Non-destructive Method of Leaf Area Estimation for Oleander (Nerium oleander L.) Cultivated in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region

This study was conducted in the Iraqi Kurdistan region in January 2014 to determine the individual leaf area of oleander (Nerium oleander L.) by easy, accurate, inexpensive, and nondestructive method. Simple, multiple and exponential regression analyses were used by length (L) and width (W) and their combinations as independent variables and with leaf area as dependent variable to determine more accurate models (high coefficient of determination and less MSE). The results showed that the best fitting models that show more accurate estimation of oleander leaf area, compared to other models, were the simple linear regression that depends on length multiple width for Koya and Erbil cities and the total leaves of the two cities plants. On the other hand, the best fitting multiple linear equations were those which depend on square length and square width for Koya city and the total leaves of the two cities plants, whereas for Erbil city the best model was that depends on leaves with square length and width. Multiple linear regressions were the more accurate among the models, followed by simple linear regression, whereas the exponential model had the lowest accuracy. All coefficients of regressions values were found to be significant at the P < 0.0001 level

Effect of Magnesium Salts on Growth and Production of Garlic (Allium sativum L.)

A Randomized Complete Block Design (R.C.B.D.) experiment with three replicates was conducted to investigate the effect of foliar application of magnesium salts on growth, yield components and some inorganic minerals of leaves of garlic (Allium sativum L.) local variety. The salts (MgSO4.7H2O, Mg(NO3)2.6H2O and MgCl2.6H2O) addition to untreated plants as control. The concentration of Mg were used was constant (1.97 g Mg. L-1 which comes from 2% MgSO4.7H2O). The results revealed that vegetative growth of garlic was affected significantly by magnesium salts. Highest number of leaves was found in plants treated with MgCl2, the treatment which gave the lowest plant height, each of MgSO4 and Mg(NO3)2 had the highest shoot dry weight. Foliar spraying with Mg(NO3)2 produced highest shoot dry matter percent and highest percent of leaves Phosphorus leaves content, significantly compared to other treatments. The results showed that spraying plants with Mg(NO3)2 and MgSO4 improved yield components where head diameter , head weight, cloves number per head and bulbs yield were increased. Foliar spray with MgSO4 had a significant effects on head scale thickness, whereas there were non- significant effects between different Magnesium salts spraying on each of clove dry matter and percent of TSS content. This study concluded that spraying plants with MgSO4 or Mg(NO3)2 twice (45 days after planting and a month later) increased garlic yield and yield quality

Effects of Some Dates, Pre -treatment Sowing, Soil Texture and Foliar Spraying of Zinc on Seedling of Dalbergia sissoo (Roxb.)

Three experiments were conducted from the beginning of March to the end of October, 2012, in a field condition in Koya city-Iraqi Kurdistan region on shisham Dalbergia sissoo (Roxb.) trees. First experiment was laid out to study the effects of three date of sowing (15 of March, April and May), and six pre- treatments on seed germination of D. sissoo (Roxb.). The Results show that the best time of sowing for good seed germination was 15 of April. Highest germination rate was found when both sides of the pod were cut with soaking in tap water for 24 h. Second experiment was conducted to study the effects of three transplanting soil textures (clay, sandy and sandy clay (1:1) on seedling survival and some growth characteristics. Results indicates that D. sissoo gave better seedling survive rate, seedling leaves and height in sandy clay and sandy soils compared to clay soil. Third experiment was laid out to study the effects of foliar application of zinc (0, 57 and 114 ppm) sprayed on D. sissoo plants growing in clay, sandy and sandy clay (1:1) soils. Zinc application caused a significant increase in most vegetative growth characteristics. Treatments significantly increased leaves phosphorus, sulphate and zinc content compared to control. Most promising results were obtained from seedlings sprayed with zinc and grown in sandy clay soil