Duhok Dam 

reservoir instead of the total loading sediment, 

monthly sediment show the effect of the rainfall 

and the soil condition before rain storm 

. Comparing the results obtained in this study 

(2008-2009), with that found by (Hammed, 

1980) we see that the total runoff was estimated 

at (5022156 m 3 ) (Table 4) vs. 11511232 m 3 for 

the season (1978-1979) and the maximum 

suspended sediment concentration load was 

(5992 g/ m 3 ) (Table 5 columnar 3) vs. 85060 g/ 

m 3 for study season (1978-1979). The last result 

is two fold more than that which the consultant 

report has mentioned (Duhok Dam project, 

1979) 

Also the total suspended soil was (4082.055 

ton) as estimated in this study (Table 5 columnar 

Suspension 

concentration(kg/m 3 ) 

12 

10 

8 

6 

4 

2 

0 

4) vs. (137951 ton) for study season (1978- 

1979). 

The big difference is due to the decline in 

rainfall and climate change during the last three 

decades, for example total rainfall during study 

season (2008-2009) was (386 mm) while the 

average rainfall in the season (1978-1979) more 

than (600 mm) between (Duhok and Zawita) 

region, in addition Duhok river was flow along 

the year during study season(1978-1979), but 

now day the river flow only in the rainfall season 

period because of the drought of spring resource 

and rainfall abatement. 

As the total Duhok watershed area is 133.8 

Km 2 and the total sedimentation in this output 

study for the rainfall season (2008-2009) are 

(4082.055 ton) (Table 5), we conclude that 

erosion was not dangerous and less than the 

tolerance limit (11.4 ton/hectors) it's about 

(0.305 ton/hectors) and the sedimentation is 

little in Duhok Dam watershed region. 

y = 0.0179x 2 - 0.7462x + 7.1151 

R 2 = 0.7552 

0 20 40 60 

-2 

Rainfall depth(mm) 

Fig. (4): Relation between Rainfall depth and Suspension Concentration 

CONCLUSIONS 

All types of the erosion (Gully and sheet) 

were the dominant source of the most sediments, 

contributing to sediment yield from upland 

catchments to the Duhok Dam reservoir. As the 

main phase of gully erosion is already complete 

treatment and management of historical gully 

erosion is likely to have a lasting effect on water 

quality and reduced sediments. Land 

management, such as conserving and prevention 

of the formation gullies, may play a key role in 

decrease the eroded process. More attention 

needs to paid to the design and settling of 

sediment trapping structures in gullies to achieve 

maximum trap efficiency and minimize turbidity 

sediment yield from heavy grazing although 

much less significant, may rise dramatically 

28


during prolonged dry period, also the mountains 

which surrounding Duhok Dam, shown early 

landslide and continuous erosion. 

The differences of water turbidity in the 

rainfall season is very important for calculation 

the expected actual soil loss due to the effect of 

rainfall drop, For example in the spring when the 

soil is newly ploughed and without any cover 

will be dangerous if the area is expected to the 

high spring shower high value of erosion and 

then high amount of suspended soil and turbid 

water which in turn causes large quantity of 

sediments in the rivers and its lateral, but less 

effect if the spring rain be gentle. This 

measurement generally provides a very good 

correlation with the concentration of particles in 

the water, which affect turbidity then increase 

the erosion . 

22 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Depending on the output of this study we 

can know which period of the season is critical 

for soil erosion which shown as turbidity water 

in the river. On this basis there should be plans 

for soil conservation works to stop the impact of 

the raindrop on uncover soil surface and we 

recommended the following points for decrease 

the cause of suspension and natural water 

erosion. 

1- Reforestation the uncovered parts of the 

watershed and to prevent the present forest also 

forbidden to cut the forest trees. 

2- construct and develop the small check dams 

which traditionally named small stone dam on 

the laterals of the streams and gullies to reduce 

the flowing runoff and then decrease the gullies 

erosion, which dominate in the region. 

3- Make retaining wall on both roadsides to 

reduce collapse and 

lubrication posses in the soil. 

4- Construct wattle fence and develop new 

durable material on critical slope which have 

fragile and uncovered soil to conserve it from 

the erosion. 

REFERENCES 

- Aomer, O.A. (1999).Morphological study for some 

watershed discharge Arbil, Iraq Kurdistan Duhok 

University bulletin, The first minutes scientific 

congress ,V2 No, 4 P591. 

- Armstrong G.L., and D.H. Mackenzie (2002) .Sediment 

yield and turbidity records from small upland sub 

catchments in the Warragamba Dam catchments. 

New South Wales, Australian Journal of Soil 

Research V40. 

- Dabney, S.M., M.A. Locke and Jr, R.W. Steinriede 

(2006). Turbidity sensors track sediment 

concentrations in runoff from agricultural fields, 

federal interagency sedimentation conference 

proceedings, Reno, Nevada. CDROM. 

- Duhok Dam project consultants, (1979). Department of 

Dams and reservoirs first stage. Project report 

Vol.1, Baghdad Iraq. Ministry of irrigation. 

- Dutrai, G.V. (1999).In-situ light scattering measurements 

of Cryptosporidium and other suspended particles 

in water. 

- Gulcur, M., and M.S.Kettaneh (1972).Development plan 

of Duhok watershed, forestry research, 

demonstration and training .Fo.SF/TRQ.518 Arbil. 

- Hammed, M.T. (1980).Study on the relationship between 

rainfall and each of the discharge and suspended 

load of Duhok watershed. A thesis of Master degree 

submitted to the college of Agriculture and 

Forestry, Mosul University, Iraq 

- Hammed, M.T. (2004) .Morphological study on the 

secondary laterals of the Duhok river watershed 

.Journal of Duhok university .V7. Number 2 P. 

(63-75). 

- Hollidy,C.p.,T.C.Rasmussen and P.M.William 

(2003).Establishing the relationship between 

turbidity and total suspended sediment 

concentraton.The University of Georgia, 

Athens,GA30602. 

- Howard, P (2008).U.S. Department of the Interior.U.S. 

Geological survey. 

URL:http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/characteristics. 

html 

- Hubert, C., M. Takeuchi and M. Trevethan (2007). 

Available online. Using turbidity and acoustic 

backscatter intensity as surrogate measure of 

suspended sediment concentration in a small 

subtropical estuary. Journal of environment, P1406- 

1416, Austral. www .Elsevier .com/locate/jenvman 

- Jamie,B., and R. Balance.(1996).Water quality 

monitoring- a practical guide to the design and 

implementation of freshwater .Quality studies and 

monitoring programmer ,UNEP/WHO. 

- Lewis, J. (1996).Turbidity controlled suspended sediment 

sampling for runoff event load estimation, Water 

Resources Research, 32(7), 2299-2310. 

- Rasmussen, T.C. (1995).Erosion and sedimentation 

scientific and regulatory issues .Report developed 

by Georgia board of regent's scientific panel on 

evaluating the erosion measurement standard 

defined by the Georgia erosion sedimentation Act. 

- Wijenayake, N.A.J., and P.M.K. Alahakoon (2002). 

Development accost-effective turbid-meter 

,Department of agricultural engineering, faculty 

of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya 20400, 

Sri Lanka.


ايتايرتو درةئ رةصل اظائ اىوبيمَش اغايبرةش يىدىاكىةصمٍ وبذ يكةراك اىربةظشثوب ٌرك ةييتٍ ٌايش َىييلوكيل َىفل 

ةتخوث 

انلهو َىىوبيمَش ارةب فايل هكم اكةيدىةويث اىاييئ كَث وبذ. 

َىكوٍد َىركش يرابير ينكظَيشل روجواوج اي اخائ وظائ 

اىركموك اكيرب, 

َىكوٍد َىركصل ةىلااش انله َىرابةق اىرك ٌاشيى تشةد 

َىييلوكيل َىظذ يكةرةش ارةط ةئ. 

َىخائ 

تشةد ةم َىييلوكيل َىظ اىاد وانجةئ وب. 

َىكوٍد َىركش يرابير اكيٍامود كيسَييلاىاراب ينكظيش اظائ ذ كةديٍ واوةدرةب 

3 

) هك/ 

هغ( 

يخائ 

و ظائ ايتايرت ارةب فاى 

ًَيمش َىزرةول َىكةىارابرةله ًترظرةو ةتاٍ 

, ةيرك يكيتاتمام ينكَيرب يدىاطىةصمٍ اكةيدىةويث اىركتشرودب 

(Runoff( 

درةئرةش اظائ ارابق لةطل اىاراب َىمةجرةش 

.) NTU( 

َىىوبيمَشو 

و كيضب ًي ٌاراب يمةٍ نييب يرٍتربوب. 

َىكوٍد َىركش وب يلامار اخائذ ةىلااش يمةجرةش اىاد وانجةئ وب ) 8002 -8002( 

َىزرةول ينلامار ةيتاٍ اخائ انله يمةجرةش اىاراب َىمةدل درةئرةش اظائ اىوج ارطةئ ةييوب 

ًيوةئ ًترطرةو ةييتاٍ ٌزام 

. ينظيث َىكوٍد َىركش فايل ةيتاٍ اخائ ذ ةىلااش يجمرةش ًَيشد َىكفيش ارابةق فيدلو ) ًت 50282044( 

َىىدىاوخ 


هييف ةي ت لا ي يعلع اييلنتي تليت هقييحلا ن يعتجلا د ييل عتعةي ي يمم ةييكع ةيت سي ةيلع ي تعتييي تييي ةيما ةلا دليه هيف 

دليه ني هيحليتلا ضتيغلا 

ةلتيمتتلا لع ير لا ني تت يح ل 

نليي ةييتلاسكل هييم ل لا ةييعقع داةييعا تييي, 

. ةي ل سلا يما تل سلا تلت ن دةع ةتلاسلا تعتي ل ت ةخ ما ، كتهد ةم ) ةل ج( 

ضتح 

ش ي علع عتج للاخ ن كتهد ةم د ل ةل جل ةعتعحلا ما تلا تعة ل ته ةما ةلا 

ةييما ةلا لييه اي يي د هييل قي ةييلا لييرد هيي ل 

لين ةيعع هقييحلا د لتلا ن عتج ي لأا لتيه ي د ل عتج تي ة ل ، ) NTU( 

ةيستج تلا يلتلا ي ع ةي ل سلا يما تلا نلي ةقي ا ةيتلاع د يجعا ضتيغل ، ) 8002-8002 

سلا 

. هتييمتتلا كتييهد تييهد يير ةييعع 

3 

) تن/ 

تغ( 

ةفك ختلا ة ت لا الناتي 

( ةيما ةلا تي ف للاخ لتيه 

عيتج هيف ةيتةلا د يعي ضتيغل . ةيما ةلا تيقي ةيل جكل ةعتعيحلا ةيعتس لا يما تعةي ل ةس تلف مةخ حي ه لا ، ةل جلا ن 

لتييه ةيعع هقييحلا ن يعتجلا اةيقي هي لا تلغيرلا 

لللين تيلي لا ليصاتسلا لن ي علع لتشي نا جع, 

ةعتعييحلا تلي لا تعةيي ي ني تع يييلكع 

) نيط 50282044( 

ةييما ةلا تيقي تيي فكل يما تلا بتييتج تعةي ي تييي ةي ل . 

ي لأا ي د ل 

يي لأا 

. 

ةما ةلا تقي ةل جلا ةح ح ةكع اد ت عا ةلتهح ةليعت لا ةعتس تلا ة ت كل 

28


09 

THE ECONOMIES OF GOATS AND MERIZ KIDS MANAGED 

UNDER DIFFERENT FEEDING SYSTEMS 

KAMAL NOMAN DOSKY and REZGAR MOSTAFA MOHAMMED 

Dept. of Animal Production ,College of Agriculture, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region-Iraq 

(Received: April 28, 2010; Accepted for publication: August 1, 2010) 

ABSTRACT 

The objective of this study was to assess the economic benefit of kids of goat and Meriz managed under different 

feeding systems by using partial budget analysis. Twelve weaned kids from each of Meriz and native goat were 

divided into three different feeding systems (intensive, semi-intensive and extensive) for 90 days at the animal farm of 

the College of Agriculture, University of Duhok. 

A higher return ID (4759.22 and 5884 ) with marginal return (80.2%) and (58.8%) was achieved by Meriz and 

goat raised under semi-intensive systems compared with those managed under both intensive and pasture systems. 

The results revealed that goat raised under intensive system create losses compared with those raised either semiintensively 

or on pasture. Also, the present results indicate that Meriz raised intensively and semi-intensively 

significantly gained more weight than those raised extensively. However, the differences in gain in weight were not 

significant among different systems in goats. 

KEY WORDS: feeding system, Meriz, goat, partial budget analysis. 

G 

INTRODUCTION 

oats are well adapted to the 

environmental and limited feed and 

utilize marginal land to produce high protein 

products (Kadim et al. 2003). The local goats 

with a population of 1.6 million head (FAO, 

2000) are important livestock species in Iraq; 

they can play important role for the provision of 

meat and milk, particularly under the agricultural 

systems prevailing in the country (Alkass and 

Juma, 2005). 

Since no information is available on the 

effect of different production system and breed 

of goat on the feasibility of rearing the animal, 

therefore this work was conducted to investigate 

the economic benefit of goats and Meriz 

managed under different feeding systems. 


Twelve weaned kids (three months old) from 

each of Meriz and native Goat with an average 

initial weight 11.7±0.47 and 12.10±0.37 kg, 

respectively managed under three feeding 

system (intensive, semi intensive and pasture) 

were used in this study. Kids from each breed of 

first group were kept in individual boxes and had 

ad libitum access to concentrate (ingredients 

composition Barley 53%, Wheat bran 25%, 

Soybean meal 15%, Wheat straw 6%, Salts 

0.5%, Limestone 0.5% and Vitamins 0.5% ) and 

contained 16% crude protein. Drinking water 

was supplied ad libitum during the experiment of 

90 days. Kids of the second group (semi 

intensive) was left at the pasture for the first 45 

days of the experiment and then moved to the 

farm to be fed a concentrate mixture ad libitum 

for the rest of the experiment. The third group of 

kids was freely grazed at pasture. All kids were 

weighed biweekly after being fasted for 12hrs. 

Partial budget analysis was used to evaluate 

the economic advantage of different feeding 

system. Partial budgeting is a planning and 

decision-making framework used to compare the 

costs and benefits of alternatives faced by a farm 

business. It focuses only on the changes in 

income and expenses that would result from 

implementing a specific alternative. Thus, all 

aspects of farm profits that are unchanged by the 

decision can be safely ignored (Sarah and 

Jeffery, 2002). Partial budgeting measures 

profits (or losses) which are the net benefits or 

difference between gains and losses for the 

proposed change. Gains include added returns 

and reduced costs, losses include added costs 

and reduced returns. The method entails 

calculating net return (NR), i.e. the amount of 

money left when total variable costs (TVC) are 

subtracted from total returns (TR): 

NR = TR – TVC 

Total variable costs include the costs of all 

inputs that change due to the change in


production technology. The most important 

criterion in deciding whether or not to adopt a 

new technology is the change in net return 

(ΔNR). This amount is the difference between 

the change in total returns (TR) and the change 

in total variable costs (ΔTVC): 

ΔNR = ΔTR – ΔTVC 

Assuming that capital is not a constraint, the 

technology with the highest ΔNR is chosen. 

However, new technologies normally require 

investment, therefore additional capital is 

necessary. When capital is limited, the extra (or 

marginal) costs should be compared with the 

extra (or marginal) net benefits. The marginal 

rate of return (MRR) measures the increase in 

net return (ΔNR) associated with each additional 

unit of expenditure (ΔTVC): 

MRR = ΔNR / ΔTVC 

The MRR measures the effect of additional 

investment in a new technology on additional net 

returns (CIMMYT, 1988). 

Particulars 

RESULTS AND DISCUSION 

According to partial budget, it seems from 

results presented in table (1) that Meriz and goat 

raised semi-intensively is more profitable 

compared to those raised either intensively or 

extensively. Hence, the net return was amounted 

to ID (4759.22) and (5884) with marginal return 

of ID (80.2%) and (58.8%) for Meriz and goat 

respectively. This means that for each ID (1.00) 

invested in this system of feeding, the farmer can 

expect to recover the cost ID (1.00) and gain 

additional ID (0.80) and (0.58) for Meriz and 

goat respectively. 

From the data obtained in this study, it was 

clear that grazing Meriz and goat kids at the 

pasture after weaning for (45) days then moving 

them to the farm to be fed for next (45) days 

concentrate mixture is potentially more 

profitable than either grazing without 

supplementation or access feeding concentrate 

with no grazing. Similar economic trend was 

obtained by Bhatt et al (1991) and Legesse et al 

(2005) for black Bengal X Beetal half breed kids 

and Somali goats respectively managed under 

three feeding systems. 

Therefore, it can be conclude that both goat 

and Meriz kids utilize well the good pasture for 

(45) days, as well as the concentrate during the 

second (45) days, and this result in reducing the 

cost. 

Table (1): Partial budget analysis for goat & Meriz under different feeding system (ID per each one). 

Feeding systems 

Intensive Semi-intensive Extensive 

Goat Meriz Goat Meriz Goat Meriz 

Gross returns 46875 57000 42375 43065 27600 23025 

Feed costs 

Barley 7321.875 9088.25 3710.625 4196.75 - - 

Wheat bran 10416.75 2572 196 1188 - - 

Soybean meal 3453.75 4287.125 1750.25 1979.625 - - 

Hay 207.25 257.25 105 118.75 - - 

Salt 230.125 286.25 116.625 131.25 - - 

Limestone 230.125 286.25 116.625 131.25 - - 

Vitamins 978.375 1213.5 495.875 559.75 - - 

Pasture - - 4687.5 4687.5 14062.5 14062.5 

Labor 37500 37500 25312.5 25312.5 13125 13125 

Total variable costs 60338.25 55490.63 36491 38305.78 27187.5 27187.5 

Net return -13463.25 1509.37 5884 4759.22 412.5 -4162.5 

NROC -13875.75 5671.87 5471.5 8921.72 - - 

MRR -41.9 20 58.8 80.2 - - 

09


By using the Newman-Keuls multiple 

comparisons, it appears that gain in weight of 

Meriz raised intensive and semi-intensive was 

significantly higher than those raised on pasture 

09 

(table 2). However, with regard to goats, no 

significant differences in gain in weight were 

detected among different systems of production 

(table 3). 

Table (2): Newman-Keuls multiple comparisons between three types of Meriz feed. 

Newman-Keuls Multiple Comp. Differences P Q Critical q 

Mean(1.00)-Mean(3.00) = 8.9125 3 5.789 3.948* 

Mean(1.00)-Mean(2.00) = 3.7 2 2.403 3.199 

Mean(2.00)-Mean(3.00) = 5.2125 2 3.386 3.199* 

* Indicate significant differences. 

Table (3): Newman-Keuls multiple comparisons between three types of goat feed. 

Newman-Keuls Multiple Comp. Differences P Q Critical q 

Mean(1.00)-Mean(3.00) = 4.3375 3 2.817 3.948 

Mean(1.00)-Mean(2.00) = 1.9 (Do not test) 

Mean(2.00)-Mean(3.00) = 2.4375 

REFERENCES 

- Alkass, J. E. and K. H. Juma (2005). Small Ruminant 

Breeds of Iraq. In: Characterization of Small 

Ruminant Breeds in West Asia and North Africa ( 

Editor, Luis Iniguez). Vol. 1. West Asia. 

International Center of Agriculture Research in the 

Dry Areas (ICARDA)., Aleppo, Syria, pp.63-101. 

- Bhatt A. S., R. A, Singh, S. K Verma and B. S. Gupta 

(1991). Carcass traits and economics of meat 

production in kids under different management 

systems. Indian Journal of Animal Science. 61(10): 

1149-1151. 

- CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement 

Center) (1988). From Agronomic Data to Farmer 

Recommendations: An economics training manual. 

CIMMYT, DF, Mexico. 

(Do not test) 

(.05) 

(.05) 

- FAO ( Food and Agriculture Organization). (2000). 

Quarterly Bulletin of Statistics Vol-1 FAO, Rome, 

Italy. 

- Kadim, I.T., O. Mahgoub, D. S. Al-Ajmi, R. S. Al- 

Maqbaly, N.M. Al-Saqri and A. Ritchie (2003). An 

evaluation of the growth, carcass and meat quality 

characteristics of Omani goat breeds. Meat Science 

66: 203–210. 

- Legesse, G., G. Abebe, and K. Ergano (2005). The 

economics of goats managed under different 

feeding systems. Livestock Research for rural 

Development. 17 (6). 

- Sarah R. and H.Jeffery (2002). Partial Budgeting for 

Agricultural Businesses, The Pennsylvania State 

University.


َىنزاوخ تَيي ادوج ادوج تَينَيذز سَيذ ل ىشةزةمو ىنصب تَيكطيط انسكنادوخ ايزوبائ 

سةَيذ ل ىسكنادوةخ تَييىشةزةةمو ىنصب تَيكطيط َىي ىزووبائ َىيتاياد اندناطنةطلةي وب َىهيلوكةظ َىظذ مةزةم 

ةتخوث 

تَيي ىشةزةمو ىنصب ذ كَيئ زةي تَيكطيط 

21 . تسث تسث ايناصيم انسكةظومش اناهيئزاكب ادوج كَيذ تَيناديلائ تَينَيذز 

َىذوسث ل اذوز 09 َىوام وب ) ىاوزةضو يرت كةو , يرت 

تَيكةطيط وةب 

% .858 

و 

8951 

ىسبةةظ 

( َىنادكيلائ تَيمةتطيض َىض زةطل ىسكشةباد ةهتاي ىسكةظ يرش 

. كويد ايوكناش 

َىيتاةياد لةةطد ىةقايرع تََيزاهيد 

– َىندناض اريلوك ل ىزةوةنايط انسكنادوخ 

) .882 و22.0511( 

زةةطل ىشةزةةم و ىنصب تَيكطيط لةطد دزوازةب يرت كةو انَيذز زةطل ىسكنادوخ تَيي 

ىتاياد ويستدهمب 

كَيئ فيدل ىنصبوىشةزةم 

. ىناوزةضو يرت تَينَيذز ودزةي 

ودزةي لةطد َىنسكدوزازةب ب سك زةزةش يرت انَيذز زةطل ىسكنادوح تَيي ىنصب تَيكطيط وك امانجةئ ذ تيبدزايد 

تَيكطيط ب اي ةناذوز َىشةل اشَيك انوبةدَيش وك سكزايد َىهيلوكةظ َىظ تَيمانجةئ اضةوزةي . ىناوزةضو يرت كةو تَينَيذز 

تَيي لةطد دزوازةب ب اهيئ ةظ تضةدب ظاضزةب اي ست دهمب اشَيك 

يرت كةوو يرت انَيذز زةطل ىسكنادوخ تَيي ىشةزةم 

تَيكطيط ل زوجوازوج تَيي 

َىنادكيلائ تَينَيذز ازةبفاند اد َىشَيك انوبةدَيش د ىوب ظاضزةبد ةن ىشاوايجو , ىناوزةض 

ةفلتخم ةيوذغت مظن تحت ةابرملازعرملاو 

زعاملا ءادج ةرادا تايداصتقا 

. ىشةزةم 

ةيذغتلا نم ةفلتخم مظن تحت ةابرملا زعرملاو زعاملا ءادجل يداصتقلاا دئاعلا مييقتل ةيلاحلا ةساردلا فدهت 


ةفلتخم ةيوذغت مظن ثلاث ىلا ةموطفملا زعرملاو زعاملا نم لك ءادج نم 21 عيزوت مت . ةيئزجلا ةينازيملا ليلحت مادختساب 

يلاوتلا ىلع زعاملاو 

. كوهد ةعماج – ةعارزلا ةيلك يف ناويحلا ةيبرت عورشم يف اموي 09 ةدمل ) ىعرملا ىلع وا فثكم هبش , فثكم( 

زعرملا ءادجل % .858و 

8951 يدح دئاع عم يقارع رانيد ) .882و 

22.0511( 

دئاع ىلعا غلب 

. ىعرملاو فثكملا نيماظنلا لاك تحت ةابرملا زعرملاو زعاملا ءادجب ةنراقم فثكملا هبش ماظن تحت ةابرملا 

فثكملا هبش يماظنب ةنراقم ةراسخ تجتنا فثكملا ماظن تحت 

هبشو فثكملا يماظن 

نيب ةينزولا ةدايزلا لدعم يف ةيونعم 

تحت ةابرملازعرمل ا ءادجل 

ةيمويلا ةينزولا ةدايزلا 

ةابرملا زعاملا ءادج ناب جئاتنلا 

نم نيبت 

ناب ةيلاحلا ةساردلا جئاتن تنيب كلذك. 

ىعرملاو 

تاقورفلا نكت ملو , ىعرملا ىلع ةابرملاب ةنراقم ايونعم ىلعا نزو تققح 

دق فثكملا 

. 

زعاملا ءادج يف ةفلتخملا ةيئاذغلا 

مظنلا 

09


49 

RESPONSES OF FIVE WATER STRESSED FABABEAN (Vicia faba L.) 

CULTIVARS TO EXOGENOUS ABSCISIC ACIA APPLICATION * 

CASER G. ABDEL * and SHAMIL Y. H. M. AL-HAMADANY ** 

* Dept. of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region- Iraq 

** Dept. of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, University of Mosul,- Iraq 

(Received: May 18, 2010; Accepted for publication: October 23, 2010) 

ABSTRACT 

Five fababean cultivars namely Aquadulce, Local Syrian, Taka 357, Twowaytha and Babylon were water-stressed 

to wilt, and then they were re-watered and immediately sprayed by 0.0, 2x10 -6 M ABA or 2x10 -3 M ABA to evaluate 

their adaptation to resist drought throughout their responses to varying ABA rates. The results revealed that 

Aquadulce is the most drought resistance cultivar; this can be ascertained by its prominent yield of dry seeds (33.03 

g.plant -1 ), stomata aperture length of upper and lower leaf surfaces (6.7 and 7.1μm, respectively), aperture width of 

upper and lower leaf surface stomata (1.4 and 1.9μm, respectively). Negligible differences were detected between 

Aquadulce and Local Syrian cultivars. Moreover, the latter cultivar revealed unequivocal yield of mature pods (91.33 

g.plant -1 ). Exogenous ABA application highly improved the drought resistance capabilities of most cultivars, 

particularly interaction treatment of Aquadulce and 2x10 -3 M ABA, which showed profound dry seeds yield per 

plant (42.93 g), stomata aperture length of upper and lower leaf surfaces (6.89 and 6.6μm, respectively), stomata 

aperture width of upper and lower leaf surfaces (1.8 and 2.1μm, respectively). ABA application slightly affected all 

detected traits. 

A 

INTRODUCTION 

BA is oxidized to phaseic acid (PA), 

which, in turn, undergoes reduction at the 

4'-keto to give dihydrophaseic acid (DPA or epi- 

DFA). The provision of an -OH group at C-4' 

allows for conjugation with glucose and the 

formation of dihydrophaseic acid-glucosides 

(DPA-GS and epi /-DPA-GS). Abscisic acid 

glucose ester (ABA-GE), Phaseic acid (PA), 

Dihydrophaseic acid (DPA), and dihydro 

phaseic acid-glucosides (DPA-GS) are the major 

metabolites when ABA is supplied to leaves or 

other plant parts. They are also the major 

metabolites when ABA is rapidly synthesized 

during stress and is dissipated on the release of 

stress. As to which metabolites predominate 

varies with species and developmental state 

(Srivastava, 2002). ABA is synthesized from 

mevalonic acid in roots and mature leaves, 

particularly in response to water stress. Stomata 

under water shortage brings about an increase in 

ABA which leads to stomata closure and shoot 

growth inhibitions (Goodwin and Mercer, 1985). 

In general, application of ABA to plants 

counteracts the simultaneous applications of 

IAA, GA, and cytokinin,on the other hand, often 

* Part of Ph. D. thesis submitted by the second author 

ABA increases plant responses to ethylene 

(Srivastava, 2002). 

Allen et al. (1994) concluded that leaflet 

grown and measured at high CO2, either water 

stressed or non-stressed had higher assimilate 

rate and lower leaf transpiration rate and 

therefore higher water use efficiency than those 

grown and measured at ambient CO2 levels, as 

stressed progressed water use efficiency 

decreased about 30 to 50% with respect to 

unstressed treatments. Increases in leaf 

temperature and gradient in leaf to air vapour, as 

water stress progressed were similar for both 

levels of CO2 treatment. Franks and Farquhar 

(2001) observed that ABA-treated plants had 

significantly smaller stomata and higher stomata 

density in their lower epidermis. Stomata 

aperture versus guard cell pressure (Pg) 

characteristics measured with a cell pressure 

probe showed that although the form of the 

relationship was similar in control and ABAtreated 

plants, stomata of ABA-treated plants 

exhibited more complete closure at Pg = 0 MPa 

and less than half the aperture of stomata in 

control plants at any given Pg. Scaling from 

stomata aperture versus Pg to stomata 

conductance versus Pg showed that plants grown 

under ABA treatment would have had 

significantly lower maximum stomata 

conductance and would have operated with 

lower stomata conductance for any given guard


cell turgour. This is consistent with the 

observation of lower mesophyll CO2/air CO2 in 

ABA-treated plants with an air CO2 of 

350 µmol.mol -1 . It is proposed that the ABAinduced 

changes in stomata mechanics and 

stomata conductance versus cell pressure (Pg) 

characteristics constitute an improvement in 

water-use efficiency that may be invoked under 

prolonged water stress conditions. Therefore, an 

attempt was conducted to evaluate the drought 

resistance of five fababean cultivars and through 

their responses to drought and ABA application. 


This experiment was carried out during 

2003 – 2004 growing season at Danadan 

Research Field, University of Mosul. The 

objective of this was to evaluate the responses of 

five water stressed fababean (Vicia faba L.) 

cultivars to varying abscisic acid (ABA) 

application rates, in terms of improving 

adaptation and water stress resistance. Therefore, 

fababean seeds were obtained from Atomic 

Energy Organization, Baghdad, in 2002. 

Factorial in Randomized Complete Block 

Design (F-RCBD) was used in this trail. Factor 

A was represented by five fababean cultivars 

namely Aquadulce (a1), Syrian (a2), Taka357 

(a3), Twowaytha (a4) and Babylon (a5). Factor B 

was represented by exogenous ABA application 

rates, where 0.0 M ABA (b1), 2x10 -6 M ABA 

(b2) and 2x10 -3 M ABA (b3). Subsequently 15 

treatment combinations were included in this 

experiment. Each treatment was replicated three 

times, and every replicate was represented by 

three pots of 20 cm in diameter and 30 cm depth. 

Pots were filled with silty loam soil (14.3% 

clay, silt 56.3%, sand 29.4%, bulk density 

1.5g.cm -3 , field capacity 0.2, and wilting point 

0.11). Pots were covered by clear polyethylene 

at a height of 1.5 m to keep plants away from 

rainfall incidences and to facilitate bumble bees 

visiting during flowering stage. Five seeds were 

sown in every pot, on November 5 th 2004 under. 

Two weeks later, plants were thinned to leave 

three plants per pots. Pots were irrigated 

whenever 50% of the plants were wilted 

throughout the growing season in each 

treatment. Two doses of NPK (27:27:0) each at 

rate of 2.5 g per pot, the first was on December 

20 th 2003 and the second was on February 10 th 

2004. Two protective sprays were made by 1g.l -1 

benomyl fungicide. Plants were sprayed twice by 

either distilled water, 2x10 -6 M ABA or 2x10 -3 

M ABA on February 20 th 2004 and were 

repeated once more whenever plants were rewatered 

after wilting. Finally, plants were 

harvested on April 28 th 2004. Plant height, 

internodes length, and pod length were 

measured. Branch number, leaflet number, node 

number, flowering node number, flower number 

per inflorescence, first fruiting node, number of 

fruiting nodes, pod number, seed number per 

pod, aborted seeds per pod, and aborted ovules 

per pod were counted. Leaf area and leaf area 

index were calculated (Abdel, 1994). Fresh 

plants, matured pods, dried pods, dry pod 

integuments, dry plants, and dried seeds were 

weighed. Light microscope of 40x objective and 

graded 7x lenses were used to count epidermal 

cells population, stomata population and stomata 

dimensions. 

RESUTS AND DISCUSSION 

Substantial differences between responses 

of Aquadulce and Syrian cultivars to varying 

ABA concentrations were not observed in all 

detected vegetative parameters. Moreover, these 

two cultivars profoundly exceeded Taka 357 in 

plant height (42.2 and 36.5%, respectively); 

node number (58.6 and 58.3%, respectively), 

leaflet number per plant 54.8 and 48.7%, 

respectively), and plant dry weight (40.9 and 

30.9%, respectively). Aquadulce cultivar was 

also superior over Twowaytha and Babylon 

cultivars in leaflet number per plant, leaf area 

index and plant dry weight. Taka 357 gave the 

lowest growth, however, it manifested 

apparently higher individual leaflet area (19.04 

cm -2 ) and internodes length (5.5 cm), as 

compared to all other cultivars (table, 1). The 

obtained results revealed that the vegetative 

growth of indeterminate Aquadulce cultivar was 

very close to that which have been obtained 

from previous investigation (Abdel, 1997), 

which may suggested drought resistance 

capability. Previous studies revealed that growth 

of indeterminate cultivars namely, Tiger, 

Newblackfly and Blaze revealed higher drought 

resistance abilities as compared to indeterminate 

Beryl (Abdel, 1982). They apparently exceeded 

Taka357, Twowaytha, and Babylon under 

rainfalls. Aquadulce growth was substantially 

improved under rainfalls and supplementary 

49


irrigation during all physiological stages (Abdel, 

1993). The superiority of Aqualduce and Local 

Syrian cultivars under water scarcity could be 

attributed to their genetic which reflected the 

highly performed breeding techniques that had 

been implicated during screening of the 

produced seeds by their producing companies. 

Taka357 is a determinate cultivar of a small 

vegetative growth possesses little number of 

leaves composed of broad leaflets; however, 

high leaf area was inadequate to brought about 

high leaf area index to compensate with these of 

indeterminate cultivars. Land coverageratio of 

determinate cultivars are lower that of 

indeterminate cultivars which make them more 

vulnerable to both high irradiance and 

evapotranspiration adversity and of low 

competition abilities. Subsequently these 

Newblack fly and Tiger cultivars were not 

recommended under drought (Abdel, 1982). 

