No abstract

No abstract

Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is a member of the Brassicaceae family of root vegetables and both the roots and the leaves are consumed for their natural therapeutic value and health promoting effects owing to the presence of phytochemicals. Thus, the effect of three different solvents (Cold, hot and alcoholic) of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) extracts on germination and growth of radish was studied. A field experiment was carried out during October to December 2021 season with Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Alcoholic, hot water and cold water extraction at a concentration of 1 % showed a higher germination percentage compared to other concentrations, while Distilled water showed a major germination percentage 80% compared to other extractions. Regarding the chlorophyll content, alcoholic extraction at a concentration of 0.5 % showed higher Chlorophyll content of 19.5 compared to other treatments and even the control. The root length of radish for alcoholic extraction at a concentration of 1 % showed the highest root length. Alcoholic extraction at a concentration of 0.5 %, hot water extraction at a concentration of 3% and cold-water extraction at a concentration of 5% showed the highest stem diameter. Alcoholic extraction of lemon balm at concentration of 1 presented the biggest leaf diameter. This indicated that the Melissa officinalis extracts as a medicinal plant had different effects on radish germination and growth. Further research should evaluate radish development in different circumstances to see whether this strategy may boost the output of this vital crop.

The study included the ecology and geographical distribution of the Ononis L. species, which are grown wildly in Iraq. The species of this genus varied in their ecological growth and distribution on Iraqi phytogeography districts. Ononis sicula Guss. has wide distribution, which was distributed in thirteen districts: (Amadiya (MAM), Rowanduz (MRO), Sulaimanyia (MSU), Jabal Sinjar (MJS), Nineveh District (FNI), Upper jazira (FUJ), Arabil (FAR), Kirkuk (FKI), Persian foothills (FPF), Eastern Alluvial plain (LEA), Lower Jazira (DLJ), Western Desert (DWD) and Southern Desert (DSD)). Ononis reclinata L. was found in twelve districts, Nineveh (FNI), Kirkuk (FKI), Upper jazira (FUJ), Persian foothills (FPF), Eastern Alluvial plain (LEA), Arbil (FAR), Sulaimanyia (MSU), Jabal Sinjar (MJS), Rowanduz (MRO), Lower Jazira (DLJ), Eastern Alluvial plain (LEA) and in Desert plateau region, Southern Desert (DSD). As it was recorded a new distributed of this species in two geographical districts (LEA, DSD), but Ononis serrata FORSSk., It grows in eight districts, (FUJ, FKI, FPF, DLJ, DGA, LCA, LEA, DSD), in the environments of the upper plains and foothills region, desert plateau and in the lower mesopotamian region, but O. viscosa L. subsp. breviflora (DC.) Nym., dispersal in six districts (MAM, FNI, FKI, FPF, DSD and DWD), as it was recorded a new distributed of this species in three geographical districts, (FPF, DWD, DSD.) Ononis mitissma L. founded in four districts (MAM, MRO, MSU and FNI), Ononis spinosa L. subsp. leiosperma (BOISS.), distributed in five districts (MAM, MRO, MSU, FAR and FNI), Ononis hirta POTR. and Ononis pusilla L. distributed in two districts (MRO, FAR) and (MAM, MSU) respectively, as Ononis pusilla L. was recorded a new distributed of this species in (MSU) district whereas Ononis hirta was recorded a new distributed in (FAR)district, other species (Ononis adenotricha BOISS., Ononis pubescens L., Ononis natrix L. sub sp. stenophylla, Ononis biflora Desf. that are rare distribution which dispersal does not exceed one geographical district. The study showed the variations in ecology and geographical distribution with taxonomic value in isolation of species.

This study was conducted in 2018, at Technical College of Applied Sciences, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Kurdistan Region-Iraq. The aim of the study was to determinate nutritional compositions and some elemental contents in marketable white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) that is collected in local markets of Kurdistan Region-Iraq. Five different samples (A: Penjwen product fresh, B: Sulaimani product fresh, C: American caned, D: Valencia Netherlandcaned and E: Erbil product fresh) were collected to be observed. The elements were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry methods, and their chemical compassions were determined, too. The collected data were analyzed by One Way ANOVA. The highest fat, protein, fiber and dry matter were obtained from treatment B (3.93%, 43.693%, 15.8% and 10.611%) respectively, and the highest carbohydrate and moisture were found from treatment D (49.267% and 95.053%). The maximum percentage of ash was taken from E (14.11%). Moreover, the highest metabolizable energy was taken from treatment D (296.105 kcal %) and the lowest was taken from parameter E (223.097 kcal %). The highest mineral contents (Zn:15, Mn:1.1, Cu:3.5, Ni:1, Ca:6.7 and Mg:90 ppm) from B, (Fe:15 ppm) from C, (Si:350ppm) from A, and (Na:1080 ppm) from D were taken. However, the lowest elemental contents (Fe:6, Mn:0.48, Ni:0.6, Na:180 and Ca:3.5 ppm) from E, (Zn:5, Cu:0.9 and Mg:35 ppm) from D and B (Si:120 ppm) were taken. Therefore, we recommend carrying out more studies on micronutrients for different marketable crops and consuming fresh mushroom instead of caned mushrooms.