Background: The global trend at present is to utilise organic fertilisers of various types and sources to minimise the adverse effects of chemical fertilisers as much as possible. Humic acid is an organic fertilizer widely used due to its many benefits in improving the properties of soil and its effect on plant growth and production. The global production of hybrid varieties has been at a steady pace for years, driven by their productivity and the number of genetic combinations introduced, which increases the capacity of their genetic base and thus helps them adapt to environmental conditions or growth factors. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The experiment conducted in Tikrit University, Salah Al-Din, Iraq, to investigated the effect of varying concentrations of organic fertilizer (0, 1, 2 and 3 ml L-1&nbsp;humic acid) on the three Zea mays plant genotypes (Toro, Vito and Jooly) growth characteristics and protein percentage, in the autumn season of 2025 using an RCBD design repeated three times. 
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Result: Humic acid with 3 ml L-1&nbsp;superior in plant height, leaves number plant-1, leaf area, dry weight plant-1, leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD) and protein percentage, by percentage increase of 3.96%, 7.89%, 21.43%, 12.25%, respectively and leaf chlorophyll content reached 42.10 SPAD and protein percentage 8.6%. Jooly genotype was superior in the same traits by percentage increase of 15.84%, 2.72%, 8.35% and 9.78%, respectively and leaf Chlorophyll content 46.56 SPAD and protein percentage 8.70%. The interaction between 3 ml L-1&nbsp;humic acid concentrations and Jooly genotype superior in the same traits by percentage increase of 29.73%, 10%, 30.15% and 3.29%, respectively and leaf chlorophyll content of 48.25 SPAD and protein percentage 8.90 %. It can be concluded from this experiment that adding of humic acid helps in enhancing growth and protein percentage of new Zea mays L. plant genotypes.&nbsp;

Physiological Effect of Adding Concentrations of Humic Acid on Growth and Protein Percentage of Zea mays L. Plant Genotypes

<div>Background: One cause of fish disease is the Argulus parasite. Both male and female Argulus were found to infect fish. This study aims to determine the percentage difference of male and female Argulus that infect Cyprinidae in Magelang Regency.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The present study used a survey method. The independent variables in this study are carp (Cyprinus carpio), goldfish (Carassius auratus), comet goldfish (Carassius auratus), koi fish (C. carpio koi) and the sex of the Argulus parasite. The dependent variable of this study was the sex percentage of the Argulus parasite. The data analysis was done using analysis of variance (ANOVA) then followed by Duncan&rsquo;s multiple range test to find out the differences between treatments. 
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Result: The first ANOVA result showed no significant difference (p&gt;0.05), the second ANOVA showed significantly different results (p&lt;0.05) and the third ANOVA reveals no significantly different percentage (p&gt;0.05). The highest infestation rate of male Argulus japonicus is found in koi fish (C. carpio koi) is 60% and the lowest is in comet goldfish, which is 38.46%. Whereas infestation of female A. japonicus in carp, goldfish, comet goldfish and koi fish also obtained a similar result.</div>

The Percentage of Male and Female Argulus Infesting Cyprinidae Fish in Magelang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia

<div>Background: Rapid detection of seed germination will be a valuable tool for seed testing laboratories and commercial seed companies. The EC test has been accepted into ISTA rules for beans. The potential of the electrical conductivity test (EC) readings in predicting total and normal germination of nine white coated and nine coloured coated French bean cultivar seeds was examined.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Nine different white coated and nine coloured coated French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars were obtained from different sources. EC measurements for predicting germination were carried out 2, 4, 6 and 8 h during soaking at 20&deg;C. Germination test was conducted on three replicates of 50 seeds in between wet towel papers for 8 days at 25&deg;C in the dark. 
 
Result: Regression models were developed between EC and percentages of normal and abnormal seedlings in the germination test. EC readings at 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours were negatively related to percentage of total (R2=0.717, 0.830 P&lt;0.05) and normal germination percentages (R2=0.762, 0.897 P&lt;0.05). Results suggested that EC measurements carried out in between 2 and 8 hours soaking can be used for the estimation of seed germination in beans.</div>