Water stressed Aquadulce plants sprayed 

by 2x10 -3 M ABA manifested the highest plant 

height (80.5 cm), node number on main stem 

(19.33). When this cultivar was sprayed by 2x10 - 

49 

6 M ABA, it exhibited the highest leaflet number 

per plant (264.67) and plant fresh weight (137.33 

g). In addition to that untreated Aquadulce 

showed the highest plant dry weight (19.87 g). 

The highest internodes length (5.55 cm) and 

individual leaf area (20.96 cm) were confined to 

Taka 357 sprayed by 2x10 -6 M ABA. While the 

highest number of branches per plant (6.33) was 

observed in untreated Taka 357 (table, 1). The 

obtained results suggested that cultivar responses 

were more overwhelmed by their genome rather 

than by ABA. There are three reasons that 

reinforce this phenomenon; the first is that ABA 

imparted temporary elastic (not plastic) changes 

in stomata sizes, since ABA was sprayed 

immediately after re-watering. The second 

reason is that ABA application and drought 

acquired the stomata degree of adaptation which 

enabled them to cope with further high leaf 

content of ABA (Davies, 1978). The third reason 

could be referred to hormonal balance during 

juvenility, in which active ABA undergoes a 

conversion into inactive ABA for instance 

dihydrophaseic acid (Srivastava, 2002). 

Table (1): The effects of varying abscisic acid (ABA) rates on some growth traits of five water stressed fababean cultivars* ** 

Parameters P h (cm) B no N no L no L a (cm -2 ) L in In l Pdw Pfw 

Aquadulce 71.15a 4.44ab 18.22a 240.56a 13.82b 4.46a 3.95b 15.47a 126.78a 

Syrian 64.75a 4b 18.11a 212ab 13.61b 3.88ab 3.59bc 13.22ab 125.11a 

Taka357 41.14c 5.44a 7.55b 108.66c 19.04a 2.77b 5.5a 9.14c 119.22a 

Twowaytha 65.6a 3.55b 17.11a 180.56b 12.12b 2.8b 3.82bc 11.44bc 110.11ab 

Babylon 55.71b 3.44b 17.11a 179b 12.79b 3.07b 3.25c 8.81c 91.22b 

0.0 ABA 54.35a 4.46a 14.66a 187.33a 13.01a 3.11a 3.6a 13.08a 116.73a 

2x10 -6 M ABA 58.76a 4.26a 15.53a 190.67a 15.04a 3.59a 3.98a 11.59a 122.87a 

2x10 -3 M ABA 65.91a 3.8a 16.66a 174.47a 14.78a 3.48a 4.13a 10.17a 103.87a 

Aqudulce 

Syrian 

Taka 357 

Twowaytha 

Babylon 

0.0 M 61.8 bd 4.33ac 17.33a 232.67ab 14.49ad 4.48ac 3.74bc 19.87a 132.67a 

2x10 -6 M 71.16ac 5ab 18a 264.67a 12.02cd 4.26ac 3.95bc 14.42ab 137.33a 

2x10 -3 M 80.5a 4bc 19.33a 224.33ad 14.95ad 4.65ab 4.16b 12.11b 110.33ab 

0.0 M 66.2ac 3.66bc 17.33a 193.33be 13.05bd 3.33ac 3.82bc 15.17ab 127.33a 

2x10 -6 M 61.86bd 4bc 18.33a 213.33ad 12.12cd 3.52ac 3.38bc 11.86b 126a 

2x10 -3 M 66.2ac 4.33ac 18.66a 229.33ac 15.66ac 4.82a 3.56bc 12.62b 122ab 

0.0 M 37.5f 6.33a 7b 117.33fg 19.25ab 3.07ac 5.5a 9.79b 119.67ab 

2x10 -6 M 39.8f 5ab 7.33b 9.33g 20.96a 2.75ac 5.46a 9.23b 120ab 

2x10 -3 M 46.13ef 5ab 8.33b 109.33fg 16.92ac 2.48bc 5.55a 8.42b 118ab 

0.0 M 59.13be 4.66ac 15.33a 225.33ad 8.27d 2.46bc 3.87bc 11.84b 108.33ab 

2x10 -6 M 63.46bc 3.33bc 17.33a 169.67bf 15.35ac 3.41ac 3.62bc 12.67b 121.67ab 

2x10 -3 M 74.2ab 2.66 18.66a 146.67fg 12.73bd 2.52bc 3.97bc 9.82b 100.33ab 

0.0 M 47.13df 3.33bc 16.33a 168cf 10cd 2.23c 2.89c 8.73b 95.67ab 

2x10 -6 M 57.5ce 4bc 16.66a 206.33ae 14.76ad 4.02ac 3.47bc 9.79b 109.33ab 

2x10 -3 M 62.5bc 3.3bc 18.33a 162.67df 13.62bd 2.95ac 3.39bc 7.9b 68.67b 

** Ph = plant height; B no = branches number per plant: N no = node number on main stem: L no = leaflet 

number per plant: L a = leaflet area: L in = leaf area index: In l = internodes length: 

Pdw = plant dry weight (g.plant -1 ): 

Pfw = plant fresh weight (g.plant -1 ). 

* Figures of unshared characters are significant (Duncan, 0.05)


Syrian cultivar manifested superiority over 

Aquadulce, Taka357 and Babylon in the number 

of normal epidermal cells of leaf upper surface 

by 8, 23.9 and 13%, respectively, and likewise 

over Taka357 and Babylon in the leaf lower 

surface, respectively, by 23.5 and 15.1% 

(table, 3). The highest aperture width for upper 

and lower leaf surfaces were accompanied with 

Taka357 which highly exceeded other cultivars. 

This cultivar was exceeded Aquadulce and 

Syrian aperture width of upper leaf surface 

stoma by 10.6 and 10.8%, respectively, and in 

stoma: epidermis cells ratio by 18.2 and 25%, 

respectively, (table, 2). Local Syrian cultivar 

initially possesses higher epideral cells and 

stomata numbers per unit area as compared to 

other cultivars, especially Taka357. Drought 

highly increases the stomata population for unit 

area but not for entire leaf. This paradox 

emerges from the huge effects of drought on cell 

expansions rather than cell divisions in which 

new stomata are created, since almost cell 

divisions are determined during leaf 

differentiation. There are numerous examples of 

plasticity in stomata densities within species, 

with changes readily induced through exposure 

of developing leaves to changed atmospheric 

CO2 concentrations (Woodward et al., 2002 and 

Hetherington and Woodward, 2003). 

The highest stomata width on leaf upper 

surface (7.2 μm), stomata aperture (2.7 μm) on 

leaf lower surface and stoma aperture on leaf 

upper surface (2.39 μm) were observed in 

Taka357 sprayed by 2x10 -3 M ABA. Untreated 

aquadulce revealed the highest magnitude of leaf 

upper surface stoma length (11.39 μm). The 

highest number of epidermal cells (6185.5) and 

stomata length (8.1 μm) on leaf lower surface 

were coincided by Aquadulce sprayed with 

2x10 -3 M ABA (tables, 2 and 3). Twowaytha 

plants sprayed with 2x10 -6 M ABA displayed the 

highest stoma number on upper and lower leaf 

surfaces 1467.7 and 2201.6 stoma.mm -2 , 

respectively. Finally untreated check of Babylon 

was superior over other treatments in the ratio of 

stoma: epidermis on upper and lower leaf 

surfaces 0.45, 0.5, respectively, and likewise in 

number of leaf upper surface stoma 1467.7 

stomata.mm -2 . Drought resistant plant possesses 

lower stomata population and larger aperture 

area to facilitate CO2 exchange that sustains 

reasonable photosynthesis under drought 

adversity (Abdel, 1982). Franks et. al. (2001) 

reported that as a pressure was increased from as 

low as 0.3 MPa to as high as 5.0 MPa, guard cell 

volume increased in a saturating fashion. The 

elastic modulus was calculated from these data 

and was found to range from approximately 2 to 

40 MPa. The data allow inference of guard cell 

osmotic content from stomatal aperture and 

facilitate accurate mechanistic modeling of 

epidermal water relations and stomatal 

functioning. ABA modifies the stomata 

dimensions, particularly aperture to acquire plant 

more efficient CO2 exchanges and thereby 

photosynthesis. However, it reveals temporary 

reduction. Terashima et. al. (1988) found that 

after the ABA treatment, the response of 

photosynthetic CO2 assimilation rate, A, to 

calculated intercellular partial pressure of CO2, 

Pi, and [A (pi) relationship was markedly 

depressed in H. annuus. A less marked 

depression was also observed in V. faba. 

However, when the abaxial epidermis was 

removed from these leaves, neither the maximum 

rate nor the CO2 response of photosynthetic 

oxygen evolution was affected by the application 

of ABA. 

49


49 

Table (2): The influence of abscisic acid (ABA) on upper and lower leaf surfaces stomata behaviour of five 

fababean water stressed cultivars.* 

Stomata length μm 

Lower 

10.69a 

10.7a 

10.7a 

10.4a 

10.6a 

10.67a 

10.56a 

10.62a 

10.49a 

11.1a 

10.49a 

10.49a 

10.8a 

10.8a 

11.1a 

10.2a 

10.8a 

10.8a 

10.49a 

9.9a 

10.49a 

10.2a 

11.1a 

Upper 

10.59a 

10.09a 

10.39a 

10.2a 

10.1a 

10.67a 

9.96b 

10.19b 

11.39a 

9.9b 

10.49ab 

10.49ab 

10.2ab 

9.59b 

10.49a 

10.2ab 

10.49ab 

10.8ab 

9.59b 

10.2ab 

10.2ab 

9.9b 

10.2ab 

Stomata: Epidermis 

Lower 

0.36bc 

0.33c 

0.44a 

0.39ac 

0.41ab 

0.43a 

0.4a 

0.33a 

0.46ac 

0.38be 

0.25f 

0.34df 

0.32df 

0.32df 

0. 4a 

0.49ae 

0.42ab 

0.44ae 

0.41ad 

0.31ae 

0.51a 

0.38be 

0.35cf 

Ratio 

Upper 

0.32a 

0.3a 

0.34a 

0.29a 

0.34a 

0.35a 

0.34a 

0.27b 

0.39ab 

0.37ab 

0.2d 

0.29bd 

0.28bd 

0.33ad 

0.31bd 

0.4ab 

0.32bd 

0.31bd 

0.33ac 

0.24cd 

0.45a 

0.3bd 

0.28bd 

Epidermis cells.mm -2 

Lower 

4770.2a 

4752.7a 

634.4c 

4892.5a 

4036.3b 

3900c 

4445.2b 

4906.4a 

3512.1c 

4612.9ce 

6185.5a 

4717.7ce 

4560.5de 

4979.8bd 

3617gh 

3512.1h 

3774.2fh 

3931fh 

5294.4bc 

5451.6b 

3721.8fh 

4246ef 

4141.1eg 

Upper 

3844.1b 

4176.1a 

3180.1c 

4350.9a 

3634.4b 

3480.6c 

3784.7b 

4246a 

2935.5g 

3774.2ce 

4822.6a 

4246bc 

4036.3bd 

4246bc 

3354.8eg 

2935.5g 

3250fg 

3616.9df 

4350.9b 

5084.7a 

3250fg 

3826.6ce 

3826.6ce 

Lower 

1659.9b 

1590.1b 

1590.1b 

1887.1a 

1659.9b 

1656.4a 

1761.3a 

1614.5a 

1625bc 

1782.2bc 

1572.6bc 

1625bc 

1467.8c 

1677.4bc 

1415.3c 

1729.9bc 

1625bc 

1729.8bc 

2201.6a 

1729.8bc 

1887.1ab 

1625bc 

1467.8c 

Stomata.mm -2 

Upper 

1188.2a 

1275.5a 

1100.8a 

1293a 

1240.6a 

1216.1a 

1279a 

1163.7a 

1153.2ab 

1415.3ab 

996b 

1258ab 

1153.2ab 

1415.3ab 

1048.4ab 

1205.6ab 

1048.4ab 

1153.2ab 

1467.7a 

1258.1ab 

1467.7a 

1153.2ab 

1100.8ab 

* Figures of unshared characters are significant (Duncan, 0.05) 

0.0 ABA 

2x10 -6 M ABA 

2x10 -3 M ABA 

0.0 ABA 

2x10 -6 M ABA 

2x10 -3 M ABA 

0.0 ABA 

2x10 -6 M ABA 

2x10 -3 M ABA 

0.0 ABA 

2x10 -6 M ABA 

2x10 -3 M ABA 

0.0 ABA 

2x10 -6 M ABA 

2x10 -3 M ABA 

Parameters 

Aquadulce 

Syrian 

Taka357 


Babylon 

0.0 ABA 

2x10 -6 M ABA 

2x10 -3 M ABA 

Table (3): The influence of abscisic acid (ABA) on upper and lower leaf surfaces stomata behaviour of five 

fababean water stressed cultivars.* 

Dry seed Yield 

g .plant -1 

33.03a 

32.83a 

20.56b 

25.09ab 

21.89b 

25.3a 

24.75a 

29.99a 

31.32ac 

24.92bc 

42.93a 

31.06ac 

36.43ab 

31.01ac 

20.75bc 

Stomata Aperture width μm 

Lower 

1.9ab 

1.7b 

2.3a 

1.7b 

1.7b 

1.86a 

1.8a 

1.92a 

2.1ab 

1.49b 

2.1ab 

1.8ab 

2.1ab 

1.2b 

2.1ab 

Upper 

1.4b 

1.2b 

2.19a 

1.29b 

1.2b 

1.55a 

1.14a 

1.67a 

1.49ab 

0.9b 

1.8ab 

1.2b 

1.2b 

1.2b 

2.39a 

Stomata width μm 

Lower 

6.1a 

6.19a 

6.69a 

6.49a 

6.79a 

6.6a 

6.59a 

6.7a 

6.6ab 

5.7b 

5.99ab 

5.7b 

6.89ab 

5.99ab 

7.2a 

Upper 

5.9b 

5.89b 

6.6a 

6.3ab 

5.89b 

6.12a 

5.94a 

6.3a 

5.7b 

5.7b 

6.3ab 

5.99b 

5.99b 

5.7b 

6.3ab 

Stomata Aperture length μm 

Lower 

7.1a 

6.49a 

7.2a 

6.79a 

6.7a 

6.9a 

6.54a 

7.14a 

6.6bd 

6.6bd 

8.1a 

6.6bd 

5.99d 

6.89ad 

7.79ab 

Upper 

6.79a 

6.1a 

6.7a 

6a 

6a 

6.42 

6.12a 

6.42a 

6.89a 

6.6a 

6.89a 

6.6a 

5.99a 

5.7a 

6.3a 

0.0 ABA 

2x10 -6 M ABA 

2x10 -3 M ABA 

0.0 ABA 

2x10 -6 M ABA 

2x10 -3 M ABA 

0.0 ABA 

Parameters 

Aquadulce 

Syrian 

Taka357 


Babylon 

0.0 ABA 

2x10 -6 M ABA 

2x10 -3 M ABA 

Aqudulce 

Syrian 

Taka 357 


Babylon 

Aqudulce 

Syrian


22.32bc 

18.62c 

24.34bc 

22.3bc 

28.62ac 

19.1bc 

17.8c 

28.76ac 

2.1ab 

2.7a 

1.8ab 

1.49b 

1.8ab 

1.49b 

1.8ab 

1.8ab 

1.8ab 

2.39a 

1.49ab 

0.9b 

1.49ab 

1.2a 

0.9b 

1.49ab 

6.89ab 

5.99ab 

6.6ab 

6.89ab 

5.99ab 

6.89ab 

6.6ab 

6.89ab 

Aquadulce was the most potent cultivar, as it 

gave the highest number of flowering nodes at 

main stem 12.66, as compared to other cultivars. 

Besides, it substantially exceeded Taka357 and 

Twowaytha in flower number per inflorescence 

by 36.9 and 14.4%, respectively. Taka357 gave 

the lowest flowering nodes (3.77) at main stem, 

and flower number per inflorescence (2.36). 

However, it gave the highest setting percentage 

(22.12%), where it significantly exceeded other 

cultivars (table, 4). Aquadulce revealed 

superiority over Taka357 in first fruiting node, 

number of fruiting nodes and seed number per 

pod by 29.1, 30.2 and 25.9%, respectively, 

(tables, 4 and 5). Negligible differences were 

observed between Aquadulce and Syrian 

cultivars in first fruiting node, fruiting node 

number, pod length, seed number per pod, 

number of aborted seeds per pod and number of 

aborted ovules per pod. Syrian significantly 

exceeded Taka357 in first fruiting node and seed 

number per pod by 37.1 and 29.7%, respectively. 

It also exceeded Twowaytha and Babylon in pod 

length 20.8 and 19.9%, respectively, and seed 

number per pod 26.9 and 36.7%, respectively, 

(tables, 4 and 5). The obtained results unveiled 

the potent ability of Aquadulce and Local Syrian 

in producing profuse flowers which in turn 

resulted in reasonable pollination, setting and 

pod development under drought. This conclusion 

may explained the high setting percentage of 

Taka357 that accompanied by substantial 

reduction in pod number. Under rainfalls, 

6.3ab 

7.2a 

6.6ab 

5.99b 

6.3ab 

5.99b 

5.7b 

5.99b 

6.3cd 

7.5ac 

7.2ad 

7.2ad 

5.99d 

6.3cd 

6.6bd 

7.2ad 


6.6a 

7.2a 

6.3a 

5.7a 

5.99a 

5.99a 

5.7a 

6.3a 

2x10 -6 M ABA 

2x10 -3 M ABA 

0.0 ABA 

2x10 -6 M ABA 

2x10 -3 M ABA 

0.0 ABA 

2x10 -6 M ABA 

2x10 -3 M ABA 

Taka 357 


Babylon 

Aquadulce fababean cultivar gave 36 flowers, 

2.8 pods, and 7.7 fruiting nodes on main stem. In 

this study these cultivars were categorized in 

accordance to their drought resistance 

capabilities as below Local Syrian >Aquadulce> 

Twowaytha> Babylon> Taka35. 

Aquadulce plants sprayed by 2x10 -3 M 

ABA and check revealed the highest number of 

flowering nodes (15) and flower number per 

inflorescence (4.08), respectively. While the 

highest setting percentage 25.02% was 

concomitant with Taka357 check, (table, 4). 

Aquadulce plants sprayed by 2x10 -3 M ABA 

showed the highest number of fruiting node 

(2.66), pod number per main stem (3) and seed 

number per pod (4.56), (tables, 4 and 5). 

Previous studies on Aquadulce fababean cultivar 

manifested that pod number per plant and seed 

number per pods highly contributed to yield 

(Abdel, 1997). Improvements of plant 

performance by ABA application might be due 

to the mode of action of ABA in conserving 

acceptable hydration status with in internal plant 

tissues throughout stomata aperture 

modifications. As a result of a daily application 

of 20 µM ABA to leaves for 3 weeks during 

growth at high Relative Humidity (RH), the 

stomata of ABA-treated leaves grown at high RH 

showed the same behaviour as did the stomata of 

leaves grown at moderate RH For example; they 

closed rapidly when exposed to desiccation 

(Ewert et al., 2000). 

44


Ab O/P 

0.33a 

0.66a 

0.94a 

0.61a 

0.77a 

0.6a 

0.73a 

0.66a 

0.33a 

0.33a 

0.33a 

0.66a 

0.5a 

0.83a 

0.83a 

1a 

1a 

0.5a 

1.16a 

0.16a 

0.66a 

0.66a 

1a 

011 

Table (4): The effects of varying abscisic acid (ABA) rates on some flowering and pod performance traits of 

five water stressed fababean cultivars* ** 

Ab S/P 

0.39a 

0.16a 

0.33a 

0.22a 

0.33a 

0.36a 

0.23a 

0.27a 

0.66a 

0.5a 

0.0a 

0.16a 

0.33a 

0.0a 

0.5a 

0.0a 

0.5a 

0.16a 

0.0a 

0.5a 

0.33a 

0.33a 

0.33a 

P L (cm) 

14.81ab 

16.03a 

14.11ab 

12.7b 

12.84b 

13.62a 

13.89a 

14.79a 

15.42ab 

14.17ac 

14.84ac 

16.42a 

14.75ac 

16.92a 

14ac 

14.34ac 

14.01ac 

10.6c 

13.67ac 

13.84ac 

11.67bc 

12.51ac 

14.34ac 

P no/S 

2.33a 

1.66bc 

1.88ab 

2ab 

1.33c 

1.73a 

1.73a 

2.06a 

2ac 

2ac 

3a 

1.66bc 

2ac 

1.33bc 

2ac 

1.66bc 

2ac 

2ac 

1.66bc 

2.33ab 

1c 

1.33bc 

1.66bc 

No FF 

2.22a 

1.66ab 

1.55b 

1.88ab 

1.33b 

1.66a 

1.6a 

1.93a 

2ac 

2ac 

2.66a 

1.66ac 

2ac 

1.33bc 

1.66ac 

1.33bc 

1.66ac 

2ac 

1.33bc 

2.33ab 

1c 

1.33bc 

1.66ac 

FFN 

6.11a 

6.89a 

4.33b 

6.77a 

7a 

6.2a 

6.06a 

6.4a 

7ac 

5.33cf 

6be 

6.33ad 

6.33ad 

8a 

4.33ef 

4.66df 

4f 

6.66ac 

7.66ab 

6be 

6.66ac 

6.33ad 

8a 

S% 

5.05b 

4.56b 

22.12a 

5.95b 

3.79b 

9.02a 

7.41a 

8.45a 

5.22c 

4.39c 

5.54c 

4.96c 

5.5c 

3.21c 

25.02a 

19.26b 

22.07ab 

6.54c 

4.76c 

6.57c 

3.37 

3.14c 

4.87c 

F no/I 

3.74a 

3.44ab 

2.36c 

3.2b 

3.48ab 

3.27a 

3.22a 

3.24a 

4.08a 

3.48ab 

3.66ab 

3.18 bc 

3.6ab 

3.55ab 

2.22d 

2.46cd 

2.39cd 

3.51ab 

3bd 

3.08bc 

3.36ab 

3.56ab 

3.53ab 

F N no 

12.66a 

10.88b 

3.77c 

10.88b 

10b 

8.4a 

10.13a 

10.4a 

9.66c 

13.33ab 

15a 

10.66bc 

10.33c 

11.66bc 

3.66d 

3.66d 

4d 

9c 

11.66bc 

12bc 

9c 

11.66bc 

9.33c 

Parameters 

Aquadulce 

Syrian 

Taka357 


Babylon 

0.0 ABA 

2x10 -6 M ABA 

2x10 -3 M ABA 

0.0 M 

2x10 -6 M 

2x10 -3 M 

0.0 M 

2x10 -6 M 

2x10 -3 M 

0.0 M 

2x10 -6 M 

2x10 -3 M 

0.0 M 

2x10 -6 M 

2x10 -3 M 

0.0 M 

2x10 -6 M 

2x10 -3 M 

Aqudulc 

e 

Syrian 

Taka 357 

Twowayt 

ha 

Babylon 

**F N no = flowering node number on main stem; F no/I = flower number per inflorescence; S5 = setting 

percentages: FFN = first fruiting node; No FF = number of fruiting node on main stem; P no/ S = pod number 

per main stem; P L = pod length; Ab S/P = number of aborted seed per pod; 

Ab O/P = number of aborted ovule per pod 


Syrian cultivar exhibited the highest plant 

fresh weight (216 g), weight of mature pods per 

plant (91.33 g), weight of pod integument (8.05 

g.plant -1 ), and therefore, it significantly exceeded 

Babylon which gave the lowest plant fresh 

weight (131.22 g), and mature pod weight per 

plant (43.33 g). Syrian was also superior on 

Taka357 in pod dry weight per plant (27.93g), 

and dry seed yield (20.56 g.plant -1 ). Aquadulce 

highly exceeded Babylon in plant fresh weight, 

weight of mature pods per plant, weight of dry 

pods, yield of dry seeds by 35.7, 44, and 31.6%, 

respectively,(table, 5). It also hugely exceeded 

Taka357 in pod dry weight and yield of dry 

seeds by 32% and 37.8%, respectively. Similar 

results were found by Abdel (1982) He 

postulated that Newblackfly fababean cultivar is 

semi-conservatives cultivar, whereas Tiger and 

Blaze cultivars are conservatives and Bery 

cultivar was drought escapable. They possess the 

capability compromising between CO2 entrance 

to mesophyll intercellular spaces and the exit of 

transpired vapour. Taka357 was categorized as 

drought escapee cultivar only for the production 

of green pod yield, but not for mature pod and 

dry seed yields. Babylon and Twowaytha were 

categorized with conservative cultivars that they 

tightly close their stomata sustaining hydrated 

internal tissues concomitant with lack in 

mesophyll CO2 that profoundly reduces 

photosynthesis. Photosynthetic capacity (CO2 

assimilation rate for any given leaf intercellular 

CO2 concentration [ci]) and relative stomatal 

sensitivity to leaf-to-air vapor-pressure 

difference were unaffected by the ABA 

treatment (Franks and Farquhar 2001). 

Exogenous application of abscisic acid 

revealed no appreciable influences on growth 

responses of any of the investigated cultivars 

(table, 1). The reasonable interpretation of ABA 

ineffectiveness might be come from the 

following (1): The exogenous ABA presumably 

not demanded for permanent hormonal balance 

during juvenility and for further development of 

fababean, where a synchronization of growth 

(node generations) and pod development and 

seed performance. Accumulated ABA in leaves 

that were subjected to drought were mainly


generated in mesophyll and epidermis cells 

contribute to the accumulated ABA although 

ABA synthesis is initiated in epidermis cells and 

then shifted to mesophyll and finally tranlocated 

to guard ells to mandate closure (Losanca et al., 

2002). (2): During growth stage ABA is required 

for temporary stomata closure at drought 

episode, and if episode was lasted, a mechanism 

of stomata modification would be occurred, at 

leas in drought endurable plants. Bradford, et al. 

(1983) found that stomatal conductance of flacca 

leaves was greater than that of RR, and could be 

phenotypically reverted by spraying with 30 

micromolar ABA. Stomatal conductance of 

flacca leaves was also reduced by increasing 

CO2 pressure, increasing leaf to air vapor 

pressure difference, and decreasing quantum 

flux, irrespective of ABA treatment. 

Syrian plants sprayed with 2x10 -6 M ABA 

treatment apparently exceeded other interaction 

treatments. This treatment revealed the highest 

plant fresh weight (231 g), weight of mature 

pods per plant (105 g). Aquadulce plants sprayed 

by 2x10 -3 M ABA treatment gave the highest 

pod dry weight per plant (50.9 g) and yield of 

dry seeds per plant (42.93 g). However, the 

lowest plant fresh weight (124.67 g) was 

concomitant by Babylon sprayed with 2x10 -6 M 

ABA treatment. The lowest weight of mature 

pod per plant (33.33 g), and yield of dry seeds 

per plant (17.8 g) were consistent with Babylon 

sprayed with 2x10 -3 M ABA treatment (table, 5). 

Under rainfall conditions Aquadulce cultivar 

gave reasonable yield (Abdel, 1997). 

Furthermore, this cultivar also manifested 

paramount response in growth and yield 

parameters supplementary irrigation (Abdel, 

1993). Yield improvement under drought 

conditions might be referred to ABA role in 

blocking the synthesis of GAs (Hopkins, 1999), 

the role of phaseic acid in the casements of αamylases 

synthesis which resulted in further 

seed reserve accumulations (Srivastava, 2002). 

Table (5): The effects of varying abscisic acid (ABA) rates on some flowering and pod performance traits of 

five water stressed fababean cultivars* ** 

Y (g.plant -1 ) 

33.03a 

32.83a 

20.56b 

25.09ab 

21.89b 

25.3a 

24.75a 

29.99a 

31.23c 

24.92bc 

42.93a 

31.06ac 

36.43ab 

31.01ac 

20.75bc 

22.32bc 

18.62c 

24.34bc 

22.3bc 

28.62ac 

19.1bc 

17.8c 

28.76ac 

W 100 (g) 

134.51a 

129.83a 

128.5a 

138.29a 

138.69a 

138.85a 

134.62a 

128.43a 

145.79a 

126.01a 

131.74a 

137.92a 

129.05a 

122.51a 

134.73a 

125.48a 

125.3a 

143.98a 

144.28a 

126.6a 

131.82a 

148.26a 

136a 

P I wt 

8a 

8.05a 

7.36a 

6.69a 

6.2a 

7.08a 

7.17a 

7.53a 

8.23a 

7.79a 

7.97a 

8.04a 

9.88a 

6.23a 

7.86a 

7.08a 

7.15a 

6.48a 

6.31a 

7.28a 

4.79a 

4.8a 

9.01a 

P dwt 

41.09a 

40.89a 

27.93b 

31.78ab 

28.09b 

32.38a 

31.69a 

37.52a 

39.46ac 

32.9ac 

50.9a 

39.1ac 

46.3ab 

37.26ac 

28.61bc 

29.4ac 

25.78bc 

30.82ac 

28.61ac 

35.9ac 

23.89c 

22.6c 

37.77ac 

M P wt (g) 

77.44ab 

91.33a 

68.67ac 

53.56bc 

43.33c 

58.94a 

69.47a 

72.2a 

63.67ab 

79.33ab 

89.33ab 

83ab 

105a 

86ab 

62.67ab 

67.67ab 

75.67ab 

44.67ab 

62ab 

54ab 

40.67b 

33.33b 

56ab 

P Fwt (g) 

204.22a 

216.44a 

187.89ab 

163.67bc 

131.22c 

173.66a 

192.34a 

176.07a 

196.33ac 

216.67ab 

199.67ac 

210.33ac 

231a 

208ac 

182.33ae 

187.67ae 

193.67ad 

153be 

183.67ae 

154.33be 

126.33de 

142.67ce 

124.67e 

S no/P 

3.67a 

3.87a 

2.72b 

2.83b 

2.45b 

2.89a 

2.98a 

3.45a 

3.56ac 

2.9bc 

4.56a 

3.76ab 

3.5ac 

4.36a 

2.56bc 

3.36ac 

2.23c 

2.23c 

2.7bc 

3.56ac 

2.36bc 

2.43bc 

2.56bc 

0.0 M 

2x10 -6 M 

2x10 -3 M 

0.0 

2x10 -6 M 

2x10 -3 M 

0.0 M 

2x10 -6 M 

2x10 -3 M 

0.0 M 

2x10 -6 M 

2x10 -3 M 

0.0 M 

2x10 -6 M 

2x10 -3 M 

Parameters 

Aquadulce 

Syrian 

Taka357 


Babylon 

0.0 ABA 

2x10 -6 M ABA 

2x10 -3 M ABA 

Aqudulce 

Syrian 

Taka 357 


Babylon 

** S no/P = seed number per pod; P Fwt = plant fresh weight with pods (g.plant -1 ); M Pwt = weight of mature 

pods (g.plant -1 ); P dwt = pod dry weight (g.plant -1 ); P I wt = pod integument weight(g.plant -1 ); 

W100 = weight of 100 seeds (g). 

* Figures of unshared characters are significant (Duncan, 0.05). 

010

J. Duhok Univ. Vol.13, No.1, (Agric. And Vet. Sciences) Pp, 2010 

REFERENCES 

- Abdel, C. G. (1982). Drought resistance in (Vicia faba L.): 

A study of four cultivars. Msc. Thesis, Bath 

University, England, UK. 

- Abdel C. G. (1993). Effect of complementally watering on 

growth stages and yield of field bean (Vicia faba 

L.). Mesopotamia J. of Agric. Sci. 25 (3): 5-10. 

- Abdel C. G. (1994). Rapid methods for estimating leaf 

area and size in field bean (Vicia faba L.). Tech. 

Res. Vol. (7), 20:63-70. 

- Abdel C. G. (1997). Physiological studies on growth, 

flowering, fruit setting and yield of fababean (Vicia 

faba L. Aqudulce cv). PhD. Thesis, Horticulture 

Department, Agriculture College, Mosul 

University, Mosul, Iraq. 

- Allen L. H., Jr. R. R. Valle, J. W. Mishoe and J. W. Jones 

(1994). Soybean leaf Gas-Exchange responses to 

carbon dioxide and water stress. Agron J. 86: 625- 

636. 

- Bradford K. J., T. D. Sharkey 3 and G. D. Farquhar (1983) 

Gas Exchange, Stomatal Behavior, and 13 C Values 

of the flacca Tomato Mutant in Relation to Abscisic 

Acid 1 Plant Physiology, 72:245-250. 

- Davies W. J. (1978). Some effects of abscisic acid and 

water stress on stomata of (Vicia faba L.). J. of 

Experimental Botany. 29 (108): 175-182. 

- Ewert M. S., J. W. Outlaw, S. Zang, K. Aghoram and K. 

A. Riddle (2000). Accumulation of an apo 

determinate cultivar apoplats solutes in the guard 

cell wall is sufficient to exert a significant effect on 

transpiration in (Vicia faba L.). Leaflet, Plant Cell 

and Environment, 23: 195-203.0 

ايو تي م يش لب يلا ليلا ايبابو هيثيلت و 

ةمديق ييقتل . 

011 

ليم 

- Franks P. J., T. N. Buckley, J. C. Shope , and K. A. Mott 

(2001). Guard Cell Volume and Pressure Measured 

Concurrently by Confocal Microscopy and the Cell 

Pressure Probe. Plant Physiol, Vol. 125:1577-1584. 

- Franks P. J. and G. D. Farquhar (2001). The Effect of 

Exogenous Abscisic Acid on Stomatal 

Development, Stomatal Mechanics, and Leaf Gas 

Exchange in Tradescantia virginiana. Plant 

Physiol125: 935-942. 

- Goodwin T. W. and E. I. Mercer (1985). Introduction To 

Plant Biochemistry. 2 nd ed. Pergamon Press. 

- Hetherington, A. M. and F. I. Woodward (2003). The role 

of stomata in sensing and driving environmental 

change. Nature 424: 901-908. 

- Hopkins W.G. (1999). Introduction To Plant Physiology. 

Second Ed. John Wiley & Sons, IMC. New York. 