Prediction of Germination Percentage Through Electrical Conductivity in White and Coloured Coated French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Background: Stallion sperms are very sensitive to cryopreservation. Free radicals generated during cryopreservation lead to spermatozoa membrane damage, decline in their viability and change the activity of cysteine cathepsins. On the other hand, cathepsins may involve in the utilization of oxidatively modified proteins. The present study was conducted to assess cysteine cathepsins activity and level of oxidatively modified proteins in seminal plasma of stallions with a low (&lt;30%) and normal (&gt;30%) percentage of live spermatozoa post cryopreservation&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A total of 33 breeding stallions comprising 6 stallions of the Budennovskaya breed, 22 Arabian breed, 4 Soviet Heavy-Draft and 1 Bashkir breed. We assessed standard quality parameters in fresh and cryopreserved sperm, as well as cysteine cathepsins B,L,H activity, the level of oxidatively modified proteins in stallions seminal plasma with a low (&lt;30%) and normal (&gt;30%) percentage of live spermatozoa post cryopreservation.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The group with a low percentage of live spermatozoa was characterized by decreased sperm quality, increased level of aldehyde dinitrophenylhydrazones (p=0.045) and ketone dinitrophenylhydrazones (p=0.049) of a neutral nature, as well as increased activity of cathepsin L (p=0.029). Evaluation of activity of cathepsin L and the concentration of oxidatively modified proteins in the seminal plasma can serve as a marker in the selection of stallions for sperm cryopreservation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Thiol Cathepsins and Oxidative Modification of Stallion&rsquo;s Seminal Plasma Proteins with Normal and Low Percentage of Live Spermatozoa Post Cryopreservation

<div style="text-align: justify;">The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications during rabi 2013-14 at All India Co-Ordinated Sorghum Improvement Project, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Dist. Ahmednagar (M.S.). Total seven sowing dates (E1-15th August, E2-15 September, E3-15 October, E4-15 November, E5-15 December, E6- 15 January and E7- 15 February) were assigned to the main plot and 16 parental and hybrid lines having four male sterile lines (viz., 104A, 185A, RMS 2010-24A and RMS2010-10A), four maintainer lines (viz., 104B, 185B, RMS2010-24B and RMS2010-10B), four restorer (viz., SPV1830, RSV1130, RSV1098 and BJV116) and their four respective hybrids (viz., 104A x SPV1830, 185A x RSV1130, RMS2010-24A x RSV1098 and RMS2010-10A x BJV116) were assigned to the sub plot treatment. The observations on growth, phenology, physiology and dry matter production were recorded during crop growth period, also, the data on seed set, grain yield and yield contributing characters were recorded at harvest stage. The seed setting percentage in selfed condition was recorded to be higher in September sowing environment followed by October sowing while, in case of the parental lines restorer lines SPV1830, RSV1130, RSV1098 and hybrid RMS2010-24A X RSV1098 recoded the higher seed setting percentage in all the environments and among all the genotypes, &nbsp;indicating their thermo-insensitivity for all the seasons which were considered to be promising genotypes for further breeding programme for yield improvement.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Effect of Photo-Thermo Period on Seed Setting Percentage (In Selfed Earheads) of the Parental and Hybrid Lines of Rabi Sorghum</div>

Background: Aloe vera is a perennial herbaceous plant that resembles like a cactus that thrives in arid, warm climates. It has been known and used for centuries for its health, beauty, medicinal and skin care properties. Though it is used for treatment of variety of ailments and improves the body&rsquo;s physiology but continued treatment of fresh extract Aloe vera lowered sperm concentration, motility andpercentage viability, resulting in higher sperm abnormalities. The study was carried out to investigate the effect of different percentage of dried Aloe vera leaf powder on sperm quality of crossbred boar (75% Yorkshire x 25% Zovawk) with GEPS extender. 
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Methods: The study was conducted on three mature, Large White Yorkshire (LWY) and Zovawk (75% LWY and 25% Zovawk) crossbred boars. A total of 45 ejaculates, 15 from each boar were taken for the study. Each ejaculate was combined 1:1 with extender (GEPS) and divided into three aliquots, each of which was diluted with 0%, 5% and10% Aloe vera powder (PH 7.4) and stored for 48 hours at 17&deg;C in a BOD incubator. At 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after preservation, the stored semen sample was tested for progressive motile sperm by traditional method, live sperm by Eosin-Nigrosin staining, acrosome integrity by Giemsa staining andsperm membrane integrity by HOST test, total protein, sperm membrane protein, cholesterol, ALT and AST level. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The per cent sperm motility, live sperm, acrosomal integrity and plasma membrane integrity of boar spermatozoa was decreased while preserving the semen sample by using GEPS extenders along with 5% and 10% of dried Aloe vera leaf powder at 17&deg;C for 48 hours. The level of total protein, ALT and AST in seminal plasma was increased while preserving the semen sample by using GEPS extenders along with 5% and 10% of dried Aloe vera leaf powder at 17&deg;C for 48 hours. The level of sperm membrane protein and cholesterol of boar spermatozoa decreased while preserving the semen sample by using GEPS extenders along with 5% and 10% of dried Aloe vera leaf powder at 17&deg;C for 48 hours. The total per cent of sperm abnormalities was increased while preserving the semen sample by using GEPS extenders along with 5% and 10% of dried Aloe vera leaf powder at 17&deg;C for 48 hours. In conclusion, the dried Aloe vera leaf powder @ 5% and 10% level having detrimental effect on semen quality of crossbred (75% Large White Yorkshire and 25% Zovawk) boar while preserving with ZEPS extender at 17&deg;C. The quality of boar semen was deteriorated chronologically at 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours preservation with GEPS extender along with 5% and 10% of dried Aloe vera leaf powder at 17&deg;C. 
&nbsp;