310-365. 

- Losanka P. P., H. O. William, A. Karthink, and R. H. 

Daniel (2002). Abscisic acid an intra leaf water 

stress signal. Physiologia Plantarum. 108: Isue 4. 

- Srivastava L. M. (2002). Plant Growth and Development, 

Hormone and Environment. Academic Press Pp. 

217-231.. 

- Terashima I., S. C. Wong, B. Osmond 1 and G. D. 

Farquhar (1988). Characterisation of Non-Uniform 

Photosynthesis Induced by Abscisic Acid in Leaves 

Having Different Mesophyll Anatomies. Plant and 

Cell Physiology, 1988, 29, (3): 385-394. 

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Stomatal development and CO2: ecological 

consequences. New Phytol. 153: 477-484. 

كيسسبلاا ضماحب شرلل هشطعملاءلاقابلا نم فانصا ةسمخ ةباجتسا 

2x10 -3 

و 

2x10 -6 

753 

هصلاخلا 

هيقا و يلحم حمليسو جلاليوا يهو ءلاقابلا نم فانصا ةسمخ تشطع 

و رفيص يهو كييسسبلاا ضمايح نم هفلتخم زيوارتب ةر ابم حرلا ةداعا دعب نيترم 

ريييثوا ليييه جلاليييوا نيييص اايييب ص ايييتنلا لرييي ظا . كييييسسبلاا ضمايييحل ا تباجتيييسا مديييمو فايييفجلل فانيييصلاا ا يييه لقايييت 

ديحاللا لايبنلل هي اجلا مو يبلل فمايبلا اي لاترا لايخ نيم يه نيم يقحتلا نيتميو فايفجلا ةيمواقم ي ةمديق فانيصلاا 

اريغثلا ةيحت ةريعو لاليتلا ليلع عريتم ورتيايم 

7.1و 

ءلاقايبلا فنيص نييب هيفيف لايقور دليلو حليل . 

6.7 

لفيسلاو 

حليلعلا هيقمللا حطسل ارغثلا ةحت ل و(33.03 

g) 

لالتلا للع عرتم ورتيام 

1. 9 

و 

4.1 

لفسلاو حللعلا هقمللا حطسل 

حملييس ني ل اييق ارم ديحاللا لاييبنلا ي هييغلابلا لايررقلل اييصاح ايت ا ااييو كيلض نييم ريثولااو ييلحم حمليس و جلاليوا 

يي ةيصاخ 

فانيصلاا ضيعب ي فاييفجلا ةيمواقم ةمديق نييسحت ليلا كيييسسبلاا ضمايحب شريلا مدا .) اريغ 94.77( 

2x10 -3 يي هيي اجلا مو ييبلل اييصاح لييلعا ايينثلا اخادييتلا ا ييه لييطعا . M 

لاليتلا ليلع عريتم ورتيايم 

9.9و 

هييلنعم عوري حا يحلات يل . 

9..9 

لفيسلاو حليلعلا هيقمللا حطيسل اريغثلا ةيحت لي و و 

لاليتلا ليلع عريتم ورتيايم. 

1.4 

و 

4.. 

يلحم 

كيييسسبلاا ضماييحب اييماعملا جلالييوا نييص 

(42.93 g) 

ديحاللا لايبنلا 

لفيسلاو حليلعلا هيقمللا حطيسل اريغثلا ةحت ةرعو 

. 

هسومدملا لاف لا عيمل كيسسبلاا ضماح زيوارت نيب


GENETIC VARIABILITY CORRELATION AND PATH ANALYSIS 

IN SOME MAIZE INBRED LINES 

MOHAMMED ALI HUSSAIN 

Dept. soil and water, College of agriculture, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region-Iraq 

(Received: June 8, 2010; Accepted for publication: February 27, 2011) 

ABSTRACT 

The study was carried out at the field of College of Agriculture/ University of Duhok during spring and autumn 

season on 2008 . Thirteen locally raised inbred lines were used in the study to calculate phenotypic coefficient of 

variability , genotypic variability, broad sense heritability, correlation and path analysis , the result showed that leaf 

area had significant genotypic and phenotypic association with ear length, number of kernels per ear and plant yield 

and also was found that genotypic and phenotypic coefficient had highly significant for plant yield, ear height and leaf 

area, while the traits (days to 50% silking, plant height, leaf area, and number of kernels per ear) had comparatively 

higher broad sense heritability in both season. The number of kernels/ ear and leaf area direct influence on yield and 

indirectly affected the ear length , this traits could be utilize for kernel yield improvement. The results of this study 

can be used of promising inbred lines in a program to produce the hybrid from locally inbred line. 

KEYWORDS: Maize genetic, variability, correlation and path analysis 

O 

INTRODUCTION 

ne of the well known source to get 

inbred lines is by making self 

pollination to various kinds of genotypes, 

synthetic compound and hybrid verities. The 

kinds of genotypes of the hybrid and varieties 

which are used in agriculture are considered one 

of the main factors on forming of the yield of the 

area units, besides other various agricultural 

operations, where genotypes differ from each 

other in their genetic abilities for production and 

the extent to which they reach with their respond 

to the modern agricultural methods (10) . 

It is notable that the most of growing 

countries still depend on local varieties and 

synthetic varieties , also they use these varieties , 

which have the trait of low yield of the area unit, 

in 62% of the area , which is assigned to produce 

maize was low rate of productivity (6 and 16) . 

Developing countries made use of the heterosis 

capability to develop programs of hybrid maize 

(15 and 17) 

. By which they could achieve high rate 

of yield to the area unit which fulfill the needs of 

local markets by this product and even they 

could monopoly the global markets for 

producing hybrid kernel in some countries. 

These countries achieved an increase of 

productivity of (25-30%) the yield unit of area 

(4) 

. Since deduction and production of hybrid are 

in need to inbred lines production, which was 

still monopolized by specific foreign companies. 

The importance of inbred line production to 

produce single or three way cross and double 

cross is obvious, which play an effective role to 

increase the yield of the area unit. Early studies 

were done on the estimation of genotypes 

through genetic variability, heritability and 

correlation between the yield and its components 

(19) . Earlier researchers concluded that kernel 

yield per plant was positively and significantly 

correlated with plant height and number of ear/ 

plant (1) . The 100 kernel weight was highly 

significant with kernel yield in double and 

double top crosses, plant height, days to 75% 

silking and 100 kernel weight positively 

influenced the yield directly and also indirectly 

through several yield components (5) . 

Kernel yield per plant was positively and 

significantly correlated with 100 kernel weight 

and ear height. Path analysis showed that 100 

kernel weight and number of ear/ plant were 

important components determining kernel yield (7) 

Days to 50% tasseling, days to 50% silking, ear, 

height plant height and 100 kernel weight had 

positive and significant correlation with kernel 

yield (11) also the 100 kernel weight , number of 

ear per plant , plant height and number of days to 

flowering were useful in improving kernel yield 

in maize hybrids (12) , path analysis showed that 

ear height , plant height and 100 kernel weight 

had main effective contribution to the kernel 

yield (13). Estimated the genotypic correlation 

coefficients were generally higher than their 

corresponding phenotypic correlation 

coefficients. Days to 50% of tasseling had 

positive significant correlation with ear height 

301


and kernel yield while plant height and kernel 

yield correlation was not significant. The 

characteristics (ear height, plant height , number 

of ear per plant, number of days to 50% tasseling 

and silking) had a direct effect on kernel yield 

except number of days to 50 % to tasseling. Also 

kernel yield was the only characteristic which 

gave highly genotypic and phenotypic 

correlation coefficient and highly heritability 

broad sense (11) . The aims of the present study 

were to improve the inbred lines and evaluate 

the genetic variability, heritability and inter 

relationship of various traits in thirteen inbred 

line of maize. 


Fifteen single cross hybrids used, which were 

introduce from Yugoslavia Table (1). These 

hybrids were planted in the spring seasons of 

years (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007) and 

self pollination were done to all hybrids to get 

various generations , then getting the six 

generation a top cross hybridizing were done. 

These generations were hybridized with 

synthetic IPA5012 which has broad genetic base. 

The most of these genotypes had gave highly 

general combining ability (Mohammed and 

Rasheed, 2009) except two genotype appeared 

case of sterility. A field experiment was carried 

out at the field of College of Agriculture / 

University of Duhok in spring and autumn of 

2008, to know the characteristics of these 

genotypes and their productivity. The land was 

prepared by adding the compound fertilizer 

N.P.K (0.27, 27) in a rate of 400 kg/ha, then 400 

kg of Nitrogen was added on two portions , half 

of which is 25 days after planting and the other 

is 30 days after the first portion (20) thirteen 

genotypes were planted manually in rows with 5 

m length , 75cm between rows and 25 cm 

between plants in 20-3-2008 for spring season 

and 15-7-2008 for autumn season. 

The experiment was applied with three 

replications according to R.C.B.D experimental 

design . The data was record from 10 random 

plants from each entry within replication for day 

to 50% tasseling and silking, plant hight (cm), 

ear hight (cm), leaf area (cm 2 ), kernel yield/ 

plant, ear length (cm), 300 kernel weight/ gm, 

no. of row/ ear, no. of kernel/ ear, protein%, 

oil% and ear diameter (cm). 

The analysis of variance was carried out 

according to (18) . genotypic and phenotypic 

coefficient of variability , broad sense 

301 

heritability genotypic and phenotypic correlation 

coefficient and path coefficient analysis were 

computed (8) and used Duncan Multiple Range 

test to comparison between the means at 0.05 

probability level. 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS 

The statistical analysis in table (1) showed 

high significant differences between inbred lines 

for the characters (number of days to 50 % 

tasseling and silking , plant height, ear height, 

leaf area, number of leave/ plant, yield/ plant and 

its components , protein and oil percentage) and 

also the interaction between (s×l) is high 

significantly for the all characters except ear 

length, leaf area and No. of row / ear are 

significant at level 0.05 and the other characters 

was not significant. 

Table (3) shows significant differences 

among inbred lines for days to 50 % tasseling . 

The inbred line (11) was earlier for days to 50 % 

tasseling which tasseled during (54.66) days, 

whereas late days of 50 % tasseling were 

recorded by line (9) that was (65.00) days. The 

earlier inbred lines for days to 50 % silking were 

(11) which silked during (73.66) days. The 

results in same table referred to the highest plant 

height observed in an inbred lines (4) and 

reached (179.05 cm) while the inbred (6) and 

reached (122.86 cm) was less for plant height 

also the table shows that the inbred line (7) 

scored a high ear height reaching (93.44) cm.. 

While the inbred line (3) gave the lowest ear 

height (59.89) cm. The largest for leaf area was 

found in inbred lines (2) and reached (541.77 

cm 2 ) , whereas the less leaf area was inbred line 

(6) (318.69 cm 2 ) . 

The highest weight of kerenels / plant was 

observed in line (12) and was (136.53 gm) while 

the low weight of kerenels/plant was recorded in 

line (5) (58.43 gm) . The inbred line (2) obtained 

a high ear length scoring (20.73 cm) , while the 

lowest ear length was observed in line (8) (15.43 

cm) . The result in table (3) shows the highest 

300 grain weight was observed in line (10) and 

was reached 80.09 gm while the low 300 grain 

weight was recorded in line (2) (58.46 gm) . The 

largest mean for number of rows /ear was found 

in line (4) (17.56) , whereas the less number of 

rows / ear scoring (14.66) and the high number 

of grains / ear was found in inbred line (3) 

(745.33), the inbred line (9) obtained The lowest 

mean of number of kerenel / ear (446.73). Table 

(3) also shows that the inbred line (7) was


superior for the protein percent and the value 

was (7.20) , low protein percent was observed in 

inbred line (10) scoring (5.70), while the inbred 

line (8) was superior for oil percent (5.98) low 

oil percent was showed in inbred line (10) and 

the value reached (4.29) . The inbred line (7) 

was superior for ear diameter (2.23 cm) the 

fewer diameters for ear for ear showed in inbred 

line (1) and the value was (1.66 cm) . 

Table (1): Pedigree and origin of inbred lines which are used in the study 

No. of hybrid Pedigree Origin Name of inbred line 

1 zp-sc-204 Yugoslavia zp-204 





6 zp-sc-505 Greece zp-505 

7 un-sc-44652 Greece un-44652 





12 DK-17 Yugoslavia DK-17 

13 un-sc-44052 Greece un-44052 

Data in table (4) indicate a preference of 

genotypic and phenotypic for yield/ plant, and 

the leaf area of the spring season and yield/ plant 

and ear height of the autumn season. The values 

for all the studied characters was high but the 

highest was for number of kernels/ ear and leaf 

area for the spring season while in autumn the 

highest heritability was for plant 

height and number of days to 50 % silking. 

Number of days to 50 % tasseling and silking 

showed the least genotypic and phenotypic 

coefficient, so improvement by selection method 

through these two characters is very week. But 

using mass selection method through yield per 

plant is effective to improve the yield depending 

on genotypic variance the results agree with) (13) . 

The data in Table-5 and 6 depicted 

correlations of traits with kernel yield/ plant 

studied as was found in previous findings (1) . Ear 

length acted the same behavior in its correlation 

with kernel yield/ plant during spring and 

autumn season and give a positive significant 

genotypic and phenotypic with kernel yield/ 

plant and leaf area. 

The number of kernels/ ear had a positive 

significant genotypic and phenotypic correlation 

with leaf area. Weight of (300) kernels showed 

negative significant genotypic with number of 

row/ ear in autumn season but correlation 

with other characters was not significant 

also ear diameter did not show any 

significant genotypic and phenotypic 

association with leaf area. 

Table (7) shows in spring season that the 

number of kernels per ear exerted direct positive 

effect on kernel yield per plant but in direct 

effect through ear length, number of rows/ ear, 

leaf area and (300) kernels weight also exerted 

positive direct effect on kernel yield/ plant. The 

results are partially in agreement (8) . From the 

same table for the autumn season it can be 

noticed of rows/ ear exerted direct positive effect 

on kernel yield/ plant but indirect effect through 

ear length, and number of kernels/ ear. The trait 

(300) kernels weight was the second in the direct 

influence on kernel yield per plant because its 

indirect influence was wreak, so these characters 

can be used to improve the yield through the 

selection method of these characters to achieve 

the aim. These data are in agreement with those 

(13) , (2) , (5) , (15) , (14) . It can be concluded that the 

number of kernel/ ear, leaf area and kernel yield/ 

plant where to be considered for improvement of 

high genotypic variability and heritability in 

broad sense in breeding material studied. 

301

601 

Seasons 

Block × 

Season 

Lines 

S.O.V d.f Days to 50 

Seasons × 

Lines 

Error 

% 

tasseling 

Days to 50 

% silking 

Table (2): mean square for studied traits in both season (spring and autumn) 

Plant 

height 

cm 

Ear 

height 

cm 

Leaf 

area 

cm 2 

Ear 

length 

cm 

300 

kerenel 

weight 

gm 

No 

rows / 

ear 

No. 

kerenels 

leaf 

Protein 

% 

Oil 

% 

Kerenel 

Yield / pland 

1 448.32 ** 512.82 ** 665.81 ** 138.56 * 10065.64 ** 8.33 ** 549.55 ** 0.86 11370.90 ** 1.86 ** 11.30 ** 9286.59 ** 0.11 ** 

4 2.66 2.05 37.53 27.44 257.47 1.56 12.52 0.17 687.27 0.02 0.05 44.24 0.00 

12 136.83 ** 147.24 ** 1496.63 ** 112241 ** 42326.55 ** 18.82 ** 367.92 ** 14.65 ** 72260.99 ** 2.13 ** 1.80 ** 2902.95 ** 0.20 ** 

12 5.70 ** 9.01 ** 66.56 ** 39.59 * 1944.12 * 0.56 8.94 1.48 * 1125.79 0.29 * 0.16 ** 459.87 ** 0.02 ** 

84 1.01 0.82 9.54 9.99 502.07 0.24 4.31 0.41 530.14 0.05 0.01 22.32 0.002 

* ** significant difference at level 0.05 and 0.01 respectively 

gm 

Ear 

diameter 

cm 


601 

Inreed 

line 

1 59.00 

ef 

2 63.66 

d 

3 57.83 

gf 

4 65.16 

c 

5 59.33 

e 

6 66.66 

b 

7 64.50 

Day to 50% 

cd 

8 69.50 

a 

9 65.00 

c 

10 57.33 

g 

11 54.66 

n 

12 59.00 

ef 

13 64.16 

a 

tasseling / 

Day to 50 

% silking 

61.66 

ef 

66.50 

d 

59.83 

n 

68.00 

bc 

62.60 

e 

69.00 

b 

67.66 

c 

73.66 

a 

67.16 

cd 

60.50 

gh 

58.50 

i 

61.50 

gf 

73.00 

a 

Plant 

height / cm 

142.41 

g 

156.61 

de 

157.73 

ef 

174.95 

b 

145.18 

g 

122.86 

n 

179.05 

a 

169.96 

c 

157.78 

d 

154.90 

def 

152.22 

f 

155.06 

edf 

178.18 

ab 

Ear height 

61.05 

g 

72.27 

c 

59.89 

g 

90.18 

a 

63.09 

gf 

40.41 

h 

93.44 

a 

63.93 

efg 

67.50 

de 

66.15 

ef 

70.79 

cd 

61.99 

g 

79.26 

b 

/ cm 

Table (3): means of studied traits for inbred line of maize 

leaf area / 

cm 2 

427.29 

b 

541.77 

a 

390.45 

c 

520.24 

a 

341.90 

de 

318.69 

e 

522.74 

a 

327.25 

de 

348.32 

d 

398.09 

c 

353.23 

d 

Yield 

plant / 

gm 

89.63 

dc 

116.80 

b 

115.40 

B 

93.333 

c 

58.43 

f 

69.73 

e 

109.90 

b 

79.76 

d 

85.40 

cd 

130.23 

a 

84.13 

cd 

436.11 b 136.53 

533.99 

a 

a 

80.06 

d 

Ear 

length / 

cm 

16.60 

cde 

20.73 

a 

18.20 

b 

20.66 

a 

16.63 

cd 

15.76 

de 

18.10 

b 

15.43 

e 

16.26 

dc 

16.10 

de 

17.63 

bc 

19.66 

a 

20.10 

a 

300 

kernel 

weight / 

gm 

63.12 

dc 

55.46 

f 

57.64 

f 

55.59 

f 

66.39 

cd 

58.88 

ef 

72.73 

b 

62.94 

de 

58.33 

f 

80.09 

a 

77.61 

a 

69.74 

bc 

67.44 

cd 

No. 

row / 

ear 

15.53 

bcd 

16.53 

abc 

17.10 

ab 

17.56 

a 

15.33 

cd 

15.63 

bcd 

16.46 

abc 

14.66 

d 

16.20 

abcd 

16.23 

abcd 

11.53 

e 

16.86 

abc 

16.36 

abc 

No. 

kernel / 

ear 

535.1 

bc 

696.22 

a 

745.33 

a 

741.53 

a 

534.07 

bc 

468.43 

d 

543.73 

bc 

458.63 

d 

446.73 

d 

550.63 

bc 

495.97 

cd 

742.18 

a 

562.47 

b 

Protein 

6.48 

cd 

6.00 

e 

6.41 

d 

7.03 

b 

7.15 

b 

6.71 

c 

7.20 

b 

6.25 

de 

6.18 

de 

5.70 

f 

7.66 

a 

5.70 

f 

6.46 

cd 

% 

4.96 

ef 

5.30 

c 

5.73 

b 

5.25 

c 

4.36 

g 

4.96 

ef 

4.36 

g 

5.98 

a 

5.86 

ab 

4.29 

g 

4.86 

f 

5.05 

de 

5.20 

cd 

Oil 

% 

Ear dimater / cm 

1.66 

n 

1.84 

efg 

1.76 

fgh 

1.92 

de 

2.09 

b 

2.05 

bc 

2.23 

a 

1.86 

ef 

1.74 

gh 

1.78 

fg 

1.75 

gh 

1.98 

cd 

1.99 

bcd 



Table (4): Estimates of genotypic (GV), phenotypic coefficient variability (PCV) and (Hbs) in inbred lines of 

maize in spring and autumn. 

Traits spring autumn spring autumn spring autumn spring autumn spring autumn 

Days to 50 

% 

tasseling 

Days to 50 

% silking 

Plant 

height (cm) 

Ear height 

(cm) 

Leaf area 

(cm 2 ) 

Ear length 

(cm) 

300 kernel 

weight 

(gm) 

No. 

rows/ear 

No. kernel 

/ ear 

301 

GV GCV PV PCV H 2 b.s 

26.619 20.220 8.602 6.942 27.730 21.137 8.730 7.098 95.993 95.661 

28.217 23.316 8.459 7.109 29.093 24.098 8.589 7.227 96.989 96.754 

233.846 280.859 9.557 10.871 242.325 291.459 9.729 11.074 96.500 96.363 

178.957 201.720 19.166 21.157 182.929 217.730 19.37 21.980 97.828 92.646 

7025.096 7397.084 20.510 19.938 7049.987 8376.333 20.547 21.217 99.646 88.309 

2.795 3.504 9.729 10.493 2.889 3.900 9.891 11.070 96.747 89.846 

58.071 64.675 12.749 12.385 60.566 70.810 13.020 12.929 95.880 91.335 

3.066 2.035 11.196 9.000 3.157 2.774 11.361 10.508 97.11 73.359 

11802.970 12305.87 19.596 19.174 11826.41 13342.71 19.615 19.965 99.80 92.229 

Protein % 0.527 0.246 11.374 7.422 0.572 0.310 11.850 8.330 92.132 79.394 

Oil % 0.480 0.163 14.682 7.377 0.493 0.1866 14.87 7.878 97.366 87.678 

Kernel 

yield / plant 

(gm) 

Ear 

diameter 

555.715 550.343 31.722 24.402 567.822 582.881 32.065 25.113 97.867 94.417 

0.048 0.026 12.032 8.550 6.08 0.029 12.280 9.023 96.000 89.772 

Table (5): Genotypic (rg) correlations between yield and other traits in spring and autumn season. 

season Ear length 

(cm) 

300 gr/ wt Rows/ ear Kernel/ ear Ear diam. 

Kernel/ plant rG spring 0.501 0.319 0.458 0.534 -0.119 0.477 

autumn 0.395 0.238 0.442 0.628 * -0.161 0.456 

Ear length (cm) spring -0.099 0.313 0.577 * 0.258 0.799 ** 

(cm) 

Leaf area 

(cm) 2 

autumn -0.220 0.441 0.807 ** 0.156 0.878 ** 

300 gr. Wt. spring -0.317 -0.228 0.106 0.011 

autumn -0.510 -0.273 0.110 -0.154 

Rows/ear spring 0.460 0.108 0.504 

autumn 0.627 * 0.243 0.616 * 

Kernel/ear spring 0.060 0.374 

autumn 0.007 0.689 ** 

Ear diam. (cm) spring 0.387 

autumn 0.178


Table (6): phenotypic (rp) correlations between yield and other traits in spring season. 

season Ear length 

(cm) 

300 gr/ wt Rows/ ear Kernel/ ear Ear diam. 

(cm) 

Leaf area 

(cm) 2 

Kernel/ plant rP spring 0.485 0.315 0.450 0.528 -0.113 0.476 

autumn 0.365 0.211 0.401 0.613 * -0.160 0.437 

Ear length (cm) spring -0.097 0.314 0.567 * 0.246 0.785 ** 

autumn -0.213 0.381 0.734 ** 0.162 0.792 ** 

300 gr. Wt. spring -0.306 -0.221 0.120 0.013 

autumn -0.385 -0.285 0.105 -0.110 

Rows/ear spring 0.452 0.108 0.499 

autumn 0.536 0.206 0.539 

Kernel/ear spring 0.057 0.373 

autumn -0.033 0.641 * 

Ear diam. (cm) spring 0.379 

autumn 0.178 

tab. r= 0.553 and 0.684 at 0.05 and 0.01 respectively 

tab. r = 0.684 at level 0.01 *, ** = significant at 0.05 and 0.01 respectively 

Table (7): Direct and indirect effect of different traits on kernel yield in inbred line of maize 

Spring Season 

Ear length 

(cm) 

300 kernel 

weight (gm) 

No. of row/ 

ear 

No. of 

kernel / ear 

Ear Dimater 

(cm) 

Flag leaf 

area (cm 2 ) 

Kernel / 

Plant (gm) 

Eear length (cm) 0.138 -0.055 0.107 0.202 -0.096 0.204 0.501 

300 kernel weight 

(gm) 

-0.013 0.561 -0.108 -0.080 -0.039 0.002 0.319 

No. of row / ear 0.043 -0.177 0.342 0.161 -0.040 0.129 0.458 

No.of kernels/ear 0.080 -0.128 0.054 0.351 -0.022 0.095 0.431 

Ear Dimater / cm 0.035 0.059 0.037 0.021 -0.373 0.099 -0.122 

flag leaf area 

(cm) 2 

0.111 0.006 0.172 0.131 -0.144 0.256 0.533 

Autumn Season 

Eear length (cm) 0.209 -0.173 0.342 0.277 -0.065 -0.195 0.395 

300 kernel weight 

(gm) 

-0.046 0.787 -0.396 -0.093 -0.046 0.034 0.238 

No. of row / ear 0.092 -0.401 0.775 0.215 -0.102 -0.137 0.442 

No.of kernels/ear 0.169 -0.215 0.170 0.343 -0.003 -0.153 0.311 

Ear Dimater / cm 0.032 0.086 0.189 0.002 -0.420 -0.053 -0.164 

flag leaf area 

(cm) 2 

0.184 -0.121 0.478 0.237 -0.100 -0.222 0.456 

*= Genetic correlation with kernel yield/plant = total of direct and indirect effects 

(*) 

301


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ةتخىث 

لااض نًَي َىصياثو َىزاوب نَيشزةو وودزةه ل كىهد ايىكناش / َىندناض ارًَلىك اًظةش ل نادمانجةئ ةتاه ةنًلىكةظ ظةئ 

اندناطنةطلةه ىب نسكةدزةوزةث ةنوىبتاه ىك نانًئزاكب ةنتاه ) ةللاض( 

شظن ةدصًَض ) 31( 

اد َىنًلىكةظ َىظ ل . َى 8002 

، ىكةووز نًَطلةب ازامذ ، َىمو سًَن انادكًل ىك % 00 ىب اذوز ازامذ ،ىكةووز اًهادنمب ،) 

صىنسع( 

َىشؤك اًهادنمب( 

ىنًج اًهادىج ايزةدةزةض . ىنًتوسث ارَيز 

، َىتيةش ارَيز ، َىو َىًتاوكًَثو ىكةووز َىمةهزةب ، َىكةشؤك زةه اًتاسيىتض 

ةةتاه َىكَيز انسكةظوسشو هةطنَيذو ىنًج انادَيسط ةظكًَثو هةسفزةب اكةناماز ب َىنسكتايرم ارَيزو ىهةطنيذو ظاضزةبو 

َىزةةبوز انيةبد ةيةه ظاضزةباي َىتايرم اكةنادَيسط ةظكًَث ىك َىدنةض َىو ةنةدد ةذامائ ينتاهةظتضةدب نًَمانجةئ . ناظًث 

اًهادىج ايزةدةزةض ىك نسكايىخ ةتاه اضةوزةه ىكةووز َىمةهزةبو َىشؤك نًَكفىت ازامذو َىشؤك اًهارَيزدو ىطلةب 

% 00 ىب اذوز ازامذ َلىةب ، َىطلةب َىزةبوزو َىشؤك اًهادنمبو ىكةووز َىمةهزةب تةزابةض وىبةدَيشاي ظاضزةبو ىنًج 

ل تسطد ةظىبخ َىنسكتايرم ارَيز نَيستدنمب َىشىك نًَكفىت ازامذو ىطلةب َىزةبوزو ىكةووز اًهادنمبو َىم انادكًل ىك 

ىكةووز َىمةهزةب ل ىبةه ازاكو ظًتشىثو زةطكًَئ اكةنسكًَتزاك َىشؤك نًَكفىت ازامذ . اد َىيصَياثو زاوب نَيشزةو وودزةه 

َىشزةو َىوام ل ىبةه ىطلةب 

َىزةبوزو َىكةشىك زةه نًَتةخ ازامذو َىشؤك اي ىهارَيزد زةطل زةطكًَئ اكةنسكًَتزاك 

اكةنسكًَتزاكو ىكةووز َىمةهزةب ل وىبةه ازاكو ظًتشىثو زةطكًَئ اكةنسكًَتزاك َىشؤك نًَتةخ ازامذ َلىةب . اد َىزاوب 

ىك وىب تةخىلاض اونةت ىكةووز َىمةهزةب اتةخىلاض . وىبةه َىشؤك نًَكفىت ازامذو َىشؤك اًهارَيزد زةطل زةطكًَئ 

ىمةهزةب انسككاض ىب نًَش َىد َىدنةض َىظ زةبذ . اد ناشزةو وودزةه ل وىبةدَيش َىو ظاضزةباي ىنًج 

اًهادىج ايزةدةزةض 

تةخىلاض َىظذ 

ءارفصلا ةرذلل راسملا ليلحتو طابترلاا لماعم ريدقتو ، تلالاسلا ضعب طابنتسا 


ةلثلاث يليقت دلهب8002 

العل يلفيرخلاو يلعيبرلا يملسكملا لالخ كلهد ةلعماج ةلعارزلا ةليلك للقح يف ةساردلا تيرجأ 

الفترا ، لس / تالبنلا الفترا ، كلثناو رلكذ رليهزت % 00 للا اليلاا ددلع( 

تافلص تلسرد . اليلحم الهتيبرت لت ةللالس ةرلشع 

000 نزو ، لس / صكلنرعلا كلط ، تالبن / كلبحلا للصاح ، تالبن / قارولاا ددلع ، لس / ةليقركلا ةحالسملا ، س / صكنرعلا 

رللطقو تلليزلا ةبللسن ، يتورللبلا ةبللسن ، يرللفتلا ةبللسن ، صكللنرع / كللبحلا ددللع ، صكنرعلاللب كفللصلا ددللع ، ارللغ / ةللبح 

يلئيبلاو يثاركللا طالبترلااو لساكلا نعملالب ليركتلا ةبلسنو يلئيبلاو رلهظملاو يثاركللا ريالغتلا لماعم بسح .) س / صكنرعلا 

ةليقركلا ةحالسملا يلب البجكم كلنعمو بلجكم رلهظمو يثارو طابترا دكجو لا تانايبلا تراشا . راسملا ليلحتو رهظملاو 

الفتراو تالبنلا للصاحل يلالع رلهظمو يلثارو ريالغت لماعم دجو امك تابنلا لصاحو صكنرع روذبلا ددعو صكنرعلا كطو 

ددلعو ةليقركلا ةحالسملاو تالبنلا الفتراو كلثنا رليهزت % 00 للا اليلأا ددلع تطعأ يح يف ةيقركلا ةحاسملاو صكنرعلا 

سراللم ذللا صكلنرعلا يلف روذلبلا ددلعل نالك . يلفيرخلاو يلعيبرلا يملسكملا يلف ليركت ةبلسن للعأ صكلنرعلا يلف روذلبلا 

صكلللنرعلا يلللف كفلللصلا ددلللعو صكلللنرعلا كلللط رلللبع رلللشابم رللليغ اريثرلللتو تالللبنلا للللصاح يلللف لاالللعفو الللبجكم رلللشابم اريثرلللت 

لللصاح يللف لااللعفو اللبجكم ارللشابم اريثرللت صكللنرعلا يللف كفللصلا ددللع رللثا يللح يللف يللعيبرلا للسكملا يللف ةلليقركلا ةحاللسملاو 

صكلنرعلا يلف كفلصلا ددلعو ةفلص نا . صكلنرعلا يلف روذلبلا ددلعو صكلنرعلا كلط لالخ لم ارلشابم رليغ اريثرلتو تابنلا 

اذللو للصاحلا يلف ارلشابم رليغ اريثرت صكنرعلا كط رثأ يح يف لصاحلا يف ارشابم اريثرت رثأ دق صكنرعلا يف روذبلا ددعو 

رياللغت لللماعم تللطعأ يلتلا تاللبنلا يللف لللصاحلا ةفلص لللا ةفاللضا الختنلاا ةلليلمع يللف تافللصلا ذله لللع داللمتعلاا لكمي 

لكمي لذلكو للصاحلا يلسحت يلف تافلصلا ذله للع دالمتعلاا لكمي لذللو يملسكملا لالك يلف يلالع رلهظمو يلثارو 

جهلا 

جاتنا يف ايلحم ةجتنملا تلالاسلا ذه لاغتسا 

333


111 

MICROPROPAGATION OF CROTONE 

(Codiaeum variegatum) 

MOSLEH M.S. DUHOKY AND LAYLA S. M. AL-MIZORY 

Dept. of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region-Iraq 

(Received: June 9, 2010; Accepted for publication: February 14, 2011) 

ABSTRACT 

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of different concentration and combinations of plant 

growth regulators on callus induction and plant regeneration of croton (Codiaeum variegatum). The leaf segments 

were used as explant and cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of NAA or 2,4-D 

combined with BA for callus induction. The best callus was formed on whole area of explant cultured on MS medium 

with different levels of BA combined with different concentrations of 2,4-D. MS medium supplemented with 2mgl -1 

BA+ 0.2 mgl -1 2,4-D was used for percentage of callus induction (100%) and the highest average callus fresh weight 

(5.39 mg) was formed under dark condition. The highest percentage of callus induction (80%) and the highest 

average callus fresh weight (3.91 mg) was obtained under light condition compared with control treatment which did 

not formed callus. In multiplication stage the the maximum number of shoots, number of leaves / shoot and highest 

length of shoots (4.58 shoots/culture, 3.13 leaves / shoot and 2.33 cm) was obtained in MS medium supplemented with 

2.5mgl-1 BA respectively, compared with all treatments including the treatment control. 

For shoot multiplication, the maximum (4.53) shoot/ culture were formed on MS medium having 3mgl -1 BA+ 4.5 

mgl -1 Kin. At rooting stage, a large number of roots, root length and root percentage (2.67 roots /explant, 3.56 cm and 

70%) respectively, was observed when 0.5 mgl -1 IBA was used in ¼ MS medium. 

KEYWORDS:- Somatic embryogenesiss, Codiaeum variegatum, Auxin and Callus induction 

C 

INTRODUCTION 

odiaeum variegatum, commonly known 

as Croton and sometimes called Joseph's 

Coat (Deshmukh and Borle, 1975; Kupchan et 

al., 1976), belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae, 

is one of the most popular ornamental plants 

because of vivid foliage colors and varied leaf 

shapes. Codiaeum variegatum is native to 

Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, India, Thailand 

and Sri Lanka. It is an evergreen shrub, up to 6 

m in height but usually maintained at 60-90 cm 

and grows well in areas having humid climate. 

More than 200 varieties of croton exist on the 

globe, available in different leaf sizes, shapes 

and color patterns. Young leaves are usually 

green, bronze, yellow, or red, later changes to 

gold, cream, white, scarlet, pink, maroon, purple, 

black or brown (Fig 1). 

Croton can be propagated by various methods 

such as cuttings, grafting, seeds and air layering. 

From shoot tip cuttings, one mother/stock plant 

can yield only 20 plants per year (Nasib et al., 

2008). Due to its slow rate of conventional 

multiplication, the plant is very high in demand. 

Micropropagation is a relatively new 

technology and applications of innovative 

methods have served to overcome barriers to 

progress in the multiplication of elite species and 

further improvements are anticipated. In vitro 

growth and development is considerably 

influenced by several factors like genotype, the 

age and size of mother plant and explant, the 

season, growth conditions, media composition, 

and various other physiological factors. As a 

mean of securing pathogen free plants, culture of 

shoot apical meristem is ideal. Other advantages 

that assure by this method include large number 

of plant production in shorter time period, 

irrespective of the season (Mulabagal and Tsay, 

2004). Croton was chosen for micropropagation 

due to its rare success in conventional breeding 

and very little data is available for its in vitro 

production (Shibata et al., 1996 and Orlikowska 

et al., 1995; 2000). 

The objective of the present study is to 

develop an alternative micropropagation of 

croton (Codiaeum variegatum) through indirect 

somatic embryogenesis, using leaf as explant.


Fig. (1): Croton shrub is one of the ornamental 

plants(Codiaeum variegatum). 


Pot croton (Codiaeum variegatum) was 

grown in the greenhouse of Horticulture 

Department, Agriculture College, University of 

Duhok at 15 \ 9\ 2008. 

Leaves with petioles were collected, and the 

petioles were removed after leaves washed under 

tap water for 30 minutes to remove soil and 

other superficial contaminations. The leaves 

were cut into 1 cm 2 in size under sterilized 

condition (Fig 2). The explants were surface 

sterilized with 70% ethanol for 3 minutes in a 

laminar air flow cabinet followed by immersion 

in a 4 % sodium hypochlorite solution (5% 

active chlorine) for 10 minutes and rinsed three 

times with sterile distilled water, and then 

cultured on MS medium (Murashige and Skoog , 

1962). The medium was supplemented with 30 

gl -1 sucrose and solidified with 7 gl -1 agar. The 

pH of the medium was adjusted to 5.7± 0.1 befor 

autoclaving. 

First experiment: The following growth 

regulators were added to the medium . 

BA (Benzyl adenine) at (0, 1, 2) mgl -1 . 

NAA (Naphthalene acetic acid) at 

(0, 0.2, 0.4) mgl -1 . 

2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid) 

at (0, 0.2, 0.4) mgl -1 . 

Each treatment was replicated 10 times with 

1 explant. The explants were cultured in growth 

room at 25°C in the dark to encourage callus 

formation or in the light condition for callus 

growth. 

When the calli were one month old, they 

were transferred to a growth chamber and 

maintained under a 16 hour photoperiod and 8 

hour darkness under artificial light at an intensity 

of 1000 lux. Shoot regeneration was encouraged 

by 50 mgl -1 casein hydrolysis and 1 mgl -1 BA 

added to the medium. 

After 6-8 weeks, the following data were 

recorded: percentage of callus induction, average 

callus fresh weight (mg) and embryo induction 

percentage. All data were statistically carried out 

using Complete Randomized Design (CRD) 

using 10 replications. Significant differences 

among mean values were separated using 

Duncan Multiple Range Tests at P≤0.05 

(Duncan, 1955). 

Second experiment: After somatic embryo 

formation from the callus. The embryogenic 

callus was weekly subcultured on MS medium 

for accelerating the induction of embryoids, with 

the removal of dead and dark-brown cells from 

the callus. After 6 weeks of subculture, greenish- 

yellow, globular pro- embryoids were observed 

under microscopic examination and these were 

selected and subcultured on the same medium 

for maturation according to Robinson et. 

al.(2009) and Buchheim et. al.(1989). Matured 

somatic embryos (heart- and torpedo shaped) 

were transferred to somatic embryo regeneration 

medium containing MS salts; After the complete 

regeneration of embryoids to plantlets the latter 

were transferred to the third experiment. After 4- 

6 weeks ,the following data were recorded: 

No.of somatic embryo induced from callus, No. 

of shoot development, No. of leaves per culture 

and average of shoots length (cm). 

Third experiment: The explants were allowed 

to grow and then transferred to MS medium 

with different concentrations of cytokinin (0, 

2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4, 4.5 and 5) mgl -1 BA combine 

with (0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4, 4.5 and 5) mgl -1 Kin. 

After 4-6 weeks ,the following data were 

recorded: No. of shoots per culture, No. of 

leaves per culture and average of shoots length 

(cm). 

Fourth experiment: Shoots were transferred to 

(¼ and ½ strength) MS medium with different 

concentrations (0, 0.5 and 1) mgl -1 of NAA, IAA 

and IBA alone for in vitro rooting. After 4 weeks 

,the following data were recorded: percentage of 

root per culture, No. of roots per culture and the 

average of roots length (cm). For 

acclimatization, rooted plants of croton with well 

developed roots and leaves were taken out of the 

culture jars washed with water to remove the 

agar around the roots. The plantlets were 

transferred to plastic pots containing soil mixture 

and peat moss (1 :1 by volume). The percentage 

survived plant were recorded after 4 weeks from 

transplanting. 

111



Effect of Auxin and Cytokinine in callus 

induction: 

The most important factors contributing the 

induction of somatic embryo from the callus, 

plant growth regulators and medium formulation 

(Buyukalaca and Mairtuna, 1996). Among the 

plant growth regulators, generally auxin is 

known to be essential for the induction of 

somatic embryogenesis and 2,4-D is the most 

commonly used auxin (Ammirato, 1983). 

Morever, a combinations of 2,4-D or NAA with 

cytokinine was reported to be essential for 

induction of callus and somatic embryos (Jarsrai 

et al, 2003). Certain cells may need simple MS 

medium for the induction of somatic embryos 

and further development (Jarsrai et al, 1999). 

To determine the best callus induction 

response from leaves explant of different types, 

various concentrations and combinations of plant 

growth regulators were tried (Table 1). The best 

results of callus induction response (100%) in 

whole area of leaf explant was observed on MS 

medium supplemented with 2 mgl -1 BA 

combined with (0.2 or 0.4 mgl -1 ) 2,4-D (Fig 2. a) 

under dark condition followed by MS medium 

supplemented with (1, 2) mgl -1 BA + (0.2, 0.4) 

mgl -1 2,4-D (80%) callus was formed on the 

three fourths of explant under light condition 

(Fig 2. b). The lowest callus induction response 

(30%) was observed on MS medium 

supplemented with 1 mgl -1 BA + 0.4 mgl -1 NAA 

formed on the two fourths of explant under dark 

condition (Fig 2. c) followed by MS medium 

supplemented with 1 mgl -1 BA + (0.2, 0.4 mgl -1 ) 

NAA (20%) callus was formed on the one fourth 

of explant under light condition (Fig 2. d) 

however callus was not formed at all in MS 

medium free-hormone (control) under both 

conditions (Fig 2. e). Presad et al (2006) 

111 

A 

B 

C 

reported callus development from Ipomoea 

aqatica leaves segment cultured on MS medium 

with different concentrations of BA combine 

with 2,4-D. Nurazan et al (2009) and Lima et al 

(2008) obtained callus in Cananga odorata and 

Croton uruerana using different levels of 3 mgl- 

1 NAA or 3 mgl -1 2,4-D from petal explant and 

leave segments respectively. In the same table, 

the average callus fresh weight was obtained on 

MS medium supplemented with 2 mgl -1 BA + 

0.2 mgl -1 2,4-D with an average of (5.39) mg/ 

culture. Medium containing less than 2 mgl -1 BA 

+ 0.2 mgl -1 2,4-D and higher than produced 

fewer fresh weight of callus / culture under dark 

condition and the highest percentage of embryo 

induction was (98%) in the same condition and 

medium while the average callus fresh weight 

(3.91) mg/ culture was obtained on MS medium 

supplemented with 2 mgl -1 BA + 0.2 mgl -1 2,4-D 

and the highest percentage of embryo induction 

(89%) was obtained in MS medium 

supplemented with 2 mgl -1 BA + 0.4 mgl -1 2,4-D 

under light condition . In vitro grown leaf disk 

did not show any callus production on MS 

medium free-hormone treatment (control) (Fig 

2.e). Marconi and Radice (1997) reported 

somatic embryo from Codiaeum variegatum L. 

leaves explant cultured on MS medium 

containing 1mgl -1 2,4-D + 1mgl -1 BA. 

Conversely, Manohari et al (2008) concluded 

that in leaf explant of Elettaria cardamonum 

Malon, the callus induction was achieved on MS 

medium with combinations of NAA and BAP. 

The results of this work support those found by 

other authors. For instance, Machii (1999) did 

not observed callus formation in leaf explant of 

Morus alba L. in the absence of 2,4-D and 

Vietez and san-Jose (1996) did not obtained 

callus in leaf explant of Fagus silvatica L. in the 

presence of BA. 

Fig. (2): Callus induction from leaf of (Codiaeum variegatum). A: callus was formed on whole area of explant. 

B: callus was formed on the three fourths of explant. C: callus was formed on the two fourths of explant. D: 

callus was formed on the one fourth of explant. E: callus was not formed at all. 

D 

E


Table (1): Effects of plant growth regulators on callus and somaic embryogenesis from leaf explant of Codiaeum 

variegatum after 6-8 weeks of culture in MS medium. 

Growth 

regulator 

mg l -1 

Callus 

induction 

% 

* Means followed by the same letter within each character (column) do not differ significantly (P≤0.05) according to 

Duncan's Multiple Range Test (Duncan ,1955). 

++++: callus was formed on whole area of explant. 

+++: callus was formed on the three fourths of explant. 

++: callus was formed on the two fourths of explant. 

+: callus was formed on the one fourths of explant. 

-: callus was not formed at all. 

Effect of different concentrations of BA or 

Kin alone on shoot formation from callus 

induction: Data on shoot formation revealed 

that when the concentration of BA was increased 

from 2.5 mgl -1 to 5 mgl -1 , the rate of shoot 

formation was also increased. Maximum number 

of somatic embryos induced from callus, 

maximum shoots formation and highest number 

of leaves per culture were obtained at 2.5 mgl -1 

BA which was 7.95 embryo/ culture, 4.58 

shoots/ culture and 3.13 leaves/ culture 

respectively after 6-8 weeks of culture 

inoculation (Table 2, Fig. 3 a-c). With further 

increase in concentration of BA, 7.5 mgl -1 BA 

produced 2.25 shoots/ culture while at MS 

medium free-hormone, the medium did not 

formed any shoots per culture, and the highest 

length of shoots (2.89 cm )was found on MS 

medium supplemented 7.5 mgl -1 compared with 

10 mgl -1 BA and control treatment which was 

(1.50 cm). Many researchers have also reported 

positive effect of BA on shoot multiplication and 

proliferation. Rahaman et al (2004) cultured leaf 

segments of Kaempferia galangal L. on different 

media and reported a number of somatic 

Dark condition Light condition 

Average 

callus 

fresh 

weight 

(mg) 

Embryo 

induction 

% 

Callus 

formation 

on mature 

leaf culture 

Callus 

induction 

% 

Average 

callus 

fresh 

weight 

(mg) 

Embryo 

induction 

embryonic formation on MS medium with 2 

mgl -1 BA plus 0.05 mgl -1 NAA. Similarity, 

Nakaura (1991) found mass prolific growth of 

Tea plants using 1 mgl -1 BA. 

During this investigation, it was also 

observed that 2.5 mgl -1 of BA was the best 

concentration for shoot development whereas 

higher concentrations inhibited it. This was in 

accordance with the study conducted by Kumar 

ad Kanwar (2004) in which they reported that 

lower concentration of BA (1 mgl -1 ) stimulated 

shoots growth in Gerbera jamesoni, but the 

higher concentration of BA (5 mgl -1 ) inhibited 

shoot proliferation. 

For in vitro shoot formation from callus, MS 

medium was supplemented with different 

concentrations of Kin ranging from 2.5 mgl -1 to 

10 mgl -1 . It was noticed that when the 

concentration of Kin was increased to 7.5 mgl -1 , 

average number of embryo per culture formed 

was also increased. At this concentration, 

maximum number (3.70 embryo/ culture) was 

formed. Maximum shoots formation per culture 

and highest number of leaves per culture was 

observed at 7.5 mgl -1 Kin which was 3.45 

% 

Callus 

formation 

on mature 

leaf culture 

control 0f 0f 0g - 0f 0f 0g - 

BA+NAA 

1+0.2 40c-f 1.23e 66.6bc +++ 20ef 0.92e 0.0g + 

1+0.4 30d-f 2.28cd 73.5b +++ 20ef 1.47e 0.0g ++ 

2+0.2 70a-d 2.45cd 93.4a +++ 40c-f 2.25cd 27.0e ++ 

2+0.4 70a-d 2.57cd 56.6cd +++ 30d-f 2.09d 13.3f ++ 

BA+2,4-D 

1+0.2 90ab 2.84c 46.7d +++ 50b-e 2.46cd 0.0g ++ 

1+0.4 80a-c 2.89c 90.0a ++++ 80a-c 2.79cd 13.3f +++ 

2+0.2 100a 5.39a 96.6a ++++ 80a-c 3.91b 33.0e +++ 

2+0.4 100a 4.19a 86.6a ++++ 70a-d 3.36b 23.3e +++ 

111

A 


shoots/ culture and 3.34 leaves/ culture 

respectively (Table 2, Fig. 3. b-d), however the 

highest length of shoot was obtained at 7.5 mgl -1 

Kin which was 2.89 cm. Whereas no embryo 

and shoot per culture was obtained in MS 

medium free-hormone and the lowest length of 

shoot was obtained in MS medium containing 10 

mgl -1 BA which was 1.50 cm. Results of other 

researchers showed that BA is more effective 

than Kin for multiple shoot induction like nodal 

culture of lagerstroemia flos-regina (Paily and 

D , Souza, 1986). In general, BA has been 

frequently reported to induce better shoot 

111 

multiplication than other cytokinins, particularly 

in tree species. Its effectiveness has been 

demonstrated in juvenile as well as mature 

tissues of Calophyllum inophyllum, Euggenia 

grandis and Fragraea fragns (Rao and Lee, 

1982). Ahmad (1989) observed the highest 

length of shoots from Acacia mangium (0.95 

cm) on MS medium with 1 mgl -1 Kin from in 

vitro nodal explant. Faisal et al. (2006) reported 

the establishment of shoot in vitro from a nodal 

segment in 10 mgl -1 cytokinin, while Faisal et al 

(2007) got the best results from shoot segment at 

2.5 mgl -1 Kin. 

Fig. (3): a: somatic embryos and shoots developed on 2.5 mgl -1 BA; b: somatic embryos and shoots developed 

on 7.5 mgl -1 Kin; c: shoot induction from somatic embryos explants on 2.5 mgl -1 BA; d: shoot induction from 

somatic embryos explants on 7.5 mgl -1 Kin. 

Table (2): Effects of different concentrations of BA and Kin on the growth response of Codiaeum variegatum 

leaf explants after 8 weeks of culture. 

Growth regulator mg l -1 No. of somatic 

embryos 

induced from 

callus 

No. of shoots/ 

culture 

No. of Leaves/ 

culture 

average Length of Shoots 

control 0.0 1.00e 0e 0c 0d 

Kin 

BA 

B 

2.5 2.01de 1.85d 3.30a 1.63c 

5.0 3.55c 2.33cd 2.81ab 1.83bc 

7.5 3.70c 3.45b 3.35a 2.89a 

10 2.05de 2.50cd 2.83ab 1.93a 

2.5 7.95a 4.58a 3.13a 2.33ab 

5.0 7.71ab 3.20bc 2.10b 2.06bc 

7.5 6.69b 2.25d 2.15b 1.50c 

10 2.88cd 2.75bcd 2.50ab 1.50 c 

* Means followed by the same letter within each character (column) do not differ significantly (P≤0.05) 

according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test (Duncan ,1955). 

D 

(cm)


Effect of different concentrations of BA+ Kin 

on in vitro shoot multiplication: Different 

concentrations of BA ranging from 2.5 mgl -1 to 5 

mgl -1 with Kin ranging from 2.5 mgl -1 to 5 mgl -1 

in MS medium were also used for in vitro shoot 

multiplication. It was observed that when 3 mgl -1 

BA +4.5 mgl -1 Kin was used in MS medium, 

average of 4.53 shoots / culture were formed. 

When the concentration of BA was increased 

from 2.5 mgl -1 to 3 mgl -1 BA with 5 mgl -1 to 4.5 

mgl -1 Kin the number of shoots pre culture 

formed was also increased. At this 

concentration, maximum number of leaves per 

culture and the maximum length of shoot was 

observed in the same medium which were 4.7 

leaves/ culture and 3.7 cm respectively (Table 3, 

Fig. 4 a-b). Further increase in concentration of 

A 

BA, average number of shoots per culture was 

decreased. At 3.5 mgl -1 BA with 4 mgl -1 Kin, 

4.20 shoot/ culture and 4 leaves/ culture were 

obtained. At MS medium free-hormone 

minimum number of shoots per culture and 

number of leaves per culture was formed (2.80 

shoot/ culture and 3.2 leaves/ culture). Ahmad 

(1989) also reported the best shoot response of 

Acacia margium on MS medium supplemented 

with BA+ Kin. However, Shabbir et al (2009) 

reported best shoot induction response in MS 

medium containing (1.5 mgl -1 BA+ 0.5 mgl -1 

Kin) and Hameed et al (2006) and Arshed et al 

(2005) used MS medium supplemented with 

combinations of BA and Kin for shoot induction 

from nodal meristem and nodal segments 

respectively. 

Fig. (4): In vitro regeneration of Codiaeum variegatum. A-B: Multiple shoot regeneration from callus 

on MS medium containing 3.0 mgl -1 BA + 4.5 mgl -1 Kin. 

Table (3): Effects of different concentrations of BA + Kin on the growth response of Codiaeum variegatum leaf 

explants after 8 weeks of culture. 

Growth regulator mg l -1 No. of shoots 

BA + Kin 

developed 

B 

No. of Leaves per culture average Length of Shoots 

0.0 2.80abc 3.2a 1.48d 

2.5 + 5.0 3.92ab 3.3a 2.5bc 

3.0 +4.5 4.53a 4.7a 3.7a 

3.5 + 4.0 4.20a 4.0a 3.5ab 

4.0 +3.5 3.85abc 3.8a 2.7abc 

4.5 + 3.0 2.33bc 3.6a 1.9cd 

5.0 + 2.5 2.00c 3.3a 1.5d 

* Means followed by the same letter within each character (column) do not differ significantly (P≤0.05) 

according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test (Duncan ,1955). 

(cm) 

111


Effects of different concentrations of NAA, 

IAA and IBA alone with (¼ and ½ strength) 

MS medium on in vitro rooting: Two 

concentrations of auxin (0.5 and 1 mgl -1 ) of 

NAA, IAA and IBA at two levels of MS 

medium (¼ and ½ strength) were used for in 

vitro roots formation. The best response was 

observed when 0.5 mgl -1 IBA was added to ¼ 

strength MS medium which was (70%) while 

60% of the shoots were rooted when 0.5 mgl -1 

IBA was added to ½ strength MS medium. 

However the shoots were not obtained when 

shoots were cultured in (¼ and ½ strength) MS 

free-hormone (Table 4). The lowest root 

induction response (20%) was observed on ½ 

strength MS medium supplemented with 0.5 

mgl -1 NAA. A large number of roots, root length 

and root percentage (2.67 roots /explant, 3.56cm 

and 70%) respectively, was observed when 0.5 

mgl -1 IBA was used in ¼ MS medium. While a 

large number of roots, root length (2.55 roots 

/explant and 3.34 cm) respectively, was 

Growth 

111 

observed when 0.5 mgl -1 NAA and 1 mgl -1 NAA 

were used in ½ strength MS medium and 60% 

root percentage was observed when 0.5 mgl -1 

IBA was added to ½ strength MS medium . In 

the same table, minimum number of roots per 

shoot and root length were formed (1.23 roots/ 

shoot and 1.71cm) when 1 mgl -1 NAA and 0.5 

mgl -1 NAA were added to ¼ strength MS 

medium respectively. Also minimum number of 

roots per shoot and root length were formed 

(1.34 roots/ shoot and 2.09 cm) when 0.5 mgl -1 

NAA and 1mgl -1 IBA were added to ¼ strength 

MS medium respectively. IBA has been reported 

to have stimulatory effect on root induction in 

many plant species including Alnus glutinosa 

(Perinet and Lalonde, 1987), Morus indica 

(Chand et al., 1995), Balanites aegyptica 

(Mansor et al., 2003) and Bambusa vulgaris 

(Ndiaye et al., 2006). 

Table (4): Effects of different concentration of NAA, IAA and IBA and salt strength of MS medium on shoot 

rooting of Codiaeum variegatum after 4 weeks of culture. 

regulator mg l -1 

Media con. 

% shoots 

showing 

root 

* Means followed by the same letter within each character (column) do not differ significantly (P≤0.05) according to 

Duncan's Multiple Range Test (Duncan ,1955). 

The rooted plantlets of Codiaeum variegatum 

were carefully removed from rooting medium 

and washed carefully, then transferred to 

greenhouse in small plastic pots with medium 

consisting of (sand and peat moss, 1:1). The 

plants were finally hardened by gradually 

reducing the humidity. After four weeks from 

transplanting, the survival percentage reached to 

55%. 

¼ MS ½ MS 

Number of 

roots/shoot 

Root length 

(cm) 

% shoots 

showing root 

Number of 

roots/shoot 

control 0.0 0a 0c 0f 0a 0c 0f 

NAA 

IAA 

IBA 

Root 

length 

0.5 50a 1.42b 1.71e 20ab 1.34b 3.34ab 

1 50a 1.23b 2.23de 30ab 2.55a 2.19de 

0.5 60a 2.08a 2.47cd 50a 2.29a 2.58cd 

1 50a 2.38a 2.43cd 50a 2.33a 2.94bc 

0.5 70a 2.67a 3.56a 60a 2.47a 2.45cd 

1 60a 2.42a 3.24ab 50a 1.83ab 2.09de 

(cm) 

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اغانىقد 

111 

اناش اندناج اليسب 

Codiaeum variegatum 

. اطهةب اناش اندناض الَيسب ىىتوسك َىكةووز انسكةدَيشو 

وًًَتايرت لةطد ادMS 

وًَطهةب ذ 

ىسلًَض ةتاي سهاك 

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(2009). Regeneration of Plants Through 

Somatic Embryogenesis in Emilia zeylanica C. 

B. Clarke a Potential Medicinal Herb. Botany 

Research International, 2 (1): 36-41. 

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Personal Computer, Release 6, SAS . Institute 

. Inc. Cary . nc. USA. 

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(2009).Effect of different cultured conditions 

on micropropagation of Rose ( Rosa indica L.) 

Pak. J. Bot., 41(6): 2877-2882. 

- Shibata, W., F. Murai, T. Akiyama, M. 

Siriphol, E. Matsunaga and H. Morimot. 

(1996). Micropropagation of Croton 

sublyratus Kurz; a tropical tree of 

medicinal importance. Plant Cell Rep., 16: 

147-152 

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Adventitious shoot regeneration from 

Fagus syvatica leaf explant in vitro. In vitro 

cellular and Development Biology, Larog. 

32(3):140- 147. 

ىىتوسك ىكةووز انسكةديش 

ىوىبهًش ىب ذ ىاهًئزالب ةتاي اناش اندناض الًهكةت 

ةتخىث 

َىظاًب فاند اد َىندناض ىمةدد ىسلًقات ةهتاي ىسهاك انسلًَج ىب اطهةب وهًَناًش اد َىنوىبهًش 

% 011 

، ىسهاك انسلًَض ىب 

9..5 شًَك ويترشابو 2,4-D تره/ 

مغوم1.2 

+ BA تره / مغوم 

BA 

اضزاث 

BA 

2 لةطد اد 

لةطد ىاو انسك لةلًَتو 

MS 

. ادَىًيانوز وهًَنادواك وبد ىاهًئ ةفتسةدب ةتاي شًَك مغوم .950 و % 01 

ذ شاواًج وًَتايرت لةكد اد 

/ قةض 

5.09( 

MS 

NAA 

و 

2,4-D 

ذ شاواًج 

َىفاًب فاند اطهةب اندناض َىمةدد ىكةووز 

اسةو زةيو اد َىيزات وهًَنادواك وبد مغوم 

َىظاًب فاند ىكةووز اكةضزاث نةو ىدناض ةتاي سهاك ،ىوىبةدهًَيوود اغانىقد 

اقةض ايرَيزدو اطهةبو اقةض ازامش ىب ىىكزامىت ةهتاي مانجةئ ويترشاب 

. َىهتب مًئ زةي 

2.9 لةكد MS َىظاًب فاند ىدناض ةهًتاي َىمةدد اد مًئ فيوده ) مس 2... و ىكةووز اضزاث / طهةب 

ويترشاب 

لةطد 

BA +Kin 

MS 

انادلًه تزابةس 

َىفاًب فاند اد ىاو اندناض َىمةدد 

. لوترنىك ايزةدةزةس ىاو ذ و ىد وًَيزةدةزةس لةطد دزوازةب 

) ىكةووز اضزاث 

/ 

قةض 

4.53( 

ازامذ ويترشاب و َىناد هووز اغانىق ىب تنسايىطةظ ةهتاي قةض وةئ َىطهي ىتشث 

تره/ 

مغوم 

1.9 

لةطد 

) MS ¼( 

..05 

Kin 

و 

، ىكةووز 

BA تره/ 

مغوم 

اقةض ازامذ ىب ىسكزامىت ةهتاي مانجةئ 

Kin تره/ 

مغوم5.9 

+ BA تره / مغوم. 

َىفاًب فاند اد ىندناض َىمةدد ىسكزامىت ةهتاي ىدةس ىةرَيز ايووز ايرَيزد و ايووز 

مًئ 

فيوده )% 27 و مس 66.. ، ىكةووز اضزاث / هووز 76.2( 

IBA


Codiaeum variegatum 

نوتوركلا تابنل قيقدلا راثكلاا 

سلاكلا ثادحتسا ىلع اهتلاخادتو ةيتابنلا ومنلا تامظنم نم ةفلتخملا زيكارتلا راثا يصقتل ةساردلا اذى تيرجا 

ةجسنا تمدختسا . Codiaeum variegatum 

نم ةفلتخم زيكارت عم اهلخادتو 

NAA 

و 

2,4-D 


نوتوركلا تابنل ةقرولا ةجسنا ةعارز للاخ نم تاتابن ىلا هروطتو هومنو 

ـلا نم ةفلتخم زيكارتب دوزملا 

BA رتل / مغلم 2 ـب دوزملا MS طسو ىلع ةقرولا جيسن ةعارز 

دنع ترهظ جئاتنلا لضفا 

غلب يرط نزو لضفاو % 022 

سلاكلا ثادحتسلا ةباجتسلاا ةبسن تغلب ثيح 

MS 

طسو يف اهتعارزو ةيتابن ءازجاك ةقرولا 

2,4-D 

. سلاكلا ثادحتسلا 

نم رتل 

/ 

ملغم 

2.2 

BA 

ـلا 

عم لاخادتم 

غلب ءوضلا فورظ تحت سلاكلل يرطلا نزولاو سلاكلا ثادحتسلا ةيوئملا ةبسنلا امنيب . ملاظلا فورظ تحت مغلم 

BA 

ـلا نم ةفلتخم زيكارتب دوزملا 

5.93 

. سلاكلا نوكت نم تلخ يتلا ةنراقملا 

ةلماعم عم ةنراقم يلاوتلا ىلع مغلم 9.30 و % 02 

MS 

تغلب ةلاطتسا لضفاو قارولاا نم ددع ربكاو عرفلاا 

طسو ىلع ةينابن ءازجاك نوكتملا سلاكلا ةعارز مت دقف فعاضتلا ةلحرم يف اما 

نيوكتل 

لدعم ىلعا ناب جئاتنلا ترهظا 

. دارفنا ىلع لك Kinو 

/ مغلم 2.5 ـب دوزملا MS طسو ىلع اهتعارز دنع يلاوتلا ىلع ) مس 2.99 ،يتابن ءزج / ةقرو 9.09 ، يتابن ءزج / عرف 8.50( 

ددع لضفا ناب ظحلانف 

Kin + BA 

لخادتل ةبسنلاب 

. ونراقملا ةلماعم اهنمضبو تلاماعملا عيمج عم ونراقم 

مت اىدعب Kin رتل / مغلم 8.5 + BA رتل / مغلم 9 ـب دوزملا MS طسو ىلع ةعارزلا دنع يتابن ءزج/ 

عرف 

4.53 

BA 

رتل 

غلب عرفلال 

عرفلاا ةعارز دنع ريذجت ةبسن ىلعاو 

ةلاطتسا لضفاوروذجلل ددع ربكا رهظ ثيح ريذجتلا طسو ىلا حاجنبو عرفلاا لقن 

ىلع )% 22 و مس 9.5. ، يتابن 

ءزج / رذج 2..2( 

تغلب يتلاو 

IBA 

رتل / مغلم 

2.5 

ـب دوزملاو وحلاما ةوق عبرب طسو ىلع 

. 

يلاوتلا 

111


REGENERATION OF F1 HYBRIDS OF EGGPLANT (Solanum melongena L.) 

AND TOMATO(Lycopersicon esculentum L.) FROM STEM EXPLANTS. 

233 

MOSLEH M.S. DUHOK,Y Payman A. A. Zibari * , and Mohammad M. A. Salman ** 

* Dept. of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region-Iraq 

** Dept. of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, University of Baghdad-Iraq 

(Received: August 9, 2010; Accepted for publication: February 2, 2011) 

ABSTRACT 

An in vitro method for propagation of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) 

was developed. Stem explants of Fl hybrids of eggplant and tomato from in vitro germinated seedlings were cultured 

on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of BA and NAA. Multiples shoots were 

induced from the stem explants of eggplant and tomato by culturing them on MS medium supplemented with 2.5, 5.0 

mgl -1 BA plus 0.3 mgl -1 IAA or 2.5mgl -1 BA plus 0.2 mgl -1 NAA. Differentiation and shoots were initiated after one 

week of culture and after 8 weeks of primary culture, an average of three plantlets were developed from the cultures 

supplemented with 5.0 mgl -1 BA in eggplant and 2.5 mgl -1 BA in tomato. The shoots when subcultured on 1/2 salt 

strength MS medium supplemented with 0.3 mgl -1 NAA produced plantlets subculture with well-developed root 

system after 4 weeks. The plantlets were then acclimatized, and planted in pots which showed 95% survival under 

natural conditions. 

INTRODUCTION 

Tomato and eggplant are the most common 

popular and principle vegetable crops in Iraq as 

well as they grown in the most parts of the 

world. 

A number of cultivars are grown through out 

the country depending upon the yield consumer ' s 

preference about the colour, size and shape of 

various cultivars. Tomato and eggplant 

responded to seasonal changes, low temperature 

and to several diseases and pests that cause 

serious crop losses. 

These problems have been addressed by 

hybridizing these plants with wild resistant 

species, which presents a wide genetic diversity 

and are a source of useful agronomic traits. Now 

a days of tissue culture techniques are widely 

used for propagation of various crops .The use of 

tissue culture technology for vegetative 

propagation of plants is the most widely used 

application of the technology (Smith, 2000). 

Several methods are used to propagate plants in 

vitro to enhance auxiliary shoot proliferation, de 

novo formation of adventitious shoot through 

organogenesis, non- zygotic embryogenesis, 

currently. This method provide genetic stability 

and easily attainable for many plant species. 

(Trigiano and Gray, 2000). This paper reports a 

mass propagation procedure for tomato and 

eggplant F1 hybrid to produce plants as of 

original cultivar. 

MATERIAL AND METHODS 

Plant material: 

Seeds of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum 

Mill.) olivade F1 hybrid cultivar and eggplant 

(Solanum melongena L.) Dusty cultivar were 

purchased from Nelson OY, Finald, Suomi. 

Seeds were washed with running tap water for 

five minutes. The seeds were then treated with 

ethanol 70% for 30 seconds before surface 

sterilization by dipping into 1.0% NaOCl for 5 

minutes and then rinsed 5 times with sterile 

distilled water. Sterilized seeds were placed on 

sterile wet filter paper in Petri dishes and 

incubated at 25± 2°C in the dark for 1 week. 

Germinated seeds (seedlings) were subcultured 

on half- strength MS –basal medium 

(Murashige and Skoog, 1962) and incubated 

under 16 h photoperiod, illuminated with white 

fluorescent lamps. Stems obtained from 

seedlings at 30 days old were cultured in test 

tubes (25x160 mm) containing 15 ml of culture 

MS medium. 

Culture media and culture conditions: 

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) were added 

to MS medium and the pH was adjusted to 5.8 

before autoclaving at 120 ° C for 20 minutes. 

Stems were grown on medium solidified with 7 

g/l agar and kept under 16h photoperiod, 

illuminated with white fluorescent lamps at 25± 

2 °C. Stems were subcultured at 30 days 

intervals to fresh medium.


Shoot initiation and multiplication on MS 

basal medium was supplemented with different 

concentrations of BA (0.0 2.0 and 4.0 mgl -1 ) 

alone or in combination with IAA (0.0, 0.4 mgl - 

1 ) for culture initiation, and (0.0, 2.5 and 5.0 mgl - 

1 BA) alone or in combination with NAA (0.0, 

0.2 and 0.3 mgl -1 NAA) for shoot multiplication. 