Effect of Different Percentage of Dried Aloe Vera Leaf Powder on Quality of Boar Semen

Background: Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus L., is an important crop in Iraq because of its nutritional and industrial uses. Diseases and pests have severe problems for okra farming, chiefly root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne javanica), which lower yield. By evaluating the efficiency of biological control agents, such as Abamectin, in reducing the effects of root-knot nematodes, improving okra growth and increasing nutrient uptake (NPK) as an alternative to dangerous chemical pesticides, this study aims to improve sustainable agricultural practices. 
 
Methods: To evaluate biological agents against M. javanica in okra, a field experiment was conducted at the University of Kufa utilizing a completely randomized block design (CRD) with three replications. Sterilized soil was used to sow okra seeds and each pot was given with 2500 nematode eggs. Streptomyces Paecillomyces variotii, avermitilis and Celest 10% FS were among the seed treatments. By removing and counting second-instar larvae from egg masses, nematode populations were assessed and growth parameters such as plant height, weight, fruit yield and nodes were measured. 
 
Result: In comparison to controls, S. avermitilis and P. variotii considerably decreased M. javanica populations, enhancing plant growth indices (weight, fruit yield, height and nodes). Furthermore, okra plants&rsquo; absorption of phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) was improved by biological treatments. Abamectin was one of the combination treatments that successfully reduced the quantity of nematode eggs per root. Significantly, the development of okra plants was unaffected by these biological agents, demonstrating their potential as long-term nematodes. 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Effect of Biological Factors in Physiological and Growth Indicators of Okra Plant [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] and Percentage of (NPK) Elements with Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne javanica)

Background: This study investigated the impact of feeding different levels of probiotic supplementation on the carcass characteristics, offal percentages, carcass measurements, cut-up parts percentages and meat quality of grower Soviet Chinchilla rabbits. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Twenty-four rabbits were divided equally into four groups: T1&nbsp;(Paragrass + concentrate), T2&nbsp;(Paragrass + concentrate + 0.05% probiotics), T3&nbsp;(Paragrass + concentrate + 0.1% probiotics) and T4&nbsp;(Paragrass + concentrate + 0.2% probiotics). The rabbits had an average body weight of 850&plusmn;50 g at 60 days of age and study was conducted during the year 2023-2024. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Significant differences were observed in live weight (2.25&plusmn;0.12 Kg to 3.36&plusmn;0.28 Kg), slaughter weight (2.08&plusmn;0.13 to 3.22&plusmn;0.12), carcass weight (1.23&plusmn;0.73 to 2.07&plusmn;0.07) and specific organ weights (such as heart, liver and kidney) among treatment groups (P&lt;0.05). Hot carcass weight was highest in the T4&nbsp;group (2.07&plusmn;0.07 kg), indicating enhanced carcass yield with higher probiotic levels. Significant increase (P&lt;0.01 and P&lt;0.05) in carcass length, thorax circumference and hind leg length was found in T3&nbsp;and T4&nbsp;group when compared with T1&nbsp;and T2. Weights of edible offals were found higher in T3&nbsp;and T4&nbsp;dietary group with no statistically significant differences (P&gt;0.05) in weight of inedible offals. Significantly higher increase (P&lt;0.01) in weight of thorax (381.33&plusmn;14.89), shoulder (313.12&plusmn;9.21 gm), loin (365.80&plusmn;14.5 gm), abdominal flap (143.43&plusmn;6.65 gm) and rump (158.98&plusmn;6.21 gm) was noticed in T4&nbsp;except for hind leg when compare with T1, T2&nbsp;and T3&nbsp;dietary group with their consistent yield of cut up parts. No significant differences (P&gt;0.05) were noticed in proximate composition of all the treatment group but with significantly reduced fat content in T3&nbsp;(6.46&plusmn;0.26 to 4.59&plusmn;0.39) when compare with other treatment group. Cooking loss and pH values were consistent (P&gt;0.05), across different dietary groups. The above experiment showed that supplementation of probiotics @ 0.2% with paragrass and concentrate had beneficial effect in terms of carcass quality (i.e. live weight, hot carcass weight, carcass measurements, cut-up parts and specific organ weights etc.) and meat quality (i.e. ether extract, moisture, protein, ash content etc.) of growing Soviet Chinchilla rabbits.&nbsp;

Effect of Different Levels of Probiotic Supplementation on the Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality in Soviet Chinchilla Rabbits

<div>This study was conducted to identify weaning percentage drivers among cattle farmers in Mpumalanga province of South Africa. &nbsp;Two hundred (200) household cattle farmers were randomly selected from four major rural farming communities of Mpumalanga province of South Africa and questionnaires administered on management and production of cattle. Data generated was analyzed descriptively before ordered logit regression analysis model was used to identify determinants of weaning percentage among cattle farmers. &nbsp;Results indicate that majority of farmers mated their heifers at young age (below 2yrs) while medium calving percentage was maintained by majority of respondents. Among the production parameters influencing weaning percentage among cattle farmers in the Province, only calving percentage and weaning age significantly (P&lt;0.05) determined the weaning percentage based on ordered logit analysis. Hence calving percentage and weaning age are very critical factors for productivity and profitability of cattle farming enterprise in Mpumalanga Province of South Africa.</div>

<div>Improved Cattle Production Parameter Drivers Among Farmers in Mpumalanga Province of South Africa</div>

<div>Background: Haemoprotozoan infections are common in canine in tropical countries. The present work was based on retrospective study of 11,000 blood smears of dogs received over a period of nine years (2010 to 2019) in and around Chennai at Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The year-wise incidence, percentage increase year-wise, season-wise, breed-wise and age-wise prevalence and spatial distribution were recorded from the case reports. Diagnosis was made by whole blood and buffy coat smear examination using Geimsa&rsquo;s stain, wet film examination was done for cases suspected for Trypanosoma sp. and PCR for ruling out Babesia, E.canis and Trypanosoma sp. The collected data were entered into Excel sheets, which were imported and analyzed using Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage). 
 
Result: On blood smear examination 3,844 blood smears were found to be positive for various Haemoprotozoan diseases. Among the recorded positive Haemoprotozoan diseases, the highest incidence was of Ehrlichia canis of 2167 cases (56.37%) followed by Babesia gibsoni with 837 cases (21.77%), Hepatozoan canis with 399 cases (10.37%), Babesia canis with 350 cases (9.10%), Trypanosoma sp. With 46 cases (1.19%), Microfilaria with 45 cases (1.12%). The prevalence of Canine Haemoprotozoan diseases were highest in Non-descript Dogs (ND) with 1948 cases (50.67%), Labrador retriever 1665 cases (43.31%), Spitz 909 cases (23.64%), German Shepherd &nbsp;543 cases (14.12%) and others 219 cases (5.69%) respectively. Maximum number of cases reported were 43.7% in the age group of 2-6 years followed by 38% cases in 0-2 years, 10.58% cases in 6-10 years and 7.51% cases above 10 years of age. Maximum number of cases were recorded during Monsoon season (June to September) with 1337 cases (34.78%) followed by 1001 cases (26.04%) during Summer season (March to May), 838 cases (21.80%) during winter season (December to February) and 668 cases (17.37%) Autumn season (October and November). The percentage change in occurrence of Canine Haemoprotozoan diseases follow the pattern of 2012 (-31.9%), 2013 (-23.11%), 2014 (+19.3%), 2015 (+39.06%), 2016 (+12.05%), 2017 (+104.11%), 2018 (+22.64%) and 2019 (+16.81%). The spatial distribution of the same diseases was plotted in Chennai geographical map. The epidemiological study would help the veterinary physician to identify the trends in occurrence of disease and clinical pattern followed by the protozoa, which helps in treatment and control of haemoprotozoan diseases in dogs.</div>

Physiological Effect of Adding Concentrations of Humic Acid on Growth and Protein Percentage of Zea mays L. Plant Genotypes

The Percentage of Male and Female Argulus Infesting Cyprinidae Fish in Magelang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia

Prediction of Germination Percentage Through Electrical Conductivity in White and Coloured Coated French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Thiol Cathepsins and Oxidative Modification of Stallion’s Seminal Plasma Proteins with Normal and Low Percentage of Live Spermatozoa Post Cryopreservation

Effect of Photo-Thermo Period on Seed Setting Percentage (In Selfed Earheads) of the Parental and Hybrid Lines of Rabi Sorghum

Effect of Different Percentage of Dried Aloe Vera Leaf Powder on Quality of Boar Semen

Effect of Biological Factors in Physiological and Growth Indicators of Okra Plant [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] and Percentage of (NPK) Elements with Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne javanica)

Effect of Different Levels of Probiotic Supplementation on the Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality in Soviet Chinchilla Rabbits

Improved Cattle Production Parameter Drivers Among Farmers in Mpumalanga Province of South Africa

Epidemiology of Canine Haemoprotozoan Diseases in Chennai, India