The number of shoots was visually counted after 

eight weeks. 

Rooting and acclimatized: 

Elongated shoots (2-2.5cm) were excised and 

transferred to full and half –strength MS medium 

containing 0.0 or 0.3 mgl -1 NAA for rooting. 

Plantlets with developing root system were 

transferred to plastic cups containing sterile peat 

moss irrigated with 1/4 strength MS salt . Each 

cup was covered with a polyethylene bag and the 

plants were hardened for ten days by gradually 

reducing the humidity through making holes in 

the bags. 

Experimental design and statistical analysis 

Experiments were carried out in a completely 

randomized design (CRD). Data scored on 

percentage were subjected to arcsine 

transformation before analysis and then 

converted back to percentage for presentation. 

Significant differences among mean values were 

separated and compared using Duncan’s 

multiple range test at 5% level (Duncan,1955 ). 

*Means followed by the same letters in each 

column does not differ significantly from each 

other according to Duncan’s multiple range test 

at 5% level. 


The stem explants obtained from in vitro 

seedlings of eggplant were cultured either on MS 

medium alone or supplemented with 4.0 mgl -1 

BA, 0.4 mgl -1 IAA and their combination. Stem 

explants of eggplant cultured on MS media 

supplemented with 4.0 mgl -1 BA or 4.0 mgl -1 BA 

+ 0.4 mgl -1 IAA produced shoots after one week, 

and start giving multiple shoots after 3 weeks of 

culture. Shoots of explants cultured in hormone 

free MS media were induced after 4 weeks. The 

stem explants showed high totipotency in 

producing the callus in MS medium combined 

with BA plus IAA. Average number of shoots 

were significantly higher in MS media 


+ 0.4 mgl -1 IAA (Fig. 1). While averages shoot 

length was about 6 cm in MS + 4.0 mgl -1 BA or 

MS +0.4 IAA. (Fig. 2). No significant 

differences in average leaves number per shoot 

was observed between the treatments (Fig 3.). 

Fig. (1): Effect of different concentrations of BA and IAA on the average shoots number / explants of eggplant 

at initiation stage. 

234


235 

Fig. (2): Effect of different concentrations of BA and IAA on the average shoots length / 

eggplant at initiation stage. 

Fig. (3): Effect of different concentrations of BA and IAA on the average leaves number / 

shoot of eggplant at initiation stage. 

When the stem explants of tomato seedlings 

obtained form in vitro grown seedlings were 

cultured on hormone free MS medium, shoots 

were induced after one week which increased in 

length greatly and produced callus after 4 weeks 

in culture, roots were developed after 3 weeks 

and exhibited high growth. 

Tomato stem explants cultured on MS media 

supplemented with 2.0 or 4.0 mgl -1 BA initiated 

shoots after two weeks, exhibited slow growth 

rate and from lower surface of explants callus 

was developed which was yellow in colour. 

The highest average of shoot number, 

shoot length and leaves per shoot were observed 

in explants cultured in hormone free MS 

media. (Fig 4, 5, 6).


Fig. (4): Effect of different concentrations of BA on the average shoot number / 

explant of tomato at initiation stage. 

Fig. (5): Effect of different concentrations of BA on the average shoot length / cm 

of tomato at initiation stage. 

Fig. (6): Effect of different concentrations of BA on the average leaves number / explant 

of tomato at initiation stage. 

In regard to multiplication, stem explants of 

eggplants cultured in hormone free MS medium, 

produced shoots after three weeks, while stem 

explants cultured in MS medium combined with 

BA , shoots were included after 12 days , the 

highest average shoot and leaves number was 

observed in stem explants cultured in MS 

medium supplemented with 5.0 mgl -1 BA 

whereas the lowest average number of shoots 

was recorded in nodal explants cultured in 

hormone free MS medium (Fig .7) and (Fig .9). 

236


Fig. (7): Effect of different concentrations of BA and NAA on the average shoots number / explants of eggplant at multiplication stage. 

237 

Fig. (8): Effect of different concentrations of BA and NAA on the average shoots length (cm)/ 

explant of eggplant at multiplication stage. 

Fig. (9): Effect of different concentrations of BA and NAA on the average leaves number / 

shoot of eggplant at multiplication stage. 

In this culture condition, an average of 3 

shoots pre explants were differentiated from 

each node after 8 weeks of culture (Fig. 7).When 

the nodal explants of tomato, obtained from the 

initiation stage were cultured either on MS 

medium alone or supplemented with either BA 

at 2.5 mgl -1 , 0.2 mgl -1 NAA or 2.5 mgl -1 BA+0.2 

mgl -1 NAA, shoots were induced after ten days 

in explants cultured in MS medium 


+ 0.2 mgl -1 NAA which exhibited high growth 

rates. The highest shoot number was recorded in


MS medium combined with 2.5 mgl -1 BA alone 

or in combination with 0.2 mgl -1 NAA (Fig.10), 

while the highest shoot length was noticed on 

explants cultured on free hormone MS medium 

(Fig.11), The highest average leaves number per 

shoot was observed on shoots from explants 

cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2.5 

mgl -1 BA +0.2mgl -1 NAA.(Fig.12 ). 

Fig. (10): Effect of different concentrations of BA and NAA on the average shoot number / 

explants of tomato at multiplication stage. 

Fig. (11): Effect of different concentrations of BA and NAA on the average shoot length(cm) 

of tomato at multiplication stage. 

Fig. (12): Effect of different concentrations of BA and NAA on the average leaves number / explants 

of tomato at multiplication stage. 

238


239 

Fig. (13): Effect of MS Salt strength and NAA on root number / shoot of eggplant. 

Fig. (14): Effect of MS Salt strength and NAA on root length / shoot of eggplant . 

Fig. (15): Effect of MS Salt strength and NAA on roots number / shoot of tomato.


Fig. (16): Effect of MS Salt strength and NAA on root length / shoot of tomato. 

The use of cytokinins and auxins at different 

concentrations are commonly used in in vito 

propagation of plants, exogenous application of 

BA in the prescence of auxin plays an 

important role in culture initiation and 

multiplication stages. BA induces cell division 

and has important role in growth of lateral buds 

by releasing them from apical dominance, auxin 

promotes cell elongation and division and 

stimulates vascular differentiation in plant 

tissues ( Davies, 1995) . Differences were 

noticed in response and to totipotency of the 

explants of eggplant and tomato due to the 

exogenous application of BA and auxin to 

culture medium during the initiation stage , this 

may attributed to the levels of endogenous 

hormones in both species under study. The 

frequency of initiation was higher in tomato 

explants than eggplant explants in hormone free 

MS media , this most likely due to the high 

levels of endogenous hormones in tomato since 

high rates of explant initiation and growth rate of 

tomato shoots were observed in hormones free 

MS medium. A high number of Solanaceae 

family species were propagated in vitro by using 

different explants and propagation methods 

(Magioli et al,1998, Sharma and Rajam , 1995, 

Ma et al .1999 , Franklin et al . 2004 and 

Iwamoto and Eura , 2006). The elongated shoots 

were transferred to rooting medium for root 

induction. Roots were initiated in eggplant shoot 

after two weeks of culture. In tomato, shoots 

roots at lowers surface of shoots were induced 

during the subculture at initiation and 

multiplication stages. Among the treatments 

tested, shoots of eggplant and tomato cultured on 

a 1/2 strength MS medium supplemented with 

0.3 mgl -1 NAA produced the highest average 

root number and length per shoot (Fig 13,14 

15,16) . In vitro rooted plantlets were 

acclimatized carefully and planted in pots 

containing steril peat moss. Within these 

regenerated plants ,95% of plantlets was 

survived uder natural condition. 

REFERENCES 

- Davies, P. 1995 . The plant hormones ,their nature 

,occurrence and functions , In .P. J Davies (Id) Plant 

hormones. Physiology and Biochemistry and 

Molecular Edioloag . kluwer Academic Publishers 

Dorderecht , 1995 ,pp 1-12 . 

- Duncan, D. B (1955). Multiple range and multiple F.teses. 

Boim., 11:1-42. 

- Franklin ,G. , C.J . Sheeba and L. Sity , 2004 . 

Regeneration of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) 

from root explants In vitro Cell, Dev. Biol, Plant 

40: 188- 191. 

- Iwamoto Y. and H. Eura 2006. Efficient plant 

regeneration from eggplant rootstock culture and its 

wild relatives . Plant Biotechnology 23: 525-529. 

- Ma.Y.K., Kato K. and M. Masuda. 1999. Efficient callus 

induction and shoot regeneration by anther culture 

in male sterile of tomato (Lcopersicon esculentum) 

J.Japanee. Soc. Hort. Sci , 68:768-773. 

- Magioli C. Rocha, A.P.M., de Oliveira, D. E and Mansur. 

E (1998) Efficient shoot organogenesis of egg 

plant( Solanum melongena (L.) induced by 

thidiazuron . Plant Cell Rep. 17:661-663. 

- Murashige T. and Skoog F. 1962 A revised medium for 

rapid growth and bioassays with tobacco tissue 

cultures Physiol. Plant. 15:473 -497. 

- Sharma, P. and M.V. Rajam 1995. Genotype explant and 

position effects on organogenesis and 

embryogenesis in eggplant ( Solanum melongena 

L.) J. Exp. Bot. 46 : 135-141. 

- Smith. R.H. 2000. Plant Tissue Culture Techniques and 

Experiments, 2nd. edition , A cademic press. 

- Trigiano, R. N. and D. J. Gray. 2000. Plant Tissue Culture 

Concepts and Laboratory Exercies. 2 nd ed. U. S. A., 

Boca Raton New York. Washington DC. 

23:


ناجابو ) Solanum melongena) ( شةز ناجاب نكةووز وودزةه وب ذ نانيئ ةظ تضةدب ةتاه يره انسكةدَيش اكةكَيز 

241 

ةتخوث 

شةز ناجاب نيديبرياه وودزةه نَي َىكَيئ َىميج نَيمتش نَي َىندناض نَيضزاث اندناضب) 

Lycopersicon esculentum( 

زَوض 

ذ ادوجكَيذ ننادكَيل و ىتايرت كةدنوب ىسكةدَيش َىي) 

MS( 

َىظايب ظان د ندناض ةتاه اكةووز وودزةه َىظَوت . زَوض ناجاب و 

اندناض اكَيسب زَوض ناجاب و شةز ناجاب نكَيسط ذ 

و) 

BA( 

ترل/ 

مغمو5.5 

8 

انيزوب ىتشث 

ىذ ناي 

) IAA( 

ترل/ 

مغمو0.0) 

BA( 

. َىندناض ذ َىكةيتفةح انيزوب ىتشَيث َىنادقةضو 

شةز ناجاب وب) 

BA( 

ترل/ 

مغمو5.0 

ب ىسك ةدَيش َىي 

نانيئ ةظ تضةدب ةنتاه ىسكَيل ةدنيه وود نقَيض. 

) NAA( 

و ) BA( 

ذ 

ترل/ 

مغمو5.0و5.5ب 

ىسكةدَيش َىي) 

MS( 

َىظايب ظان د ناو 

) differentiation( 

انسكتشث هاث .) NAA( 

ترل/ 

مغمو0.5 

) BA( 

َىظايب ظاند نسكَيلةدنهود ةنتاه كةووز 

, َىندناض ذ ايتفةح 

ةدَيش َىي و نَيزوخ اصَيه ظين هةطد ) MS( 

َىظايب ظان د اقض اي ةزابوود اندناض َىوةدو . زَوض ناجاب َوب) 

BA( 

ترل/ 

مغمو5.5 

ظةئ, 

ايتفةح 

4 

انيزَوب ىتشثو نانيئ ةظ تضةدب صَيوبو شاب 

نهَوز نادوخ نكةووز 

.) NAA( 

ترل\ 

مغمو0.0 

ب ىسك 

اوةئ َىنتفةكزةض ايةرَيز ب و اداكفاق ظاند ناو انسك نَيتش اكَيسب ىةشيش ايناخ ننادواك َوب تنضاهوكةظ ةنتاه ةكةووز 

(Lycopersicon 

ةطامطلاو 

) Solanum melongena) 

ناجنذابلا يتابنل قيقد 

ةعورزملا ةطامطلاو ناجنذابلا ينيجهل لولاا ليجلل 

تاريداب نم ناقيسلا نم ةيتابنلا ءازجلاا ةعارز مت 

ناقيس نم 

ةزيامتم ةيرضخ 

عرفا نيوكت 

. NAAو 

نم تلاخادتوزيكارت ةدع 

5.2 وا ) IAA( 

رتل/ 

مغلم5.0و) 

BA( 

نمرتل/ 

مغلم2.5و5.2 

ب دوزملا ) MS( 

طسو يف اهتعارز 

BA 

راثكا 

ويلا 

فاضملا ) MS( 

.% 55 

ةيشهةط 


ةقرط ىلع لوصحلا مت 

ذا 

esculentum) 

طسو يف اىروذب 

قيرط نع ةطامطلاو ناجنذابلا 

عيباسا ةينامث دعب و ةعارزلا 

نم عوبسا رورم دعب ةنوكتملا ةيرضخلا عرفلاازيامت 

. ) NAA( 

رتل/ 

مغلم5.5و 

) BA( 

رتل/ 

مغلم 

ناجنذابلل 

) BA( 

رتل/ 

مغلم 

2.5 

ب دوزم يئاذغ طسو يف 

تاتابنلا 

هذى 

فعاضت مت ةعارزلا 

ب دوزملاو حلاملاا نم ةوقلا فصن ىلع يواح ) MS( 

طسو يف عرفلاا ةعارز ةداعا دنع. 

ةطامطلل) 

BA( 

رتل/ 

مغلم5.2و 

ةجتانلا تاتيبنلا تلقن عيباسا عبرا رورم دعبو . ديج يرذج عومجم تاذ تاتابن ىلع لوصحلا مت ) NAA( 

رتل/ 

مغلم 

. 

% 52 ىلا تلصو ةيلاع حاجن ةبسنبو 

ةيكيتسلاب نيدانس يف اىديرفتب يجاجزلا تيبلل ةيعيبطلا فورظلا ىلا 

نم 

5.0


EFFECT OF HUMIC ACID AND SEAWEED EXTRACT ON GROWTH, 

YIELD AND FRUITS QUALITY OF CUCUMBER (Cucumis sativus L). 

GHURBAT H. MOHAMMAD 

Dept .Of Horticulture, College Of Agriculture, University Of Duhok , Kurdistan Region-Iraq 

(Received: September 16, 2010; Accepted for publication: January 31, 2011) 

ABSTRACT 

This experiment was carried out in Horticulture Department/College of Agriculture/ Duhok University on 

Cucumber plants during season 2010, to study the effect of three levels of Humic acid (0.0, 1, 2 g.L -1 ) and three levels of 

Seaweed extract (0.0, 2, 3 ml.L -1 ) on cucumber cv. Carol growing inside Plastic house. The results shows that spraying 

Humic acid or Seaweed extract led to positive significant difference in leaf area, leaves chlorophyll content, plant length, 

fruits number, early and total yield as well as fruit weight, fruit length, yield per plant, fruit dry weight, fruit chlorophyll 

content and TSS as compared to untreated plants. 

The interaction between Humic acid and Seaweed extract was significantly enhanced all detected traits, Since cucumber 

plants received 2 g.L -1 Humic acid and sprayed with 3 ml.L -1 of Seaweed extract were characterized by the highest values 

of all growth and yield characteristics. 

KEY WORDS: Cucumber, Humic acid, Seaweed, Carol 

C 

INTRODUCTION 

ucumber, (Cucumis sativus L.) is one of 

the most important vegetable crops in 

Kurdistan and Iraq, it is a warm season 

crop required growing conditions of 26 to 30 °C and 

plenty of sunlight, has been commonly cultivated 

in Iraq during the summer and fall as well as in low 

tunnels and plastic and green houses (Matlob et al 

1989). Organic fertilizers represented by Humic 

acid is one of the Humus substance compound 

produced from organic matter analysis (Al-Niemi 

1999). Humic acid is a commercial product 

contains many elements which improve the soil 

fertility and increasing the availability of nutrient 

elements and consequently affected plant growth 

and yield. Humic acid reduces other fertilizer 

requirements, increases yield in crops, improved 

drainage and aeration of the soil and increase the 

protein and mineral contents of most crops and 

establish a desirable environment for microorganism 

development. 

Seaweed extracts, a concentrated organic 

fertilizer (usually liquid, but can be soluble granules) 

that can be diluted and applied to tender seedlings 

and transplants as well as larger plants. Seaweed 

extracts act as plant growth stimulants, their 

effectiveness may be influenced by the species 

included and the manufacturing technique used. 

Overall crop performance is improved due to their 

effect on plant growth, protein, carbohydrate 

production and prolonged chlorophyll production 

and photosynthesis. Nonetheless it is possible that 

Seaweed extracts contain sufficient trace 

elements to remedy marginal deficiencies as has 

been demonstrated by (Aitken& Senn, 1965). It 

is also quite possible that the nutrients and trace 

elements may interact with other ingredients in the 

Seaweed to produce a crop response. 

Large yield increases in potatoes, soybeans and 

algae cultures due to using of Humic acid have been 

shown by (Freeman, 1970). Syabryai et al. (1965) 

showed that there is an increase 100% in yield 

when the plants fertilized with NPK and Humic 

acids in potatoes and cabbage, he added that 

barley crops increased considerably and growth 

was more rapid with Humic acids. Kowalski et al 

(1999) describe the positive effects of Seaweed 

extract on plant growth and increasing yield of 

potato plant significantly. Thomas (2002) found 

that using Seaweed extract (sea Buck thorn ) 

causes in increasing growth and fresh weight of 

vegetative and roots growth significant of Rose 

plant. 

The latter reported also found that application of 

Humic acid led to improve plant growth, increase 

plant yield and improve quality of squash (Hafez, 

2004). Jensen (2004) found that spraying Seaweed 

extract contain micro elements ( Co, B, Mo, Zn, 

Cu) as well as macro element, Auxins, 

Gibberellins and Cytokines led to increasing root 

ability for growth and nutrient absorption and 

increasing stem thickness and strong vegetative 

and root growth. 

This study was planned to determine the 

effect of humic acid and Seaweed extracts on 

growth, yield and fruit quality of cucumber Carol 

cv. under plastic house conditions. 


The experiment was carried out during 

season 2010, at the vegetative research farm, 

College of Agriculture, University of Duhok 

inside plastic house, on cucumber (cv. Carol). 

131


Seeds were sown in 15 th February 2010 at a 

distance of 40 cm between plants and 75 cm 

between the rows. 

A completely randomized block design 

(RCBD) was used in this experiment. Each 

treatment was replicated three times with eight 

plants per each. The factors included the 

following; Humic acid (Organic matter 75% and 

K2O 10%) at three levels (0.0, 1, 2 g.L -1 ) and 

three concentrations of Seaweed extract (sea 

force Mgo 3.2%, Mn 1.8%, Zn 2.4%, S 4.88% 

and So3 12.2%) (0.0, 2, 3 ml.L -1 ). All plants 

under taken in this study received the regular 

agricultural and horticultural practices that 

usually carried out in the vegetable crops. 

Spraying was done twice within ten days intervals, 

starting from flower initiation stage. Data were 

analyzed by using SAS program (SAS, 2001). 

Experimental measurements were as follows: 

1 –Vegetative growth characteristics: - 

a) Plant height (cm). 

b) Leaf chlorophyll content%. 

c) Leaf area (cm 2 ). 

2- Yield characteristics:- 

a) Early yield: fruits of first five harvests from each 

treatment were weighted to calculate the early yield 

per plant. 

b) Total yield: all fruits harvested from each 

treatment along the harvesting period were 

weighted to calculate the total yield kg/plant and 

Ton/ Donum. 

c) Fruit number per plant: total fruits harvested 

from each treatment along the harvesting period 

were divided on the plants numbers of treatments 

to calculate the fruit number/ plant. 

3- Fruit quality characteristics: Ten fruits 

from each treatments were randomly taken for 

determining average fruit character as follows:- 

a) 1-Fruit weight (g). 

b) 2- Fruit length (cm). 

c) 3- Fruit chlorophyll content%. 

d) 4- Fruit dry weight (g) 

e) Total soluble solid (TSS) % 

132 


1- Vegetative growth characteristics: Table (1) 

shows that spraying Humic acid with a 

concentration of 2 g.L -1 caused significant 

increased in leaf area and leaves chlorophyll 

content compared with control treatment. The 

highest average of leaf area and leaves 

chlorophyll content resulted from spraying with 

a concentration of 2 g.L -1 humic acid, where it 

reached to (385.49 cm 2 and 47.12%) as 

compared with the lowest values (339.64 cm 2 

and 43.13%) respectively at control treatment. 

While had no significant effects on plant height. 

Concerning the Seaweed extract, the results 

of the same table shows that the preferred 

spraying with a concentration of (2 and 3 ml. 

L -1 ), has a significant preference compared with 

control treatment. While there were not 

significant differences between these two levels, 

the highest leaf area, leaves chlorophyll content 

and plant height(389.10 cm 2 , 46.80% and 339.00 

cm) respectively resulted from spraying with a 

concentration of (3 ml.L -1 ) in comparison with 

the lowest values at control treatment. 

For the interaction between Humic acid and 

Seaweed, there is a real effect shown in table (1) 

from the interaction between 2 g.L -1 Humic acid 

and 3 ml.L -1 Seaweed was significant in its effect, 

the plants of this interaction characterized by the 

highest values of (397.62 cm 2 , 47.70% and 345.33 

cm) respectively. This enhancement in the 

characteristics of the vegetative growth may attribute 

to the increase of uptake of macro and 

microelements influenced by Humic substances 

which have been reported in different plant species 

(Chen and Aviad, 1990). In addition it was stated 

the coal-Humic fertilizers activated the 

biochemical processes in plants (Respiration, 

Photosynthesis and chlorophyll content) 

(Abolina and Tashkhadzhaev, 1968). 

Furthermore, the growth promoting that activity 

of humic substances was found to be caused by 

plant hormone-like material contained in the 

Humic substances (Donnell 1973), or may be to the 

presence of iron in the Humic acids or their 

colloidal nature have a positive effect on the 

growth of various groups of microorganisms 

which may excrete a range of vitamins, growth 

substances and antibiotics and these may 

promote plant growth (Zhang and Schmidt, 2000, 

Zhang et al. 2003a, Zhang et a.l 2003b, Zhang and 

Ervin 2004 and Hafez 2004). These results are in 

agreement with those obtained by (Manuel et al. 

1991. Onder et al. 2004, Giuseppe et al. 2006 and 

Ali et al. 2008). 

Also the increases in vegetative growth 

characteristics might be due to the Auxins 

content in the Seaweed extracts which have an 

effective role in cell division and enlargement, this 

leads to increase the growth of plants (Gollan and 

Wright 2006). This extracts contain Cytokinins as 

well in which induce the physiological activities 

and increase the total chlorophyll in the plant. 

This will positively reflects on the activity of 

photosynthesis and the synthesized materials 

which will positively reflects on vegetative 

growth characteristics (Thomas, 1996).

133 

Table (1):- Effect of Humic acid and Seaweed extract on some vegetative growth characteristics of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L) cv. Carol. 

Leaf area (cm 2 ) 

Chlorophyll content of leaves Plant height (cm) 

Humic 

acid 

(g.L -1 ) 

0.0 

Mean effect 

of Seaweed 

0.0 

1 282.6 

b 

2 349.0 

a 

366. a 

Seaweed extract 

(ml.L -1 

2 

354.8 

a 

354.7 

a 

392.6 

a 

3 

381.4 

a 

388. 

2 

a 

397.6 

a 

Mean 

Effect of 

Humi 

339.6 

b 

364.0 

ab 

385.4 

a 

0. 

0 

38.27 

c 

43.37 

b 

46.80 

ab 


(ml.L -1 ) 

2 

45.43 

ab 

46.80 

ab 

3 

45.70 

ab 

47.00 

ab 

Mean 

Effect of 

Humic 

43.13 

b 

45.72 

a 

0.0 

283.0 

c 

295.0 

be 


(ml.L -1 ) 

2 

338.3 

a 

325.3 

ab 

3 

344.3 

a 

327.3 

ab 

Mean 

Effect of 

Humic 

Mean within a column, row and their interaction following with the same latter are not significantly different according to Duncan multiple range test at the probability of 0.05 level 

46.87 

ab 

47.70 

a 

47.12 

a 

325.3 

ab 

331.3 

ab 

345.3 

a 

321.8 

a 

315.8 

a 

334.0 

a 

321.8 

a 



2- Yeild characteristics: 

Data presented in table (2) it is clearly shown 

that Humic acid caused significant increase in all 

yield characteristics as compared with untreated plants. 

The interaction treatment between Humic acid and 

Seaweed extracts was significant in its effect. Since 

cucumber plants received 2 g.L -1 of Humic acid and 

sprayed with 3 ml.L -1 of Seaweed were characterized by 

the highest value in fruit number/plant (97.45), Early 

yield (1.728 kg/plant) and total yield (70.96 

Ton/Donum) as compared with the lowest values of 

these traits for control which gave (65.41, 1.295kg/plant 

and 43.03 Ton/D.) respectively. 

Reactions by Humic substances that result in 

increased growth. This can explain the increment of yield 

in response to Humic acid application. Furthermore, the 

addition of Humates to a hydroponic solution stimulated 

both root and shoot development, resulting in an increase of 

87% in corn yield (Lee and Bartlette 1976). Salman et al 

(2004) stated that Humic acid application increased 

total yield of all hybrids of watermelon. The yield 

increase of cucumber plant may be due to the increase of 

the distillate flowers number which lead to increase the 

number of fruits that reflected on yield /plant and 

total yield. 

3- Fruit quality characteristics 

Data in tables (3 and 4) shows that Humic 

acid and Seaweed extract had positive effect on 

134 

all quality traits as compared with control. Also the 

interaction between Humic acid and Seaweed 

extracts was significant in its effect. Since cucumber 

plants received 2 g.L -1 of Humic acid and sprayed 

with 3 ml.L -1 of Seaweed extract were characterized 

by the highest value in fruit weighty (110.84 g), 

fruit length (17.80 cm), yield/plant( 9.49 kg) and 

fruit dry weight (3.53 g). as compared with the 

lowest values of these traits for control which gave 

(89.81 g, 15.17 cm, 5.93 kg and 2.70 g) 

respectively. The increases in fruit quality traits may 

be due to that the Humic fertilizers activated the 

biochemical processes in plants (respiration, 

photosynthesis and chlorophyll content) which 

lead to improve the quality (Abolina and 

Tashkhadzhaev 1968). Plants which were sprayed 

with Seaweed extracts may be due to its role in 

increasing the leaves numbers, leaf area and dry 

weight so the physiological activities as 

photosynthesis and providing plant by nutrition and 

these could be the reasons of increasing fruit weight 

(Al-Saaberi, 2005). The effect of seaweed extracts 

lead to increase the percentage of the total 

soluble substances because of its effect on 

increasing leaf area and efficiency of the 

photosynthesis process (Jensen, 2004).

135 

Humic 

acid 

(g.L -1 ) 

0.0 

1 

2 

Mean effect of 

Seaweed 

Table (2):- Effect of Humic acid and Seaweed extract on yield characteristics of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cv. Carol 

0.0 

65.41 

d 

78.87 

c 

92.83 

ab 

79.03 

b 

Fruit number/ Plant 

seaweed extract 

(ml.L -1 ) 

2 

76.17 

cd 

87.60 

a-c 

95.13 

a 

86.30 

a 

3 

82.49 

be 

93.70 

ab 

97.45 

a 

91.21 

a 

Mean 

Effect of 

Humic 

74.69 

c 

86.72 

b 

95.14 

a 

0.0 

1.295 

d 

1.413 

cd 

Early yield (kg/plant) 


(ml.L -1 ) 

2 

1.484 

a-d 

1.478 

b-d 

3 

1.544 

a-c 

1.517 

a-d 

Mean 

Effect of 

Humic 

1.441 

b 

1.469 

b 

0.0 

43.03 

c 

55.56 

b 

Total yield (Ton/D.) 


(ml.L -1 ) 


1.611 

a-c 

1.440 

b 

1.662 

ab 

1.541 

ab 

1.728 

a 

1.596 

a 

1.667 

a 

64.48 

a 

54.36 

c 

2 

54.05 

b 

67.36 

a 

68.73 

a 

63.38 

a 

3 

55.07 

b 

68.10 

a 

70.96 

a 

64.71 

a 

Mean 

Effec 

t 

of 

Humi 

c 

50.72 

c 

63.67 

b 

68.06 

a 


136 

Humic acid 

(g.L -1 ) 

Table (3) Effect of Humic acid and Seaweed extract on Fruit weight (g.), Fruit length (cm.) and Yield/Plant (kg.) of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cv. Carol. 

0.0 

1 

2 

Mean 

effect of seaweed 

0.0 

89.81 

c 

95.86 

be 

98.39 

a-c 

94.68 

b 


(ml.L -1 ) 

Fruit weight (g.) 

Mean Effect 

Of Humic 


(ml.L -1 ) 

Fruit length (cm.) 

Mean Effect of Humic 

seaweed 

extract 

(ml.L -1 ) 

2 3 0.0 2 3 0.0 2 3 

102.95 

a-c 

96.45 

be 

105.67 

ab 

101.69 

ab 

104.59 

ab 

108.16 

ab 

110.84 

a 

107.86 

a 

99.11 

a 

100.16 

a 

104.96 

a 

15.17 

b 

16.67 

ab 

16.29 

ab 

16.04 

b 

Mean within a column, row and their interaction following with the same latter are not significantly different according to 

Duncan multiple range test at the probability of 0.05 level 

17.17 

a 

17.00 

a 

17.62 

a 

16.83 

a 

17.00 

a 

17.80 

a 

16.39 

a 

16.89 

a 

17.24 

a 

5.93 

d 

7.57 

be 

8.46 

ab 

7.16 

c 

8.73 

a 

8.79 

a 

Yield /Plant (kg.) 

Table (4):- Effect of Humic acid and Seaweed extract on Fruit dry weight (g), Fruit Chlorophyll content% and TSS% of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cv. Carol. 

Humic acid (g.L -1 ) 

0.0 

1 

2 

Mean effect of Seaweed 

0.0 

2.70 

d 

3.13 

be 

2.94 

cd 

2.92 

b 

Fruit dry weight (g) 


(ml.L -1 ) Mean Effect 

of Humic 

2 

2.97 

cd 

3.10 

be 

3.02 

cd 

3.03 

b 

3 

2.94 

cd 

3.39 

ab 

3.53 

a 

3.28 

a 

2.87 

b 

3.20 

a 

3.16 

a 

0.0 

30.93 

b 

34.93 

a 

37.63 

a 

34.50 

b 

17.26 

a 

17.21 

a 

Fruit Chlorophyll content% 



of Humic 

2 

37.60 

a 

37.33 

a 

3 

37.63 35.39 

a b 

35.63 

a 

35.97 

ab 

7.32 

b 

0.0 

2.70 

b 

3.23 

ab 

8.23 

a 

7.51 

be 

8.79 

a 

9.49 

a 

8.60 

a 

TSS% 

Mean Effect 


6.87 

c 

8.37 

b 

8.91 

a 





37.17 

a 

37.37 

a 

37.30 

a 

36.86 

a 

37.37 

a 

3.47 

a 

3.13 

a 

2 

3.13 

ab 

3.20 

ab 

3.67 

a 

3.33 

a 

3 

3.33 

a 

3.43 

a 

3.40 

a 

3.38 

a 

3.06 

b 

3.29 

ab 

3.56` 

a 



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-Giuseppe, F., A. Pacifico, P. Simeone and E. Ferrara. 

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19 : 293-309. 

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resistance. Crop Sci. 44: 1737-1745 

137


انسكيقات وبذ 

138 

ىزايخ نَيتاوكَيبو ىوةهزةبو َىيتاكضةك نَيتةخولاض ىيايزةد تَيايكو 

كيوويه 

0202 

(Cucumis sativus L). 

لااض ه كوهد ايوكناش/ 

َىندناج اصيلوك 

/ ىزاكناتطيب اكشب ه نانيئوبج 

ىزايخ زةض ه ) ترل/ 

نو 0,0,2,2( 

ىيايزةد نَييايط 

و ) ترل/ 

يغ 0,0,2,2( 

يكيوويه َىشست 

َىزةوطةئ ةويووب ىياويزةد نَيياويط 

و ىكيووويه َىوشست ووك سكزايد اوانجةئ 

َىشست انسكيتزاك 

ةتاه 

ةنيلوك 

ةتخوث 

ةظ ڨ ةئ 

ذ ادوج 

نَييتايرت َىض انسكَيتزاك 

. اد ينوميان َىيناخ فاند 

هوزاك َىزوج 

ىوش َىوةهزةبو ىكَيف ازاوذ و ىكةووز ايهارَيزدو ) يميفوزومك( 

ايتادن ةضو اطلةب َىزةبووز هڨاض 

شَيث اكةنسكةدَيش 

ايتادون ةوضو يوكَيف اوي كوشه ايةوشَيكو , كةوز/ 

يىهزةبو يكَيف ايهارَيزدو ىكَيف ايةشَيك اضةو زةه ىيةشيوةه َىيو 

ىيايزةد نَييايط 

و ىكيوويه َىشست ازةبظاند لىوق وود نَينادكَيل اضةوزةه . يايل ةح 

نَيتضز ةكو 

اد يكَيفد ) يميفوزومك( 

ترل/ 

نو 0 و ىكيوويه َىشست ترل/ 

يغ 0 انانيئزاكب َىوةدد , ناتةخولاض ىةبزؤش زةض ه نووبةه ڨاض 

شَيث نَينكَيتزاك 

. ناتةخولاض ىةبزؤش زةض ه ڨاض 

شَيث نَينووبةدَيش َىزةطةئ ووب َىيايزةد نيايط 

لصاحلاو ومنلا ىلع ةيرحبلا باشعلأاو كيمويهلا ضماح ريثأت 

رايخلا تابنل 

(Cucumis sativas L.) 

لصاحلا تانوكمو 

تتم تايو تسم ةتثلاث ريثأتت ةتساردل 0202 اتسوملا سلاتا لوتكو ةتعماج / ةتعارالا ةتيلك/ 

ةن تسبلا اتسق 

نتص ىتلع ) رت ل/ 

لتم 0,0 ,0.0( 

ةتيرحبلا باتشعلأا تاتتلخ سم تم تايو تسم ةثلاث عم ) ر ل/ 

اغ0,0,2,2( 

باتتشعلأا تاتتتلخ سم وا كتتيمويهلا ضماتتحا ارتتلا اتتا نااتت نلا ترتتهظأ . 

كي تتسلابلا 

, راتمملا ودتع , تاتبنلا سوتط, 

, لتي ورولكلا تم قارولأا ىوت حم , ةتيقرولا ةحاتسملا ىتلع ةتبجوم ةتيونعم ةواتيز 

تتتم راتتتمملا ىوتتت حم , 

ت ةتساردلا 


تيرجأ 

كيمويهلا ضماح 

تتيبلا تت لوراتتملا سوراتتك راتتيخلا 

ىلإ ىوأ ةيرحبلا 

اتتت لا راتتتمملا زو , تاتتتبن/ 

لتتتصاحلا , ةرتتتمملا سوتتتط , ةرتتتمملا زو كلرتتتكو تتتلكلاو رتتتكبملا لتتتصاحلا 

تاتتتتلخ سمو كتتتيمويهلا ضماتتتح يتتتا لاادتتت لا . ةتتتلماعملا رتتتي لا عتتتم ةتتتنرالم ةتتتباارلا ةبلتتتتلا واوتتتملا ةبتتتسنو لتتتي ورولكلا 

ضماتتح رتت ل/ 

اتتغ 

0 

مل تتسا 

تت لا راتتيخلا تاتتتابن تاتتيمت , ةتتسوردملا تارتتتلا عتتيمج ياتتيونعم ع تتش ةتتيرحبلا 

باتتشعلأا 

. 

تارتلا عيم ل ايللا ىلعأ اهااطعإا ةيرحبلا باشعلأا تاتلخ سم م ر ل/ 

لم 

0 

ب شرو كيمويهلا


EFFECT OF PACKAGING MATERIALS AND STORAGE ON 

LOCAL ORANGE JUICE BY USING MODELS SYSTEMS 

RAJAB.I. HAMEED.DUHOK 

Technical Institute Duhok, Fundation of Technical Education-Erbil, Kurdistan Region-Iraq 

(Received: September 23, 2010; Accepted for publication: March 10, 2011) 

ABSTRACT 

A model system of local orange juice 13% packaged in glass and plastic bottles and stored at 20,30 and 40 ° C for 

four months in light and without light.Results showed that increasing temperature and period storage caused 

decreasing in ascorbic acid content and increasing nonenzymatic browning,The stability of ascorbic acid and reduced 

of nonenzymatic browning was better in the paked in glass bottles.The results of ascorbic acid degradation kinetic 

parameter showed that the order of the reaction is First and there was an increasing in rate constant(K)in the case of 

increasing of the storage temperature and in the samples of glass bottles,but the rate constant was decreased in the 

stored dark.The activation energy(Ea) of samples stored in the light,and decrease in plastic bottles.It was found that 

the shelf life of samples decreased with increasing the storage temperature .We got in this study the predication 

equation to get the amount of ascorbic acid at any time of storage. 

KEYWORDS: Orange juice;Ascorbic acid; kinetic; Storage; Model-system. 

P 

INTRODUCTION 

rocessed products ,especially juices have 

become more popular because they are 

easier to be consumed and are produce with high 

nutritional quality. 

Orange juice is the most consumed because 

of its pleasant taste with high content of vitamin 

C.The food and beverages industry is currently 

looking for suitable raw materials and packaging 

to improve quality and shelf life of 

products.Quality and shelf life determination of 

an orange juice is strongly based on vitamin C 

evolution during storage such as color and 

flavor( Lee and Coates,1999; Meydev et al 

,1977; Zerdin et al ,2003).Vitamin C is an 

essential nutrient for humans and because of its 

high antioxidant power it provides protection 

against the presence of free radicals participating 

in the prevention of many disease.(Tannenbaum 

et al ,1985).Orange juice is packed in a wide 

variety of materials including metal 

cans,paperboard cartons,plastic containers and 

glass bottles.When packaging materials do not 

provide an adequate barrier to light and 

oxygen,the juice , s quality can be affected.The 

most common problems involve browning of the 

juice is loss in ascorbic acid and changes in the 

flavor of the juice.Manufacturers have found that 

using different packaging may increase 

sales.The factors that affecting vitamin C loss in 

packed orange juice are temperature,dissolved 

oxygen and oxygen barrier provided by the 

container material be considered(Tannenbaum et 

al.,1985)Arecent trend is to employ clear 

containers in order to attract consumers with the 

fresh,bright color of citrus juices.Glass has been 

used for this purpose,however,this material is 

expensive,heavy,and prone to breakage.An 

alternative is to utilize clear plastic(Kabasakalis 

et al,2000).Solomon et al(1995) reported that 

light no effect on ascorbic acid content and an 

insignificant effect on browning of orange 

juices stored for 52 days at 8°C.The choice 

of the packaging material for fruit juices 

is a crucial point regarding shelf life and 

much researches has been done on this 

subject(Askar,1999;Ebbesen,1998;Siegmud et al 

,2004;Zerdin et al,2003).For orange juice plasic 

bottle is being actually used in limited 

research(Muratore et al,2005).Traditional 

methods were used for juice packaging aim to 

reduce the exposure of the juice to oxygen 

through the use of high barrier materials such 

glass or foil laminates in brickpacks ,with or 

without nitrogen flushing(Zerdin et 

al.2003).Kennedy et al(1992)reported that,when 

orange juice was stored for five months at 

22°C.They found that greater amounts of oxygen 

in the juice led to increased browning.Sattar et 

al(1989)reported that ascorbic acid losses were 

60.6%,54.6%,51.0%,and 45.5% in clear 

glass,Tetrapak laminated paper,and amber glass 

respectively,when the containers of orange juice 

931


stored at room temperature for 32 days.This 

study investigated the effect of temperature and 

packaging materials on the quality of an orange 

juice during storage using models systems. 

941 


Model systems composition of local orange 

juice (Citrus sinesis Var.local) prepared 

according to the approach of Wong and 

Stanton(1989) after knowledge of components 

of local orange juice, as Sucrose 4.8% , 

glucose 2.6% , fructose 2.6% , citric acid 1.1% , 

potassium citrate 0.7% , aspartic acid 0.31% , 

arginine 0.31% , ascorbic acid 0.043% , sodium 

benzoate 0.1% to prevent the growth of molds 

and yeasts(Gordon and Christine,1990) and 

manitol 0.44% to arrive the total soluble solids 

13%.The pH was adjusted with a citric acid 

solution to a value of 3.7 with pH – 

meter(HI98107).The juice was pasteurized at 

82 ° C for 15 min,and while still hot filled into 

glass bottles and plastic bottles with capacity 

130 ml leaving a headspace of about 10%.The 

juice divided to four groups as glass bottles in 

the light,glass bottles in the dark,plastic bottles 

in the light and plastic bottles in the dark.All 

samples stored at 20,30 and 40 ° C for four 

months. 

The ascorbic acid concentration was 

measured for each month by the 2,6dichlorophenol 

indophenol according to the 

A 

B 

approach of (Rangama,1977),each sample was 

prepared and analysed in triplicate .Absorbance 

measurement at 420 nm was performed with 

spectrophotometer(TRSP-721) to evaluate 

nonenzymatic browning(Klim and Nagy,1988) 

for each month.Rate constant for ascorbic acid 

degradation were calculated through linear 

regression analysis of Ln[A] analog storage 

time(Nuray et al.,2003).Half time(t1/2)was 

calculate according to the equation which said 

by Samuel and Jerme(1974). 

K=constant. 

T1/2=Ln(2)/K. 

Activation energy(Ea)was calculate 

according to the equation which said by Samuel 

and Jerome(1974). 

Slope=Ea/(2.303*R).R(gas constant)=1.987 cal - 

1 .mol. 

Slope and intercept calculate from the Arrhenius 

plots shown in figure 1 (Nuray et al.,2003) using 

Microsoft Excel 2007.Shelf life calculate 

according to the equation observed by Al- 

Zubaidy and Khalil(2007). 

Expire=e -(s/T+I-Ln(-Ln)p/100))) . 

S=slope , T=kelven temperature , I=intercept , 

P=residual (AA) . 

Data were statistically analyzed with SPSS 

2003,and the means vertifing were done 

according to Duncan , s multiple range test at 

level 1%.


C 

4 

D 

Fig.(1): Arhenus plots of AA degradation:(A)glass in light.(B)glass in dark.(C)plastic in light.(D)plastic in dark. 


Figure 2 show content ascorbic acid of 

synthetic model system orange juice stored at 

20,30,40 °C for four months..It was apparent that 

samples that were stored in plastic bottles lost 

more ascorbic acid than stored in glass bottle 

amples, plastic allows more oxygen permeation 

.Samples in plastic bottles in the light loss 11.9% 

more ascorbic acid than samples in the glass 

bottle packed stored in light after four months of 

storagr at 20 ° C,also samples that were exposed 

to light loss more ascorbic acid than those 

samples that were not exposed.The results can 

(AA)mg/100 ml 

50 

45 

40 

35 

30 

25 

20 

15 

10 

5 

0 

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 

be seen in the same table illustrate that a rise in 

storage temperature and time caused an increase 

in loss of ascorbic acid.The treatment which 

presented the best retention of ascorbic acid was 

packed glass bottles in dark stored at 20 ° C. This 

results agrees with other authors as Ahmed et 

al(1976),Maeda and Mussa(1986), Sattar et al 

(1989),Ahyan et al(2001),Esteve et al(2005) and 

Zerdin et al(2003).Also there are increasing loss 

of ascorbic acid in samples stored in plastic 

bottle and thus due to allowing more oxygen 

permeation which is consistent with finding by 

Kennedy et al (1992). 

Figure(2):Ascorbic acid content in orange juice stored in various conditions 

time(month) 

glass in light 20 c 



glass in dark 20 c 



plastic in light 20 c 



plastic in dark 20 c 



Fig.(2): Ascorbic acid content in orange juice stored in various conditions. 

949


(Nonenzymatic browning(NEB))development in 

samples was determined soluble brown pigments as( 

absorbance at 420 nm(A420)).Absorbance at 420 nm 

has generally been used by other resaerchers (Kacem 

et al.,1986;Klim and Nagy.,1988).Changes in A420 

values for samples during four months of storage at 

20,30 and 40 ° C are shown in table 1.The color 

samples exposed to light during four months study 

appeared darker significantly than unexposed.We 

observed an increase in browning as the storage 

temperature and time increased.This could in part be 

attributed to light transmission,especially ultra-violet 

light,which accelerates browning reactios.The results 

in the same table are apparent that samples which 

stored in plastic bottles contain more concentration of 

941 

browning pigments than samples stored in the glass 

bottles ,because plastic allows more oxygen 

permeation .Statistcal analysis showed that 

temperature and period time had significant 

effect(p


A 

B 

C 

D 

Ln(AA) 

Ln(AA) 

Ln(AA) 

Ln(AA) 

4 

4 

3 

3 

2 

2 

1 

1 

0 

4 

3 

2 

1 

0 

4 

3 

2 

1 

0 

4 

3 

2 

1 

0 

0 1 2 3 4 5 

time(month) 

0 1 2 3 4 5 

Time(month) 

0 1 2 3 4 5 

Time(month) 

0 1 2 3 4 5 

Time(month) 

20 c 

30 c 

40 c 

20 c 

30 c 

40 c 

20 c 

30 c 

40 c 

20 C 

30 C 

40 C 

Fig. (3): The relation between Ln of ascorbic acid degradation and time:(A)glass in light.(B)glass in 

dark.(C)plastic in light.(D)plastic in dark. 

The rate constant(K)for ascorbic acid 

degradation were different at low and high 

temperatures for the same model system(table 

2).The results indicated that the rate constant(K) 

of ascorbic acid loss was higher at elevated 

temperatures,because the rise in temperature, 

increases the reaction rate of ascorbic acid 

loss.Also the results in the same table indicated 

that the rate constant different with different 

packaging material(i.e 0.119 month -1 in glass 

bottles stored in light at 20 ° C and 0.176 month -1 

in plastic bottles stored in the light at same 

temperature) because the plastic bottles has 

oxygen permeability which increase the 

degradation of ascorbic acid.Also we saw in the 

same table the half time t1/2(the time requisite to 

react half of initial concentration of substrate) of 

ascorbic acid loss decrease with increasing the 

temperature of storage,the results were 

5.819,4.053 and 2.473 months for glass bottles 

° 

in the light stored at 20,30 and 40 C 

respectively.The results in the same table 

indicated that the half time of the samples 

exposed to the light is lower than samples stored 

in dark(5.819 months for glass in the light stored 

at 20 ° C and 13.327 months for glass bottles in 

the dark stored at the same temperature).This 

results agree with other studies ( Zerdin et al. 

2003) who found much better retention of 

ascorbic acid in stored orange juice at 4 ° C 

compared to those at 25 ° C. 

943


Table(2): Rate constant(K) , half timr(t1/2) and activation energy(Ea) of ascorbic acid degradation for orange 

juice model system stored in various.condition 

Packaging materials Temperature ﻩ C Rate constant(K) 

month -1 

944 

Half time(t1/2) month Activation energy(Ea)k.cal/mol 

Glass bottle in light 20 0.119 5.819 7.791 

Glass bottle in dark 

Plastic bottle in light 

Plastic bottle in dark 

The activation energy value (Ea)for ascorbic 

acid destruction(table 2), show that the values 

indicated that samples stored in plastic bottles in 

the light had marginally better retention of 

ascorbic acid for samples in glass bottle in the 

dark,hence Ea value of samples stored in glass 

bottles in the dark was 13.437 k.cal.mol -1 but for 

samples in glass bottles in the light was 7.791 

k.cal.mol -1 .The higher degradation of ascorbic 

acid stored in light condition samples in 

comparision to samples stored in dark condition 

was attributed to more light penetration through 

clear bottles.This was perhaps due to synergistic 

effect casued by combination of air trapped in 

the headspace and dissolved in the samples and 

that of light penetration through the bottles.The 

results in the same table indicated that the 

values of activation energy(Ea) of ascorbic acid 

degradation of samples stored in glass bottles 

was higher than samples stored in plastic 

bottles.The( Ea )value of ascorbic acid 

degradation samples for glass bottles stored in 

dark was 13.43k.cal.mol -1 ,while for plastic 

bottles stored in dark was10.99k.cal.mol -1 .This 

results indicate that the material which presented 

the best retention of ascorbic acid was glass 

30 0.171 4.053 

40 0.280 2.475 

20 0.052 13.327 13.437 

30 0.106 6.538 

40 0.227 3.530 

20 0.176 3.938 7.641 

30 0.233 2.974 

40 0.408 1.699 

20 0.108 6.417 10.990 

30 0.185 3.746 

30 0.361 1.920 

bottles comparision to plastic bottels.The plastic 

bottles presented a poor retention of ascorbic 

acid . Oxygen one of main factors that 

contributes to ascorbic acid degradation.Results 

indicate that glass was the material that presents 

the lowest oxygen permeability comparision to 

plastic.This results agrees with other researchers 

(Alwazeer et al.,2003;Baiano and 

Del.,2005;Muratore et al.,2005). 

Considering the limit for shelf life of 

model system indicative to ascorbic acid 

degradation (table 3).Taking into account values 

from all treatment it is observed that glass 

bottles stored in light at 0 ° C hase a longer shelf 

life (6.58 months) than those stored at 50 ° C 

(0.72 month) when the lost of ascorbic acid was 

25%, this mean the shelf life decreased with 

increasing the temperature of storage.The results 

in the same table indicated that the shelf life of 

samples in glass bottles stored in dark have 

longer shelf life (30.54 months) comparing with 

those packed in glass bottles stored in light (6.58 

months) when the lost of ascorbic acid was 25% 

and stored at the same temperature (0 ° C).This 

results agrees with other researchers as(Maria et 

al,2001; Al-Zubaidy and Khalil,2007).


Storage 

temperature ° C 

0 

5 

10 

15 

20 

25 

30 

35 

40 

45 

50 

Table(3): Shelf life of orange juice in relation of it , s content of ascorbic acid 

treatment 

Glass bottle in Glass bottle in Plastic battle in light Plastic battle in 

light 

dark 

dark 

50 05 50 05 

% lost of AA 

50 

Shelf life(month) 

05 50 05 

6.58 15.86 30.54 73.57 4.48 

10.79 10.8 26.1 

5.09 12.26 19.57 47.15 3.48 

8.38 7.5 18.1 

3.97 9.56 12.74 30.70 2.73 

6.57 5.3 12.8 

3.12 7.52 8.42 20.29 2.15 

5.19 3.8 9.1 

2.47 5.96 5.64 13.60 1.72 

4.13 2.7 6.6 

1.98 4.76 3.83 9.24 1.38 

3.32 2.0 4.8 

1.59 3.83 2.64 6.36 1.11 

2.68 1.5 3.5 

1.29 3.11 1.84 4.43 0.91 

2.18 1.1 2.6 

1.05 2.54 1.29 3.12 0.74 

1.79 0.8 2.0 

0.87 2.08 0.92 2.22 0.61 

1.47 0.6 1.5 

0.72 1.72 0.66 1.60 0.51 

1.22 0.5 1.1 

The results in table(4) indicated to finding the 

predication equations to get the amount of 

ascorbic acid (mg/100 ml)at any time of storage, 

and through that we can able to calculate the 

shelf life of juice.This results agrees with oribio 

and Lozano(1984). 

Table(4): Predication equations to get the amount of ascorbic acid (mg/100 ml)at any time of storage * . 

Packaging mat 0erials Storagr temperature ( ﻩ C) 

20 ° C 30 ° C 40 ° C 

Glass bottle stored in light y=-0.0909X + 3.6199 Y=-0.1094X + 3.4534 Y=-0.1661X + 3.1921 

Glass bottle in stored dark Y=-0.0518X +3.7628 Y=-0.0848X + 3.6554 Y=-0.1693X + 3.4736 

Plastic bottle in stored light Y=-0.1427X +3.5951 Y=-0.1498X + 3.3447 Y=-0.2919X + 3.1833 

Plastic bottle in stored dark Y=-0.0823X +3.6346 Y=-0.1035X + 3.3552 Y=-0.2670X + 3.2896 

* Y=Ln of ascorbic acid(mg/100 ml) 

X=period of storae(month) 

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945


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946 

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ةيبرعلا رداصملا 

ماظنلا.) 

1113( 

ةحفلاطلا سابع و للاب دممح،بيغزلا 

Statistical Package for Social 

لئاو راد. 

ةيئاصحلأا تانايبلا ليلتح و مهف 

يئاصحلأا 

Sciences(SPSS) 

. 

ندرلأا. 

نامع. 

رشنلل 

-


ىاووخاىاا اااةتسة اتةةزةة ةجةنم 

ايتلاوك زةطل 

َىىسكزابيع تَيىادواكو َىيتسكاد ًَيتضزةك اىسكَيتزاك 

ب ٌسكزابيعةتاٍو ىكيتضلاثو ىةشية ًَييييا د ًتسطاد ةتاٍ، 

% 35 

ٌووة زااد َىىدىاوخ َىظ تَيمانجةئ ،زةبيض َىةو َىزةبيض ًةد اظاةٍ زاوض َىوام وة 

ارَاز ب ىاووخاىاا ا ااةتسة اتةةزةة ةجةنم ةم 

ﻩ ) و 62 

،52 

،42( 

ىتزوك 

َىمزةط تَاسنم 

ىيمصىا ااةى ازاسسما اىوةةدَاشو كيةزوكض ةئ َىةست ارَاز اىووبنَيك َىزةطةئ وة َ ىىسكزابيع َىمةد ل َىمزةط تَاسنم اىوةةدَاش 

اىوةزااد اىوبنَيكو ىكيةزوكضةئ َىةست ايتضازاث وةذ ىكيتضلاث ًَييييا ذ ووة ترَيض ىةشية ًَييييا اىاييئزاك ب اضةو زةٍ 

َىخسى و ةى َىكيئ لاث كيةزوكضةئ َىةست اىدىاخوز وة َىشَيكواٍ لاث وك سكزااد ىىاوصة 

ٌسكةذامائ، ىيمصىا ااةى زاسسما 

فةئ اضةوزةٍ ىةشية ًَييييا ذ ىكيتضلاث ًَييييا فاىد وةةدَاش و ، ىمزةك تَيلث اىوةةدَاش ب وةةدَاش سكَيج ىكَيلزاك 

ىزةبيض اىوةةية ووة هَيك كيةزوكضةئ َىةست 

اىدىاخوزاا 

) 

Ea 

( َىيكااج اشوو ،َىزةبيض اىوةةٍ ب ووةترنَيك ةرَاز 

ستةدَاش َىتزةةزةة ةجةنم َىظ اىسكاز َىمةد. 

ىةشية ًَييييا لةطد سكزةوازةة ىكيتضلاث ًَييييا فاىد ) Ea 

( ارَاز اىوبنَيكو 

ىةشَيكواٍ 

ةييتشٍةط وةئ ادوخ ادَيىدىاوخ َىظ تَيمانجةئ ل ، َىىسكزابيع تَا َىمزةط تَاسنم اىوبنَيك ب تاٍ َلى 

. َىىسكزابيع َىمةد ل اد ىكةتخةو زةٍوة ىكيةزوكضةئ َىةست ارَاز اييىاش وةذ ىييخمةت 

ةجذمنلا مادختساب يلحملا لاقتربلا ريصع ةيعون ىلع نزخلا فورظ و ةئبعتلا داوم ريثات 

ء 

ةرارح تاجرد يف تنزخو ةيكيتسلابو 

ةيجاجز ينانق يف ىبع،% 

35 

زيكرتب يلحملا لاقتربلا ريصعل هباشم ماظن رضح 


ﻩ 

تدا نزخلا ةدمو ةرارح تاجرد ةدايز نا ةساردلا جئاتن تحضوأ، همدعو ءوضلا دوجوب رهشا ةعبرا ةدمل م 62و52و42 

ينانقلا 

نم لضفا ةيجاجزلا ينانقلا مادختسا ناو 

،) 

يميزنلأا ريغ رارمسلأا( 

ةدايزو كيبروكسلأا ضماح ةيمك ضفخ ىلا 

تارشوملا ميق جئاتن تحضوا. 

يميزنلأا ريغ رارمسلأا روطت لدعم ضفخو كيبروكسلأا ضماح ىلع 

ظافحلل ةيكيتسلابلا 

ةرارح تاجرد ةدايزب لعافتلا تباث ميق تعفتراو ىلولأا ةبترلا نم يه كيبروكسلأا ضماح مده لعافت ةبتر نا ةيكرحلا 

يف اهنزخ دنع ميقلا ﻩذه تضفخناو ةيجاجزلا ينانقلاب 

ةنراقم ةيكيتسلاب ينانق يف ةئبعتلا دنع ميقلا ﻩذه تعفتراو 

نزخلا 

هباشمل 

ميقلا ﻩذه تضفخناو 

ءوضلا دوجوب 

كيبروكسلأا ضماح مدهل 

) Ea( 

طيشنتلا ةقاط ميق تضفحناو ،لظلا 

ضافخناب ريصعلل نزخلا ةيحلاص ةدم تدادزاو،ةيجاجزلا ينانقلاب ةئبعتلا دنع ةنراقم ةيكيتسلابلا ينانقلا يف ابعملاريصعلا 

ةرتف ةيا يف كيبروكسلأا ضماح ةيمك ةفرعمل ةيؤبنت تلاداعم ىلعةساردلا ﻩذه يف لوصحلا متو،نزخلا ةرارح 

تاجرد 

. 

نزخلا 

ةدم للاخ ةينمز 

947


841 

OVARIAN RESPONSE IN SUPEROVULATED KARADI 

YERLING EWES TREATED WITH INSULIN * 

ARAZ G. PEDAWY and JALAL E. ALKASS 

Dept. of Animal Production, College of Agriculture. University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region-Iraq 

(Received: September 23, 2010; Accepted for publication: December 8, 2010) 

ABSTRACT 

Twenty five Karadi yearling ewes and 52 kg in weight were divided randomly into two groups;Group one (control, 

n= 13) and Group two (insulin treatment, n=12). Estrus was induced first by intravaginal sponges and PMSG . 

Following estrus were pre-treated with HCG and estradiol and animals in both groups were superovulated using 20 

IU FSH i.m. in six divided descending doses .i.e. 4/4 and 3/3 and 3/3 at 12 h interval for three consecutive days .Prior 

to gonadotropins adminstarion, Animals in group one were given a normal saline and group two animals were given 

long acting purified bovine insulin 0.2 IU /kg body weight per day s.c. for three consecutive days started on day 7 of 

the estrus cycle. After PGF2α treated, two rams fitted with marking crayons were introduced with ewes for detection 

of estrus, and then bred with natural service at approximately 12 hrs interval until the end of estrus. Three days 

following mating, all animals were sacrificed to determine ovulation rate. Results revealed that percent ewes 

responded to treatment were 69.23% for control group and 75.00% for insulin treated group. Ovulation rate 

averaged 1.44±0.22 and 1.56±0.24 for the control and insulin groups, respectively, and the unovulated large follicles 

/animal averaged 0.50±0.19 and 0.84±0.19, for control and insulin group, respectively.Percent ova recovered was 84.6 

and 35.7% for control and treated groups, respectively. 

KEY WORDS: Insulin, Ovulation , Karadi, Ewes. 

A 

INTRODUCTION 

pplication of insulin to modulate 

reproductive functions in livestock is a 

fairly recent development (Selvaraju et al., 

2003). Moreover , in vitro, studies indicated that 

insulin and IGF-1 are important mediators of 

follicle development , steriodogenesis , oocyte 

maturation and subsequent embryo development 

(Gong et al.,1993 a; Gong et al ,1994;Totey et al 

.,1996;Gong et al .,1993b). Administration of 

insulin increases intrafollicular and peripheral 

IGF-1 levels in cattle (Simpson et al., 

1994).Ovulation rate has been shown to be 

positively correlated with the peripheral 

concentration of insulin and IGF-1 in cattle 

(Gong et al., 1997). Increase in size of the 

follicles (Simpson et al., 1994) and ovulation 

rate (Cox et al., 1987) have been found in 

animals treated with insulin. Insulin caused 

recruitment of more gonadotropins responsive 

follicles (Cox et al., 1987) and reduced atresia of 

follicles (Matamoras et al., 1991). 

Working with goats, Selvaraju et al 

(2003) found that administration of purified 

bovine insulin (0.2 IU/kg body weight per day) 

on days 7, 8 and 9 of the estrus cycle resulted in 

a significant increase in corpus leutum and 

* 

Part of Ph. D. Thesis submitted by the first author. 

unovulated large follicles than the control group. 

Thus, the use of insulin may be considered as an 

alternative approach to improve superovulatory 

response, and information on the influence of 

insulin on ovulatory response in livestock is 

scarce.Therefore the present investigation was 

designed to study the effect of insulin treatment 

on ovarian response in Karadi ewe lambs. 


Location of the experiment 

The study was conducted on 25 Karadi ewes 

aged one year old and 52 kg in weight at Animal 

project, College of Agriculture, University of 

Duhok. 

Design of the experiment 

The experimental animals originally 

maintained on either 12 or 16 % crude protein 

were divided randomly into two groups ; Group 

1 (control, n=13 ) and Group 2 ( insulin 

treatment , n=12 ). 

At the start of the experiment, estrus was 

induced by using intra vaginal sponges 

containing MAP (Drug Facts and comparisons 

2004, Tahran, Iran) for 14 days. At the time of 

sponges withdrawn, animals were injected with 

600 IU PMSG (LABORATORIOS


OVEJERO.S.A.Spain, then approved ram was 

introduced 48 hrs later to detect the estrus. After 

the occurrence of estrus in all ewes, the 

following procedure was used as described by 

Selvaraju et al (2003) All animals were 

pretreated with 250IU Human chronic 

gonadotropins ( Human Chorionic 

gonadotropin : LG life sciences Korea) intra 

muscularly on day 10 of the estrus cycle .Six 

hours later , 1 mg estradiol -17 beta(Alburaihan 

pharmaceutical Co. Tahran/Iran) dissolved in 

olive oil was administrated subcutaneously, 

Twenty – four hours after estradiol treatment the 

animals were treated with 20 IU follicle 

stimulating hormone (Laboratoires Serono 

SA,CH-1170 Aubonne, Switzerland) im. in six 

divided descending doses (4/4, 3/3, and 3/3) IU 

at 12 h intervals for three consecutive days. All 

animals were treated with PGF2 α analogue 

(CEVA ANIMAL HEALTH Ltd, CHESHAM 

HPS IGE-UK), 0.225 mg i.m. to induce 

luteolysis along with the sixth FSH treatment 

according to Majumdar et al. (1997). Prior to 

gonadotropins administration , group 1 animals 

were given a placebo of normal saline and 

group 2 animals were given long acting purified 

bovine insulin(Actrapid ,NOVO AIS,Denmark) 

0.2 IU /Kg body weight per day s.c. for three 

consecutive days started on day 7 of the estrus 

cycle . 

Estrus detection and breeding 

After PGF2 α treatment, two rams fitted with 

marking crayons were introduced placed with all 

ewes and estrus was observed twice daily (at 

morning and afternoon) . All ewes detected in 

estrus were bred with natural service at 

approximately 12 hrs interval until the end of 

estrus. 

Ova recovery 

Three days following mating , all animals 

were scarified to determine ovulation rate as 

indicated by the presence of CL .The fallopian 

tubes were flushed to recover ova .The weight 

of left and right ovaries was recorded. 

The diameter of corpus leutum was 

measured. Also, the unovulated large follicles 

and the white (a vascular) corpus leutum were 

counted. 

Statistical analysis 

General linear model (GLM) within the 

statistical model program SAS (2005) was used 

to study the effect of insulin on ovary weight , 

number and diameter of corpora lutea ,ovulation 

rate ,number of large follicle, number of white 

corpora lutea and number of ova recovered , 

assuming the following model; 

Yij = µ + Si + eij 

Where, 

Yij: measurements on j th observation; 

µ : overall mean; 

Si : effect of i th insulin level (i=Co, In); and 

eij: random error NID (0 , Iσ 2 e). 

Duncan Multiple Range Test (Duncan, 

1955) also used to test the significant 

differences between the levels of each 

factor affecting the studied traits. 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS 

All ewes in the two treatment groups 

exhibited behavioral sign of estrus within three 

days after PGF2α injection (Table 1). This result 

is in accordance with those reported by Naqvi et 

al. (1999). Weight of ovary averaged 2.31±0.15 

and 2.06 ± 1.32 gm for the control and insulin 

treated groups, respectively. Also, the diameter 

of corpora lutea averaged 6.65±1.32 and 

6.67±1.26 mm, respectively for control and 

insulin treated group(Table 18). However, the 

difference between groups was not significant 

for both traits . 

In the study reported herein, the percent of 

ewes respond to treatment was 69.23% for 

control group compared with 75.00% for insulin 

treated group, and consequently the ovulation 

rate indicated by the presence of corpora lutea 

averaged 1.44 ±0.22 and 1.56±0.24 for the 

control and insulin group, respectively (Table 1). 

The mean ovulation rate obtained in the current 

work is higher than 0.50-0.75 recorded for 

pubertal Awassi ewe lambs (Jawad et al.1986), 

for adult Awassi ewes (0.5-1.5) treated with the 

different doses of GnRH (Alkass et al., 1989) 

and for adult Awassi (0.8-1.2) imposed to 

different feeding regimen (Alkass and Al-Kaisi, 

1987). However, in general the low response of 

ewes to superovulated by FSH is due to breed 

and age of animals used. It appears that ewes 

treated with insulin were stimulated to a greater 

extent than control group as evident by number 

of ovulations and unovulated large follicle. 

However, the difference between the two groups 

was not significant possibly due to limited 

number of animals included in the present study 

. 

841


851 

Table (18): Effect of insulin treatment on ovarian response and recovery in Karadi ewe lambs 

super ovulated with FSH. 

No. animals treated 

No. animals exhibiting estrus 

(%) of animals exhibiting estrus 

Ovary weight (g) 

Diameter of corpora lutea(mm) 

Ovarian response 

No. animals responding to treatment 

% animals ovulated 

No. corpora lutea 

Ovulation rate (C.L./ animal) 

No. unovulated large follicles 

Unovulated large follicle/animal 

White (a vascular ) C.L./ animal 

No . of ova recovered 

(%) of ova recovered 

Parameter Control Insulin 

13 

13 

100.0 

2.31±0.15 a 

6.65±1.35 a 

9 

69.23 

13 

1.44±0.22 a 

6 

0.50±0.19 a 

2.53±0.36 a 

11 

84.6 

12 

12 

100.0 

2.06±1.32 a 

6.67±1.26 a 

9 

75.00 

14 

1.56±0.24 a 

11 

0.84±0.19 a 

2.91±0.86 a 

5 

35.7 

Means with different letters within each row differ significantly. 

The slightly higher total ovarian response in 

the insulin group than the control group 

indicating the effect of insulin on 

folliculogenesis (Selvaraju et al., 2003). The 

beneficial effect of insulin on ovarian response 

in treated group might be due to either increase 

in follicular recruitment or rescuing follicles 

from atresia .Exogenous administration of 

insulin affects the follicular dynamics by 

increasing recruitment of follicles and reducing 

follicular atresia (Matamoros et al., 1991; 

Majumdar et al., 1997). Positive correlation 

between the number of gonadotropins-dependent 

follicles and peripheral concentration of insulin 

in sheep has been reported (Armstrong et al., 

1983). Insulin act synergistically with FSH and 

LH through its own receptors to stimulate 

granulose cell mitosis (Matamoros et al., 1991 ; 

Gong et al., 1994 ). 

Also, insulin mediated glucose uptake 

increases ovulation rate by promoting cell 

growth (Dowing et al., 1995). The presence of 

unovulated large follicles may be due to a lack 

of LH receptors, or an inappropriate stage of 

development at the time of the endogenous 

preovulatory LH surge (Kumar et al., 1992). 

Thus, a beneficial effect of insulin priming on 

ovulation rate in super ovulated Karadi ewes 

would require longer period of time than that 

used in the current study. There is a need to 

reduce the proportion of unovulated large 

follicles in order to improve ovulation rate. The 

presence of a vascular corpora lutea in super 

ovulated ewes is in accordance with the reports 

of other workers (Armstrong et al., 1983; 

Saharrea et al., 1998). The percent of ova 

recovered was 84.6 and 35.7% for control and 

insulin treated groups, respectively. (Table 18). 

These differences could be attributed to the 

individual variations both within and between 

groups in the time of ovulation and to the 

number of animals ovulated in each group. 

Previously, Selvaraju et al. (2003) stated that the 

total ovarian response (corpus leutum and 

unovulated large follicles) was significantly 

(P


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of .superovulatory regimens on ovarian response and 

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858


اثوسط . 

851 

ىهيلوطهيئ ب ىسكةلمام اي صَيًب انسككليي وب لىاض كَيئ تَيي ىدزوك تَيًيم تَينادكلَيي انادظضزةب 

اثوسط وود وب ىسكشةباد ةهتاي 

) يئاوشع 

( 

ىكةمةسي مطك 

47 

ىكةزةض اشَيكب و َىكةلاض َىيذ ٌيم 

ىسك ةتاي اًيم انادناي َىياد ينلوطن ةئ َىناد ىشزةد 

ب ) زةوةنايط 34( 

َىوود اثوسط. 

) زةوةنايط 35( 

ٌتخوب 

47 

لوترنوك َىكَيئ 

. ظظائ اهييةم َىمةيرض َىنومزوي و ) ةيلبًم تاجهفضا ( َىكَيسطشَيث تَينجةفطيئ اناهيئزاكب ىنازةبل ةهتاي انسكزايد وب 

42 ب ىاد ىشزةد 

ةهتاي زةوةنايط ىمةي و ىسك ةتاي ىنازةبل ةهتاي اندناي ىد اكةزاج ىنازةبل ةهتاي انوبزايد ىتشث 

و 5,5و 

6/ 

6 

اشود وود ارَيز ب و اد كَيئ فيدل تَيذوز َىض د َىنادلكَيض انسكةشةط اهَيذةي َىنومزوي ذ ىناًيج تَيكةي 

. اسَيمرمةد 

34 

َىمةد ازةبظاند ىناًيج تَيكةي 

ب ىاد ىشزةد َىوود اثوسط و ىجولويطف وخ ب ىسكةزاض 

ةتاي لوترنوك اثوسط ىنازةبل ةهتاي ذ َىتفةي اذوز ل 

ىتشث كَيئ فيدل تَيذوز َىضوب و ىزوجضةدزو سَيذ ل ذوز 

َىتشوسض 

و ىنازةبل ةهتاي انسكزايد وب اًيم لةط د ةناد ىازةب 4و 

/ 

مطك 

/ 

PGF2α 

ىناًيج تَيكةي 

2.4 

5/ 

5 

ارَيسب و لاَيض َىهيلوطنةئ 

َىهيدنلاطاتضوسث اناد ىشزةد اهتاي كييايمد 

ىطنةز ىظب مانجةئ و . َىنسككَيي ارَيز اهتزامري وب ويسبزةض وتاي زةوةنايط َىنوبتوج ذ اذوز َىض ىتشث و َىنوبتوج ةهتةك 

. ىهيلوطن ةئ ب َىنسكةزاض اثوسط وب % 97 

و لىوترنوك اثوسط وب 

اضةوزةي . كَيئ فيدل ىهيلوطنةئ انسكةزاض و لىوترنوك اثوسط وب 

. كَيئ فيدل ىهيلوطنةئ و لىوترنوك اثوسط وب 

% 8;.45 

2.46 

2.3; ± 2.:6 و 2.3; ± 2.72 

-: 

َىنسكةزاض وب اًيم اناد ظضزةب ارَيز 

± 3.78 و 2.44± 

3.66 

. نيلوسنلااب ولماعملا قئافلا ضيوبتلل ويلوحلا ويداركلا جاعنلا ضيابم وباجتسا 

َىنسككيي ارَيز 

ىووب 

-3 

-4 

زةوةنايط / ويووبةن تَيدلكَيض ارَيز 


ددع ( هرطيس ىلولاا وعومجملا. 

نيتعومجم ىلا ايئاوشع مغك 52 يئادتبا نزوبو ونس رمعب وجعن 25 عيزوت مت 

قبشلا راهظا ىلع تاناويحلا ثح مت نيلوسنلااب اهنقح مت ) 12 تاناويحلا ددع( 

ويناثلا وعومجملا ) 13 تاناويحلا 

عيمج نقح متو ويناث قبشلا ثادحا مت. 

قبشلا روهظ دعب. 

لماحلا سرفلا لصم نومرىو ويلبهملا تاجنفسلاا مادختساب 

3/ 

3و3/ 

3و 

4/ 

4 نيتعرج لدعمبو ويلاتتم مايا 3 للاخ تلاصيوحلا ومنل زفحملا نومرى نم ويلود هدحو 20 ب تاناويحلا 

هرطيسلا 

وعومجم ولماعم مت . قبشلا هرود نم عباسلا مويلا دنعو . امهنيب وعاس 12 هردق ينمز لصافبو ويلود هدحو 

موي/ 

مغك/ 

ويلود هدحو 0.2 لدعمبو يرقبلا نيلوسنلااب ويناثلا وعومجملا نقح مت نيح يف . يجولويسفلا حلملا لولحمب 

قبشلا فشكل جاعنلا عم شبك 2 لاخدا مت PGF2αنيدنلاكاتسوربلا 

نقح ءاهتنا دعب. 

ويلاتتم مايا 3 هدملو دلجلا تحت 

. ضيوبتلا وبسن ريدقتل حيقلتلا نم مايا 3 رورم 

دعب 

تاناويحلا حبذ مت . ايعيبط اهحيقلت متو 

و هرطيسلا وعومجمل % 69.23 ولماعملل جاعنلا وباجتسا وبسن تغلب : يتلااب جئاتنلا صيخلت نكميو 

% 75.00 

نيلوسنلااب ولماعملاو هرطيسلا وعومجمل0.24± 

1.56 و 0.22± 

1.44 ضيوبتلا لدعم ناك . نيلوسنلااب ولماعملا وعومجمل 

هرطيسلا يتعومجمل 0.19± 

0.84 

ولماعملاو هرطيسلا يتلماعمل 

% 3547و 

و 0.19 ± 0.50 ناويح/ 

8446 

وضابملا ريغ تلاصيوحلا وبسن تغلب امك 

اهيلع لصحتسنلا تاضيوبلا وبسن تغلب امك. 

يلاوتلا 

ىلع 

. يلاوتلا 

ىلع 

نيلوسنلااو 

. 

يلاوتلا ىلع نيلوسنلااب


HEMATOLOGICAL AND SEROLOGICAL (cELISA) STUDIES 

OF CAPRINE ANAPLASMOSIS IN DUHOK GOVERNORATE 

OF KURDISTAN REGION OF IRAQ 

IBRAHIM ABDULQADER NAQID AND IHSAN KADIR ZANGANA 

Dept. of Veterinary Clinical Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region-Iraq 

(Received: October 7, 2010; Accepted for publication: January 31, 2011) 

ABSTRACT 

The objectives of the present work were done to investigate the prevalence of Anaplasma ovis infection in goats 

in Duhok area, Kurdistan Region, of Iraq from April to September 2009. A total of 460 local black breed goats 

represent (35 flocks) of different localities were examined for the presence of Anaplasma ovis by Giemsa stained blood 

smears and serologically by competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for antibodies 

against A. ovis. The results revealed that 257 (55.86%) and 346 (75.22%) of goats were infected with A. ovis by 

Giemsa stained and by (cELISA) respectively. Statistically significant difference was encountered between males and 

females and among the different age groups of goats, high infection rate was detected in goats more than 3 year old 

146 (31.74 %) , where as goats 1-3 years old and those less than one year old of 84 (18.26%) and 27 (5.86%) 

respectively. The percentage of parasitemia ranged between 2.8-12.2% with mean of (7.12 %). The hematological 

parameters were estimated from positive cases of Giemsa stained. The mean values of erythrocyte count (5.9 ± 1.17) 

10 6 /µl, packed cell volume (19.5 ±2.68) % and hemoglobin concentration (6.3 ± 0.83) g/dl were statistically significant 

decrease (P 0.05). Also there was a statistical significant increased (P 0.05) in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 

(33.9 ± 5.88) fl, while there was no statistical significant in mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) (10.8 ± 1.76) pg and 

the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (32.3 ± 2.19) g/dl. This indicated evidence of macrocytic 

normochromic type of anemia, whereas no significant differences were encountered in the differential count of 

leukocytes. 

KEYWORDS;- Anaplasma ovis, Goats, Hematology, Serology; cELISA 

A 

INTRODUCTION 

naplasma ovis is an intraerythrocytic 

rickettsial pathogen of sheep, goats and 

wild ruminants (Kuttler, 1984; Zaugg et al., 

1996; Friedhoff, 1997; Yabsley et al., 2005; de 

la Fuente et al., 2006).The acute phase of the 

disease is characterized by severe anemia, fever, 

weight loss, abortion, lower milk production, 

pallor of mucous membrane, jaundice and often 

death (Kocan et al., 2003).It is biologically 

transmitted by various tick species such as 

Boophilus, Dermacentor, Rhipicephalus, 

Hyaloma, Ixodes, and Ornithodoros species, 

transmission may also occur mechanically by 

blood –feeding arthropods or by blood 

contaminated fomites (Losos 1986; Kocan et al., 

2003). 

The diagnosis of A. ovis in goats has been 

based primarily upon the identification of acute 

infections, using microscopic examination of 

Giemsa-stained blood smears. However, 

rickettsemia levels of less than 0.1% infected 

erythrocytes in goats are not reliably detected by 

this method (Palmer, 1992). 

Recently, a competitive inhibition enzymelinked 

immunosorbent assay (cELISA) based on 

antibody binding to recombinant DNA-derived 

Anaplasma marginale major surface protein-5 

(MSP5) has been developed and shown to detect 

A. marginale- infected cattle including 

persistently infected carriers (Palmer et al., 

1994). The aims of present study includes: the 

estimate the prevalence of Anaplasma ovis in 

goats in Duhok area by Giemsa stained. 

Seroprevalence for antibodies against 

Anaplasma ovis by (cELISA) and evaluate of 

hematological changes of acute infection in 

goats. 


1. Sampling 

The prevalence of caprine anaplasmosis was 

studied in goats in Duhok area, North Iraq from 

April to September in 2009.A total of 460 

peripheral blood smears and sera were collected 

153


from local breed of black goats from 35 flocks of 

different localities (districts and sub districts) 

which include Zakho, Batel, Sumaill, Aqra and 

Center of Duhok province. 

2. Blood Smears 

Method of preparation of blood smears and 

Giemsa staining was used as described by Adam 

et al., (1971). The thin and thick blood smears 

were prepared from the peripheral ear vein. 

Before the sample, the site was punctured, 

clipped and wiped with 70% ethanol and 

allowed to dry the first drop of blood always 

discarded, a drop of blood was taken on a clean 

glass microscope slide, spread by another slide 

at an acute angle; air dried, and fixed by 

methanol 5 minute and stained with 10% Giemsa 

stain. 30 minutes 

3. Serologic Test for Detection of A. ovis 

The anaplasmosis competitive enzyme-linked 

immunosorbent assay (cELISA) was performed 

with serum sample using the Anaplasma 

Antibody Test Kit, cELISA from VMRD 

Inc.(2006) (Pullman, WA, USA) (Knowles et 

al., 1996) following the manufactures’ 

instructions. This assay detects serum antibodies 

to a major surface protein (MSP5) of A. 

marginale, A. centrale, A. ovis and A. 

phagocytophilum (Dreher et al., 2005). 

4. Hematological Examination: 

Ten milliliters of blood was drained from 

jugular vein puncture, after the area was 

prepared aseptically, by clipping and then 

154 

soaking with 70% ethyl alcohol. Three milliliters 

of whole blood were mixed in disposable clean 

plastic tube with an anticoagulant (EDTA) and 

used for the estimation hematological 

parameters, while remaining seven milliliters of 

the blood were deposited in tube free from 

anticoagulant, to obtain serum for estimation of 

serological test by ordinary centrifuge 5000 rpm 

spanned for 5 minutes and separated serum kept 

at – 20°C until used. Hematological parameters 

included, total erythrocyte count (RBC), packed 

cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration 

(Hb), differential leukocyte count, mean 

corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular 

hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular 

hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), were done 

by methods of Coles (1986). 

Statistical analysis: 

The results were analyzed by chi- square test 

(X 2 ) (Tekin, 2003). 

RESULTS 

Depending on morphological characteristics 

of the Anaplasma inclusion body in erythrocyte 

by Giemsa stained blood smear, the Anaplasma 

ovis was identified by light microscopic examination 

of Giemsa stained blood smear. A. ovis 

appeared uniform dark dote like circular 

body periphery to erythrocyte as single, double and 

triple inclusion bodies as shown in (Fig.1). 

The Anaplasma parasitemia was ranged from (2.8- 

12.2 %) with the mean value (7.16 ± 2.98). 

A B 

Fig (1): Anaplasma ovis in Giemsa staining blood smear (X1000)


The prevalence of A. ovis by cELISA and 

blood smear was shown in table (1). Of 460 

native goats, 346 (75.22%) were positive for A. 

ovis antibodies while 257 (55.86%) were 

positive for A. ovis by Giemsa stained blood 

smear in all districts and sub districts. There was 

no significant difference detected among studied 

area. The highest rate of infection was in Aqra 

67.92% and a lowest rate was in Sumail 47.87%. 

In other areas, the rate was in the center of 

Duhok 62.79%, in Zakho 55.04%, in Batel 

52.04% as show in table (2). 

Table (1): Prevalence of A. ovis in goats by Microscopical examination and cELISA test. 

Tests No. of samples examined Positive Number (%) Negative Number (%) 

Microscopical examination 460 257(55.86) 203(44.13) 

cELISA 460 346 (75.22) 114(24.78) 

Table (2): Prevalence of A. ovis in goats in Different Districts and sub districts of Duhok province. 

Area No. of samples examined No. of +ve 

samples 

Percentage (%) 

Zakho 129 71 55.04 

Batel 98 51 52.04 

Sumail 94 45 47.87 

Center of Duhok 86 54 62.79 

Aqra 53 36 67.92 

Total 460 257 55.86 

No statistically significant at a level of (p 0.05) 

In this preliminary study, the age was 

considered in sampling as in table (3). There was 

a statistical significance difference in the 

prevalent rate among different ages. The high 

rate of A. ovis was 146 (31.74 %) in age group 

above 3 years and low rate was 27(5.86 %) in 

age group less than one year, while in age group 

1-3 years it was 84(18.26 %). 

Table (3): Prevalence of Anaplasma ovis in the relation to the age from total examined animals. 

Age Number of sample 

examined 

Number +ve sample 

percentage 

Under one year 65 27 5.86 

1 – 3 year 157 84 18.26 

Above 3 year 

238 

146 

(%) 

 

31.74 

Total 460 257 55.86 

The prevalence of A. ovis was statistically 

significant difference between males and 

Statistically significant at a level of (p 0.05) 

females. The rate was 225(57.98%) in females 

and 32(44.44%) in males as shown in table (4). 

Table (4): Prevalence of A. ovis according to the sex of animals. 

Sex No. of samples examined No. of +ve samples Percentage (%) 

Male 72 32 44.44 

Female 388 225 57.98 

Total 460 257 55.86 

Statistically significant at a level of (P 0.05) 

155


There was a good qualitative agreement 

between both cELISA and microscopic 

examined since the agreement was in 204 

samples that were positive by both tests and in 

70 samples that were negative by both tests. The 

156 

percentage of agreement was (59.57%) but 

disagreement was (40.43%) when only 186 out 

of 460 samples failed to show agreement with 

test results as shown in table(6). 

Table (6): Qualitative agreement and disagreement between cELISA and Microscopic. 

The hematological findings of the goats 

naturally infected with A. ovis are shown in table 

(7). The results of the study indicate that the 

values of blood parameters varied in comparison 

with normal values of blood pictures in the 

healthy animals depended on different 

references. The PCV % mean value was (19.5 ± 

2.6%); the hemoglobin concentration mean 

value was (6.3 ± 0.8) g/µl and the mean value of 

the total number of erythrocyte (5.9 ± 1.17) 

million cell/dl were statistically significant 

Parameters (Mean ± S.D) 

decreased at level of (P 0.05). Also there was a 

statistical significance increased at level of (P 

0.05) in the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 

(33.9 ± 5.88) fl, but there was no statistical 

significance in mean corpuscular hemoglobin 

(MCH) (10.8 ± 1.76) pg and the mean 

corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) 

(32.3 ± 2.19) g/dl. This indicates the evidence of 

macrocytic normochromic anemia. 

Table (7): Hematological parameters of goats infected with A. ovis 

Infected with A. ovis 

Total RBC X 10 6 / µL 5.9 ± 1.17 a 8-17 

Normal range 

(Coles 1986) 

PCV % 19.5 ± 2.68 b 20-38 % 

Hb g/dl 6.3 ± 0.83 c 8-14 

MCV (fl) 33.9 ± 5.88 d 16-25 

MCH (pg) 

10.8 ± 1.76 5-8 

MCHC g/dl 32.3 ± 2.19 28-34 

Parasitemia (%) 

Tests No. of samples Total samples % of sample Total % 

Positive (Both tests) 204 

Negative (Both tests) 70 274 

15.22 

Positive (cELISA) 

Negative(Microscope) 

Positive (Microscope) 

Negative (cELISA) 

142 

7.16 ± 2.98 

44.35 

a,b,c,d difference letters are statistically significant at a level of (p 0.05) 

186 

30.87 

44 9.56 

59.57 

40.43 

Total 460 460 100 100


DISCUSSION 

Studies of Caprine anaplasmosis in Iraq are 

very scare and little information had been 

provided. This preliminary study was done for 

the first time in Duhok area, North Iraq from 

April to September, 2009. Accordingly, the 

objective of this study was determine the 

prevalence of Caprine anaplasmosis (A. ovis ). 

For the detection of A. ovis infection, two 

methods were used. The first one was based on 

microscopical examination of Giemsa stained 

blood smear, and the second technique cELISA, 

was used for detection of antibodies in sera of 

the investigated animals. 

Microscopic examination of the Giemsa 

stained thin blood smears is still the most 

reliable and cost effective method of confirming 

a clinical diagnosis of anaplasmosis (De Waal, 

2000). The diagnosis of tick borne diseases such 

as babesiosis, theleriosis and anaplasmosis still 

depends on observing the parasities in the 

infected erythrocytes when the parasitemia rates 

are indicative. Although the parasite detection 

can be easily applied in the field, the sensitivity 

of the method and its failure to detect 

anaplasmosis, if the number of parasite in the 

peripheral blood is too low, illustrate the 

limitation of parasitological diagnosis by Giemsa 

stained blood smears (Soulsby, 1986). 

In the present study, the prevalence of A. ovis 

by Giemsa stained blood smears was high 

revealed that 257(55.86%) in compared with 

other studies was done in Iraq. Alsaad et al. 

(2009) found the prevalence of A. ovis in goats 

in Mousl province in Iraq revealed that (24.74%) 

were infected with A. ovis. Al-Amerey and 

Hasso. (2002) reported that the prevalence of A. 

ovis in goats in Baghdad was 32.19%.While in 

other countries like Jordan, the prevalence of A. 

ovis by thin blood films was 8.6% in sheep and 

goats (Sherkov et al., 1976). Razmi et al. (2006) 

revealed that the rate 80.3% of sheep and 

38.92% of goats in Iran were infected with A. 

ovis by Giemsa stained blood smears. Talat et al. 

(2005) revealed that the incidence of A. ovis in 

sheep and goats in Pakistan was 13.2% and 

9.59% respectively and Hur et al. (1995) showed 

that the infection rate of grazing and nongrazing 

goats with Anaplasma spp. in Korean was 71.7 

and 8.5 %, respectively. Park et al., (1997) found 

that the infection rate of A. ovis in Korean goats 

by Giemsa stained blood smears and 

complement fixation test (CFT) was 20.1% and 

75.2% respectively, these variation in the rates 

might be related to distribution of population of 

the vectors as ticks and others like flies and 

mosquitoes. 

Microscopical examination revealed that 

presence of A. ovis in many erythrocytes with 

parasitemia ranged from 2.8- 12.2% with the 

mean value 7.16 ± 2.98 %, and the appearance of 

anaplasma inclusion bodies in the erythrocyte as 

spherical granule with variable from single to 

double dote like structure. These shapes are 

similar to those described by Soulsby (1986). 

Razmi et al. (2006) found that the ranges of 

anaplasmatemia in the infected cattle, sheep and 

goats were 0.005-0.5%, 0.01-3% and 0.01-3%, 

respectively. Lu et al. (1997) revealed that the 

peak of parasitemia of erythrocytes in goats in 

China was 18-55.3%. Barry and Van Niekerk 

(1990) mentioned that showed that the mean 

parasitemia reached a peak of 5% to 6%, in boar 

goats with a maximum of 12% in two cases in 

South Africa. This variability in the parasitemia 

might to be due to variety of infection as acute 

or chronic and difference in strain of the agent 

and immune status of the host. 

The prevalence rate of Anaplasma ovis 

related to age groups and sex of goats was 

studied. There was statistically difference in rate 

of prevalence between the sex and age groups 

(p 0.05); a high rate was found in age group 

above 3 years in comparison to other age groups. 

The younger animals less susceptible to 

infection than aged animals this might be due to 

passive immunization from dame to the kids via 

colostrums. The rate highly prevalently in 

females than males this might be due to the 

female animals kept involves in flocks more than 

male. This event was in agreement with 

Friedhoff (1997) and Lestoquard (1924), they 

found factors of age, sex, and breed influenced 

the incidence of anaplasma infection and the 

symptoms of the disease depended on age, the 

general condition of the animals and their breed 

(Shompole et al., 1989). 

Results agree with Alsaad (1990) reported 

that in Mosul province in Iraq the prevalence 

rate of A. marginale in cattle related to age, 

cattle from more than one year to four years old 

and those more than four years old were highly 

affected and represented the acute form of the 

disease with an infection rate of (60%, 22.5%) 

respectively, while cattle from 6-month to one 

year old were mildly affected and represented 

the mild form with an infection rate of 17.5%. 

Razmi et al. (2006) found that the prevalence 

of anaplasmosis was not statistically significant 

157


between male and female and between different 

age groups of cattle, sheep and goats. Soulsby 

(1986) reported that the younger animals were 

susceptible to the infection but exhibited little 

detectable reaction although clinical cases can be 

induced by splenectomy. 

In this study, the Anaplasma was not seen in 

the erythrocytes of 142 of 346 animals which 

were positive for A. ovis antibody by cELISA. 

The results show that cELISA was a favorable 

technique for the detection of acute and chronic 

anaplasmosis. Anaplasma cELISA is a 

breakthrough in diagnosis of anaplasmosis in the 

persistently infected animals and is 

recommended by (OIE, 2008). 

The competitive enzyme linked 

immunosorbent assay (cELISA) based on a 

major surface protein-5(MSP5) from A. 

marginale used for the detection of the 

prevalence of A. ovis in goats and used as a 

comparative test with microscopical examination 

of Giemsa stained blood smears. The utility of 

the MSP5-based cELISA in detecting cattle 

infected with A. marginale suggested that the 

assay could be used to detect goats infected with 

A. ovis (Visser et al., 1992., Palmer et al., 1994). 

A comparison between the efficiency of 

cELISA and microscopical examination clearly 

showed that cELISA was more efficient than 

microscopic examination. Hence, cELISA 

allowed a better detection of 346 (75.22%) of the 

infected animals, while microscopical 

examination was detected only of 257(55.86%). 

In this study, seroprevalence of A. ovis 

antibodies was detected in sera of 460 native 

goats 346(75.22%). While Ndung’u et al. (1995) 

reported that the high prevalence of A. ovis in 

goats from four regions of Kenya 119 of 127 

known A. ovis- seropositive goats is determined 

by the MSP5 CI-ELISA. In Hungaria, Horonk et 

al. (2007) surveyed seroprevalence of A. ovis in 

five local flocks of sheep which was 99.4% and 

in cattle 80.8% by cELISA. Birdane et al. (2006) 

reported that in Turkey the prevalence of A. 

marginale in cattle by cELISA and microscopic 

examination of Giemsa stained blood smears of 

645 animals was 357(55.35%) and 220(34.11%) 

respectively. de la Fuente et al. (2006) reported 

that in Italy the prevalence of A. ovis from 

bighorn sheep in Montana was 69%. 

Scoles et al. (2008) reported that the 

prevalence of A. ovis in mule deer and black- 

tailed deer were 73% and 71% respectively by 

cELISA and the percent positive was 56% for 

mule deer and 82% for back tailed deer by IFA 

158 

and the sensitivity and specificity of cELISA test 

were 98.2% and 96.3%, respectively. 

This study revealed variable degrees in 

hemogram in goats infected with A. ovis confirm 

that moderate to severe hemolytic anemia was 

very distinctive in comparison to the normal 

healthy parameters. These included a drop in the 

mean values of erythrocyte count, packed cell 

volume and hemoglobin concentration and also 

there was a significant increas in the mean 

values of the mean corpuscular values (MCV), 

while there was no difference in (MCHC, 

MCH). This indicated evidence of macrocytic 

normochromic anemia. Arslan and Shukur 

(1994) reported that the hematological findings 

showed a significant decrease in RBC, Hb 

concentration, PCV, and MCHC. No changes in 

MCV and MCH values were noted. Anemia was 

found to be normocytic hypochrpmic type. Total 

and differential leukocyte count showed no 

significant changes. Yousif et al. (1983) found 

macrocytic hypochromic type anemia (PCV 

23.4% instead of 32.3%) in the healthy goats in, 

a flock of goats of local breed in Iraq infected 

with A. ovis. Barry and Van Niekerk (1990) 

found macrocytic hypochromic anemia with A. 

ovis in boar goats. Alsaad et al. (2009) indicated 

that blood parasitic infection of blood 

parameters as total red blood cells, haemoglobin 

concentration, packed cell volume significantly 

decreased at level (P< 0.05) beside the 

significant increase at level (P< 0.05) in the 

erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and 

anemia of different types were also recorded 

depending on the type of infection macrocytic 

hypochromic anemia in theleria infection and 

normocytic normochromic anemia in babesia 

infection. 

Losos (1986) mentioned the pattern of 

anemia in anaplasma as a progressive anemia 

which is initially normocytic and later becomes 

macrocytic, with compensatory hyperplasia of 

bone marrow, granulocytosis, reticulocytosis, 

increased mean corpuscular cell volume, and 

increased osmotic fragility of erythrocytes. Red 

blood cells are removed by phagocytosis and the 

reticuloenothelial system, primarily in spleen 

removal of the red blood cells rather than 

intravascular hemolysis accounts for the absence 

of hemoglobinemia and hemoglobinuria. Rapid 

destruction of red blood cells and low hematocrit 

levels are accompanied by degeneration of 

paranchymatous organ. Other, explained that the 

pathogenesis of anemia could not be directly 

correlated to the cell injury due to invasion of


erythrocytes by the Anaplasma, but loss of red 

blood cells was closely correlated to the level of 

infection in severely anemic animals (Jones et 

al., 1968). Removal of erythrocytes was due to 

in part to autoimmune antibodies bound to 

erythrocytes (Schroeder and Ristic, 1965 a). 

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زودل 

(cELISA) 

َىقايرع اناتضدزوك انَيزةه -َىكوهد 

اهةكصيزاث 

ىجولويرض و َىنيوخ 

اكةنيلوكةظ 

ةتخوث 

َىنيلوكةظ , لىاموخ نَيشةز نَينصب زةطل َىقايرع اناتضدزوك انَيزةه ل َىكوهد اهةطصَيزاث ل نسكةتاه ةنيلوكةظ فةئ 

) Anaplasma ovis( 

صضومشلابان ةئ ب َىنووبشوت ارَيز ادَيت 9002 لااض ل َىنوليئ اهةم ات َىناطين اهةم ذ سكَيب تضةد 

ذ نسكيق ات ةنيتاه ادوج ادوج نَيزةظةد ل ىشةب نَيسب 53 ذ لىاموخ نَيشةز نَينصب 060 َىمذوك ذ. 

نسك تنَيموكد ةتاه 

َىظد . ادَيم 

ةيرض فاند شةلةذد انووبةه وب ذ ىجولويرض تَينسكيقات و َىنيوخ نَيكةل ذ Anaplasm ovis انووبةه وب 

نَيكةل اكَيسب Anaplasma ovis ب نووب ىوبشووت انصب ذ ) % 23.99( 

506 و )% 33.56( 

932 َىمذوكب ادَينيلوكةظ 

. كَيئ فيد ل competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) و َىنيوخ 

فيد ل % 55.03 و % 59.93 ارَيسب نسكزايد ةتاه انصب َىناصنيوخ انسكيقات ووب ذ كينكةت cELISA اي ىتةبيات و ىزايتضةه 

اضةو زةه و اد َيم و سَين نَينصب ازةب ظاند Anaplasma ovis ب َىنووبشوت ارَيز ل ووبةه ظاجزةب اكةنيزووط . كَيئ 

نصب 

306 لىاض َىض ذ ترث وك نسكزايد ةتاه َىنوبشووت اي دنلب ارَيز انصب نَينةمةت فيد ل . انصب نَيي ادوج و ادوج نَينةمةت 

)% 3.56( 

92 

Anaplasma 

و % 35.96 ارَيسب نووب نصب 50 لىاض كَيئ ذ ترنَيك وئ لىاض 5 ات 3 ازةب ظان د نَينةمةت و % 53.20 

ايخاضةن اجنَيز اضةوزةه. 

ادسَين نَينصب د 

)% 00.00( 

59 و َىم نَينصب ل )% 32.25( 

993 

ارَيسب نووب 

ارَيسب ؛كَيئ فيد ل


اصنط اغايوب ب َىنيوخ تَيديلاض انسك غايوب اكيز فيد ل ظيتةشوث تَيي َىنيوخ 

نَينوونم وب 

% 39.9 

. Giemsa stained blood smears 

ةن ب نوب شوت وك وب زايد اضةو َىنيوخ تيزةظيث زةطل َىيشوخ ةن َىظ 

انسكيتزاك ةظيد 

َىكةيلائ ذ و 

نَيي زووض نَيكبةت ازامذةه .(P

162 


EVALUATION OF TEST-DAY MILK YIELD OF NATIVE SHEEP 

BREEDS IN SOME COMMERCIAL FLOCKS * 

JALAL ELIYA ALKASS * and HAVAL.A. GARDI ** 

* Dept. of Animal Production, College of Agricultue, University of Salahaddin, Kurdistan Region-Iraq 

** Dept. of Animal Production, College of Agricultue, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region-Iraq 

(Received: October 17, 2010; Accepted for publication: March 10, 2011) 

ABSTRACT 

A total of 729 test-day milk yield (TDMY) of 172 ewes belonged to three breeds namely, Hamdani, Karadi and 

Awassi raised at four commercial flocks in Erbil plain, and the fifith flock belongs to College of Agriculture, 

University of Salahaddin, were used to study milk production together with some environmental factors affecting it. 

Test-day milk yield was recorded at monthly interval starting one month post lambing till the ewes were dried off. 

Lambs were separated from their mothers at 7.00 p.m. On the following morning, ewes were hand milked at 7.00 

a.m., and the milk yield was recorded. 

Overall mean of milk yield for the three breeds was 557.66 ± 12.40 gm. Breed and flock had a significant (P



The overall mean of TDMY was 557.66 ± 

12.40 gm (Table 1). Such finding demonstrate 

that Iraqi sheep is inferior in milk yield to the 

sheep breeds such as Assaf (353 liter) (Gootwine 

and Pollot, 2002). 

Factors affecting test – day milk yield: 

Breed and flock : 

In the current study, the effect of breed within 

flock on TDMY was highly significant. It 

appears from Table (1) that TDMY ranged 

between 521.36 to 656.25 gm for Hamdani, 

489.03 to 637.76 gm for Karadi and 396.56 to 

546.52 gm for Awassi. Karadi ewes surpassed 

Hamdani ewes in TDMY in a flock 1 (637.76 vs 

521.36 gm), whereas Hamdani ewes surpassed 

Karadi in this trait in a flock 3 (656.25 vs. 

489.03 gm). When comparison is made within 

breed between flocks, it appears that Hamdani 

ewes reared at flock 3 attained higher TDMY 

than ewes reared at flock 1 and 2. Karadi ewes 

reared at flock 1 surpassed those reared in a 

flock 3, and Awassi ewes reared at flock 2 

yielded lower TDMY compared to those reared 

at flock 4. Such differences between breeds 

within flock and within breed between flocks 

could be due to difference in the genetic make 

up of ewes, the availability of feed and 

management practices followed in each flock. 

Similarly Alkass et al. (2008) reported 

significant effect of flock on milk yield. 

Age of dam: 

Four years old ewes produced significantly 

(p

164 


Table (1): Mean squares, Test of significance and Least square means ± S.E. for the factors affecting Test-day 

milk yield (gm) of different Iraqi local ewes. 

Factors d.f. or No Test-day milk yield (gm) 

Mean squares or Means S.E. 

Overall mean 729 557.66 12.40 

Breed within flock: 7 576386.97 ** 

Flock 1-Hamdani 109 521.36 ± 38.75 b 

Flock 1-Karadi 103 637.76 ± 39.52 a 

Flock 2 – Hamdani 105 591.70 ± 34.56 ab 

Flock 2 – Awassi 104 396.56 ± 34.80 c 

Flock 3- Hamdani 67 656.25 ± 40.62 a 

Flock 3 – Kaeadi 69 489.03 ± 41.88 bc 

Flock 4-Awassi 84 546.52 ± 45.85 ab 

Flock 5- Hamdani 88 526.59 ± 37.07 b 

Age of dam(years): 3 409887.35 ** 

2 & less 230 484.58 ± 25.47 b 

3 288 535.41 ± 25.14 b 

4 103 623.75 ± 35.43 a 

5 & more 108 501.83 ± 35.73 b 

Type of birth : 1 429592.85 * 

Single 614 275.09 ± 17.14 a 

Twin 115 500.52 ± 31.49 b 

Stage of lactation: 4 1239119.52 ** 

Test 1 172 417.87 ± 27.98 c 

Test 2 170 462.17 ± 28.04 c 

Test 3 168 544.58 ± 28.05 b 

Test 4 127 630.56 ± 30.82 a 

Test 5 92 626.34 ± 35.50 a 

Month of birth: 2 1556310.66 ** 

Nov. 98 416.17 ± 37.67 c 

Dec. 420 524.53 ± 25.75 b 

Jan. 211 668.21 ± 27.81 a 

Residual 711 93313.45 

** P


ىىاطسصاب تّيتسةك كةذيٍ تّيي لىاموخ تّيَيم سةس ل ىيرش ّىمةٍسةب اي ةىاروس اىشكةظومش اىذىاطىةسلةٍ 

تّيي 

ىساوةع و , ىداشك , ىىاذمةح تّيَيم 

283 

تّيي ىيرش ّىمةٍسةب وب ٌشكةظومش ةيتاٍ ةىاروس ًّيمثماس 

ةتخوث 

اييلوكةظ وب ًيددةحلاةس ايوكىاص/ 

ّىىذىاض ازيلوك ّىي ّىضّييث ّىتسةك و يىاطسصاب تّيتتسةك ساض ل ىس7777كىادوخ 

837 

. ىيرش ّىمةٍسةب سةس ل ّىٍةطيير ًّيسةكّيتساك ذىةض و ىيرش ّىمةٍسةب 

, ىصةث اىوبكشٍ اتةٍو 

ّىىاص ىتشث ّىكيئ اظيةٍ ر شك ّىث تسةد ّىكةساج ةىاظيةٍ ٌشكساموت ةتاٍد ىيرش ّىمةٍسةب 

و ىتتسةذب ًتود ةيتاٍد ُيم ّىذيثس ى8 

شّيمزمةد ل ترشاث اروس و ىساظيئ ى8 

شّيمزمةد ر ٌشكد ادوج اَيم ر خسةب 

. ٌشكساموت ةتاٍد وةٍسةب 

اد ىسةتك ظاتىد ىصةتث ّىسوتج . هغ23751± 

668777ىصةث 

تّيسوج ّىسسةٍ ّىي و ىيرش ّىمةٍسةب ّىي ىتشط ازّيس 

ىيرتش ّىنٍسةب ل ظاضسةب اكةيتفةكسةس ب يلاس5 

تّيَيم اسةوسةٍ ىيرش ّىمةٍسةب سةس ل 

و . ىياييئ خسةب ود تّيي سةس ل تنفةكسةس ب ًيةٍ خسةب كيئ تّيَيم اسيد لاس 6و 

4و 

وبةٍ ظاضسةب اىشكيتساك 

3 ٌاو ّىير تّيَيم سةبماسةب 

. ًياص ّىكيئ اييىام و ّىوود ايشض ل تّيي سةس ل تنفةكسةس ب ظاضسةب ًياص ّىوود اييىاك اظيةٍ ل تّيَيم 

ةيراجتلا ناعطقلا ضعب يف ةيلحملا تلالاسلا جاعنل يمويلا رابتخلاا بيلح جاتنا ميوقت 

اببام يبااوعلاا ولااب لاا يناوبمحلا حبم لب تلالابسل ةبجعن 

283 

لوبعت ببيلحلا جاتنلا يموي صحف 

837 


ليلحت مت 

ضبعبا ببيلحلا جابتنا ةباارول , حيوبلا للابص ةبعماج/ 

ةب ار لا ةبيل عبلا لوبعيف لمابخلا بيطقلا ابماا ةبيراجت نابعطع ةبعبرا يبف 

ببعت عببنا 

اياوببي ببلحت جابعنلا عبنا 

. ةيف اثؤملا ةيئيبلا لماوعلا 

. جاببعنلا ابب ج عببتحا للاوببلا وببعب اببم الاا ادببدلا حببم ااوببتبا ايادببا وببحاا اببم بببيلحلا 

ليجببست مببت 

وبنعم ايث بت بيطقلا حمبا ةللابسلل ناب 

) احابببص 8 ة ابسلا( 

يلابتلا لوبيلا لابببص يبفا , اابسم ةعبابسلا ة اببسلا يبف ابدتادما حب نلابمحلا 

. مبغ 23751± 

668777 

4 ا 3 رابم لاا تاا جابعنلاب ةبنراقم ببيلحلا حبم ادجاتنا يف ايونعم تاونا5 

نوناب ادبا 

يبف وبلاولا جابعنلا عبعو ت ابم 

. جاتنلاا لجسيا 

لا بلا تلالابسللا ببيلحلا جابتنلا لابعلا وبعملا بلب 

امعب جاعنلا ععو ت ام 

. م اوبتلل ةعبااملا ابدتلاي م عبل لااب لل ةعبعملا جابعنلا ععو ت ام 

, بيلحلا جاتنا علل 

. ةنا 

. 

الاا نونا ا ينا لا حيادت يف ولاولا ادتلاي م عل ايونعم ينا لا 

6 

ا 

165


166 

STUDIES ON THE ATTAINMENT OF PUBERTY IN KARADI EWE 

LAMBS 2. RELATIONSHIP OF AGE AT PUBERTY TO SOME 

BIOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF BLOOD* 

ARAZ G.PEDAWY and JALAL E. ALKASS 

Dept. of Animal Production, College of Agriculture, University of Duhok, Kurdistan region-Iraq 

(Received: October 21, 2010; Accepted for publication: March 10, 2011) 

ABSTRACT 

Atotal of 30 ,six month old Karadi ewe lambs raised at the animal project,college of Agriculture ,University of 

Duhok were divided randomly into two groups and allocated into two dietary protein levels namely 12% and 16% , 

Blood samples was collected at 6,8 month old and at the onset of puberty for determination total protein ,glucose, 

cholesterol and insulin. 

Results revealed that total protein ,cholesterol and glucose averaged 6.66±0.07 gm/l, 37.53± 1.19 mg/dl and 

81.42±1.46 mg/dl, respectively ; protein level had no significant effect on total protein and glucose ,whereas the effect 

on cholesterol was significant .Also it appears that glucose was positively correlated with weight at puberty (0.247) 

(p


mg/dl (mmol/L) glucose in the 

sample=absorbance sample/absorbance standard 

×con. of standard 

Cholesterol; was determined by kit from 

archem diagnostic industry (Turkey) and the 

concentration calculated using the following 

equation. 

Cholesterol (mg/dl) =absorbance sample/ 

absorbance standard ×con. of stan. (mg/dl). 

Insulin: All insulin samples were run in a 

single assay was analyzed using Elcysys and 

Cobase immunoassay kit (Cobas,USA) and the 

analytical sensitivity was 0.20 µu/ml. 

General linear model (GLM) within the 

statistical program SAS (2005) were used to 

analyze the factors affecting biochemical 

constituents. Duncan Multiple Range Test 

(Duncan, 1955) also used to test the significant 

differences between the levels of each factor 

affecting the studied traits. 

Correlation coefficients among traits 

associated with puberty were also calculated. 

RESULT AND DISCUSSION 

Biochemical constituents of blood 

Total protein, cholesterol , and glucose 

averaged 6.66±0.072 gm/l, 37.53±1.19 mg/dl 

and 81.42±1.46 mg/dl ,respectively (Table 

1).The present values of total protein are 

within the normal ranges reported by Brigele 

and IIgaza (2003) who found that normal values 

of total protein in blood serum of sheep were in 

a range between 6 and 8 gm/l. Also, the values 

of glucose concentration in blood serum of the 

two groups are within the normal range in sheep 

given by Williams (1997) being 40-80 mg/dl. 

However, cholesterol level was slightly lower 

than the normal range (52- 76 mg/dl) as 

indicated by Kaneko et al (1997). 

Feeding ewe lambs 12% or 16%. crude 

protein had no significant effect on both total 

protein and glucose ,whereas the effect on 

cholesterol was significant (P


168 

Glucose (mg/dl) 

88 

86 

84 

82 

80 

78 

76 

74 

72 

70 

6 month 8 month at puberty 

Fig. (1) Mean total glucose (mg/dl) of ewe lambs fed two levels of protein during 

various period of the experiment. 

Correlation coefficient between age and body 

weight at puberty and some metabolites 

traits: 

It has been suggested that sufficient body 

growth is a consequence of metabolic changes 

occurring before and around the onset of 

puberty (Suttie et al.,1991) .Therefore, it is 

plausible to think that those changes serve as 

peripheral signals to initiate puberty(Sakurai et 

al.,2004) .In the present work, the correlation 

coefficients between protein and each of body 

weight and age at puberty was non significant 

being -0.003 and -0.132 , respectively .Also, the 

correlation coefficients between cholesterol and 

each of body weight and age at puberty were not 

significant being 0.098 and -0.185 

respectively(Table 2). These results suggest that 

plasma metabolite concentrations per se are not a 

significant trigger for the onset of puberty in 

Karadi ewe lambs. Similarly, Sakurai et al. 

(2004) Indicated that some metabolites including 

non estrified fatty acids, ketone body and acetic 

acid are not considered a significant trigger for 

the onset of puberty in Shiba goat. 

Time changes in plasma concentrations of 

glucose are shown in (Figure 1). It appears from 

the figure that glucose concentration relatively 

maintained the same (79.35-85.42) during the 

course of study. Furthermore, the correlation 

coefficient between glucose and weight at 

puberty was significant (0.247), while with age 

Protein 12% 

Protein 16% 

was not significant (0.063) (Table 2). Also, 

Foster and Bucholtz (1995) reported that LH 

secretion is suppressed by the central 

administration of glucose inhibitor in developing 

sheep, and suggested that glucose availability 

has a critical role in the onset of puberty. 

Therefore, the central sensors that detect the 

availability of particular circulating metabolites 

may change before the onset of puberty. Insulin 

is considered to be one of the metabolic signals 

linking nutritional status with pulstile 

GnRH/LH secretion in ruminants, because 

circulating insulin concentration are positively 

correlated with the nutritional status(Hileman et 

al.1990;Studer et al.,1993) ,and insulin acts 

centrally to stimulate pulstile LH release 

(Tanaka et al.2000) . In the current work, insulin 

was correlated positively (p


Table (2): Correlation coefficients between each of age and body weight at puberty 

and some blood serum parameters. 

Protein Cholesterol Glucose Insulin 

Weight at puberty -0.003 N.S. 0.098 N.S. 0.247* 0.378 * 

Age at puberty -0.132 N.S. -0.185 N.S. 0.063 N.S. -0.439 ** 

N.S. Not significant 

* P < 0.05 

** P < 0.01 

REFERENCES 

- Boulanouar, B., Ahmad, M., Klopfestein, T., Brink, D., 

and Kinder, J. 1995. Dietary protein or energy 

restriction influences age and weight at puberty 

in ewe lambs. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 40: 229-238. 

- Brigle, E. and IIgaza, A. 2003. Age and feed effect on 

the dynamic of animal blood biochemical values in 

postnatal ontogenesis in calves. Vetinari ja Ir 

Zootechika T. 22:5. 

- Castro ,A., Dhindsa, D. S., Hoversland ,A.S. and Mct 

Calfe, J. 1977.Serum proteins and protein and 

protein electrophoretic pattern in normal pygmy 

goats .American J. Vet. Res.38:665-667. 

- Duncan, D.B. 1955. Multiple Range and Multiple Test. 

Biometrics. 11:1 -42. 

- Fawcett, D. W. 1979. The male reproductive system. In: 

Reproduction and Human welfare. (Ed Greep R.O. 

Koplincky ,M.A. and Jaffe ,F.S.) Hitt press 

Cambrige ,UK. 

- Foster , D. L., and Bucholtz, D. C. 1995.Glucose as a 

possible metabolic cue timing puberty. Front 

Endocrinol 10:319-331. 

- Foster, D. L., Olster, D. H. and Yellon, S. M. 1985. 

Neuroendocrine regulation of puberty by nutrition 

and photoperiod. In Adolescence In Females: 

Endocrinological Development and Implications on 

Reproductive Function .PP,1-21. 

- Foster, D. L., Ebling, F. J. P., Micka, A. F., Vannerson, 

L. A, Bucholtz,.D. C.,Wood, R. I., Suttie, J. M. 

and Fenner, D. E. 1989. Metabolic interfaces 

between growth and reproduction. Nutritional 

gonadotrophins, prolactin and growth hormone 

secretion in the growth limited female .lamb. 

Endocri. 125: 342-350. 

- Hileman, S.M., Schillo, K.K., Boling, J. A., and 

Estienne, M.J. 1990.Effects of age on fasting – 

induced changes in insulin, glucose, urea nitrogen, 

and free fatty acids in Sera of sheep. 

Proc.Soc.Exp.Biol.Med.194; 21-25. 

- Kaneko, J. J., Harvey, J. W. and Bruss, M. L. 

1997.Clinical Biochemistry of. Domestic Animals 

.Academic press, USA. 

- Palsson, H., and Verges, J. B. 1952. Effects of the plane 

of nutrition on growth and development of carcass 

quality in lambs. J. Agri. Sci. 42: l. 

- Park, C. S. 1985. Influence of dietary protein on blood 

cholesterol and related metabolites of growing 

calves. J. Anim. Sci. 61:924-930.. 

- Pedawy, A.G., and Alkas, J. E., 2010. Studies on the 

attainment of puberty in Karadi ewe lambs. 1. 

Effect of level of protein on age and weight at 

puberty. J. Duhok Univ. (in press). 

- Sakuri, K., Ohkura, S., Matsuyama, S., Katoh, K., 

Obara ,Y., and Okamura, H., 2004.Body growth 

and plasma concentrations of metabolitiesand 

metabolic hormones during the pubertal period in 

female Shiba goats .J. Reprod. Dev. 50; 197-205. 

- SAS (2005).SAs/STAT User’s Guide for personal 

computers. Release 6.12.SAS Institute Inc., Gary, 

Nc, U.S.A. 

- Singh, V., Bugalia, N.S., and Kumar ,P.1994.Plasma 

total protein cholesterol and minerals during 

prepuberal and puberal periods in goats. Indian J. 

Anim. Sci. 64:834-835. 

- Steiner, R.A., 1987.Nutritional and metabolic factors in 

the regulation of reproductive hormone secretion in 

the primate.Proc.Nutr.Soc.46:159 175. 

- Studer, V. A., Grummer, R. R., Bertics, S. J., and 

Reynolds, C.K. 1993.Effect of prepartum 

propylene glycol administration on peripartureint 

fatty liver in dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 76:2931- 

2939. 

- Suttie, J. M., Foster, D. L., Veenvliet, B.A , Manley, 

T.R., and Corson, I .D. 1991. Influence of food 

intake but independence of body weight on puberty 

in female sheep .J. Reprod. Fert .92:33-39. 

- Tanaka,T., Nagatani, S., Bucholtz, D.C., Ohkura, S., 

Tsukamura, H., Maeda, K.,and Foster 

,D.L.2000. Central action of insulin regulates 

pulsatile luteinizing hormone secretion in the 

diabetic sheep model. Biol. Reprod. 62:1256-1261. 

- Williams ,O.R. 1997. Phsiology of Domestic Animals 

.2 nd ed.Lowa Univ. Press,USA. 

169


َىوود اي و ينتوسث % 21 

170 

اكيلائ َىكَيئ اثوسط : اثوسط وود وب ىسكشةباد ةهتاي اظيةي 

6 

َىيذ ل َىم تَيخزةب 

اكيثسةد ذ وتسطزةو ةهتاي َىهيوخ تيلثماس اسةوزةي ىاشَيك ةهتايد ىكةزاج ىيتفةي زةوةنايط ينتوسب 

% 26 

ةتخوث 

30 

اكيلائ 

و ىشوكولط ىهيتوسث ايوك انسكةظولش وب ىنازةبل ةهتاي انوبزايد َىمةد و اظيةي تشةي و اظيةي 6 َىيذد و َىهيلوكةظ 

-: 

ىووب ىطنةز ىظب مانجةئ و ىنازةب ةهتاي َىمةد ىهيلوسنةئو ىنوترسيجوسب ارَيز اسةوزةي . لىويرتسلوك 

2616± 

22611 ترول وسد\ 

وغلم 2621± 

30673 وترول\ 

وغ .6.0± 

6666 

شووكولط و لىوترسيلوك 

. وبةي لىوترسيلوك و ارَيز ل ىسكَيتزاك َلىةب ىشوكولط و ىهيتوسث ايوك ارَيز ل وبةن ظاضزةب انسكَيتزاك و 

و ) .6110( 

و ىهيتوسث ارَيز 

ووب اوضزةب و يتةشووث َىهتوشيةطَيث ل ىوشةل اشَيكو شوكولط ازةبظاند ىدنةبظةي تَيزةتكاف 

َىي َىدنةبظةي َىزةتكاف َلىةب ) .6302( 

َىهتشيةطَيث ل ىشةل 

اشَيك ازةبظاند وبةي اضزةب و يتةشوث ادنةبظةي ىهيلوسنةئ 

ممممم ممممم ج\ 

ت ممممم 

% 26 

ممممم ا لا ممممم لك\ 

ممممم ل ممممل ممممم ولا 

تريل 

سد\ 

. ( - .6131 ) ىخموت اهتشيةطَيث َىمةد ل ىذ لةطد اضزةب وب يتةطَين 

نا ممممم لا ممممم ت مممممو لمممممر ممممم بمممممشا 

ت مممم 

عمممم ل لمممم ل لا مممملولا بل ممممص اعممممل بممممشا 

2621± 

30673 

. ل ل لا 

, 

% 21 

2 

لولا م ا لا ل ص اعل 

ممممممم ل\ 

يممممممغ .6.0± 

6... 

6 

مممممم ممممم و ا لاممممممح 

ممممم ت مممم ل مممممل م اعممممحا ادمممممغ ل 

بممممشا 

6 

ل لاا 

اممممك لممممر ممممل ممممت ت ممممولا ومممم لل ممممك يممممل . للا مممم لا ممممل مممم ل لممممس 

3. 

7 

غلم 


ممممم ت يمممممت 

ممممم ممممملا لا ممممو 

ممممم مممم لا عمممم عممممل معمممملا مممم م ممممل مدممممعا مممممك 

ع ت يت كلدك ل ل كلا ك لكلا للكلا ت ولا 

ممممممك لكلا ل مممممم ل كلا لمممممملكلا ت ممممممولا مممممم اممممممكل لعمممممم ملا لممممممل 

\ يممممغل 

مممموت لاا امممم ن ممممك . ل مممم ل كلا ا مممم لممممر ممممل مممم لا ن ممممك ممممح لممممر . 

ن مممملا مممم ممممل ممممج مممموت ا ل مممم لال ن ممممك مممممك ) ..110( 

.) 

−.6131( 

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2616± 

22611 

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\ يممممغل 

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لولا عل م لا ل ول س وت لاا ن ك ح لر ) .6302( 

ل ل لا لولا عل


EFFECT OF SPRAYING WITH MOLYBDENUM AND IRON ON THE 

GROWTH AND SEED YIELD OF Nigella damascene L. 

YOUSIF H. HAMMO and BALKIES G. SAHI 

* Dept. of Horticulture ,College of Agriculture, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region-Iraq 

(Received: November 4, 2010; Accepted for publication: February 27, 2010) 

ABSTRACT 

This study was conducted in Agricultural College/ Dohuk University during 2007 and 2008 growing season. To 

test the effects of Fe fertilizer at (0, 100, 200, 300) mg.l -1 sprayed twice, the first was on 1/2/2008 and the second was 

one month later, and Mo at (0, 100, 200) mg.l -1 after one week interval with Fe on vegetative and seed yield of Nigella 

damascene L. Results showed that spray with 100 mg. l -1 of Mo was superior over other treatments in 100 seed weight 

8.51%more than control, the highest fruits number and seed yield per plant were accompanied with 200 mg l -1 of Mo 

(37.75, 38.20)% for the two characteristics respectively, Also 100 and 200 mg.l -1 of Fe has significantly effects in fruits 

number, seeds yield per plant, and the highest percentage arrive (31.76, 35.14)% than control for the two levels 

respectively, The dual interaction between the Mo and Fe show significantly effects on all the characteristics, the 

highest number of fruit per plant was obtained from plants that sprayed with 200 mg.l -1 for Mo and 200 mg.l -1 of Fe, 

and the highest seeds weight per plant arrive 107.47% more than control for plant that spray with 200 mg.l -1 of Mo 

and 100 mg.l -1 Fe . 

KEYWORDS: Mo, Fe, seed yield, Nigella damascene. 

T 

INTRODUCTION 

he genus Nigella (Ranunculaceae 

family) consists of about 20 species, 

three of which Nigella glandulifera, Nigella 

sativa and Nigella damascena L. N. damascena, 

like N. sativa, is traditionally used as a 

condiment and healing herb in southern Europe 

and the Near East, but has never grown in the 

wild in central Europe. (Heiss and Oeggl, 2005). 

Their seeds, commonly added in many food 

preparations, possess diuretic, analgesic, 

spasmolytic, galactagogue and bronchodilator 

effects and have been used for a long time in the 

treatment of urinary calculus and bronchial 

asthma. Flavones glycosides, triterpenoids and 

alkaloids are the main constituents in the Nigella 

genus (Tian et al, 2006). Love - in - amist 

(Nigella damascena L.) is an annual herbaceous 

plant, seeds are usually inexpensive and easy to 

germinate, direct seeding - lower costs, 

staggered seeding, multiple plantings possible, 

weeding and, low market price on species 

commonly found in home gardens harvesting are 

labor intensive (Koch, 1996). Delicate flowers 

for fresh use; allow surplus production to set 

fruit for sale as fresh material, further surplus 

fruit may be used in dried form (Stevens, 1992). 

Micronutrients are necessary for plant growth, 

too little or too much will reduce plant yield as 

much as a lack of nitrogen (Malhi & Leach, 

2000). Plants need a continual supply of Fe 

because its deficiency is the most common 

micronutrient especially in areas of low rainfall 

and in alkaline soils (pH above 7.0) Harris 

(1992), and for its inability to translocation from 

older to newer leaves, it is essential for 

chlorophyll and the reactions of photosynthesis 

(Huber, 1980). With some susceptible plants the 

newer leaves lose all of their capacity to produce 

chlorophyll and the leaf turns black and dies 

(Tindall et al, 1996). Bishr et al (1998) found 

that spray Nigella sativa with 50 mg.l -1 

microelements (Zn, Mn, and Fe) increase plant 

high, branch number, plant dry weight 

significantly when compared with control. Mo is 

also required in very small quantities in plants it 

is less available at low pH and its deficiency 

commonly occurs in soils that severely lack 

phosphorus and sulfur (Harris, 1992). Nitrogen 

metabolism, protein synthesis and sulfur 

metabolism are also affected by Mo which has a 

significant effect on pollen formation, so fruit 

and grain formation are affected in Mo deficient 

plants. And the plants did not get enough Mo 

had a strong positive effect. (Whitcomb, 1987; 

Laaniste et al, 2004). Deficiencies of 

micronutrients as Mo could reduce the oilseed 

yield (Hocking et al, 1999). The objective of the 

present study was to clarify the influence of 

micronutrient (Fe, Mo) on seed yield and growth 

characteristics of Nigella damascene. 

171


171 


The field experiment was conducted during 

the 2007-2008 growing season at horticulture 

Department, college of Agriculture, Dohuk 

University. Seeds of Nigella damascena were 

obtained from the herbal grocery in Dohuk. 

Seeds were Sowed in (25) cm pots, after one 

month seedling were thinned to three per pot. 

The experiment was laid out in Randomized 

Complete Block Design with three replications. 

Fe applied as FeSO4.7H2O with (0, 100, 200, 

300) mg.l -1 concentrations for two time the first 

was done two month after sowing and the 

second was one month later, whereas Mo 

applied as Na2MoO4.2H2O with (0, 100, 200) 

mgl -1 concentrations for two time after one week 

as interval with Fe . The studied characteristics 

are plant height, number of branch per plant, 

number of fruit per plant, number of seeds per 

fruit, seed weight per plant, 100-seed weight, 

vegetative dry weight. Data analyzed 

statistically; using SAS program, mean values 

Characters 

Plant length (cm) 

Branches number 

/ plant 

Dry weight (gm) 

were compared by Duncan test at 5% level 

(SAS, 2001). 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. 

1-The Effects of Mo and Fe in plant length, 

branch number, and plant dry weight. 

Data in table (1) showed that 100 and 200 

mg.l -1 of Mo had significantly effects on plant 

length, brunches number, dry weight of plant 

when compared with the control and the highest 

increasing percentage than control arrive (31.71, 

26.85), (41.86, 42.33), (49.37, 53.46) % for the 

three characters respectively, while there aren’t 

any effect as a result for increase in Mo 

concentration from 100 to 200 mg.l -1 . Spraying 

nigella plant with Fe resulted in substantial plant 

length and branch number increase particularly 

by 300 mg.l -1 which exceeded the untreated 

check by 23.68% and 15.79 % respectively. The 

dual interaction between the Mo and Fe 

concentration show significantly effect on plant 

length as shown 

Table (1): Effect of Mo and Fe in some characteristics of Nigella damacena. 

Mo 

concentration 

(mg.l -1 ) 

Fe concentration (mg.l -1 ) 

0 100 200 300 

0 26.33b 30.00b 43.67a 44.00a 36.00b 

100 43.67a 49.67a 47.33a 49.00a 47.42a 

200 44.00a 43.33a 47.33a 48.00a 45.67a 

Fe effect 38.00b 41.00b 46.11a 47.00a 

0 13.00e 17.00de 20.33cd 21.33b-d 17.92b 

100 25.00a-c 25.67ab 24.67a-c 26.33ab 25.42a 

200 25.33ab 24.33a-c 26.67a 25.67ab 25.50a 

Fe effect 21.11b 22.33ab 23.89a 24.44a 

0 15.80e 18.40de 22.60c-e 25.50b-d 20.58b 

100 28.63a-c 28.20bc 34.77ab 31.33a-c 30.73a 

200 30.13a-c 28.10bc 37.87a 30.20a-c 31.58a 

Fe effect 24.86b 24.90b 31.74a 29.01ab 

Means with same letter for each factor and interaction are not significantly different at 5% level based on 

Duncan's Multiple Rang Test. 

Mo Effect


in the same table and the means value 

arranged between (43.33 - 49.67) cm except 0, 0 

(control) and 0, 100 mg.l -1 which give (26.33, 

30.00) cm respectively. Also the interaction 200, 

200 mg.l-1 for the two factors give the highest 

brunch number with increasing percentage 

(105.13) % than the control treatment. 

Identically the dual interaction for dry weight 

increased significantly for the same interaction 

by (139.66) % than control treatment. 

2- The Effects of Mo and Fe in fruit number, 

seed production, 100 seed weight, and seed 

number per fruit. 

Data in table (2) showed that fruit number, 

seed weight per plant, 100 seed weight are 

affected significantly by Mo, the 100 mg.l -1 

concentration is the superior treatment it give 

more percentage of 100 seed weight when 

compared with control and 200 mg.l -1 treatment 

(7.62, 8.51)% respectively. The highest increase 

in fruits number and seed weight per plant were 

found in plants that sprayed with 200 mg.l -1 of 

gm 

gm 

Characters 

Fruit number / 

plant 

Seed weight / 

plant (gm) 

100 seeds 

weight (gm) 

Seed number 

/ fruit 

Mo it arrive (37.75, 38.20) % than control 

respectively, the 100 mg.l -1 is the superior 

treatment it give the highest 100 seed weight 

(0.221)gm which significantly superior than 

other, while Seed number that cannot affected 

significantly with this factor. Although the Fe 

has no effect on 100 seeds weight, and seed 

number per fruit as shown in table (2) it has 

significantly effected in fruit number at 100 and 

200 mg.l -1 (43.3, 44.4) when compared with 

control and 300 mg.l -1 respectively, also seed 

weight per plant when spread with all 

concentration when compared with control, The 

dual interaction between the Mo and Fe show 

significantly effect on most of characteristics as 

in table (2) and the highest percentage of seeds 

weight increases arrive 107.47% more than 

control for 200, 100 mg.l -1 of Mo and Fe 

interaction, were as the 100 seeds weight cannot 

effected by this interactions, the seed number per 

fruit have the heights dual effect in 200, 0 mg.l -1 

treatment it arrive (77.88) % than control. 

Table (2): Effect of Mo and Fe in some characters of Nigella damacena. 

Mo concentration 

(mg.l -1 ) 

Fe concentration (mg.l -1 ) 

0 100 200 300 

0 30.0e 35.7c-e 35.0c-e 34.3c-e 33.8c 

100 33.3de 41.0b-d 43.7b 40.7b-d 39.7b 

200 35.3c-e 53.3a 54.7a 42.0bc 46.3a 

Fe effect 32.9c 43.3a 44.4a 39.0b 

0 1.128e 1.600cd 1.702cd 1.600cd 1.508c 

100 1.397de 1.878bc 1.951a-c 1.970a-c 1.799b 

200 2.190ab 2.341a 2.150ab 1.660cd 2.085a 

Fe effect 1.572b 1.940a 1.934a 1.743ab 

0 0.215a 0.196a 0.198a 0.212a 0.205b 

100 0.228a 0.213a 0.222a 0.221a 0.221a 

200 0.215a 0.204a 0.196a 0.199a 0.204b 

Fe effect 0.220a 0.204a 0.205a 0.211a 

0 16.74b 23.62ab 24.63ab 20.79b 21.45a 

100 18.63b 21.74b 20.21b 21.50b 20.52a 

200 29.77a 24.40ab 20.19b 20.20b 23.64a 

Fe effect 21.71a 23.25a 21.68a 20.83a 

Means with same letter for each factor and interaction are not significantly different at 5% level based on 

Duncan's Multiple Rang Test. 

Mo Effect 

171


The positive effects of Fe may be referring to its 

role in the synthesis of proteins and the function 

of certain respiration enzymes (Whitcomb, 

1987). Or to its deficiency that reduces the 

chlorophyll produce, so resulting in low levels of 

photosynthesis (the Chlorophyll is the green 

pigmented material in the plant necessary in 

carrying out photosynthesis) so in some severe 

cases, limbs or the entire plant may be affected. 

(Tindall et al, 1996). The effect of Mo may be 

refer to its involved in several enzyme systems 

including nitrate reductive (Nicholas, 1975), and 

for its effect on aboveground biomass, leaves’ 

and improve photosynthesis rate (Liu et al, 

2005). also it is required in the synthesis of 

ascorbic acid and is implicated in making Fe 

physiologically available in plants so its 

deficiency resembles nitrogen deficiency so 

plant grow poorly (katyal and randhawa, 1983). 

REFERENCES 

- Bishr, G. A. A., I. M. A. Harridy., M. E. Khattab., M. T. 

M. A. Soliman 1998. Improving of Nigella sativa 

growth, yield volatile oil and fixed oil by potassium 

fertilization and some micro elements. J. Agric. Sci. 

Mansoura Univ., 23(6): 2667-2678. 

- Hocking. P., R. Norton., and A. Good. 1999. Crop 

nutrition. Proceedings of the 10 th International 

Rapeseed Congress, Canberra, Australia. 

- Harris. R. W. 1992. Arboriculture: Integrated management 

of landscape trees, shrubs, and vines. 2 nd ed. 

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall. 

- Huber. D.M. 1980. The role of mineral nutrition in 

defense. Pp. 381-406 in Plant disease, an advanced 

treatise. Vol. 5: How plants defend themselves. 

171 

Editors J.G. Horsfall and E.B. Cowling. New York, 

New York: Academic. 

- Heiss. A. G., and K. Oeggl. 2005. The oldest evidence of 

Nigella damascena L. (Ranunculaceae) and its 

possible introduction to central Europe, Veget Hist 

Archaeobot 14:562–570. 

- Koch. C. 1996. Floriculture Factsheet, Field grown cut 

flowers. Abbotsford Agriculture Centre 1767 Angus 

Campbell Road Abbotsford, B.C. V3G 2M3. 

- katyal J. C. and N. S. Randhawa. 1983. Micronutrients 

(Mo). FAO Fert. Plant Nutr. Bull. 7: 69-76. 

- Laaniste. P., J. Joudu., and V. Eremeev. 2004. Oil content 

of spring oilseed rape seeds according to 

fertilization, Agronomy Research 2(1), 83–86. 

- Liu. P; Y.S. Yang; G.D. Xu; Y.H. Fang; Y.A. Yang; and 

R.M. Kalin 2005.The effect of Mo and boron in soil 

on the growth and photosynthesis of three soybean 

varieties. Plant soil envFe, 51, 2005 (5): 197–205. 

- Malhi. S. S., and D. Leach. 2000. Restore Canola Yield by 

Correcting Sulfur Deficiency in the Growing 

Season. 

- Stevens. A. B. 1992. Specialty cut flowers, a commercial, 

and grower's guide, Kansas State University 

Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative 

Extension Service, http://www.oznet.ksu.edu. 

- SAS (1989-2001). Proprietary soft ware release, 6.12 TS 

020 Licensed to North Carolina state university. By 

SAS Institute Inc., Cary. NC. USA. 

- Tindall T. A., M. W. Colt., D. L. Barney. And E. Fallahi. 

1996. Controlling Fe deficiency in Idaho plants, 

Published by Ag Communications Center, Director 

of Cooperative Extension System, University of 

Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844. 

- Tian. Z., Y. Liu., S. Chen., J. Yang., P. Xiao. And. L. 

Wang. 2006. Cytotoxicity of two Triterpenoids 

from Nigella glandulifera, Molecules 2006, 11, 

693-699. 

- Whitcomb. C. E. 1987. Landscape production, 

establishment and maintenance. Stillwater, 

Oklahoma: Lacebark Publication.


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روذبلا جاتنإو يرضخلا ومنلا يف و ديدحلاو مويندبلوملاب 

Nigella damascene L. 

ةكربلا ةبح تابنل 

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171

The Influence Of Priming Two Cucumber Cultivar Seeds

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